Firstly, I would like to thank Daphne Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3,75 stars*

A Dark and Drowning Tide is a blend of political fantasy, murder mystery, folklore and sapphic romance. This story follows Lorelei Kaskel, a folklorist as she is chosen by the king to lead an expedition with six magical nobles to find The Ursprung, a mysterious spring that controls magic and can secure the king’s rule. After her mentor and co-leader of the expedition is suddenly murdered shortly after they began the expedition, Lorelei has to find whom of the nobles is the murderer. Lorelei also has to rely on the one person she is sure who hasn’t done it, her long academic rival, Sylvia von Wolff. The closer they get to finding The Ursprung, the more questions appear about whether the spring will bring their country to salvation or to its destruction.

This was quite a wonderful read. Saft’s writing was absolutely beautiful, and I loved the German folklore that was woven into the story. At first I couldn’t really get into the story as the book started with info dumping. However, after the first few chapters the plot picked up, and that made me interested again.

Even though I really liked the story, I think it would have worked even better as a longer book, or as a duology. There’s a lot of worldbuilding for a book that’s only around 300 pages. A longer book would have allowed Saft to explore all political and magical elements that she has thrown into the story. I would have loved to have seen more of Lorelei’s magical abilities. And the politics are a huge part of the plot, but I feel like the political issues were too big to be solved.

In short, A Dark and Drowning Tide was an enjoyable read. It reminded me of books like Emily Wilde and A Study in Drowning. However, those who are looking for a tightly woven fantasy, might be more disappointed.

I was excited to receive this arc as I was looking forward to a sapphic dark academia rich in folklore. Unfortunately this book missed the mark for me.

Plot:
I enjoyed the adventure aspect of the plot, but the murder mystery component only confused me. Perhaps as it was hard to tell any of the side characters apart, I felt that it could have been done better and didn’t add to my enjoyment of the book.

Folklore:
What I was hoping for was rich folklore woven into the narrative that hints at the direction of the plot or character motives. However, while the folklore itself was interesting, it just appeared in info dumps throughout the story. It took my attention away from the current conversation or event that was happening and didn’t add much to the narrative with how it was incorporated.

Characters:
I found it so hard to distinguish any of the side characters until right at the end! And even then I still got Heike and Adelheid confused right up until the end. They had roles for the most part, but nothing else that really distinguished them from each other. Johann was the only one who had some sort of personality and that was really only because Lorelei suspected him.

Romance:
It just didn’t feel believable. The characters were a stark contrast to each other and were just constantly at odds with each other but not in a building tension or sexually charged kind of way. Just in a ‘all these two ever do is fight’ kind of way.

The Magic system was Interesting but underdeveloped. The world building was easy to follow, but I felt the ties to Germany and the war and Jews and Catholics were quite obvious yet didn’t enrich the plot. They perhaps would have been better off if they were completely fictional factions or subtler. I did enjoy the magical creatures in the book.

I apologise as I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it was honestly difficult to read and to finish

I really wanted to like this one. I've read some of Saft's other works, and was excited to see her try her hand at an adult novel. Unfortunately this just wasn't good enough, in my opinion. The writing style is still more suitable for YA than adult novels, and the parts that would make it "adult" the salacious scenes, are written rather awkwardly and felt shoe-horned in. For a book being touted and sold as dark academia, I expected a level of maturity in the writing and in the themes explored that just wasn't there. The info dumping was quite extreme at the beginning, and yet I still found myself not knowing how the magic system worked until three quarters of the way through the book. The characters were quite surface level- not unlikeable enough or interesting enough for me to be invested. Overall, I think this should have been a YA book, and not adult, and this also confirms that Saft's writing just isn't for me.

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft

✨️ dark academia vibes
✨️ murder mystery
✨️ slow burn sapphic romance
✨️ rivals to lovers
✨️ German folklore inspired
✨️ water magic

This was my first book by Allison Saft and she has now secured a spot on my autobuy author list. The writing was magical, the world-building exceptional, and the slow-burn romance beautifully developed.

