stefh_ 's review for:

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

4.5

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: Complicated

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With a unique cast of characters, that includes Tress, a cursed narrator, a talking rat, a deaf quartermaster, an unintuitive helmswomen, and an ensemble of Dougs, this is by far the most whimsical book out of all of the Sanderson books I have read so far; making it a nice change of pace from the comparatively darker tones of the other Sanderson books I have read. 

Tress is wonderful protagonist, in part because she is just a normal girl who enjoys her simple life on her island home on the emerald sea. However, when her friend Charlie is captured by the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea, Tress resolves to go and rescue him leading her to leave her tiny island, stowing away on a ship and crossing paths with pirates in the process. 

This is my second time reading Tress of the Emerald Sea and now, having read more of the Cosmere, I enjoyed this so much more and getting to pick up on the little Easter eggs littered throughout. 

As with all of Sandersons works, the world building and magic system were so unique and beautifully crafted. The spores of the different seas were so original and seeing how Tress harnessed the spores was great and the entire cast of characters were a lot of fun, each going through their own challenges that wove intricately into Tress’ own journey.