This book was so good. It was the perfect ending to the cliffhanger in book one. Our girl lore had the biggest twist ending on the cliffhanger a book one the person she thought she could trust throughout all of the book was the last person that she thought he would turn out to be. I don’t wanna give away too much from the first book, but man was that good in this book, our girl ends up and on a ship in the middle of the ocean her first time on a boat and now she’s in the middle of the ocean with all these say that look down on her like she’s nothing because she’s a mortal, who somehow got magic And she’s still trying to get a grip on her powers while trying to get a grip on the ocean and they bring in the great Lord, the folklore of the stories without making them too fluffy. They bring in the real lore and it’s just amazing how everything wraps up I completely enjoyed this and wish it was more than just a duology . I would love to keep reading more about Lore and her adventures.

Lore does not disappoint in this book. She ends up with who she is supposed to be with but it is not an easy journey. The adventure in this book is of the chart. I was happy with the ending of the book.

After reading Lore of the Wilds last year, I could not wait for this book to come out! That cliffhanger was brutal and this book did not disappoint

Lore and Finndryl have been kidnapped by Syrelle and Lore is tasked with finding the next grimoire. Syrelle wants it to be able to overthrow the king, but Lore is determined to keep it for herself to become more powerful and protect the people of Duskmere.

I know Syrelle is supposed to be this morally grey villain, but I just wanted him and Lore to be together. But also Finndryl. What I wanted was a throuple. Do we get it? You'll have to read to find out

It's been a year since I read Lore of the Wilds and didn't do a reread before this one, but still managed to understand everything and things from the first book started to come back to me.

If you like a fantasy that doesn't take 200 pages of world building, but is still easy to follow and picture, as well as magic with conflict between fae and humans, and some romance thrown in too, I recommend giving these books a try.

Lore of the Tides by Analeigh Sbrana is the final installment of the duology Lore of the Wilds. It is written in third-person POV.

This picks up where we left off and Lore is being held prisoner. Her trust was misplaced and now broken, she's unsure of how she will get out of this. I couldn't determine if I was supposed to root for Syrelle or Finn, and my heart was constantly in a state of anxiety.

It is a love triangle with Black Fae, Sirens, and elemental magic. It is originally enemies to lovers hits heavy with the Found Family trope. The femme rage is top tier and I love it!

This was a decent follow up to the first book and I actually enjoyed this more. I really wish the whole book had taken place underwater with the sirens. Their whole kingdom felt so fresh and different in a fantasy setting that I want another whole book just about them. It still felt more YA in the storytelling, but the romance was more adult and detailed than the first book. The 2 styles conflicted with each other and felt jarring at times. Really disliked Finn describing how she "tastes" and then calling her by that. Cringed each time it happened.

Book 2 picked up pretty quickly after the end of book 1 and we join Lore, still a prisoner, and on a ship. Lore and Sorrell are on the hunt for Auroradel, the sister Grimore to Deeping Lune. This whole segment of the book got SO annoyingly repetitive and took a while to get through.
Finndryl was also on board as collateral to ensure Lore did as requested. Once the ship was attacked by the sirens the story picked up a lot. The magic, method of breathing underwater, kingdom and culture was literally the best part of he whole duology. When the time for them to leave came I was sad and upset to head back to the surface with the Fae.

The group's travel through the desert and into the mountains felt more of the same with the ship travel, except with some awkward romance. The griffins were more interesting and wish more time was spent with them as well. Lore's confrontation and acquisition of Auroradel was also over far too quickly. Lore's confrontation with The King was a let down. It was a bit predictable and I was annoyed until Lore figured it out. And once it came to the climax, it was over too soon. Then we rush into the ending and the epilogue.

I read book 1 when it first came out and really liked the story, so when I saw book 2 was coming out and I had the opportunity to read the eARC I jumped at the chance.

Overall, I still liked the story but I was a bit disappointed.

As I was reading, I realized my biggest issue with the book, is I very unfortunately just didn't like Lore. But before I let my opinions of the bad ruin the good let's talk about what I did like.

I liked the worldbuilding. We get to see everything from Lore's POV, and as someone trapped in a tiny village most of her life with limited knowledge, we get to see just how much more there is to this world with Lore. We meet more common fae in the outskirts. We meet sirens. We find out there are griffins and dragons and other creatures.

