Just finished reading Tress of the…

Just finished reading Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. Was going to wait until tomorrow to write this up, but I don’t feel my feelings will change on it, so might as well do this now.

Interesting characters, top notch world building (as all of Sanderson’s books have), and some amazing writing in terms of style, phrasing, metaphor, simile, concepts, insights, etc. etc. etc.

I liked the story, figured out one reveal right before it happens (which is always fun), and for over half the book, assumed it was one I would keep to re-read again later.

But …. I thought this was wholly Tress’ story, similar to Garth Nix’ Frogkisser! or The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente.

It is. And it’s not.

It’s also about Hoid, a character that appears in some form in all of Sanderson’s books, especially those that deal with the Cosmere. If you’ve read those books, Hoid is probably a fun addition, all the asides and reference something comforting and familiar and inside joke fun, especially since he seems to be in a situation unlike ever before.

If you haven’t, it feels like sitting at a table of decades old friends who keep talking about things they’ve shared that make no sense unless you were there. Which I wasn’t.

Part of all the Hoidness is that it is him telling the story …. which my reader brain accepted and wanted to keep turning the page, but my writer brain had a problem with because it’s kind of Greek Chorus but more personal and how would Hoid know about what Tress’ father did since he wasn’t there? But maybe that’s just an aspect of Hoid you are assumed to know because you know Hoid?

Anyway, it really bothers me right now. I might try a re-read in a few years and have no problem with Hoid at all.

I do think the writing is wonderful and if you like modern tellings of fairytale themes like the Princess Bride, you’d probably like this book.

#tressoftheemeraldsea #brandonsanderson #fairytale #fantasy #rustypuppyreads