Will I love Tress of the Emerald Sea?

Thoughtful Science Fiction! Ok, this book might get shelved as fantasy, but the fantastical elements are so well constrained by logical systems, and the underlying causes and behaviors of seemingly-magical events explored with such an investigative and scientific vigor, that I must call it science fiction! Woven throughout this adventure story of Tress’s search for her kidnapped love are funny and philosophical insights into the foibles of human nature and society. Tress in Wonderland perhaps? Tress’s Travels?

Tress is a wonderful heroine, charming and modest and clever, and the world building is spectacular. It is a fun adventure story. Whimsical and engaging. Sanderson said he wrote this for his wife because they both thought that Buttercup, of The Princess Bride, should have gone after Westley when he was kidnapped by pirates. Tress doesn't become morose when her true-love becomes "lost" to her. She goes to rescue him.

This was a fresh and relatively simple story that was immersive and just a joy to read.

Well, what can I say, Sanderson never seems to disappoint. Everytime he gives us a strange world with interesting magical systems or mechanics that are so very original, as a fellow writer, I hate him and love him for it. Seriously, just how big is his imagination? Tress of the Emerald Sea is so heart warming and innocent it felt like it could be an Amblin movie. I also, and this was my favorite part of the book, loved that it was told by a character in the story that was almost God like, but currently insane. Check this book… show more.

This was an excellent story with a very decent pace. It pulled you in and intrigued you with each chapter.

A fun adventure with the perfect balance between action, characters and emotions. I enjoyed the witty style, the little social commentary, and generally whimsical feel. Tress was a fun protagonist, and the worldbuilding was unique and interesting with just enough technical details about things like the spores and spore cannons to make it feel believable.

A fun, joyful, hilarious book. I love that Brandon Sanderson’s joy of writing comes out so prominently in this book.

I appreciated both the creativity of the story and the humor of the narrator.

I loved the storytelling of this book so much. The quiet backwater girl thinking she is nothing special, changing into the best version of herself in a plausible and wonderful way was incredible.

The novel fits beautifully into the Cosmere but is an incredible standalone if you know nothing of it. I loved each character and the trials each person had to face. The foreshadowing and picturesque world was nothing short of a masterpiece.

This is probably one of my favorite books of all time. I love the subplot of a pirate on an unknown world doing pirate things but… show more.

This book is everything I love in a fantasy novel! It had the fascinating magic system, the heart-pounding action scenes, and the sheer joy of living in another world for all-too-short a time.

But it also had a main character I cried for and a romance that gripped my heart with its simple beauty. Plus a charming narrator that was just pure fun to experience.

This is not just my favorite read of the year—it’s my favorite read in a long, long time.