There were parts of this that interested me, but overall while listening to this audiobook I felt apathetic. I got to a point where I would zone out of the story and then come back to realize I didn't really care if I missed anything important.

I didn't connect with any of the characters, they were pretty boring and not memorable. The chemistry was also non existent between the MCs, romantically or otherwise. I found myself asking at some point why they were even on this journey again and why would anyone care to thwart it.

It wasn't for me.

Thank you to Netgalley & Libro.fm for the eArc and ALC.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**

Actual rating: 3.5

Allison Saft returns with a sapphic fantasy centered around a murder mystery. Academic rivals are paired up to solve their mentor's murder. Folklorist Lorelai is the grumpy to Sylvia's sunshine as they seek a mythic spring on an expedition where the attendees are also the suspects.

I couldn't get into this story reading with my eyes, so I waited until after its release to snag the audiobook from my library.

Ultimately, I think this story just wasn't particularly for me, which is odd when I consider that Voyage of the Damned was a positive experience for me. While both books received the same rating from me, I think that ultimately I run the risk of forgetting a lot of details from A Dark and Drowning Tide. Part of me already wants to re-read this book because it sounded exactly up my alley, and I'm certain I must have missed something.

The yearning was certainly present. The slow burn was there. But I really wasn't attached to any of the characters on this read through. I could see the potential for me to like it, so perhaps this was just the wrong time for this read. I intend to keep the book for an eventual immersion read because this book (along with Curious Tides) is one of the few to ever leave me so confused about my reaction to it in the end.

I would happily recommend this book to fans of An Education in Malice or the aforementioned Voyage of the Damned. I appreciate the opportunity to have read this early.

I really liked how everyone was unique and interesting that it kept me reading at first. I already read a different book from this author and so I thought I should give this a chance. The world building was interesting. But despite attempting to continue reading, I gave up halfway.

A captivating and compelling story that follows an academic expedition to find a mythical spring that'll grant those it deems worthy unparalleled power. I really enjoyed the world building and the layers of history and folklore that was revealed through the story. Since we're following the perspective of a folklorist, I loved how she saw the events of the story through folklore parallels. My one critique falls under the development of characters as the conversations sometimes felt convoluted and confusing to follow which left me feeling less invested in the overall story. Some conclusions had me scratching my head as to how the characters reached them and other moments rushed to reach an epiphany. But if there's one thing that Allison Saft does incredibly well, it's writing character relationships that feel heartfelt and so real you just want to root for them no matter what.

Sweeping, romantic, and just a little creepy. This is the second book I've read by Allison Saft and it definitely won't be the last. I love how her books create such a specific atmosphere that immediately sets you into the world of the book. That's definitely what could be said about A Dark and Drowning Tide. I think of the two I've read, this one is probably my favorite. But I think the same impressive storytelling, romantic escape, and interesting story lore is heavy in both, so I believe it's just Saft's wonderful author ability in general. Definitely recommend!

Wow, the lyrical prose and fluid storytelling blew me away. The combination of dark academia, enemies to lovers and a whodunit mystery convinced me that this is a gem to be cherished. The characters were carefully and meticulously created that I cannot help but grow attached. Their feelings are so raw on the pages that I felt something stir in my heart. The longing and loathing between characters in “A Dark and Drowning Tide” made my heart hurt. If you like dark academia, fantastical creatures and a romance that will make you think about it again and again, this book is for you.

I absolutely adored A Dark And Drowning Tide. I decided to go into the book without reading a description and had no idea what I was getting into, but by the end of the book I was so sad to be done with these characters. Each character bring so complex and interesting in their own unique ways made the story so much more real and really kept me enthralled. I couldn't put this book down and when I was done it took a good couple days before I wanted to read anything new.

This is the second book by Allison Saft that I’ve read and I’m sad to say that I’m not sure her writing is for me.
The prose is lovely, the characters are ethereal and otherworldly, but she fills her novels with so much animatedly racist dialogue that I feel it pulls me right out of the story.
For lack of a better way to explain it - her books seem overly negative. While the magic is there, it never really full immerses me.

This was a great book! I loved the sapphic characters and the eerie gothic themes. It feels like a movie such as Corpse Bride but wlw. Great book and I had a fun time reading it.

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that really pulls you into its world. The story follows Eliza, a girl caught between two dangerous forces, magic and her own haunting past. Set in a world full of mystery, hidden powers, and a lot of tension, Eliza has to figure out how to navigate the dangers around her while discovering her own strength.

What I really liked about this book is how immersive the world-building is. The setting feels almost like a character itself, with its eerie vibe and complex magic system. Eliza is a super strong and complex character, and watching her struggle with her identity and powers really makes you root for her. There’s also a touch of romance, but it’s not the focus, it’s more about Eliza’s growth and survival in this dangerous world.

The pacing is a little slow at times, but it works well for building up the tension and giving you time to connect with the characters and their struggles. The twists and turns are unexpected, and the ending left me wanting to know what happens next!

