⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ – A darkly spellbinding fairy tale retelling that left me awestruck

I didn’t know I needed a Cinderella and The Little Mermaid historical fantasy hybrid—but here we are, and it’s absolute magic.

Set in 1758 Saint-Malo, Upon A Starlit Tide follows Lucinde “Luce” Leon, a shipowner’s daughter who longs for freedom beyond the rigid expectations of her privileged world. Her secret sailing lessons with her smuggler best friend, Samuel, are the only taste of the sea she gets—until one stormy day she rescues a charming stranger from the waves and is swept into a tide of fae secrets, courtly intrigues, and dangerous magic.

Kell Woods doesn’t just remix classic tales—she deconstructs and reimagines them. A dash of Bluebeard, a shimmer of Breton folklore, and a haunting undercurrent of eldritch magic give this novel a richness that lingers long after the final page. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, Woods pulled the rug out from under me, subverting fairy tale tropes in the most satisfying ways.

The historical setting is so vivid it almost becomes a character of its own. From Saint-Malo’s narrow streets to the crashing waves of La Manche, the novel is grounded in beautifully researched detail while never losing its sense of enchantment. Woods treads the tightrope between historical fiction, fantasy, and romance with elegant precision—none of the elements overwhelm the others, and each serves the story masterfully.

The love triangle adds tension without overshadowing the deeper themes of power, identity, and family. Luce’s relationship with her sisters, in particular, stood out. What begins as a familiar “wicked stepsisters” dynamic soon blossoms into something far more nuanced and touching, shaped by the social constraints they all endure and their shared grief and love.

Having read After the Forest, I was already a fan of Kell Woods, but this book shows remarkable growth in voice and scope. The writing is lyrical without being overwrought, and the darker tones are perfectly balanced with hope and quiet beauty.

A haunting, original, and emotionally resonant tale of love, betrayal, and the cost of freedom. Highly recommended for anyone who loves fairy tale retellings with depth and atmosphere.

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

Conclusion

A highly recommended read! A perfect fairy tale inspired historical fantasy full of magic, romance, Fae folklore and an enjoyable cast of characters and a witty, rebellious female protagonist.

Upon A Starlit Tide combines fairy tale tropes and historical fantasy to delve into 1800s societal expectations, restrictions on freedom and female identity set in 1700s coastal Brittany. Protagonist, Lucinde (Luce) navigates familial duties, a physical disability and a untamed personality often at odds with social norms.

Woods creates a unique historical fantasy world-building foundation combining tropes and aspects of classic fairy tales from ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘Cinderella’, and ‘Bluebeard’. In blending these fairytales sharing independent female protagonists, Woods weaves an enchanting tale evoking the 18th century historical context with fantasy, Fae folklore, magic, mystery and romance.

THIS. This is the fairytale retelling I've been searching for since I fell in love with Kate Forsyth's books at university. And I absolutely adore that they're both Australian authors. *Chef's kiss* for an incredible historical fantasy.
Upon a Starlit Tide is the perfect combination of two beloved tales, The Little Mermaid and Cinderella. It didn't shy away from the darkness of old-style fairytales while still touching on modern discourse around privilege and oppressive class systems. These characters have layers and with each turn of the page, another would be peeled back to reveal something new. The sweet friends-to-lovers romance was the cherry on top. Also, this cover? Stunning!
I really hope we get more like this from Kell Woods in the very near future (please, I'm begging you).

The start had me hooked in from the very beginning.
The romance sizzles very early which took be aback for a moment but it only got more sizzling as the story progressed.

Beautifully written story. Absolutely loved this book. It was cosy, fun, and full of mystery the whole way through. I loved the twists and turns, so many unexpected ones.
This book has a lovely balance of romance, fantasy and adventure.
The ending of this book had me on the edge of my seat.

This was whimsical, magical, and an entertaining read. I didn’t quite finish my read of this before publication, however, the Romantasy Book Club for Sydney Book Society had it as their March book, and so I finished the book then through a purchased copy.

It’s safe to say that I really enjoy Kell Woods’ writing style and I’ll eagerly read more of her work in the future.

🌟 4.5

🐚 Historical fantasy
🐚 Mystical
🐚 Mermaids
🐚 Fairytale retelling - new twist
🐚 Dark vibes
🐚 Folklore & history - seamless
🐚 Slowburn romance
🐚 Love triangle

I usually don’t like historical fiction but this was such a fun and engaging combination of fantasy genre with history; folklore and fairytale retelling that felt fresh and interesting, and had a good amount of realism. Gorgeous world building, great and interesting characters that I enjoyed reading about.

