I enjoyed this a bit more than the first book! There are some great new characters, a much better love interest, and some exciting new storylines. We also get an intriguing new POV from a witch/monster hunter where we start to learn more about how magic and the covens work.

I did reread the first book before starting this, and I will say that I didn’t love the writing style this time around. There’s also an unanswered question from the first book that I’m a little disappointed was never mentioned again. I am really interested in where the story is going after that ending so I’ll definitely be continuing the series.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

📚Shadows and Tides by Rachel Greenlaw📚

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: YA

✨Tropes✨
⚔️Found Family
⚔️Adventure
⚔️Witches x Sirens x Humans x ?
⚔️Shadow Magic
⚔️Multi POV
⚔️Cliffhanger Ending

✨Initial Thoughts✨
This story has taken such an unexpected turn from the first book, but I loved it. I loved the first book, but this second book has so much more. There are more creatures in this world that we’re introduced to as well as the concept of multiple worlds.
The story picks up a month after the first book ends. The action and adventure is almost instantaneous. Mira is back on her home island and is preparing to fulfill her bargain with Elijah when her island is attacked. She manages to escape with Elijah, who takes her to his home where she is able to find safety, if only for a while. However, the council of witches has marked Mira for capture and they have assigned the case to one of the best monster hunters, Brielle. With the Watch, Renshaw, and Brielle on her heels, it’s up to Mira to save not only the remaining people in her village, but also herself.

✨Pros✨
* Non-stop action and adventure
* Character growth and development
* New and lovable characters
* The character and world development
* Rich descriptions
* No cringy nicknames!!

✨Cons✨
* That I currently don’t have the next book in my hands after that cliffhanger ending!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the gifted copy and the opportunity to review this book.

I really enjoyed this sequel and felt that it deepens the characters, expands the world, and improves on its predecessor in almost every way.

What a great follow up to Compass and Blade. Shadow and Tide kept the excitement going and was really well written. Although the whole book was enjoyable, I found the second half to be particularly great and it really sucked me in. I kept finding every moment I could to read and find out what was going to happen to Mira, Eli and the rest of the crew. From the ending, it seems a third book will be coming, and I can say that I CAN'T WAIT to find out what happens. Rachel Greenlaw is a great author, and I will be recommending this book to many.

Thanks so much to NetGalley ARC!

This was a perfectly fine YA fantasy that I did enjoy, but didn't love. The writing was solid and I love pirates and treasure hunts and high stakes....but overall it felt much more surface level than I would have liked. Pardon the pun, but it lacked depth.

Above is how I started my review for Compass and Blade and while I stick by it....Shadow and Tide felt more disorganized and the connections between plot points felt less solid. The writing was still fine, and I liked the character development more, there was improvement there but overall it just felt less polished.

I fully intend to finish the trilogy, though I don't think this will ever be a favorite for me. It's good but not great, and to me Greenlaw's writing just needs more maturity in a few places to cross that threshold.

I feel like this was almost there in terms of just okay to very good - there was just some lacking detail and character depth, though my issues with the book differed slightly from book one so we'll see what book three brings!

Shadow and Tide is the second book in Compass and Blade series and should be read in order. It picks up shortly after the ending of the first book and really expands the world. Mira and Elijah grow closer as she tries to find a way to save her home while learning about her magic.

Read if you like:
-Sirens & Witches
-Pining
-Fighting for Your Place in the World

I loved that we had an added POV in Shadow and Tide and got to meet the witches. Some of the choices Mira faced were heartbreaking in only the way that a well written YA series can deliver. Elijah was the perfect tragic love interest. I can't wait for the final book!

I really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters and plot. I will definitely be purchasing more by this author!

Book Name: Shadow and Tide
Author:  Rachel Greenlaw

ARC

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books for an ARC

Stars: 4
Spice: 0 YA

Book 2 in Series
Cliffhanger
Fast Paced

POV

High Fantasy Adventure Romance

- Good
- New Characters
- The Stakes and Higher
- Exploration of Rage
- Character development was STRONG
- Bad
- Sophomore Slump
- Bit Lost in the Plot
- AND THEN …. AND THEN …
- Overall
- felt a bit like the plot got lost in itself I'm interested in seeing where book 3 goes.
- Overall we went from a strong upper YA novel to a chaotic lower YA novel
- The CLiffhanger has me excited for book 3

Shadow and Tide is an exciting follow up to Compass and Blade! We are introduced to some new characters and finally get to see the witches that are referenced in the first book. I love that Greenlaw is bringing in new factions and creatures with each book in the series.

