Tress of the Emerald Sea [Dramatized Adaptation]

Hoid's Travails [Dramatized Adaptation] #1

by Brandon Sanderson, David Cui Cui (narrator), Bradley Foster Smith (narrator)

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson comes a rollicking, riveting tale set in the Cosmere universe–a standalone adventure perfect for fans of The Princess Bride.

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?

Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!

Performed by Chris Davenport, Crystal Lee, Torian Brackett, Wyn Delano, Eva Wilhelm, Natalie Van Sistine, Shanta Parasuraman, Bradley Foster Smith, Christopher Walker, David Cui Cui, Gabriel Michael, Keith Richards, Ken Jackson, Matthew Pauli, Mike Carnes, Morgan Dalla Betta, Nick J. Russo, Scott McCormick, Stephanie Németh-Parker, and Yasmin Tuazon.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Romance, Adventure, Young Adult

10 pages, Audible Audio

Published September 12, 2024

About the author

I’m Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers.

The release of Wind and Truth in December 2024—the fifth and final book in the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series—marks a significant milestone for me. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. Now is a great time to get into the Stormlight Archive since the first arc, which begins with Way of Kings, is complete.

During our crowdfunding campaign for the leatherbound edition of Words of Radiance, I announced a fifth Secret Project called Isles of the Emberdark, which came out in the summer of 2025. Coming December 2025 is Tailored Realities, my non-Cosmere short story collection featuring the new novella Moment Zero.

Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, came out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that saw the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man. These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.

November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. Now that the first arc of the Stormlight Archive is wrapped up, I’ve started writing the third era of Mistborn in 2025.

Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, four of the five Secret Projects, and various novellas, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.

I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, released in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.

Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the three stories in Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. These two novellas are also featured in 2025’s Tailored Realities. There’s a lot of material to go around!

Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart, The Emperor’s Soul, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.

I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.

Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.

Reviews

[Ashley Sterin · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

Fantastic!!! Wow!! My first Brandon Sanderson, and what a start to my journey into his works!

The world-building and just how the world works was truly interesting, and I still don’t think I fully grasp everything. I was hooked from the start, and loved the humor and writing style. Having the narrator be one of the characters, while also being separate? Breaking the fourth wall? Genius! Unlike anything I’ve read before, and to say I’m obsessed is an understatement!

Loved basically all the characters, except Ann was making me nervous quite a bit, but regardless, the diversity and the personalities of each character was great!! The twist of the Captain?! Insane!!! Didn’t expect that at all.

Overall, seriously had a great time with this, and will be picking up Yumi and the Nightmare Painter ASAP!!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fantasy story has lots of adventure, nice themes with heartwarming messages, and a satisfying finale. I can see how it is a big hit for a lot of readers. Those who enjoyed the characters and camaraderie formed in Becky Chambers' The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet will probably appreciate Tress and the pirate crew she sails with. Also, the magic system was certainly interesting.

Personally, I liked but didn't love this book - the humorous narration occasionally made me laugh out loud, but mostly just made me roll my eyes. I liked Tress but was a bit underwhelmed with many of the other characters and never developed the warm fuzzy feelings for them I believe the author intended me to.

I will say that this was my first "dramatized adaptation" that I've listened to, and that aspect was delightful!

[Panda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook (10 hours) with a full cast narration, including:
Chris Davenport
Crystal Lee
Torian Brackett
Wyn Delano
Eva Wilhelm
Natalie Van Sistine
Shanta Parasuraman
Bradley Foster Smith
Christopher Walker
David Cui Cui
Gabriel Michael

This is a fully scored, full cast narration production.
It is a great listening experience.

Tess of the Emerald Sea: A Cosmere Novel is the first book of the Secret Project Series that was (and may still be) the most successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in history as of March 2022, for four novels Sanderson wrote in secret during the pandemic.

At this time the first two novels have been fully scored and have been produced with a full cast narration. The third book of the series will be released with the same "overhaul" on December 30, 2024.

There's also a fifth book that is being added to the series in 2025, of which Sanderson has done a short reading of, here:
https://youtu.be/e0L06Y37W70?si=85lmt...

