Spring 2022 (March);
~ The Sanderson Sisyphean Challenge

I did not read anything about this one, but turned it on and let the new world just steal me away with itself as it unfurled line by line. Another rustic, rough hands, and harder work story, this one crawled into my heart ruthlessly and was already well-roosted at the point to which I had noticed it was happening while I was reading.

I love this tavern of the 'neutral' midway spot tavern that Silence runs right at the edge of the creepy woods, where shades come out to kill you so often that there are three rules everyone has memorized. Things you don't do unless you want the shades to come for you. There is so much in here, but most of all, you should come for hard-as-nails 'Madam' Silence Montane: middle-aged mother, generationally passed down tavern owner, traumatized child adopter, and all-around badass.

With a big secret or two hidden in her apron pockets. ( )

2.75 stars.

It was an enjoyable short story, but I could not connect to the characters. The plot was pretty simple, although the setting is still interesting. I would have appreciated more explanation about the world and the shadows in typical Sanderson's style, but due to space constraints I am aware it gets tricky doing so. I am curious to know more in detail how this story and characters will connect to the rest of the cosmere. ( )

Another awesome Sanders short story/novella. It always boggles my mind how much he manages to pack in so few pages. Also how he is able to crate unique worlds that still make sense and interconnect. ( )

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell is a fascinating Sanderson story set in an out of the way corner of his shared universe--the cosmere.

It's a creepy short (for Sanderson) that follows an older woman (probably middle aged). She's a mother, an inn-keeper, and a bounty hunter. She's a wonderful character and really does do a lot to sell the story.

I believe in the God Beyond,” Silence said, after they reached the other side.
“But—”
“I don’t worship,” Silence said, “but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe. The old books, they called this land the home of the damned. I doubt that worshiping does any good if you’re already damned. That’s all.”

I'd love to see a bit more in this universe, but that goes for just about anything Sanderson writes in the cosmere.

Whether you are looking to read everything you can in the cosmere or if you just want a dark fantasy short, this book is worth the read. ( )

This short story by Sanderson describes a night in the life of an unexpected bounty hunter. As you would expect given the author, the unusual parts of the world are given the attention you would expect in a full novel. Ghosts that attack at the sight of blood could have been a cliche topic, but in this case it was flushed out enough with the economy, protection and past events to keep things interesting. ( )