What's not to love about a fantasy murder mystery? I had never read an Allison Saft novel before, and I fell in love with the writing. The world building and the characters were so beautifully written that I couldn't put it down.

This pushed all my buttons - sapphic, dark academic rivalry, lush magical system, excellent creatures and lovably flawed characters. Immediately, Lorelei and Slyvia had so much chemistry and unresolved tension. I was hooked. Alison Saft uses really immersive language so I could picture this (Germanic, I assume?) fantasy world quite vividly. I loved the magic system being based on water, and the rivers being the source of power.

This book really tapped into some of my daydreaming as a child, - a quest, an expedition to explore uncharted forrest and jungles, encountering magical beings. With a hefty dose of a "who dunnit" murder plot.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this book is because I saw the description of it on Netgalley and thought it would be something I would love. As much as I appreciate receiving it I'm not going to lie friends, I actually found the first half of this book quite boring. Until the main plot point happens (and even a little bit after that) the book was just unfortunately too slow for my liking. I really wanted to love this book because we all know how much I love queer storytelling especially in fantasy settings but I just couldn't bring myself to do so. With that being said, when you do fully get into all the action and adventure of this book, it is really enjoyable and does pick up the pace a fair bit. I had a love/hate relationship with the enemies to lovers aspect of the story, I feel like until we got to the lovers part of it, it was just a little too much. I absolutely adored the twists within the story and the adventurous ending. Unfortunately though, because of how long it took us to get there (more than half the book) I don't think I'll be picking up another Allison Saft book. I might try one of her YA stories but just going off this book, I wasn't overly fond of how long it took to get into the nitty gritty of the story.

(If you'd like to see more of my reviews please go to my blog:
https://doesden.blogspot.com/)

Thank you netgallery and the publisher for the ARC

From the moment that the author announced this book, I was so excited as it had all the elements that I was excited about. I found it a real struggle, I trudged through 6 chapters of this and I just could not continue further and had to DNF. I tried going back to it numerous times and I just felt I couldn't connect with the characters and felt the story was so boring... I really wanted to like it, I really did.

I loved Allison's A Fragile Enchantment, I will hopefully have more success with any future books that she brings out as it's likely this was just not for me this one.

The character dynamics are at the heart of A Dark and Drowning Tide. Lorelai Kaskel is a folklorist with a sharp wit and quick temper, but beneath her confident exterior lies a deep sense of insecurity and self-sabotage. Her character arc centers around her struggle with self-worth and finding her place in both the expedition and the kingdom.

Sylvia von Wolff, Lorelai's academic rival, is a naturalist with a sunny disposition and a deep affinity for the fae. She serves as a counterbalance to Lorelai’s sharp edges, and their relationship develops slowly and beautifully throughout the story.

Supporting characters like Johann zu Wittelsbach (medic and war hero), Heike van der Kaas (navigator), and Adelheid de Mohl (thaumotologist) add depth and intrigue to the ensemble, each with their own motives and backstories that enrich the narrative.

Ludwig von Meyer, the botanist, stands out as one of the few nobles Lorelai can trust. His grounded nature contrasts with the eccentricities of the other members of the expedition, offering Lorelai a rare sense of camaraderie.

The relationships are complex, and the dynamic between Lorelai and Sylvia is a slow-burn romance that is filled with yearning, emotional vulnerability, and personal growth. The intricate backstories of the nobles, including King Wilhelm’s childhood friendships, further add layers of political tension and personal stakes for all characters.

At its core, A Dark and Drowning Tide is a journey fantasy wrapped around a murder mystery. The murder of Lorelai’s mentor, Ingrid Ziegler, is the catalyst for the plot, as the characters race to uncover the truth while pursuing the Ursprung, a magical spring that promises untold power.

The romance between Lorelai and Sylvia unfolds gradually, with their relationship growing in the background as they face both external and internal struggles. The tension builds slowly but surely, creating a strong emotional payoff as barriers are broken down.

