Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Tress of the Emerald Sea

This book was whimsical, funny, and surprisingly poignant. I loved seeing Tress’s story unfold and how she grew into her own in a way that stayed true to her original character. So many great one liners from the narrator that were hilarious and thought-provoking! I would love to learn more about this world as the details we saw were fascinating. This was a fantastic cozy fantasy.

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bergha1998's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful sad tense 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

It felt a bit different from Sanderson’s typical work, with Hoid being the narrator. I of course loved seeing this different, magical world through one of the most beloved character’s eyes. It made for deep discussions and no shortage of humor. The pace for me felt a bit off, otherwise I loved it.

Fantasy, Found Family, Romance subplot

“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 a chance to find out.”

“‘Doesn’t it seem like things were better when you were younger?’ Huck asked. ‘Did life make more sense then?’”

“‘I remember thinking I understood how my life would go.’”

“‘And because we couldn’t see the troubles,’ Huck agreed. ‘Maybe we didn’t want to see them. When you’re young, there’s always someone else to deal with the problem.’”

“What else would she have never known about herself, if she hadn’t left her home island? Worse, how many people like her lived in ignorance, lacking the experience to fully explore their own existence?”

“When one abandons certain fears and assumptions, the whole world opens up.”

“We make of our memories the gods which judge our current lives.”

“We must take care not to let the bliss of the present fade when compared to supposedly better days. We’re happy, sure, but were we more happy then? If we let it, memory can make shadows of the now, as nothing can match the buttressed legends of our past.”

“Those memories aren’t alive. You are.”

“She… didn’t need to do this all on her own. That shouldn’t have been such a revelation for her. But after spending ages walking around with everyone piling bricks in your arms, it can throw you off balance when some one removes a brick to carry for you.”

“She had gone not because she assumed she would succeed, but because something had to be done.”

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vickybuka's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-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

The author claimed they were writing with The Princess Bride in mind, but I think the book has the same resonances as Stardust. Possibly because of the pirates.

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tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition

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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.

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emilyplun's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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