'Curious Tides' by Pascale Lacelle

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle presents an intriguing magic system and is infused with mystery.

Fans of dark academia will find a lot to love here, especially those drawn to celestial themes like astrology and the Moon.

While the initial pacing is slow, sometimes requiring patience, readers who appreciate atmosphere and layered intrigue will enjoy. Those who prefer a more immediate payoff or dislike feeling confused might find the setup challenging. The narrative leans heavily toward plot-driven elements, which may not resonate with everyone.

Overall, Curious Tides is a compelling read that invites you into its mystical world, perfect for readers interested in exploring a unique moon-related magic system.


Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster (Australia), and Pascale Lacelle for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I found the unique magic system in Curious Tides interesting, especially how your moon phases determine your powers. However, I felt the book was a bit too long and slow-paced. It's still an impressive debut!

I was looking forward to reading Curious Tides, but alas, I just couldn't get into it. I did manage to finish it, and it was okay, but didn't love it. Thank you for the opportunity to read it though!

Emory, a student at Aldryn College for Lunar Magics, discovers newfound, mysterious powers after surviving a tragic incident that claimed the lives of her classmates. Desperate to control these abilities and uncover the truth behind the incident, she seeks help from Baz, a knowledgeable loner familiar with darker magic. As Emory delves deeper into the secrets of her school and the elusive society her classmates were involved in, she uncovers unsettling truths and faces dangerous adversaries. Her quest for answers leads her into a world of privilege and power, where she must confront her own destiny amidst looming threats and uncertain alliances.

Curious Tides was like stepping into a spellbinding dream! From the enchanting writing style to the immersive world-building, I was hooked from page one. While I found this to be an overall page turner, there were a few moments where the pacing faltered. Emory and Baz are the dynamic duo you can't help but root for, even when their choices leave you scratching your head. Overall, this magical read is perfect for those cozy nights when you just wanna escape into a world of mystery and magic.

3.5 stars

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. The synopsis, in my opinion, was more interesting than the book itself.

It has taken me a long time to go through this book, as I found it slow-moving and dragging. Along with that, I found a majority of the characters 'blah' as the only word I can think to describe. The only character I did enjoy is Baz.

I forced myself to read through to the end, to see how this would progress, to see if it would intrigue me to read the next book, but alas, this was not for me.

Curious Tides, by French-Canadian author Pascale Lacelle, is a dark academia fantasy novel for fans of magic, mystique and moon-gazing. Simply put, dark academia is an internet subculture concerned with ancient arts, classic literature, and Greek and Gothic architecture.

Wikipedia identifies the subculture as drawing on “idealised aesthetics of higher education and academia” and often featuring books, libraries and coffee shops, as well as activities such as museum visits and all-night studying sessions. While it is said to have captured the imagination of a “maturing 'Harry Potter generation'”, some have attributed its rise in popularity to the shutdown of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Which is fair enough, and Baz, one of the protagonists in Curious Tides, is certainly a book nerd who prefers reading and archival research over the use of magic. In contrast, the other protagonist, Emory, is reserved and often feels herself unworthy of the prestigious Aldryn College of Lunar Magics. Still, she is determined to uncover the truths behind the deaths of eight of the school's best and brightest students.

Like the other characters in the book, Emory and Baz have magical powers that are decided by moon phases and tidal alignments. The magical system here is complex and fascinating, based on the moon's waxing and waning and the tide's ebb and flow. Not to mention the lunar and solar eclipses that produce variations of existing magics and even rare new ones beyond them.

As Emory and Baz investigate the mysterious deaths deep inside Dovermere Cove, they encounter secret societies and bloodletting rituals, drowned gods and missing pages of origin stories, underground archives and residential halls disguised by illusions, dream manipulators and nightmare weavers, covert actions to remove memories and bleed out life forces, mythical creatures and magical doorways, and plenty of conspiracies. There's even a motorbike!

Indeed, although the 530-page book is quite a long read, it's also a thrilling ride through a magical world meticulously built upon vivid and vibrant imagination. The dazzling array of magical powers are eye-opening, the setting atmospheric, the twists and turns unexpected, and the horrors enthralling and absolutely terrifying.

It's true that the pacing can be more balanced throughout, but the flaw is minor when the book's overall literary merits are taken into consideration. Particularly worth nothing is the stunning design. Readers are advised to read the print book and enjoy the beautiful maps and illustrations of moon phases.

In a TikTok post in late 2023, Lacelle said she started writing Curious Tides in 2020, “inspired by the murder mystery and secret societies of Ninth House, the portal fantasy and book-within-a-book elements of The Starless Sea, and the magical college vibes of The Magicians”. In another interview, she also mentioned The Ten Thousand Doors of January that inspired “the idea of stories and worlds that might be more real than they seem”.