I liked the rage. Lore's rage isn't just that of a woman scorned, it is that of generations of people treated unfairly, poorly, and just plain cruelly, for no other reason than the people in power can. She wants freedom for her people and they deserve it just by being.

I liked that we finally get closure as to why humans are even in this world in the first place.

What I didn't like.

Lore has too much internal dialogue. We had very intense scenes happening, with action or just important things happening and Lore would go off on an internal tangent about how much she hates Syrelle but can't help but be attracted to him, or how hot Finndryl is. Or she goes off thinking about how she is going to rip the hearts out of her enemies or some such nonsense. It just got to be annoying to the point that I would skim through to get back to the plot.

Syrelle is all talk and no proof. As a reader we know he isn't lying when he says he is doing everything for the greater good and has true regrets about what he did to Lore. But he also doesn't have any actions to prove it to Lore. And I didn't like his throwaway line of how hewouldn't have and Lore choose and she could have had both men.

My favorite part of the book was the end with all the action because Lore didn't have time to think.

Lore of the Tides is the epic conclusion to Lore’s adventure and hero story. Analeigh Sbrana expands upon her magical and fantastical world of Raelysh (and beyond~) even more in book two.
In Lore of the Tides, our main characters Lore, Finndryl, and Asher must leave the Alytherian Empire and traverse the open seas to Lapis Deep, an underwater siren-based sea kingdom, to search for the hidden sister book to Lore’s Deeping Lune.
After Lapis Deep, Lore continues developing her magic and gaining confidence. The search for Deeping Lune continues in the arid and dry desert kingdom of Ma Serach. I really appreciated the maps (from Book 1 and Book 2) that aided in envisioning this world.
Lore’s journey is symmetrical and beautiful, ending where it all started.
Although the Lore of the Wilds duology is only two books long, Sbrana artfully balances establishing the world/geography, magic system, and capabilities/powers of the diverse group of supernatural beings and humans well with the human-centered character development and romantic love threads. She seamlessly incorporates modern language into her characters’ dialogue (I love her use of exclamation marks!), keeping readers captivated and immersed in this fantasy world. Sbrana also ensures that her main characters’ thoughts, actions, and motivations reflect what she would like readers to see most in real life. The Lore of the Wilds duology is not just a romantasy love story, it is a speculative self-love story.
I am so excited about any future releases by Analeigh Sbrana! We are in for a treat and wild ride in Summer 2026 with the first book in the Heir of Prophecy duology.
Thank you to the publisher @harpervoyagerus and the Author @analeighsbrana for the eARC to enjoy before publication!

Thank you to Netgalley for proving me a free copy of this book.

I went into this book with high hopes after semi-enjoying Lore of the Wilds, but unfortunately, this sequel just didn’t land for me. I ended up DNF’ing around 50%, despite trying to push through.

The plot felt muddled and disconnected from the first book’s tone and structure. Instead of building on what worked in Lore of the Wilds, this installment seemed like it was trying to tell a completely different story with little cohesion or character consistency. Lore’s voice felt less grounded, and the overall pacing was off, making it hard to stay invested in the stakes or emotional arcs.

One major issue for me was the editing; or lack thereof. I understand ARCs are unpolished, but this read more like an early draft than something nearing final form. Continuity and flow were frequent issues, not just grammar or minor typos. It pulled me out of the story constantly.

The romantic subplot, which I was initially curious about, felt rushed and tonally jarring compared to book one. A suddenly explicit scene came out of nowhere and didn’t mesh with the overall atmosphere or pacing of the story up to that point.

This book had real potential, and I still think the author has a strong voice and creative worldbuilding. But this felt like it needed more structural editing before it was ready. I’m hopeful for future works, but this one just wasn’t for me.

5⭐️
2.5🌶️

I am absolutely obsessed with both this book and the series as a whole!

At first, it took me a second to get into it but once I got to about the 25% point, I didn’t want to put it down. If you love sirens, found family, love triangles, adventure, and friendship then I think you’ll enjoy this book. While I personally loved the plot, I do acknowledge it may not be for everyone especially if you find that plots can be predictable. While I could guess when certain things happened, I was so engrossed into the story that I didn’t care.

What real got me sucked into this book was the characters. I genuinely feel in love with them. Im not an emotional person when reading but I found myself feeling the same emotions as the characters. I could go from the verge of tears to laughing out loud within a few chapters. I also loved Lore as a character. She is a very strong fmc but not in the traditional sense. Her strength lies in her knowledge and empathy for others which is something I both value and relate to on a personal level, making me fall in love with her even more. I also loved how diverse the characters were and how beautifully it Analeigh showed it in the story.