Review of Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods – ★★★★☆

A beautifully written historical fantasy blending elements of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella. Set in 1758 Saint-Malo, Brittany, it follows Lucinde Léon as she seeks freedom beyond her privileged life.

Highlights:
Fairy Tale Retelling – Inspired by classic stories with a fresh twist.
Engaging Protagonist – Lucinde’s adventurous spirit drives the plot.
Magic & Reality – A seamless mix of history and fantasy.
Rich Descriptions – Vivid seaside setting enhances immersion.
Compelling Story – Themes of love, power, and self-discovery.
A must-read for fans of historical fantasy and fairy tale retellings!

“Upon a Starlit Tide” by Kell Woods is a captivating historical fantasy that masterfully intertwines elements of “The Little Mermaid” and “Cinderella” into a unique tale of love, power, and betrayal.

Set in 1758 Saint-Malo, Brittany, the story follows Lucinde Léon, the youngest daughter of a wealthy shipowner, who feels confined by the city’s high walls and her societal expectations. Secretly learning to sail from her best friend, Samuel—a charming English smuggler—Luce’s yearning for the sea leads her to rescue a mysterious drowning man, propelling her into a world of glittering balls, faerie magic, and hidden dangers.

As secrets from the ocean’s depths emerge, Luce discovers her own burgeoning powers, challenging her understanding of identity and destiny. Woods crafts an enchanting narrative filled with rich historical detail, complex characters, and a mesmerizing blend of familiar fairy tale motifs reimagined in unexpected ways.

Such brilliant read.

Upon a Starlit Tide is an amazing adult fairytale retelling that I absolutely loved. Kell Wood’s writing is stunning and descriptions made me feel transported. The story is enchanting and I felt completely swept up in the magical world of midnight balls, fae mermaids and magic. The romance was tender and beautiful and made me tear up. Overall this book is a gem that I’m so glad I read.

I will continue to pick up every single book Kell Woods writes and push her books onto everyone I meet.

Absolutely loved this book! I'd had the moments of awe and wonder we love from fairytales but also the femine rage that I absolutely love to find in books. It really is as described a combination of the Little Mermaid and Cinderella.
The characters were so well written and they just came alive. Luce's development throughout the book was amazing given the size of the book. I loved her strength in this story.
The world and the way in which Luce viewed the sea was so amazing to read! I'd love to follow the tides with her.
Another amazing book from Kell Woods!

An historical fantasy set in 1700s Saint-Malo, Brittany. It’s a combination retelling of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, with additional local folklore. It worked for me! An enjoyable read, gentle pacing but more action towards the end.

A wonderful historical fantasy re-telling of the little mermaid that will forever be apart of me and keep me thinking about it

I was overwhelmingly impressed with this! I'm not usually one for fairytale re-tellings or mermaids, but this worked for me. It was a cool blend of historical fantasy with drops of fairytales and romance. I really liked the French based setting, and felt as though it fit the classic image of mermaids, ports, and the sea. I thought the FMC Lucinde was well-written as being strong, but through a journey of empowerment.
Overall, this was a refreshing read in a setting and blend of genres I don't typically lean toward but was so compelling in terms of setting, characters, and magic.

Upon A Starlit Tide is a captivating story that picks you up and transports you to the past but adds a fantasy spin to it. This beautiful story draws inspiration from Cinderella and The Little Mermaid but also weaves in the lesser known fairytales & folklore, along with the magic of the fae.

Kell Woods has a way of stamping her mark on fairytale retellings. While we are all familiar with the better known fairytales, Kell works her magic on the story and really makes it her own.

Luce is an enchanting character, caught between two men. Samuel and Morgan were polar opposites, one a smuggler and the other part of the aristocracy, which added some interesting dynamics to the story. Luce herself is part of that aristocracy but she cannot resist the call of the sea.

I loved Luce’s relationship with her sisters Charlotte and Veronique. Charlotte and Veronique were Luce’s adoptive sisters, so it wasn’t the typical Cinderella familial relationship. Often times there was sisterly love interlaced with jealousy instead of the full wicked step sister’s vibe.

Upon a Starlit Tide is beautifully written and well researched. There is a lot of focus on the nautical elements and life of the aristocracy in the story and I found it so immersive.