Despite the book's short length, the world-building was impressively detailed. I enjoyed the setting and the vivid descriptions, which made it easy to imagine all the places they visited. I loved how strongly the story was rooted in folklore and I found the magical creatures very interesting.

Initially, I found it hard to like Lorelei but she gradually grew on me. Once I understood her motives and feelings, I couldn't help but love her. My favorite part of the book was the evolving romance between Lorelei and Sylvia, and the way Lorelei's feelings transformed over time.

As for the murder mystery, the revelation of the culprit and their motives surprised me, but I appreciated the happy ending. The only aspect I didn't like was the separation between Lorelei and Sylvia at the end; it felt a bit unnecessary.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the eArc, I can't wait to get my special edition of this book!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

What I liked:

- the water based magic system - I loved the atmospheric descriptions of the water magic. It was eerie and very visual.
- the romance - I thought it was believable and sweet, and I'm always a big fan of a sapphic romance.
- the world building - it was woven into the story beautifully. I also liked how it linked in with real world examples of colonialism and the plight of Jewish people. Super interesting and well written.

What I didn't like:

- the writing style - it just didn't capture my attention whatsoever and I felt my mind wandering constantly.
- the story - I didn't find myself wanting to pick this up. It took ages to read for that reason.
- the main character - she was so unlikeable. I rolled my eyes at her behaviour more than once. I just don't vibe with the "cold and unemotional but with a secret heart of gold" character type.
- the ending - this felt almost in favour of colonialism which was weird... I expected a much different ending.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for providing me this book in exchange for an honest review*

Did I like this book? Yeah?
Do I want to read it again? Probably no.

The premise was good but the book was too heavy on the folklore side. The romance seemed a little bit forced and even though it's supposed to be enemies to lovers, all Lorelai and Sylvia did was fight and insult one another. The murder case and the solving of the murder were a little too predictable for my taste. It was a decent effort of Saft's tryout on adult novels.

3.5 stars

This was a slow start for me and the first 25% made me sleepy, I could only manage a chapter at a time. I definitely recommend going into this book with a clear brain as my tired self wasn’t coping. Thankfully I persevered and once my brain got used to the writing I was enjoying the story much more. This was my first book by the author and the writing was enchanting, giving vibes of historical fiction mixed in with a good dose of fantasy.

What I liked: the world building was just right, I could visualise the different regions which our noble characters were from without the descriptions being too much. The magical creatures were enjoyably varied and also familiar to many we know. I loved the magic and roles, though magic itself is quite a minor feature in terms of actual usage. I liked that this seemed to follow German folklore, but I saw some Jewish inspiration to the FMC and heritage and people. The public perception of the Yeva felt familiar to our history but was written really well.

What I didn’t like so much: though it may seem strange I actually didn’t care much for any of the characters. Lorelei’s character development felt slow, but wasn’t unenjoyable, but it was more the other characters I didn’t either love or hate. I was much more interested in the plot and world than the characters themselves. The romance is very much sub-plot which worked for this book, but it also easily could have not been there at all as for me, it didn’t add anything.

Overall after a rocky start I did really enjoy the story, I liked being on an expedition and learning each characters profession/role and how they contribute. The murder mystery element was executed well and I had plenty of fantasy to keep me intrigued.

Huge thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an early e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect blend of magic, folklore and adventure. The world-building was fantastic and I loved how elements of folklore were woven into the narrative. The main characters were very well structured and had so much depth. Sylvia was my favourite! I loved her whimsy and charm. I wish 'folklorist' was a real job title. Sign me right up! XD

This was a really fun book and I would definitely read more from this author :)

3.5 stats.

There is a lot to like about this book, and for the most part it is enjoyable. It isn't without its sore points, though.

