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Rate: 5/5

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Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

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Tress of the Emerald Sea is a product of unforgettable humor and whimsy, showcasing Sanderson’s very best.

“It might be said that Tress had a way with words. In that her words tended to get in her way.”

Overview

I still distinctly remember the release of Tress of the Emerald Sea during the cold January weather in 2022: the whitened snow and empty sky, the slight grayish screen of my Kindle as I flipped to the last pages, and the elevated feeling you only get – like you are floating in the air – from reading an amazing book. Even then, I think I knew how special this book would become to me. I’ve reread this book twice, after all.

The first word that comes to mind when considering Tress is “funny”. Inspired by the classic The Princess Bride, you can really feel the various touches and influence of its unforgettable humor. Coupled with the fact that this was supposed to be a gift for his wife, Sanderson created something really incredible with this book. Cosmere wouldn’t have been the same if not for this, and I am so thankful that he decided to share it with us fans.

Plot

“Enjoy memories, yes, but don’t be a slave to who you wish you once had been.”

The story of Tress of the Emerald Sea is very whimsical and like a classic fairy tale; it starts off with a naive little girl living her own simple life in a desolate village when the desire to find her love pushes her into adventure and journey into the unknown. In hindsight, it might look generic and predictable, but Sanderson has masterfully sprinkled his signature skills so that it feels so original and fresh.

I do not want to talk anything about the plot since it is best enjoyed when you nothing about it, but the first couple of chapters were really special to me. It is not epic or grandiose, but it brings me a sense of joy and fulfillment that is really special. There is something so pure about the way it is told.

“Even small actions have consequences. And while we can often choose our actions, we rarely get to choose our consequences.”

Cosmere Relevance

Tress of the Emerald Sea is really the start of a new era for the Cosmere. Every new book we got since this one has gave us a deeper understanding – even more than what we had before – and gave us a glimpse of this wide universe. Some tidbits we got, which I cannot say, was exciting as a pretty avid fan who has read all Cosmere books; it felt like getting a conclusion to a story line you read books ago. It’s a pretty once-in-a-lifetime experience. 5/5

“One of the great tragedies of life is knowing how many people in the world are made to soar, paint, sing, or steer—except they never get the chance to find out.”