While these books may help readers gain a better understanding of Lacelle's work, there is no denial that Curious Tides is a breathtakingly original story. Highly recommended.

Note: This book review is scheduled to be published by Ranges Trader Star Mail in Melbourne, Australia, on April 9, 2024.

I loved this book. As a huge fan of dark academia, I had no doubt this Was a book I would enjoy. One thing I did want though is a bit more romance. But nonetheless, I enjoyed magic, witchcraft and dark and questionable characters whose fate I didn’t know until the very last page!

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
After the death of her best friend Emory had to find out what happened to her. After finding that her magic was not what she thought Emory joined a secret group and thought that she finally belonged and felt seen. However as Emory began to understand that all was not what she thought and with the help of Baz, her best friends brother she is able to discover truly what she was capable of and what the secret group really wanted from her.
I enjoyed this book and could not stop reading and didn’t want it to end. It took a bit to like the main character as she came across as selfish however she did redeem herself in the end. The writing was easy to read and the world building good as were the cast of characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.

:: I received this as a free ARC. Thanks, NetGalley! ::

Oh wow! I loved this so much. I even looked up the moon phase when I was born to know my house - House Waxing Moon.

I enjoyed the world-building and the explanation of how the magic works made sense. The interspersion of the storybook driving the character was a nice touch - I loved to have all the pieces put together in one place. The overall mood was dark and ominous, with the Tides always looming.

Emory was a little easily led at times by those giving her attention, but I remember being the same as an insecure teen/young adult so it was realistic, even if it had me yelling at her XD

I'd recommend people give this a read.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

Although this book has a good concept and I am a huge fan of dark academia, the story felt boring, predictable and some times childish. It was slow moving and I found it hard to keep reading on.

The saving grace for this book for me was the setting of the world, the magic system & the character Baz. I didn’t feel an emotional connection to the other characters.

In short, I loved this book! I’ve never really read much Dark Academia, but I think I found a new favourite genre in this book! The academic setting mixed with the fantasy elements of this book were absolutely perfect together. The magic system was so unique compared to anything else I’ve ever read, and while it was definitely confusing to start off with, I understood it all by the end. I will say that it definitely would have benefited from the inclusion of a chart of sorts to show all the different types of magic and their tidal alignments, but I did manage to figure it all out eventually. I enjoyed all our main characters in this book and even though there was a love triangle involved (usually not my favourite) I didn’t mind it so much. I do wish that we got to see more of Romie considering how much she was talked about though.

My only real issues with this book weren’t with the book itself, but rather with the layout of the book on kindle. Since my copy was an e-arc from netgalley that potentially impacted the quality of the file, but it had a few issues that hindered my reading experience a little. All of the excerpts from Song of the Drowned Gods that were included in the book were unreadable because the text was almost white… and white text on a white background makes for a very difficult reading experience. I wish I had a physical copy so that I could have just flipped back and forth between what I’m reading and the map in the front of the book because that’s one of my absolute favourite things to do, but oh well. it was still an amazing book despite those things!

This book had taken my heart and torn it out of my chest, tears running down my cheeks from being touched so deeply. It is filled to the brim with dark academia vibes! It literally set in this fancy elite academy for those with above average magical abilities AND there is a secret society hidden behind its walls. But that wasn't even my favourite part of the book! I absolutely loved the magic system! It was so unique and refreshing plus VERY complex! I mean each moon phase had a bunch of different magical abilities attached to it with their own rules and limitations. BUT WAIT THERE'S EVEN MORE! The secrets and mysteries were just expertly crafted throughout the book! The hidden secrets behind eclipse magic and the true intentions of certain characters were definitely hinted at throughout the book but still revealed to the characters in a way that had me never wanting to put the book down!

Curious Tides is a YA dark-academia full of mystery, secrets and an intriguing magic system!

Emory is starting her second year at Aldryn College, however she is feeling like an outcast after being the lone survivor of an initiation that killed eight other students, including Emory's best friend.

The magic system is truly interesting and unique. Each person gains a different set of gifts, based off the moon phase they were born under. Emery is a Healer, born under a New Moon. Or at least that is what she has always been led to believe.

Curious Tides has lots of darker aspects including drug use, unethical medical treatments and cultish vibes.

I really enjoyed Curious Tides and I am excited to continue the Drowned Gods series!

Emory Ainsleaf is a student at Aldryn College - a prestigious magic school for those blessed, by the Tides and the lunar cycles at their birth, with magic. Emory is a Healer, born under a New Moon. Or is she? When her best friend, Romie and three others go missing during a failed initiation ceremony that killed four other students, Emory discovers mysterious other abilities that should only be accessible to those born during an eclipse. Torn between Romie's brother Baz and Kieran, the most popular guy at Aldryn finally noticing her, she soon finds herself at the centre of a conspiracy to wake the gods and destroy all Eclipse-born.