This book, labelled Saft's 'adult debut', is a blend of political fantasy, murder mystery, sapphic romance, and (admittedly a bit too heavy-handed) folklore. All of these elements usually work for me. In combination, they *almost* hit the spot - the folklore was a little too "info-dumped" and the murder mystery was at points very formulaic in its execution, but for the most part Saft wove these into a convincing and enjoyable story, and her prose is at times absolutely sublime.

Lorelai and Sylvia are not likeable characters. In fact, there isn't a single likeable character in here. For this reason, the novel actually works brilliantly. This is ultimately a story of selfishness and self-preservation, rather than one of 'the greater good' - if you are expecting a heroic tale then I would say this probably isn't the one for you as you won't find a hero in this cast of characters. The tension between Lorelai and Sylvia is at moments brilliant and at others slightly nonsensical, but I was ultimately rooting for them. Lorelai, a 'Yevani' outcast who grew up isolated in a ghetto and is trying to chase her dreams via her academic ventures, is the right character for this novel to centre around. Despite her pretty major character flaws and questionable decisions, I did feel an emotional connection to the grief and prejudice in her backstory.

However, and without any spoilers, the ending was rushed. Additionally, for a story that heavily relies on its elements of fantastical antisemitism, through this lens it is not what you would call a satisfying ending, even if it is true to the characters' motivations throughout. It is for this reason that I emphasise that this is not a novel to read seeking for a heroic morality story, as I don't think you'll find that here.

Review posted on Goodreads and Storygraph.

I’ve seen this book around on social media, and after looking into it, was pretty sure that this would be a book that I would definitely enjoy for three main reasons:

Dark academia - yes, great.
Folklore - yes, great.
A murder to solve? - yes, great.

Was it everything I hoped for? No, sadly. For me, it took me quite a while for me to really get into the story and to develop an understanding of the world building going on with the folklore and creatures included. I wanted more about the characters, more about their motivations and more about Sylvia. From about 60%, I did find that the story picked up a bit and the action was enough to keep me interested, with characters coming into contact with some unusual elements, occasionally with quite deadly consequences.
There was also a very slow enemies-to-lovers burn throughout, with one closed door intimate scene, so I would rate the spice at 0.5. The representation throughout the story was interesting, especially since I have not encountered many sapphic books with Jewish representation.

Thank you to NetGalley, Daphne Press and Allison Saft for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Daphne Press for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers below

The story follows Lorelai, who is a folklorist making her way through her academic career. And the book starts when she's ready to set out on a big expedition with her mentor and some peers. The expedition has been commissioned by the king with the goal to find a spring said to be a powerful source of magic. Shortly after the group board Lorelai's mentor (and their group leader) is murdered. So the story has almost a dual storyline there's part where Lorelai is trying to work out who killed her mentor and survive the tension, and then the other half is the search for the spring.

I had a good time reading this, and for me the best part of this book was the relationship dynamic between Lorelai and Sylvia. It's an academic slow burn rivals-to-lovers dynamic, full of yearning, tension and longing which is slowly drip-fed throughout the book. Although I will admit I did find myself a little confused about the perspective I was reading from between these two on a few occasions.

Overall it was a good blend of fantasy, dark academic, folklore and suspense.

[ARC provided by NetGalley and Daphne Press. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review A Dark and Drowning Tide.]

Rating: 4.5/5

Overflowing with dark folklore and sapphic yearning, A Dark and Drowning Tide will lure you into its watery depths where all manner of magical creatures are poised to steal your last breath. Featuring a dangerous expedition where crewmates can be as deadly as the mythical beings they study, this story takes the reader on a twisting journey where loyalties are tested, friendships are broken, and death lurks in the shallows.