The magical creatures like Nixies, Maras, and brownies enhance the folklore-inspired atmosphere, drawing readers deeper into the world of Brunnestaad. These magical beings, coupled with the rich and mysterious setting, give the story a sense of wonder and danger that keeps you on edge.

The expedition's political intrigue is another important facet, as the group must navigate both the physical dangers of the wilderness and the emotional landmines of their own relationships. The backdrop of King Wilhelm’s reign, the quest for power, and the secrets of the Ursprung provide the story with a layered complexity that feels immersive.

Allison Saft's writing in A Dark and Drowning Tide is atmospheric and lyrical, perfectly capturing the fairy-tale quality of the world she’s created. The German-inspired kingdom of Brunnestaad, with its enchanted forests, magical rivers, and shifting landscapes, is brought to life through rich descriptions and vivid imagery.

Saft’s prose has a timeless, folklore-like quality that seamlessly blends fairy tales and fantasy tropes. The world-building is intricate, and the slow unraveling of the murder mystery fits perfectly with the methodical pace of the romance and the journey. You will be swept away on a magical expedition that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

Folklore is a central theme in the novel, and Saft explores how the myths and stories of the past influence the present. The character of Lorelai, in particular, grapples with the power and meaning of stories, as she seeks to create a future for herself beyond the expectations placed upon her.

Themes of class and social status are also explored, as Lorelai, a Yeva, is restricted by her second-class citizenship. This dynamic plays out in both the personal and political struggles she faces, as she attempts to prove herself in a society that has placed barriers in her path.

Another key theme is the concept of transformation—both magical and personal. From the shapeshifting creatures to the emotional growth of the characters, A Dark and Drowning Tide delves into how change, both physical and emotional, can be a powerful force in shaping destiny.

A Dark and Drowning Tide fits comfortably within the journey fantasy subgenre, reminiscent of works like The Hobbit. The expedition structure, complete with perilous landscapes and magical creatures, will appeal to readers who enjoy classic fantasy adventure tales. Additionally, the novel's dark academia vibe, combined with its folkloric elements and murder mystery, creates a unique blend that fans of atmospheric, character-driven stories will love.

Positives of A Dark and Drowning Tide

Beautiful, lyrical writing with strong folkloric influences.

Slow-burn romance that’s both tender and emotionally satisfying.

Complex characters with deep emotional arcs, especially the dynamic between Lorelai and Sylvia.

Intriguing murder mystery plot that keeps you guessing.

Rich world-building in a German-inspired magical kingdom with fascinating creatures.

Negatives of A Dark and Drowning Tide

Slow pacing may not appeal to readers looking for a fast-moving plot.

The murder mystery, while intriguing, sometimes feels secondary to the romance and character development.

Some readers might find the magical and political complexities hard to follow.

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft is a beautifully written fantasy novel that weaves together elements of folklore, mystery, and romance. With complex characters, a richly imagined world, and a slow-burn romance that will tug at your heartstrings, it’s a must-read for fans of atmospheric and character-driven fantasy. Though the pacing may be slow for some, the depth of emotion and the magical setting make it a truly enchanting read. Highly recommended for fantasy lovers who enjoy rich world-building and a dash of romance.

❤️ Gothic Fantasy

❤️ Romance

❤️ WLW

❤️ Little spice

❤️ LGBTQIA+



I enjoyed reading this book but I don’t think that it is for me.

The characters

I really liked Lorelai’s character, she felt like the best written, with her motives and personality feeling fully fleshed out. I just felt I couldn’t connect with the other characters as well because I was never able to trust them fully.

The romance

The romance was my favourite part of this book, I loved how their story was depicted and how the reason that they would avoid each other made sense.

The plot

I really enjoy the idea of the plot, especially at the start. But for me, it felt like there were too many plots happening at once. Trying to remember every motive for each character and certain details while also focusing on the romance, it just felt like to much.

