I was really really really really hoping that the semi lackluster feeling I felt after the first book in the duology would dissipate with the conclusion.

The pace was so awkward and I slogged through most of it. I really am a reader who values banter and engagement between characters, most of the slow pace came from inner thoughts via Lore and explanation of setting/events. What I was really missing was the tension and, honestly, attitude that came from Finn in the 1st book. He gave that up too easily to defer to whatever Lore wanted.

I guess in general there was an issue for me with the plot and conflict. Conflict with 1 character the whole time and then 0% at the end.

Would you really be into this if you are into a more epic/high fantasy? For sure.

Thank you for my early copy! All thoughts are my own!

I’m sad this duology is over. I really love Lore and Finn. I was never a “Asher” fan, love interest wise. This book was packed full of adventure. Was it a little predictable, yes but it was still enjoyable. Asher redeemed him self and Finn stole my heart. All in all a great duology to dive into.

4 stars!

This story was an amazing conclusion! I was left on a cliffhanger so this fixed a lot of things for me. This story traveled to different places and we were introduced to a number of amazing side characters. I was worried about who would be paired up but Im glad the main two characters stuck together. I enjoyed the redemption arc of the second male main character and was happy he became King at the end. I enjoyed how they were able to move to their own separate island to live. Both of these books should be a movie or limited TV series. I will be purchasing this book so that I have a physical copy of both of them. I will be reading all of what the author writes in the future.

fun romances, fun plotting, fun characters, and some fantastic twists and interesting ideas. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Lore has just been betrayed and kidnapped by the man she thought was Asher; the man she thought she was in love with. It turns out, he’s actually secretly a Fae royal named Syrelle, and he’s taking her on a mission to recover the second grimoire that his ancestor created. The Book of Sunbeams. He’s going to bind to it and overthrow his uncle the king. Little does he know, Lore has her own plans for the book. She’s going to bind it to herself and take down the king of Alytheria on her own.

Honestly, I was pretty disappointed with this one. I had high hopes because I really enjoyed the first one, and I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book.
First of all, I really did not enjoy the romance. Lore and Fynn interacting just kind of icked me out. I found myself skipping over all the sex scenes and the moments that were supposed to be romantic just because they grossed me out as a couple. That could just be me though, I don’t think I enjoy this kind of romance in books.
The ending felt super rushed too. It was very anti-climactic, and I felt like Lore’s feelings regarding finding a place for the humans and locking out all the Fae were just pushed aside at a certain point and never got resolved.
All in all, I gave this a 2 star. I really didn’t enjoy it, and I found myself just pushing through and waiting for it to be over.

Rating 3.5. But it won't let me do that below.

Ultimately, I found the series interesting. However, when compared to the first one, it didn’t carry the same interest for me. Although, I still wanted to finish the story.

It started strong in the beginning, with this tension between our main characters. It was also building up because Lore was coming into this power that she hadn’t been able to fully embrace due to being captured. This is also where the love triangle comes in again. She was torn between the two male characters but was also conflicted by her primary goal of protecting her fellow humans from the fae and the demon king.

I think where it falls flat for me is that there didn’t feel like there was enough time. Lore’s conflict between being human and having a relationship with a fae was mentioned as though it would be a real conflict, but then it was forgotten. I understand that was more of her concern due to her current situation. The characters move from different locations, and Lore can conquer the mini-conflicts in those places to ultimately accomplish the task that will help her reach her overall goal. However, I wish the characters had more time to develop. I still enjoyed the story, but I kept focusing on how much was left and just felt like we were running out of time, which added to the suspense. But I would have preferred it if this was a trilogy. Not that duologies aren’t doable. Another subplot that was mentioned was how the humans were brought to Alytheria. And in the end, they gloss over it. Which, again, is probably just more proof that I’m sad the series isn’t continuing.

Overall, I enjoyed it and look forward to future books by this author.

I loved the first book for this one. I had a really hard time getting through book 2. I’m unsure why but I felt like the first part just really draggedddddddd like it was dragged on just to be able to have a duo book. It picked up a little towards the end but was not hitting it for me like the first book.

I am such a big fan of the first book in this duology, Lore of the Wilds, so when I got the opportunity to read the sequel early I was very excited!!! This book is very different than book 1 in terms of aesthetic (because most of it is on/in water rather than a forest), so in the beginning I was thrown off and had to take a break. However I quickly grew to love it. The growth of the characters were done very well, especially syrelle. I am very happy with the conclusion of this duology. Lore is such an amazing fmc, and this really did her story justice.