When Lorelei Kaskel embarks on a quest along with six nobles to find a mythical spring - a fabled source of magic that promises incredible power - the journey gets off to a tragic start when Lorelei’s beloved mentor is murdered. Leaving the remaining five members of the team as suspects, she is left in charge of the expedition and of rooting out the murderer in their midst. It’s no easy task when motives can easily be found for each of the nobles, but Lorelei is certain she can rule out Sylvia von Wolff, her long-time academic rival and object of ire. If they are to have any chance of surviving this venture into the unknown, they must grudgingly work together to find the spring before the killer strikes again.

I went into this story knowing little of what to expect, so I was pleasantly surprised when so many tropes that I love were featured throughout the book. First there is the enchanting combination of dark academia and even darker fairy tales that hooked me from the first page. In addition to that there is an absolutely beautiful romance that grows between Lorelei and Sylvia as the plot progresses. Lorelei is a troubled character who appears to have little love for Sylvia at the beginning of this story, but as time goes on her obsession becomes more and more apparent. Every scene that they share is charged with pure tension and attraction that will leave your heart racing, wondering if they are closer to blows or kissing.

There’s also an underlying exploration of themes such as prejudice and antisemitism which is often linked to folklore in a way that is reminiscent of the propaganda we may see in current times. We mostly see this through the eyes of Lorelei, whose Jewishness paired with her own experiences in life has left her cautious and withdrawn, and completely at odds with those who would sooner paint her as a villain than value who she is as an individual.

I’m left with a feeling of tentative hope after reading this book, as the main takeaway for me was the enduring power of love, and the healing capacity that comes with it. This is a truly beautiful story that I’d urge everyone to read, and I’ll be excited to look out for more from this author in the future.

WHAT A READ! I read this in only a day and it was enchanting, mysterious and queer. From academic rivals to a sapphic romances we follow Lorelai the Folklorist and Sylvia the Naturalist as they embark on a journey to find a magic water source previously unlocated alongside a team and their mentor. The sudden murder of their mentor during their travels leads them on a trail of uncovering mystery and betrayals and schemes they couldn't have imagined.

Inspired by german folklore this is the perfect queer fantasy read for all to pick up this fall once it releases.

The book was decent but not exceptional. It took me nearly a month to finish it. The main character was rather irritating, and I figured out the killer's identity early on, so the reveal lacked impact. There were too many references to fairy tales—some fit the story, but many seemed irrelevant.

On the plus side, the story itself was intriguing. The magic system was interesting, though I had trouble fully grasping it. Sylvia was the only character I genuinely liked, and the slow-burn romance between her and Lorelei was engaging. However, I found the ending a bit cheesy.

My second book by this author and it may just be a case of 'its me'. There was nothing wrong with it, but I wasn't particularly invested or interested in this story. It was just meh...

Thank you so much to the publisher for the earc!

It was my second book from Allison and while it sounded like something I’d love, unfortunately it didn’t live up to my expectations.

We follow an expedition as they try to find a magical spring for the king. Lorelei’s mentor chose her to be second-in-command, so when someone murdered Ziegler she becomes the leader of the small group. Lorelei must find the killer, if she wishes to live. But the others all have their own motives, so revealing the truth is harder than expected.

I loved the setting so much. It was inspired by German folklore and while I am completely unfamiliar with it, I didn’t feel like I was missing some background. I think this is one of the trickiest parts of writing a story based on folklore, you need to make sure the readers understand what’s happening and why and I feel Allison did a really fantastic job with it. Allison’s writing is still magical and atmospheric. It made me feel like I’m in the forest with the group and trust me I do not want to be in that forest.

I also loved the characters. And while I expected to relate to Sylvia (for obvious reasons), I felt Lorelei’s character closer to me. She was more of a “think first, act later”, while Sylvia was running headfirst into danger without second thought. I do think that they made a perfect pair, but I have to admit, I did not like the romance. For years they hated each other, then a few weeks and they are so in love? For me it happened all too quickly to be believable.

