Oceanic. Melancholic. Ethereal. Basically everything I have ever wanted in a Little Mermaid retelling!

I am obsessed with the world Kell Woods has built here and everything in it. Luce is a girl with a mysterious foot deformity that makes walking unbearable. We first meet her on the shore, having just found a handsome man who seems to be the only one to have survived a devastating shipwreck. She saves him — but the sea wanted him dead for a reason.

There were so many fun twists AND so many creative uses of the original story. The ONLY part I didn’t enjoy so much was the inclusion of the Cinderella-type ball but only because I’m so sick of Cinderella retellings that I wanted this to be purely Little Mermaid. However, it worked for the story Woods was trying to tell.

The ending was possibly my favorite part, although I’m not sure how readers will feel about it. Please give me more books about mermaids, I beg you!

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to dive into this unique fantasy novel. If you’re craving something fresh and different in the fantasy genre, this book is a solid pick. With a creative blend of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, it offers an intriguing and somewhat unexpected take on classic fairy tale elements.

From the get-go, the title and cover art give away that one of the protagonists is a mermaid, which is hardly a shocker. However, the real charm of this story lies in how it unfolds. The narrative keeps you guessing, with plenty of twists and turns that make it engaging from start to finish. I found myself hooked, constantly wondering what would happen next, and that’s something not all fantasy books manage to do.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the beginning was a bit of a struggle. The author uses a lot of French terminology, as the story is set in France, and at first, it felt slightly disorienting. It took some time to acclimate to the language and context, but once I did, the book became much easier to follow. While not overwhelming, the occasional French phrase added a layer of authenticity that eventually became part of the book’s charm.

The last 50% of the book picks up the pace considerably. What starts as a slow burn gradually transitions into a fast-paced adventure. The lush history of Saint Malo, the French coastal town where much of the action takes place, was beautifully woven into the story. I appreciated the depth this added, making the setting feel more vibrant and integral to the plot. The historical context really helped enhance the fantasy elements, grounding them in something real and tangible.

The love triangle was another highlight of the book. It’s a trope that can often feel overdone, but here it felt fresh and compelling. The emotional tension was palpable, and the way it played out kept me invested in the characters and their journeys. One of the things I appreciated most was that the story didn’t fall into the trap of a clichéd, picture-perfect ending. It wrapped up in a way that felt satisfying without being overly idealized, and I was pleasantly surprised by how the plot resolved.

Overall, I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a different style of fantasy. It offers a unique twist on familiar fairy tale themes, and the author’s ability to blend elements of magic, history, and romance makes it stand out from the current trends in the genre. Despite a slow start and some initial confusion, it’s well worth sticking with for the rich world-building, intriguing plot, and satisfying conclusion. If you enjoy stories with a bit of depth, love triangles, and a dash of historical flair, this is definitely one to pick up.

I read Woods’ debut After the Forest at the end of 2023. I only finished it since it was year end and I didn’t have any other pressing reads at hand. Otherwise, it may have been a DNF. When I received an ARC offer for Woods’ new novel Upon a Starlit Tide, I planned to decline. However! I decided to give it a shot since I do love fae stories and sea stories. And this time around, I could adjust my expectations regarding any possible romance within. I’m glad I gave this book a chance, as it grew on me by the end. It’s a marked improvement over After the Forest. While it’s not too exquisite, it’s got a good dose of entertaing and dramatic moments to keep you reading.

Characterization
I began as a wary reader, acknowledging I may be a harsh judge after my experience with After the Forest. Protagonist Luce proved insufferable at first. She comes across a perfect little Mary Sue, whose greatest hardship in life is the bullying inflicted on her by her sisters for being ‘not like other girls’, as well as being too loved by her father. I could not wrap my head around her father gifting her a brand new ship, no matter how much she may the favoured daughter.

But the story rewards patience, as it progresses to reveal darker secrets and violence at play between Luce and her family. Near the end of the book, I noted “I have to give credit to this story building to this kind of depth”. (I also noted somewhere close to the end “Her Mary Sue life isn’t so rosy now…” lol.) Shout out in particular to sister Charlotte, who develops beyond stereotype despite being a relatively minor character.

