Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson on January 10, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Epic, Fiction / Sea Stories
Pages: 666
Format: eBook
Source: Amazon
#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson expands his Cosmere universe shared by The Stormlight Archive and Mistborn with a new standalone novel for everyone who loved The Princess Bride.
The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?
Note from Brandon:
I started writing this in secret, as a novel just for my wife. She urged me to share it with the world—and alongside three other secret novels, with the support of readers worldwide it grew into the biggest Kickstarter campaign of all time. I’m excited to present this first book to you at last: a different type of Brandon Sanderson story, one I wrote when there were no time constraints, no expectations, and no limits on my imagination. Come be part of the magic.
My Review
I am sure many of you know Tress of the Emerald Sea was one of Brandon Sanderson’s secret projects that he wrote during COVID-19 and the lockdowns. I believe he wrote this book for his wife; from my understanding, it was inspired by The Princess Bride. Is this true? I can’t be sure, but it is what I have heard. Either way, I enjoyed this book very much. In my opinion, this book was a cozy fantasy through and through.
Tress is an eighteen-year-old girl and an only child. She lives with her parents; her family is poor, and Tress’s dad has been injured, not allowing him to work, so money is scarce. She works as a window washer in the Duke’s home. She does not interact with him but has befriended his son Charlie, whom she secretly loves. Charlie is not what you would think of when it comes to being the Duke’s son; he has no interest in swordplay or ruling. Charlie is an eighteen-year-old as well, and he has a love for telling stories. This is perfect because Tress is obsessed with collecting cups and often shows them to Charlie. She loves it when Charlie makes up stories for her about where the cup came from, its time, and who owned it before her. Oh, did I mention he is secretly in love with her, too? Everything is going great between the two of them until one day, when the Duke looks outside and sees them interacting in a friendly manner. He decides at that moment that Charlie needs to be married, so the next day, he announces that he will be taking his wife and Charlie on a voyage to find Charlie a wife. Needless to say, this throws both Charlie and Tress into a frenzy in a sense. Tress is so worried that Charlie will be married off despite his reassurances. He tells Tress that at each stop they make, he will send her a cup for her collection, and he assures her that he will make himself so boring and nasty that no woman would want to marry him.
Charlie is true to his word, and Tress receives cups when he is gone. She receives five in total, and then suddenly, no more come. She is beyond worried and heartbroken that something has happened to Charlie or that he has married despite all of his assurances. It isn’t until months (I believe) later when the Duke arrives back home with his wife, nephew, and niece-in-law, that Tress finally can get some answers. The answers she receives, however, are not at all what she was hoping for. The evil sorceress has taken her dear Charlie, and the Duke refuses to pay to get him back. Tress is unsatisfied with the Duke’s response and decides to take it upon herself to get her true love back, and nothing will stand in her way.
This is the story of one girl’s bravery in rescuing her true love, no matter the risk to herself. She is willing to cross spore-covered seas, hide on ships, and become part of a pirate crew all in the name of love. Spore eaters and dragons won’t stop her, and neither will downpours and battles. She is one determined woman who knows what she wants and will accept nothing else. If you love adventure stories, fantasy, coziness, friendships, witches, and talking rats, this book is for you. Reader, if you decide to pick this one up, please let me know what you think, but know I do hope you love it. Until next time, Happy Reading.
Trigger Warnings:
- Murder
- Poverty