This is a very mixed story - while it isn't the lengthiest tale, the story is very jam packed with lots of details, myths and legends. This is a really unique magic system and I loved the idea of a murder mystery set on a boat. But, our main character Lorelai is a difficult protagonist to follow as she comes across as very unlikeable. While the reader understands this is a form of defence mechanism due to the racial discrimination she has faced and trauma, it did make connecting with the side characters more difficult and less developed as she didn't want to get to know them. The romance element of this is very sweet, and I did really enjoy reading all of the different myths in this story although they did sometimes feel rather disconnected from the main story. With all of this in mind, I'd give this 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"She would never know how much of this bitterness within her was innate and how much had been shaped by the inevitable cruelty of living. Her story had been written long ago, in indelible ink and blood. There was no hope of changing it now."

This is one of those books that is difficult to review. What I loved most is how each character was described, not only through Lorelei's general description but also through stories and legends, giving us a glimpse of their true nature. I felt immersed in a fairy tale that transported me to another world and showed how people can change and love despite their pasts. The academic rivalry added, of course, an extra layer of interest.

However, there was one aspect that left me with a bittersweet feeling: I felt like something was missing at the beginning. I expected a closer look into Sylvia's life, rather than just being told about it by Lorelei. I would have loved an intertwined narration of both their stories and views on the world.

~ 4 ⭐️

4 stars. Really enjoyed this, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! Allison Saft delivers again with an interesting and unique dark academia novel. The world building and setting is wonderful and the characters are well fleshed out with interesting development. A little slow to start but definitely worth when the story picks up about 20% in. Highly recommend!

Big thanks to netgalley and the amazing daphne press for providing me an arc of this book.

This was one of my most anticipated books of this 2024, but sadly I DNFed at 85%. I got so tired that I don't even care how it even ends. The writing is rich and beautiful, the atmospheric descriptions are exquisite but all of this wasn't enough. The hate between the protagonist and her rival/love interest is unbsustantial. The plot is soo boring and I have a really bad time trying to understand the character personalities. I came to the conclusion that they simply act as the plot demands and not in a stable way. The politics are boring. The world is unclear. As a fantasy book is really vague.

A beautiful sapphic, dark academic romantasy. If you like Emily Wilde and A Study in Drowning then this book is a must read! The romance had great tension between academic rivals and I ate it up! I knew from the first chapter that I was going to love this book and I was not disappointed.

Great book, with good character development and interesting world-building. I feel the start could have been slightly smoother, as it took a while for me to understand what was going on. But overall, a nice sapphic fantasy, definitely worth a read!

I loved this sooo much, it was just beautifully written. So gratefully to have had access to this arc, I flew through this book so quick. I absolutely loved the romance.

I want to thank the author and netgalley for this ARC. The mystery surrounding the murder is incredible. the folklore part is not at all disappointing. I loved the plot the characters and the romance.

There were parts where that felt very flat for me and I didn't understood the connection of the characters. I loved the murder mystery.

I had really high expectations for this book, because the premise sounds right up my alley and I did really like the author’s previous book. Unfortunately I was quite disappointed. While I did love the gothic vibes and magical atmosphere, the story was just kind of boring. Also the characters felt so one-dimensional that I could not bring myself to care too much. The romance was sweet but overall this one just fell kind of flat for me.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book however I'm afraid I had to mark it as DNF. I struggled to fully grasp and take in the infodumping of world lore throughout the book which didn't make it an enjoyable read for me as I couldn't remember certain pieces as they became relevant or were mentioned again. I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy this book but I couldn't keep up with it personally.