Romance
As with After the Forest, there is romance here, though I didn’t find it as prominent as in After the Forest. Perhaps that’s because I was more prepared for it. Interestingly, the jacket copy of Upon a Starlit Tide references romance while After the Forest‘s copy doesn’t. I wonder if that’s a sign of the increasing prominence of romantasy even since the publication of After the Forest.

Maybe if I read more romantic storylines, I would have better predicted the direction of the romance in this book. Or maybe that’s part of the romance storylines appeal – how it plays with expectations. Either way, I was way off base as to where it was headed until maybe 50% of the way through. Then I was surprised yet entertained to see how my opinions were turned around. I found the pairing worked much better in this story than that of Greta and Maurice in After the Forest. It comes across more grounded and believable.

Worldbuilding
Now, what about the fae and sea elements that originally prompted me to pick up this story? I’m happy to report that both play prominent roles throughout the story. I enjoyed the encounters with fairy folklore of Brittany. (Not to mention the reworking of two well-known fairy tales in the plot of the story!) The fantasy elements integrate well with the plot and characters, and made more sense to me than in After the Forest. While most of the story takes place along the coast rather than at sea, that setting remains integral to the storytelling.

The Bottom Line 💭
An entertaining sophomore effort, Upon a Starlit Tide is a solid historical fantasy with a refreshing coastal setting.

This was such a stunning read.

4.5 rounded up.

This story blends historical fiction and fantasy in an elegant, captivating way that makes you want to keep reading.

This is a story of fighting to find oneself in a world that doesn’t necessarily want you too, wrapped up in the classic feel of a fairytale.

The prose itself is lovely. The only thing keeping this from a perfect 5 for me is that the historical pieces were a touch hard to grasp at times, as someone with little knowledge of this time period.

A must read retelling of classic tales.

In Upon a Starlit Tide, Woods takes familiar tales such as The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Bluebeard, and weaves them into a delightful tapestry that both honours the stories and inverts their tropes in a refreshing way. The threads of these fairy tales are clear, but instead of creating predictable patterns that spoil the book, Woods’ innovations add surprises I didn’t expect.

Read full review here: https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-upon-a-starlit-tide-by-kell-woods/

Thank you to Tor and Macmillan Audio for my review copies. My opinions are my own.

I started listening to this and was immediately grateful that I also had the e-review copy so that I could see the spellings for the various fae characters, but also glad that I tandem read this because the French is gorgeous and Esther Wane does an absolutely stunning narration of Lucinde.

Lucinde is the treasured youngest daughter of the Leon family, but she doesn't want to follow her sisters in being focused on society and getting married. She wants to sail and explore the world. This blends the Little Mermaid and Cinderella in the original versions, with the darker, grittier, less Disney-fied sanitized versions that most of us grew up with.

This story is slow building but there's enough twists, turns, and action to keep the reader engaged. I was upset to stop reading when I needed to concentrate at work, and when I had to stop listening when I started falling asleep. I also later looked up the coast of Saint Malo trying to find Luce's cove, because this is very much a real place on the northern coast of France.

This is one that I suggest doing a tandem read with, the two formats compliment each other.

Highly recommend.

My most anticipated book this week was Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods. If the title and cover aren’t already enough to entice you, here’s more: Unfolding like a fairytale, this novel is set in 1750s France, where Luce, adopted as an orphan, has always felt loved but like something is missing. She longs for adventure and a life at sea. When she rescues a man from a shipwreck, a new path is set in motion… but with surprises, darkness, and secrets to uncover along the way.

Why I Chose This Book:
Don’t discount the power of an enchanting title and cover; that’s what first caught my eye with Upon a Starlit Tide. With allusions to The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, I was excited for a new fairytale set against the sea. This is only the first book featuring sirens that I’ll be reading this year. I am officially entering my mermaid era!

