Actual Rating: 3.5/5

What a magically epic sequel and conclusion to this duology. Lore of the Tides was the perfect blend of fantasy and romance.

I thoroughly enjoyed this duology as a whole but I think Lore of the Tides was my favorite out of the two. I adored getting to explore more of Lore and Finn’s relationship. The twist at the beginning of the book had me at the edge of my seat and I loved getting to spend time in an underwater kingdom. Reading this in the summertime felt like the perfect choice. I really enjoyed meeting some new side characters as well. I think Prince Hazen and I were meant to be.

My favorite thing about this book - and duology as a whole - is the writing. It flows so easily and nicely and is filled with such whimsy that I felt transported every time I picked up the book. It truly made my reading experience so fun and magical. I’m also a huge fan of the cottagecore elements. I loved exploring more of the world and watching Lore grow as a character through the writing.

Overall, I highly recommend this duology. It’s fun, whimsical, lyrical and truly so enjoyable. The humor is peak and the romance is so swoon worthy. Lore of the Tides was the perfect conclusion to this magically epic story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Love a good fantasy duology and this one didn't disappoint! I read Lore of the Tides immediately after its previous book and enjoyed being able to jump right in to unravel the cliffhanger that the first book left us on!

Lore of the Tides introduces us to a new cast of characters, new magical systems and creatures, and new locations. Analeigh was able to paint beautiful imagery that brought it all to life. The new characters were just as vibrant and lovable as previous characters and added quite a lot to the second half of the epic adventure they found themselves on. The journey is fueled by betrayal, grief, rage, justice, hope, and finding community amongst people who were once strangers.

“She yearned for the luxury of trust.”

Lore remained just as stubborn in book two as she was in he previous but, I really appreciated the growth she made in that time as well. She became a much more complex character and I enjoyed watching her learn to embrace magic, stand up for herself, and to recognize what did and didn't serve her well-being. A lot of this growth happened because of her budding relationship with Finn. He gave her the space and unwavering support she needed as she navigated all that she'd learned, lost, and hoped to gain along the way.

“We cannot be cynical when fighting for justice. When your cause is a worthy one, it is hope that will fuel the fires of change… We deserve to be safe. We deserve to take up space.”

The story wrapped up nicely and I'm sad to see it end. Definitely recommend it if you're looking for a complete fantasy duology!

Overall, an enjoyable read. I especially enjoyed the underwater portion of the story. I thought the romantic relationships needed more development. I thought the story was original and I loved Lore as a character. I will recommend this books to friends!

“Lore of the Tides” was a highly anticipated sequel to the sensational new adult fantasy “Lore of the Wilds.” The book introduces new characters to interact with the beloved characters from the first book and puts them in a seafaring situation perfect for fans of “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

However, I wish the pacing was better. In some instances we move at breakneck speed through various action sequences and problems for the characters to overcome, resolving them in one chapter or less. In other areas of the book the plot drags on so much it’s hard to remember what happened and what the characters are trying to accomplish.

3.75⭐️ rounded to 4 ☺️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️

I want to thank Harper Collins for being kind enough to send me this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

While I had some issues with the first book in this series, I really saw the growth this author had with her writing here! It felt very different from the first book (just the vibes in general, this second book being more action-adventure and less “cozy”) I enjoyed the plot, and felt like the stakes were much higher here than the first book.

Lore’s growth was also evident, the magic system felt more developed, however I do wish we saw her learn how to master her powers, I do feel like that was skipped over. I also just could not get into the romance. I did not feel the chemistry between her and Finn, and the few spicy scenes felt like they were thrown in just to have them.

There’s a LOT to love here, and this is now a completed duology!! If you want a diverse fantasy series with a fun plot and a unique world, I would definitely recommend giving this a shot!

Lore of the Tides was a bit uneven for a sequel and the end of a duology. The first book, Lore of the Wilds, felt like a single story with a clear arc and surprising turns. I was hopeful Tides would echo that first half of the story. Instead, the pacing was all over the place. It was much more episodic, with some conflicts lasting much longer than felt natural, and then the resolution taking altogether too little time. I haven’t really read anything with story issues like this before.

Lore continues to be a compelling character, an embodiment of hope and strength, but flawed in her fears and her internal struggle with/against Syrelle.

I was not prepared for Syrelle to be a complicated character in this book. After the plot twist at the end of Wilds, he was set up to be a pure villain. Instead, we struggle along with Lore as we try to discern what his real motives are and how much of what he says is true. His was an interesting arc that I enjoyed, even though so much would have been easier for the characters if he only told the whole truth and stopped hiding facts from Lore. (Darn that miscommunication trope!)

