Upon a Starlit Tide is a bit of The Little Mermaid meets Cinderella with a dash of fae and folklore in a historical setting.

I absolutely adored this. I loved the mix of the fantastical with real locations and history and they are blended together effortlessly to create the world of the story. St. Malo, once a stronghold for privateers surrounded by granite walls is the perfect backdrop. The author transports the reader there giving us a real feeling of time and place both grounded in reality and interwoven with the folklore of the story. And it’s not just St. Malo but the familial home, Le Bleau Sauvage, and the churning waters of the Manche.

Another thing I loved was the atmospheric quality of the writing. Whether it was a glittering ball with beautiful gowns and sea glass slippers, the treacherous waves of the Manche, or a moonlit forest with ghostly apparitions, the vibes were on point. Also the food descriptions were ridiculous. Make sure you have macarons on hand while reading this because you will be craving them.

The relationship between the sisters and the feelings of Luce, our protagonist, are complex and conflicted. I really enjoyed the moments touching on their relationship. The tide-crone and role of fae folk and their role in the world and in Luce’s life was also a really interesting aspect. For me this was a kind of perfect fairy tale-esque novel. It walks the balance of dark and fantastical and creates a world that feels real and lived in with great characters and high stakes.

If you love of fairy tales, folklore, and adventure this has it all. This would probably appeal to readers that liked Cinderella is Dead, A Sorceress Comes to Call, or Spinning Silver.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What an incredible fairytale retelling! Kell Woods effortlessly blends pieces of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella together set in the backdrop of a beautiful French seaside town. Luce, daughter of renowned merchant Jean-Baptiste Leon, has a habit of sneaking off in breeches to go sailing with the locals. No matter what she does, she can't stand being couped up, and always seems to whisk herself away to the sea, and to her friend, Samuel, who only seems to see her as a friend despite her growing feelings for him. After rescuing a handsome man washed ashore after a storm, her live begins to change in ways that will never be undone. The familial elements here, and especially the way in which societal expectations pit women against one another, and the way the sisters act, really made this story come to live. Despite everything, this is a story about the meaning of love, in all its forms. All the interesting world-building and lore around the various fae creatures that inhabit Saint-Malo was simultaneously familiar enough for me to nod at but also re-spun in a new way that kept me engaged. I wasn't expecting to be so taken in by this book so quickly, or to be so satisfied with its ending.

A Cinderella and The Little Mermaid inspired adult fairy tale? Oh yes, please (and it’s sooo much more).

I’ll admit that the cover is what first drew my attention, but the synopsis made me immediately request an early copy, which Tor Books was kind enough to bestow.

There’s magic within these pages and I implore other readers who still (and will always) love fairy tales with strong and capable heroines to grab this one for your bookshelves and find the magic for yourself.

The power of the ocean, the power of magic, the power of love,

I absolutely loved this story ❤️and this is a book that I will get for myself and enjoy again.


“A woman knows her own truth. It’s a gift she is born with that, like so much else, is quickly stolen by the world. By priests with their talk of sin and wickedness and shame, by men who learned long ago how best to use women for their own pleasure and advantage. Instead of speaking from their hearts, their souls, women are told to heed their father, their husband, their God. Instead of choosing their own path, they are told to obey. Even so, their souls always know the truth. Always. Do not be afraid to give yours voice.”


Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for the DRC

I really enjoyed this. It reads like a fairytale and the author states it's a bit of a mashup between Cinderella and The Little Mermaid BUT with its own special touch and story! Lots of fun to read. Fantastic set of characters with a plot that will keep you hooked.
I loved the ending!

Thank you Netgalley for the free ARC in return for an honest review.

A cross between the little mermaid and Cinderella, tho stale takes place at Saint-Malo France in the 1700s. Luce lives with her successful and beloved seafaring father, her mom, and two sisters. Luce is down to the sea and yearns to explore. She learns how to sail from a British smuggler and his cousin and dreams of dressing as a man and becoming a sailor.

The book begins with Luce seeing an unconscious man on a shipwreck. She saves his life and becomes fascinated with him after he regains consciousness and kisses her. Her family restores him to health, and learn he is the son of another powerful, noble family. However, something caused the ship to wreck despite the magical storm stone that should have kept the ship safe.

Upon a Starlit Tide (2025) is a mesmerizing historical fantasy/dark fairy tale. In 1700s coastal France the protagonist, Luce, rescues a handsome sailor from certain death in the fickle sea. Confusingly she feels drawn to both him and to her loyal friend Samuel, an English smuggler. But matters of the heart must wait as troubles arise – the fae, and their magic, are disappearing, the English are poised to attack, old lies and deceit are surfacing, and Luce is discovering secrets hidden in the depths of the sea.

