Books › Tress of the Emerald Sea
Tress of the Emerald Sea
560 pages
A whimsical, witty fairy tale adventure that wraps you in a warm hug while sailing across a sea of deadly, colorful dust.
What it feels like
Reading this feels like sitting by a fire while a master storyteller spins a yarn just for you. The narrative voice is distinctly witty and conversational, frequently pausing to offer cheeky philosophical asides before plunging back into the adventure. Despite the inherent peril of an ocean made of deadly, water-reactive spores, the overarching atmosphere remains remarkably cozy, bright, and deeply optimistic. It moves at a brisk, joyful clip, blending the comforting familiarity of a classic fairy tale with wildly inventive worldbuilding. It is a story that delights in subverting expectations, perfect for anyone who craves the earnest romance and swashbuckling charm of a classic adventure, but with a thoroughly modern, fiercely capable heroine at its helm.
- Mood
- cozy
- adventurous
- wondrous
- optimistic
- Tone
- witty
- conversational
- earnest
- whimsical
- cheeky
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- subverting fairy tale tropes · the power of ordinary kindness · finding hidden courage · leaving the comfort zone
- The writing
- Conversational and highly stylized, featuring a distinct, fourth-wall-breaking storyteller's voice that is rich with wry humor and philosophical asides.
- The arc
- A journey from quiet, sheltered contentment through daunting, perilous challenges to a triumphant realization of one's own capability and agency.
- Who it's for
- Fans of cozy, optimistic fantasy who love clever magic systems, witty narrators, and classic fairy tales turned delightfully on their heads.
Content notes
- mild body horror
- fantasy violence
- peril
About the book
\ 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. Narrated by Michael Kramer.
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?
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.
Description from Open Library.
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