I requested this book from NetGalley without knowing much about it—the intriguing plot description and the captivating cover drew me in. Allison Saft, though new to me, has written several other books that I had yet to explore. Upon reading this novel, I was blown away by the beauty of her writing. Her language is not only lyrical but also imaginative, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

The highlight of this book for me was the seamless incorporation of folklore and fairy tales into the storyline. The main character, Lorelai, is a folklorist who seems to have a fairy tale or a story about/for every creature or moment. These reminded me of the original Brother Grimm fairy tales I used to read as a kid, making me terrified of the world for a moment or two 😅

Without going too much into the plot details, if you find any of the following elements appealing, you might enjoy this book as much as I did:

✔️ Academic rivalry: Lorelai vs. Sylvia, two smart and strong characters that were both great in their academic fields.
✔️ Germanic-inspired folklore and fairy tales: Imagine creatures, the woods, dark water, and often a teaching moment.
✔️ Sapphic romance: Oh they were burning for each other 🔥
✔️ Murder mystery: A ship, a dead body, six suspects.
✔️ Quest and heroine journey: Both literal and metaphorical, the journey was compelling.
✔️ Elemental magic ( 🧊 🧊 👶 ): There was plenty of water and ice in this story.

What didn't work for me: I'm just not a huge fan of murder mystery elements in the stories I read, and that was the case here as well. While the mystery was well crafted, I didn't enjoy all the speculation and guessing that goes with it.

Also, I felt that the ending was rushed. After a story that unfolded at a measured, deliberate pace, the conclusion felt somewhat abrupt. I would have loved if we had more time to appreciate and enjoy with the characters the journey they've been on and a HEA .

Despite these minor issues, "A Dark and Drowning Tide" was a lovely story overall. The world-building, character development, and beautiful writing make it a worthwhile read. Saft has a talent for creating an atmosphere that is both haunting and beautiful, and I look forward to exploring more of her work.4/5 ⭐

Thankyou NetGalley for this arc,

The synopsis of the book was very promising but unfortunately it fell a bit flat to me. There were parts where a lot information was given at once and parts were things didn't really make sense. Also the way the main characters fall in love all of a sudden didn't really make sense to me. What I loved the most about the book was the murder mystery.

3.5 stars

"A Dark and Drowning Tide" follows Lorelei Kaskel on an expedition with six other nobles, searching for a magical spring of power. When Lorelei's mentor is murdered onboard the ship, all she knows for sure is that her academic rival, Sylvia von Wolff, is innocent. Now that Lorelei is leading the expedition, she needs to find the magical spring, uncover the murderer and survive all the dangers the group faces on this expedition.

I enjoyed the magic system in this universe. Diving into a new fantasy novel, the magical system and world-building are my favourite things to explore. I love the folklore-mythological-inspired magic system, the complexity of it and how deep we as readers get into the magic; I also liked the German and Grimms Brothers' inspiration, giving it a dark fairy tale vibe.

The major issue I had was the tension between Lorelei and Sylvia. I thought Lorelei's reason for hating Sylvia was a bit weak and could have been developed differently or developed more. Considering this was a major aspect of the novel, it didn't feel convincing. In addition, Sylvia was characterised so perfectly that it felt difficult to be suspicious of her and therefore believe Lorelei's hatred for her.

So, overall, it was an enjoyable book, however, the relationship between Lorelei and Sylvia was lacking for me.

"A Dark and Drowning Tide" is a novel that takes readers into a world rich with mystery, introspection, and folklore, all wrapped in an enchanting ambiance. This book captivates from the first page, largely due to its beautiful writing that paints vivid pictures and stirs deep emotions.

The novel boasts an amazing set of characters, each contributing to the story's allure and keeping the plot engaging. Sylvia, in particular is my personal favorite. Her complexity and depth make her a fascinating character to follow, and she anchors the story with her presence.

One of the strengths of "A Dark and Drowning Tide" is its blend of elements. The story mixes mystery, introspection, social issues, and folklore into a seamless narrative. The result is a novel that feels both timeless and contemporary, much like a dark and haunting Grimm tale combined with the cozy, enchanting qualities of classic Disney movies such as "Snow White" or "Sleeping Beauty."