I loved the dark, adventurous undertone, the nods to the old fairy tales Cinderella and The Little Mermaid and the lush, lyrical writing of Kell Woods.

The writing in this book has a beautiful voice, with just enough description of the places to build the world around the characters. While it is set up as a fairy tale retelling, it does a good job of balancing the original tales with a new story that fully stands on it's own.

I want to give Upon a Starlit Tide all the stars for its lush, immersive world and irresistible charm! From the moment I saw the stunning cover and read that it’s a mash-up of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, I was hooked. Fairy tale retellings are my kryptonite, and this one did not disappoint.! The story is set in 18th-century magical France, and brought beautifully to life through Kell Woods' vivid, prose!. Our FMC, Luce, is a dreamer caught between her duty as a loyal daughter in her wealthy merchant family and her yearning for the sea, despite the constant pain in her ruined feet. Her sweetness and strength shine as she navigates complex family dynamics (can we have more sweet protagonists in fiction, please??) and an impossible dream: to captain her own ship. Add in a compelling love triangle (and I say that as someone who generally doesn't like them!)—between Morgan, the shipmaster’s son she rescues, and Samuel, her smuggler friend. Woods masterfully delivers a richly satisfying ending, making this, in my opinion, a MUST-read for fans of fairy tale retellings and magical historical fiction!

4.75 stars!

*Upon a Starlit Tide* by Kell Woods is a captivating and evocative tale that blends romance with adventure. Set against a beautifully crafted, magical world, the novel follows its protagonist on a journey that explores deep emotions and enchanting landscapes. Woods' prose is lyrical, bringing to life both the vibrant settings and the complexities of its characters. The author deftly weaves themes of self-discovery, love, and the pull of the unknown, creating an immersive experience. With its richly developed world and compelling plot, *Upon a Starlit Tide* will appeal to fans of fantasy and romantic fiction alike.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was beautifully done, I really enjoyed the setting, he storytelling and the general idea. A great fantasy!

I requested Upon a Starlit Tide on Netgalley first because the cover absolutely drew me in, and second because it was described to me as A Little Mermaid mushed up with Cinderella. I'm a sucker for fairy tale retellings so I was absolutely drawn to this book. To my surprise (it's been a bit) Tor accepted my request, and I dove right in.

Upon a Starlit Tide is an absolute wonder. Kell Woods is a phenomenal writer -- you're dropped into 18th century magical France and every ounce of you believes it. I loved the main character, Luce. She's got quite a wonderful life, seemingly only soured by the fact that her feet are ruined. She's in pain every second that she walks around. However, she is sweet despite her pain. She cares for her sisters, her mother, and most of all, her father. Luce and her family are extremely wealthy -- her father owns a bunch of ships and is a merchant. There's some interesting family dynamics that I won't get into because I don't want to spoil anything.

Luce is torn between wanting to remain a loyal daughter, and wanting to go out and explore the world. She is in love with the sea, and wants nothing more than to be a ship's captain. Of course, this is impossible because she's a woman. She's also torn between two young men. Morgan, the rich shipmaster's son whom she rescues from the ocean, or Samuel, a master smuggler who's been her friend for years. Yeah, there's a love triangle. Ish. You'll prefer one man over the other very quickly, or at least I did.

When I got to the end of Upon A Starlit Tide, I was terrified that it was going to end on a sad, but happyish note. HOWEVER, there was an epilogue and I can confirm that there is a true happy ending. So don't worry about that too much -- enjoy the journey for what it is. I absolutely recommend Upon A Starlit Tide to anyone who loves fairy tale retellings, mermaids, or historical fiction! Four and a half stars.

For lovers of the fairytale world, you will love this imaginative combination of the tales of two classic French fairytales, The Little Mermaid and Cinderella. I previously shared an inside look at Kell Wood's last foray into the fairytale genre in last year's After the Forest. The author's latest novel does not disappoint. It gracefully weaves the tale of Lucinde, the youngest daughter of one of the wealthiest shipowners in the port of Saint-Malo. As Lucinde digs into her past, she makes discoveries along the way, including one that she never could have imagined in her wildest dreams.

Without giving too much away for curious readers, this was wonderful blend of new characters and plot ideas with a health nod to the stories roots. I found the characters dynamic and enjoyed following their stories and arcs. The plot was well-paced and kept me interested until the end. For anyone who enjoys, fantasy, fairy tales, and retellings; this book is for you.

This is a co-mingling of tales: the big ones as well as those pulled from French and Celtic folklore. There is the rich man with three daughters, and one is extra special; there is the smuggler who hides a heart of gold along with his silks and brandies; there is a handsome sailor saved from a shipwreck. Woven in and among these stories are the lutins, the seafolk, the vengeful drowned, all gathered in one place around a natural source that also imbues protection: storm stone.

