Okay, so if I'm being honest, I did not like the first book. It was fine in almost every way, but the fact that Mira fell in love with Seth, and then he betrayed her, and then he said he was just trying to make his mom happy but he really loved Mira and wanted to do better, and then she forgave him and they "fell back in love," and then less than a page later he would betray her and her team YET AGAIN, and then the cycle continued like three more times???? At that point you can't blame it on being young and naive, it's just giving "he know where home at" energy. Going into this one, I knew what I was getting into, and so I had prepared for it. I feel like nowadays there is a specific trope I am not sure of the name of, but it's especially popular amongst authors since Sarah J. Maas "invented" the love interest fake-out that begins with building up a strong male main character only to shatter them to absolute pieces in less than a page so that the FMC can end up with a "real man," an annoyingly consistent alpha male wannabe who's actually really pro women's choice and an and and a feminist, which basically translates to he'll still be willing to have sex with her even if she's on her period, because he's just that kind of dreamboat. Technically, that didn't happen as much in this book, because I genuinely had no clue who this new man was. The first book came out a little over a year ago, I believe, and I read it over the summer. Coming back to it now, I didn't remember much, but I remembered the names enough to be able to point out the names of the main characters that I knew were important in the previous book. That's like three characters, and they weren't important in this installment, so I was just scrambling to remember who was who the whole time. in the end, she ends up with this guy who I don't remember or understand, and yet Seth keeps popping in and out like he's supposed to still be a potential love interest? Was the goal a love triangle? Because to me, I can't even really connect one line in the whole shape. I was just confused on some of the characters and the plot, so I wasn't a fan, but that's okay!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for giving me an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A new POV in this book adds to the depth of the series and helps with the character development. I think the books still jumps around a bit, however, overall the series is progressing well and worth the read. I would strongly recommend that readers re-read the first book just to lesson confusion because you are literally thrown right back into the story in this one with no recap so this is definately not a book to read as a stand a lone.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc. I stayed up all night devouring this book and let me just say if you’re looking for an emotional roller coaster then this is the book for you. You have a MFC with actual emotional growth and a found family that will have you loving them just as fiercely. Add in a magic castle and an epic love and this book has it all!

Shadow and Tide by Rachel Greenlaw is the follow-up book to Compass and Blade, which follows a young woman as she navigates her new abilities, hides from the Watch, and works to save those she loves. Picking up one month after the end of book one, this one starts with fire and death. Mira and her fellow islanders are under siege. The Watch wants to try Mira for crimes, but really want her for her siren abilities. With the help of Elijah, she escapes and begins her training to take on the Watch and bring Captain Renshaw down.

Mira continues to grow as a character in this book. Her grief over losing her father and what is happening to her village eats away at her and drives most of her actions. She closes herself off to others, not wanting to feel the pain of losing them if something were to happen. Mira’s need for revenge against Captain Renshaw and Seth eclipses everything else that is going on around her.

While a majority of the story is told from Mira’s perspective, we are introduced to Brielle, a hunter for the witch covens. Brielle offers a fresh perspective on Mira and her island. She is hired to hunt Mira, but unlike most of her hunts, she is told to bring Mira in alive and unharmed. This proves to be a challenge. Brielle sees Mira as a monster capable of destruction and murder. She hunts her relentlessly throughout the book, but something about Mira always holds Brielle back from taking her.

While I enjoyed Brielle’s POV, it tended to break the pace of the plot. Mira’s story would just be picking up speed and creating interest when we’d flip to Brielle’s POV. It was frustrating and served to detract from the story. The lore we learn from Brielle’s perspective about the witches and other magical creatures makes up for this. I also struggled with the romance subplot between Mira and Elijah. It was obvious in book one that Elijah would become the love interest, however after Mira’s disastrous crush on Seth, I felt it didn’t fit the narrative.

Overall, Shadow and Tide was an okay read for me. I didn’t love it or hate it. I’m kind of ambivalent about it. The story ends on a cliffhanger, and I most likely will not continue the story. A lot of the issues I had with book one (repetitiveness, too much inner monologue, telling instead of showing) is still present in this book. If you enjoy pirates, magic, and adventure, this one may work for you. Sadly, it was a miss for me.

I am so sorry but for this book I got it totally not knowing it was the second book in the series and after reading a bit of it I realized that and feel so bad but after only reading that much it still seems super interesting, so I will totally be checking out the first book and see how that is. I thought the main character was interesting and This is totally my mistake, and I am so, so sorry that I made it, but thank you for allowing me to read this and everything.

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

Really enjoyed this! It felt different than the first with the introduction of the witches and quite a few new characters. We also get a new POV which really worked for me. There’s much more world building in this book and a lot of great action. Interested to see where book 3 is going to take us!

“Shadow and Tide” is a gripping oceanic adventure.
I’ll admit that I did not do a reread before diving into this sequel, therefore I did not remember much about the first book. The author did a great job of drawing me back into this mesmerizing world. Mira is half siren, and enemies are hunting her down because of her rare magic. She must set sail with Elijah, shadow-wielder, to honor her bargain and uncover the secrets her mother left behind. This installment adds layers of magic and new characters into the story. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Greenlaw has expanded the world in Shadow and Tide creating a compelling and addictive story that's even better than its predecessor.

Compass and Blade was a book that captured my attention, I thought it was engaging and atmospheric, offering characters that felt nuanced and alluring. With this second installment, the author has taken all those pro's and built upon them, creating a world and magic system that feels full fleshed out. It's an absolute joy to read with swift pacing and political intrigue that will have readers hearts racing.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the chance to review this book.

