My most anticipated book this week was Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods. If the title and cover aren’t already enough to entice you, here’s more: Unfolding like a fairytale, this novel is set in 1750s France, where Luce, adopted as an orphan, has always felt loved but like something is missing. She longs for adventure and a life at sea. When she rescues a man from a shipwreck, a new path is set in motion… but with surprises, darkness, and secrets to uncover along the way.

Why I Chose This Book:
Don’t discount the power of an enchanting title and cover; that’s what first caught my eye with Upon a Starlit Tide. With allusions to The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, I was excited for a new fairytale set against the sea. This is only the first book featuring sirens that I’ll be reading this year. I am officially entering my mermaid era!

What I Liked:
- Strong similarities to The Little Mermaid and Cinderella… but who’s kind and who’s evil is all mixed up!
- Hints of magic that slowly grow stronger and more present as the book progresses
- A love triangle??
- Superstitions about the sea, ships, and the fae
- Sea-maid as the Fairy Godmother, perhaps
- Ships and oceans and sea monsters, oh my
- 1750s France and conflict with England
- If you love someone…

Final Thoughts
Upon a Starlit Tide is a spellbinding fantasy novel for fans of fairytale retellings, oceanic settings, 1750s France, and mermaids. I loved following Luce along her path of self-discovery, strength, love, and belonging in the world. Though at times heartbreaking, it’s ultimately an empowering and dazzling work of historical fantasy. Kell Woods is an author I can’t wait to read more from!

What a beautiful reimagining of The Little Mermaid mixed with a bit of Cinderella vibes as well. I will say, the references to Cinderella are more related to her having step sisters (who may or may not be jealous) and a masked ball.. However, most of the rest of the story lends itself to reimagining of a a girl who finds herself drawn to the sea, wanting to sail her own ship, and feeling a special connection to gifts the sea offers such as shells and the like.

Luce is the youngest in her family and is spiled by her adoptive father who dotes on her and gives her the world. Though her other sisters and stepmother aren't happy about the situation, it doesn't really effect them until Morgan de Chatelaine is rescued from the sea. Only Luce, Samuel, and maybe Morgan, himself, know the truth, while the rest of the town believe him to have washed ashore after the wreck of his ship. This causes a rift in Luce's family as Morgan seems drawn to Luce, but her sister has her eyes set on him as well.

The story is rich and well crafted. Each time I reach a Kell Woods novel, I feel as though her writing is on par with Naomi Novik and how well they are able to take these fairy tale-esque stories and turn them into something new for the reader. There are moments I do wish Luce didn't feel so wishy-washy with what she wanted. She is a very determined and independent woman, but she also has moments of incredible naivety which may come from her sheltered life. I give her a pass on quite a lot of things, but I do wish her understanding of the world, due to her conversations with Samuel, had helped her understand the world is not always a perfect place for quite good portion of the book.

I don't want to spoil anything, so i will leave it here, but please read this book. I think it was brilliantly done and well worth the listen. the narrator did a great job and I was fully immersed in the world.

I really enjoyed this! This was a really compelling retelling, but in a way that subverts the Disney-esque expectations--which was very refreshing, honestly. This fantasy really reads like a historical fiction, and it had such great characters and great tone. I was super pleasantly surprised by this and I definitely think this is going to be a hit at my branch!

Perhaps the perfect Little Mermaid retelling? With just enough of a splash of Cinderella for a new twist. I couldn't put this down, quite literally pulled an all-nighter to finish it. Kell Woods has grown so much as a writer since their debut! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

It took me a moment to think of the author this reminded me of. I think while it’s different the more literary writing style in quasi historical fantasy feels like Patricia McKillip. It’s a fairy tale homage, Cinderella and The
Little Mermaid. It isn’t a light read if you’re looking for a quick distraction but if you’re in the mood for quality writing this would be an excellent choice.

A gorgeous second book from Kell Woods, and it’s exactly what I’d hoped it’d be. A stunning and well-placed historical fiction, with Breton folklore and familiar fairy tales woven in with precision and beauty. Well paced, well considered, and moving.

I’ll be recommending this one to folks!

Despite (or maybe because of) growing up near the beach, I’m very picky about mermaid stories to the point that I normally avoid them. However, I took a chance on Upon a Starlit Tide because the cover captivated me like, you guessed it, a siren’s song. And let me tell you, I didn’t regret it for a minute. First five-star read of the year!

