62 pages 2 hours read

Brandon Sanderson

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Part 1, Chapters 1-5

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter 1 introduces the world of Tress of the Emerald Sea. The novel is set on the Rock, or what is officially named Diggen’s Point, where locals mine salt for the kingdom. Nothing can grow on the rock, and the mines leave a constant presence of black smoke. The Rock is not a pleasant place to live, but the salt is a necessary resource, so the king ruled that no locals are ever to be taken from Diggen’s Point.

Another essential element of world building in this chapter is the introduction of spores. The ocean is not made up of water, it is made up of spores. When wet, spores “sprout explosively” (5), which, depending on the type of spore, could be deadly to humans. Only salt or silver render the spores “inert,” leading to the local saying: “[S]alt and silver halt the killer” (5).

The chapter also introduces the main character, Tress. Her real name is Glorf, but her wild, beautiful hair led to her nickname, “Tress.” Despite how inhospitable her home is, Tress thinks, “There’s a beauty to this, actually. I like it here. And I believe I shall be fine to remain here all my life” (6).

Related Titles

By Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Mistborn

Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn: The Final Empire

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Oathbringer

Brandon Sanderson

Oathbringer

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Rhythm of War

Brandon Sanderson

Rhythm of War

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Shadows of Self

Brandon Sanderson

Shadows of Self

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Skyward

Brandon Sanderson

Skyward

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Steelheart

Brandon Sanderson

Steelheart

Brandon Sanderson

Plot Summary

logo

The Rithmatist

Brandon Sanderson

The Rithmatist

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

The Way of Kings

Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings

Brandon Sanderson

Plot Summary

logo

Words of Radiance

Brandon Sanderson

Words of Radiance

Brandon Sanderson