I appreciate the way Kell Woods was able to manage all of these elements into what fellow reviewer Brend called "an Eras Tour mashup". Woods focuses on themes and story, then pulls in the element of whichever folktale matches the pattern, and does it well.

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for access to the ARC. I am not compensated for my review.

Thanks to NetGalley & Tor Publishing Group for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a fun book! I was engrossed from beginning to end. This book is less about an overarching plot and more about the protagonist discovering who and what she really is. And it's a hell of a journey.

Luce is a compelling protagonist, not wholly perfect but just a naive, sheltered young girl. It's great to see her grow and evolve throughout the story and I felt bad for her and the horrible hand she was dealt. This does combine several fairytales, most notably Cinderella and Little Mermaid, but there are more and I won't say what they are since it's a spoiler. Woods did a great job creating a very imaginative combination of stories and creating her own out of it.

I'd rate this higher but sometime about it felt like...more of a meandering story? If that makes sense. I feel like the world-building could have been expanded on, but I understood why it wasn't because this was more about Luce (protagonist) than whatever drama was going on in the rest of the world. We were stuck with her perspective, essentially. It's still a great book though.

In her new dark historical fantasy Upon a Starlit Tide, Kell Woods delights readers with a scintillating combination of The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Bluebeard wrapped in a love story that will leave you dreaming by the shores. The novel takes place om Saint-Malo, Brittany, 1785, where Lucinde Leon, the youngest daughter of a wealthy merchant and noble woman, rescues a drowning man from the sea. When it is revealed that the sailor, Morgan, is the youngest son of another wealthy ship-owning family, social intrigue among Luce and her sisters ensues as their mother commissions dresses for each of them in anticipation of a ball to celebrate Morgan’s survival. Although Luce is drawn to the dashing young sailor whose charm hides a dark past, she is also smitten with her best friend Samuel, and English smuggler who has taught her to sail. The relationships between the wealthy families and between Luce and Samuel play out in the shadow of war on the high seas, and romance and dangers intertwine seamlessly as Woods spins her tale.

Those who love the folklore of the sea will adore Upon a Starlit Tide. Woods captures the ocean’s natural beauty and creates a world where humans and Fae live side by side. Saint-Malo has been built of storm stone, a protective ballast made by the Fae which includes korrigans, water sprites, washer-women, sea hags, and sea maids. Luce has a strange connection to these creatures who are just as likely to grant wishes as they are to cause mischief, and her skin tingles whenever storm stone, a rare and valued commodity which can protect ships and sailors at sea, is near. The past haunts this Gothic Tale as the ghosts of drowned sailors search for retribution and Luce uncovers the secrets of her past as she tries to make difficult decisions about her future.

In addition to her kind and adventurous personality, Luce has a talent for music, releasing it into the air rather than simply playing the notes, and this talent is evocative of Wood’s writing ability. Woods has a way of releasing characters, settings, symbols, and themes into the air, letting multiple story lines churn over each other before coming together like a rising tide. Her lush descriptions of silk dresses and masquerade balls sit next to beautiful explorations of the coastline and sea, creating a narrative that is impossible to put down. If you are a fan of Gothic tales, family mysteries, romantic unions, ocean legends, or ancient fairy tales released in innovative new ways, you must read this book. I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.

I really enjoyed that this uses Cinderella and the Little mermaid to tell a story to create a new story. The plot was everything that I wanted and was really enjoyed the overall feel of this. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and had that charm that I was looking for from the concept. I really enjoyed the time-period and getting to go through this story. Kell Woods wrote this perfectly and was glad I got to read this.

Impossible to put down. Magical and masterfully done. Will reread, most definitely. And I will also be looking out for this author again. Such a fantastic tale!

I am quite the sucker for a mythlogical based fantasy. Kell Woods did not disappoint! This book was completely charming and has a beautifully woven storyline. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods is a beautiful, yet dark, retelling that combines “The Little Mermaid” and “Cinderella”. The story speaks to love, betrayal, and self-discovery.

The story is French-inspired and has a strong female lead, Lucinde “Luce” Leon. Luce has a strong desire to be out at sea but knows it’s not typical for a woman high in society and has a deformity in both feet making walking and standing difficult. One day, Luce rescues a gentleman from the ocean who turns out to be the son of a prominent family named Morgan. He attempts to court Luce while she realizes she’s in love with another, an English smuggler named Samuel. After uncovering that a war fleet is headed to conquer her home, Luce knows she must save her family only to discover that Morgan is a monster and her father is not who she truly thought he was.

The book was a page turner but the story never felt rushed. It was laced with love and utter betrayal but Luce discovers who she truly is and who she is meant to be. It was beautifully written and a great retelling of two classic fairytales. I would highly recommend this book to those who are fans of the show “Once Upon a Time”, fiarytale retellings, and general fantasy fans.