i’ve tried so many times to get through this and I keep getting bored and losing interest. I love the general concept for this book but I just don’t think the writing style is for me. I hope to come back to this another day, maybe when I’m more in the mood for it.

Content warnings: murder, death, racism/antisemitism, violence

Lorelei joins an expedition seeking a magical spring which is said to grant immense power as the only commoner among a group of nobles. Her position within the group is already precarious, and things only get more tense when the expedition's leader and Lorelei's mentor is discovered murdered aboard their ship.

A Dark and Drowning Tide mixes a classic fantasy quest with a murder mystery and a rivals to lovers romance. It was a little slow going at the start, but once I got hooked, I was just having a really great time reading it. It's so atmospheric and beautifully written. The folklore-inspired world Saft has built was really fun to explore. Lorelei is a wonderful character, she's deeply flawed in a way that feels very real, and I just love her (even as I mentally yelled at her to stop fumbling her romance arc so hard all the time). I also really loved how stories and folklore were explored here as a vehicle for shaping cultural norms and opinions - particularly how stories can be a tool to spread racism. I thought it was really well done. This is definitely one I'd recommend, I'm mad at myself for waiting so long to finally pick it up!

This book was a nice experience.
I liked the setting and the writing style. In my opinion, this is not the best book by Allison Saft (my personal favourite is A Far Wilder Magic), however, I think the atmosphere and the love story were very nice and the plot was unique (perfect for readers the appreciate romance and gothic stories).
Recommended!

Lorelei Kaskel is a delightfully feisty protagonist—her intelligence, sarcasm, and stubborn determination make her impossible to put down. The tension between her and Sylvia von Wolff crackles throughout, blending academic rivalry with simmering attraction in a way that feels fresh and compelling. The mystery itself is intricate and gripping: a mentor’s murder, a coup brewing, and a race to find a magical spring all combine with forests that shift, rivers that hide dragons, and shapeshifters stalking the night. Every twist heightens the stakes, and the interplay of danger, politics, and burgeoning romance keeps the pages turning. Beyond the adventure, the book explores ambition, trust, and the sacrifices made for knowledge and power, all while celebrating a sapphic romance that feels both tender and fiery.

okay so first of all: murder mystery?? sapphic rivals-to-lovers?? a dark fairytale forest full of dragons and shapeshifters?? yes please, Allison Saft you know my brand.

Lorelei is such a feral little academic girlie with too much bite and zero patience (relatable), and Sylvia??? the “annoying but hot rival who you just KNOW is gonna ruin your life (in the best way)”- ugh, delicious. their banter carried me through every page like I was sipping messy enemies-to-lovers juice straight from the carton.

the vibes: gothic, misty forests that want to eat you, magical rivers that absolutely have bad intentions, and an expedition where everyone is shady enough that I started side-eyeing the furniture.

why not 5 stars? a little dense in places, like I got lost in the academic tangents and forgot someone was murdered. also, Lorelei’s constant rage + trauma + yearning loop had me screaming “girl please breathe.” but also… that’s kinda why I love her.

✨final verdict: 4/5 stars. sapphics solving murders while trying not to kiss each other in a death forest = my roman empire✨

I really enjoyed this as my first novel by Allison Saft. It’s not one I have much to discuss but it is a book I view in a strongly positive light. I really enjoyed the basis on germanic folklore, I felt that for me at least that was a refreshing change of setting for the fantasy I’ve been reading. I also really enjoyed that Lorelei was an outsider as such to the rest of the group, it meant that, while you could tell where the romance was going, you could never tell if people were trustworthy or not when it came down to the plot and the mystery (or mysteries) at the heart of the book.

Sapphic academic rivalry romantasy? Yesssss.
A beautifully written novel, very atmospheric. Very folklore heavy.
This book was the perfect blend of fantasy, folklore, dark academia, and romance.

A delicious sapphic romance set in the midst of a fairytale world. The atmosphere of this book could be summed up as swampy lakes and enchanting sirens, with ethereal characters and a mysterious who summit thrown in.

I really enjoyed this book from the get go, I loved the characters and the romance was Ahhh! I love the characterisations of Sylvia and Lorelei and it’s safe to say I fancy them both.
The plot itself was interesting and wasn’t as obvious as i’ve found other murder mystery’s to be, although I won’t claim it was impossible to figure out. I loved the worldbuilding and the creatures we got to meet along the way, it all helped build this luscious fairytale world that was lovely to read about.

My only issue with this book was the political stuff, although not a massive part of the active story, this whole idea of colonisation was kind of in the background that left me feeling a bit icky and it wasn’t wrapped up the way I would’ve wanted.

But if you can ignore some of those finer issues then I think you can enjoy this fairytale for what it is, a dreamy painting of germanic folklore.

i have been a big fan of Allison Saft for a while now and this was just as good as expected! i was completely immersed, i loved the characters and the plot and the worldbuilding was great

I think this just wasn’t for me! The synopsis was great and really alluring but I couldn’t get into it or put my finger on exactly why. I think it was a disconnect from the main characters and too much trope-ism.

2.75 Stars

A Dark And Drowning Tide is a sapphic rivals to lovers story with folklore elements. These elements were interesting and engaging.

