The Isle of Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson Book Review
The Aisle of Ember Dark by Brandon Sanderson one of Brandon Sanderson’s most interesting reads. It feels both modern and somewhat dated, similar to Sixth of the Dusk, where Dusk is a trapper on an undeveloped island with strong country vibes.
From number-one New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson comes this standalone novel that navigates the seas and stars of a far-future Cosmere, illustrated by Esther Hi’elilani Kendari.
All his life, Six of the Dusk has been a traditional trapper of Aviar—the supernatural birds his people bond with—on the deadly island of Patchy. One night, he propels his people into a race to modernize before they can be conquered by the Ones Above, invaders from the stars who seek to exploit the Aviar. It’s a race they are losing, and Dusk fears his people will lose themselves while trying to survive.
When a chance arises to sail into the expanse of the Ember Dark—beyond a mystical portal—Dusk sets off to find salvation for his people, armed only with a canoe, his birds, and all the grit of a Patchy trapper.
Elsewhere in the Ember Dark is a young dragon chained in human form: Starling of the starship Dynamic. She and her crew of exiles are deep in debt and close to losing their freedom. When she finds an ancient map to a hidden portal between the Ember Dark and the physical realm, she seizes the chance for a lucrative discovery.
These unlikely allies may become the solution to each other’s crises. In their search for independence, Dusk and Starling face perilous bargains, poisonous politics, and echoes of a dead god. Sanderson expands his novella Six of the Dusk into a mythic novel of legends, lore, and galactic conflict.
This novel expands the story found in Arcanum Unbounded. The book includes a detailed depiction of the Cosmere—its systems, planets, and stories. Six of the Dusk belongs to the Drominad System, and the short story is included within the novel because it is essential for understanding the full narrative of The Aisle of Ember Dark.
The short story itself is relatively brief, around sixty pages. One of the illustrations shows Dusk with his bird, Sok, on his shoulder, along with visions of his own potential deaths. Because Patchy is incredibly dangerous, Sok’s precognitive abilities show Dusk how he might die in various scenarios, giving him the chance to avoid danger. AVR possess a type of Investiture that allows them to bestow unique abilities upon their bonded humans, which explains Dusk’s close bond with Sok.
The Aisle of Ember Dark is approximately 465 pages. My Leatherbound edition may differ in page count. It was first published on July 1, 2025, though another listing shows a 2026 release date, so I may have received the backer edition early. The book blends high fantasy, epic fantasy, dragons, and even elements of sci-fi.
Patchy itself feels somewhat dated because we see it through Dusk’s perspective; he is used to living rough and understands the island’s dangers. As civilization grows on Patchy, invaders from above—Scadrians—arrive, seeking the secrets of the world, particularly the Aviar. Dusk realizes that the Scadrians have the upper hand and will stop at nothing to get what they want.
He sets out alone in a canoe across the Ember Dark, a substance not quite water, more like thick air. To stay afloat, he coats the canoe with glowing worm paste. His journey is creative, magical, and dangerous—a testament to Sanderson’s inventive magic systems.
During his journey, he encounters individuals from a spaceship in the Ember Dark, where we meet Starling. She is a dragon trapped in human form as punishment, and her attempt to rescue people caused an accidental mutiny against her captain, Crow. Their ship feels somewhat like a Firefly-style ragtag crew.
Starling and her crew must report to the ship’s owner and admit they dumped his cargo. They offer a chance at redemption by presenting a map that may lead to a new perpendicularity. If they succeed, they regain their freedom; if not, they face servitude. Meanwhile, Dusk is trying to save his people, and both characters’ missions revolve around protecting others.
A reviewer noted that one of Dusk’s hunting scenes is inspired by Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, which fits well. Dusk distills water from fish blood, fights dangerous Ember Dark creatures, and struggles to survive alone.
Starling’s sections feel like a space-crew adventure, while Dusk’s sections feel solitary and traditional, yet the combination works well. This book wasn’t my favorite Sanderson novel, but it was one of the most unique, blending adventure, fantasy, and sci-fi in unexpected ways.
If you enjoy the Cosmere, Arcanum Unbounded contains several related short stories, and The Aisle of Ember Dark expands that world even further. I’m not sure if the book is widely available yet, but I wanted to share this review anyway.
Personally, I enjoy the Reckoners series, where any power eventually corrupts. Feel free to comment with your favorite Brandon Sanderson book. I still plan to read Wind and Truth, though I may break it into sections because it’s such a massive book.
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