Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It had everything I love: magic, an adventure quest, murder mystery, romance (the very definition of “grumpy/sunshine”), and political intrigue.

I’ve only read one other book by Saft (A Far Wilder Magic) but I’m definitely going to read her other books now. Speaking of AFWM, what I found interesting is that both of these books feature a Jewish-coded main character. The struggles Lorelei (and Margaret in AFWM) are so realistic of modern anti-Semitism that I do wonder if Saft herself is Jewish. (It also left me wondering if her partner is Catholic as both love interests are Catholic-coded, though it’s more obvious in AFWM.) —I have absolutely nothing against the depictions of these characters; I mention this pattern because I found it a fascinating addition and liked that it added layers of depth to the main characters.

I felt that all the characters had a lot of depth, actually. Everyone had their own motivations and reasons for doing what they did. The mystery aspect really leaves you guessing up to the end about “whodunit,” and you definitely believe the reasoning behind it. And I would argue that none of the characters in this book are inherently good**—they all do bad things at one point but instead of hating them outright, you see why they do the things they do to survive, and it makes enough sense that you can’t bring yourself to hate them.

**Except Ludwig. He has done nothing wrong, and I love him.

I really liked the adventure quest aspect of the book and was surprised that it featured so heavily as I was under the impression that it would be more murder mystery than quest. But I still liked it. The book does have an ending and closure to it, so it will most likely stay a standalone. But I love political intrigue in books, and there’s definitely enough to leave you wanting more/wanting a sequel.

A Dark and Drowning Tide is the first book by Allison Saft that I've ever read and it was so beautifully written. I went in completely blind. I must admit that I first requested the ARC because the cover called to me but I quickly fell in love with the story and the characters as well. Sylvia and Lorelei were to die for, and the story was captivating.
I'm honestly looking forward to reading other books by this author. If they are half as amazing as this book, I can't wait for the adventure!

Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

Allison Saft is back at it again with the luscious, the atmospheric and the mysterious prose. The story does not miss with his interesting cast of characters, provocative magic system and intriguing plot. The world and magic is both whimsical as well as horrifying. I went into the story with the sole knowledge it was sapphic "enemies" to lovers with some water magic. I suggest you do that too. I don't have any complaints about the pacing or the development of the characters or the plot. Like all Saft books you can expect the ending to be wrapped up with a neat little bow! It didn't feel particularly rushed or dragged out.

DON'T WALK, RUN TO GO BUY THIS BOOK IN SEPTEMBER

Delicious, lyrical prose
Vivid, richly-layered characters
Incredibly unique magic system
Deeply atmospheric
Chock FULL of faeries
Several twists
With a magical murder mystery?!
AND THEN SYLVIA FREAKIN VON WOLF

Sylvia is the type of character that I have been scouring the fantasy genre for; She's wildly passionate, kindhearted and selfless, utterly charming and lovable, and yet still incredibly tough and strong-willed. She sees the world with so much wonder, and believes in the good in everyone. I love her sm.

And thank god the author put Sylvia in this book to balance out grumpy, lack-of-emotional intelligence Lorelei. I felt so connected, and in love with Sylvia, that anytime Lorelei would speak to her in that nasty, pig-headed way, my anger would flare right up haha. I couldn't stand Lorelei throughout most of the book (although that was kind of the point). But then the ending was so beautiful and perfect, I forgave Lorelei, and cried my little eyes out.

I felt enchanted, heartwarmed, entertained, and on the edge of my seat throughout this entire tale. Thank you so much Allison Saft for putting this into existence.

Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for the chance to read A Dark and Drowning Tide as an arc! I am always impressed with Allison Saft's ability to create such atmospheric writing, and this was no exception. I loved the concept of this book and found the storyline really intriguing- however, I had a hard time with the characterization. I did enjoy getting to know these characters, but I felt like something was missing; like maybe I wasn't understanding them well enough, if that makes sense. I did enjoy the murder-mystery-esque aspect tied with a magical journey, as well as Sylvia and Lorelei's relationship (I was BLUSHING, Allison Saft you GOT me), and would recommend this for people who are fans of Allison Saft, Ava Reid, and Skyla Arndt. The cover of this book is absolutely stunning and may convince me to keep a physical copy on my shelves!

A Dark and Drowning Tide releases in September 2024, so keep an eye out for it then!

