Brandon Sanderson

#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings us a gripping story set in the Cosmere universe told by Hoid, where two people from incredibly different worlds must compromise and work together to save their worlds from ruin.

Yumi comes from a land of gardens, meditation, and spirits, while Painter lives in a world of darkness, technology, and nightmares. When their lives suddenly become intertwined in strange ways, can they put aside their differences and work together to uncover the mysteries of their situation and save each other’s communities from certain disaster?

The Cosmere (Secret Project #3)

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

Annabelle Gauthier

"Make me pretty so they'll be extra disturbed if my face ever unravels. And give me voluptuous curves, because they remind me of a graphed cosine. And also because boobs look fun."

This is a mixed pot. There are some things here that make me like it more than some of his other books, and some things here that make me like it less.

I grew quite fond of the characters, particularly Painter. His personality and his problems craft an endearing individual, and his dynamic with Yumi is equally enjoyable. You can really see how the story was constructed with their shared experiences in mind, having to taste each other’s worlds. 

It was also quite the funny book in some parts. I slowly began to enjoy some of the quips and bits and bobs and character interactions, and they got smiles out of me on many occasions. 

I immensely appreciate the thematic focus of the book. The division in understanding of art (precise/emotional), the understanding of being a person, and our responsibilities to those around us - all come together in a fragrant bouquet of writing, and experiencing the three together at the particular depth Sanderson has set here is light, enjoyable, fun, and challenging enough without being too complex. All in all, quite typical of his writing.

What grated on me however was the baroness of the world-building and overall plot points. On the plot; while writing a small story has its intimate benefits, it also comes off tangibly smaller than his usual work, and almost less grounded. On the worldbuilding, this is a world he’s only sketched, not shaded and rendered, and you can see that in the bareness of some of its parts. Oft there was less a visual element to what was happening. Further, the inspiration by Asian culture without taking the lengths of time to properly split it off from its inspiration stunts the suspension of disbelief, and also renders a wholly interesting world - one where your preconceived notions and understandings regarding the finer elements of the culture of Japan and Korea would permeate into the way you saw the world.

Finally, the similarity to our world, and hearing the narrator (who is who he is) say things like denim was jarring. Fun, but jarring.

Omar 

This is a mixed pot. There are some things here that make me like it more than some of his other books, and some things here that make me like it less.

I grew quite fond of the characters, particularly Painter. His personality and his problems craft an endearing individual, and his dynamic with Yumi is equally enjoyable. You can really see how the story was constructed with their shared experiences in mind, having to taste each other’s worlds. 

It was also quite the funny book in some parts. I slowly began to enjoy some of the quips and bits and bobs and character interactions, and they got smiles out of me on many occasions. 

I immensely appreciate the thematic focus of the book. The division in understanding of art (precise/emotional), the understanding of being a person, and our responsibilities to those around us - all come together in a fragrant bouquet of writing, and experiencing the three together at the particular depth Sanderson has set here is light, enjoyable, fun, and challenging enough without being too complex. All in all, quite typical of his writing.

What grated on me however was the baroness of the world-building and overall plot points. On the plot; while writing a small story has its intimate benefits, it also comes off tangibly smaller than his usual work, and almost less grounded. On the worldbuilding, this is a world he’s only sketched, not shaded and rendered, and you can see that in the bareness of some of its parts. Oft there was less a visual element to what was happening. Further, the inspiration by Asian culture without taking the lengths of time to properly split it off from its inspiration stunts the suspension of disbelief, and also renders a wholly interesting world - one where your preconceived notions and understandings regarding the finer elements of the culture of Japan and Korea would permeate into the way you saw the world.

Finally, the similarity to our world, and hearing the narrator (who is who he is) say things like denim was jarring. Fun, but jarring.

Paper boy

Jay Tan

good book
insane pacing at end
kinda asspull end

This gives me Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes. It’s like a fairy tale with high stakes, romance, and humor. 

Maria Fernanda Arnay

Vicky  Nuñez 

i'm still trying to make out all my feelings for this, but i felt a burning need to scream at everyone to read it and READ IT NOW!

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is a body swapping story from two unlikely heroes from two very different worlds. One from a land of meditation and the other from a nightmare-infested nocturnal land. Yumi and Painter find themselves swapping bodies to fulfill a major purpose that neither has a clue what it is.
Written for his wife this is a bit more romance centered than Brandon Sanderson's usual books, but wrapped in magnificent worldbuilding on par with any of his epic fantasy stories. Thrilling in every page, this might be among his best works. So compelling, well paced and heartwarming.

i felt so emotional invested in each of the characters. I think kindhearted Yumi wins everyone from the start but its Painter, who won me over at the end. He's the average guy trying to make it into the world with his passion for painting. 
I think its this passion that helps the book dismantle the idea of AI art been comparable to traditional art.

 Art is about intent. A rainbow isn’t art, beautiful though it might be. Art is about creation. Human creation. A machine can lift way more than Tojin can—doesn’t make it less impressive when he lifts more than almost any human being. 

And speaking of art, the illustrations are so perfectly matched to the story, it feels like the perfect window to help visualize the story. Huge kudos to the artist, i think the illustrations are the most fitting art of all the secret novels so far.

And like with Tress this book is narrated by Hoid, but unlike Tress i do feel like his commentary requires more cosmere knowledge to understand. i mean, it might not be necessary to have read the cosmere, but it does make it more fun when you understand each reference.

Fun, thrilling, and page turning I agree with Sanderson, this might be his very best secret novel.

 I enjoyed Yumi. I wasn’t as crazy for it as I was for Tress, but it was good nonetheless. The twists and turns it takes you through is worth it. It’s also short than other titles, making it a good read for me as I am trying to hit a higher goal of books. All in all, worth it if you’ve read Sanderson. 

Noah Cross

Body swap dislike to lovers ghost? slow burn sci fi rom com

Cody Degen

George

Finally I read this one. I mean I like all of Sanderson's books and this is no different. I have no idea how he pulled these things together into a single story. It makes no sense, but it somehow entirely worked. How do you even storyboard it?! Illogical. He's a witch. So. As you were. 

Apiecalypse Jen

I love Yumi and Nikaro and as always, Sanderson showcases good character work, especially in these shorter, one of off pieces. Another well-built, intriguing world that is well thought out for being a 474 page book. I also love the relation to the cosmere and seeing old characters in the background. This is Sanderson’s first romance however, and had he not stated that’s what it was, I would not have known. There is romance, and while sweet, is still very slight and in the background. I would say it’s maybe slightly less than or only equal to Vin and Elend’s relationship. And since this was supposed  a romance focused book, I was expecting more. But it’s a very sweet, cozy fantasy still with interesting stakes that draws you in. 

Katie Allard

This is my favourite so far of the secret projects - I am always obsessed with the way Brandon does world building and this one was a delight: fantastical jobs that suit the world, discovery of self, ordinary people being heroes. It’s a beautiful story, satisfying and heartfelt and enchanting. 

I only wish I could have stayed in that world longer. 

Giulia

This is my favourite so far of the secret projects - I am always obsessed with the way Brandon does world building and this one was a delight: fantastical jobs that suit the world, discovery of self, ordinary people being heroes. It’s a beautiful story, satisfying and heartfelt and enchanting. 

I only wish I could have stayed in that world longer. 

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter The Cosmere (Secret Project #3)

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