Kit Rocha has cemented themselves as an auto-read for me since I read Mercenary Librarians, and seeing their continued growth as authors is an absolute delight. The Dreamers world they’ve created is so excellent and full of so much hope and love. I love the legend being built up in Daughter of Tides and the way reveals were done in the excerpts at the beginning of each chapter. I love Naia, Einar, and Aleksi, and cannot wait to see the continuation of their romance. This was such a great book and I am so curious to see what’s going to happen next after that ending!

4⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of Daughter of Tides. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Yayyy I’m so glad we’re returning to this world- it’s so well done and I love the world building/story and how the author ties it together. This was fun, hoping that the series continues.

This story features Aleksi: The Lover, Naia: the nymph, and Einar: the Kraken. So much lore was divulged, and I love the dynamic between them. So spicy, but with substance.

I had so much fun with this one! Daughter of Tides kicks off a new romantasy series full of mythology, magic, political drama, and a seriously steamy love triangle (or maybe it's more complicated than that...).

The story follows Aleksi, the god of love, who’s slowly dying but still determined to complete one last mission—a tricky diplomatic visit to an icy rival kingdom. He sets sail with Einar, a moody pirate lord with kraken vibes, and Naia, a sweet and curious water nymph. The setup is perfect for tension and secrets, and it delivers.

There’s a great balance of action, romance, and mystery throughout, and the worldbuilding—especially the mythology—is really well done. I loved the chemistry between Naia and Einar; their connection felt natural and electric. Aleksi, on the other hand, didn’t fully click for me in terms of romance. He’s clearly conflicted and yearning, but that emotion didn’t quite leap off the page the same way it did with the other two. I’m hoping we get more of his perspective (and more depth) in the next book.

The side characters were also a highlight—interesting, well-developed, and definitely left me wanting more. This isn’t a standalone, so there’s a lot left to be explored, and I’m really looking forward to where the story (and relationships) go next.

If you’re into romantasy with mythological flair, slow-burn tension, and a dash of pirate chaos, give Daughter of Tides a try!

Daughter of Tides is my second Kit Rocha book. Kit Rocha is actually two people writing together under the name Kit Rocha, rather than a single author. Daughter of Tides is sort of romantasy, and sort of fantasy. If you pressed me to pick, I’d say it’s more romantasy than fantasy, but anyway. The book reminds me of Pirates of the Carribean, and the Greek Gods. It’s also Kraken romance, if you’re into that.

I struggled with the book, to be honest. It’s partly that it’s not my thing at all, and partly that I don’t get on with Kit Rocha’s writing. There’s very little about the world or other context you need to understand the setting the characters have their romances in. I had this problem with the other Kit Rocha book I’ve read, Deal With the Devil.

I should have really liked this book, because on paper it features a lot of things I like – the ocean, ships, pirates, magic, Gods and Goddesses, Greece and Ancient Greece… But I am just not into Kraken romance, it seems. LOL.

Overall, I gave Daughter of Tides 2 stars, because I did finish it, and it was entertaining, but I was confused a lot and having to jump gaps in the worldbuilding. I saw someone online say it’s set in the same world as a previous series of Kit Rocha’s and some things would make more sense if I’d read that series. However, I think a book should be able to stand alone, even if it is part of a series or a spin-off to one. Readers shouldn’t be confused!

It was ok, but that’s being generous.

🌟 4
🌶️ 3

🫧 Romantasy
🫧 Spice
🫧 immortal love
🫧 politics and intrigue
🫧 god of love & water nymph & pirate lord walk into a bar
🫧 trio of romance and spice

Fun and intriguing ride! Easy to read Romantasy full of adventure and spice.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read thid book! i have to say i enjoyed this book, i was a little bit confused for the first part of the book and wasn’t sure if i wanted to continue reading, but i still pushed through and finish it. it was a fun read, also it was my first time reading a book with a throuple and i have to say that i was positively surprised by this concept, the chemistry and spice was well written and it was enjoyable!

This story jumps right in and was missing some basic character development. This isn't part of a series, but part of a group of books that intersect and it would be helpful to read them to better understand the characters.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

I was so extremely excited to get the chance to read this ARC! I loved the first two books, and I LOVED Aleksi, so knowing this book had his perspective was just chef’s kiss. I really loved his voice - he was absolutely my favorite! However, the other two main characters were fantastic, and they won me over easily. This world is so deep and has so much lore, and I loved uncovering every detail. This was such a fantastic addition to the series, and I cannot wait to see what’s next!

