Tress of the Emerald Sea: A Cosmere Novel

I admit I’m a huge Sanderson fan. I’ve read nearly all his work, and it really jives with me. I LOVED this book. It was original, had twists and wonderful characters, and my favorite part was Hoid’s narration. I appreciate his humor and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Brandon Sanderson is such a good writer! If I were to summarize the plot, you would perhaps be skeptical that it could all come together. But, then again, it is Brandon Sanderson at the helm. Key assets to the story are an interesting and well-developed world, an engaging heroine, the Dougs, the cryptic narrator, the humor, a talking rat, and much more. The tone is somewhere between The Princess Bride and a Tiffany Aching Terry Pratchett book, but it is never derivative. The page count is long (not a surprise for a Brandon Sanderson novel) but he pages turn quickly, and it does not seem long (also not a surprise fir a Brandon Sanderson novel.) While it’s easy to just point to the humorous nature of the big adventure, there is substance to the story with well-developed characters who grow and evolve through the book. It is a book that would be suitable for a strong young reader (my boys would have liked it) and it is complex enough to be entertaining for an adult reader. I paid full price for the Kindle edition of this book and the ratio of price to entertainment value was still good.Because of changes made by Amazon, you, the reader of this review, now have no way to know anything related to the experience of this reviewer. If it would help you, when Amazon was ranking its reviewers and giving badges to top reviewers, I was a Top One Thousand Reviewer and had a badge as a top reviewer for fantasy.

While the rest of us were gaining weight and getting depressed during the Covid-19 lockdown, Brandon Sanderson was doing what he does best: churning out books.And the first of these four surprise books is “Tress of the Emerald Sea,” a Cosmere novel that mingles quirky fairy-tale quests for a true love with the rough’n’tumble life of a pirate. Sanderson gives us a extraordinarily ordinary heroine who stumbles and triumphs on her quest, along with a talking rat, seas of colorful spores, and the occasional zombie doctor.Tress is a seemingly ordinary girl on a small rocky island in the green spore sea – she collects teacups, washes windows, loves her family, and regularly meets with the local duke’s son, Charlie. When the duke realizes that his son is in love with a window-washing girl, he whisks the boy off the island to marry a princess. When the duke returns, he’s got a brand new heir with a new wife – and Charlie is nowhere to be seen. He’s been sent off to the realm of the Sorceress in the Midnight Sea, which means he’s effectively doomed.But Tress is determined to get him back, so she smuggles herself off the island… and finds herself the prisoner first of smugglers, and then a crew of pirates ruled by the bloodthirsty Captain Crow. She also acquires a talking rat friend, Huck, who becomes her best friend and ally, especially since he knows some things about the Sorceress. Though the situation isn’t ideal, Tress believes the ship can get her to the Sorceress, and manages to work her way into the crew.But her plans are complicated when she becomes friends with several of the pirates, and learns some disturbing facts about Crow. How can a simple window-washer girl defeat a pirate captain, sail the deadly Crimson and Midnight Seas, escape a dragon and defeat the terrible Sorceress – all while learning the true nature of spores and aethers?“Tress of the Emerald Sea” is one parts fairy tale, one part pirate adventure, and one part Cosmere story (especially since the narrator is none other than Hoid, who plays a pivotal role). And the world Sanderson conjures is a fascinating one, where twelve moons produce a steady downfall of spores that form whole seas that wooden ships can sail on. But, much like a mogwai, never expose them to water, or very bad things happen.Since Hoid is the one telling the tale, the entire story unfolds in a quirky, laid-back narrative style, reminiscent of William Goldman or a more modern fairy tale. It’s arch, snarky and very omniscient third-person (Tress’s hair is once described as an “eldritch horror” bent on “disintegrating reality, seeking the lives of virgins, and demanding a sacrifice of a hundred bottles of expensive conditioner”). The only major flaw, ironically, is that self-same snarky tone – it sometimes becomes kind of overbearing, especially during the more serious parts of the story, and sometimes it feels like Hoid is hijacking the story.It also has Sanderson’s exceptional world-building, especially in the idea of the spores, which will immediately erupt into SOMETHING – air, vines, crystals – upon contact with water. And while Sanderson weaves in elements of the Cosmere, creating a more science-fiction-y world, there are elements of magic included in it, such as Huck. No, I will not explain what is up with the rat, only that not all is as it seems… as you’d expect with a talking rat.Tress herself is an exceptional heroine – smart, resourceful, determined, good-hearted and practical, with a nimble brain and a love for collectible cups. Her relationship with Huck is very wholesome and sometimes heartwrenching, as are her friendships with other members of the crew – a seemingly-zombie doctor, an assistant cannonmaster who never successfully hits anything, a cheery deaf man with a writing board, and the deadly, nihilistic Captain Crow. There are also Dougs, but we don’t care about them.“Tress of the Emerald Sea” is a charming, well-paced story that is a little too suffused in Hoid for its own good. For those seeking a rollicking pirate adventure with some wild fantastical twists, this is a must-read.

