This was good! There's an intriguing mystery, wonderful characters, some cool twists, and an interesting world and magic system. It just needed to be 100 pages less for me.

I love fantasy as much as the next person, but this is the rare book that took me almost a month to finish because reader fatigue set in often and I had to take several days-long breaks. The magic system, as cool as it is based on the moon phases, is too complex for it's own good. There are a LOT of pieces to it with different magics and rules and gods--even flowers--associated with each moon phase, along with two different backstories, and I really struggled to keep up without referring to the cheat sheet every chapter.

I would be interested in reading more in the series, but I think I'd prefer to wait until all three are out before jumping back in.

When Emory survives a tragedy that kills 8 other students it is just the beginning of her story. Through the trials of a magic college, joining a secret society and all of her beliefs being challenged, Emory tries to solve the mystery of the tragedy that occurred the year before. She follows the trail of her best friend, one of the missing teens from the accident she survived and enlists the help of her friends brother: Sebastian. Honestly this book was amazing from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what was going to happen. Every character had my heart from the beginning and the story within a story is one of the coolest things to be done in writing. If you want dark academia, magic, realistic relationships or just amazing writing, pick up Curious Tides now!

Dark academia and magic in a fantastical world is a brilliant mix, most of the time.

While i enjoyed the beginning and the ending, I admit that the middle was labour intensive and I skipped a large chunk of the middle which is rather unfortunate and not my typically reading style. It felt long and long-winded, yet I know there are some great bones to the novel.

I really wanted to love this one but unfortunately it was just too heavy on the info dumping. I really loved the concept of the story but it just felt weighted down

The perfect read for dark academia lovers, Curious Tides is a beautifully written book. I absolutely fell in love with Pascale’s captivating writing, the characters (especially Baz!) and the way they developed over time, and the world building + magic system. I’ve always been intrigued by the moon and a magic system that revolves around it in such a unique way was so wonderful to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy because it will draw you in and leave you wanting more

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for an e-ARC of Curious Tides in exchange for an honest review.

Aldryn College is a magical school in which students are divided into clans based on the moon cycle in which they are born, which gives them specific powers. Emory is a healer, but after a strange night in the caves outside of the school, she seems to procure more magic abilities than she should have, and several of her classmates die or disappear while this happens. We also follow Baz who is more involved with dark magic, and his sister is one of the students lost on that mysterious night.

Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me. I almost DNFed it because I would fall asleep every time I tried to read it. That’s why it took me three months to read. I was expecting a fun, quick fantasy jaunt as it is YA, but all of the action in the book was at the beginning and the end. So, about 300 pages of not a whole lot happening.

Luckily, I had a bout of not being able to sleep last week, and I finished it off! The beginning and the end were fantastic! I read through the last 80 pages super quickly, and when I first started the book, I was intrigued and excited to find a new fantasy YA author!

The magic system is well thought out, and I enjoyed this aspect and the world-building. Most of the characters were just okay, except for Baz, who I was rooting for.

I won’t be continuing with this series, unfortunately. Still, if you are a fan of world-building and dark academia, you will probably enjoy it!

I really loved the story itself, and the character relationships, pulled off so well. The magic is done really well, and I love the connection to the moon as a conduit of power, beautiful. Can't wait for the next installments (since it's supposed to be a trilogy now!!)

*Not giving a proper review because I had a lot of trouble with the file. Kept having to restart and it just got too confusing. I do want to read it at some point, so I will go back to it! 3 stars for fairness.

Instagram and goodreads linked!

3.5 stars

I wanted to love this one so much and I had such high hopes for it, but it unfortunately just fell kind of flat for me. I found myself not really wanting to pick it up and I was skimming parts near the end. I feel like it definitely didn’t need to be as long as it was. I felt like the first 80% of the book was just kind of rehashing the same things over and over.

I would still recommend this one to fans of fantasy and dark academia. I’d say if you liked Ninth House then maybe give this one a go!

It had been a while since I picked a fantasy book. Thrillers and Romance have become my go-to lately. But when I was offered the opportunity to read Curious Tides by @pascalelacelle I couldn’t pass it up. I’m so glad I took the time to dive into this brand new world. Some books just have the propensity to be big and I truly feel like this could be one of them.

The Good:
I think I’d given up on YA fantasy for a while because they were all starting to feel the same, this however felt like something new, right from the get-go! The world building was absolutely beautiful. I felt like this was a world I could imagine and even be a part of. It was a unique take to build a world around moon phases and specific abilities associated to those phases. The characters were complex and relatable. I really started to care for them and what happened to them. This was a book I did not want to put down.

The Bad:
While I loved the complexity of the world with the moon phases and abilities, sometimes it was hard to keep it straight, especially on a e-reader. I wish I’d had a physical copy to be able to flip back to the front pages that explained them all. That’s it, a simple fix and my recommendation if (when) you pick this one up. Grab a physical copy!

