Imagine a dark and ominous world that’s filled with magic and magical creatures, rich in folklore, and has very human political and social conflicts and prejudices. A Dark and Drowning Tide follows a group of researchers on an expedition throughout this world to search for the Urspring, the source of magic. The book is part adventure story, part dark-fantasy, part murder mystery, and part slow-burn love story.
The first element that really stood out to me was the worldbuilding. There is so much packed into this little story. First and foremost is the magic, the folklore, and the wildeleute. All the depictions of magic/magical creatures in this book are vivid. This is also balanced out by the human social and political situation in the book. The story definitely focuses on certain groups of people and regions more than others, but the reader leaves with what feels like a complete understanding of this complex world. I think focusing on the human concerns makes this world feel real, despite being surrounded by fantastical ideas and creatures.
The second element that I want to address is the romance. This book simultaneously holds the romance back and throws it in your face. It’s almost funny because anyone paying attention knows very quickly that there is romantic tension between Lorelei and Sylvia, despite the fact that the book doesn’t acknowledge it until over halfway through the book. It is one of the driving forces of the story (and the reader’s interest in it) but also something that exists almost entirely in Lorelei’s annoyed internal monologue. I loved it.
In conclusion, I enjoyed this book very much, and I absolutely recommend it. I can see how it might be a little foreboding for people not interested in dark fantasy that definitely borders on horror in a few places. I happen to enjoy this genre, so perhaps I’m biased, but I think this book is worth reading, even if you’re a little hesitant.

I received an advanced copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft has swept me away to sea and I am afraid I will never read a grander, more romantic adventure. A twisted fantasy novel set in dark academia follows Lorelei, a folklorist, part of the socially ostracized group called Yeva, has managed to find herself on the team of specialists, who also happen to be childhood best friends, spearheaded by her mentor setting out to find the mystical source of all magic, the Ursprung. They are working for King Wilhelm who is tenuously holding onto power in the Kingdom of Brunnestaad. All those on the expedition have their futures in the hands of this man, bent on power in pursuit of eternal unity. However, when someone ends up dead within the first hours of the expedition, Lorelei must shed her hardened armor to form an alliance with her academic rival, Sylvia. She needs someone she can trust as they pursue both the murderer and the Ursprung. Can Lorelei and Sylvia put aside the vast canyon of their differences to accomplish both tasks and save both their lives? Will Lorelei be able to finally make peace with the ghosts of her past?

A Dark and Drowning Tide is a sapphic rivals-to-lovers, slow burn fantasy. While the romance is a huge part of the novel, it runs like an undercurrent that never overtakes the story, only bolsters it. Beautifully woven with some of the most stunning and romantic scenes I have ever read, this story was expertly paced. Every part of the story was allowed to breathe. I found myself eagerly awaiting picking it up to see what would happen next. Saft’s words were heartbreaking, romantic, and devastatingly poetic. I have never highlighted more in a book. From an intimate hairbrushing scene to an incredible, breathtaking ride upon mystical horses, Saft has us experiencing everything from Lorelei’s third person perspective in such a stunning way. The clear references to antisemitism are displayed through the experiences of the Yeva. They live in the Yevanverte, which are essentially ghettos, are seen as vipers & rats in society, and are sneered at when mixing within the Kingdom. From the beginning we understand that Lorelei is an outcast, unwelcome not only at the university, but in the kingdom altogether. Her only saving grace is her mentor Ingrid Ziegler who has made a name for herself and vouched for Lorelei’s excellence. Seeing things through the third person allows us to see that a lot of Lorelei’s assumptions about the people around her are as tenuous as the opinions others have about her, none more than her assumptions about Sylvia. Sylvia is utterly charming, beautiful, and smart. Lorelei seems to despise everything she is and everything she represents. Sylvia has spent her career on expeditions to explore and interact with the wildleute, or mythical creatures. Her interactions with the mystical creatures mirror, charmingly enough, Steve Irwin’s. She risks everything while attempting to appreciate each creature for its own beauty and what it has to offer the world. Endearingly, Sylvia extends this optimism to all in her life, often to her detriment. As Lorelei says, she has no self-preservation. This optimism and ability to see the beauty in the world is ultimately extended to Lorelei in some of the most incredibly tender ways. Because we only get Lorelei’s self-deprecating view of herself, it is stunning to see the way Sylvia reveals Lorelei’s true nature throughout the story. All romance is mild and anything explicit takes place off page. The book takes us through water, land, mountain, and island adventures. Ultimately leading us to the third act. Here we are gifted with the most visually stunning epic battles. Each scene was so utterly vivid that I could picture everything as if it were playing on a large screen. This book will surely be on my list of best books of 2024! If you're looking to enjoy a new world, mythical creatures, magic system, & adventure, this book is for you! A Dark and Drowning Tide will sweep you away from the very first page and leave you sodden on the shores of the ending, panting and satisfied.

