Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson
Introduction
This collection has ten stories that are not part of the cosmere universe. An overarching plot, which he calls the cosmere, connects the author’s works. The author set the stories of the cosmere on a group of worlds that people travel to through magical means. These are science fiction and fantasy stories not set in the cosmere. They previously published nine of these stories, while publishing the story Moment Zero here for the first time. All the stories in this collection are excellent, but I will comment on each, starting with the one I like most.
Summary
Moment Zero Summary and Recommendation
- Moment Zero is a science fiction novella involving two detective partners at work and in life. A time travel incident occurs, and they must work together to avoid an apocalyptic future.
Moment Zero is the longest story in this collection, and it was published here for the first and only time. The author writes in the postscript that he wanted to tell a story about two people fighting through time to avoid the apocalypse and to show the end of a failed relationship. I thought it was the best story in the collection.
Snapshot Summary and Recommendation
- Snapshot is a science fiction novella about two detective partners sent into a simulation of the previous day to determine the circumstances of a crime that was committed that day.
This was a nice serial killer thriller. The twist comes at the end, revealing an interesting secret about the relationship between the main character detectives. The author writes in the postscript that he worried it was too on the nose, but I think that’s what makes it good.
Perfect State Summary and Recommendation
- Perfect State is a science fiction novel about a simulation where real-born people inhabit a fantasy land surrounded by machine-born NPCs. Real born are the masters of their simulation, but there are other simulations where other real born people are located. What happens when they put two real-born people together?
The author writes in the postscript that he wanted to write about a reverse Matrix, where the real born have reasons to be happy inside the simulation. I felt like he accomplished that goal in the story. He debated whether to include or delete the final scene. At one time, he did, but he felt that without the final scene, the story is incomplete, so the final scene is in this collection. I think his reasons are valid, and I am glad that he chose to include them here.
I Hate Dragons Summary and Recommendation
- I Hate Dragons is a humorous fantasy short story. Skip’s special talent is that he smells good to dragons. Also, he can understand spoken words as written to the annoyance of his employer, Master Johnston. Skip is the dragon bait and Master Johnston’s crew are dragon killers. The story follows from that setup.
It’s a great, funny story. The author writes in the postscript that he wrote this story in response to a prompt from his podcast, Writing Excuses, in January 2011. The prompt was to write a story with dialogue only. No dialogue tags or descriptions are allowed.
This is a link to the story on his website. Extended versions of the story are also found at that link.
https://www.brandonsanderson.com/blogs/blog/i-hate-dragons
Defending Elysium Summary and Recommendation
- Defending Elysium is a science fiction novelette. Jason comes to the orbital station Evensong to find a missing operative sent by his company. An extraterrestrial being is murdered, and things get more complicated. How are these two events connected?
This story is set in the same universe as the author’s Skyward series. It’s one of his earliest written stories.
This is a link to the story on his website
https://www.brandonsanderson.com/blogs/blog/defending-elysium
Mitosis Summary and Recommendation
- Mitosis is a superhero science fiction novelette. David is a Reckoner, a group that defeated Epics, strong supervillains. Another Epic surfaces and David must defeat it, or it will kill many citizens of David’s city.
This story is set in the same universe as the author’s Reckoners series.
Firstborn Summary and Reccomendation
- Firstborn is a science fiction short story. Dennison is overshadowed by the accomplishments of his older brother Varion. Varion is an experienced space fleet commander, who has never lost an engagement. Dennison always fails in his attempts. Dennison studies Varion’s record. What will Dennison do with his knowledge?
This story was originally published on Tor.com which is called reactor now. It’s one of his earliest written stories. The author writes in his postscript that he wanted to explore the topic of nature versus nurture in this story.
This is a link to the story on reactor.
Dreamer Summary and Recommendation
- Dreamer is a phycological horror short story. Dreamer and Phi both want to find Longshot first. Who is going to win this battle and what that means is the subject of the story.
This story was first published in the Games Creatures Play anthology. It’s a short story that tells the message and finishes quickly. It’s hard to care for these characters because of what they are.
Brain Dump Summary and Recommendation
- Brain Dump is a short story about genetic engineering. People can choose the brain that they want for their children. A couple wants a child and finds out the downside of the choice. There is always a negative consequence for any positive trait. They choose their own path.
This story gives a different take on designer brains.
Probability Approaching Zero Summary and Recommendation
- Probability Approaching Zero is short flash science fiction story.
Not much there.
Recommendation
Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson. is a great anthology. I liked Moment Zro and Snpshot the most.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222035715-tailored-realities
Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson. Sixth of the Dusk is a trapper that has magical birds that help him. Dusk must travel to the dangerous Emberdark and discover a necessary secret or his people would lose their freedom to those who want to take it away.
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson. They published the original novella named Sixth of the Dusk in this anthology.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28595941-arcanum-unbounded
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson. Dalinar Kholin’s forces fight the forces of the god, Odium. The fight ends with a contest of champions. Who will prevail in the contest of champions?
My review of Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson. Wax and Wayne must foil a plot started by the terrorist group called the Set to destroy their home and people.
My review of Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson. In book 3.5 of the Stormlight Archive, Rysn and Lopen must uncover the secrets of the lost island of Akinah, or it will doom Roshar.
Links Continued
My review of Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson. In book four of the Stormlight Archive, the war between humans and Voidbringers intensifies.
My review of Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson. In book three of the Stormlight Archive, Dalinar learns the truth of his past through his flashbacks.
My review of Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson, a collection with nine stories that are part of the cosmere universe. An overarching plot, which he calls the cosmere interrelated many of the author’s works. He set six stories on the worlds of his published novels, and three stories are about worlds that have not had a novel-length story treatment. All the stories in this collection are excellent.