Who would I recommend it to?

I would recommend this book to people who have already read books in this genre and are looking for another interesting read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I am one of those who has not fallen head over heels for the romantasy genre so as much as the concept of this book intrigued me, its marketing as a romantasy made me wary that romance would overtake all other aspects, when I'm really here for the fantasy.

Let's be frank: it very much did, but that might have been for the best, and I really enjoyed it. 3.5 stars rounded up purely on the basis of how much I liked the two MCs.

This is less enemies to lovers as it is barely rivals and mostly idiots to lovers, but that seems to be subgenre of trope in itself so no harm there. They snipe at each other, or one does and the other barely seems to notice cos she's busy charming the supernatural, and eventually the pressure of scowling and scolding gets too much. "Just kiss already" was definitely in play here. I did enjoy the chemistry between the two MCs, despite the somehow both breakneck and excruciating pace of their buying a clue about each other.

That does seem to be a weakness of the author in general, that there is both too much going on and not in enough by turns: the plot can sprint or it can potter, those are your options. They've barely set off when the murder happens, so realistically they should have turned around, but instead they keep pottering onward with no real sense of direction, swap to conveniently sinkable boats for reasons then promptly sink, dawdle their way through a village then race to find an enchanted lengendary spring that turns out not to be the enchanted legendary spring they're looking for. They then sprint back, there's a confession, a murder attempt, and an immediate rearranging of loyalties, after which we skip two weeks of all these people who hate and want to kill each other just travelling together with nothing else happening. It truly is breakneck boredom at times.

If you go into this for the whodunnit of the murder, you will be disappointed. Despite how supposedly attached to her mentor the MC is, her investigations are cursory at best and handled with the finesse of a police report typed by a horse, so when the reveal comes it's more of an "oh yeah someone died" rather than a massive revelation. In all honesty this whole aspect would have been much stronger if the other MC Sylvia was the viewpoint character, as she has more at stake emotionally since these people are all her friends. To then put her in a position where the only one she knows is innocent is her rival would have been far stronger, but there we are.

All that said, I did enjoy this book. I'm a sucker for fairytales so having them dotted through, even hilariously misplaced at times, really broadened the world for me. Lorelei's background cemented her as a character and cemented her rather caustic personality, you really felt for her even when she was being an idiot. For the romantasy readers, this is definitely a solid pick to consider for autumn.

*Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

This was one of my most anticipated reads and it did not disappoint on any level.

I had seen this pitched by many as cozy academia with mystery but this was so much more as a fan of cozy anything I was in but this has high stakes and while it absolutely has cozy vibes, Allison Saft explores some really big themes in this book that I feel mirror our world right now.

The world building is exquisite and I loved how the balance between the external politics and the quest and personal relationships that our protagonists find themselves dealing with run alongside each other and every now and then they clash, I also enjoyed that the world building is predominantly led by the characters and plot.

The characters are definitely complex and I think that's why this works so well because there is so much for them to diasagree on but ultimately realise that maybe neither are right and the huge differences in their lives have been skewed by the way they have had to navigate the world and the fates they have been handed. I really love a rivals to lovers so that got an extra tick. The side characters in the "cozy" genre seem to be something that are so well done and you end up with really fully developed characters that have a strong purpose in the story and Allison Saft has really made that happen in this book.

For me personally the magic is in the conversations around folklore and storytelling and how that echoes what is happening in society, I have such a love of folklore that this really spoke to my heart, also I mentioned earlier that Saft explores big themes including anti semitism and how fairytales have add to this.

There is so much in this book that just ultimately was made for me and I knew it would be 5 star- folklore, magic, sentient forests, sapphic, academia and cozy (although I'll say it again there's some high stakes and anxiety in this one.)

I absolutely adored this book.

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it didn't disappoint at all!!! I have always been convinced I will love Allison Saft's book and I've been proved right by this one. It was dark and eerie in some places and magical and warming in others I loved it so much

A fun fantasy adventure featuring a cute sapphic romance!

