Tress of the Emerald Sea: A Cosmere Novel (Secret Projects)

The first of brandon sanderson’s secret cosmere projects was everything for me. This story is truly unlike any other that brandon has created before, for so many reasons, but mostly because it reads like a fairytale! This is inspired by The Princess Bride, which I actually have never read before, but it didn't hinder my reading experience whatsoever! And just seeing some long time favorites from the cosmere world, and some cameos and name drops that I was not prepared for, felt like coming home - even if this setting is one that I would have never anticipated! But… dare I say, because I know this is a keyword everyone is looking for these days… this was cozy fantasy perfection!You do not need to read any other book in the cosmere to read this story, but you will miss out on so many easter eggs throughout and i am not sure if not having that appreciation will hinder your reading experience - so here is a little warning, in case!To put this very briefly, this is a story about a girl who leaves the only home she has ever known to brave a very strange ocean, in a very different cosmere world, with a very sweet pirate crew (for the most part), for love. Because at the end of all my favorite types of stories, it’s always for love and it’s always worth it.But I so quickly fell in love with Tress and her teacups and her story. Also, if you’ve been following my reviews for a while, you will know how much I adore a questing storyline and this book delivered that and more so! I also feel like every cosmere series has such a perfect and different found family, yet you always feel like you are a part of that family as well, and it’s so beautiful each time, but this one was extra close to my heart.I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the second secret project, because the bar has just been set so very high for me. (plus howard lyon is one of my favorite magic the gathering artist so it was extra perfect for me!) I also have a very soft spot for the character who narrates this story… and to keep being secretive… I loved the whimsy of this story extra, too! muhahahahah!I predict this will probably make my best of 2023 list, because my heart overflows more and more each time i think about this story. It just felt so warm and cozy and was filled with so much light and hope - and that’s exactly what I want to be reading in my life right now.

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.

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.

Lol as my first Brandon Sanderson story this one was a little hard to get into at first. But once I settled in it was actually really good. Very unique writing style. I definitely will dive into the cosmere as now I'm curious what crazy imaginative silliness it holds.

My first Brian Sanderson book and I absolutely fell in love. It was a mixture between Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman. The book itself had beautiful end covers and looks great on my bookshelf.

Some stories are Special Stories, and this is one of them. The magic and whimsy of this book grabbed me on the first page and never let go. I felt that illusive feeling - the same feeling I got the first time I read a Discworld novel, and Stardust, The Princess Bride, Good Omens, and Lamb. It’s the kind of story that curls up and settles in your chest like a sleeping kitten and by the rules of the universe, claims you as its own. To say the least, I loved this book. You don’t need to know the plot. If you love wit and imagination and charm and adventure then you will too.

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

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.

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.