I’ll be honest, I barely remember Finn from book 1. That’s not a commentary on his character necessarily; it’s more because I have a goldfish memory and I read a lot of books between book 2 and book 2. However, his character development in this book seemed…off, somehow? The reveal that <spoiler>he had charmed Lore to have protection of his pub as if she were family the first day he met her does not seem congruous with the character we met in book 1. And the supposed instant attraction he felt is also difficult to imagine in tandem with the grouchy, prickly character he was in book 1. And, he becomes this soft romancey partner to Lore very quickly. It all seems unnaturally quick and unlikely that his character would shift that way. </spoiler>

There was a fair amount of deus ex machina in this story…Lore’s quick and seamless ability to aid a siren kingdom, and easily passing the increasingly obscure tests in the hunt for the Grimoire all felt entirely too convenient. The plot armor was incredibly strong throughout the book, and it made for s bit of a contrived story.

Finally, the shifting tone of the story, from incredibly dark, gory, and disturbing, to sunny and light and overall too-easy-to-resolve conflicts felt a bit like whiplash. Just when I was settling into one story flavor, it would shift the other direction. It would have been better to temper those extremes, I think…then again, I’m more often going to favor adding darkness to a story. If the lighter moments had more edge and urgency to them, the shifts wouldn’t feel like suddenly entering a different story.

Overall, I call it a mixed bag. The world is interesting and characters are endearing, but the pacing and plot of the book distorted the natural good parts until the felt too saturated.

I enjoyed diving back into this story and getting to read what happens next! This book was full of adventures, from deep under the sea to high on mountains tops. We get to meet some new creatures in this one- namely SIRENS!!! I loved the sirens!!! And I especially liked the siren queen and her consort. Super cool characters! And the adventure Lore and Fyn went on on the ocean floor was fun, invoking parts of movies like Abyss and The Meg 2. Also, later in the story we get to meet a BABY GRYFFIN!!! I squealed my heart out over that little cutie.

That being said, the book wasn’t a full win for me, personally. In my opinion, Lore is immature as a character. She is rash and reckless, making harsh judgments at the drop of a dime, and insulting people within an inch of their lives if they sneeze wrong in her presence. I understand that trauma can make one overly defensive and aggressive, but I wasn’t a fan in this case. I also did not like the hot and cold vibes she was giving with Syrelle. As a reader, I did not buy the sudden change from hating him for 75% of the book to suddenly admitting to still loving him and saying she’ll always love him. WHAT?! You’ve been raging against him the whole book, but suddenly he gets bullied a little too hard and you love him again? I don’t buy it. Their parting at the end was not satisfying for me.

Still, the book was an adventure filled with pretty world building and lots of action. The spice was more than expected, but easy to skip through if you prefer to.

Thank you to Harper Voyager & Netgalley for the eARC!!

3.5 stars!

I really enjoyed this book! I really liked seeing Lore's character progression, and I think she is a great FMC! I also really loved her relationship with Finn, I thought they were so sweet together & i'm happy they ended up together! I really loved the world the author created & thought the atmosphere was 10/10!

Definitely recommend reading this one, especially if you were a fan of book 1!

I had a really hard time getting into this book and staying excited. The story line and characters just fell really short for me and I just felt as though I was constantly putting this down to read something else because I would quickly lose interest. The main characters give off really YA vibes instead of an adult romantasy. I was not a big fan of the romance in this book because it just felt unnatural and the love triangle between Lore, Finn and Syrelle just was not enjoyable to me. I was really excited for this book, but pretty sad it was not a hit as anticipated.

Lore of the Tides has certainly stepped up terms of the adventure and suspense in comparison to the first book in the series, Lore of the Wilds. We begin Lore of the Tides with our main character, Lore, taken hostage by a Fae who has deceived her, broken her trust and forces her to assist them in locating someone important. I feel as though the first book felt more "magical" and cozy but I did enjoy the addition of certain mythical creatures in this one - sea monsters and a siren. What was lacking in the book for me was that there wasn't really a lot of character growth. The pacing as well felt a bit off - for a majority of the book it was very slow pacing and then as we neared the ending, it all of a sudden became very rushed. The ending also felt like it left me with wanting something more but not like a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more...it felt as though something was missing. All in all, I did enjoy the series and would recommend it to those who are looking to dip their toes in the realm of Fantasy reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Lore has been betrayed. Everything she worked for has fallen into chaos. She wakes up on a ship in the middle of the ocean with nothing but the clothes on her back and the fae she can’t stand. As Lore desperately works to find a way to free her people, she is thrust back into the world of fae to solve one more problem. Find the sun book. The issue is, it could lead to bigger betrayal and less help for her kind. Will Lore be able to find what she seeks or will she drown in the tides?

