Is this a classic case of “it’s not you, it’s me?” Quite possibly. I’ve had my eye on this book for a while. The cover, absolutely beautiful. The book description, heck yes. Allison Saft leading the charge, let’s do this. I read A Far Wilder Magic by Saft (YA) and enjoyed it, so I was eager to read her adult debut.

While the writing was solid, I found myself struggling to connect with any of the characters, which caused some difficulty with becoming invested in the story as a whole. The premise is intriguing and the folkloric elements were interesting, but something felt disjointed to me. Maybe too much at once? I never fully grasped the magic system, or the world itself, amidst the politics, the treasure hunting style expedition, the murder mystery unfolding, the mythical creatures wreaking havoc, the complicated dynamics and history of the core “friend” group, and the intended romance between Sylvia and Lorelei. I hoped to feel all the things in this but was left wanting.

While this book didn’t quite do it for me, I’ve got a few more Saft books on my TBR and am eager to read them. On to the next one!

** Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **

Was SO excited for dark academia fantasy but just could not get into it. beautiful writing but felt like it dragged and found it hard to connect with/root for the characters.

What can I say about this book, it was so good. The atmosphere, the characters, the angst, the quest. Allison Saft is a master and I am a huge fan of all of her works. I love a prickly main character and Lorelei really brought that. 5 stars!!

Review posted on goodreads

I love a good fantasy murder mystery. Especially after Crescent City 1. It’s hard to find adult LGBTQ+ fantasy books so I think this one fits a needed niche.
I was a little confused if this was high fantasy (in another world) or low fantasy (in Germany?). I wish the vocab was a bit simpler. I found myself looking up words more than I care to and I’m a doctoral student so I get enough of that with school. That said, I liked this book alright. I really liked Sylvia. She perfectly balanced the less likable Lorelei.

Prepare to be immersed in the enchanting depths of "A Dark and Drowning Tide," where Allison Saft orchestrates a mesmerizing tale of mystery, magic, and self-discovery. This sapphic dark academic rivals-to-lovers romance, adorned with German folklore, unfolds as a slow burn ignited by remarkable banter, ensnaring readers right from the opening notes.

Saft masterfully crafts a plot-driven narrative, weaving elements of magic, mystery, and a spellbinding quest that keeps you teetering on the precipice of anticipation. The prose isn't just delicious; it's a lyrical symphony, painting vivid tapestries of landscapes and characters imbued with profound depth. The magic system's uniqueness and the atmospheric setting contribute to the lush canvas of the story.

At the story's core are Lorelei and Sylvia, whose love story blossoms amidst a tapestry of faeries, unexpected twists, and a mystical murder mystery. Sylvia, an embodiment of passion and kindness, acts as the perfect counterbalance to the grumpy and emotionally intricate Lorelei. Their dynamic journey evokes a whirlwind of emotions, creating a profound connection between the reader and their enthralling tale.

Saft's exploration of societal reform and the burden of survivor's guilt adds layers of complexity to the characters, particularly Lorelei. As the narrative unfolds, themes of self-discovery and emotional growth seamlessly intertwine with the central mystery. The beautifully perfect ending delivers a satisfying resolution that will undoubtedly leave a cascade of emotions in its wake.

This book showcases Saft's storytelling prowess. The nuanced characters, vibrant landscapes, and suspense-laden plot coalesce into a reading experience that is both atmospheric and character-driven. Saft ingeniously melds fantasy, mystery, and romance, providing readers with a narrative that is not just gripping but also deeply immersive.

In the realm of Brunnestaad, where forests shift ominously and rivers conceal dragons in their depths, Saft beckons readers on an enthralling expedition through treacherous beauty. The pursuit of truth becomes a harmonious dance with the characters' self-discovery, rendering this novel essential for those yearning for narratives that resonate on emotional frequencies.

