This tale of madness (?) and the character involved is strangely one of the rare Sanderson works that just doesn't grab me. Well written of course, but I just can't connect with any of it.

I am new to this Author and can say I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing and storylines .
The book consists of the three novellas featuring Stephen Leeds - Legion , Skin Deep and Lies of the beholder .

Stephen Leeds is somewhat a schizophrenic savant , allocating various areas of his brain to his hallucinations - his mental health now declining at pace , he struggles to separate fact from fiction . His use of the various aspects , particularly J.C. , a navy seal and weapons expert , Ivy , the psychology expert and Tobias , an old black man who has general knowledge and a soothing voice that helps to calm him , allows him to function to a high degree .
He is approached by Monica , with pictures that should not exist - using the expertise of his aspects his adventure takes on many twists and turns - just what is real ?

A very well written series which I thoroughly enjoyed .

I was given an arc of the Novellas by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review .

This was a preview extract of the book and highlights the first novella. As my first introduction to Brandon Sanderson - I am hella impressed and can’t wait to read more. Going to find the whole Legion book with the 3 novellas and buy it I think! Can’t give a full review because i don’t have the whole book but pretty impressive start.

I am so gratefull that I received a copy of it via Netgalley. This does not affect my review.

This book consists of three novellas, two of which have already been published before. This book binds those two together, and includes the third and final story in the series. I will discuss all the stories separately in this review.

Legion (#1) – I read this story before and it has always stuck with me. Even though it is so short, it manages to raise several very interesting questions, as well as create a complex and well-developed main character (and side characters…). This story does feel like it is too short, but only in the sense that I want to see more of Stephen, his aspects and their banter (so jeey for this bind-up of all 3 stories). The storyline itself is actually a great length and gets wrapped up nicely – though with definite space for continuation. 4.5*

Skin Deep (#2) – This story was a lot longer than the first one, and although still very enjoyable, it wasn’t nearly as good as the first. We are introduced to many new apsects and see them work together, which was awesome. The mystery however wasn’t done very well. Things considering solving it were moving along a bit too slow for my liking, with very few new clues introduced. The solving of the case actually happens between chapters, with a clue we were never aware of. There is also no progress made on the finding Sandra issue that was raised in the first story. Lastly, the questions asked and discussed in this story weren’t nearly as interesting as in the first story. 3.5*

Lies of the Beholder (#3) – Sanderson is at it again! Somehow he managed to make me feel all the feels in the span of only 150 pages. Shit goes down in this book, and Sanderson is not afraid to kill of some beloved characters. This was a great conclusion to the series. Although I don’t agree with the issues discussed in here, it did make for an interesting setting. We see some new aspects and their talents, and further implications of Stephens ‘condition’ which was very interesting. Also, Sandra… 4.5*

Overall this is a great series (as one may expect from Sanderson) with amazing characters and just briliant writing. The plot is not as intricate and overwhelming as some of his fantasy books, but still very interesting and entertaining. Highly recommend it.

This book is a collection containing all three of Sanderson's Stephen Leeds novellas. I'm giving my thoughts on the third novella, Lies of the Beholder, as I've written reviews for the original duo before.

I did reread both Legion and Skin Deep before starting Lies of the Beholder and enjoyed them both. I liked Legion just as much the second (or third) time around. You get a great introduction into the wild world of Stephen Leeds in Legion, and in Skin Deep you dive deeper into the rabbit hole and get to see great character development.

The red thread is actually Stephen's deteriorating mental state. He went from in control of his hallucinations in the first two books but it worsened here, with him struggle to separate what is real and what is imagined and witness the fact that he had become ever more reclusive and anti-social since we last seen him. I highly recommend to check out this darker path!

When I requested this book, I didn't realize it was only an excerpt.
Accordingly, I can't write a full and comprehensive review for this.
I can only say that the excerpt was enough to spark my curiosity and that I'm putting Legion in my TBR, to read when I'm in the right mindset to appreciate it.