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

The way this story immediately sucks you in is truly one of kind. You are thrown into the belly of the beast essentially. The way Kit tells a story is nothing shy of perfect and this was no exception.

Thank you to Montlake and Kit Rocha for providing me with this E-ARC in exchange for my review!

Daughter of Tides throws you straight into the heart of the story—no hand-holding, no gentle easing in. Within the first few chapters, I genuinely thought I had accidentally picked up the second book in a series. A quick dive into Kit Rocha’s other works revealed that while this isn’t technically a sequel, it’s set in a shared universe with previous books. Reading their summaries helped me get some much-needed context, but just a heads-up: if you’re new to this world, you might feel a little lost at first.

That said, as a high fantasy reader, I’m no stranger to being unceremoniously tossed into the deep end (I’m looking at you Brandon Sanderson). However, I can see how some readers might struggle with the first quarter of the book as that is mainly world building. But then we get to the politics and we start to see the yearning each of our 3 main characters have for each other and the story takes off from there. While you’ll likely spend a good chunk of time piecing things together, if you’re patient, the payoff is worth it.

The writing is absolutely gorgeous—almost lyrical. The storytelling feels epic, weaving in courtly drama, mythical intrigue, and just the right amount of tension. My only gripe? The synopsis spoils the main plot twist! I spent way too long confused about why Aleksi wasn’t sick at the beginning—only to realize that if I hadn’t known he was going to be, it would have been an absolutely insane plot twist!

Now, let’s talk romance. This is the definition of a slow burn. The first half is all about setting the stage, carefully building relationships and tension. But once you get past the halfway mark? Oh. My. Gods. The romance kicks in, the spice is immaculate. The dynamic between Aleksi, Einar, and Naia was everything. The yearning, the growing friendship, the respect that slowly blossoms into something more—it was beautifully done.

That said, the book as a whole feels like an extended prologue—laying the groundwork for what’s to come. Keep in mind that this book requires patience, but, if you love lush prose, intricate world-building, and a romance that makes you wait for it, you’re in for a treat.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

My review was posted on Goodreads on 3/18/25.
My Instagram review will be posted on 4/18/25.

This book takes place in an extremely interesting world however it clearly is a spin-off story and as a result I was a little lost and never quite found my footing. It definitely made me want to check out the original series.

We were introduced to the Sheltered Lands and the Empire in Ash, Sachi, and Zanya's books. We were given gods, dreamers, and a betrayal that rocked their world. The trio (along with the other gods) thwarted the Betrayer's plans, but things are still tense. Super tense. Like, diplomacy is needed at every turn and a quick escape is needed if the diplomacy fails.

Which is where Aleksi, Naia, and Einar come in. When Ash and his special someones need to help with a danger that has arisen elsewhere, the Lover, the Nymph, and the Kraken are tapped to continue the diplomatic mission in Gwynara's kingdom. That, as you might guess, comes with complications.

Aleksi is failing. He hides this from the other gods and most definitely from those traveling with him. Naia is new to the world and might not have a handle on the full breadth of her power (or so the others think). And Einar? Well, the big guy has secrets and those secrets might have secrets. Traveling to the island kingdom Gwynara rules is complicated for him on so many levels. After all, he has the secret he hasn't bother to share with the others regarding his connection to the island and he has so many feelings Naia invokes in him. Feelings which he isn't sure what to do with.

Which is where Aleksi comes in. Sort of. Aleksi has convinced himself playing matchmaker to these two is a worthy last task before he fades. Or whatever it is he's doing. So he sets them up and urges them together and somewhere along the way the two lovebirds start to see Aleksi in a different light. One that makes them protective and loving and NO ONE'S GOING TO TAKE HIM FROM THEM AS LONG AS THEY BOTH DRAW BREATH!

Oh, yeah. The Kraken and Nymph have feelings for one another AND for the Lover. And they're going to fight with everything inside them (of which there is much!) to keep him and their blooming relationship safe.

Hoo-BOY! I must admit these three are smoking hot and the world their moving through is amazing. I honestly can't wait to see where they go next!

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this initially, but I really enjoyed this book. It takes a minute to get into, but the heat it brings later on is worth it. The dynamics between the 3 MCs are fantastic and worth giving this a shot.

