A sapphic dark academia story perfect for my transition into fall. The atmospheric mysterious vibe was great. Saft has a way of writing these beautiful settings that are extremely immersive. Definitely need more!

I went into this book pretty blindly, which I think was a really great experience! Although there were some pretty common tropes, I still felt like it was done in a fresh way. I loved the dynamics between the characters and all the complicated relationships within the members of the group who have known each other for so long, and also seeing Lorelei uncover things about them since she doesn't know most of them. The drama was top tier! Though some may complain about it, I actually enjoyed the slow burn of the romance and loved seeing their relationship progress and how they both had their own growth. I loved the atmosphere, the writing, and the mystery of it all! This was an excellent debut book and I'm excited to see more from the author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Dark and Drowning Tide has a darkly whimsical, fairytale-esque quality to it that utterly ensorcelled me. I say ensorcelled because there’s no other word to describe the way that this story has captivated me; it’s all that I can think about. 

Featuring a seamless blend of dark academia and folklore (with a heavy splash of a rivals to lovers romance), this novel felt catered specifically to my very niche interests. There’s fey-like creatures, a (reluctantly) reverent main character, and so much lore that I hope Allison Saft one day writes a spin-off novel that takes place in the same world. 

Not only that, but ADADT’s cast of characters leapt off the page and felt as impossibly real as they were impossibly flawed. In particular, Lorelei was such a fantastic protagonist. It’s nice to be in the head of someone who is, for lack of better word, cruel from time to time, and I enjoyed how this novel not only explored her relationship with Sylvia, but also her relationship with herself.

Speaking of Sylvia… I, like Lorelei, was positively charmed by her. I love a hopelessly optimistic character and Sylvia was no exception. She’s fueled by a wonder and a love for the world that endeared me to her so quickly, and I would have loved nothing more than to have a few chapters from her perspective.

Nothing compares to the dynamic between Lorelei and Sylvia either. Their relationship was SO good, especially because I’m a sucker for the trope where Character A is totally oblivious to the feelings of Person B. I think that Saft explored their dynamic so well (again: please give me a spin-off novel!!! I want more!!!), and my favorite parts of A Dark and Drowning Tide were easily the scenes where Lorelei and Sylvia were just bickering with one another. I couldn’t get enough.

I could ramble for so much longer about how well this novel integrated history into a fantasy world, or how much I loved Lorelei, but I will try to wrap things up here by saying this: read this novel. You won’t regret it.

Thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style of this book. The beginning of story created enough intrigue to keep me reading. I enjoyed the main characters and the tension and angst in their relationship that develops throughout. In the end, however, I did not care too much for the mystery and plot and I lost interest by the end of the book.

An okay read
I was expecting much more of a sapphic murder mystery but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. It was written well though so was still fun.
3 stars

I don't have enough words to properly say how much I loved this. Slavic mythology? Check. Sapphic yearning? Check. Dark academia that actually touches on class disparity and xenophobia? Check. I was sucked into a murder mystery and a doomed expedition, and honestly, didn't see who the true culprit was until the reveal. Once I got halfway, I had a hard time putting it down until I finished. Prose was gorgeous without being too flowery. I can't wait to see what Saft releases next.

A Dark and Drowning Tide is a folklore filled sapphic adventure, rooted in all the dark academia vibes. I fell in love with the brilliantly laid out story and devastatingly beautiful characters.

Allison Saft’s adult debut has the same shine its voice as her young adult work with higher stakes and further emphasis on political plot points. Saft is really adept at containing stories that other authors might force into a series; all her work stands alone, and it’s better for it.

A Dark and Drowning tide was everything that I could have wanted from a queer, gothic fantasy romance. Unreliable, but somehow incredibly likeable characters. Plot twists that were completely unexpected, betrayal, secrets, and so much more.

Lorelei, a folklorist must join her academic rival to solve the murder of their mentor after setting off on a expedition with five others to find a magical spring with which promises untold power for the king, who plans to harness its power to secure his reign of Brunnestaad.

I unexpectedly love this story. When I requested it, I was intrigued by it's beautiful cover and as I read the synopsis I became interested immediately. Although it had a slow start, the plot drags you in and doesn't spit you out until its resolution. The characters had witty banter, and I often found myself laughing while reading dialogue. I was truthfully shocked to find out who murdered their mentor, and even more shocked to unravel all the other mysteries that we read about throughout the story. Such a solid, quick fantasy read!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine, Allison Saft, and NetGalley for the eArc of A Dark and Drowning tide, available now!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year! I know we are not meant to judge a book by its cover but come on, the cover for A Dark and Drowning Tide is STUNNING! Now for the contents behind the cover, I overall really enjoyed this story. The writing was lush, with so much description and I loved the folklore and magic system in the book. Throw in a murder, a deadly quest, political intrigue, and sapphic witches and you have the makings of an entertaining book. I will say there were some parts that dragged for me, mainly the middle, but the ending was action packed and I would say accurately paced. I do think the concept of “is this the right thing” was not explored as much as it could have been and although I understand why Lorelei and Sylvia made the choice they did, I am unsure if it was the correct one.