While I enjoyed the atmosphere and the characters of the book, it fell quite short on what it was trying to say. It also ended quite abruptly and seemed to end with an attitude of "ehh it is what it is" on the issues of colonialism explored in the book which made me feel quite uncomfortable especially in context of what's going on in the world today. The more I think about this the more I want to rate the book lower.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the concept of this but for some reason the execution just wasn't working for me and I dnf'd at 25%. I wasn't gripped by it at all and no matter how many times I went back to pick it up, I just could not get immersed in the story. It was my first Allison Saft but i'm definitely interested in picking up her other books, perhaps A Fragile Enchantment next. Though I can see why some people love this book, this one just wasn't for me!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Daphne Press for the arc!

A Dark and Drowning Tide is a sapphic fantasy with murder, magic, and academic rivals falling for each other. I loved the mystery and the moody, folklore-filled setting. It wasn’t as dark as I expected, and the plot wandered a bit, but the vibes and romance made it a really enjoyable read!

In A Dark and Drowning Tide, Allison Saft presents a sumptuous tapestry of murder mystery, folklore, and sapphic romance, set within the politically fraught realm of Brunnestaad. With her characteristic lyrical flair, Saft invites readers into a dark‐lingered world alive with ancient power, social tensions, and spellbinding relationships .

The story follows Lorelei Kaskel, a sharp‑tongued folklorist whose dream of becoming a naturalist gains tragic momentum when her mentor is murdered aboard the expedition’s ship. Suddenly at the helm, Lorelei must lead six nobles in a journey deep into enchanted forests and treacherous rivers to uncover the mythical Ursprung spring—said to be the wellspring of magic. Suspense mounts as night‑shifting woodlands and slumbering dragons haunt their trek .

Central to the narrative is the reluctant partnership between Lorelei and her rival, Sylvia von Wolff. Forced by circumstance to collaborate, the two women shed layers of distrust and rivalry, revealing tenderness and longing in the heart of turmoil. The gradual "enemies‑to‑lovers" transformation is both tender and deliberate, with moments that stir the heart and ignite the pages .

While the bones of this tale are built on political intrigue—prejudice, class tensions, and nationalism—the beating heart is grace, acceptance, and deep love. Saft’s folklore‑infused prose is dazzling (“bewitching as a naiad’s song,” as one reviewer put it) and envelops readers in a sense that even in the most tangled thorns of history and hearts, healing can be found . Yet it does not shy away from darkness: body horror, institutional cruelty, and magic wrought with risk loom large, reminding us that beauty often lives beside dread .

Critics and readers alike have embraced this novel: Library Journal called it “highly recommended,” and Publishers Weekly noted its “intricate worldbuilding” and “classic interplay of infuriating kindness and endearing irritability” . On Reddit, fans echoed the praise, awarding it a solid 4.5⭐ rating for its lush fantasy, slow‑burn romance, and deep emotional resonance .

The Dark and Drowning Tide is a deeply felt, richly imagined fantasy that walks the line between wonder and darkness. Saft’s careful weaving of romance and folklore, her exploration of power and prejudice, and her gifted character arcs make for a journey that is thrilling, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

My Rating: 4.5 ⭐ / 5
For those who treasure slow‑burn sapphic romance, enchanting world‑building, and emotional depth interwoven with mystic peril, this book is an immersive delight—and a gentle but powerful reminder of love’s resilience against the tides of darkness.

Really enjoyed this book perfect gothic whimsical vibes !
Highly recommend this book if you’re looking for this kind of vibe. Can’t wait to read more from the author !!

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft is a gothic fantasy brimming with mystery, romance, and eerie atmosphere. The novel follows Lorelei Kaskel, a sharp-tongued folklorist who embarks on an expedition to find a legendary spring that promises immense power. But when her mentor is murdered aboard their ship, Lorelei must navigate political intrigue, dangerous creatures, and an uneasy alliance with her academic rival, Sylvia von Wolff.

Saft masterfully blends slow-burn romance, dark academia, and high-stakes adventure, creating a world where forests shift at night, rivers hide slumbering dragons, and secrets threaten to unravel everything. The dynamic between Lorelei and Sylvia is electrifying, filled with tension, wit, and undeniable chemistry.

With lush prose, gripping suspense, and a richly imagined setting, A Dark and Drowning Tide is a must-read for fans of romantasy, gothic storytelling, and morally complex heroines.

At this stage I was not unfortunately able to read this arc before the book was released but I am still excited to read it and have in fact bought it.

The world-building was absolutely amazing - the folktales, the magic, the politics... and the romance and the plot were just as good. This was my first Allison Saft, but it won't be the last.

A gothic fantasy with slow-burn romance, A Dark and Drowning Tide delivers immersive atmosphere and intricate world-building, but struggles with pacing and emotional depth.

✨ A folklorist & her academic rival on a deadly expedition 💀 Murder, magic & shifting alliances 📚 A promising setup that doesn’t fully deliver

While the setting is engaging, the mystery unfolds slowly, and some character arcs feel underdeveloped. Lorelei and Sylvia’s dynamic has great potential, but their relationship lacks the emotional intensity needed to make it truly compelling. The novel’s themes of power, survival, and trust are intriguing, but the execution doesn’t always match the ambition.

If you enjoy gothic fantasy with atmospheric storytelling, this may be for you!

Thank you for the ARC! Sadly unable to read as this was downloaded onto an old device I no longer have access to and the book has since been archived.