The book is a set of three interlocking science fiction/mystery novellas, with the detective role played by schizophrenic genius Stephen Leeds and his legion of hallucinatory alter egos or “aspects,” as he prefers to refer to them.

Part thriller, part study in psychology, part sci-fi. They're all fascinating stories. The plot, pacing, and characters were fantastic until the last chapter. There, it flickered out towards a very disappointing ending that just seemed wrong.

2.5 stars

This was a great collection of three novellas from the prolific Brandon Sanderson with a premise that was very original and entertaining. Stephen Leeds has various hallucinations (called aspects) that take the form of individuals that provide him with information enabling him to solve crimes and puzzles with aplomb. Sanderson's prose is always very accessible, and it was nice for me to read some of his work set in our own world. The aspects are fascinating, all of them following given stereotypical behaviours and each having their own unique psychoses. The plotting of all three novellas was well paced and compelling and whilst I wasn't always wholly convinced by the narrative, I was always entertained. All in all, these were enjoyable and quick reads that I would recommend to anyone needing a boost out of a reading slump or for those who like fantasy based in the real world.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Note: I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.

Brandon Sanderson’s works have been recommended to me quite often, and even though I have some of his works, I have to admit I’d never read anything by him. When a preview for his collection of Legion novellas came up for review on NetGalley I couldn’t resist.

The collection is titled Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds and contains three novella’s about Stephen Leeds (Legion, Legion: Skin Deep and Legion: Lies of the Beholder). Stephen Leeds is a unique man. Some would say he is schizophrenic, but he doesn’t see it that way. He lives with many illusionary aspects, persons, each with his or her own quality, something that Leeds does not know or can’t do by himself. And this places him in high demand, both by researchers wanting to understand or “fix” him, and people who want his (or his aspects’) help.

He is approached by Monica, who has enticed his interest with a few pictures that should not exist. This is interesting enough, and what follows is an adventure that shows us readers how Leeds’ aspects help him and how they “work”.

I really enjoyed this novella, and can’t wait to read the entire collection. In fact that is my only complaint about this novella, I wish it was a novel, I want more. More backstory, and a longer tale. Because of that, it’s four out of five stars.

I read those opening lines and I knew I was hooked. I needed to know how and why his hallucinations were insane and how he managed to live his life with them. I found out that Stephen Leeds is perhaps the most interesting character I have met all year.

To anyone interacting with Stephen he would certainly look insane. He talks to people who are not there and you don’t hear them talk back. He insists that they be provided seats in restaurants, cars and plane. To him they are very real, although he does know that they are not. He is afraid though that if he doesn’t acknowledge that they exist, they will disappear along with their knowledge. And we are not just talking about a few people, by the end of the stories there are around 50 of them, all with some sort of knowledge or special skill that he needs to help him solve problems. All of his aspects have issues as well, and come from different ethnicities. He needed a translator in the first book, and the aspect that was created was from India. Some of his aspects are depressed, OCD, paranoid, germaphobic, and I am sure lots of other stuff too. We don’t meet everyone, but quite a few show up through out the stories.

The three aspects that we get to know the best are J.C., a navy seal and weapons expert, Ivy, the psychology expert and Tobias, an old black man who has general knowledge and a soothing voice that helps to calm Stephen in times of stress. I really liked all of the them and could appreciate why Stephen created them and needed them with him at all times.

I’m not sure that I would say that Stephan is ‘happy’, but he is perhaps the most stable insane character I have ever read. His ability to reason out the problems in the books are very much like Sherlock Holmes. The slightly futuristic setting of the books, helps with the stories as well. I think a more present day setting would not have worked as well. The plots were all well done with some interesting twists as well as being fast paced. I don’t want to say much about the plot, because you really need to go into them blind to appreciate them and how Stephan solves them.