What I Liked:
- Strong similarities to The Little Mermaid and Cinderella… but who’s kind and who’s evil is all mixed up!
- Hints of magic that slowly grow stronger and more present as the book progresses
- A love triangle??
- Superstitions about the sea, ships, and the fae
- Sea-maid as the Fairy Godmother, perhaps
- Ships and oceans and sea monsters, oh my
- 1750s France and conflict with England
- If you love someone…

Final Thoughts
Upon a Starlit Tide is a spellbinding fantasy novel for fans of fairytale retellings, oceanic settings, 1750s France, and mermaids. I loved following Luce along her path of self-discovery, strength, love, and belonging in the world. Though at times heartbreaking, it’s ultimately an empowering and dazzling work of historical fantasy. Kell Woods is an author I can’t wait to read more from!

What a beautiful reimagining of The Little Mermaid mixed with a bit of Cinderella vibes as well. I will say, the references to Cinderella are more related to her having step sisters (who may or may not be jealous) and a masked ball.. However, most of the rest of the story lends itself to reimagining of a a girl who finds herself drawn to the sea, wanting to sail her own ship, and feeling a special connection to gifts the sea offers such as shells and the like.

Luce is the youngest in her family and is spiled by her adoptive father who dotes on her and gives her the world. Though her other sisters and stepmother aren't happy about the situation, it doesn't really effect them until Morgan de Chatelaine is rescued from the sea. Only Luce, Samuel, and maybe Morgan, himself, know the truth, while the rest of the town believe him to have washed ashore after the wreck of his ship. This causes a rift in Luce's family as Morgan seems drawn to Luce, but her sister has her eyes set on him as well.

The story is rich and well crafted. Each time I reach a Kell Woods novel, I feel as though her writing is on par with Naomi Novik and how well they are able to take these fairy tale-esque stories and turn them into something new for the reader. There are moments I do wish Luce didn't feel so wishy-washy with what she wanted. She is a very determined and independent woman, but she also has moments of incredible naivety which may come from her sheltered life. I give her a pass on quite a lot of things, but I do wish her understanding of the world, due to her conversations with Samuel, had helped her understand the world is not always a perfect place for quite good portion of the book.

I don't want to spoil anything, so i will leave it here, but please read this book. I think it was brilliantly done and well worth the listen. the narrator did a great job and I was fully immersed in the world.

I really enjoyed this! This was a really compelling retelling, but in a way that subverts the Disney-esque expectations--which was very refreshing, honestly. This fantasy really reads like a historical fiction, and it had such great characters and great tone. I was super pleasantly surprised by this and I definitely think this is going to be a hit at my branch!

Perhaps the perfect Little Mermaid retelling? With just enough of a splash of Cinderella for a new twist. I couldn't put this down, quite literally pulled an all-nighter to finish it. Kell Woods has grown so much as a writer since their debut! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

It took me a moment to think of the author this reminded me of. I think while it’s different the more literary writing style in quasi historical fantasy feels like Patricia McKillip. It’s a fairy tale homage, Cinderella and The
Little Mermaid. It isn’t a light read if you’re looking for a quick distraction but if you’re in the mood for quality writing this would be an excellent choice.

A gorgeous second book from Kell Woods, and it’s exactly what I’d hoped it’d be. A stunning and well-placed historical fiction, with Breton folklore and familiar fairy tales woven in with precision and beauty. Well paced, well considered, and moving.

I’ll be recommending this one to folks!

Despite (or maybe because of) growing up near the beach, I’m very picky about mermaid stories to the point that I normally avoid them. However, I took a chance on Upon a Starlit Tide because the cover captivated me like, you guessed it, a siren’s song. And let me tell you, I didn’t regret it for a minute. First five-star read of the year!

The book advertises itself as a cross between the Little Mermaid and Cinderella, which I agree with, but not in the Disney-movie sense. Luce is not Ariel–she is the reason sailors feared the seas for centuries. And I am here for it.