Thank you to netgalley, the publishing team, and Analeigh Sbrana for letting me read this ARC!

Lore of the Tides is the second book in the Lore of the Wilds duology. These books are cozy fantasy novels about a girl named Lore, who is trying to save her town from fae by using grimoire’s. I really enjoyed the first book, but this one fell a little flat for me. There wasn’t much character development and the ending seemed a bit abrupt. Overall I did enjoy it and would rate it 3.5/5 stars! ⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for this eARC!

Mild spoilers are included because they are important to my feelings on certain events in the books.

This book starts off very strong, especially since it follows the direct events that happen after book one. The way the author describes Lore’s feelings on being betrayed and the heartbreak associated with it were so powerful that I could feel it. That, mixed with her new setting and situation, give the beginning of this book an engaging few first chapters because you get to watch as Lore tries to navigate all her negative feelings while also being held captive. It also introduces and further elaborates upon a new source of magic that has its own intriguing back story that sets the stage for what is going to happen.

It is a testament how good of a writer the author is that she makes such like-able characters because I found myself both loving and hating Syrelle alongside Lore. His obvious yearning for her made it even harder to dislike him. I am glad she was able to kind of forgive him in the end, but I do feel like Lore was a little too harsh with him. In retrospect, Syrelle had his reasons for why he lied to her. I don’t necessarily agree with them, but he worked SO hard to show her that he wasn’t the bad guy in the end and she still didn’t fully forgive him. He helped them immensely yet she still chalked it up to “oh well too much has happened for things to be better between us”

There was a lot of action and a lot fun different settings with their own individual adventures that made this book a really good read. I struggled through the beginning just a little which is why I didn’t give it a full five stars, but I would still highly recommend this book to others.

This duology has a whole had a fantastic message and diverse, amazing characters that deserve all the praise in the world.

Going into this book, I had middling expectations. I did hope that the world-building would be expanded on a bit, since the first one took place in a very small location for much of the book. The wider politics of the world weren't discussed, and I wanted to learn more about this world they are on. Perhaps learn more where the humans came from. Alas, as the book went on that was not what happened. Sure we meet more beings on the world, but that didn't make it feel bigger or help me understand anything, it just left more questions.

We go this underwater realm, and meet the Fae that live there. Something that took me out of the story was that Lore knew what a Jellyfish was. She called it a Jellyfish, and this is stand out as unusual because before she was kidnapped and brought aboard the ship, she had never seen the ocean before. She should have no idea what they are. The underwater part should've been exciting, but they get a magical "kiss" from the aforementioned jellyfish, and then can move around under water like the local Fae, but they are actually walking around like they would on dry land. Which, for me, makes them being at the bottom of the ocean less exciting.

I, admittedly, started skim-reading around the half-way point. I know this is a romance, but I feel like Lore and Finn, were far too interested in finding time/ways to have sex than they were with trying to accomplish any of these dire goals. That's another thing, there is no reason that Finn had to be captured too, other than a plot convenience. Even the excuse of him being used as a bargaining chip for Lore didn't make sense, they didn't know each other long enough for Syrelle to think he'd matter enough for that to work. He just needed to be there with the underwater Fae rescued her.

By the end, I really felt that this series should've either been three books and taken more time to flesh things out, or one longer book that trimmed some of the repetitiveness. This book is set in and Epic Fantasy world, that hints at larger things that don't get the time they need to make the world feel real. A fantasy book, romance or not, being under 400/500 pages is very short. The world needed more attention, and the focus couple needed more attention for their romance to be believable beyond a trauma bond. This book/series just had a very underwhelming and convenient ending.

Analeigh Sbrana’s final installment in her duology builds upon the successful aspects of the first book with better pacing, new characters and settings, and a beautiful ending. For those who need a recap on book 1, I recommend the FairyLoot Read Along for Lore of the Wilds.

The second book picks up not long after the end of the previous book, after Asher is revealed to be Lord Syrelle. Syrelle has Lore captive on a ship and they are aiming to find Deeping Lune’s companion book, Auroradel. The book follows their adventures, with all its twists and turns, as Syrelle and Lore both seek the grimoire for their own goals. Syrelle plans to overthrow his villainous uncle and promises to free Lore’s people with his new power, but Lore wants the power for herself to ensure her people’s freedom.