I also recommend reading the preface to the book. It gives some insight into the ideas and processes the author used to write these stories. Sadly he also stated that he doesn’t plan on writing more Stephan Leeds stories, which is sad. I really want to read the story about the teleporting cat!

I received an free preview of the first novella from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a cool concept and the novella was very good. The multitude of hallucinations/personalities that Stephen has and their incredible abilities is really fascinating. Even cooler is Stephen's ability to function normally, though perhaps not to the casual observer. He is actually able to call on a different "person" for different things that he requires. Each has their own identity and personality and it's highly entertaining on its own.
I'm looking forward to reading the other 2 novellas that are supposed to be compiled in this new edition and this would definitely be an excellent TV series.

Stephen Leeds is a genius. He can learn to do anything. He has done so many different things that in order not to lose the knowledge and/or information that he has created aspects (imaginary people). Whoever he goes, these aspects that are geniuses in that area and/or areas go with him. Still he finds himself with more aspects than he ever thought possible. Will he be able to keep them all as he goes on his latest adventure?

It’s a great read! The author has written great science fiction. Don’t miss out.

Absolutely loved this take about the many 'aspects' of Stephen Leeds. The author does a great job diving right into a fast-paced tale featuring a protagonist and his many interior voices. The relationships that Stephen develops with his 'aspects' are as real as any he has in the 'real' world. Intriguing on a lot of levels, there is an interesting piece of self awareness throughout that adds to the sense of normalcy. In short order you accept the aspects as part and parcel of Stephen Leed and will find yourself swept up into the mystery they wander into and subsequently solved. I read this book in two days and then went online and bought his other books. A fun, provocative, fast-paced read!

Ahoy there me mateys!  I love Brandon Sanderson's work and featured him in me author Broadside No. 3.  That was published back on June 1, 2016.  Since then, I apparently haven't read anything by him!  Travesty.  Luckily, I finally listened to this short story collection.  I am certainly glad I did.

This book contains all three novellas about Stephen Leeds.  Stephen is an odd sort who hallucinates personalities (aspects).  He has over 50 of them.  These personalities are created whenever he needs to become an expert on a new skill.  A thing he can accomplish in hours.  To pay for the mansion to house them all, Stephen solves mysteries.

The problem with his aspects is that it is getting harder and harder to control them.  Last time he lost control, one died.  With that death came the loss of knowledge that the aspect knew.  So when he goes off to solve the latest problem, he has to contend with the aspects not following orders and behaving more strangely than usual.  Will Stephen get them back under control?  Or will he lose more aspects and perhaps his sanity?

I absolutely loved this premise and the aspects.  I loved that Stephen knows they are not real but treats them like they are (most of the time).  I love their relationships with each other.  I loved that some aspects had their own hallucinations.  I loved that some aspects knew they were imaginary and some believed they were real.  I ended up falling in love with both Stephen and (most of) his aspects.  In particular I loved Audrey, Ivy, Tobais, and J.C.  I wanted them to be "real."  I also loved Stephen's butler.

Other crew have had issues with the series ending.  And I kinda see why.  It makes sense within the boundaries of the story and the characters.  But at the same time, there is something unsatisfactory about it.  I am not sure if it is because the end seems so final.  There is no need for future stories about Stephen.  And yet I somehow want more from Stephen and his aspects.  Could it be that I just am too in love with them to let them go?

Whatever the case may be, I adored this trilogy of novellas and find that yet again Sanderson has given me another amazing tale to ponder the ramifications of.

Side note:  I still need to read Oathbringer.  At 1248 pages, I need time to savour it.  Maybe by the end of this year?  Anyone want to give me a refresher for book 2?  Arrr!

Goodreads has this to say about the novel:

Stephen Leeds is perfectly sane. It’s his hallucinations who are mad.

