Tress of the Emerald Sea: A Cosmere Novel

Brandon Sanderson

Jan 2023 · Secret Projects Book 1 · Dragonsteel, LLC · Narrated by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading

About this audiobook

#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson expands his Cosmere universe shared by The Stormlight Archive and Mistborn with a new standalone novel for everyone who loved The Princess Bride. Narrated by Michael Kramer.

The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?

Note from Brandon:

I started writing this in secret, as a novel just for my wife. She urged me to share it with the world—and alongside three other secret novels, with the support of readers worldwide it grew into the biggest Kickstarter campaign of all time. I’m excited to present this first book to you at last: a different type of Brandon Sanderson story, one I wrote when there were no time constraints, no expectations, and no limits on my imagination. Come be part of the magic.

Ratings and reviews

A fun story, written in a surprisingly goofy style. The humor often fell flat, the characters were very silly, but the world building was excellent and the plot entertaining. I greatly enjoyed the homage to the Princess Bride, but was put off by the light, silly nature of it. overall recommend for a basic, fun listen.

Entertaining, a bit too YA though. By the end, I vomited with numerous philosophical "thoughts" bombarding us from every other sentence. The book has an interesting concept but in the end, I see it as tensionless.

Beautiful story very reminiscent of Princess Bride! I absolutely loved this Sanderson Fantasy Tale! He is already my second favourite author (after only the Master JRR Tolkien) and Tess of the Emerald Sea does not disappoint. How could it? It is beautifully sculpted, witty, emotive, fresh, fantastic, funny and with gorgeous rich and deep characters, intricate magic, exciting adventures and explosive plot twists!! I honestly couldn't put it down!!

About the author

Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. In addition to completing Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time, he is the author of such bestsellers as the Mistborn saga, Warbreaker‚ the Stormlight Archive series beginning with The Way of Kings, The Rithmatist, the Skyward series, the Reckoners series beginning with Steelheart, and the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series. He won the Hugo Award for The Emperor’s Soul, a novella set in the world of his acclaimed first novel‚ Elantris. For behind-the-scenes information on all his books, visit brandonsanderson.com.

Michael Kramer grew up in Lucan, Minnesota. He lives in Maryland and narrates audiobooks in his home studio. With Kate Reading, Michael narrated the audiobooks for the Wheel of Time, first for Robert Jordan, and then for Brandon Sanderson’s completion of the series. Michael narrates Sanderson’s Mistborn Saga and with Kate Reading, The Stormlight Archive series. He also recorded The Rithmatist, and for the Library of Congress Talking Books, Warbreaker. For more information on his work, awards, charitable fundraising for books to prisoners, and to contact, visit MichaelKramerAudiobooks.com.

Kate Reading grew up in East Grafton, in England. With Michael Kramer, Kate narrated the audiobooks for the Wheel of Time, first for Robert Jordan, and then for Brandon Sanderson’s completion of the series. She also narrates Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series with Michael Kramer. For more information on her work, awards, charitable fundraising for books to prisoners, and to contact, visit KateReadingAudiobooks.com.