This novel has been compared with The Princess Bride. That is up for you to decide. What it is, is an adventure in the ways of Sanderson.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could be tinted by coming off of a reading slump, but -- is this the best book I've read this year? Perfection.

[Soumow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did! Tress of the Emerald Sea completely surprised me. I don’t usually read this type of story, but the fast pace and unique take on a classic rescue adventure pulled me in immediately. The writing was engaging, and I loved how Tress’s journey unfolded. The character development was fantastic, and the worldbuilding felt so fresh and creative.

If you’re looking for something with adventure, humor, and a bit of heart, I highly recommend giving this a read—even if it’s outside your usual genre!

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hade aldrig hört talas om Brandon Sanderson. Nu känns det som att jag måste ha levt under en sten. Hans böcker finns ju överallt. Tyckte mycket om hans sätt att skriva och hans filosofiska livsfunderingar som vävs in i berättelsen. Denna bok var kanske lite för mycket saga och för många skådespelare som läste replikerna för att engagera mig fullt ut, men jag kommer definitivt att pröva fler böcker av mr Sanderson.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The graphic audiobook production was excellent! Really enjoyable and an easy listen!

——

This was so whimsical and quirky and witty. I enjoyed it so much! The Princess Bride is my favorite movie and I loved how this matched the tone of that story. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a more fairytale-like fantasy that doesn’t feel kiddish.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic audioooooo! 🔥

"A terrible idea executed brilliantly has to be better than a brilliant idea executed terribly. Look at pelicans."

This was cute! I feel like I zoned out a little in the middle but I found the end satisfactory and happy endings all around 🤗

[Emilie White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a dream read and just the right amount of adventure, fairy tale, along with a beautiful ending. 🥰 the audiobook was also so fun with the different narrators and sound effects.

[Katerina Zhecheva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I more or less wrote off Sanderson a decade ago and haven’t picked up his books since. Reluctantly, I have to revise that stance, since I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The story carries a faint Pratchett-like charm, with a touch of Howl’s Moving Castle woven in. And, to be fair, Sanderson remains exceptional at what he does best: building intricate worlds and thoughtfully working through the rules that govern them.

If you’re into audiobooks, I would recommend this edition, it was an incredible experience ghat truly brought the story to life. I can easily imagine it translating beautifully to film as well.

[Krestik303 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. 😛

[Anshika · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy fantasy from sanderson was just the thing I needed to feel like a joyful kid again!

[Maddie Capron · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was very fun! very different than what I usually go for but a great adventure and quest for a long drive back from vacation. the audiobook was very fun too

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely gorgeous book. My first Sanderson read and now I understand why people love him, because I love this book. I love Tress, I love her character arc and growth and I loved the whole Crow Crew. I have nothing negative to say it was such a wholesome but adventurous story, filled with just about everything I enjoy in a novel 🫶

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this audiobook. Hold, the narrator, is funny and sarcastic. Tress as a character is endearing and her growth arc is believable and interesting. The world building / magic rules are simple, clear, and were easy to keep track of as the story progressed. The twists and turns were surprising but made sense and were set up well. I loved how Tress started out as a very normal teen girl who didn't have any angst and was overall satisfied with her life and her matter of fact, do what needs to be done attitude. Definitely not the typical angsty unwilling teen hero suddenly imbued with super powers. I also enjoyed getting to know the other crew members of the Crow's Song, their backstories and motivations. The mystery of what motivated Captain Crow unfolded in a very satisfying and intriguing way.

[Brooks Mitchell (loving my life a little more every day) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! This is my first Brandon Sanderson book and I absolutely loved it! The plot was just scrumptious! The plot twists had me in their grasp and I was not expecting most of them! They snuck along like a midnight spore creature. I’ll be honest I was suspicious of Huck from the start but I wasn’t expecting it to take that turn. This book was so very beautiful and I will be reading more of Brandon Sanderson’s works!

[Angela Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has joined the ranks of The Princess Bride and Stardust. Whimsical with just enough adventure, romance and fantasy to not quite fit exclusively into any of them. This is a book I look forward to reading to my grandchildren. Just picture me as Columbo reading this to Kevin Arnold.

The full cast audio made this even more enjoyable! I am so glad I followed the advice of others on that point. I have opinions about casting for a live action movie.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Witty. Hilarious. Fantastic. Whimsical. Sarcastic. Incredible. 10/10 vibes.