Overall, "A Dark and Drowning Tide" is not merely a book; it's a symphony that transports readers to a realm where magic, suspense, and moral dilemmas converge. Allison Saft's bewitching novel leaves an indelible mark, and aficionados will eagerly await her future compositions, craving more of her enthralling storytelling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballentine/ Del rey for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book was so beautifully written. I loved the unique sapphic, fantasy, and murder mystery themes all tied in together. The fantasy themes were in depth but not overwhelming. I really enjoyed this read and loved getting the perceptive of the brooding, angry love interest instead of the soft one! Typically, you get a broody MMC and the POV of the FMC, but this gave us a brooding FMC and her whimsy love interest. Love, love, loved that.


**SPOILERS BELOW**

I did feel that the reveal for the murder mystery portion of the storyline was a little anti-climactic and was hoping for something more shocking. I was also a little confused concerning the start of the romance. Lorelei's internal dialogue didn't really indicate any interest in Sylvia at the start (but does slowly work in small comments as the book goes on) but then later makes it seem like she's always wanted Sylvia. Loved their dynamic but had some trouble believing Lorelei always felt that way.

An amazing dark beautiful gothic novel. I had classical music playing as I read this. Might pick up the audiobook to relive the magic!

I would love to thank Allison Saft, NetGallery, and the publisher for allowing me to have this e-ARC. The cover is stunning and that’s what drew me towards the book, the environment of the story seemed to be everything I enjoy- academic rivals, enemies to lovers, fantasy. With that being said, I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. The world building felt off, and somewhat rushed to me, I felt like things were being thrown at me and I couldn’t catch up. The romance felt messy through the book, they seemed to hate each other and very suddenly the hate is gone. While I did not enjoy as much as I hoped I would, I do plan to read more of Saft’s books: this is the first book i’ve read by her and i’m excited to give her other stories a try.

4.25/ 5 Stars

What is necessary to keep peace in a newly formed republic? This book begs us to answer as we watch seven characters set out on a voyage for a magical spring. Almost immediately, the plot thickens, and we have a mystery with an a mystery solve.

What will we do for peace? for love?

This book is filled with magic. The interweaving of folklore throughout was beautifully done. The author sucks you into a new fantastical world and has you pinning for our enemies to realize they actually very much love each orher.

If you love books with dark academic vibes, political intrigue, fantastical elements, folklore, mythical creatures, and a slow burn, that is just *chefs kiss* this is definitely the book for you. I enjoyed every second of this. I absolutely recommend you order now so you can devour it! Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

NO I will not shut up about this book. Read in less than a day, left no crumbs. I love when women ___.

Sapphic hate/yearning/murder mystery/fantasy (scratched the Gideon the Ninth itch, you're welcome girlies)

before i start this review, full disclaimer: i've never read a book by saft before. and what a shame that is. i will definitely need to check out more of her works because omg?? this book was everything to me. a lush, beautiful writing with mysterious setting and complex morally grey characters - my kryptonite.

this book truly did justice to sapphic enemies to lovers imo. i wasn't expecting to get so entrenched into the world like i did, and to be this invested in each of the mcs and their lives. i am so in awe right now. i honestly didn't like lorelei for most of the book but i believe that was the point. and sylvia... sigh. what can i even say about her. she's so badass and smart and quick i wanna be her and be with her at the same time.

all in all, a wonderful, lyrical composition that i would recommend to anyone who loves pretty sapphic fantasy romances. this was gorgeous.

I wasn't aware of how many folktales I'm familiar with, purely based on how many folktales inspired books I've been reading, until this book. Considering how long ago this book must have been written, in light of current events, it couldn't be more timely. It's fantasy, yes, but like all good fantasy, coded and with very real roots in the serious problems that threaten a peaceful society. So it starts with some political intrigue and leads us into murder, war trauma, colonization, a bid for power, curses, all the things you'd expect in a quest.

It got muddled in a few points and some plotting went off course but it's a fairly strong novel with a lot to say, even couched in childrens stories.

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.