I can honestly say I enjoyed this sequel more than the first book! I do not often have that experience, but I found Shadow and Tide much more interesting and fast-paced than Compass and Blade. That said, it does end on a cliffhanger, so if you were hoping for resolutions for certain characters...you will not find them yet! Mira seems a little more fleshed out, and I can understand her power better in this installment vs. the first. Elijah and her have a sweet romance blooming, but it isn't overwhelming to the larger story of The Watch coming for Mira and the Fortunate Isles.

I was looking forward to this follow up to Compass and Blade. But this one did not grab my attention nearly as well as the first book. While there is a lot of action to keep the plot moving, there is not enough build up of tension in between the action. So it feels like you just jump from one fight scene to the next without the emotional impact if there had been a bit more character development and relationship building. Unfortunately I don't think I will continue with this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing an eARC of this book.

Shadow and Tide is filled with action from the beginning until the final page. The story picks up right where Compass and Blade ended as Mira grapples with losing her father and trying to understand the siren part of herself. I enjoyed learning more about Elijah, meeting the witches, and the new friends Mira made along the way. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC, I am looking forward to the third installment.

Rachel Greenlaw can do no wrong. COMPASS AND BLADE was easily one of my favorite reads last year, so to say I have been eagerly anticipating SHADOW AND TIDE is somewhat of a gross understatement. From the first page, Greenlaw plunges you right back into an enchanting and emotional story about grief and love and found family. It’s damn near perfect … much like that cliffhanger of an ending that will tear you right apart.

I loved this exquisite book so thoroughly and maddeningly. And that’s really the only option Greenlaw gives her readers — a feat most authors only dream of.

I enjoyed this a bit more than the first book! There are some great new characters, a much better love interest, and some exciting new storylines. We also get an intriguing new POV from a witch/monster hunter where we start to learn more about how magic and the covens work.

I did reread the first book before starting this, and I will say that I didn’t love the writing style this time around. There’s also an unanswered question from the first book that I’m a little disappointed was never mentioned again. I am really interested in where the story is going after that ending so I’ll definitely be continuing the series.

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

📚Shadows and Tides by Rachel Greenlaw📚

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: YA

✨Tropes✨
⚔️Found Family
⚔️Adventure
⚔️Witches x Sirens x Humans x ?
⚔️Shadow Magic
⚔️Multi POV
⚔️Cliffhanger Ending

✨Initial Thoughts✨
This story has taken such an unexpected turn from the first book, but I loved it. I loved the first book, but this second book has so much more. There are more creatures in this world that we’re introduced to as well as the concept of multiple worlds.
The story picks up a month after the first book ends. The action and adventure is almost instantaneous. Mira is back on her home island and is preparing to fulfill her bargain with Elijah when her island is attacked. She manages to escape with Elijah, who takes her to his home where she is able to find safety, if only for a while. However, the council of witches has marked Mira for capture and they have assigned the case to one of the best monster hunters, Brielle. With the Watch, Renshaw, and Brielle on her heels, it’s up to Mira to save not only the remaining people in her village, but also herself.

✨Pros✨
* Non-stop action and adventure
* Character growth and development
* New and lovable characters
* The character and world development
* Rich descriptions
* No cringy nicknames!!

✨Cons✨
* That I currently don’t have the next book in my hands after that cliffhanger ending!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the gifted copy and the opportunity to review this book.

I really enjoyed this sequel and felt that it deepens the characters, expands the world, and improves on its predecessor in almost every way.

What a great follow up to Compass and Blade. Shadow and Tide kept the excitement going and was really well written. Although the whole book was enjoyable, I found the second half to be particularly great and it really sucked me in. I kept finding every moment I could to read and find out what was going to happen to Mira, Eli and the rest of the crew. From the ending, it seems a third book will be coming, and I can say that I CAN'T WAIT to find out what happens. Rachel Greenlaw is a great author, and I will be recommending this book to many.

Thanks so much to NetGalley ARC!

This was a perfectly fine YA fantasy that I did enjoy, but didn't love. The writing was solid and I love pirates and treasure hunts and high stakes....but overall it felt much more surface level than I would have liked. Pardon the pun, but it lacked depth.

Above is how I started my review for Compass and Blade and while I stick by it....Shadow and Tide felt more disorganized and the connections between plot points felt less solid. The writing was still fine, and I liked the character development more, there was improvement there but overall it just felt less polished.

I fully intend to finish the trilogy, though I don't think this will ever be a favorite for me. It's good but not great, and to me Greenlaw's writing just needs more maturity in a few places to cross that threshold.

I feel like this was almost there in terms of just okay to very good - there was just some lacking detail and character depth, though my issues with the book differed slightly from book one so we'll see what book three brings!

Shadow and Tide is the second book in Compass and Blade series and should be read in order. It picks up shortly after the ending of the first book and really expands the world. Mira and Elijah grow closer as she tries to find a way to save her home while learning about her magic.

Read if you like:
-Sirens & Witches
-Pining
-Fighting for Your Place in the World

I loved that we had an added POV in Shadow and Tide and got to meet the witches. Some of the choices Mira faced were heartbreaking in only the way that a well written YA series can deliver. Elijah was the perfect tragic love interest. I can't wait for the final book!

I really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters and plot. I will definitely be purchasing more by this author!

Book Name: Shadow and Tide
Author:  Rachel Greenlaw

ARC

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books for an ARC

Stars: 4
Spice: 0 YA

Book 2 in Series
Cliffhanger
Fast Paced

POV

High Fantasy Adventure Romance

- Good
- New Characters
- The Stakes and Higher
- Exploration of Rage
- Character development was STRONG
- Bad
- Sophomore Slump
- Bit Lost in the Plot
- AND THEN …. AND THEN …
- Overall
- felt a bit like the plot got lost in itself I'm interested in seeing where book 3 goes.
- Overall we went from a strong upper YA novel to a chaotic lower YA novel
- The CLiffhanger has me excited for book 3