Perfect for an extended lunch read.

This novella is set in a medieval fantasy world. Opposite the usual expectations we find the hero at the end of his journey. Emperor Kai has conquered the world. For decades he has enjoyed peace and spent his time studying, and occasionally fighting his nemesis Mehli. But not everything is as it seems in this story. The Wode are a mysterious entity who are somehow commanding Kai to procreate. He is sent a list of compatible women. In his ennui, he chooses the one least compatible with him, and travels to another realm with a whole different set of laws.

The mechanisms behind this story become quickly obvious. The length of a novella doesn't leave too much room for subtlety. But Sanderson still manages a nice twist ending, I didn't see coming.

Not quite as poetic as the Emperor's Soul, the story still manages to tackle a popular issue - machine sentience - with some depth..