The trope of a dysfunctional group of friends is handled with a deft touch. This dynamic feels more convincing and real than the often idealized "found family" trope, adding a layer of authenticity to the relationships depicted in the book.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. There is a tendency towards info dumping, which can bog down the narrative and overwhelm the reader with excessive details. Additionally, the enemies-to-lovers arc between Lorelei and Sylvia falls a bit flat. The hatred Lorelei feels towards Sylvia is not well justified, making this crucial aspect of the story feel forced and unconvincing. This is particularly frustrating given its importance to the plot.

Despite these issues, the ending of "A Dark and Drowning Tide" is perfect in my opinion as it ties up the story beautifully, leaving me with a sense of closure and satisfaction.

Overall, "A Dark and Drowning Tide" is a beautifully written novel with a captivating mix of elements and an unforgettable cast of characters. Its few shortcomings do not overshadow the enchanting experience it offers, making it a worthwhile read for fans of dark folklore, beautiful ambience, and intricate character dynamics.

Wow. I love this book so much!
This book has a murder mystery, sapphic academic rivals to lovers, magic and beautiful folklore. The writing was lovely and moody and atmospheric which really made me like this book more.

While I did struggle just a bit getting into it, once I did, around 15% in, I finished the rest in one sitting and it was so worth it.

Insane, perfect, everything I ever wanted in this book.

Saft has outdone herself with this beautiful, ode to exploration and unexpected entanglements. The ache I felt for the characters even just reading this book was too much to handle. Truly a masterpiece, the expedition was beautiful with the added mystery and unknown pining between characters.

Lorelei and Sylvia are my new favorite sapphic pairing 🤍

4.5 ⭐

"A Dark and Drowning Tide" is an adult fantasy standalone written by Allison Saft.

Allison Saft has won me over again! I have read several books by the author, enjoyed them a lot, and couldn't wait to jump on this new title! A novel that has captivated me since its announcement, thanks to the intriguing premise and the gorgeous cover. I had very high expectations and was not disappointed at all! I loved "A Dark and Drowning Tide" so much! The spellbinding, evocative and lyrical writing completely absorbed me into the vortex of the narration, enchanting me with its vivid descriptions, dark academia side, gothic overtones and abundant folklore present. This is not a quick or a particularly action-packed novel, but a tale that takes its time, proceeding slowly until the second half becomes more eventful. It is a narrative choice that I have also found in her previous books and that I personally like, especially because it puts more focus on the characters and their evolution. I loved Lorelei and Sylvia, the beautiful way they are portrayed and the fantastic evolution of their relationship!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

All my thanks to Daphne Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was an absolute joy to read. I was hooked from the first page, and I adored the beautiful descriptions, the world-building, and the aching relationship between Sylvia and Lorelai. This is a book I didn’t know I needed, and I’m so grateful to have read it.

The author’s character work was exceptional, and I loved the slow build relationship between Sylvia and Lorelai. The little moments between them as the book progressed was just lovely, and I found myself outright grinning at my phone while reading!

The stunning descriptions of the scenery helped immerse me into this world, as well as all the creatures and magic.

And of course, only one tent!

This was a highly anticipated read and it did not disappoint. I loved this lush, gorgeous sapphic fantasy novel and I can’t wait to read more from the author!

4 stars.
A dark and drowning tide would be perfect for fans of the Emily Wildes series, it is an academic fantasy based on, I believe, their world’s version of folklore with elemental magic. It’s a sapphic rivals to lovers with an expedition setting.
It took me a while to get into this, I didn’t find the main character very likeable until her personality started becoming more fleshed out. She reads as very standoffish at first but her background with trauma and oppression, and interactions with other characters provide us better characteristics to like.
The relationship development between the main character Lorelei and Sylvia progressed at a good pace, I feel it didn’t develop too quickly, although the characters were angsting and pining for one another pre-book.
I felt the plot was well devised with the plot points merging well together, the only personal hang up was how many of the characters were royalty. I think it may have been better to have had some of the characters have ties to government or in some other capacity for their agendas to work for the main plot.
Overall, I liked it, the authors way of blending fantasy with mystery and working in complex characters with moral dilemmas and differing world views made it for a great read!
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and Daphne Press for the opportunity to read this.