The book advertises itself as a cross between the Little Mermaid and Cinderella, which I agree with, but not in the Disney-movie sense. Luce is not Ariel–she is the reason sailors feared the seas for centuries. And I am here for it.

Kell Woods expertly blends Anglo-French sea folklore, romance (there’s a love triangle), and two of the most recognizable fairy tales we grew up with, albeit with a darker flavor more reminiscent of their Hans Christian Andersen and Grimms origins. It takes a bit to get into the true plot of the story, but the characters and writing were compelling enough that I was happy to just vibe until I got to the “conflict.”

Highly recommend this book for anyone who prefers fantasy that reads more like historical fiction, or getting their toes wet in the genre for the first time.

Thanks to Tor and Netgalley for the early copy!

This Little Mermaid / Cinderella mashup and historical fantasy hit all the right notes for me. Not only was it beautifully written and appropriately dark, it managed to pull me in for a fully immersive experience. The expertly layered plot contains delicious twists, dark secrets, wild magic and high stakes adventure. This is top book of the year material, a read that I will be recommending to everyone!

One of the most solidly incredible reads of fantastically whimsical fantasy. The world is depicted in such a vivid and surreal manner that just pulls you into its depths. It certainly meets the description of “The Little Mermaid” meets “Cinderella,” but it is also so much more. Real history and other fairytales are weaved into the tapestry of the story and Woods expands on these to make Upon a Starlit Tide a fairytale of its own.

The ending was so good and satisfying in all possible ways. I don’t think I can come up with a single critique of the book. While reading the ebook I also was reading via audiobook thanks to @macmillan.audio. The narration helped to paint the beautiful backdrop of the world and the sea and did an excellent job voicing the characters in a way that made it easy to distinguish who was talking.

This one is an absolute stunner - it may lull you into thinking you're reading historical fiction, with two handsome male leads to moon over and a family you'll root for our main character to free herself from, but once the magic, intrigue and action hit, they don't release you until the book is over and you're sitting there wondering what to do with yourself now. If you like fairytale re-imaginings, fae, historical france and romantic trysts to illegally salvage goods from sunken ships while trying not to steal glances at a handsome, muscular, half-naked man, you will love this book and come back for multiple rereads. Goes well with Yu-Peng Chen's album Fantasyland and as many mugs of black tea as you can drink while reading.

4.5 Thank you netgalley for the audio arc. Rounded up. overall I liked this except it did a few things that are just not my taste. The narrator in particular for this book I found odd on how she did the male characters because at first, I thought Samuel was a gruff old man and then when he became a love interest I was so confused. All the men in this for the most part sounded like they were in their 60s and sea worn by that so it set off the tone of the romances but once I got over that and just reminded myself they weren't then I enjoyed it much more. It has a lot of good twists and turns with combining Cinderella and Little Mermaid themes so it felt like not only an homage to those but it's own unique fairy tale.

A mash-up of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, Upon a Starlit Tide is a family story and a fairy tale at the same time. It’s sweet and sad, with Luce, the daughter of the sea at the centre, spinning a wonderful wild basket of dreams. I enjoyed this one - a solid reimagining.

I received this ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley. It will be released on February 18, 2025.

This book starts off a tad slow yet once it gains momentum this book will grasp you and draw you in. If you are a fan of fairy tale retellings, Hans Christan Andersons original Little Mermaid tale, mermaids, or just folklore dealing with fay this book is for you. Please understand that this book will not reflect Disney’s version of The Little Mermaid. You will need to be semi aware of the original telling to see the connections. This doesn’t mean that you will not enjoy the book, but looking at this story through a Disney lens will not allow you to enjoy the artistry of this retelling.
Thank you so much to Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

I'll start this review by saying that I liked Kell Woods's debut After the Forest better, but I think more readers will like Upon a Starlit Tide more. It's a blend of Cinderella and Little Mermaid, set in 1758 France in a blend of magical realism and fantasy. The atmosphere and tone is perfect for the fairy tale setting, and the legends of the sea and the sea fae is very well crafted. For me, the Cinderella component was a touch more than I needed, and there were a few plot elements and pacing that didn't work *as well* for me (ahem, love triangle) as might for another reader.

But you know me, set a book on the sea, and I'll love it. Add in layers of history around conflicts between the English and the French, and toss in some class difference politics (especially in pre-Revolutionary France!), and I'll love that too.