Lastly, without giving anything away, I LOVED the hair braiding scene. It was 😘. And I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes in the book…”In time, honey. Let me worship you.”

In summary, this duology will without a doubt be in my top 3 series I’ve read!!

I really enjoyed the actual story and I had a great time with it mostly, but I wish I had phyiscally read this instead of listening to the audiobook. It felt like it was double the length that it actually was due to the slow pacing. I definitely think the author could have either made it a tad bit longer so the ending didn't feel rushed or cut out some of the earlier plot points that didn't necessarily need to be done to give the ending room to breathe. Overall, it's a better romantasy than most though and a breath of fresh air in regards to the story being told. The underwater kingdom was some of the most inventive story telling and I absolutely adored it. <spoiler>So many times we see the same types of story where the main character ends up with the morally dark grey chracter, but I like that Lore didn't here. </spoiler>

I absolutely adore this duology, I am still reading Tides but at the pleasure of interviewing Analeigh for a tour stop. Great reads, great person, can't wait for Heir of Prophecy!

This book exceeded my expectations. After the heartbreaking and gut wrenching betrayal in Lore
Of the Wilds I just knew I was not ready for what I was going to get myself into for book 2 in this now completed series. Something has changed in Lore as she comes into her new found powers. Deterred to free the people of Duskmere while at the same time being held captive. The world building of the ocean was absolutely amazing to read and the love story between Lore and Finndryl is what we have ALL been waiting for! This is not a YA story BTW! I also loved how this was an action packed adventure and that we got to see Lore and some other characters (I don’t want to ruin it for anyone) in all their magical glory. The ending was perferect for me but it does feel bitter sweet saying goodbye to all of the characters. I feel like I need a novella now!!!! Easiest 5 star read of the year!

📚💭Book Review📚💭

📚Lore of the Tides by @analeighsbrana 📚

💭 What a story of found power, magic, and a steamy love triangle to boot. Thank you to @netgalley for this eARC!

I enjoyed Lore’s character — her messy plotline really worked for her and made her incredibly relatable. Lore is constantly battling between her devotion to her people and her desires for herself. We often feel pressured to choose to be one thing or another when in reality we are often many things at once and often those are in contradiction.

The character work is where Sbrana’s writing shines. The love triangle among Lore, Asher and Finn was what kept me reading, and the believability of each was propelled their interactions. Side characters were fun additions — Cuan was a standout 🪼

The cultural details were specific and appreciated, and enhanced the story for me. I love any moments that capture the every day, simple lives of different cultures, and the details around haircare helped ground the world of this story.

The middle act felt dragged out to me, but this story was a worthwhile read.

#bookreview #bookstagram #analeighsbrana
#loreofthetides #loreofthewilds #lorealemeyu #ashergylthrae #finndrylhwraeth #loreandfinn #loreandasher #romantasy #blackromantasy

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book.

What I liked: I always appreciate stories with Black leads that delve into magic and whimsy and adventure. Lore helps heal a part of me that grew up wanting to be seen in these stories. The different settings were interesting and a duology can be a powerful story.

What I didn’t like: the pacing was off. Some parts of the story were overly explained, and the more important bits seemed to be rushed. The love triangle fell flat for me and some of Lore’a actions seemed immature; a lot of the dialogue seemed uninspired.

Overall I think some people will enjoy this duology, and I am interested to see where the author goes from here.

I absolutely loved Lore of the Wilds and was SO excited to be able to read the sequel.

I absolutely loved Lore and all her qualities (both considered good and her faults). I related to her stumbling along and finding her and immersing herself in this new world.

Analeigh writes in a way that brings you into this immersive world and takes you along for all the ups and downs.

I truly loved being able to read this story and follow along on all the adventures. Beautifully written and perfect for any fan of fantasy!

As a millennial who grew up devouring fantasy novels, I was super excited for Lore of the Tides, especially since I loved the first book in the duology. Analeigh Sbrana doesn’t disappoint with her world-building and character depth, but I did find some aspects of this sequel a bit uneven.

First off, Lore Alemeyu continues to be a strong and relatable protagonist. Her struggles with trust, love, and the weight of her responsibilities resonate deeply, especially in a world that often feels like it’s pulling us in a million directions. The dynamics of her relationships, particularly the love triangle, are both captivating and frustrating in the best way. I found myself rooting for her to make the right choices, even when my heart ached for the characters involved.

