Tress Of the Emerald Sea

By Brandon Sanderson

I was assigned this book as my “first fantasy novel” by a dear friend.

What would happen if Princess Buttercup went out to find her Westley? Well… we don’t actually know as she never did. She relied on others to have the adventure. Tress? She didn’t do that. Tress decided to have her own adventure. Okay… maybe not intending to have her own adventure. But at least, intending to save her prince.

In a world where seas are made from spores (yes, spores), Tress lived on a rock. It’s technically an island, but with only the simplest society. She passes her days washing windows for various patrons. One of which being the Duke. Each time she does, she spends more time with the “gardener” boy who most certainly is not the duke’s son.

When the hot-headed Duke finally comes to a boiling point over their infatuation and sets out to marry him off, things take a turn. Especially when he returns with a new “son”. This one is definitely not Tress’ Westley.

Where is he? Is he alive?

Upon finding out that he was traded to a sorceress, Tress devises what would become a series of plans to retrieve her love. From impersonating officials to becoming a pirate, she traverses the dangerous and amazing seas of exploding spores.

On her heroic journey, she is aided by many endearing and enchanted friends. And what would a fantastic story be without a famed, fearsome dragon? I can answer that, boring. What kind of adventure would it be where our heroine doesn’t grow and become a….well… I’ll let you figure that out.

Brandon Sanderson creates a realm of beauty and menace balanced perfectly with jocularity and absurdity. I found myself drawn into the lively world he envisioned and camping out there. I fell in love with each of his masterfully constructed characters. Each being uniquely themselves and then some.

Have a good one!

I am quite grateful for this recommendation as a first step into the peculiar world that is fantasy. If you’ve ever turned away from such because of the tropes, I implore you to grab this on your next book search. Does it have a touch of cheese? Well, sure. Is it worth every bit? Totally.