[Elin Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is actually kind of funny. I mean Hoid 😂

At first I didn’t think much of the book. Then it turned into a 3 star, then a 3.5 and eventually a 4. I enjoyed it a lot in the end.

[Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Kristi Lidbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun, whimsy, fantasy on the ocean! I love pirates and I love female heroines! The dramatized audio was the way to go for this.

[Stongla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually so cute and very whimsical 💚 the magic system was different and kinda sciencey.

[Ashley Yaggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ (5⭐️ for the voice actors).

[Corvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending was shockingly beautiful

[Courtney Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightful, whimsical listen! I loved every minute and all the narration. I loved watching Tress change and grow and I loved the twist.

[Mariah Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tress of the Emerald Sea
4.75/5 ⭐

Tropes:
Whimsical Adventure 🧭✨
Coming of Age 🌱💫
Found Family 🤍🏴‍☠️
Strong FMC ⚓👑

This was a re-read for me because this was the very first book I picked up when I started my reading journey in August 2023… which feels absolutely insane to say out loud.

And listening to it on audiobook this time? Whole new experience. I loved it just as much!

Tress and Charlie will forever have a soft spot in my heart. And the found family in this book?? Ugh, so good. This story is so whimsical and clever and cozy while still being adventurous. It reminds me exactly why I fell in love with reading in the first place!!

If you haven’t read this yet, please do!!!!

But go in knowing this:
This isn’t really a love story. It’s a fantasy adventure where love is the motivation, not the plot.

We follow Tress, who has never left her tiny island, “The Rock,” her entire life. But when something unexpected happens, she has no choice but to sail across deadly seas made of spores to fix it (yes, spores). And watching her grow into herself along the way?? I loved every second of it!!

I genuinely don’t know why I haven’t read more Brandon Sanderson when I adore this book the way I do.
Anyway. Go read it. Immediately. 🌊✨

[Brionna Bell-Scotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

The dramatized version was so much fun, I genuinely enjoyed it. Tress, the main character, is really smart but naive and too trusting which makes her character a bit frustrating at times. But I like that she stays true to herself and still is adamant in finding the love of her life, Charlie, even though the odds are stacked against her. Although she’s the MC, the real star of the story is the narrator, Hoid. He’s so ridiculously funny and unhinged. I loved all the scenes he’s in. I can’t wait to hear the other secret stories with his additions to them. The other ensemble cast are great too and each has a quirk that makes them enjoyable side characters. I like that the story doesn’t take itself seriously and Hoid breaks the fourth wall all the time. And it’s a short listen (about 10 hours and 20 minutes) so it’s quick to get through, which I also enjoyed. It was the right amount of story for it to be enjoyable without being dragged out.

[S.vasundara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun, whimsical read! The dramatized audiobook was so, so well done. Felt like a movie was playing in my head.

The storytelling style was gold, so funny and engaging. I really loved the world-building and how all the different seas were described, especially the moon spores. It gave me such a vivid picture in my head. I also love when a fantasy world feels genuinely new and has so many little details to discover. The fact that the world is so imaginative and unique that things like magic and even dragons almost feel ordinary is a sign of such great creativity on the author's part. I did not expect this to be a book with twists, but I loved the surprise! I also really liked that, technically, she is doing all of this for love, but the romance isn't the plot. The focus is on her journey, her growth, the world, and all the people she meets along the way.

Highly recommend. An amazing, cozy, fun adventure!

[Madison Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Previously read this book and enjoyed it more the second time around with the dramatized adaptation. Tress of the Emerald Sea completely won me over with its clever storytelling, unexpected plot twists, and a heroine who is both strong and deeply compelling. Tress isn’t your typical hero. She’s smart, determined, and driven by love, setting out on an epic journey to save her man from an evil sorcerer. The story is packed with adventure, humor, and some truly thought-provoking one-liners that had me pausing just to take them in. It’s a whimsical, heartfelt, and beautifully written tale that kept me hooked from start to finish. Absolutely loved it! This time was so much better, having an understanding of the cosmere as a whole and how the magic is brought to life on different plants in the system. Totally recommend!