A genius of unrivaled aptitude, Stephen can learn any new skill, vocation, or art in a matter of hours. However, to contain all of this, his mind creates hallucinatory people—Stephen calls them aspects—to hold and manifest the information. Wherever he goes, he is joined by a team of imaginary experts to give advice, interpretation, and explanation. He uses them to solve problems… for a price.

Stephen’s brain is getting a little crowded and the aspects have a tendency of taking on lives of their own. When a company hires him to recover stolen property—a camera that can allegedly take pictures of the past—Stephen finds himself in an adventure crossing oceans and fighting terrorists. What he discovers may upend the foundation of three major world religions—and, perhaps, give him a vital clue into the true nature of his aspects.

This fall, Tor Books will publish Brandon Sanderson’s Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds. The collection will include the science fiction novellas Legion and Legion: Skin Deep, published together for the first time, as well as a brand new Stephen Leeds novella, Lies of the Beholder. This never-been-published novella will complete the series.

To visit the author’s website go to:

Brandon Sanderson – Author

To buy the collection of novellas please visit:

legion - Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List

Previous Log Entries for this Author

Broadside No. 3

I expected no less from a craft by Brandon Sanderson.

It is truly marvelous how he works and his magic definitely passes on.

This really made me crave for more.

I didn't pay attention and thought this was an entirely new story, alas only the last (third) part was new and if it wasn't for netgalley one would have to buy the entire book, including two previously released stories just to read the third one. Personally this was disappointing.

Stephen Leeds is a genius, just like the writing of Brandon Sanderson. If you have not read anything by Sanderson before, this is an excellent place to start. Sanderson presents us with a world where a genius copes with his exceptional mind by creating hallucinations - of course being a genius, he is fully aware they are hallucinations. Sanderson writes with humor and develops the characters in such a natural manner that it is the plot that takes hold of you and will not let you go. This is a highly entertaining read for anyone who loves the mystery/detective genre through to an examination of the coping mechanisms people use to manage their differences.

I was too busy jumping for joy upon seeing Sanderson's name on NetGalley to realize that this was just a sampler. Which may have crushed my soul a little bit, but no matter. It's still fantastic.

Legion was already on my TBR and now having tasted an excerpt from it, I am even more excited to read the whole thing. The trilogy is being republished in a new 3 in 1 edition which is so exciting and convenient! Win win situation for sure!

Every time I start a Brandon Sanderson book I know it' s going to be amazing. And Legjobb: the many lövés of Stephen Leeds is truly an amazing book. It contains three novellas about Stephen. When I started reading the first two sentence pulled meg right ín. " My name is Stephen Leeds, and I am perfectly sane. My hallucinations, however, are all quite mad." The stories show us what this first two sentences mean.

The greatest thing about the book is the way Sanderson developed the characters. Each and every aspect (or hallucinations, Stephen calls them aspects) has a very definite personality. Three is a phsychologist, there is a computer nerd and a security expert and a whole lot more. And we have Stephen himself. He is a genius really. Not at all insane.

Legion is a must read if you are a Brandon Sanderson fan and a must read if you havent read anything by hím yet.

Stephen Leeds is not insane. He just happens to have a host – a legion, if you will – of hallucinations. However, when each is a specialist in a different field it makes them really very useful.

This first Legion novella is a slim slice of story in Stephen’s life. There are tantalising hints of background detail that show that there has been a lot of drama before the point we’ve reached – where Stephen is living rather comfortably in a mansion with rooms for many of his hallucinated ‘aspects’. The conversations with other characters reveal that it’s not schizophrenia, it might well be a way of hiding genius, but whatever, Stephen is now coping with it.

He has, however, had years of being something of a ‘circus freak’, and has put up walls in defence. People approaching him for help or to study him aren’t always easy to differentiate. But when someone shows up with evidence of a camera that can take pictures of the past, well – that might just be worth investigating.

I was rather impressed with the amount of background that seeps through the story, and in general just how well it’s written to present us with a lot of information without breaking the flow of the story – especially in such a short package.