The others were also really interesting. I loved that all of them, including the king, knew each other since childhood, and some of them even fought for his case. Not surprisingly my favorites were Ludwig and Johann. I wish we could have seen a little more of them, especially Johann. He was a ruthless killer, but also a medic, promised to Adelheid’s brother that he would always protect her. It was so interesting, and the promise created a strange dynamic in their friendship. I truly wish we could have gotten just a little more of their past.

So why didn't I give this book 5-star and scream it from the rooftops to read it? I feel like something is missing. Even when I was reading, I had a feeling, and when I finished the book, I had an empty space that shouldn't be there. I can’t tell what is missing, ever since I finished the book I’m thinking about it, but no words appear that would be satisfying. It’s also possible that I had too high expectations for this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

From here and now, I shall be a Saftie and the the President of all Safties! After loving A Fragile Enchantment, Allison Saft became an auto-buy author for me, and after adoring A Dark and Drowning Tide, she has established herself in my bookworm heart as a favorite.

We follow Lorelei's perspective, and she is an mc with a firecracker of a personality. She has a temper and no patience for nonsense. She is witty and her comebacks are both sharp and hilarious at times. She is an icon of broodiness and efficiency. She has suffered a lot in her life and deals with grief and discrimination all the time. She feels like she doesn't belong anywhere. I absolutely loved her character!!! I'd follow her anywhere at any time.

Her love interest (even though she does not realize it lmao) is Sylvia. Sylvia is beautiful and well-liked by everyone (except her rivals). She is carefree and finds the light and joy in everything, but she also has scars--literal and metaphorical. She has struggled with mental health issues and the aftermath of war and death.

Lorelei is the broody pragmatist, Sylvia is the optimistic sweetheart. Together, they are incomparable.

The plot was twisty and well-paced. It gave us time to reflect over the characters' emotions, decisions, and development without slowing down the overall plot. It also kept us guessing who committed the murder, and I loved the hints and murder mystery aspect.

I also loved the variation of characters. We have the good ones, the evil ones, the incompetent and competent ones, and the morally gray ones. It gave off a very fulfilling character ensemble, which I admired!

The worldbuilding was a Saft trademark, as I will now call it. It has this charming emotional resonance that comes with reflecting our world in a fantasy setting. I loved every second of being in this world.

I ADORE THIS BOOK!!!! Sapphic romance with delicious rivalry and yearning!!!!!! Run to preorder it!!!!!!!!!

It's the September monthly pick of a box (I think they even announced that it was?) and there is no way I am skipping!!!!!!! SAPPHIC RIVALRY AND YEARNING!!!!

*3.75 ATMOSPHERIC STARS*

Well, this was definitely an interesting read!
Being my first experience with Allison Saft's books, I had no idea what to expect.

While this wasn't particularly scary, this definitely would have been a great Halloween read, as I found this to be very atmospheric and sometimes even dark. I also liked the underlying themes of family, friendship, love and hope. The sapphic romance wasn't the main event, but the story was, and while I was confused about the worldbuilding, the many German-ish words, and some other things at first (was Lorelei the fantasy version of Jewish or am I tripping?), I ended up very immersed in the story.

I also loved the murder mystery/whodunnit aspect and while I was mainly focused on Lorelei and Sylvia and not so much the other characters, I was still pretty surprised by the twists and turns!

Once again Allison Saft did not disappoint, this book was absolutely everything. The way Saft writes is so rich and utterly compelling that I could not help but fall in love with another book of hers again.

A Dark and Drowning Tide, while having interesting prose, and vivid descriptions to bring the world to life, strikes a strange tone; the Yeva being culturally Jewish and oppressed by the proto-Germanic coloniser state, and Lorelai being resentful of the aristocracy of that state makes sense. However, the resolution of the politicking at the book's conclusion is at complete odds with the espoused politics of the protagonist - Wilhelm's rule and dreams of empire have been shown consistently to be destructive for the nations he 'conquers', and the decision to have the protagonist fall on the side of his regime rather than that of the rebellion seems rather incongruous.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for access to this ARC