Jas Howson’s Reviews > Tress of the Emerald Sea > Status Update

every so often there’ll be an unexpected paragraph or few piquing on the existential nature. it feels a little unnatural at times and sometimes feels a tad “on the nose” as to the greater “meaning” of the book

all right, the narrative voice is growing on me. there is such a wholesome energy to the ship’s crew - each character is distinct and so likeable. the crew is fast becoming tress’s found family, and each interaction with Fort makes me smile so much

i’m enjoying this but there’s nothing in particular that’s propelling me - or the plot - forward. the tone of wit is consistent, but so is the pacing; even though things are happening it doesn’t really feel like we’re getting anywhere. this might be because of the consistent causal dead pan humour narration - even the more momentous parts of the plot are depicted almost matter-of-factedly.

my first brandon sanderson read !! the prose is colloquial, conversational. i enjoy the witty and satirical tone of the narrator and the moments when the reader is acknowledged. the dialogue maintains this tone of wit and feels natural - as does the blossoming relationship between Tress and Charlie, even though it is established within the first few chapters. nothing, as of yet, feels forced about this book.