A huge thank you to Allison Saft, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in an exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own

A Dark and Drowning Tide is an ethereal and richly imagined tale of loss, love, and finding oneself.

Lorelei Kaskel is a folklorist who has joined a expedition to find a mysterious river, and the purported source of all magic in the land. Along with her academic mentor and five others, she is a bit of an outsider, but has been appointed as the second in command of the mission. When her mentor is suddenly found murdered the first night of the expedition, Lorelei must take charge of the expedition while also trying to determine who is responsible for her mentor's death. The only person Lorelei is certain is not guilty is her academic rival, Sylvia, who she is also drawn to for reasons she doesn't fully comprehend or recognize. With her life on the line and the king's focus on the outcome of the expedition, Lorelei cannot fail at her task, and must work closely with Sylvia to ensure the success of the mission.

Sapphic romance, academic rivalries, a murder mystery, fantasy folklore, and Jewish influences galore! This book is packed with a lot, and it worked so well! There is a lot going on in this book, and Saft's beautiful writing draws it all together wonderfully. The worldbuilding is rich and well explained without being overly heavy or confusing. Worldbuilding is built into the narrative, and as a character driven novel, it is rich without being overwhelming. The characters are deep and flawed, and we see wonderful growth with Sylvia and Lorelei especially. I loved seeing their relationship develop over the course of the story. The pacing is excellent, there is a lot of action and excitement balanced with tender and quite moments of character development,

This story is also a bit of an allegory for Europe in the years leading up to WWII and the treatment of the Jewish people in the years leading up to the Holocaust. Lorelei is a member of the Yeva, which is a very Jewish influenced ethnic group of people who are persecuted by the majority of other groups and often seen as a scapegoat for all the kingdom's misfortunes. So this sentiment was echoed very much in this book and the parallels were clear to me, and the lessons learned about the dangers of racial and religious prejudice and hateful ideologies in the years following the Holocaust.

Overall, I really enjoyed this rich and romantic story. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for this electronic advanced copy. Al opinions are my own.

Every now and then, you read a book that makes you remember why you love reading so much. This was one of those books for me.

Filled with dark and enchanting whimsy, gorgeous prose, brilliant worldbuilding, lovable characters, and captivating storytelling, A Dark and Drowning Tide is the book you will never want to put down. I immediately fell in love with the dark folk tale atmosphere of this novel. The action never stops, from murder mysteries to slaying dragons.

If you want to be reminded why reading can be so much fun (or you just love a good sapphic romance) PICK THIS UP!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for access to an eARC. This is my honest review.

I tried to read this book as slowly as possible so it wouldn't end, but I still managed to finish it in two days. *sob* Going in, I was prepared to love it because it's a) dark academia, b) a mystery, and c) SAPPHIC - and it truly met my every expectation. The rivals-to-lovers romance is excellently done, and I liked how the romance draws you in with its angst and pining without superseding the main plot's quest and mystery. Allison Saft's prose is lyrical and haunting, and even as she explores the darkest parts of humanity, she brings such empathy and determined optimism to her writing.

I think this will be one of my top 10 favorite reads of the year. If you love fantasy, folklore, and rivals-to-lovers romance, this one is not to be missed!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for my free copy for review.

Prepare to be enchanted by the best of Allison Saft's books that I’ve read. The atmospheric vibe, the enthralling quest, and the captivating murder mystery are expertly woven into this delicious fantasy novel. The cast of characters is delightfully complex, keeping me suspicious of everyone's motivations. Lorelie, the main protagonist, is an underdog with a chip on her shoulder, and her journey of opening up to someone and accepting that she is worthy of love is an adventure I thoroughly enjoyed.

The world-building is lush, filled with rich folktales that unfold as the story progresses. The magical world teems with nixies and otherworldly creatures, creating a captivating environment where humans with magic seem to be on equal footing. Court intrigue, power plays, friendship, and betrayal add captivating layers to this tale.