Kell Woods expertly blends Anglo-French sea folklore, romance (there’s a love triangle), and two of the most recognizable fairy tales we grew up with, albeit with a darker flavor more reminiscent of their Hans Christian Andersen and Grimms origins. It takes a bit to get into the true plot of the story, but the characters and writing were compelling enough that I was happy to just vibe until I got to the “conflict.”

Highly recommend this book for anyone who prefers fantasy that reads more like historical fiction, or getting their toes wet in the genre for the first time.

Thanks to Tor and Netgalley for the early copy!

This Little Mermaid / Cinderella mashup and historical fantasy hit all the right notes for me. Not only was it beautifully written and appropriately dark, it managed to pull me in for a fully immersive experience. The expertly layered plot contains delicious twists, dark secrets, wild magic and high stakes adventure. This is top book of the year material, a read that I will be recommending to everyone!

One of the most solidly incredible reads of fantastically whimsical fantasy. The world is depicted in such a vivid and surreal manner that just pulls you into its depths. It certainly meets the description of “The Little Mermaid” meets “Cinderella,” but it is also so much more. Real history and other fairytales are weaved into the tapestry of the story and Woods expands on these to make Upon a Starlit Tide a fairytale of its own.

The ending was so good and satisfying in all possible ways. I don’t think I can come up with a single critique of the book. While reading the ebook I also was reading via audiobook thanks to @macmillan.audio. The narration helped to paint the beautiful backdrop of the world and the sea and did an excellent job voicing the characters in a way that made it easy to distinguish who was talking.

This one is an absolute stunner - it may lull you into thinking you're reading historical fiction, with two handsome male leads to moon over and a family you'll root for our main character to free herself from, but once the magic, intrigue and action hit, they don't release you until the book is over and you're sitting there wondering what to do with yourself now. If you like fairytale re-imaginings, fae, historical france and romantic trysts to illegally salvage goods from sunken ships while trying not to steal glances at a handsome, muscular, half-naked man, you will love this book and come back for multiple rereads. Goes well with Yu-Peng Chen's album Fantasyland and as many mugs of black tea as you can drink while reading.

4.5 Thank you netgalley for the audio arc. Rounded up. overall I liked this except it did a few things that are just not my taste. The narrator in particular for this book I found odd on how she did the male characters because at first, I thought Samuel was a gruff old man and then when he became a love interest I was so confused. All the men in this for the most part sounded like they were in their 60s and sea worn by that so it set off the tone of the romances but once I got over that and just reminded myself they weren't then I enjoyed it much more. It has a lot of good twists and turns with combining Cinderella and Little Mermaid themes so it felt like not only an homage to those but it's own unique fairy tale.

A mash-up of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, Upon a Starlit Tide is a family story and a fairy tale at the same time. It’s sweet and sad, with Luce, the daughter of the sea at the centre, spinning a wonderful wild basket of dreams. I enjoyed this one - a solid reimagining.

I received this ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley. It will be released on February 18, 2025.

This book starts off a tad slow yet once it gains momentum this book will grasp you and draw you in. If you are a fan of fairy tale retellings, Hans Christan Andersons original Little Mermaid tale, mermaids, or just folklore dealing with fay this book is for you. Please understand that this book will not reflect Disney’s version of The Little Mermaid. You will need to be semi aware of the original telling to see the connections. This doesn’t mean that you will not enjoy the book, but looking at this story through a Disney lens will not allow you to enjoy the artistry of this retelling.
Thank you so much to Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

I'll start this review by saying that I liked Kell Woods's debut After the Forest better, but I think more readers will like Upon a Starlit Tide more. It's a blend of Cinderella and Little Mermaid, set in 1758 France in a blend of magical realism and fantasy. The atmosphere and tone is perfect for the fairy tale setting, and the legends of the sea and the sea fae is very well crafted. For me, the Cinderella component was a touch more than I needed, and there were a few plot elements and pacing that didn't work *as well* for me (ahem, love triangle) as might for another reader.

But you know me, set a book on the sea, and I'll love it. Add in layers of history around conflicts between the English and the French, and toss in some class difference politics (especially in pre-Revolutionary France!), and I'll love that too.