The Frugal Wizard's Handbook vs Tress of the Emerald Sea: Sanderson's Secret Projects

In 2022, Brandon Sanderson stunned the fantasy world with the announcement of four "Secret Projects," novels written in secret during the pandemic and funded through a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign. Among these, two titles stand out for their distinct tones and settings: The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England and Tress of the Emerald Sea. While both share the Sanderson signature of intricate world-building and compelling characters, they represent two fascinatingly different branches of his creative tree. This article delves into the unique charms of each, exploring how they fit into Sanderson's broader bibliography and what they offer to both new readers and long-time Cosmere scholars.

Brandon Sanderson's career is a masterclass in prolific world-building, primarily centered around the interconnected universe known as the Cosmere. However, the Secret Projects allowed him to stretch his creative muscles in new directions. The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England is a prime example of this exploration. It's a humorous fantasy that blends science fiction elements with a historical setting, a departure from the epic, magic-system-heavy tales he's famous for. On the other hand, Tress of the Emerald Sea is a triumphant return to the Cosmere, offering a fresh, fairy-tale-like perspective within his established universe. Understanding these two books provides a fuller picture of Sanderson's range as an author.

Diving into The Frugal Wizard's Handbook: A Genre-Bending Adventure

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England is a delightful standalone that proves Sanderson's talents extend far beyond epic fantasy. The novel follows a man with amnesia who finds himself stranded in what appears to be medieval England, armed only with a satirical guidebook—the "handbook" of the title. The premise immediately sets a tone of witty, self-aware adventure. It's a story that plays with tropes of isekai (a person transported to another world) and portal fantasy, filtered through Sanderson's meticulous logic and dry humor.

The book's strength lies in its unique voice and concept. The "handbook" excerpts scattered throughout the narrative are hilarious, offering absurdly capitalist and pragmatic advice for surviving in a pre-industrial society. This creates a meta-commentary on fantasy narratives and survival guides that is both clever and consistently entertaining. While it features Sanderson's trademark pacing and plot twists, the magic (or rather, the advanced technology masquerading as magic) is presented in a way that feels fresh and distinct from his Cosmere works. For readers looking for a standalone novel that is lighthearted, inventive, and completely engrossing, The Frugal Wizard's Handbook is a perfect choice. It showcases an author confident enough to step outside his most famous creation and still deliver a story packed with heart and brains.

Exploring Tress of the Emerald Sea: A Cosmere Fairy Tale

In stark contrast, Tress of the Emerald Sea is a love letter to Sanderson's dedicated fans and a gorgeous entry point for newcomers. Billed as a "Cosmere novel," it takes place on a unique world within Sanderson's shared universe, one where seas are not made of water but of vibrant, deadly spore oceans. The story follows Tress, a humble window washer who embarks on a daring voyage across these spore seas to rescue her beloved from a sorceress. The narrative is charmingly told from the perspective of a familiar Cosmere narrator, adding layers of wit and cosmic significance for those in the know.

What makes Tress so special is its fairy-tale aesthetic fused with classic Sanderson innovation. The magic system, based on the properties of different spores (which react to water in spectacular ways), is one of his most visually stunning and creatively restrictive. It forces clever problem-solving, a hallmark of Sanderson's best work. The tone is whimsical, warm, and filled with a sense of wonder, yet it doesn't shy away from genuine stakes and emotional depth. It demonstrates that a Cosmere story doesn't need to be a thousand-page epic to be impactful; it can be a focused, beautiful novel about courage, curiosity, and seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Comparative Analysis: Tone, Themes, and Audience

Placing The Frugal Wizard's Handbook and Tress of the Emerald Sea side by side reveals the breadth of Sanderson's 2023 offerings. Their primary difference is foundational: one exists outside the Cosmere, while the other is deeply embedded within it. This leads to a divergence in tone and audience expectation.

Tone & Style: The Frugal Wizard's Handbook is fundamentally a comedy. Its humor is meta, situational, and derived from the clash between modern cynicism and medieval reality. Tress of the Emerald Sea, while humorous, is primarily a romance-filled adventure with a fairy-tale cadence. Its humor is more character-driven and whimsical.

Themes: The Handbook explores themes of identity, self-reliance, and the construction of narrative. The protagonist must literally piece together who he is while navigating a world governed by unfamiliar rules. Tress, conversely, is a story about growth, love, and challenging one's station. Tress starts as an unassuming character and grows into a capable heroine through ingenuity rather than inherent power.

Ideal Reader: The Frugal Wizard's Handbook is perfect for readers who enjoy Terry Pratchett's brand of satirical fantasy, or those looking for a Sanderson fix that doesn't require any prior knowledge. Tress is ideal for Cosmere fans craving a new world to explore, as well as for readers who love classic adventure tales with a unique magical twist. It serves as a fantastic, lower-commitment introduction to Sanderson's style and the scope of the Cosmere.

The Significance of the Secret Project Initiative

The existence of these two diverse novels is a direct result of Sanderson's Secret Project initiative. Unshackled from publisher deadlines and fan expectations for specific series, Sanderson used this opportunity to write stories purely for the joy of creation. This artistic freedom is palpable in both books. The Frugal Wizard's Handbook feels like a fun, experimental side project, while Tress of the Emerald Sea feels like a passion project that might not have fit a traditional publishing schedule. They are testaments to an author at the height of his powers, exploring the full spectrum of his interests.

For the Brandon Sanderson community, these Secret Projects have been a gift. They have provided new content to dissect and enjoy, expanded the types of stories associated with his name, and demonstrated the viability of direct-to-reader publishing models. The success of the Kickstarter proved that there is a massive, hungry audience for author-driven creative ventures.

Which Sanderson Secret Project Should You Read First?

If you're trying to decide between these two stellar Secret Project novels, the choice ultimately depends on your mood and interests.

Choose The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England if:
- You want a hilarious, standalone story with no required reading.
- You enjoy meta-humor and satire of fantasy and corporate culture.
- You're intrigued by a blend of sci-fi and historical settings.
- You need a break from dense, interconnected fantasy lore.

Choose Tress of the Emerald Sea if:
- You are a Cosmere fan eager for a new world and magic system.
- You love fairy-tale aesthetics and stories of personal transformation.
- You appreciate beautiful, whimsical prose and heartfelt romance.
- You want an accessible entry point into Brandon Sanderson's larger universe.

The wonderful truth is that there is no wrong answer. Both novels exemplify why Brandon Sanderson is a dominant force in modern fantasy. They showcase his versatility, his commitment to entertaining storytelling, and his deep respect for his readers. Whether you're chuckling at the bureaucratic absurdity of surviving the Middle Ages or marveling at the glowing, spore-based oceans of a distant world, you are in the hands of a master storyteller. The Secret Projects are more than just books; they are an invitation to experience the full, delightful range of one of fantasy's most imaginative minds.