This is a fantastic novel. It’s a masterful blending of genres that is nostalgic but reinvents Cinderella and The Little Mermaid at the same time. The prose is beautiful, and it is truly just a gorgeous book.

I really enjoyed the retelling elements inspired by Cinderella and the little mermaid. It made for a fun tale. However, I was extremely annoyed with the audio. I get our FMC is an adolescent but did the voice have to be so high pitched and grating on your ears??? I cringed everytime I had to play this. So I wouldn’t recommend the audio.

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @torbooks for the digital ARC & ALC. ♡

*ೃ༄*ੈ✩‧₊˚ The magic of regency-era ballrooms comes to life in this Cinderella reimagining about a girl who is called to the sea.

I ate this one up. In 1700s France and England are on the brink of war, but for now the men of Saint-Malo are content, fat and happy.

French trading ships have brought wealth and prosperity to their shores through the greed of men. There’s a brief mention of slave-trading ships, which sail for the Indies and return loaded with spices, rum and other wares.

I loved how this flips the traditional Cinderella script on its head, where the villains get their own depth of character arcs and the fairy godmother takes the shape of a hag-like tusked fae creature bound to the tides.

Lucinde, our main character, is a girl who longs for adventure, to sail beneath the starry skies.

⚓ Highly recommended for fans of atmospheric fantasy and seafaring with a swoony love story (one or two steamy scenes), and some graphic violence.

🎧 I loved the voice of Lucinde in this audiobook narrated by Esther Wane. The MMC sounded like a gruff pirate 😅🏴‍☠️

Being a Cinderella super fan, I’m always interested in Cinderella retellings but this novel is so much more!

With elements of The Little Mermaid as well, this story is an original tale of a beautiful young lady who is the youngest daughter of a shipping magnate in coastal France during the mid-1700’s.

Included in this story is disability representation, the Fae, a lovely seaside setting with political intrigue, betrayal, and an intriguing triangle which is nicely resolved with a satisfying ending.

I highly enjoyed this standalone story with its magical elements set alongside a historically rich setting with beautiful prose.

The audiobook, narrated by Esther Wane, is excellent except that sometimes her male voices sound very similar lending to some confusion but very enjoyable nonetheless and I’m very thankful to Macmillan Audio for my review copy.

I’m very excited to receive a hardcover copy from one of my subscription book boxes so that I can consume this lovely story in a visual format. This was my first book by Kell Woods but I now look forward to reading her “After The Forest” and any future novels she may write.

Wow. What an incredibly beautiful story. The characters are complex and relatable, and the writing itself is absolutely stunning. I loved the relationships between Luce and her family and how realistically complicated those relationships can be. While I did guess one twist, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book surprised me multiple times.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic story. Kell Woods must be a sea maid herself to have created such a tale. I don't love a character who gives and gives and gives, and Luce is mostly that, trying to give everyone around her the benefit of the doubt. But as her story goes on she gets stronger and stronger and finds herself in the end (I don't consider this a spoiler). The Bretagne setting is so magical for me (one can't have enough books set in France) and the unique weaving of this story make this a five-star book for me. After finishing the audiobook I immediately sent it to a friend because I think she would love it. If you like France and/or fairy tales I think you would too. I think the audiobook narrator did a fantastic job.

This book is a wonderful retake on traditional fairy tales. Much in the same theme as The Lunar Chronicles. Familiar plot points, but a new story. I really enjoyed this one, I was worried when it began that it was going to be filled with Tropes: "secret, special main character", "love triangle" etc, and while there were some aspects of them, it was done well. The narrator of this audiobook had the perfect voice for getting the feel of a fairy tale, while pronouncing the many French words well. The variety of voices she was able to bring really brought the story to life. Definitely one to check out if you're a fan of the re-worked fairy tale genre. I listened to this audiobook through NetGalley.

A fascinating mashup of many well-known fairytales, yet uniquely its own story. I struggled to get into this one at first but truly appreciated the well-respected details of historical fashions and their place in aristocratic society. Once we passed the 1/3 point, I started to really enjoy the story and guess what and what would not carry over from the obvious inspiration. I always enjoy different representations of fae since we are overstimulated with all the sexy, broody shadow daddy alongside soft and lithe angels that walk the earth among us. While there is nothing wrong with either, I enjoyed the fae in this story like the breath of fresh air they are. If you enjoy historical low fantasy, this is a must-read for you and really any fantasy fan that grew up on fairy tales.

Esther Wane truly immersed me all the way back to 1758 in Saint-Malo, Brittany. Her voices, accents and command of language were just as great as the story itself. I don't know if I would have enjoyed the book as much if I had read it instead of listening to the audiobook. Even if you have read the book and loved it, I cannot recommend the audiobook version enough!

🌊Feminine rage
✨Love triangle
🌊From different worlds
✨Hidden power heroine

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Tor and Macmillan Audio for my review copies. My opinions are my own.

I started listening to this and was immediately grateful that I also had the e-review copy so that I could see the spellings for the various fae characters, but also glad that I tandem read this because the French is gorgeous and Esther Wane does an absolutely stunning narration of Lucinde.

