"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.

I really enjoyed this dark fantasy adventure. The prose is lush and the mystery was incredibly compelling. It felt like a darker “A Natural History of Dragons,” perfect for a fall rainy day read.

Dark academic sapphic enemies to lovers? Sign me up! I absolutely loved their dynamic! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an advanced reader copy!

I seem to be hitting “jackpot” with the books I’ve been reading lately, this one is no exception.
A dark academia novel with an immersive atmosphere, helps to set the scene. Add to this a few magical creatures, a sapphic romance and you’ve got the foundations of a superb novel to come.
I’ve not read any other books by this author but going off of this one, I definitely will be going forward.
Such a good story, so well thought through and executed. I’ll be recommending this book to everyone.

As soon as i saw the cover for this i knew it was something i wanted to read. I really enjoyed it however i did find that i wished it was adult instead of YA. Took me a very long time to read as i read it before bed which didnt help with the flow of my reading. Literally none of the characters are likeable except one and i do usually rely on loving the characters.

I will definitely give Alison Saft another read as this was fun a fun journey.

A Dark and Drowning Tide is an adult fantasy book featuring a group of talented people tasked by their king to find the source of magic, led by the impressive Zeigler. Lorelei, a folklorist who has had to deal with discrimination due to her heritage her entire life, is shocked when she, rather than the beloved and beautiful Sylvia, is selected to co-lead the expedition. She is horrified when, at the start of their journey, Zeigler is murdered. The suspects? The other five members of the team.

A Dark and Drowning Tide
By Allison Saft
3/5⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an eARC of this book. It was released on September 17th 2024.

I had a few difficulties with this book:
Firstly, the magic system and the world-building were just not explained well enough, a map at the start would certainly be useful. I will say that the various creatures the characters meet were very thought out, and therefore a great addition.
Secondly, the two intimate scenes between Sylvia and Lorelei seemed extremely out of place, unnecessary and strangely positioned within the plot.
Thirdly, I didn't feel connected to a single character. Particularly Ludwig, Heike and Adelheid seemed very two-dimensional to me.
Lastly, it felt as if this book couldn't decide if it was a murder mystery or not. Lorelei decides to try solve the mystery, but she barely uncovers any information or does anything productive towards it.

The characters were all very ambitious and mostly seemed to dislike each other, which was interesting.
Lorelei was a unique protagonist, though some of her retorts made me so exasperated. She was unnecessarily cruel to Sylvia through the first 60% of the book.
The fight scenes were pretty interesting to read about, and this book was definitely well-written, the style was lovely.

I don't have much else to say. This one didn't quite meet my expectations, unfortunately. I still recommend it to those of you who enjoy slow-burn romance, high fantasy worlds, and angry characters.

This is as poetic as it is beautiful.
I loved the way this story captivated me from the start, and held my attention all the way to the end.
The characters were fantastic, and the plot riveting.
A solid read.

For the fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries!
The writing was absolutely gorgeous. A dark academia, rivals to lovers, sapphic romance surrounded by magic and fantastical creatures.
The touch of mystery and investigation kept me on edge while also weaving a treasure seeking type of adventure. Saft manages to create a good balance between intrigue, characters and world building. A soft writing that matches perfectly the vibes of the book.
I need more books set in this world so I can travel with different characters and discover more about the universe Saft has created.
A solid four stars!

"A Dark and Drowning Tide, the latest work by Allison Saft, intrigued me from the moment it was announced, mainly due to the presence of folklore and gothic atmospheres. And it certainly didn’t disappoint me; in fact, I found it to be a beautiful read, perfect for the autumn season. But, there’s a ‘but’ (though a small one): I still prefer her previous work, *A Far Wilder Magic*. Let’s go in order, though!

*A Dark and Drowning Tide* is a standalone fantasy that features:
🍂 a sapphic relationship
🍂 grump x sunshine and academic rivals to lovers tropes
🍂 Jewish representation
🍂 Germanic folklore
🍂 but most of all, a slow pace and a heavily character-driven structure

And if you don’t appreciate this type of book, you might struggle with it, as the narrative is strongly focused on the characters, particularly on the relationship between Lorelai and Sylvie, while everything else takes a back seat. This is something that usually doesn’t bother me, especially when the characters are well-developed, as they are here. However, I must admit that in this book, I found the worldbuilding and the main plot—which revolves around a search and the resolution of a mystery—too much in the background, to the point of feeling vague and blurred.

Since the setting has a lot of potential, it's quite captivating, and the details on Germanic folklore only make it more enticing, I would have preferred a few more details to better outline this world and clarify certain aspects.
As for the characters, there’s little to criticize; they are very well-defined, complex, and nuanced, and I really enjoyed the relationship between Lorelai and Sylvie, as well as the well-crafted secondary characters.
However, I won’t deny that I had quite a hard time empathizing with Lorelai, whose perspective we mainly follow. She is a complex and difficult character—grumpy, distant, and prone to self-sabotage. It was tough to connect with her, but I still appreciated her growth and her relationship with Sylvie.

These are the two main reasons why I still prefer her previous book, *A Far Wilder Magic*, even though the setting and story are also somewhat secondary there due to it being a heavily character-driven book. But, of course, this is just my personal preference.
For me, this book was still an excellent read; I found it very compelling despite its flaws. However, it is especially suited for those looking for a book that takes its time, not so much to build the setting and plot, but to develop its characters. So, if you’re looking for action, confrontations, and intrigue with a fast-paced rhythm, this may not be the book for you. But if you’re after something cozier, perhaps with gothic atmospheres and a very slow pace… where it feels like nothing much is happening, then this might just be the book for you."