Brandon Sanderson's Secret Projects 2-Book Set (Tress of the Emerald Sea & The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England)

Embark on an unforgettable literary journey with the Brandon Sanderson's Secret Projects 2-Book Set. This exclusive collection bundles two of Sanderson's most celebrated and innovative recent works: the whimsical, sea-faring fantasy Tress of the Emerald Sea and the genre-bending, humorous adventure The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England. Born from Sanderson's record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, these novels represent the author's creative freedom at its peak, offering stories that are both deeply connected to his expansive Cosmere universe and refreshingly standalone. This set is the definitive way to own these bestselling tales, presented in a cohesive package ideal for both dedicated Brandon Sanderson collectors and newcomers eager to discover his magic.

Within this set, Tress of the Emerald Sea reimagines a classic adventure with Sanderson's signature world-building, following a brave young woman on a quest across spore-filled oceans. Its companion, The Frugal Wizard's Handbook, offers a completely different flavor—a hilarious and clever romp through an alternate-history medieval England, packed with corporate satire and survivalist humor. Together, they showcase the incredible range of Sanderson's storytelling, from heartfelt epic fantasy to witty speculative fiction. Each book is a complete, satisfying novel with rich characters, intricate plots, and the meticulous magic systems fans expect.

This 2-book set is more than just two novels; it's a piece of publishing history and a testament to direct fan support. It is perfectly suited for fantasy readers seeking immersive escapes, Sanderson's loyal fanbase expanding their Cosmere knowledge, and anyone who appreciates clever, well-crafted storytelling that doesn't take itself too seriously. Whether you're gifting it to a fellow book lover or treating yourself to a weekend of adventure, this collection promises hours of engrossing entertainment and a prized addition to any bookshelf.

Unmatched Storytelling and Creative Freedom

As a crowdfunded project that shattered records, this set represents Brandon Sanderson at his most unbridled and inventive. Freed from traditional publishing constraints, these Secret Projects showcase a master storyteller exploring new tones and ideas. Tress of the Emerald Sea delivers the epic scale and emotional depth of classic Sanderson, while The Frugal Wizard's Handbook demonstrates his versatility with sharp humor and a unique premise. This duality is a significant advantage, offering two distinct reading experiences in one purchase, effectively doubling the value and showcasing why Sanderson remains a dominant bestseller in the fantasy genre.

Exceptional Value for Collectors and New Readers

This curated set provides exceptional value. For longtime fans, it offers essential, canonical entries into the wider Cosmere narrative (particularly Tress) in a beautiful, collectible format. For new readers, it serves as a perfect, low-commitment introduction to Sanderson's work; each novel is self-contained, requiring no prior knowledge of his other series. Owning them together as a set is more convenient and often more economical than purchasing the titles separately, making it an intelligent choice for anyone building their fantasy library. The set's status as a direct-to-fan product often means attention to detail in the presentation that exceeds standard retail editions.

Rich, Standalone Worlds with Re-readability

A key advantage of these novels is their ability to function as satisfying, complete stories while still offering layers for dedicated fans. Tress of the Emerald Sea is a lush, fairy-tale-like adventure with a compelling heroine and a fascinating magic system based on oceanic spores. The Frugal Wizard's Handbook blends science fiction and fantasy with its witty guidebook format and fish-out-of-water comedy. Both books are packed with Sanderson's trademark foreshadowing, clever twists, and heartfelt moments, giving them high re-readability. You can enjoy them once for the thrilling plot, and again to catch the subtle connections and brilliant world-building details you missed.

While this set is a fantastic offering, perspective buyers should consider a few points. The most notable is the tonal shift between the two books. Readers who fall in love with the whimsical, heroic fantasy tone of Tress of the Emerald Sea might find the meta-humor and satirical style of The Frugal Wizard's Handbook to be a jarring change. It's less of a traditional epic fantasy and more of a comedic adventure, which may not align with every reader's expectations for a Brandon Sanderson novel. This set is best appreciated by those who enjoy variety or are specifically interested in both described genres.

Another consideration is the physical presentation. As books initially funded through a Kickstarter campaign, the standard retail hardcover versions in this set, while high quality, may not include the exclusive artwork, slipcases, or premium materials of the special Kickstarter editions. Collectors seeking the absolute highest-end version with all the bells and whistles might need to look to the secondary market. Additionally, for readers who prefer massive, door-stopper epic fantasies like The Stormlight Archive, these are comparatively shorter, more focused novels. They provide a complete story but in a tighter page count.

Finally, although Tress has connections to the larger Cosmere, its primary narrative is standalone. Readers hoping for a direct, plot-heavy sequel to one of Sanderson's major series will not find it here. These are side stories, albeit magnificent ones, that explore new corners of his imagination. Managing expectations around scope and direct series continuity is important to avoid potential disappointment for a subset of fans who are exclusively interested in the core saga narratives.

The Brandon Sanderson's Secret Projects 2-Book Set is an outstanding collection that solidifies Sanderson's position as a versatile and masterful storyteller. It delivers immense value by packaging the enchanting, fairy-tale adventure of Tress of the Emerald Sea with the clever, humorous romp of The Frugal Wizard's Handbook. This set is a compelling purchase for any fantasy reader's library, offering two distinct, bestselling novels that are both richly satisfying on their own and treasured additions to the Cosmere universe.

We highly recommend this set to dedicated Brandon Sanderson fans looking to complete their collection, as well as to new readers seeking an accessible and engaging entry point into his work. It is a perfect gift for book lovers and a guaranteed source of hours of intelligent, escapist entertainment. Just be mindful of the significant tonal difference between the two books to ensure they align with your personal reading tastes. Overall, this is a bestseller set that lives up to the hype, showcasing an author at the height of his creative powers.