Summary
Tress of the Emerald Sea is a captivating epic fantasy novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson. Released in 2023, it marks the first installment of Sanderson's highly anticipated “Secret Projects” series, which emerged from a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign that raised over $41 million. Set in the expansive Cosmere universe, this standalone adventure draws inspiration from the beloved classic The Princess Bride.
Narrated by Michael Kramer for the audiobook version, Tress of the Emerald Sea introduces readers to a world of deadly spore oceans, fearsome pirates, and magical perils. The novel showcases Sanderson's renowned worldbuilding skills and innovative magic systems, while offering a fresh perspective through the eyes of its titular heroine, Tress.
What sets this book apart is its unique genesis. Sanderson initially penned the story in secret as a gift for his wife, allowing his imagination to roam freely without the constraints of deadlines or expectations. This personal touch infuses the narrative with a sense of whimsy and adventure that has resonated with both critics and fans alike, cementing Tress of the Emerald Sea as a standout entry in Sanderson's already impressive bibliography.
Plot
Tress, a young woman living on an isolated island in the Emerald Sea, spends her days collecting cups from passing sailors and enjoying the company of her friend Charlie. When Charlie's father takes him on a voyage to find a bride, disaster strikes. Charlie is captured by the Sorceress of the Midnight Sea, prompting Tress to embark on a daring rescue mission.
Stowing away on a smuggler ship called Oot's Dream, Tress befriends a talking rat named Huck. After pirates attack, they escape and join the crew of the notorious Crow's Song. Tress quickly gains the trust of the ragtag crew, including the quartermaster Fort, carpenter Ann, and helmsman Salay. She learns that the captain, Crow, is a “spore eater” with unusual abilities. As they sail towards the Crimson Sea, Tress secretly plans a mutiny while seeking help from a dragon named Xisis to save Charlie.
Tress's plans are thwarted when Crow discovers the mutiny plot and takes hostages. However, Tress outsmarts Crow in Xisis' lair, leading to her becoming the new captain. With the crew's support, they set sail for the Midnight Sea. Along the way, Tress reveals Huck as her valet and explains the power of Midnight spores against the Sorceress' monsters. But Huck betrays Tress, revealing himself as an agent of the Sorceress.
At the Sorceress' island, Tress discovers that Charlie has been cursed and transformed into Huck. As they reunite, the Crow's Song crew launches an attack on the island. Fort controls the Midnight Essences, while Hoid, a mysterious figure whose own curse is lifted, halts the Sorceress' assault. The Sorceress is forced to surrender, and five months later, Tress, Charlie, and the crew leave The Rock, sailing off to new adventures.
Themes
Adventure and self-discovery
Power of friendship and loyalty
Courage in the face of adversity
Overcoming societal expectations
Importance of storytelling and imagination
Consequences of unchecked ambition
Balance between caution and risk-taking
Setting
Tress of the Emerald Sea takes place in a fantastical world reminiscent of the golden age of piracy. The story unfolds across vast oceans with unique properties, each presenting its own challenges and wonders. The primary setting is the Emerald Sea, a vibrant green expanse dotted with islands and teeming with magical spores that can be both beneficial and deadly.
At the heart of the tale lies The Rock, Tress's isolated island home in the Emerald Sea. This small, unremarkable landmass serves as a stark contrast to the colorful and dangerous seas that surround it. As the narrative progresses, the action shifts to other bodies of water, including the treacherous Midnight Sea and the mysterious Crimson Sea, each with its own distinct characteristics and perils.
The world of Tress of the Emerald Sea is part of Sanderson's larger Cosmere universe, hinting at connections to other worlds and magical systems. While the exact era is not specified, the prevalence of sailing ships, pirates, and magical creatures suggests a setting akin to Earth's 17th or 18th century, albeit in a realm where sorcery and fantastic beasts are commonplace.
Characters
Tress: The main protagonist of the story. Originally named Glorf, she goes by Tress due to her unruly hair. Tress is an adventurous young woman from a small island who collects cups from passing sailors. When her friend Charlie goes missing, she embarks on a perilous journey across dangerous seas to rescue him.
Charlie: Tress's love interest and the Duke's son. He is fond of stories and adventures. Charlie is cursed by the Sorceress and transformed into a rat, setting the main plot in motion.
Captain Crow: The ruthless captain of the Crow's Song. She is a “spore eater” with a symbiotic relationship with Verdant Spores, which protect her from harm in exchange for water. Crow's condition makes her nihilistic and dangerous.
Huck: A talking rat who befriends Tress. He is later revealed to be Charlie under the Sorceress's curse.
The Sorceress (Riina): The main antagonist of the story. She came to Lumar believing it to be the most vulnerable planet in the Cosmere and has cursed many individuals, including Charlie and Hoid.
Hoid: A Worldhopper and storyteller who acts as the narrator of the story. He has been cursed by the Sorceress and appears in multiple Cosmere novels.
Fort: The deaf quartermaster of the Crow's Song. He uses a Nalthian board for translation and is the first crew member to show kindness to Tress.
Ann: The ship's carpenter who loves guns but has comically poor aim.
Salay: The ship's helmswoman who is on a quest to find her father.
Ulaam: A Kandra from Scadrial who serves as the ship's surge
Quick facts
Brandon Sanderson originally wrote Tress of the Emerald Sea in secret as a novel just for his wife.
The book is part of Sanderson's “Secret Projects” Kickstarter campaign that raised over $41 million.
It's inspired by William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride.
The story is narrated by Hoid, a recurring character in Sanderson's Cosmere universe.
The main character Tress's real name is Glorf, which she dislikes.
The novel features unique “spore oceans” where a single drop of water can be deadly.
It includes a talking rat named Huck who is actually a transformed human.
The book was first released exclusively to Kickstarter backers before wider publication.
It's considered part of Sanderson's larger Cosmere fictional universe.
The audiobook version is narrated by Michael Kramer, a frequent Sanderson collaborator.
About the Author
Brandon Sanderson is a prolific American author best known for his epic fantasy and science fiction novels. Born in 1975, he gained widespread recognition for completing Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series after Jordan's death. Sanderson has since become one of the most popular fantasy authors of his generation, with his intricate magic systems and expansive worldbuilding earning him a dedicated fanbase.
At the core of Sanderson's work is the Cosmere, an interconnected universe spanning multiple series including Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, and Elantris. His meticulous approach to magic systems, codified in “Sanderson's Laws of Magic,” has influenced many contemporary fantasy writers. Beyond the Cosmere, Sanderson has authored young adult series like The Reckoners and middle-grade books such as Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians.
Sanderson's productivity is legendary among his readers. In 2022, he surprised fans by announcing he had secretly written four additional novels during the COVID-19 pandemic. This revelation led to a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, raising over $41 million from enthusiastic backers. Alongside his writing, Sanderson teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University and co-hosts the popular podcast “Writing Excuses” for aspiring authors.
Throughout his career, Sanderson has received numerous accolades, including multiple Hugo Awards. His ability to consistently deliver compelling stories across various formats and age ranges has cemented his position as a leading figure in contemporary speculative fiction. With dozens of planned books still to come in the Cosmere alone, Sanderson's impact on the fantasy genre promises to endure for years to come.
