Best Cosmere Novella/Short story?

[BreezeCauthon he/him]

As requested, I have now made a poll for the best Cosmere novella/short story. I used the stuff in Arcanum Unbounded, excluding White Sand because as I understand it it is a graphic novel. LMK if I'm missing any.

[Karger he/him]

It is Allomancer Jak.  All polls unnecessary.

[Frustration]

2 hours ago, Karger said:

It is Allomancer Jak.  All polls unnecessary.

Coughs in Edgedanncer.

[I Am A Fish he/him]

2 hours ago, Karger said:

It is Allomancer Jak.  All polls unnecessary.

This is indeed unnecessary, it's obviously Sixth of Dusk

[Dunkum he/him]

5 minutes ago, I Used To Be A Fish said:

This is indeed unnecessary, it's obviously Sixth of Dusk

that sure is a strange way to spell "The Emperor's Soul"

[Ironwill2112 he/him]

SECRET HISTORY!!!

[Honorless he/him]

But Mistborn: Secret History and Sixth of the Dusk are tied for a close second

[dannnex male]

Emperors soul is amazing

but if we take non-cosmere into account, I’m not super sure it beats Defending Elysium.

[+ILuvHats he/him]

Awww, Shadows for Silence deserves at least one vote. It's my second favorite after The Emperor's Soul.

[Anticipationspren]

The emperor's soul is the best followed by shadows for silence. That is of course a fact not an opinion but I understand why you meet be confused and think otherwise after all they are all quite good.

[Elegy he/him]

Emperor's Soul is on par with most of his big novels. Feels kinda bad to not give it to Shadows for Silence though, given how well-rounded, atmospheric and relatively under-appreciated that one is. It's Emperor's Soul either way.

[BreezeCauthon he/him]

The Emperor's Soul, as expected, is the runaway favorite.

[Brgst13]

I agree that Emperor's Soul is super solid and a great choice for top spot.  I think Shadows for Silence is grossly underrated however.  In many ways the writing style and tone are something totally different than anything in the Cosmere.  I think it gets underrated because of its color.  To me each of Sanderson's books/series has a "color" associated with it.  Emperor's Soul is sky blue with puffy white clouds.  Sixth of the Dusk is a water blue.  Stormlight Archive is highstorm gray.  Mistborn era 1 is the red of forged iron.  Era 2 is the brown of a dirt road.  Generally, these are colors of power or happiness.  Shadoes for Silence is a dark green, like the color of deep woods after a heavy rain.  In addition, Shadows conveys the feel of mourning for what was lost, where most other works are more future-looking.  I think the beauty of that novella is in the deep sense of sadness that pervades it, rather in a sweeping epic or desperate quest for freedom.  In a way this sense of sadness is shared  by Sixth of the Dusk, but that book ends with the characters looking forward to their next challenge and a sense that the world will progress.  Shadows ends with the main character going back to doing exactly what she was doing when the book started. 

[Dunkum he/him]

I'm in the crowd that would put Shadows for Silence as second place.  and there seem to be quite a few of us.  makes me wonder if there is something specific about those 2 that causes that.

[Kingsdaughter613 she/her]

In terms of ‘Cosmere’ it’s Secret History, due it being the most accurately termed a Cosmere Novella. But in terms of the best Novella set in the Cosmere, I’d go with the Emperor’s Soul.

[trav]

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell.

 

finally a female main character that is not pretty. shes one of Brandons best characters I would say.

I also like the setting since it puts the main characters in actual danger. no crem dung, no annoying plot armor.