Curious Tides is a YA dark-academia novel, filled with magic, mythology, teen dramaz, youthful angst, conspiracies and much more. It is dark - it opens with the four deaths, and does contain drug references ("synths") , forced medical treatment and the occasional sexual reference (one fade-to-black sex scene)

Overall, this was an utterly spellbinding read, with *different* magic - no wand-waving here, rather they called on the tides and the different lunar cycles amplified the different powers. The concept of Collapsing - drawing too much power and going supernova - was one I havent come across before, and provides natural consequences - and laws, through the Regulators - for the use of magic. The focal point of all the magic is a mysterious tidal cave called Doveremere - a theoretical portal between words and the location of the climax of the story.

The characters were all well written takes on the common teen drama tropes: Emory's makeover from mediocre Healer to popular Tidecaller ; bookish Baz, scholarly and carrying a torch for Emory; Kieran, smooth, charming from an influential rich family; Liziveta the cool, uber-popular queen bee,and so on.

But calling Curious Tides "just" a YA novel, or"just" a teen drama is selling this short - its an incredible tale, and I look forward to reading book 2!

NOTE: I purchased the audiobook so I could listen concurrently with reading this book. The narrators read it well, doing the voices and infusing the story with emotion. Highly recommend both the print and the audio versions.

~ Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review ~

I should have loved this one. The synopsis, the world, and magic system are all right up my alley. Yet it was so hard to get through this, especially the first 30% or so. It definitely gets better, however with how large the book is I considered many times dropping it. Baz is a lovely character. Emory occasionally got on my nerves.
I love the premise of Lacelle's world - but I think the presentation could've been done in a more concise and clear manner.

DNF at 25%. I was really intrigued by the magic system in this, but unfortunately even after struggling through the first 25% the story just never got going in a way that gripped me. I didn't care about the characters and there was nothing to keep me invested in finding out what really happened in the Caves.
From reading other reviews, it seems like things do pick up eventually, but with so many other things to read I've decided to move on.

I need the next book now!

Honestly, it took me a while to become enrapt in this story but around the halfway point I seriously couldn’t put it down. The way Baz is just so in love with Emory is so wholesome.

I cannot wait until the next one so I can find out what happens next. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Pascale Lacelle for the advanced copy in exchange for a review.

Congrats to Pascale Lacelle on her debut novel! If this is her first, I can’t wait to read more!

I haven’t read a lot of fantasy novels so can’t really compare this to others. It wasn’t a fast read for me and took me a few chapters before I was fully committed, but once I was, I couldn’t put it down. The characters were mostly likeable and relatable. There were some twists along the way, with romance, deceit, and suspense. While predictable, I still enjoyed the journey. I look forward to reading the next instalment.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

“Curious Tides” is an interesting and original fantasy novel that I enjoyed a great deal. A note of warning, however: this is the first of a duology, so don’t expect every question to be answered or every plot point resolved.

The novel is set at Aldryn college for lunar magics. The type of magic that students can do is dictated by the phase of the moon they were born under. This also dictates their magical strength at different times of the month.

Emory Ainsleif had been desperate to study at Aldryn, to have enough magic to earn an interesting career and life. But she’s returning to Aldryn for the new term crushed and somewhat disconnected. She’s the sole survivor of an accident which killed eight of her classmates, including her best friend since childhood, Romie.

Romie’s brother, Basil, is still a student at Aldryn, and he’s suffering too. He distracts himself with a beloved book, “Song of the Drowned Gods”. Although fiction, many think it explains a lot about the magic “houses”. Basil, who has a type of magic often shunned, thinks that the missing epilogue could cast everything in a different light.

As Emory searches for answers to what caused the deadly accident, and Basil for the manuscript, their quests begin to align. There’s a lot of secretive things going on, and it seems that Romie might have trespassed into more than one.

World building is often critical to a fantasy novel’s success, and here it is strong, vivid and believable. Things are consistent and make sense in the context of the world. Although the focus is on Aldryn, there is a strong sense of a world surrounding it.

Characters are strong, too, and while their concerns are often very different to our non-magical ones, others are highly recognisable. The emotions characters experience, and the things they do, are believable.

I enjoyed this, finding it both absorbing and unique. Exposition and explanation is well woven into the story, so that it flows well. Although some parts of the novel feel a little mystical, it’s always easy to follow the action. While not a complete story, there is enough of a sense of resolution to satisfy the reader.

I’ll be watching with interest for the conclusion to this duology. There are plenty of loose ends waiting to be explored, and this is powerful enough to stay in my memory until the next instalment is published.

I will return to add links once this is posted to my blog