The romance in the story I would classify as a subplot, it is by no means the focal point of the book. They were academic rivals who disliked each other from the beginning, into the middle, and practically to the end. A true enemies to lovers storyline! If you enjoy slow-burns, you’ll appreciate a Dark and Drowning Tide. This was my first Allison Saft book, but a lot of her other books are on my TBR. I look forward to going back and reading her previous publications, as well as future stories she writes!

THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A SLOW-BURN ENEMIES TO LOVERS! Their relationship was as complex as the characters themselves and I was as thoroughly invested in each of their well-being as I was the riveting murder mystery and well-crafted political intrigue. The creature design was unique and didn't solely draw on the well-trodden British folklore paths.

Thank you to NetGalley and DelRey for the advanced copy.

I had requested this so long ago that I had completely forgotten the synopsis, all I remembered was sapphic academic rivals to lovers with a lot of folklore. So, when the murder mystery plot hit I was completely surprised and delighted. I loved the character development, how folklore and the history inspiration were woven in to a story about two broken young women, with a lot to say about the nature of bigotry, classism, and imperialism.

I am a hard sell on a romance forward story, but this one hooked me. Lorelai's self-loathing and lack of awareness, as well as covering her feelings with anger in order to protect herself could be a little grating for some but I ate it up. She was dark and moody and everything about her spoke to my elder emo soul. Her tenacity and determination made her so likeable for me, when by all standards she is not a likeable character.

This was just enjoyable all around.

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft is a brilliantly told dark academia brimming with folklore, eerie atmosphere, and a sapphic slow burn romance full of tension. This is the first book I've read by the author and it definitely won't be the last. I immediately fell in love with the atmospheric prose and vivid world building. The story was filled with interesting folklore. I adored all of the mythical creatures. The plot was fast and engaging. The characters were very complex and I loved seeing them grow throughout the book. A Dark and Drowning Tide might be one of my favorites books of the year so far.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Dark and Drowning Tide provides a sapphic academic rivalry amidst a “backpack fantasy” expedition, a murder mystery, and political machinations galore.

Peevish and self-sabotaging folklorist Lorelei Kaskel paired with sunny and whimsical naturalist Sylvia von Wolff is a winning duo. The two bicker like there is no tomorrow, but their affection for each other is undeniable, though part of the fun is waiting for them to get over themselves and realize it. What I did not expect was to be so endeared to the morally gray supporting characters. The layers to their friendships and relationships compelled me, especially upon seeing their interactions shift with the addition of Lorelei. I did not root for them as I did with Lorelei and Sylvia, but I found their motivations and desires no less rich.

The German-influenced setting of Brunnestad is also beguiling. It is simultaneously delightful, brimming with enchanted forests and magical beings to commune with and study, but also foreboding, as there is no shortage of tricksters and wayward paths. I liked that the group’s travels throughout the country highlight their dynamics as much as the setting and political background itself.

The pervasiveness of anti-Semitism is also impossible to leave unaddressed. Lorelei’s struggles to succeed and prove her worth underscore both her personal past and external prejudice toward the heritage she cherishes. The story honors the people of Yevanverte’s sacrifices without ruminating too much on them as victims or tragedies.

Another elegantly mesmerizing take on academia, folklore, and marginalization from Allison Saft!

This book is extremely slow, like it drags. I was excited for a sapphic murder mystery book with lots of magic, but at almost a third of the way through this book, I could not tell you a single thing that happened other than the actual murder. The side characters have no personality. They all act very childish and are difficult to stand. And I honestly have no desire to keep track of who’s who and what they do.
Overall, I had an extremely difficult time getting into this book. I wouldn’t NOT recommend this book, but I won’t be finishing (DNF @ 29%)

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

DNF at 23%. This was my first book from Saft and I'm so bummed it didn't work for me! I found the world building, specifically the introduction of the folklore elements, to be incredibly clunky and confusing. I know the beginning of the book was primarily to set up the conflict, but I found myself so confused as to what was happening. Once the conflict hit, I didn't have enough of a pull or connection to any of the characters to make me invested in their dynamic or dilemma. I have a few other Saft books on my TBR, but this one was sadly a pass for me.

This gothic, academic sapphic rivals to lovers, murder mystery, epic quest novel is wildly imaginative and beautifully written.
It’s filled with magical creatures, sentient forests, a host of unlikable characters and an expedition of a lifetime.
This story follows folklorist, Lorelei, as she travels with a group of nobles on a quest by the king to find the source of all magic.
Lorelei was a tough character to like. For those who love Nesta Archeron, you will love Lorelei Kaskel. The cruel injustices of the world has hardened her heart. Unable to look past her own hardships leaving her closed off, bitter and blind to others sufferings.
She has a different type character arc but it felt true to her character.
I think that having only Lorelei’s POV really worked against this novel. If we were given Sylvia’s POV as well it would’ve brought so much more to the story.
It was difficult at times to just be reading Lorelei’s POV since she was such a prickly and unpleasant character. She was extremely well written because her character does invoke such a strong reaction from the reader. I just think that being given Sylvia’s POV, it would’ve given a much needed break from Lorelei’s incessant self pitying, self centered personality.
Sylvia was a bright light in this story. I adored her character. She was whimsy while also being strong willed, gentle while also combative. Her love and respect of the creatures in this world was so beautiful and I loved every second of her encounters with them.
I didn’t really feel the chemistry between Lorelei and Sylvia. Maybe it was just due to Lorelei’s nature but I just kept feeling like Sylvia deserved so much better.
This was very plot heavy and executed perfectly. The expedition was everything I could’ve wanted. I do think that we could’ve delved more into with the politics of this world since it plays a huge part in the story.
The ending felt very rushed and left a lot of loose ends but I guess that can just be left to the readers imagination.
Overall this was a beautifully written and completely immersive gothic fantasy that sucks you right in and keeps you guessing the entire time.