Thank you to HarperVoyager Australia for gifting me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This beautifully dark historical fantasy reimagines elements of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, immersing the reader in 18th-century France. Among the human folk, mythical creatures, magic, and folklore intertwine seamlessly. The story follows Lucinde, the daughter of a wealthy shipowner in St. Malo, France. She and her two sisters live a life of opulence, where society expects them to secure suitable husbands. However, Lucinde longs for adventure and the open sea.

I was completely swept away by this story. The pacing was excellent, drawing me in from the very first chapter. The writing is both descriptive and lyrical, and Lucinde, as the FMC, has remarkable depth. It’s clear the author conducted extensive research, from the historical clothing to the vivid landscapes. This book offers love, betrayal, and secrets, all set against a lush nautical backdrop, where unexpected twists keep me engaged.

The novel explores themes of female empowerment, disability, social hierarchies, sisterhood, romance, and self-discovery. It also highlights the effects of colonialism and the destruction of lands and cultures, leaving a lasting impact. Simply put, this was a delight to read. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fairytales with depth and whimsical, immersive writing.

what a hauntingly beautiful story.

4.75 stars!

this is a dark historical fantasy with a twist on cinderella & the little mermaid & had me enraptured from the very beginning.

set during the 18th century in france where fae exist, we follow luce (a fmc that you can’t help falling in love with) where she uncovers secrets & betrayal as she pushes the boundaries to finding her true self. she was selfless, sharp witted & the sweetest individual who went after what she wanted.

this was so luscious in the prose, the storytelling & folklore it was just bewitching. i truly felt like i was immersed & didn’t want to leave.

one of my favourite parts was the romance, the yearning was unbearably heartbreaking & had me in actual tears! and don’t get me started on the amounts of betrayal - it kept me on my toes as i could barely keep up!

read if you like:
- folklore
- romantic fairytales
- mermaids
- betrayal
- yearning

i’ve never read a story like this & just know it’s going to stay with me for a long time. definitely one of my favourite fantasy standalones & i can’t wait to read more of kell woods!

a big thank you to harper voyager, harper collins & netgalley for the arc! i can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

For all of the mediocre candy reads that I do, along comes a gem of a story that will stay with me.

I am wowed by this book. This is a dark historical fantasy with a romantic heart.

“Perhaps we will find a fair wind and follow a path of stars.” p. 345

The stunning prose begins from the opening stanza sweeping the reader to Saint-Malo (circa 1758) and the sea beyond. Luce Leon has always been drawn to the sea. The daughter of a successful corsair, she unlike her sisters, cares less for an advantageous marriage but more for the mystery of the sea. Perhaps stowing away aboard one of her father’s ships.

The story is full of lyrical imagery, offering an enchanting, immersive and fulfilling tale woven with familiar elements of mermaids, sea-folk, Cinderella, pirates and Bretagne folklore.

The magic and mystery ebb gently together. The realtionships around her are built on love, on truth, on betrayal, on lies and on greed. In trusting her instincts Luce has a quiet fierceness and inner knowing that like the tide, is ultimately transformative.

Be brave
Be free.
“I‘ll wait for you.” p.409

With thanks to the author, Kell Woods, HarperVoyager Australia and Netgalley for an eARC to read ahead of publication.

Sadly, the formatting for this book was not readable whatsoever on my kindle! I absolutely adore Kell Woods however, and have no doubt that this is going to be a phenomenal book.

istorical fantasy is one of my favourite genres, and it seems Australia is rich with phenomenal historical fantasy authors who write amazing fairy tale retellings. Two of my favourites are Juliet Marillier and Kate Forsyth, and after reading Upon a Starlit Tide, I need to add Kell Woods to this list.

Set in a version of 19th century France where fae exist, Upon a Starlit Tide follows Luce, the youngest adopted daughter of one of the richest men in Saint Marlo as she butts against the confines of society’s expectations, uncovers family secrets, and falls in love. There are lots of little nods to The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and faerie folktales and legends.

I don’t know if I can find the words to properly describe how much I loved Upon a Starlit Tide.

It caught me like a siren’s song, enchanting me with its gorgeous words and fascinating characters. I want to gush about how much I loved Luce, the setting, the lore, the sweet friends to lovers romance (which had plenty of yearning), the way it portrayed the sisters’ relationships (the good and the complicated), my heartbreak for Luce as she uncovers her family’s secrets, the ending, and more.

But you might just have to settle for that word vomit. Trying to come up with short, coherent sentences to describe what I loved might just be impossible.

Thank you for approving me to read this review copy via Netgalley! I can’t wait to add the physical trophy to my shelf. I know this will be a book I reread more than once in the future.