On early 2022, acclaimed fantasy author Brandon Sanderson revealed through a video that he secretly wrote four novels during the pandemic lockdown. He then launched a Kickstarter campaign to get these novels published, which became the biggest Kickstarter campaign in history, surpassing the previous donation record holder by more than double. He made the first of these novels, “Tress of the Emerald Sea,” available as an eBook to non-Kickstarter backers on January 10th.
Renowned for his fast writing, Brandon Sanderson accomplished an impressive feat by completing four new novels while juggling other projects. Throughout the years, I’ve enjoyed introducing his work to friends and family who don’t typically read fantasy, and I argue that he has had a bigger impact on the genre’s popularity than George R.R. Martin. Sanderson’s approachable writing style makes it easy for readers to immerse themselves in his worlds.
I hadn’t read any of Brandon Sanderson’s work in a while, but as I delved into “Tress of the Emerald Sea,” his writing style felt familiar and comforting. Although the tone and overall vibe of the novel is quite different from his previous work, there’s something unmistakably “Sanderson” about it. I plan to catch up on some of his earlier novels soon.
“Tress of the Emerald Sea” takes place in Sanderson’s connected universe, the Cosmere, and features direct connections and references to his previous work. If you’re wondering if you need to have read other Cosmere novels to understand the story in “Tress of the Emerald Sea”, the answer is no. However, it is worth noting that if you’ve started but not finished the original Mistborn series, it’s best to wait until you do before reading “Tress of the Emerald Sea” as there is a passage that could potentially spoil an aspect of the incredible ending of the Mistborn trilogy.
Brandon Sanderson has discussed the inspiration behind “Tress of the Emerald Sea”, stating that he wanted to write a light-hearted story akin to the classic novel “The Princess Bride” by S. Morgenstern and “Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. While watching “The Princess Bride” with his family. His wife, Emily, asked what could have happened if Princess Buttercup didn’t immediately give up upon hearing that her love had gone missing, this question sparked the imagination of Sanderson and thus Tress of the Emerald Sea was born.
“Tress of the Emerald Sea” is a maritime novel that takes place primarily on boats, but with a unique twist: the seas they sail on are not made of water, but rather dangerous spores that are affected by liquefaction. As with any Sanderson novel, it features an intriguing magic system. The dangerous spores that characters sail on have mysterious properties that can be harnessed by those daring enough to experiment with them.
As previously mentioned, “Tress of the Emerald Sea” tells the story of Tress, an unassuming townswoman. She has unruly hair, washes windows on the small and barren island where she was born, and loves to collect cups. Her peaceful existence is upended when she learns that the man she loves has gone missing, and is being held for ransom by a powerful sorcerer who resides in the treacherous Midnight Sea. Tress must venture out of the safety of her home and family, and find passage on a ship in order to attempt a rescue mission.
“Tress of the Emerald Sea” features a strong aspect of the “found family” trope, as Tress meets a cast of memorable and likable characters along her journey. Despite her initial belief that she is uninteresting, Tress has a unique ability to make new best friends who are willing to go to great lengths to help her. This aspect adds depth and heart to the story. I found myself loving all the characters in this novel and was disappointed that it is a standalone.
The book is told from the perspective of Hoid, a being who is present in many Cosmere novels. The space travelers in the Cosmere universe do not follow a “Prime Directive” like in Star Trek, many seem to be more than willing to interfere with the affairs and progress of primitive alien species.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Tress of the Emerald Sea” and I wholeheartedly recommend it to others. The story is a delightful and heartwarming read that is filled with humor and a sense of adventure. The setting is unique and imaginative, with the dangerous spores as seas, and the magic system was engaging and well-crafted. The characters are all likable and relatable, and the found family trope adds an emotional depth that makes the story all the more engaging. The story has a good balance of action, humor and emotional moments, it’s the perfect blend that keeps the story interesting and engaging. Overall, I believe this book will be a great choice for readers who enjoy fantasy novels with a touch of humor, adventure, and heart.
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