I’ve never made a review before but luckily got to arc read & I’ve never done that before either lol

But y’all I loved this book so much and I can’t wait til it releases so I can buy a physical copy!

I loved Lorelei and Sylvia so much, I liked how Lorelei always thought Sylvia hated her and was always basically trying to one-up her, but in reality Sylvia was like this girl is so dumb how has she not realized I’ve been crushing on her for like 5 years????

Love them so much 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

I wanted to like this, but I just couldn’t get into it. I pushed through until the halfway mark and then just skimmed from there.
Something about the way Saft writes fantasy just doesn’t click with me unfortunately. It felt like a lot of information was given all at once, and some parts were explained while others weren’t- and it left me a bit confused and unconnected to the plot/characters.
There was a bit of background information given in regards to the characters and how their stories all intertwined in one way or another which helped to an extent, but the part that I struggled with the most was the relationship between Lorelei and Sylvia. It didn’t feel believable to me and despite all of the build up, I could’ve cared less when feelings were finally admitted.

Thank you NetGalley and Allison Saft, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a review.

This story was so beautifully written— so much so that I think I will enjoy it more listening to it on audio when it comes out next year.

There’s so much to say about A Dark and Drowning Tide, but I think this is a book that’s better to go into blind…

The adventure and mystery in the story kept me engaged, but nothing drew me in more than the characters. Sylvia and Lorelei’s love story was beautiful and so well done. I wish we had gotten Sylvia’s POV because hearing Lorelei’s inner dialogue about how she saw and felt about Sylvia was breathtaking.

This will definitely be a book to watch next year!



Thank you to the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this book, and there was a lot about it that I did really like, but unfortunately it didn't quite tip over into the love category. There was so much that was so well done, but something about the world-building didn't feel quite right to me. That is, it didn't feel that grounded? I just wanted it to feel more real and fleshed out, but alas.

Thank you Netgally & the publisher for giving me this book to review in return for an honest review!
3/5
This cover is GORGEOUS and it super captivating. This is one of the reasons I wanted to read the book.
At times I was very interested in this book but most of the time I was very bored reading it. I didn't realize it was an adult book because it read more like YA (which I don't mind). Everything concerning "fantasy" or "folklore" felt extremely rushed like the author couldn't wait to stop writing about creatures, monsters, folklore stories etc so we can go back to Loreli's plain demeanor. Those elements were important to the story and to the world we were *trying* to build. Also, the book was murder mystery, folklore, dark academia, fantasy, magic & gothic. It was A LOT to keep up with.

The romance in this book is very limited as the two main characters hate each other and then they randomly love each other near the end. I didn't feel giddy while watching their relationship develop. I really wish we got Sylvia's POV somewhere throughout this book because to be honest she was the more likable character in my opinion. The group of friends was very hard to keep track of and the whole quest was one big circle so it was a waste of time. There was no big "feel good" end goal.

I honestly went 90% completed and had to DNF. I couldn't even force myself to finish the last 10%.

Allison Saft delivers a spellbinding tale of intrigue, magic, and self-discovery in her captivating novel, 'A Dark and Drowning Tide.' Set in the embattled country of Brunnestaad, the story follows Lorelei Kaskel, a sharp-witted folklorist seeking adventure and purpose. The narrative kicks off with an enthralling expedition, as Lorelei joins six peculiar nobles on a quest to locate a legendary spring endowed with unimaginable power. The kingdom's ruler, in a bid to solidify his reign, covets this uncharted source of strength. For Lorelei, this quest presents an opportunity not only to prove her mettle but also to fulfill her ambitious dream of becoming a naturalist, venturing into unexplored lands only found within the pages of books. However, the expedition takes a sinister turn when Lorelei's beloved mentor is found murdered in her quarters aboard the ship. With her fellow travelers as prime suspects, each harboring their own motives, Lorelei finds solace only in her academic rival, Sylvia von Wolff. Taking charge of the expedition, Lorelei must navigate treacherous waters, both literally and figuratively, to uncover the truth and prevent further bloodshed. While contending with shape-shifting beasts and enigmatic dangers hidden in the shadows, Lorelei and Sylvia are forced to work together, despite their growing attraction and past rivalry. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they unveil shocking revelations about their leader, casting doubt on the pursuit of justice and the kingdom's worthiness of salvation. Saft masterfully weaves a rich tapestry of suspense and fantastical elements, immersing readers in a world where forests shift ominously at night and rivers conceal lurking dragons. The author's lyrical prose vividly portrays the vivid landscapes and creatures that inhabit Brunnestaad, captivating readers with her imaginative storytelling. However, it is the nuanced characters that truly shine in 'A Dark and Drowning Tide.' Lorelei's fiery temperament and quick wit make her a relatable and compelling protagonist, while Sylvia's gallant demeanor adds depth and complexity to their evolving relationship. Saft masterfully explores their emotional journey, intertwining personal growth with the unraveling of the central mystery. 'A Dark and Drowning Tide' is a gripping tale that seamlessly blends fantasy, mystery, and romance. Saft's ability to create a world teeming with magic, suspense, and moral dilemmas is truly commendable. This novel is an absolute must-read for fans of atmospheric and character-driven narratives, leaving readers eagerly anticipating Saft's future works." In conclusion, "A Dark and Drowning Tide" is a mesmerizing and enchanting novel that transports readers to a world of treacherous beauty, where the pursuit of truth intertwines with self-discovery. Allison Saft's skillful storytelling and compelling characters make this book a captivating read from beginning to end.