A Dark and Drowning Tide might be one of my favorite books of 2024! As always, I really enjoyed Saft's writing - she is very good at creating atmospheric stories with characters that you want to root for! I found the premise to be unique and liked the variety of characters that we get to meet along the way. The yearning between the two MCs was *chef's kiss* and I loved how their relationship progresses throughout the book!
I've found that my issue with Allison Saft's books is always just that she tends to rush the endings. I think this would have made a great duology, and would have liked to get more time to explore the world and learn more about the folklore. I also found myself confused at times because certain things were brushed past or not explained as fully as I would have liked. Overall though, the writing style and characters made this a strong read for me!

I’m going to be honest, if you told me that it would take me this long to finish this book, I would have laughed. From the start, I was really excited about this book and once it became available on NetGalley, you bet I was ready with my mouse to click that request button. Shoutout to Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC!

This book had everything I ever desired on paper: the Fae, yearning, folklorists, an expedition, sapphic girls, and not to mention the cover! What I wasn't expecting was how long it would take me to get what I wanted.

While I love Saft's writing, I find that the subplot and its characters felt somewhat convoluted. Despite taking a long break in between reading sessions, I found that I didn't really care much for the side characters. They didn't feel very developed and I felt that with such a big cast of characters, it took away from the main characters. I think I would have preferred it more if the cast was slimmed down, but I understand that a) there was a murder to be solved, and b) we're on an expedition. I do think that the mystery would have been more interesting with just a smaller cast, but I digress.

I love a good romance and while it took awhile to get there, it was worth the wait. Saft has a way of writing yearning that makes me melt. It was so lovely to read and kick my feet at. I enjoyed that it blended quite well with the plot and its surroundings. It could have started a little earlier in the book, but it was honestly worth it. All of it was so nice to read and it really left me wanting more even after the book was finished (in a good way!)

Another compliment I have is that it was such a nice ending to the whole story when everything was said and done. I honestly couldn't imagine a better ending for the two of them and I would love to see them more. Please, make them go on more little side quests.

Overall, I enjoyed myself and I'm eternally kicking myself that I didn't finish this book sooner. I can't wait to read Saft's next book, whatever it may be.

Dual POV, Sapphic, Academic rivalry, Forced Proximity, Folklore, YEARNING, Slow Burn

Every time I pick up an Allison Saft novel she delivers a novel full of yearning and longing with the most incredible settings and a Dark and Drowning Tide is no exception. Lorelei and Sylvia slowly fall in love on their expedition for the magical spring and along the way secrets are revealed that make Lorelei question everything she believes in.

I love the cover and the premise, and that's why I grabbed it, but I'm realizing that Allison Saft is not for me. 🤣I found A Fragile Enchantmen to be mid, and tried to space this out where I would have less expectations going in, but yeah. It was hard for me to vibe with the writing style, which made it hard to connect with the characters and plot. Just a me thing!!!

The perfect sapphic fantasy with a toss up of a mystery killing thrown in. It had me hooked from the start I couldn’t put it down and the way that ending shocked me I mean mouth on the FLOOR

Sapphic academia rivalry…. Chills, just chills.

I love the dynamic of one of the MCs seemingly having an easy life due to talent while the other gets by on hard work alone. It reminds me a lot of every good story I’ve always loved!

Quest lines are always super fun too, especially in a setting like this filled with magic. I found the writing style to be very satisfying to my tastes & I absolutely adored the mystery elements. Great read.

This book took me a while to finish, when I didn’t think it would. I think a dark and drowning tide was at a disadvantage from the get go because I loved A fragile Enchantment soooo much and this was very different. Where I found myself really loving and identifying with AFE’s FMC I found to really hard to identify with Lorelei, she was just soooo grumpy and not in the way I like. Despite my difficulties I found the overall story to be unique and ultimately what compelled me to keep reading. The writing was exquisite and captivating which is what I’ve come to expect from Saft. Overall I did enjoy the story and loved seeing a sapphic fantasy, I just didn’t get on with the FMC which happens!

I wasn’t able to review this book before it’s publish date but now that I have read it I am giving it 3.5 stars.

*A Dark and Drowning Tide* by Allison Saft offers an atmospheric fantasy with a strong sense of place and intriguing concepts. Set in a world of magic and secrets, the novel weaves themes of power, sacrifice, and identity. Saft’s writing is vivid, and the world-building is immersive, creating a haunting backdrop for the characters’ struggles. However, the pacing feels uneven at times, with some parts dragging while others rush through important developments. The characters are compelling, though a bit underdeveloped at times. While the book has potential, it ultimately feels like it’s missing the emotional depth needed to make it truly captivating.

A Dark and Drowning Tide is a perfect title for a novel with a love interest that is broadly mistreated by the FMC. It was my main issue with the story: the more toxic it got, the stronger the pull was. In the sapphic space, I thought we would be past that. The FMC is unlikable and grumpy. She's a person with a complicated past and a lot of trauma, but I still had issues justifying her behavior. Additionally, the whole dynamic was amazingly confusing, and halfway through, I lost track of who was who and who was doing what, except for our couple. I like the motive of murder and solving the issue in a closed space. The motives behind it, though, were a bit lost on me. I just feel that this book was not for me. I can't say the writing was bad; it was just not for this place and time.