This book is full of moody atmospheric tension. It is everything I wanted and more. A true rivals-to-lovers story where the plot and romance are both strong and could stand on their own. Any book by Allison Saft is turning into an immediate buy for me.

Loved the writing style and the dark and gothic vibes. The book was interesting and had a lot of potential, but I just didn’t land for me. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood or maybe I’ll try to read it again another day. However, I see this book as something that others will love.

i wanted to like this so much, but i think it's so odd that the romance was forbidden because of racism and colonialism, basically. maybe if the topic had been handled well i would've liked it more, but as it stands, i did not. on top of that, the beginning was so slow and clunky because of the info dumping,

I enjoyed the poetic writing but something about this story kept having me drift off while reading. The atmosphere and the vibes were there but there was just something that was missing. I think I just had a hard time connecting with the characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Daphne Press for providing me with an e-arc
3.5 stars

I sincerely apologize--I thought I had already reviewed A DARK AND DROWNING TIDE! I adored this book, its world, its romance, and will gladly read anything Allison Saft pens for the rest of my days.

The ending felt very rushed and weakened the story from my point of view. I understand the people saying this could have been a duology. The last chapter covers several months and several serious issues. Like we just glossed over a civil war? What?
Shockingly, the romance is what pulled my rating down. I loved the fantasy setting/ world-building and was enthralled in the plot/mystery. Lorelei was terribly unlikeable but also such a fantastic character. She sucks, but also I would defend her against her haters. Her longing and yearning was beautifully done but then I felt like it all resolved so fast. I love that Sylvia loved her for who she is, but I expected to get more character growth from her. I feel like she was the same at the end and didn't really grow. I also just don't buy that they could actually be together long term.
It's not a bad thing to want more from the story and the world because it's so well done, but it frustrating feeling like I was robbed of an actual ending.

Allison Saft is a master at characters writing. I have never felt more at home in a character than I have in their books, and ADADT is no exception. Lorelei and Sylvia are both incredible characters and, without getting into spoilers, are the perfect choices for the reader to follow through the narrative- the suspicious and reviled outcast & the entitled and favored “princess.”

I’ve loved everything written by Allison Saft so it should be no surprise that this is also 5 stars for me. Thank you to Netgalley & the Publisher for this ARC even though I’m super late.

I fear my rating of the book is partially due to user error... I initially went into this thinking this was going to be a queer, gothic, fantasy -- only 2 of the 3 thoughts I had about this book actually came true. I spent most of this book wondering when the gothic part was going to show up. My apologies.

I thought the world was a fun time to be in, and I really enjoyed reading more about the world and discovering it as the book progressed. The characters on their own had a lot of depth and had a lot of fun following them through this story. The writing was gorgeous and I could get lost in Allion Saft's writing all day long.

My biggest issue with the book was that it didn't feel as balanced of a story as I had hoped. I felt like there was a lot going on for a standalone: the murder mystery, the romance, the political aspects. It made it a little hard to follow. The romance also felt lackluster. I really couldn't see the chemistry.

Overall, I think if I had gone into it not thinking it was one thing when it really was another, I probably would have given it a higher rating.

An excellent recommendation for readers looking for more dark academia books. Saft definitely knew her demographic when she wrote this Sapphic fantasy; it hits all the major dark academia, rivals falling in love tropes that have been popularized via Booktok. That being said, she definitely puts her own spin on it and it's an enjoyable read.

I tried to read this twice but I could not get a good grasp on the world so I was very lost. Unfortunately not a book for me but the cover is stunning!

This was a fun mystery. It felt like a Sapphic gothic emily wilde almost. I enjoyed the atmosphere. The store droned on a bit 75% through. I think i lost track of who the actual culprit was. Cute HEA though.

A Dark and Drowning Tide was a hazy, dreamlike adventure with a striking voice and cast. The wold building done is phenomenal and enticed me, and the further into the story I got, the more I found myself enraptured by Sylvia and Lorelei’s ongoing dynamic. I did find myself struggling to maintain a hunger for it through its second act, but I am so, SO thankful I did. The way this story fleshes out and concludes was so fulfilling in a way I did not expect from it. Overall, I liked the book— the evocative line-level writing and its characters most of all— but found trouble at times with the pacing. Nonetheless, I look forward to seeing what Allison Saft has in store in the future!

Unfortunately, I couldn’t bring myself to finish this book because I just couldn’t connect with the characters or the world-building. Right from the start, the heavy info-dumping made it hard to get into the story, leaving me feeling lost. The characters also lacked depth, making it difficult to stay engaged. I gave it multiple chances, hoping it would eventually draw me in, but the storyline never managed to hold my interest enough to keep going. While this book might resonate with other readers, it simply wasn’t for me.

I think this might just be my favorite Allison Saft book so far! This was everything it was promised to be–dark, atmospheric, beautifully written, suspenseful, and full of slow-burn yearning and angst. THIS is how academic-rivals-to-lovers should be done! This is a fantasy romance where the plot and romance could both stand completely on their own.

A wonderful fantasy novel brimming with mystery, folklore, and a slow-burning sapphic romance. The novel follows Lorelei Kaskel, a sharp-witted folklorist, as she joins an expedition in search of a legendary spring—only for a murder to derail their journey. I really enjoy Saft’s style of writing; enchanting and haunting.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Del Rey for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️: 4.25 / 5

Publication Date: September 17, 2024

I want to thank Daphne Press and Net Galley for allowing me to get an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Some of the coolest aspects of this story, was the German setting for this fairytale-esque story. I thought including a character with a Jewish background and the prejudices she faces was well done. Additionally, the building tension to the final reveal was done exquisitely.

As for my reservations, I found some of the reveals and motivations to be hard to believe. Along those lines as well, I wish there had been more development of some of the characters that would later become pivotal to the grand ending. The pacing also could have been better, in the sense that when a moment would build to an exciting reveal there would be a

Overall I liked this book! The yearning of our FMC for one of her rivals was palpable.

Would recommend for those who are fans of
- Linear timelines
- German setting
- Sapphic
- Fable inspired

⚠️ violence

I was given this arc for and honest review. I absolutely loved the the prose of this book going into it, but the attitude of the MFC had me struggling with the likability of the whole story. I loved the magic system, world building and creature lore but I really struggled with the MFC and that will typically be a defining feature in if I continue a book. The creature lore was my favorite thing.

I love this author with my entire soul, so getting approved was amazing, but it took me a while to read this because I would get confused from the language being used. But nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

This was stupendous, full of folklore, competition, academia and adventure, this is exactly what I’ve been craving from Allison Saft ever since I started reading her books. (All of which I’ve absolutely loved)!
The book peaked my curiosity alone with its cover and blurb and I was hooked immediately from the first chapter. The addition of the murder mystery and the competitiveness, yearning and chemistry shared between Lorelai and Sylvia was what kept me engaged and thirsting for more. They were both brimming with fire and I was rooting for them so much.
This book was imaginative, engaging and immersive, something I get from every single Allison Saft book. This was wonderful.

A Dark and Drowning Tide is an entirely correct marriage of all the best bits of what is newest and most popular in the genre(s) today - we're talking dark, sapphic, unbridled ambition in the face of systemic oppression, a fun magic system rooted deeply in folklore - keep it coming and keep it interesting!