One important theme in the book is the ways that broken trust changes a person or a relationship. Syrelle seems to believe their connection is real and discusses how the two of them will rule alongside one another once he binds himself to Auroradel. But Lore struggles to believe Syrelle’s words or trust any of her new friends. Asher’s betrayal has made her distrust even herself — she feels like her own judgment and heart are incapable of deciphering the truth.

Lore begins to trust herself more with the help of Finndryl, who trusts in her decisions and abilities. He gives her the space to heal through his steadfastness and respect for her, but she continues to feel an inexplicable pull toward Syrelle. Readers will find a more mature and confident woman emerge, although she struggles with the burden of her responsibilities and the impact of her choices. One of Sbrana’s central messages is about the strength derived from community and found family. They help Lore see that she does not hold those burdens alone.

Readers interested in a romantasy series that celebrates Black love, massive libraries, generational knowledge, and adventure should pick up the series. The second book reflects Sbrana’s growth as a writer and delivers a satisfying ending to the interesting premise from the first book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an Advanced Reader Copy.

When I read Lore of the Wilds, I fell in love—with the story, the characters, and Analeigh Sbrana’s writing. This sequel honestly left me a little confused. And while I didn’t totally dislike it, coming from my extreme love for book one, my indifference to the second book is shocking.

Just like Lore of the Wilds, the writing in Lore of the Tides is vivid and descriptive. A picture is always being painted—whether it's clothing, smells, or scenery. Analeigh Sbrana creates a lush, fascinating, almost tangible fantasy world that you wish you could step into. What threw me off, though, was the plot. (Spoilers to come.)

The end of LOTW is jaw-dropping—one of those cliffhangers that leaves you begging for the next book. The tension, the yearning, the shock—it all laid the groundwork for an incredible second installment. But it fell a bit flat. Asher (and that’s what I’ll always call him, not Syrelle—maybe one day, but not now) betrayed Lore, and we felt it. That pain hit deep. And before that betrayal, Lore was building chemistry with Finndryl. The spark between them was there, but because she still loved Asher, it wasn’t fully explored. Then boom—the betrayal.

I assumed Asher would become the villain in book two, that Lore would have to fight him while also battling the remnants of her love for him, all while slowly growing closer to Finndryl and eventually coming together with him. But what actually happens is... Lore and Finndryl are suddenly a couple. And Asher? He’s actually a good guy who made a mistake.

To be fair, Asher had the most interesting storyline and character development of anyone in this book—but he still takes a back seat. The main couple, Lore and Finndryl, just are a couple. No build-up, no angst, no emotional payoff. It’s like: “Okay, I loved Asher but he betrayed me, and since I had some interest in Finn, we’re together now. Moving on.”

Often in a duology, the first book sets the tone and the second follows it, adding new elements while wrapping things up. But this second book seems to march to the beat of its own drum, with a very different vibe than book one. We miss out on so much: the chemistry in Lore and Isla’s friendship, time with the people she left behind. Lore goes on interesting adventures—those were definitely enjoyable—but the execution felt off. She seemed to float through dramatic situations with plot armor.

Honestly, I would’ve preferred a fluffier romantasy, with a slow-burn romance and deeper connections between characters—like we had in book one—rather than a rushed romance and what felt like a bunch of side stories.

I’m still shocked I have anything negative to say at all. I swore by Lore of the Wilds. I defended it, put it on a pedestal. I own four copies. But Lore of the Tides kind of let me down. It’s still good—I don’t hate it—but I was so in love with book one that the flatness of book two is more heartbreaking than usual.

Im going to make my public review a bit kinda in support of Analeigh but I had to be honest here

I struggled with this book. I adored book 1 and was very excited for book 2, unfortunately the pacing was very off to me. I read the first one in a single day and this took me nearly a month to get through. The first part of the book dragged on and the end moved too quickly. I think my biggest gripe is that tense scenes seemed to resolve over a single page so it was just quite flip floppy.

That being said, I still love the cast of characters and the ending was satisfying.

I don’t know why, but this book didn’t hit the same way Lore if the Wilds did. It could have been the pacing, but for some reason I was t quite as invested as I had thought I’d be.