This book reminded me of when I started reading fantasy. I loved everything about it, from the fantasy, fairytale and mystery, it was just so fun to read and easy to get lost into.

This book! It did not disappoint. I loved every bit of it! The academic rivalry between Lorelai and Sylvia, and the slow burn! It was so good. I have nothing but good things to say about it. This is dark academia done right. I love how Lorelei and Sylvia realize they have no one to rely on but each other, and it’s the beginning to the most amazing slow burn ever! I was literally giggling and kicking my feet. I loved this book, thank you so much to the author for sending me an advanced copy! Any book Allison Saft writes, I’ll definitely read! If you love gothic fairytales, dark academia, folklore this is definitely the book for you.

A Dark and Drowning Tide is a sapphic dark academic rivals to lovers romance, inspired by German folklore. This is a true slow burn between the two main characters who by the way have such amazing banter! They kept me on my toes with their sharp tongue.

Great character development and plot driven story with a side of magic, mystery and a quest that will capture you from the beginning.

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an E-ARC

3.5/5 star
thank you net gallery and the publisher for the e-arc
i was immediately captivated by the cover and the description for “a dark and drowning tide” i love stories from a character that part of the outcasted (i had no idea represented the jew until i went to read other ppl reviews) and i love the tension of academic rivals to lovers. the vibe setting of this book was so perfect to read for those rainy gloomy gray days. (those that loved “a study in drowning” will probably love this book)

i really wished this book was multiple pov. since it’s from loreli pov we can tell her dislike to basically all the other characters which leads to my dislike of all the characters and her in general. i would have loved to read from sylvia cuz we can tell she never dislike lorelei and also how she felt of the other characters were much different.

i really like how folklore centric this book was and how threw in the different stories. i was frustrated with all the mythological creatures that shown up without much description or background knowledge to them. i had to google many of them for more context. im not a huge fan of having to constantly pause to search things up myself when i read so around way through i just gave up. oh this creature appears, oh ok cool i guess it’s dangerous.

from the description i thought the romance would be more forward and main focus along with the solving of the murder. it’s not sadly we see them together on screen often but i wouldn’t consider it romantic, their relationship didn’t build much until almost near the end. i love the political side of the story dont get me wrong but even that wasn’t as well explained and i would myself decently lost as i continued to read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of A Dark and Drowning Tide. As a fan of rivals-to-lovers and dark academia-esque fantasy, this was an enthralling read. Though it took me a little bit to fully settle into the text and get acquainted with the characters and settings, once I was, I simply couldn’t put the novel down. The novel’s strongest point is definitely the romance between Lorelei and Sylvia. Slow burns can be a tricky thing, riding the line between dragging out or resolving too quickly. For me, the slow burn was executed spectacularly, keeping me invested throughout the novel. I also particularly liked the way fantasy was invoked with this novel, both through the inclusion of folktale and the world-building itself. My only qualm is the incompleteness of the world-building. The magic system is never fully explained, making it unclear what Lorelei’s abilities are supposed to be and what their extent is. Additionally, though there is a lot of political intrigue referenced throughout the novel, I would have liked some additional exposition to really contextualize the characters and their actions. Regardless, this was a fantastic read, and I’m eager to see what Saft writes next!