We follow Lorelei, a folklorist under the tutelage of a renowned explorer, who makes up the one of the eccentric members of a royally approved expedition to find the Unsparing, a fabled water source that would secure the current king's position in the realm. However, Lorelei is not like her peers and faces a lot of prejudice and discrimination. Another major thorn in her side is Sylvia, her academic rival and subject of her romantic yearnings. When Lorelei's mentor is murdered the two of them must team up to discover the truth and stop the expedition from falling apart.

I thought this was a quick and solid read. The fantasy is clearly built on Nordic and Germanic fantasy and folklore, which I throughly enjoyed since I was in Germany when I read this and one character actually shares a surname with a famous Bavarian family. Saft's continued exploration of antisemitism through the lens of fantasy fiction continues to grow stronger and I applaud her for it.

However, the novel didn't really stand out to me despite the above mentioned themes and aspects. I definitely think I will reread it again and see how my feelings change.

Overall, I think it's a good time.

<I> Thank you to Netgalley for a few ARC in exchange for an honest review. </I>

I really loved the other Allison Saft books I have read and this one is no different. Featuring a murder mystery, magical creatures, a quest to find a magical source and courtly intrigue this book will keep you hooked. I would say this book was a little slow in the first half but it definitely picked up towards the end. Overall a great read!

This book. Allison Saft has done it again, with her impressive skills to write characters who yearn for each other even if they despise each other again.
I appreciated the worldbuilding the most, intricate with interwoven myths and complex characters with an ensemble full of perfection.
As said, the romance was to die for, and the plot itself was perfectly thought out.

A Dark and Drowning Tide tells a tale about folklorist Lorelei, who must pair up with her academic rival, Sylvia, in order to solve their mentor's murder. It begins with a strong sense of atmosphere, which takes you into its story. I enjoyed the characters and the way they were written. However, the ending left me disappointed. It felt as if the story wasted its potential, but that just might be me. I do believe there are people who will enjoy it more than me.

In A Dark and Drowning Tide, Allison Saft delivers a delightful blend of murder mystery, folklore, and sapphic romance, set against the backdrop of a magical world teeming with danger and intrigue. Fans of slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance and richly detailed fantasy settings will find themselves captivated by this enchanting tale of ambition, secrets, and survival.

Saft excels at some elements of world-building, creating a lush and immersive environment where rivers are guarded by creatures, forests shift unpredictably, and magic lurks at every turn. The kingdom’s political unrest, tied closely to the expedition’s quest, adds another layer of urgency and intrigue to the plot, as the characters must contend with both external threats and the looming danger of a coup back home.

The murder mystery itself is a well-crafted puzzle, though it does falter at times. Each of Lorelei’s companions has their own motives, and Saft’s character development ensures that no one feels like a mere plot device. As Lorelei and Sylvia reluctantly team up to uncover the murderer’s identity, the growing tension between them – both in terms of their rivalry and their attraction – is one aspect of the novel that is good, but could do with a little improvement to make it truly great. Their relationship is full of sharp dialogue, tender moments, and a chemistry that sparks from their very first scene together, but it never reaches the heights that one feels it could.

Where the book truly shines is in its exploration of justice, loyalty, and the weight of ambition. Lorelei’s internal struggle – to prove herself worthy as both a scholar and a naturalist, while also confronting her mentor’s complicated legacy – grounds the story in a deep emotional arc. Saft beautifully balances this personal journey with the sweeping external stakes of the expedition, offering readers both a gripping adventure and a heartfelt romance.

However, there are moments where the pacing feels uneven, particularly as the middle of the book focuses heavily on Lorelei and Sylvia’s budding relationship and the slow unravelling of the mystery. While these sections offer rich character development, some readers may wish for a bit more action or forward momentum in the expedition itself. The story’s conclusion, however, more than makes up for these lulls, delivering a thrilling and emotionally satisfying finale that leaves the characters and their world forever changed.

