Upon a Starlit Tide

By: Kell Woods

Narrated by: Esther Wane

Upon a Starlit Tide is a dark and enchanting historical fantasy combining elements of "The Little Mermaid" and "Cinderella" into a wholly original tale of love, power, and betrayal.

Saint-Malo, Brittany, 1758. To Lucinde Leon, the youngest daughter of a wealthy French shipowner, the high walls of Saint-Malo are more hindrance than haven.

While her sisters are busy trying to secure advantageous marriages, Luce spends her days secretly being taught to sail by Samuel, her best friend—and an English smuggler. Only he understands how the waves call to her. Then one stormy morning, Luce rescues a drowning man from the sea.

Immediately drawn in by the stranger’s charm, Luce is plunged into a world of glittering balls and faerie magic, seduction and brutality. Secrets that have long been lost in the shadowy depths of the ocean begin to rise to the surface, but as Luce wrestles with warring desires, she finds that her own power is growing brighter and brighter, shining like a sea-glass slipper.

Or the scales of a sea-maid's tail.

"Magnificent. This is a must-read!”—Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Sevenwaters and Blackthorn & Grim series

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

©2025 Kell Woods (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“A magnificent blend of reimagined fairytale and epic adventure, anchored by excellent research and buoyed by brilliant writing. This is a must-read!”—Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Sevenwaters and Blackthorn & Grim series

"Upon a Starlit Tide is an enchanting read, as rich with historical detail as it is with magic, with surprising beings around every corner and a sea-foundling with a grand, dark secret. The novel mines the material of fairy tales in a unique and delightful way that fantasy fans will love."—Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

“A dark and enchanting twist on two fairy tales in one, Upon a Starlit Tide will draw you into its depths from the very first page.”—Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Weaver and the Witch Queen

Wow!

Best mermaid book I’ve ever read. And one of my favorite books in general to boot.

Great story, disliked the narration

It’s a shame really, I listened to at least the first 2/3rds on audio and the narrator did a huge disservice to the story. She made the main character sound small and frail and insecure and the male characters sound like 60 year old pipe smoking seamen instead of characters in their 20-somethings. I didn’t even realize how much the narration was distorting my opinion of the story until I finally gave up listening and read the hardcopy for the last 1/3rd - I wish I had read the entire novel.

I was, however, surprised by how wonderful the story itself was! Being described as a combination of sorts of Cinderella and the little mermaid but darker, I was wondering what aspects would be woven in and honestly I thought it was done very well. It was completely its own story, and the story was beautiful and poetic. I loved the setting and the description of the seaside city & the subtle magic. I figured out a huge plot point fairly early on, but it was made so obvious I almost wonder if you weren’t supposed to and still left me wanting to know how it tied in, so I wasn’t disappointed as it all unfolded.

Highly recommend the BOOK.

Perfect book to welcome spring

Mermaids, magic, fey, betrayal, love and family. A wonderful blending of cinderella and the little mermaid mixed with a historic setting that leaves you wistful and awed. Perfect book to welcome in the melting of winter.

Phenomenal

This is such a great story! A wonderful new telling of the little mermaid with hints of Cinderella. I would listen to this again and again! Hopefully there's a sequel or a similar sotry!

Happily surprised

I read a LOT and I'm a harsh critic. I didn't expect this book to be as good as it is! Engaging story of dark(ish) fantasy with characters you immediately like—or dislike. I lost 3 hours of sleep last night listening to it to finish it in the wee hours. I'll be recommending this one to everyone I know. Give us more, Kell Woods!

romance ruined it

great story concept and good writing except for the constant interruption describing shirtless men. female MC is inconsistent in her knowledge about ships and nautical terminology