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spootilious's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Read: September 12, 2023
Title: Tress of the Emerald Sea
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Rating: 4/5
Review:
Title: Tress of the Emerald Sea
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Rating: 4/5
Review:
The biggest take away for this review is that this novel was loads of fun with such a unique world and wonderful characters.
The details: I am no stranger to Brandon Sanderson. I adore his work! That being said Tress of the Emerald Sea, which having the feel of many of his other works, is something unto itself.
The novel is fun and whimsical, with characters that are so lovable it hurts and villains that are just as loath-able. The nods to other worlds and characters in the cosmere is ever present which could be a bit confusing to a casual Sanderson reader (rather than the dedicated ones) but not so much so that it takes too much away from the story.
Sanderson has always had a talent for writing women and there is no exception here.
The world building is stunning (as expected) and so unique (also as expected).
Now, despite all of this it is not a 5 star book in my opinion. The ‘twists’ of the novel are extremely predictable. Perhaps this might be because I have read too much of Sanderson’s works but regardless, I found more of the world building (particularly the spores and interactions with them) far more surprising and intriguing than the actual plot ‘twists’. Though, I find that I am very rarely surprised but plot twists now a day, so perhaps it is just me.
I will also say that one of the signatures of a Brandon Sanderson book is it’s explosive and captivating ending. It is something I have come to expect and is typically delivered, and while the ending of this novel is fast paced and entertaining I would not categorize it as explosive (at least not figuratively) nor captivating. That is not to say that it wasn’t good, far from it, the ending was practically perfect. It was simply not what I had come to expect from a Sanderson novel, it seemed to fall just a tad bit short of my expectations; the book as a whole however met them all head on.
I loved this novel and will be recommending it as a wonderful first step into the Cosmere!
Minor TW: Death, Self harm, Vomit, Confinement, Murder, Slavery, War, Violence, Suicide, Classism, Blood, Guns.
Quotes:
If you wish to become a storyteller, here is a hint: sell your labor, but not your mind.
One of the great tragedies of life is knowing how many people in the world are made to soar, paint, sing, or steer—except they never get the chance to find out.
If bravery is the wind that makes us soar like kites, fear is the string that keeps us from going too far.
More twisted than a librarian’s love life (trust me, they’re a strange bunch)
You can’t taste a memory without tainting it with who you have become.
Memories are fossils, the bones left by dead versions of ourselves.
Worry has weight, and is an infinitely renewable resource.
After spending ages walking around with everyone piling bricks in your arms, it can throw you off balance when someone removes a brick to carry for you.
If we let it, memory can make shadows of the now, as nothing can match the buttressed legends of our past.
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Death, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Murder, War, and Classism
lizziaha's review against another edition
adventurous
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Having read the book now, I think the comparison to The Princess Bride holds up, specifically in the tone of the story (along with certain plot points). Unfortunately, I wasn’t as sold on the romance. But other aspects of the story were certainly compelling: the piracy, the spores and the sprouting, the secret king’s assassin, the zombie. Fun read overall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Fatphobia, Excrement, and Classism
kirbylover16's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Super cute story and an easy read. Dare I say it could have been longer? It's a pirate adventure story that reminds me of the bloody jack series but is less violent. I love the idea of an ocean that's not just water or lava. The big twist took me half the book to figure out, which is pretty satisfactory. The only thing that bugged me was the "I'm not like other girls" troupe is everywhere in this book and how many times "moons" was said.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Trafficking, Stalking, Gaslighting, and War
Minor stuff there's sort of a war going on in the background with the witch and her country—a little bit of famine too.tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
An outstanding start for The Year of Sanderson.
Tress is one of the most sensible heroines you'll find in YA. She seeks help, talks openly with her parents, and admits when she's scared. She also goes on a suicidal mission for the man she loves, but that's love for you.
This book features beautiful relationships (romantic or otherwise), tons of adventure, and FEELINGS. Even deaths that should have been insubstantial pack a punch. Also, as expected from Sanderson's fantasy novels, a fascinating and innovative magic system. You may need to have read other of his books (The Way of Kings, Elantris) to appreciate it fully.
I LOVED the fairytale vibes. It's no coincidence that it was inspired by one of my favourite books of all time: The Princess Bride. This book has some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read. It's funny, it's witty, and full of insightful lessons. I kept highlighting passage after passage. I hope Sanderson keeps exploring this narrator.
Tress is one of the most sensible heroines you'll find in YA. She seeks help, talks openly with her parents, and admits when she's scared. She also goes on a suicidal mission for the man she loves, but that's love for you.
This book features beautiful relationships (romantic or otherwise), tons of adventure, and FEELINGS. Even deaths that should have been insubstantial pack a punch. Also, as expected from Sanderson's fantasy novels, a fascinating and innovative magic system. You may need to have read other of his books (The Way of Kings, Elantris) to appreciate it fully.
I LOVED the fairytale vibes. It's no coincidence that it was inspired by one of my favourite books of all time: The Princess Bride. This book has some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read. It's funny, it's witty, and full of insightful lessons. I kept highlighting passage after passage. I hope Sanderson keeps exploring this narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Vomit, Medical content, and Alcohol
vivavia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Confinement and Slavery