The adventure itself is thrilling, filled with magical creatures and treacherous waters. The blend of action, emotional stakes, and the occasional laugh (seriously, Sbrana’s humor shines through) keeps the pages turning. I appreciated the representation and the attention to diverse experiences, especially regarding Lore’s cultural background and the small details like hair care rituals that added authenticity to the narrative.

However, I felt the pacing was a bit rushed at times. The plot twists, while exciting, sometimes left me a bit confused, and I wish there had been more time to explore certain relationships and the stakes surrounding Lore’s quest for the sun book. The emotional depth I craved didn’t always land as powerfully as it did in the first book.

That said, there were standout moments that made me laugh, cry, and reflect, which is what I love most about fantasy. The writing is lyrical and beautiful, and Sbrana knows how to pull at your heartstrings. Lore’s journey is not just about magic and adventure; it's also about learning to trust oneself amidst chaos.

Overall, Lore of the Tides is a solid addition to the fantasy genre that will resonate with millennials who appreciate both adventure and deeper themes of love, betrayal, and self-discovery. While it may not have been perfect, it definitely left me wanting to discuss it with my fellow fantasy lovers over coffee. If you’re looking for a book that combines epic fantasy with real emotional stakes, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a shot!

Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the privilege of an advance reader copy to read and review!

Lore of the Tides, the second book in the duology, is one that I truly enjoyed. While the first book built the world and ended with an unexpected twist, this book continued right where it left off. Lore is now working to find the grimoire and of course has an agenda of her own! While this book was a fun read, I do have to say, in comparison to book 1, I felt that the pacing was a little fast for me. I wished there was more development of certain plot points because they were so interesting and exciting but instead things just kept on moving. For example, I felt like there was a lot of preparation and build up to reaching the goal of the story and once we got there, all of a sudden it was over. She put so much care in the development of the world and characters in book 1, and I felt that this wasn’t necessarily continued in this second book. All in all, I did really love the style of writing and I would love to read more books by this author.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I did find us being in Lore’s mind to be a bit much. I don’t recall this being the case with the first book. But again, the story as a whole was good. I’d definitely recommend to those who haven’t read it and especially to those who are looking for fantasy with characters that look like them.

Lore waking up trapped on a ship, betrayed and surrounded by fae who hate her immediately had me locked in. The ocean setting was super immersive and the search for the sun book added just the right amount of suspense and had me wondering what was going to happen next. Also Lore is still just as impulsive and stubborn as she was in book pne to me but I could also tell that she was learning. Some of the pacing felt like it was dragging at times and I wish the ending felt a little more emotional for me but overall it was intense and I honestly thought this was better than the first book which I don’t usually say!

I actually ended up listening to the audiobook for this one because I received both here on NetGalley (thank you so much NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Analeigh of course!)
This book is beautifully written and the cover is phenomenal! I also adore this narrator so much.

There’s something undeniably captivating about stories rooted in ancient folklore, and Lore of the Tides by Analeigh Sbrana delivers that eerie, salt-soaked magic in spades. From the moment I stepped into its tide-marked shores, I was transported to a world where old gods linger in whispered legends, and the sea keeps more secrets than it gives away.

Sbrana’s writing is lush and evocative, with a lyrical quality that perfectly suits the book’s atmosphere. You can almost hear the waves crashing and feel the grit of sand beneath your feet as the story unfolds. The mythology she’s crafted is intricate and haunting, the kind of world-building that hints at so much more lurking just out of view — and I loved that sense of unease and wonder.

The protagonist felt refreshingly human: flawed, resilient, and torn between what’s expected and what her heart craves. While a few side characters left me wanting a little more development, the emotional stakes felt genuine, and the relationships — especially those strained by duty and tradition — carried weight.

If I had one critique, it’s that the story didn’t always flow as smoothly as I’d hoped. Some transitions between scenes and revelations felt a touch abrupt or uneven, which occasionally pulled me out of the otherwise immersive experience. But the strength of the world, the haunting mythology, and the vivid atmosphere more than made up for it.

Lore of the Tides is an impressive, evocative debut brimming with ancient magic and coastal superstition. I’ll definitely be keeping Analeigh Sbrana on my radar — if her next story is anything like this one, I’m already sold.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me wade into these haunted waters early.