I must confess, that the ending had me on the edge of my seat as I eagerly anticipated the conclusion of the novel. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint with the happily ever after (HEA). It was a sweet ending that left me smiling.

Thank you net galley for providing an arc of the book. Once again, Allison Saft did not disappoint. Really strong characters and atmosphere. A strong 4 stars.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I am about all things gothic, folklore, magical and enemies to lovers. This book had different elements (political, mystery) but it read beautifully. I had never read anything from this author but will certainly begin to now.

where to even begin.

lorelei kaskel is simply a babysitter to three other lesbians, a himbo, and a psychopath. all the while, she’s trying to figure out who murdered her mentor.

the romance, the pining, the bickering… god this was everything my silly sapphic heart craves for in a book (and in real life. if u look like lorelei kaskel hmu)

thank you so much net galley for blessing me with this arc, and thank you so much allison saft for my newest obsession (i already have four copies of this on order btw)

p.s. allison saft please another sapphic romantasy... please... please...........

p.p.s pls come to barnes store 3308 i will handsell ur books and make u the best coffee. or tea. or whatever drink pleases u. i will go get u lunch. i will--let me stop.

Okay. I have read three of Saft's novels as ARCs, every time I see she has a new book being published I immediately run to try and get an advanced copy. I truly believe that everything she writes is solid gold. This is her first dive into New Adult Fantasy and thank god she wrote this book. I have my heart set on getting my hands on a UK copy as well because I need multiple copies.
The magic system was the first thing to really suck me into this world. Lorelei (our main FMC) is a folklorist. She is tasked with working on a magical expedition with her academic/professional nemesis, Sylvia. Everyone in this book was a young person striving and yearning for renown and success. Anyone that is a found of dark academia, rivals to lovers to enemies, and enchanting magic systems must preorder. Did I mention there's also a sentient forest? This book is truly incredible and I need all of my dark weirdos to read this & squeal when they see hidden parts of themselves in the characters Saft brings to life.

This book will be reviewed and featured on my instagram account : @emily_reads_everything. In addition, my goodreads account will have a starred rating, as well as one here. My GR account is linked in the profile of my instagram.

This is the first Allison Saft book I have ever not enjoyed. It took me over a week to finish 44% of this book and I just really struggled with wanting to pick it up. The writing is beautiful and the overall idea of the story is really intriguing. However, I was SO bored. There was so much info dumping that the chapters I read really dragged. I struggled with the pacing and world building. Everything felt really vague but also really bogged down at the same time and I couldn’t get a grasp on the magic system. Did everyone have magic? If not, how do the people that have magic have it? The characters also acted really immaturely for their age. They’re all adults and I was just screaming at them to communicate and talk things out like adults…

I am super disappointed because this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have mad respect for Allison Saft and her ability to craft stories across various genres. Earlier this year, I loved A Fragile Enchantment, so I was thrilled to drive into A Dark and Drowning Tide. Unfortunately I had to throw in the towel with this one at 30%.

The writing starts off very prose-heavy and definitely throws an academic vibe, but it made it really hard for me to get in to the story. The pacing was slow and I wasn't intrigued by a lot of what was happening. I also had a hard time connecting to Lorelei, although Sylvia captured my interest, but after the first chapter, so sort of disappeared for awhile.

As for worldbuilding, I somewhat felt like I had a decent handle on the history and what was at stake, but there were hints of magic and creatures without really delivering a sure sense of what to expect in that regard.

Again, I have nothing but respect for Saft, this just was not a book for me.

I can’t express how much I loved this book. I will say it was a little strenuous getting into as I am not a lover of longer chapters, yet 20% in I was hooked with Saft’s beautiful writing and folklore intertwined within the story.
This story had everything my little fantasy heart desired. Sapphic romance? Yes. Dark academia atmosphere? Yes. Murder mystery? Yes.
The banter between the main characters, Lorelei and Sylvia, was one my favorite aspects of the book. They are truly the definition of opposites attract. I loved exploring the many layers of their character and what they stood for, what they dreamed of, and their own individual fears. If I had any complaints it would be that I greedily wanted more romance scenes between the two because I couldn’t get enough.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review! Will definitely be picking up a physical copy of this once it releases! I will also be posting my review publicly today and tomorrow on my socials! Links attached.

I wish this had worked for me. Parts of it did. the concept of these two characters and elements of their romance were compelling, but I feel like the world building and the side characters weren't strong enough to keep the pace from dragging and a few of the later plot decisions soured me even on the romance. I also found the insertion of folktales often happened at awkward moments, just when the pace should have picked up, and while I love a good folktale, I was irritated by almost all of the intrusions into the narrative and wondered why someone would be thinking in story form in moments of great duress.