I wanted so much from this book. I truly adored the first one. I loved being back in this world and experiencing a whole new setting with the ocean coming into play. The biggest issue this book has is it feels like it meanders. The first book felt like we were going at break neck speed while this one stopped at every pit stop along the way. I wanted to enjoy this book but I often felt myself say, okay and then what happened? I don’t feel like the plot was well organized and there was too much trying to happen that didn’t feel relevant to the overarching story. Maybe I’m being a little too hard on this story and need to give it another chance later on, but as of right now I’m settling on 3/5 stars.

This was an amazing book. I was so excited when I received the ARC. I remember seeing the video of her first release and was so excited to read.

Loved the ending to this duology, my only complaint is that I want more! I'd love to be able to return to Lore's world some day and see where the human's came from. This story was so beautiful and I appreciate the rep SO MUCH. Fae stories with high stakes, and political intrigue was one of the things that got me back into reading, and very rarely do I get to see characters that look like me. I adored this story, and I can't wait for whats next from Analeigh Sbrana.

This is the sequel to Lore of the Wilds, so please be aware that this review will contain spoilers for book one.

Lore wakes up on a ship heading to foreign lands in pursuit of Auroradel, the
Book of Sunbeams and sister to the book she found in the royal library. Unfortunately, Lore is on this voyage against her will. Lore and Finndryl were kidnapped by Syrelle, who turns out to have been Asher in disguise. He is determined to use Lore's connection to the Book of Sunbeams to claim the book for himself. Lore is understandably upset and infuriated by his betrayal and makes her own plans to claim the book before he can.

Tensions are high on the ship, because even though Syrelle is leading the expedition, he is being watched by his cousin, on orders from the king. He has lost the favor he once had with his uncle. Syrelle claims he is doing what he must to be able to overthrow his uncle and give the Fae and humans a better life, but Lore's faith and trust in him has been shattered. Lore and Finndryl begin to grow closer to each other through this experience as well.

This book was an amazing ending to Lore's story. Full of high seas adventure into new and exciting places. I loved Lore and Finndryl's relationship. He supports her in everything and always has her back without question. Lore's devotion to her people only grows and she is determined to lead them to a better life away from their oppressors. Lore's rage at the injustice her people have experienced with beautifully balanced by the love she has for those dear to her. This book was so beautifully written.

Thank you to @thenerdfam, @harpervoyagerus, and author Analeigh Sbrana for the gifted eARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book Review: Lore of the Tides by Analeigh Sbrana

Analeigh Sbrana delivers another captivating installment in her romantasy series, Lore of the Wilds, with the second installment, Lore of the Tides. Picking up after the events of book one, Lore finds herself betrayed, captured, and adrift on a ship bound for danger. Talk about a rude awakening. Her former friend Syrelle, once known to her as Asher, has shattered her trust, and now she must navigate treacherous waters, both physically and emotionally, to reclaim her freedom.

The story plunges readers into a richly imagined world of fae, sirens, and magic. Lore’s journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and awakening magical power, all while grappling with the complicated feelings she still harbors for Syrelle. Can she overcome his betrayal? The stakes rise even higher when her friend Finn is also taken, forcing Lore to make impossible choices in her quest to free not only herself but the humans oppressed by a cruel fae king. I found Lore to be a strong female main character with determination, grit, and magic that any girl would love. I was seriously bitting my nails with her love interest drama.

Sbrana’s world-building shines, especially in the sirens’ kingdom, which is lush, eerie, and utterly enchanting. The imagery alone of the glowing objects was magical. The plot flows evenly, with a strong balance of action, emotion, and romance. The love triangle adds tension without overwhelming the narrative. I love the inclusion of a Black fae protagonist like Lore brings much-needed representation to the genre.The dedication page drew me right in.

The only reason I’m docking it a star (just one!) is because a few bits of dialogue felt a little too modern for the beautifully crafted world. Honestly, that’s me being picky. The story still swept me away like a siren’s song!

If you’re looking for a romantasy with heart, high seas adventure, magical intrigue, and a heroine worth rooting for, Lore of the Tides is a worthy addition to your TBR. Thank you Harper for sending me this book to review. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Lore of the Tides is the conclusion to Analeigh Sbrana’s Lore of the Wilds duology. It blends fantasy with romantic tension and rich world-building.

Lore Alemeyu, a powerful human with magical abilities, who wakes up imprisoned aboard a ship in the middle of the ocean. Surrounded by a crew that distrusts her and reeling from a betrayal by a Fae she once trusted, Lore is thrust into a perilous quest to recover the legendary Sun Book, a magical artifact that could tip the balance of power between humans and the Alytherian Fae.