I believe this is going to be one of those books that I recommend to everyone that I meet who expresses any interest in anything involved in it (sapphics, fantasy, academic rivals to lovers, folklore, Jewish main characters, and so much more) because it is absolutely amazing. At the time of writing this review I have only read one other book by the author, A Fragile Enchantment, which I would also recommend to a lot of people (also I own a copy of another of her books, Down Comes the Night, but I have yet to read it). These two books are very different in terms of the setting and the overall aesthetics of the book, but if you liked one of them, chances are you will like them both.
A Dark and Drowning Tide is Allison Saft’s adult debut, all of her other books so far are YA, which changes the way that she writes romance compared to a lot of other adult fantasy writers that I have read. That’s a good thing, by the way, because it’s the ability to write a good, convincing, swoony romance even if the sexual part is partially taken out of the equation. That’s not to say it’s not there, but the dynamic is a lot stronger than it would have been if that was the only thing the characters relied on. Also the world itself is very far from being free of prejudice, but there are no forms of homophobia in the world or within its structures, so I am therefore going to assume every single character is queer until proven otherwise.
The way that folklore and stories of creatures were woven into the narrative was really well-done, and it seemed both like a way to explain the world to others and show how Lorelei is invested within her job as a folklorist and researcher– she sees the world through the lens of what she studies, and that is the very core of anything (good) in the dark academia genre.

Through beautifully lyrical prose, Saft has crafted a queernorm fantasy world that is dripping with magic, fairytales, and horror.

We enter this story with Lorelai, a brooding folklorist whose knowledge of the world's folklore drives the story and expands our perception of events and characters. Central to her experience is her Jewish-inspired religion and the persecution she faces from the individuals around her and greater society.

She is part of an academic excursion to find the truth about the source of all magic, and is joined by other students including her rival Sylvia, who is both parts idyllic princess and traumatized soldier. I see this is marketed as a "dark academia gothic romance;" but be warned that, while the setting is indeed dark, academic, and gothic, it is not set at a school, and romance is the B plot.

In addition to the themes of grief, identity, justice, and power, what I think Saft does best here is create tension. The murder mystery, impending civil war, and wlw yearning really kept me hooked. I believe this is her adult debut, and it does read a bit younger, but that did not bother me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advance reader copy! This review was posted on Goodreads on Dec. 3, 2023 and will be posted on Instagram at a later date.

★ ★ ★ • 3

“Lorelei almost admired the cruel, stark justice of those fairy-tale worlds. There was good, and there was evil. Those who were rewarded and those who were punished. But she would never be the pitiable girl in the blood-red cape or the golden-haired orphan who charms a prince with her fragile beauty. She would always be the goblin forcing maidens to spin straw into gold. She would always be the Yeva in thorns.”

To start off, thank you so much to the publisher and author for providing me with an ARC to review. The cover was what immediately drew me to this book, but what I really stayed for the sapphic academic rivalry…

A Dark and Drowning Tide is a murder mystery on the backdrop of a heavily-European influenced regency era-style fantasy continent. There’s folklore and magical academia sprinkled in, but first and foremost this book is about racial/ethnic discrimination, political corruption, imperialism, antisemitism, and systematic oppression. On top of that, it soon becomes clear that the conquering/oppressive country is based on Germany and the main character Lorelei experiences racism and discrimination due to the fact that she’s a Yeva (the fantasy equivalent of Jewish). Goes without saying… These are some tense topics with a very real world implication and could be potentially triggering for some readers.

Outside of that, I would also disagree that A Dark and Drowing Tide is a romance at all. There is a relationship between the characters Lorelei and Sylvia towards the end of the book, but it’s not at all centric to the storyline and for reasons I’ll get into… Was not what you’d assume based on the summary alone. What was, however, refreshing is that heteronormativity did not exist in this book. It was not at any point presumed that any character was just, straight and several supporting characters were in same sex relationships.

There were two things that made this book a three star read as an opposed to a four star read for me, because I could clearly tell that the author has solid writing. Firstly, A Dark and Drowning Tide has an extremely dense and detail oriented plot from the beginning. In part one, I took no less than 20 annotations per chapter. There was just so much to keep track of between: names, appearances, motivations, relationship with other characters, academic position/occupation, brief but important interactions, countries, languages, clues etc. It was a lot, and definitely not something that can be skimmed at any point or read inattentively. Secondly, I did not not like Lorelei (nor Sylvia for that matter).