If you haven’t read this book yet… I’m sorry for you.This book is a perfect dip into fantasy that isn’t complicated and honestly a fun adventure and the found family in this is so special to me. Tress character development and growth in this book is my favorite part of it!Hope you enjoy your journey with Tress!💚

Everyone describes this book as a cozy fantasy. I finally understand. The story kind of gives me the same kind of feelings that watching the early parts of Lord of the rings and The Hobbit give me. It feels very homey and satisfying. The narrative is told in a way that feels like a friend or a kind stranger regaling you with a tale. Tress and Charlie have a sweet relationship that some might describe as adorkable. I love the themes of self-discovery in this book. Most of the sad characters are also enjoyable. My only complaint about this would be that there are some terms that aren't explained but I know that that has to do with references to Sanderson's book universe the cosmere.

My husband and I were among those who backed the kickstarter, but we loved this one enough to buy it again as a gift for my mother-in-law. As much as I love "The Princess Bride," I love this fresh take with an active female protagonist who's determined to rescue her love from her world's version of the Dread Pirate Roberts. Like many of Sanderson's worlds, Tress's world is fascinating, dangerous, and unique. The ending is a bit anti-climactic (especially if you haven't read "Elantris" or you don't know who Hoid is), but I loved the sweet romance and fairy-tale-esque trials. Also, fist-pump for a Deaf character.

One thing I like about Brandon Sanderson's books is the odd "magic systems."" This book is a nice light read, with the feel-good nature of a fairy tale. I tend to enjoy these types of reads in between finishing large epics. It is like a nice cold glass of lemonade on a hot day. It just feels refreshing to the mind to read something light and enjoyable after reading a long book where most of it, the protagonist, is always two steps behind, and the story is grim until the very end. Sometimes, the end is grim as well (*cough, like a certain metal themed book series, cough*).

This book will be loved by many, with its page turner rhythm and great story, it’s a delight to read. Brandon steps away slightly from his style and brings this fresh, fast pace, action packed, story with lovely characters. Loved it!

This book is brilliant. Nuggets of profound wisdom, insight and philosophy subtlety delivered in a cheeky and entertaining story. A totally different and fascinating world, this story takes the familiar elements of an adventure fairy tale and makes them feel exciting and novel. I have read most of Sanderson's books now and this is my favourite. Well worth the read!

Eu amo essa história e fiz questão de ter o original em inglês, o livro está bem bonito, e a qualidade é okMas a entrega da amazon foi realmente péssima, na primeira vez eles enviaram vários livros em uma caixa com produto líquido, o produto vazou e estragou dois livros, incluindo Tress, que veio sem nem um plástico em volta, e nenhum papel na caixa enorme, então além de molhado estava amassado. Precisei pedir troca, demorou mais de um mês pra o livro chegar denovo e novamente, veio em uma caixa enorme, sem nenhum plástico e nenhum papel que fosse para o livro não amassar, o descaso da Amazon com o produto foi enorme, o livro veio novamente todo amassado, só não pedi troca novamente por que não valia a pena

Fue un regalo para mí novia y ella está encantada , cada noche lee antes de irse a dormir y no para de contarme las historias y cosas que pasan

What a gorgeous & sumptuous read. A whole different voice Brandon Sanderson’s conjures up, taking us on a ride that starts with quiet comfort; a reflection on the beauty of the mundane. Building into a far reaching adventure, backing the boldest and best of human virtues. With wonderful twists and newly imagined world at first terrifying, but as with all/most things, a bit of knowledge well applied changes everything.I don’t think I’ve highlited a book so much before! for both the almost off hand deep insights into human nature as well as the laugh out load humour.From one satisfied and delighted reader to I hope soon to be another.