The Mentionable:
Like all books there are trigger warnings to be aware of:
Death of loved ones (parent, siblings, friends), knife death, explosions, blood, grief, anxiety, depression, self harm, blood letting, elitism, nightmares, alcohol use, magical substance abuse, magical asylum/prison, torture, branding, and body horror.

If you can get past the trigger warnings this is definitely a book that you should check out.

Thank you to @simonschusterca for the gifted eArc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Curious Tides is a fantastically immersive YA dark academia/fantasy written by Canadian Author Pascale Lacelle. Set mostly in Aldryn College for Lunar Magics, the storyline follows the lives of Aldryn students Emory and Baz using alternating third-person PoV.

Lacelle has created a world where magic is influenced by the phases of the moon and where characters are put to the test to uncover the mystery surrounding the deaths of Emory's classmates.

Curious Tides is intricately woven with in-depth world-building that creates a riveting experience for YA readers and beyond.

Kind thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of Curious Tides in exchange for an honest review.

Love love love, I love dark academia I love magic I love mysteries so there was no shock that I enjoyed this book. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel and will happily read anything the authour writes

This definitely wasn't my favourite fantasy read - but it held a lot of potential. I struggled to stay interested amidst all the world building and felt like some plot points could have definitely been condensed. Overall it had an interesting premise and I feel like a lot of people will enjoy it - it just wasn't quite for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for allowing me to read this in advance of it's release in exchange for an honest review.

🔊ANNOUNCEMENT: Curious Tides is THE dark academia book of 2023 🔊

Emory is a student at Aldryn College training to hone her skills as a Healer before her world turns upside down; a single evening in the Dovermere Caves leaves her the only survivor of 9 students who risk their lives in a deadly ritual. Among them was her best friend Romie, and as she struggles through her immense grief, Emory discovers she has new inexplicable powers that she can’t control. Romie’s brother Baz agrees to help her, and together they try to uncover the secrets of the cave, and the myths that have lured students to their untimely demise for decades.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Lacelle’s writing is stellar and thoughtful; she has built a distinct and robust magical system and imagined a world that is all at once whimsical, gritty, and cut throat. Told between Emory and Baz, the lore of the world unfolds as they make their discoveries at Aldryn College and the surrounding area, while the plot moves at an adrenaline-pumping pace. When their journeys split, the way their experiences overlap and ultimately converge is just done so brilliantly and cinematically.

One of the highlights for me are the relationships between the characters, and how they fiercely maintain loyalty and love regardless of what happens between them. The way both Emory and Baz think about their friends is also nothing short of romantic as they describe their loved ones as more bright-eyed than the stars with voices like midnight. And while it’s secondary to the main plot of the novel, there is romance that’s all at once sweeping and confusing and messy and duplicitous, as all young love is in a fantasy realm.

Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada and NetGalley for this e-ARC!

I had to put this book on hold but I will come back to it when I’m in my fantasy mood again as it’s super captivating :)

'Curious Tides' was an all-consuming experience. The lush world-building and the intricate explanations of the spellbinding magic system are like a portal to another reality. You'll be strolling alongside the characters, questioning the very foundations that have bound their magical abilities for so long.

The story unfurls from the perspectives of Emory and Baz, childhood friends turned estranged souls. They've always felt like small players in a grand magical scheme. But when Emory discovers the colossal power of her own magic, their lives take a captivating turn. Watching these characters come into their own and embrace the depths of their magic is an exquisite journey.

Romance flickers in the background, but it's overshadowed by long-lost friendship, haunting loss, secret societies, and a diabolical plot to reshape the magic system. The perfect dark academia read.

When it comes to pacing, the story takes its sweet time, especially in the first half, allowing you to soak in the lunar magic, get to know the characters, and unravel the secrets behind the student drownings at the college. There isn't a lot of info-dumping, which was great!

The last bit of the book is a rollercoaster. The mystery crescendos, major players are revealed, and the twists are wild!

I'm eagerly awaiting the next book, hoping to explore even more of this fascinating world!

Big thanks to Netgalley and the Pascale Lacelle (who is from right here, in Ottawa!!) for the ARC of Curious Tides.

The details on the pages of this book are absolutely stunning!

Emory is attending the college of Lunar Magics, and wakes on the beach a lone survivor surrounded by her classmates bodies after a terrible night in the sea caves. Now she has strange new powers that she shouldn't have. She must learn to control them while figuring out what happened that night in the sea caves, and who is behind her classmates deaths.

This is your perfect Fall dark academia novel! I'm sure you've seen lots of hype about this novel like I did, and I was not disappointed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle is a stunning YA/crossover dark academia debut told from the dual POV of Baz and Emory, two students at Aldryn College for Lunar Magics who must work together to uncover the truth behind the mysterious deaths of their classmates and the cult-like secret society that may have had something to do with them.

