Tress of the Emerald Sea: A Cosmere Novel (Hoid's Travails)

Sanderson has a way of drawing you into a story in the first few lines. This one was different that his normal novels but still so great. His character development and plot, world building and tone is perfect. This one had me engaged and laughing all the way through. I can’t wait to read his book about the narrator of this book. The MFC was evolving, caring and showed empathy to everyone. All the side characters was just as well thought out. I recommend anyone read this book or any Sanderson book!

Outstanding creativity—how do you even come up with the idea of nonliquid seas? The humor added to the story, and I absolutely loved to follow a protagonist with some common sense. It takes next-level creativity to drive a story forward with a character that makes sensible choices.

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.

You won’t be disappointed by the story. I’ve gone through my romance phase and can appreciate a story where romance isn’t what’s keep the story afloat. The descriptions of action and the world were detailed and captivating. Definitely recommend

A whimsical yet heartfelt coming-of-age story. While some of the dialogue leans corny, Sanderson balances it with real emotional depth, strong character growth, and surprisingly rich worldbuilding. The spore-filled seas and low-magic setting offer a fresh, fun backdrop for a sweet tale about courage, friendship, and finding your voice.

Brandon Sanderson never disappoints — not sure how he comes up with these but he does. This books feels very different from others, with a narrator that is somewhat annoying at times… but the world building compensates for it and the story itself is rather sweet.

This book is fantasy story with some romance and a strong female lead. In this coming of age story, a young girl sets out to sea on spores that sprout. Throughout the story she transforms and has a good story arch as she sets sail to save the boy that she loves. She begins as a quiet and reserved character that transforms into a kind leader by the end of the story. This story is a little slow and repetitive at times. I wish it was a little shorter.The binding on this book is solid and I suspect will last for years to come against potential rereads. This paperback edition is nice and I found the text to be very readable and clear. I did not find any errors in the printing on my copy.

Loved this quirky and fantastical story! It isn’t like any book I’ve ever read before and I very much enjoyed it!