You’ll enjoy this book if you like themes/tropes of
Academic rivals to lovers
Forced proximity
Grumpy x Sunshine
Reluctant allies
Epic quest
Gothic
Murder mystery
LGBTQIA+

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

Stunner.

Saft really did an excellent job with this one - I tore through it. It's atmospheric, well-paced, full of beautiful bits of folklore woven throughout. This folklore manages to create an immersive world without lingering on unimportant details, and each smaller story contributes to the overarching plot. Each character is unique and compelling and tragic in their own way - nobody is clearly a "good" or "bad" guy, which I LOVE. Lorelei is not "likeable". She's grumpy, she's standoffish. She's wonderful. Truly didn't know what was going to happen with the murder mystery, and tension was high the entire time. Lorelei and Sylvia are a great example of academic rivals/haters to idiots who are also in love. They're wonderful.

Highly recommend especially as fall comes up - it's not a "cozy" book, but it matches the autumnal dark academia vibes in ways that other books wish they could.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!

I was curious to see where Saft took this book, because I do love a good enemies to lovers, a good academic rivalry, and a good murder mystery, so it should have been right up my alley. And I mean it was, but it also wasn't? It was all of those things, but it was also kind of this odd adventure story, which is fine, but I almost feel like that's the main heart of the book and thus it's been marketed a little strangely. That doesn't make it bad, I think it just skews the expected vs reality of the book, which can be a bit jarring. It was certainly a super cool premise though, and the world building was quite a lot of fun, so points to Saft for that, cause she knocked it out of the park there. I also really enjoyed our main character, she was prickly on the outside but actually rather squishy on the inside, which I love. I think the biggest issue I had with the book was the romance though. Sure, it was enemies to lovers, and grumpy sunshine, but Lorelei was honestly kind of terrible to Sylvia, and for quite a long time too. It had that Cruel Prince feel to it, but it would kind of be like The Cruel Prince if it was from Cardan's POV but he also just straight up hated Jude instead of hating that he really liked her? I'm not sure I'm explaining this correctly, but basically Lorelei was so cruel to Sylvia (more mentally than physically) and it wasn't because she liked Sylvia from the beginning (not that that would make it okay), but because she was jealous. It also took her a REALLY long time to come around. And I'm honestly not sure they really talked it out in the end. Also the entire premise of the book was that Lorelei was sure Sylvia wasn't the killer, but honestly THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THIS! She basically just said "she's too nice to do this, and obviously she wouldn't have been surprised to see me if she was the one that did it" which is terrible logic. I think it would have been better to find out that Sylvia actually did it but she had a good reason, and thus Lorelei had to grapple with that. But alas, that was not the case. So while there were things about this I enjoyed there were also things I felt were rather lacking. I certainly won't be steering people away from this book, but I'm also not sure I would hand sell it. I will be curious to see what Saft comes up with next, because for the most part it was an enjoyable read, and the prose was very pretty.

Lorelei is known for being a bit of a viper. Academically ambitious and eager to prove her worth to herself and her peers, she is relentless in pursuing the coveted "expedition lead" for a groundbreaking, upcoming project. Her academic rival, Sylvia, may be a thorn in Lorelei's side, but once on the expedition, Lorelei realizes that even her rivals may be her friend when facing real enemies.

This book includes:
- a phenomenal "who done it" ala Clue or Knives Out
- multiple Sapphic romances with LGBT protagonists and side characters
- dark academic atmosphere
- strong character development
- folklore
- political machinations and betrayal
- interesting world-building
- soft magic system

I looooved "A Dark and Drowning Tide." It was incredibly atmospheric in the academic and expedition settings, but never at the detriment of plot development or character building. Lorelei was a complex, protagonist and Saft never reset on her Laurels when it came to pushing Lorelei's growth even into the final chapter of the book. I also adored Sylvia's character and related to her so much. I feel like I can't say too much because it is a short, fast-paced book and I don't want to spoil anything. But seriously, this is a must-read.

I predict this book will be a huge hit. I recommend this to seriously anyone who enjoys atmospheric fiction, who done it thrillers, sapphic romance, rivals to lovers, intense political drama, or even steampunk fantasy. If you're not a reader, but you loved "Knives Out" this is for you as well.

I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Saft, and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863