Tress of the Emerald SeaTress of the Emerald Sea
What it's about
Tress lives a quiet life on a rocky island in an ocean made of deadly green spores, collecting cups that sailors bring her. When the boy she loves is captured by a terrible sorceress, Tress does the unthinkable: she leaves home and sets off across the spore seas to rescue him, meeting pirates, a talking rat and a dragon.
Why it's worth reading
It was a Goodreads Choice finalist. Brandon Sanderson's charming fairy tale, inspired by The Princess Bride, is a fan favorite.
You'll love it if you liked
Legends & Lattes
The Hobbit
A Court of Thorns and RosesGood to know
It's narrated by a witty storyteller character from Sanderson's other books, but stands alone.
By the numbers
- Readers83 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller58 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #72 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #101 of the 481 new books we rank
- #563 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous
More by Brandon Sanderson
The Way of Kings
Mistborn
Skyward
The Emperor's SoulIf you like this, read next
The First to Die at the End
Iron Widow
Death of the Author
A Sorceress Comes to Call
Light From Uncommon Stars
Release MeExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Tress of the Emerald Sea worth reading?
Yes. It was a Goodreads Choice finalist. It ranks #563 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 77.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Tress of the Emerald Sea about?
Tress lives a quiet life on a rocky island in an ocean made of deadly green spores, collecting cups that sailors bring her. When the boy she loves is captured by a terrible sorceress, Tress does the unthinkable: she leaves home and sets off across the spore seas to rescue him, meeting pirates, a talking rat and a dragon.
How long does it take to read Tress of the Emerald Sea?
About 10 hours (384 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Tress of the Emerald Sea?
If you liked it, try Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien or A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.