A riveting tale of persistence and determination and an action-packed, challenging journey leading to self-actualization, Lore of the Tides is a perfect continuation of its predecessor, Lore of the Wilds, as well as a conclusion of Lore's story. Author Analeigh Sbrana has written a compelling cottagecore slowburn romantasy full of yearning, betrayal, and redemption, set in a complex queernormative world.

In this book, we witness the main characters overcome an extreme side quest of aiding an underwater civilization to restore magical balance. Continously faced with impossible odds, whether at the bottom of the ocean or trekking through a desert, Lore's focus is strengthened by her friendships. Lore's expedition to acquire the second magical book and hurry back home to save her town from an oppressive regime will have the reader eager to learn how it ends.

Beautifully paced with a thick plot and well-rounded characters, Lore of the Tides is perfect for any lover of romantasy!

I had the honor of reading this early through netgalley and have already pre-ordered this book. I so look forward to reading what author Analeigh Sbrana writes next!

This is actually the best sequel to a book I’ve ever read. It is so good and I will always recommend the duology. I can’t wait for everyone to read it..

WHAT. DO I DO. NOW!!!!

Update: okay I’m done crying
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced e-arc copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Let it be known that I am an absolute sucker for a pretty character and a pretty dress but I must say that the packaging is a mere taste of the story, the writing and the FEELINGS that come inside.
Lore of the Tides is a continuation of Lore’s story as well as the journeys of Asher and Finn, but this time, the stakes are different and much higher.
Spoilers (???) ahead.
This is so far beyond what is written or known as a “love triangle” nor is this story driven by that trope. This story is the growth and the strength of all of its characters as well as a lush, beautifully written fantasy that I absolutely did not want to end. Lore is a well-rounded, thought out character, to the point where I feel like I could talk to her and know how she would respond. I might go ahead and say it (would you be surprised) I would die for her and I know she would do the same for me. Our two male leads, Asher and Finn, could easily be shunted to a background of “which will Lore choose” and let that be that but no. Analeigh Sbrana gave them flaws and gave them room to grow and explore and be led by a strong woman, even when it looked like maybe they shouldn’t (yes, I’m talking about a moment involving a volcano deity).
Analeigh Sbrana is forever an auto-buy author for me, not only for the absolutely STUNNING way she writes, but for the careful plotting and humanity (heh because they’re fae) of her characters.
All of the stars if I could give them.

Much like the first book, I was immediately inspired by the fantastical world that Annaleigh Sbrana has wrought. Her vividly descriptive and lyrical storytelling is so spellbinding that I didn't want the book to end...ever. This book starts out a little slow, giving us time to be mesmerized by the majestical, whimsical world that Sbrana has built. At 65%, I worried that the book would begin to feel rushed because it seemed there was still so much to accomplish, but I think the pacing was good for the most part. I enjoyed that we got a bigger glimpse into the mythology of Lore's people. I also enjoyed the laugh out loud and bashful moments.

("Good girl"=*swoon*)

While I loved this book, I did have a few qualms. One is that this book felt more plot driven than the first and it felt like this was done at the expense of exploring characters and relationships. With the introduction of characters in the first book, we got the chance to learn about them and spend time with them. I didn't feel like we got that this time around. There were moments I forgot the Prince was part of the crew much of the time until he was "needed" and thus mentioned again. The moments with Pytheah were brief and almost inconsequential. I would have liked to have gotten to know them a little better and have them more present. I had also hoped we would get more of an explanation of Ember and her significance.

Another thing that threw me was the final area where Auroradale was. We don't necessarily learn why the books chose Lore. I was also confused why the King would go to great lengths to make the book accessible through trials only to still try to deny someone at the end. I guess I expected more of a "You've-passed-my-tests-you're-clearly-worthy" kind of spiel.

The last thing, though meager, is that I was sad that Finn didn't get the book for Lore from the inn. Once she lamented not getting it, I thought it would've been cute/sweet to have had him do that, almost as a symbology of his love but also the voyage they were already on.

All in all, I enjoyed this book so much and I'm so glad it exists. I love how series makes me feel and I would read it again and again.

Ahhhhh! I loved book 1 and this book was somehow even more magical and even better somehow. I loved this duology. Unapologetically Black, magical, and the perfect fantasy. The FMC is amazing and both MMCs are so different you never know who you are rooting for. Of you were looking for fantasy, romance , heartache, and a fun time, this is the book for you.