A Dark and Drowning Tide

A Novel

By: Allison Saft

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A sharp-tongued folklorist must pair up with her academic rival to solve their mentor’s murder in this lush and enthralling sapphic fantasy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic.

“Clever, emotional, and gorgeous—at its core, this is a story about the healing capacity of love.”—Ava Reid, author of Juniper & Thorn

Lorelei Kaskel, a folklorist with a quick temper and an even quicker wit, is on an expedition with six eccentric nobles in search of a fabled spring. The magical spring promises untold power, which the king wants to harness in order to secure his reign over the embattled country of Brunnestaad. Lorelei is determined to use this opportunity to prove herself and make her wildest, most impossible dream come true: to become a naturalist, able to travel freely to lands she’s only read about.

The expedition gets off to a harrowing start when its leader—Lorelei’s beloved mentor—is murdered in her quarters aboard their ship. The suspects are the five remaining expedition mates, each with their own motive. The only person Lorelei knows must be innocent is her longtime academic rival, the insufferably gallant and maddeningly beautiful Sylvia von Wolff. Now in charge of the expedition, Lorelei must find the spring before the murderer strikes again—and a coup begins in earnest.

But there are other dangers lurking in the dark: forests that rearrange themselves at night, rivers with slumbering dragons hiding beneath the water, and shapeshifting beasts out for blood.

As Lorelei and Sylvia grudgingly work together to uncover the truth—and resist their growing feelings for each other—they discover that their leader had secrets of her own. Secrets that make Lorelei question whether justice is worth pursuing, and if this kingdom is worth saving at all.

©2024 Allison Saft (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Richly imagined and as bewitching as a naiad’s song, A Dark and Drowning Tide deftly weaves romance with powerful indictments of the fetid, nationalistic roots of our favorite fairy tales. But for each prick of a prejudicial thorn, Saft offers her readers a balm—at its core, this is a story about the healing capacity of love. Clever, emotional, and gorgeous.”—Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Juniper & Thorn

“A Dark and Drowning Tide is an elegantly crafted triumph. Allison Saft’s sumptuous prose joins forces with her delightfully clever worldbuilding to blow us all away with this atmospheric fantasy steeped in rich lore, gripping intrigue, and simmering romantic tension. Definitely one of my favorite reads ever!”—Thea Guanzon, USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars

“Haunting and bewitchingly romantic, A Dark and Drowning Tide deftly twines mystery and lore and adventure. Protagonists Lorelei and Sylvia illuminate their surrounding gloom and will sweep you clean off your feet. I loved every page.”—Rachel Gillig, New York Times bestselling author of One Dark Window

Good Story

I liked the story overall - however, I found the first part very slow and the last bit seemed rushed. It was beautifully written and the gorgeous cover definitely made me pick this up.

Written Beautifully

While this story was a bit…. Uneventful, it was written so stunningly! I will definitely try more by this author

Holy crap

Amazing. I haven’t been hooked into a book as much as this one in a long time. Nothing was predictable and I was at the edge of my seat the entire time

a refreshing stand-alone story

i enjoyed the story but most of all the characters they felt refreshing and interesting but most of all real it made me wish for a second book just to see them interact again

lesbians can never be normal about anything

god this book took me out. i am HEARTBROKEN. sylvia von wolff i LOVE YOU

The Book Cover Is Very Beautiful!

The cover clearly drew me in. The fantasy folklore and queer representation was there. The author and narrator are very talented, I wished it had been a bit longer with more world building throughout. That’s why I’m giving it a 4 out of 5. Overall it’s a great book!

Good story, meh characters

I wanted to like this book so bad! I love the creatures and world building, but I wanted to murder all the characters. They relied too heavily on classic tropes, and the main character made me want to scream. We get it! You’re mad, bitter and pissy! Woohoo! She doesn’t even try to be a decent human she’s just mean and crabby the whole damn time! I just couldn’t.

A beautiful gay story

The characters were so 3 dimensional, they had their own motives and personalities you could really get to know. It was so beautifully written that it became atmospheric and enveloping as if you were there in the fog, the rain, and could see the pain, guilt and love the characters displayed. It was love and not lust. A yearning for a heart to be seen, acknowledged and heard. It was a tale that took folklore and wove it into a beautiful tapestry of a new narrative that skilfully interwove the past with the present that showed you a future you desired to be a part of.

Absolutely stunning

A fantastic story with a fascinating magic system and all too familiar social problems, especially for the main character. The world building is well done and intertwined with the character development in a way that makes you almost not notice it happening. Highly recommended!

Adventure, Magic, Love

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft in exchange for an honest review. What a beautiful adventure and love story. There is a quest for water that imbues power, a treasonous plot to overthrow the king, and enemies finding the chance for love. I really enjoyed this book.