Tress of the Emerald Sea

Brandon Sanderson

In the realm of fantasy and sci-fi, Brandon Sanderson needs no introduction. His bibliography consists of tens of titles, many of which have brought him prestigious awards, including the Hugo. Some of the works he is most recognized for are the completion of the Wheel of Time saga (after its original author Robert Jordan passed away), and of course his Cosmere novels. It is the universe of Cosmere that we’ll visit today with his latest book Tress of the Emerald Sea.

Tress of the Emerald Sea: A Cosmere Novel

Sanderson Brandon

EnglishPaperback / softback

Orion Publishing Co

ISBN: 9781399613385

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On the way to our warehouse 1 pc

Delivery on Monday, 17. of June 2024

CZK 412

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Even if you have no prior knowledge of Cosmere, there is no need to worry. Tress of the Emerald Sea is a standalone novel that does not require any former experience with this world. You can take my word for it, because that’s exactly the situation I found myself in when I decided to pick up this book, equipped with just a mere familiarity with the author’s name. And who knows, maybe this novel will turn you into a brand-new Sanderson fan, just like it did for me.

So, what is this book about and who is Tress? Our main character is a girl who lives on an inhospitable island surrounded by an emerald green sea. But this is not your ordinary sea, this one is made of spores which turn into a mortally dangerous substance once they come in contact with water.

“The spores were only dangerous if you got them wet. Which was rather a problem, considering the number of wet things that leak from human bodies even when they’re healthy.”

Everyone on the island, including Tress, is terrified of the spores, but fear itself is not enough to stop her from fantasizing about life outside of the island as she goes about her days filled with window washing and mug collecting.

“Tress had been raised to possess a certain inalienable pragmatism. Such is a common failing among those who live on dour lifeless islands from which they can never leave.“

When her beloved Charlie doesn’t return from the bride-seeking quest he was sent on by his ambitious father, Tress doesn’t hesitate to set off and rescue him. And not even finding out that he was captured by the feared Sorceress of the Midnight Sea (made of even more dangerous midnight spores) can rob her of her courage. This rescue mission proves to be a true adventure as she finds herself on a pirate ship and meets many quirky characters including a rat, a dragon, and even the narrator himself, whose mind is more madness than method. Thanks to her intelligence and resourcefulness she even begins to experiment with the infamous spores. 

„Like a grandmother tucking away that bit of string that wrapped her package, the dragons want to know they have a certain number of easily influenced cultures around, for the proverbial rainy day.“

Even though the plot is quite straightforward, there are some exciting twists on the way. The book showcases Sanderson’s literary craftsmanship and his brilliantly developed and unique characters. If you’re after dark and serious fantasy, you better look elsewhere, but if you’re in the mood for an enjoyable adventurous read, this one is a winner. You won’t be able to put it down and its heroes will stay in your heart long after. Don’t be afraid to give it a try even if fantasy is not your usual choice. Its magnificence yet ingenuity will charm you in such a way that not even a talking rat will seem too beyond the realm of reason.

Translated by Gabriela Ježková