I love Kit Rocha books, and this one is no exception. It builds on the world from the Bound to Fire & Steel duology, so while it features new characters and relationship, new readers should run (not walk) to Consort of Fire and read that duology first. Daughter of Tides picks up where that duology ends in terms of the politics of the world, and is more *political intrigue* than the high-stakes of the previous duology. It's a softer, quieter story but no less entertaining. We get the kraken (Einar), a newly-born goddess (Naia), and the god of love (Aleski). Einar has secrets about his past he's holding onto, Naia is coming into her power and finding her place in the world, and Aleski is hiding problems with his powers. THINGS HAPPEN toward the end of the book that allow us to see the three as a trio . . . and make me need the next book asap.

RATING: 4.25/5 STARS

After reading this book, I'm excited to see more from Kit Rocha! I really enjoyed Consort of Fire, but Daughter of Tides topped that for me. Aleksi, Naia, and Einar had amazing chemistry and I loved seeing how their relationships developed then interconnected. The romantic buildup and spice were the highlight, but the worldbuilding and action were great too. Looks like this will be a series so I am very much anticipating the next one.

Aleksi, Naia, and Einar have been sent on a diplomatic mission to a remote island in the recently fallen empire to try to turn a former adversary into an ally. All three, as well as the island, are holding onto secrets that could make their mission and their budding relationship more complicated.

I felt like there was a lot of setup in this book, but I felt like the payoff at the end of the book was good, and I'm excited to read more about all the unanswered questions left at the end. I wasn't sure how a spin-off series could raise the stakes from Consort of Fire and Queen of Dreams, but I thought the reveals at the end of the book did a good job of achieving that.

something about kit rocha should be for me, but their books never quite feel enough. always so so close to that excellent point only to fall short. daughter of tides. for this one, it’s a chemistry and characterizarion issue: the polyamory here doesn’t work because i don’t believe any of the relationships involved here, so the romance falls flat. also, the beginning will be a little difficult for some readers, but the worldbuilding becomes easier to grasp.

Daughter of Tides is an adventurous, romance-driven fantasy with gods, magic, and political intrigue. The world is rich and immersive, though the beginning throws a lot of names and lore at you, making it a little tough to settle in. The pacing starts off slow, but once the stakes become clearer, the story picks up and becomes much more engaging.

The book follows Naia, a water nymph, who is sent on a diplomatic mission with Einar, a pirate feared as the Kraken, and Aleksei, the god of love. The attraction between Naia and Einar is immediate, but their emotional connection takes time to develop. Einar and Aleksei have history, which adds tension and depth to their growing relationship.

The romance is the heart of this story, sometimes overshadowing the action and political conflicts. While the worldbuilding and magic are intriguing, some aspects could have been explored more deeply. That said, if you’re looking for a romance-forward fantasy with strong chemistry and a unique take on mythology, this one delivers.

A solid read for fans of character-driven fantasy with plenty of heat and heart.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC.

With its sharp banter, sizzling chemistry, and an enchanting storyline, Daughter of the Tides is an absolute delight for fans of fantasy romance and adventure. Aleksi, the dying god of love, is as charismatic as he is tragic, and his matchmaking efforts between Einar the Kraken and Naia the water nymph add plenty of tension, humor, and heart. The dynamic between the trio is electric, making every interaction feel both playful and deeply emotional.
Beyond the romance, the book delivers high-stakes political intrigue, stunning world-building, and a journey through treacherous waters—both literal and emotional. The Ice Queen’s court is a fascinating setting, and as secrets unravel, the stakes only get higher.
If you love stories with witty dialogue, undeniable chemistry, and just the right mix of romance and danger, this is one you won’t want to miss!

Main themes:
- Polyamory
- Gods and goddesses
- Magic
- Pirates

This book explores a Greek mythology esque world of gods and goddesses based off of the ‘dream’ and the ‘void’. When I first started this book I didn’t realise it was part of a series as there was a good amount of world building to understand the magic system and world dynamics. However, I believe that reading the other books first would have made it an even easier read.
A large amount of this book is set on the MMC’s ship and in an ice palace ruled by a suspected antagonist. Although it isn’t a pirate based book the boat scenes have heavy pirate influences and remind me of books such as the Ever King.

The FMC is a water nymph and is a goddess with interesting water powers, whereas the MMC is a long lost price who takes the form of the Kraken.
The relationship between Naia and Einar intertwines with the Lover, the god of love and progresses into a polyamorous relationship.
This book involves a large amount of mature scenes and is heavily romance based, however, there is a good plot alongside this.