Tress of the Emerald Sea Paperback

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.

Very well written. Very imaginative. Can definitely see this as popular among the younger crowd. Thought provoking nuggets of wisdom sprinkled throughout.

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.

This book was as funny and as sweet as a puppy chasing a butterfly. The plot was a traditional heroes journey with all the triumphs and pitfalls one would expect from a sea voyage and the characters were colorful and fully formed. Loved it. Can’t wait to read other books in the Cosmere universe

What a fascinating journey! It was intriguing and exciting to see the challenges and solutions that Tress went through/accomplished. Adorable love story. Wonderful story of friendship. This was truly an enjoyable book.

It was a very good read minus the preaching parts. Great visually stunning descriptions and imagery, fantastic illustrations and quite engaging, story. Very original and intricate system of magic. Quick and concise read.

I was recommended this book from my friends who enjoy fiction high fantasy. Now this is not super high fantasy at all, granted it is fiction non-the-less. The book is enjoyable and the storyline does suck you in quickly making the reading quick. There is some interesting world building that might foreshadow other works, but since I have not read other Brandon Sanderson books currently I am unsure, but you will get the gut feeling that there is a setup here for a major saga. Overall, enjoyable read, and if it is a "one-shot" type of story, it is fantastic, and if it is not, still fantastic.

You know a book is good when it can make you both laugh with the jokes and cry with the emotional parts within the first three chapter.Great entry point for someone unfamiliar with Sanderson's work as you dont need any knowledge on the cosmere universe to understand to book fully, but it will intrigue you enough to explore his other works in detail.Great pace, the story feels longer than it is, in that every moment is important and the plot moves steadily, not so fast as to make you disconnected with its characters and not so slow that you feel it's dragging.Lovable characters, high and personal stakes (the best kind) that keep you invested from start to finish.

Great story. Very original.

I'm quite familiar with Sanderson's work, but this one has become a favorite of mine very quickly.His humor really comes through, if you have read Alcatraz vs the evil librarians, it's just like that but a bit extra. And I love it.

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.

Buen libro para disfrutar de una lectura entretenida

Brandon sanderson delivers again.Great storytelling and a fantastic world with old friends on it.. great for fantasy fans as always.