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.

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 captivating fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world filled with magic, mystery, and strong emotions. Allison Saft does an excellent job of creating a rich, atmospheric setting that draws you in from the very first page. The characters are well-developed, each with their own struggles and desires, making them relatable and engaging. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery and the exploration of complex relationships add depth to the narrative.

One of the thing I loved about the book was the lore, the ability to balance dark themes with moments of light and hope keeps the story dynamic and engaging. The book addresses important themes such as identity and the consequences of certain decisions, without leaving aside the fantastic love story between the characters.

I could say that I found certain parts of the plot a bit slow and complex to understand, which could lead to moments of impatience as the story builds towards its climax but overall, A Dark and Drowning Tide is a beautifully written tale that combines fantasy with emotional depth, making it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.

What to expect?
✅Dark Academia
✅Friends to lovers
✅Found family
✅Magical elements
✅Identity exploration
✅Forbidden romance

Have to start by saying that this book was everything I wanted and didn't know. Every single setting was so beautiful, magical and mystical, from the trees to the little creatures. I felt that every character got what they deserved (except Ludwig) and even though I liked the finale, I wish it had been a little different.

This was a bit of a slow read for me. I found it interesting and intriguing but it just didn’t grab me like the other book I read of hers.

I loved the slow burn romance in this and how Lorelei is so blind to it all. Definitely an enemies to lovers. I loved how this was more of an academic/quest feel.

It was a bit of a murder mystery! And it had some big twists in it.

I read most of this book in one sitting! I enjoyed the murder mystery concept that layered on top of a fantasy adventure story. Lorilei was a good main character - I enjoyed her voice and her struggles, and her real life parallel experiences. Lorilei and Sylvia’s relationship is super sweet - very grumpy meets sunshine trope! Saft’s writing is smooth and easy to read, and you are easily carried away in her tale.

I love Alison Saft's writing style, and A Dark an Drowning Tide did not disappoint. Rich and lush in its prose, the dark academia backdrop, and the sapphic slow burn? perfection.