Lucinde is the treasured youngest daughter of the Leon family, but she doesn't want to follow her sisters in being focused on society and getting married. She wants to sail and explore the world. This blends the Little Mermaid and Cinderella in the original versions, with the darker, grittier, less Disney-fied sanitized versions that most of us grew up with.

This story is slow building but there's enough twists, turns, and action to keep the reader engaged. I was upset to stop reading when I needed to concentrate at work, and when I had to stop listening when I started falling asleep. I also later looked up the coast of Saint Malo trying to find Luce's cove, because this is very much a real place on the northern coast of France.

This is one that I suggest doing a tandem read with, the two formats compliment each other.

Highly recommend.

4.75 stars rounded up

This is easily one of the best Little Mermaid retellings/fracturings I've read, and Kell Woods is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors. I loved this book so much, and I didn't want to put it down. Everything was so perfect, from the book's atmosphere to the hints and references to the original stories to the way the characters all felt like real, flawed people. I deeply appreciated the amount of nuance Kell Woods was able to incorporate into her characters. They had complex motivations, and that created real dilemmas that I enjoyed watching the characters sort through. This was beautiful and very cleverly done.

I also really appreciated Esther Wane's narration for the audiobook. She had the perfect voice and storytelling style for this story, and it was truly captivating.

My one complaint with this story (and the only reason it's not a full five-star review) is that there were a few scenes that crossed the line from steamy to spicy in the middle of the book. Given the 1758 setting, the spicy/steamy scenes felt very out of place. The contrast was jarring to me, especially since the scenes didn't seem necessary to move the plot forward and could have been edited out without the book losing much if any of its impact.

This book is definitely one I want to reread one day, and I humbly submit a request for Kell Woods to tackle Beauty and the Beast next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books, Macmillan Audio, and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! Mix of fairytale retellings, historical fiction and fantasy set at the sea. The superstitions, fae, family drama and magic that slowly grows stronger and stronger was so enjoyable to read. I also liked that it involves the political drama between France and England.

The audiobook was perfect and kept me so captivated like I was right there. The narrator brought so much emotion to the characters.

Narrator is fantastic! I loved her in other audiobooks. She always brings the story to life.

This story is amazing, I really wanted to listen to it consistently. Love the little mermaid meets Cinderella, and how it's not as you'd expect it to be traditionally.

Everyone should listen to this book.

Upon a Starlit Tide was a Macmillan Audio pick, and while I don’t usually go for mermaid stories, this combination of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella caught my eye! I am so glad I picked up this book. It was immediately immersive. It’s hard to describe exactly what I mean by that. It had the vibes, the plot, the characterization, a bit of mystery, romance, deception, adventure, and amazing world building of alternate history Bretagne (Brittany). This is the kind of book that I felt like I was inside that world while I was reading it. And when it was over, I felt bereft of the MCs whose lives I had been engrossed in. Luce’s life felt as real as my own, and I did not want to let her go.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys alternate history with magic, mermaids, sea-maids, or sirens, and those universal aspects of the Cinderella story that seem to call to all young women. This was five stars for me!

I also really enjoyed the narration by Esther Wane.

Luce is the youngest daughter of a wealthy ship owner living in Saint-Malo in Brittany with her two sisters and parents, though she was taken in by the family at a young age as an orphan. Luce spends her days secretly with Samuel, an English smuggler and her best friend, learning to sail and diving for storm balast, though that's not befitting a lady. She dreams of sailing the world. After rescuing Morgan, a young sailor of another wealthy family, she is swept up in a world of the fae. As Luce learns more, she struggles to determine where she truly belongs.

"You will think me strange, I fear."

Described as borrowing elements from The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, Upon a Starlit Tide is a magical historical fantasy all its own. The fae elements are so woven into Luce's world that they never seem obtrusive. Esther Wane as narrator does a lovely job bringing these characters to life. The audio book swept me away into this dark and dazzling world.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an ALC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book is due to be published 2/18/25. I'll post to Instagram shortly

The story is a Cinderella and Little Mermaid combo retelling, but with dark twists, sea witches, fae, folklore, ghosts, pirates, superstition, and more - set in the backdrop of one of the many wars between England and France in the 1700s.

The premise is great, which is why I picked it up. But, early in the story, it was feeling predictable, and therefore, and was tough to get into …. Insert generic FMC with hidden magical powers. But, it quickly evolved and really surprised me with the depth of character development and dynamics, especially shown in the complicated relationships with her family. The story bloomed with nuance, originality, and gets increasingly dark. The setting was lush and atmospheric, making you feel part of the world. The prose is illustrious without being too over done. Highly recommend for readers across historical fiction, fantasy, and romance.

Narrator Esther Wane was excellent. The performance really makes or breaks audiobooks for me, and her narration easy to follow and engaging. She really brought the story to life, especially towards the end, capturing the emotion of the final scenes.

What started as a mini slump for the first couple weeks of February is shaping up to be a really great month of books. I’m definitely interested in checking out more work by the author and narrator.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC copy of the audiobook for Upon a Starlit Tide - opinions are my own.

🌊 Upon a Starlit Tide 🌊

WOW! What a FUN adventure!! The vibes were perfection in this delightful historical fantasy adventure.