This was just perfection. This historical fantasy just had the perfect blend of history and magic. The political machinations between the French and the English, and the small islands caught in between, with whimsical layers of fairytales (Cinderella, The Little Mermaid). So beautifully written. And that ending? That epilogue? One of the best I've ever read. A definite addition to our collection, no questions asked. Happy to recommend this to anyone and everyone wanting a magical read.

Truly one of the most beautifully written books I've read, the prose kept me awake far into the night and the ending is simply <chef's kiss>.

Luce is the youngest daughter in the powerful and wealthy Leon family, although unlike her stepmother and two stepsisters, she is happiest when she's sailing. Samuel, her smuggler friend, feeds her need for the sea by teaching her to sail, until one day when Luce comes upon a shipwreck, and a lone surviving man. The man - the Eric to her Ariel - offers everything Luce could possibly want: a future together where she is not bound by the rules of society, where they can sail the ship she has just received from her doting father.

But you know what they say about things seeming too good to be true . . .

I adore Luce - she deals with her physical disability as best she can and she does not let it stop her from pursuing her dreams, and is brave and strong through dangers and mysteries. Each revelation breaks a little more of her heart, but she stays true to herself until the end, and her choices denote the goodness in her heart.

Also, look at that cover, it is a work of art.

I love a good retelling, and this one blew me away. Think a dark historical fantasy, mixing The Little Mermaid with Cinderella. That sounds like a lot for one book, but it’s so masterfully done that it feels effortless in its complexity. Kell Woods creates a hauntingly beautiful historical backdrop that feels like a character in itself, without being heavy or burdensome.

The tales of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid are interwoven through a feminist lens, making Lucinde a brave heroine rather than a helpless maiden. I mean, the novel even starts with her rescuing the man! I loved how the author turned the tides (pun fully intended) on what we know and expect from these fairytales. While I saw threads of them throughout, they are transformed into something completely new and empowering. Because of this, it was difficult for me to anticipate what happens next. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.

Upon a Starlit Tide is simply unforgettable. I’ve never read anything like it, and I know this will be one of my top reads of 2025. Kell Woods has automatically become an auto-buy author of mine, and I will be devouring anything she writes from now on. 5 easy stars from me!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the gifted eARC!

4.5 stars! This is a wonderfully crafted fairytale that is 85% The Little Mermaid with a sprinkle of Cinderella and a dash of originality. Absolutely gorgeous historical fantasy!
Lucinde de Leon is the youngest daughter of a wealthy ship merchant. While her sisters are busy trying to arrange advantageous matches and sleeping until noon, Lucinde is combing the shores and wishing to sail away on adventure. Only her best friend, Samuel, an English smuggler knows of her desires. One day, Lucinde rescues a sailor from a shipwreck, setting into motion unforeseen consequences and a wonderful story that will have you wishing it was 500 more pages long.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for this digital e-arc.*

"𝓐𝓷𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓲𝓼 𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓼𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓸𝔀 𝓶𝓮𝓮𝓽𝓼 𝓼𝓮𝓪"

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, the author and to NetGalley for this ARC. All the below comments are my honest feelings.

As a huge fan of both Historical Fiction and Fantasy, I knew the moment I came across this book, it was going to be a favorite. The name, the cover, and every sentence in this remarkable historical fantasy novel were simply beautiful. The way Cinderella and the Little Mermaid were seamlessly woven into the story, while still taking you on a completely fresh and unique adventure, was pure magic. Picture Cinderella with semi-likable sisters, a ship instead of the pumpkin carriage, and a surprising fairy godmother accompanied many types of fascinating Fae characters. The twists and turns were absolutely worth the wait, and Luce’s journey gave me butterflies. Additionally, the not-so-subtle jabs at human greed and ignorance had me both shaking my head yet rooting for Luce’s to take a stand.

Overall comment: I. Want. More.

"𝐵𝑒 𝒷𝓇𝒶𝓋𝑒. 𝐵𝑒 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝑒"

The balance of fairytale, history, and romance in this book should really be studied.

I am not a historical fiction reader by any means, a fact I will remind everytime I get sent an invitation to read a title like this one, but this had it all.

It's compellingly written, creating a solid mesh of historical privateering and trade with a certain beloved Hans Christian Andersen tale and a glass slippered princess that needs no introduction.

It borrows and borrows from so much and yet it feels brand new. Like finding a chest sunken deep, worn by time, probably crusted with barnacles and pulling out something ancient yet shining.