In general, I struggle with secondary world fantasy that is set in worlds so directly parallel to ours, because the comparative lack of depth raises questions that pull me out of the narrative (also, in this case the use of the word alpine was very hard for me to absorb). I'd prefer either full second world where the parallels are inexact but your imagination can run free or an alternative history of our world where we call things what they are but include magic.

I had really wanted this to be something I could be excited to sell, and I'm sad it isn't, but I'm sure it will work for others where it didn't for me.

I love the way this book was written. Allison does a wonderful job of making her books feel magical. I enjoyed the characters and seeing their growth progress throughout the book. I love when main characters are flawed, and we see them grow and thrive despite it. I would absolutely recommend this book to our customers.

allison saft writing a sapphic dark fantasy about academic rivals to lovers? oh i’m sat.

the best part about reading ADADT was how beautifully crafted the world was and of course, the relationship between our mcs. from the stunning take on modern fairytales to the wonderful adventures of the two (painfully in love) mcs: lorelai (folklorist) and sylvia (naturalist). i haven’t read much sapphic fantasies but saft’s ADADT was just *chefs kiss*.

many thanks to random house publishing group & netgalley for the arc.

Lorelei Kaskel is venom-tongued, fiery tempered social outcast and misfit in her kingdom, her university, and her nonexistent social and professional circles. A reluctant folklorist under the wing of one of the King's chief advisors, Lorelei is in a state of constant exasperation with her mentor's other assistant, the the flighty, unserious, and infuriatingly attractive Sylvia von Wolff, princess of one of the King's conquered provinces. Unwillingly included in an expedition with Sylvia and other noble friends of the King on a quest to find the source of magic in the kingdom, Lorelei's mentor is murdered, leaving her in charge of the mission. Lorelei is suddenly stuck in unfriendly territory with at least one murderer amongst a group of people all looking for the source of magic that could create an unstoppable monster out of the person who reaches it first.

I loved A Dark and Drowning Tide. Loved it. Saft's adept mixture of dark fantasy, romance, intrigue, and murder mystery works beautifully with Lorelei's acerbic attitude and Sylvia's seemingly childlike naivete. Their character growth over the group's journey is as full of interesting twists and depths as Lorelei's investigation into the murder of her mentor.

More importantly, all the characters had their own motives and secrets, which made all the characters suspicious. It was wonderful to not actually know whodunit in a whodunit story before the final twists occurred. Added to the mix of murder, politics, and romantic angst is a backdrop of some terrifyingly unpredictable fairytale and folklore creatures who present their own dangers to the group. There were quite a few sub-plots and story threads to manage in this book, and Saft expertly wove them into a tale full of monsters, magic, and a satisfyingly witty enemies-to-lovers romance.

While I enjoy a good political-intrigue retelling of the fairy tale genre, this book takes that idea and adds moral complexities that make the whole story much more engaging. None of the characters are fully good or evil, and the horrors of decades of war, conquest, and discrimination all play a role in the themes underlying the pretty veneer of a new kingdom looking for the ultimate prize. Selfishness and selflessness, loyalty, love, family, and destiny all make things wonderfully messy and unpredictable for the reader, so the ultimate journey is never straightforward. Easily five stars: A Dark and Drowning Tide is an excellent read. I hope there's a sequel.

This was such a great fantasy! It had a lot of the elements that I enjoy. Darker/gothic and sapphic. The academic rivalry added fantastic tension between the characters. Murder mysteries aren't typically my favourite but the he creatures and curses added such a fun dynamic to the story.

I had a hard time trying to get invested in either the story or the characters. Everyone was so petty and melodramatic that they all felt a bit like copies of one another, and they read more like bickering tweens than adults and brilliant academics. Lorelei was noxiously unpleasant and being stuck in her head dragged down interest in the story. Her snappish, fairly hateful attitude toward Sylvia made for a difficult sell on their romance. I didn't feel they had any real chemistry.

There was a lot of info dumping about various locations and their customs, but I still come away not feeling like I really had any immersion in the world. I think there was just a little too much happening in the book, between political intrigue, a murder mystery, a quest for a magical spring.

That said, I did enjoy the elements of academia and the bits of folklore sprinkled throughout the book. Overall though this one just didn't quite work for me.