As Lore navigates the dangers of the sea and the secrets of the Fae world, she must also confront her own heart, especially when it comes to a mysterious Fae male who may be more ally than enemy. The story is filled with tension, magic, and emotional depth, making it a satisfying and immersive read.

Sbrana’s writing is beautiful and sets a great mood. If you like romantic fantasy and stories about fae, you’ll really enjoy this. It’s a solid follow-up to Lore of the Wilds.

⭐⭐⭐ Review: Lore of the Tides by Analeigh Sbrana

Lore of the Tides begins with promise but ultimately fails to deliver on its potential. Initially, I was drawn in by the unique concept and anticipated a solid four-star read. However, by the 60% mark, my enthusiasm had significantly waned.

The most jarring aspect was the incongruous modern language peppered throughout this fantasy setting. While I typically don't mind contemporary phrasing in fantasy (especially urban fantasy), the casual "kiddos," excessive profanity, and cringe-worthy terms like "toesies" repeatedly pulled me out of the world. The random spice and profanity seemed to be present solely so that this book could be classified as adult and not YA, although the characters all felt very juvenile and consistently made poor decisions.

The love triangle subplot felt particularly underdeveloped, with rather stale execution. Additionally, the dialogue often strives for poetic eloquence but instead comes across as forced and unnatural.

That said, the core concept remains intriguing, and I appreciate the author's decision to conclude the story as a duology rather than stretching it into a longer series—a refreshing choice that earns the book its third star.

I actually dreaded finishing this because knowing the journey was coming to an end was hard. We come back into this after the cliffhanger Lore of the Wilds left us and Lore awakens feeling betrayed by someone she trusted wholeheartedly and it’s heartbreaking but I love that the pace picked right back up. Not to mention such a satisfying ending. The world, the enchanting magic and our strong FMC Lore of the Tides is peak romantasy. I loved this. Loved this series and I’m sad it’s over.

I just finsished the final installment in Analeigh Sbrana's duology. Lore of the Wilds and Lore of the Tides was a wonderful story about magic, The Fae, love, and community. The world building was outstanding and I hope Analeigh continues telling stories in this world. Lore is a wonderful FMC and at times I wanted to shake her when she made decisions that clearly were NOT GOOD. Lore of the Tides was truly a fabulous ending to Lore's story. The new characters and new places we traveled to in this book were fascinating and deserve to be explored more. Lore, Finn, and Asher... her selection was predictable, but understandable. My fingers are crossed for more stories in this world. The side characters were engaging and I would love to see when happens for them next. I gave this book 4 Stars and recommend. The story was spicy with great adventure. Thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager| Harper Voyager, and Analeigh Sbrana for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

This brilliant conclusion to the Lore Of The Wilds duology was everything I wanted it to be and more! Here, the cottagecore vibes of the first installment have been exchanged for an adventure on the high seas that's every bit as enthralling, if not more so. Speaking of adventure, there's enough of it in Tides that it feels considerably less cozy than Wilds. Still, there are plenty of quiet, lovely moments, and thanks to Sbrana's lyrical writing, a sense of wonder imbues every page.

I love how Lore is a fiercely brave book nerd who would do anything for her people. Her growth in this duology is so believable and naturally written. The arcs of the other two main characters are just as satisfying. I was especially impressed with how the author dealt with one person's shocking actions at the end of the first book (iykyk), gradually giving Lore (and readers) answers while adding depth to the character.

The romance in this book is achingly beautiful. Tides also has more spice than Wilds, though it still doesn't come anywhere close to being a smutty read overall. There's just enough heat and passion to reflect the deepening relationship without overpowering the rest of the story.

I disagree with reviewers who have stated that the use of "good girl" is out of place in this type of fantasy book. I may be biased because I'm a fan of the trope, but for me it worked perfectly and didn't feel jarring at all.

The way this book builds on the intriguing magic and the enchanting world introduced in the first novel is incredible. Every time I pick up a fantasy book, I long to be utterly transported to another realm, and Tides delivered. I wasn't ready to stop exploring when I turned the final page. Fingers crossed for future spinoffs!

At its heart, Lore Of The Tides is a story of fighting for justice. Of good overcoming evil. Of the power of community, friendship, and love. A story to give readers hope. It's true that there are many other stories that share these themes. But in Sbrana's gifted hands, they become fresh again.

The story's climax had me on the edge of my seat as I raced through the pages. And that ending! It gave me chills I haven't felt since the conclusion of another beloved duology closer, Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig.

I will eagerly devour whatever books Analeigh Sbrana chooses to bless us with in the future. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!