Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
A Cosmere Novel
By: Brandon Sanderson
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson—creator of The Stormlight Archive, the Mistborn Saga, and countless bestselling works of science fiction and fantasy—comes this gripping story set in the Cosmere universe told by Hoid, where two people from incredibly different cultures must work together to save their worlds from certain disaster. Yumi has spent her entire life in strict obedience, granting her the power to summon the spirits that bestow vital aid upon her society—but she longs for even a single day as a normal person. Painter patrols the dark streets dreaming of being a hero—a goal that has led to nothing but heartache and isolation, leaving him always on the outside looking in. In their own ways, both of them face the world alone. Suddenly flung together, Yumi and Painter must strive to right the wrongs in both their lives, reconciling their past and present while maintaining the precarious balance of each of their worlds. If they cannot unravel the mystery of what brought them together before it’s too late, they risk forever losing not only the bond growing between them, but the very worlds they’ve always struggled to protect. Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson The Cosmere The Stormlight Archive The Way of Kings Words of Radiance Edgedancer (novella) Oathbringer Dawnshard (novella) Rhythm of War The Mistborn Saga The Original Trilogy Mistborn The Well of Ascension The Hero of Ages Wax and Wayne The Alloy of Law Shadows of Self The Bands of Mourning The Lost Metal Other Cosmere novels Elantris Warbreaker Tress of the Emerald Sea Yumi and the Nightmare Painter The Sunlit Man Collection Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians The Scrivener's Bones The Knights of Crystallia The Shattered Lens The Dark Talent Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians (with Janci Patterson) Other novels The Rithmatist Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England Other books by Brandon Sanderson The Reckoners Steelheart Firefight Calamity Skyward Skyward Starsight Cytonic Skyward Flight (with Janci Patterson) Defiant
AI Overview
Overview of "Yumi and the Nightmare Painter" by Brandon Sanderson
Plot Summary: "Yumi and the Nightmare Painter" is a fantasy novel set in the Cosmere universe, specifically in the world of Komashi. The story revolves around two main characters: Yumi, a 19-year-old yoki-hijo from the land of Torio, and Nikaro, a nightmare painter from the city of Kilahito. Yumi is a rare priestess who can summon and command spirits to serve various functions for Torio's inhabitants, while Nikaro works as a nightmare painter, capturing nightmares that feed on the fear of Kilahito's people.
The plot begins with Yumi being contacted by a spirit from deep below, asking for her help in freeing them. She agrees and collapses, while around the same time, Painter tracks down and scares away a powerful nightmare before falling asleep. When they both wake up, they realize they are now bound together through a magical accident, leading to a body-swapping situation where Yumi inhabits Painter's body and vice versa. This twist forces them to navigate each other's worlds and learn each other's jobs to figure out what happened and how to stop it.
As they navigate their new situations, they discover that Yumi's world is not real but an endlessly repeating dream sequence sustained by the same nightmares that haunt Painter's world. The machine that created the shroud in Kilahito is also responsible for keeping Yumi imprisoned by exploiting her meekness and respect for authority. Yumi must learn to question authority and break free from her illusion world, while Painter must confront his past mistakes and regain his creative muse.
The story culminates in Yumi's realization that she must destroy the machine by drawing the spirits away with her unparalleled skill in stacking stones. Her art, a testament to human creativity and intent, captivates the spirits, freeing them from the machine's grasp. As the machine falters, the shroud begins to unravel, releasing the souls trapped within. Yumi's sacrifice is complete, but her legacy endures in the beauty she created, and Painter's art becomes a conduit for her spirit to return, allowing them to face a world transformed together.
Key Themes:
- Identity and Duty: Yumi struggles with her prescribed role as a yoki-hijo, yearning for freedom while feeling guilty about it. Painter, on the other hand, grapples with his past mistakes and the loss of his creative muse.
- Art and Creativity: The novel explores the transformative power of art, highlighting how Yumi's stone stacking and Painter's painting can captivate spirits and change the world.
- Social Taboos and Freedom: Yumi's journey involves breaking social taboos and learning to stand up for herself, while Painter needs to learn to trust again and break free from his pariah status.
- Redemption and Character Arcs: Both characters undergo significant personal growth, with Painter seeking redemption and Yumi learning to question authority and assert herself.
Critical Reception:
- Positive Reviews: Many readers praise the book for its intricate world-building, well-developed characters, and compelling story. The romance elements are also highlighted as a strong aspect of the novel. Reviewers appreciate the unique blend of Asian influences and the exploration of themes such as art, identity, and social constraints.
- Mixed Reception: Some readers found the book to be engaging but felt that it could have been shorter. They appreciated the concept and the discussions about art but were underwhelmed by the execution, particularly in the final payoff.
- Critique: A few critics noted that the book could benefit from tighter editing, as some sections felt repetitive or unnecessary. However, the integration of character arcs and world-building was praised as a strong point of the novel.
Overall, "Yumi and the Nightmare Painter" is a complex and engaging fantasy novel that explores themes of identity, duty, and the transformative power of art, set in a richly detailed world with unique magical systems and cultural influences.