I knew I had to read this book as soon as I saw what it was about. Dark academia, murder mystery by the sea, secret societies, lunar magic. It was everything I’ve ever wanted in a book, and it didn’t let me down!

The magic system was really cool. Magic based on moon phases and tide levels. Science being used to manipulate magic. Limitations and very real consequences of losing control of that magic. At times it felt like a lot of information being given at once, but it got easier to remember as time went on since things were repeated more than once.

There were several heavy themes explored throughout the book. Death, grief, and loss was a big one, and I feel that the author did a great job touching on this from multiple perspectives. The loss of a friend, a sibling, a parent, a child, a student, a classmate, or an acquaintance. Different types of grief: mourning the death of a loved one, grieving the “death” of someone as you once knew them, or feeling the pain of missing someone you never had in your life to begin with. Survivor’s guilt, anger, blame, and the morbid fascination people have with death and tragedies.

Another important recurring theme was the prejudice against people born with certain magical alignments. There was a strong sense of “othering” even when those around them weren’t behaving in an outwardly hostile or discriminatory way. This is unfortunately a common theme in our world as well, and probably a relatable experience for many readers. Because students get the sigils of their lunar Houses tattooed on their wrists, these people are essentially branded as outcasts (their sigil is even tattooed onto their left wrist instead of their right wrist like every other House). But even excepting those born with the rarest and most “undesirable” alignment, there is a clear unspoken hierarchy and elitist attitude that changes the way people are treated and the opportunities they are given, such as better jobs and educational opportunities. In fact, if your alignment is not deemed desirable or useful, you may not be able to get a magical career at all.

I did not feel a strong sense of attachment towards either of the main characters, nor did I find them particularly likeable (Emory especially), but I still found myself invested in their character development and seeing the results of their often poor decisions. Emory struggles with a complete lack of self-worth and feelings of never being good enough, especially compared to her incredibly talented, likeable and confident best friend Romie, who she is envious of even after her death. I found Baz (who happens to be Romie’s brother) much more relatable. He just wants to stay home, drink coffee and read books, but keeps getting pulled into trouble by Emory and is seeking answers himself, for his sister and friend/former roommate. My favourite character was one of the side characters, who it seems may have a greater role to play in future story events, so I am excited to see how that will play out in the sequel.

My favourite part of Curious Tides was the beautiful and magical world that this story took place in. I could practically hear the waves start crashing around me every time I picked up the book. It was as dark and atmospheric as I hoped it would be! It is filled with beautiful prose and vivid, enchanting descriptions. From the dark and dreary caves to the cozy, lived-in commons to the starry, otherworldly dreamscape. Gorgeous libraries with vine-covered shelves, magical lanterns, blankets and hot cocoa carts. Candlelit parties at abandoned lighthouses with opulent food and drinks. After reading Curious Tides, I feel like I’ve been to each of the places I read about.
“Because this book is magic. It’s like a portal, you see. It lets you step into other worlds and exist there for a time.” - Curious Tides, Pascale Lacelle
I can’t wait to go back.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the arc in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle drew me in from the very beginning. Emory wakes up in a cave, bodies floating all around her, her friend Romie among them. Somehow she survives and she doesn’t know how. I really enjoyed the mysterious setting of Aldryn College for Lunar Magics and the houses based on the phases of the moon, especially the House of Eclipse and the powers each student is born with. Emory is a healer, or so she thought. After waking up in the cave, she discovers that she possesses new powers that she must learn how to harness and control. The dual narrative between Emory and Baz provides an opportunity for the reader to learn more about the world of the Tides as they help each other harness and explore their powers. Baz being an Eclipse means he possesses many powers. There is a pull as strong as the Tides between them.

This book centres around the power of books and the myths and legends they contain and how the quest for power can corrupt. Secret societies, missing story pages, mourning, and belonging come together within the school and with its students. Although parts of the story were predictable, I found myself rooting for Emory and Baz to find common ground and work together. The concept of collapsing and the characters being institutionalized was interesting and I hope we continue to learn more about the secrets within. I look forward to reading the second book in this duology to see what happens to our main characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A highly atmospheric read; we feel the sea brine, the mystery in the air and the slightly oppressive atmosphere throughout the book.

It is not my usual type of story; the relationships between the characters are more flawed than my usual preference, but the writing and the plot are so well done that I can’t give it less than 4 stars.

The character are flawed young adults, sometime so relatable in their flaws and insecurities that it made me uncomfortable. Their flaws have a huge impact on the story which is told in the third person point of view of our two main characters: Baz and Emory.

There is some romance, but it’s not exactly the swoony kind. It’s as flawed as the characters and not the main focus at all.

Perfect for fan of the Scholomance series by Naomi Novak and of the Atlas Six by Olivia Blake.

While being marketed for YA and being perfect for that age group, it’s also sufficiently complex and mature to please other reader group.

Lots of LGTQ+ representation.