Overall, A Dark and Drowning Tide is a gorgeously atmospheric read, perfect for fans of dark academia and gothic fiction who appreciate slow-burn mysteries wrapped in dark, lyrical prose. While the pacing may falter in places, Allison Saft’s storytelling is equal parts heart and adventure, and her deft handling of complex relationships, mysteries, and magic makes this book a rewarding journey from start to finish.

"A Dark and Drowning Tide" is a magical blend of gothic fantasy with slow-burn romance.

The story follows a sharp-tongued folklorist Lorelei Kaskel, who ends up teaming up with her academic rival to solve the murder of her beloved mentor. Set amidst a politically turbulent kingdom called Brunnes, it involves a rich mix of political intrigue, magical elements, and shocking twists1.

Familiar yet unique, the world Saft has built is thoroughly exciting and hurls the readers right into the most anxious seats, keeping them on the edge. The enemies-to-lovers romance between Lorelei and the rival one is both fiery and tender, adding depth to this narrative.

Overall a page-turner, it will leave you breathless for more.

I was absolutely thrilled to be approved for this and it did not disappoint! My previous experiences with Saft's novels have been a bit all over the place: her highest Goodreads rated book (excluding those yet to be released) A Far Wilder Magic wasn't really my cup of tea and I DNFd about half way through. But I LOVED A Fragile Enchantment, it literally had me giggling over the characters. For this reason, I went into A Dark and Drowning Tide knowing very little, except that it was a sapphic fantasy about a folklorist.

The language around folklore and storytelling is a particular interest of mine, and this meant I had so much love for Lorelei from the first page. And I just want to thank Saft here for championing unlikeable protagonists. I'm not saying you're supposed to hate her (I would. in fact, be stunned if you finished the book without falling in love with her), but she's blunt, dismissive, and sick to death of her colleagues (jealousy not-with-standing). I also felt that her rough edges didn't just exist to be dropped later-on because of some self-reflecting eureka moment - she was so raw and human - loved it!!

Also one of those great examples of fantasy worlds being built up around the characters and plot rather than the other way around. At no point did I feel like I was being made to listen to a history or science lesson in order to understand the magic system or political tensions, and this was undoubtedly further improved by Saft's use of storytelling throughout the novel - with folktale characters reflecting tense relationships in more detail. This as a tool was particularly poignant when it began to examine the way that stories can be used to spin narratives of hope or reinforce prejudices depending on how they're used.

Call me delusional but I’m convinced Allison Saft wrote this book for me. (Sapphic, check! Jewish MC, check!! Folklore-heavy, check!!! Discusses antisemitism in fairytales as a major theme, check?! Sentient forests, check!! Dark academic elements, check!!!!)

A DARK AND DROWNING TIDE has been luring me in like a siren song since its announcement, calling my name as it pulled me into its alluring tide. And as soon as my toes hit the water, I was torn beneath the surface and down into its depths by my ankles. My lungs swelling with rich atmosphere, my eyes burning with the salty sentimentality of the characters, and my throat singing with the reverberations of gorgeous prose as this story swallowed me with a gulp.

Nothing in the plot took me by surprise, but that's okay. The world-building was interesting and the romance endearing. I wish we could have learned more about the secondary characters as I really enjoyed them. Saft's writing style is gorgeous, and the themes explored were important and delivered well. Overall a very enjoyable story, though I wish there was more depth to all its gorgeous facets.

This was a great folklore inspired fantasy with ofc a magical sapphic romance. I’m not too big on rivals too lovers but I always appreciate it if it’s done right. It’s a whimsical with a touch of darkness book with the slight vibe of Emily Wilde which I loved!

The Dark and Drowning Tide is a gripping dark academia that blends folklore, magic, and sapphic romance with intricate world-building and morally complex characters. While it starts slow, it eventually delivers a thrilling mix of political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers, mythical creatures, and adventure.