Welcome to the Curiosity Coven Book Club! We're a community of witches and environmentalists who share a commitment to living more consciously—making choices that honor our bodies, our health, and the planet we all share. Follow along for monthly book recommendations and reading discussions.
July Book Club Pick: Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
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?
Your Reading Companion: Orcana Incense
Set sail with this ocean-inspired blend. Lemon, eucalyptus, thyme, and cedarwood capture sea salt and summer breeze—the perfect companion for a tale of treacherous seas and unlikely courage. Limited edition.
Book Club Discussion Questions: Tress of the Emerald Sea
- Unlike the majority of fictional main characters, Tress isn't a “chosen one” with special powers. What does the book suggest about what heroism actually looks like, using an "ordinary" person as its hero?
- The story is told by a narrator who occasionally steps in with their own commentary and asides. How did this narration style affect your experience of the story?
- The various colored spores each have distinct, dangerous properties. How did the different spore types shape the plot's problem-solving moments?
- Tress's relationships with the crew she ends up sailing with shift a lot over the course of the story. What does the book suggest about trust and loyalty among people who start out as strangers (or even enemies)?
- The book is written almost like a fairy tale, light hearted and full of whimsy even while dealing with danger and loss. How did this shape your reading experience emotionally? Did it make certain moments more impactful or less?
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Love this read? There are two more in the series.
Happy reading!
—The Sea Witches