The political posturing is even more prevalent in Shadow and Tide. The watch is working with the witches and Captain Renshaw to bring Mira in for their own devious purposes. I really enjoyed the fact that this book brought in more action than the first book. It keeps the story interesting and makes you route for Mira and company to come out as the victors. I was also happy to see Mira’s feelings for Eli develop more in this book, and not have to deal with two love interests.

We also get hints in this book that the watch is working with someone in higher power and looking to use creatures and humans with magic, for their own gain. I am definitely interested to see how this plays out in the third book of the series. The watch, the witches and Renshaw all seem to think they are gaining power for themselves, but I think they will all just end up being pawns in a much bigger game.

My new favorite character in this book was Lowri! I loved everything about her character. She is working to complete her witch training, while defying the her mother (the head witch of their coven) and working to help Caden (her brother) and Eli (her cousin). Her story ends on a cliffhanger and I am really looking forward to seeing where Greenlaw takes her in the third book.

After reading Shadow and Tide, I am excited to see how the story ends in the third book. This is a fun YA fantasy read, and I really love the way the creatures, magic and political powers are all coming together in the story.

I really enjoyed diving deeper into Elijah's past and how the witches came into the picture. The love story was just so sweet and the way it was written was perfect. The ending had me craving more, more, more. There's still tons to discover and I'm eagerly looking forward to finding out how it all wraps up!

An excellent secondary installment that deepens the characters, expands the world, and improves on its predecessor in almost every way. This book is actually a perfect example as to why I, as a librarian, request sequel titles; because while I enjoyed the first book, I was also very much aware of its flaws. There were actually several things about it that would have irked me in another book, and this made me hesitant to more broadly recommend it or promote it. But now that I've read the sequel and know all the goodness and potential that awaits, you bet your biscuit I'm going to be spreading the love for this series!

The world in this book just felt so much richer and more lived in than the first, and a big part of that is due to the addition of a new (third person) POV character through whom we are able to gain greater insight into the workings of the magic and politics of Arnhem (and maybe beyond?). We really get to know the witches here and are finally introduced to the mysterious ruling council, both of which make for interesting and entertaining antagonists--and whose presence in the story certainly acts to raise the stakes. Mira, of course, is still the main protagonist and still making plenty of mistakes and potentially dumb decisions. Her allies feel more well-developed this time around, though, and I found myself quite attached to several of them. The found family vibes are strong. And let's just say that the love stories--romantic, platonic, familial--contained within these pages are all lovely and well done. (I'm really routing for quite a few!)

All in all a very enjoyable read that elevates the story and promises even great things to come. Be prepared: this ones ends on a bit of a cliff hanger and you will be desperate to find out what happens next!

I really enjoyed this book!! The plot was so interesting and full of adventure that I was never bored. The author did a great job with character development because I was full invested in there stories. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

I really had a great time reading this, it had that overall story elements that I wanted and enjoyed the fantasy concept. The characters felt like they belonged in this story and the world. Rachel Greenlaw was able to weave a great tale that I was looking for and enjoyed how everything worked with the writing style.

A fantastic follow-up to Compass and Blade! Mira’s raging tempest of power, Brielle’s perspective, Elijah’s family, and the quest to protect the Fortunate Isles. I love this seafaring world full of magic, witches, and monsters!

The world and larger political mechanisms continue to expand. We learn more about The Watch and the role they play in trying to gain control of all the islands - condemning those who stand against them and ruthless in their quest to harness all magical beings and power. I loved learning more about Elijah’s background and the introduction of the witches into the story. The romance was also so sweet and perfectly written. The ending left me wanting more, more, more. There’s still so much to explore and I can’t wait to see how the story concludes!

Thank you to Netgalley, Quill Tree Books, and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

the most anticipated sequel!! i received the arc for the first one and had been desperate to continue the story ever since, and i truly feel the world was explored much more this time around! the fmc still irked me a SMIDGE, but this is ya and i will excuse it. i believe the writing was also quite entertaining, and this was a great second book in the installment!!