I was sold when I heard a Cinderella and Little Mermaid retelling combined. Curious to see how it would be done, and Kell Woods did NOT disappoint.

Luce is the youngest daughter of one of Saint-Malo’s wealthiest ship owners, who craves the sea, sneaking away any chance she can get with her English-smuggler best friend, Samuel. Luce’s world is rocked when she rescues the charming and handsome Morgan, a younger son of another wealth ship owner, from the sea. What follows is an adventure of romance, magic, betrayal and love.

I absolutely adored Luce’s adventures and following her coming of age and coming into her own journey. While this is billed as adult, and there were some adult spice scenes, some of the themes felt more new adult. The fantasy elements were easy to follow, and added to the magic of the fairytale.

The audio was absolutely enchanting. I loved the characters and voices, highly recommend the audio to pull you into the adventure!

Check this one out if you’re looking for:
🌊 New adult fairytale retelling
🌊 Cinderella and Little Mermaid crossover
🌊 Historical fantasy romance
🌊 Love triangle
🌊 Smuggling and pirate feels

Thank you to Macmillian Audio for the ALC! My opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Upon a Starlit Tide! Overall, I think this was an enjoyable story. Things did take a few unexpected turns that I was not expecting. I went into this blind and very quickly realized it was a Cinderella/Little Mermaid mashup. If you're a fan of fairytale retellings, I would definitely recommend checking this one out.

I know Woods' debut received a bit of mixed reviews, but I absolutely loved After the Forest and I knew that whatever Woods wrote next, I would read. I think I liked Upon a Starlit Tide even more than I liked After the Forest, and I think more readers will enjoy this book.

Upon a Starlit Tide has been explained as a Little Mermaid and Cinderella mixed retelling, and while I totally get where that description comes from, I do not think that does Woods' story justice. I would not call this a "retelling," as it does not follow either story entirely, and it is so much smarter than that. There are snippets of the Hans Christian Anderson version, which I really appreciated. Also, Woods does a fantastic job of tying so much of her story together, and none of it feels out of place or forced. She really thought this story out well, and I absolutely loved it.

This is a fantasy book, but the fantasy elements are so light throughout that I would recommend this to someone who isn't a large fantasy fan. I honestly forgot it was fantasy many times, despite the mermaid on the cover, and thought it was historical fiction.

I truly loved this book, and I am so grateful for the physical ARC that Tor gave me. I cannot wait to see what else Woods has in store!

My one complaint about the audio is that one of the main character's voices does not seem to match their personality. I saw another reviewer mention they were confused at one point in the story because they were convinced this character was 60 rather than a teen, based solely on the narrator. I wish that could have been changed, as I had to actively ignore that part of their narration in understanding the story.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Tor Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My most anticipated book this week was Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods. If the title and cover aren’t already enough to entice you, here’s more: Unfolding like a fairytale, this novel is set in 1750s France, where Luce, adopted as an orphan, has always felt loved but like something is missing. She longs for adventure and a life at sea. When she rescues a man from a shipwreck, a new path is set in motion… but with surprises, darkness, and secrets to uncover along the way.

Why I Chose This Book:
Don’t discount the power of an enchanting title and cover; that’s what first caught my eye with Upon a Starlit Tide. With allusions to The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, I was excited for a new fairytale set against the sea. This is only the first book featuring sirens that I’ll be reading this year. I am officially entering my mermaid era!

What I Liked:
- Strong similarities to The Little Mermaid and Cinderella… but who’s kind and who’s evil is all mixed up!
- Hints of magic that slowly grow stronger and more present as the book progresses
- A love triangle??
- Superstitions about the sea, ships, and the fae
- Sea-maid as the Fairy Godmother, perhaps
- Ships and oceans and sea monsters, oh my
- 1750s France and conflict with England
- If you love someone…

Audiobook
Esther Wane does an excellent job of narrating Upon a Starlit Tide, infusing so much personality and emotion into the characters. The inflections and accents she gives each character add to the vivid portrayal of the story, making for a more immersive and mesmerizing listen.

Final Thoughts
Upon a Starlit Tide is a spellbinding fantasy novel for fans of fairytale retellings, oceanic settings, 1750s France, and mermaids. I loved following Luce along her path of self-discovery, strength, love, and belonging in the world. Though at times heartbreaking, it’s ultimately an empowering and dazzling work of historical fantasy. Kell Woods is an author I can’t wait to read more from!

Upon a Starlit Tide is a historical fantasy novel that follows Lucinde Leon on her journey of self-actualization. As the youngest daughter of a wealthy and well-known shipowner, Lucinde has spent her life adjacent to the sea. Yet, she finds her life in Saint-Malo, Brittany, stifling and feels the sea calling to her.

This devastatingly beautiful fairytale is inspired by elements of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, capturing the magic of both stories while creating an entirely unique enchantment of its own.

I particularly enjoyed the various fae we encounter, who add so much depth to this retelling. The portrayal of a misunderstood tide crone as the fairy godmother archetype, in particular, is especially compelling.

The writing is another highlight, with lyrical prose that immerses you in Woods' world.