I wanted to root for Lorelei, I really did but… I couldn’t. Lorelei just isn’t an endearing character. Though she’s justifiably cynical over the discrimination and unfairness she’s faced, it colors her attitude towards and every interaction with every single character. She’s inherently jealous which feeds into a massive inferiority complex that she uses to excuse being verbally abusive with. There’s also a sense that for all she hates Sylvia for appearing to squander enviable opportunities, but that Lorelei would immediately trade places with her if that were possible. On top of that, Lorelei holds a great deal of condescension towards… Yes, every single character (which does include her mentor, only friend, love interest, expedition team, and even extends to the Yeva people). She consistently makes comparisons between other characters and stories/folktales; several times saying Sylvia is essentially a foolish storybook princess, Heike to Rapunzel, Ludwig to a fox based on a specific folktale, Johhan to a boy in some story about cruelty after he kills the Lindworm, and Adelheid to Snow White in a moment where she’s mistaken to be dead.

Another frustrating part of Lorelei’s personality is that in addition to all of those things, she refuses to acknowledge that other people have problems too, and though not the same as hers... She seems to be of the opinion that their problems’ existence in some way invalidates her own problems. As a result Lorelei continually acts as if other people don’t have any hardship because they don’t face the same inherent discrimination that she does, and so she’s generally awful towards everyone. In any instance she can, she turns suffering and trauma into a competition. Every time a character opens up to Lorelei about something painful they went through she immediately snaps something dismissive and becomes defensive (things like… grieving a dead relative/friend, childhood neglect and abuse, personal insecurities and anxieties, family pressure, potential domestic violence, dire circumstances that will likely result in death via murder by spouse).

Simply, Lorelei had a lot of irredeemable qualities so on her own she’s not particularly likable. Now, Lorelei with Sylvia? That dynamic was so incredibly toxic. A lot of the ways it was toxic can be inferred based on the portrayal of Lorelei’s general behavior/attitude, but that doesn’t cover the way she had no respect for Sylvia in any capacity and acted accordingly… Even going so far as to betray her without a second thought the moment it benefited her to do so. Of course, they get past that (because Sylvia decides to forgive Lorelei). But should they have, really? I didn’t think so.

By the end… The mystery is solved, Lorelei got what she wanted, most of the expedition has died… And nothing has really changed from the beginning of the novel. The antisemitism is never dealt with, and Lorelei no longer aspires to improve things for her people. It’s just over. The uncaring king rules, the people of the oppressed regions are still oppressed, the coup attempt is defeated, and Lorelei and Sylvia are together… Sort of.

This is my favorite kind of book: a book about the stories we tell to shape our individual and collective reality.

The frame story here is that of Lorelei Kaskel, a Yevanish (i.e. Jewish) student fighting to survive in a (vaguely medieval Germanic) country that sees her people as no better than vermin. Tall, dark, and embittered, Lorelei leans into her moniker, the Viper, out of both self-preservation and a healthy dose of spite. Through vicious perseverance, she is named the head of a royal expedition to find the Ursprung, the source of all magic, along with the six noble heirs of the lands recently unified into the country of Brunnestaad. However, the expedition goes sideways almost immediately when her mentor is murdered. The only person Lorelei can trust to find the killer and complete their mission is her academic rival, Sylvia von Wolff, whose pale beauty and knightly virtue are as infuriating as they are compelling.

I knew from the first page that I was going to love this book. Allison Saft employs the sort of lush descriptive prose that completely immerses readers in the world and its cultures. And the folk tale-esque setting of old world forests teeming with dark creatures promised that perversely delightful blend of whimsy and violence. Even better, Lorelei’s snarky inner commentary and salty interactions with Sylvia were delicious from beginning to end. I normally hate teenage romantic angst, and there was a literal boatload of it over the course of this book. But the personalities and motivations of the characters were so vivid (even when you hated them) that it kept me eagerly turning pages. The resolution of the mystery also delivered that perfect moment where you absolutely knew the culprit but also did not see it coming.

My one quibble is that the writing got a bit overwrought at times. For example, the fade to black sex scene was hilariously bad in timing and execution. I also desperately wish that YA writers would stop repeatedly describing the sky as “bruised purple.”

TLDR: Spinning Silver meets Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries, the dark academia edition, now with extra lesbians! Highly recommend!

Thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.