Legion (Legion #1)

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Publisher: Audible Audio, Digital Download by Audible Frontiers

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy

Release Date: October 2nd 2012

Total Lenth: 2 hrs & 8 mins

Audible Link: Legion by Brandon Sanderson

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Author Website | Book Depository | Chapters/Indigo | Amazon | Goodreads

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A lot of book bloggers praise the work of Brandon Sanderson and he is mentioned in a lot of people’s favourite authors list, but I personally had never read a novel written by him. I honestly had no idea where to start. I have recently started listening to audio books through Audible which was where I spotted Legion on sale for a great bargain price. The synopsis intrigued me and I thought, what better way is there to join the Brandon Sanderson experience other than a cheap audio book novella!

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Goodreads synopsis: Stephen Leeds, AKA ‘Legion,’ is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. As the story begins, Leeds and his ‘aspects’ are drawn into the search for the missing Balubal Razon, inventor of a camera whose astonishing properties could alter our understanding of human history and change the very structure of society.

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As stated above, the synopsis is what really pulled me in to this story. The idea of a multiple personality disorder, or in this case a wide variety of hallucinatory entities, is something that I have always found very intriguing. As the story progressed though, I found that it started incorporating another element into it. Rather than it just be focused on Stephen Leeds and his hallucinations, Brandon Sanderson introduced another story line which became the primary focus.

Stephen Leeds finds himself on a hunt for a not-so-ordinary camera that has the potential to change the world as we know it. He chooses a few of his hallucinations that he thinks with help him with this quest and off they go.

For whatever reason I had assumed that the primary focus of this story was going to be Stephen and his mental disorder so when Legion progressed into more of an adventure/mystery, I was a little taken by surprise.

Although I didn’t hate the idea of this quest for the almighty camera, I do wish that there were a bit more detail revolving around Stephen and his hallucinations and I wish that this bit of the story line was the main focus.

The characters were decent. Once again I wish I knew a little bit more about them. At one point in the story, we learn how Stephen acquires new entities and I wish there were more focus around that aspect of the story and how his other already existing hallucinations came to be.

I know there is a sequel to this story, but the way the first one left off I’m not sure I’m going to get what I want in terms of more details surrounding Stephen’s condition. That being said however, I am still interested in seeing where this story goes and I will be picking up the next installment as yet another audio book.