One of the most solidly incredible reads of fantastically whimsical fantasy. The world is depicted in such a vivid and surreal manner that just pulls you into its depths. It certainly meets the description of “The Little Mermaid” meets “Cinderella,” but it is also so much more. Real history and other fairytales are weaved into the tapestry of the story and Woods expands on these to make Upon a Starlit Tide a fairytale of its own.

The ending was so good and satisfying in all possible ways. I don’t think I can come up with a single critique of the book. While reading the ebook I also was reading via audiobook thanks to @macmillan.audio. The narration helped to paint the beautiful backdrop of the world and the sea and did an excellent job voicing the characters in a way that made it easy to distinguish who was talking.

Posted to Goodreads: 2/15/2025

Absolutely enchanting. This "Cinderella" and "The Little Mermaid" retelling is everything fairy-tale loving adults could want. The author does a great job of twining the two stories together in a brand new way, bringing in fae and the backdrop of beautiful Saint-Malo. The story has all the emotions that can be felt by a young woman trying to find her way in the world, and realizing that everything she knows is not necessarily what it has seemed. I was given the opportunity to listen to this audio book through NetGalley and hope that it finds other readers who will enjoy the story as much as I did.

Luce is out in the water when she rescues Morgan de Chatelaine, the youngest son of the most powerful ship-owner in Saint-Malo. When his family throws a ball, she wants to go. But things aren't always what they appear to be, and people aren't always who they claim to be. As the fae leave the land, with war encroaching, and with Luce starting to feel like there's something else within her, her and her only friend Samuel are thrust into the middle of everything. And what they find might not be what they think.

This was a blend of Cinderella and the Little Mermaid in a way I didn't know I needed. I loved the whole Morgan plot, the fae, the monsters in the dark, the mermaids, the magic... literally everything. I was wholly invested in her budding romance with Samuel, and even though we get a bit of a love triangle for a bit, it doesn't last. So hooray for that. With the blended fairytales, I enjoyed pulling apart everything, only to realize there are definitely hints of other fairytales and stories layered within. I think Luce was a great little mermaid character in that she was given agency in a way that the original character was not. And her story got way darker than I ever thought it would. I would definitely recommend this one.

🧜‍♀️ ARC REVIEW 🧜‍♀️

UPON A STARLIT TIDE by Kell Woods
5/5 🌟
Pub Date 🇺🇸: Feb 18th

This book is a masterclass in fairytale retellings done right. It was whimsical, dark, and unique. Kell Woods did a fantastic job of making it her own. I'm definitely picking up her next book!

The story follows Luce, a woman in 18th century France, having a hard time fitting into the confines of high society. While she tries to appease her stepfather, stepmother, and two stepsisters, at night, she dives with the handsome Samuel as they scour shipwrecks for goods to smuggle. Please read if you like the following:

🌊 Cinderella/Little Mermaid Retellings
🌊 Women determined to make their own path and be more than just the objects men make of them
🌊 Representation of physical disabilities
🌊 Kind stepmother and stepsisters

Thank you Netgalley, Tor, and Macmillan Audio for the Audio ARC!

🔖 #bookstagram #books #booklover #book #bookworm #bookstagrammer #reading #bookish #bookaddict #booknerd #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #booksofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookreview #instabook #bookrecommendations #read #bookcommunity #bookphotography #bookshelf #bookaholic #bookblogger #booklovers #booklove #booktok #reader #instabooks #authorsofinstagram

I'll start this review by saying that I liked Kell Woods's debut After the Forest better, but I think more readers will like Upon a Starlit Tide more. It's a blend of Cinderella and Little Mermaid, set in 1758 France in a blend of magical realism and fantasy. The atmosphere and tone is perfect for the fairy tale setting, and the legends of the sea and the sea fae is very well crafted. For me, the Cinderella component was a touch more than I needed, and there were a few plot elements and pacing that didn't work *as well* for me (ahem, love triangle) as might for another reader.

But you know me, set a book on the sea, and I'll love it. Add in layers of history around conflicts between the English and the French, and toss in some class difference politics (especially in pre-Revolutionary France!), and I'll love that too.

The audiobook is an easy and pleasant listen, and I recommend it as a format.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book and audiobook.

I absolutely loved this book and the new retelling of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella. This tale takes you a long a very adventurous story with potential evil stepsisters, swashbuckling, and some thieving.

I love the plot twists the most and who turns out to be the villain.

The reason this lost a star was due to the narrator. The main character has such a pitch in her voice I could barely stand it. I would also would have liked someone with a little bit more clear in speaking and a better cadence to their voice. If it wasn't for this the story would get 5 ⭐

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy! You can pick up Upon a Starlit Tide on February 18, 2025.

I was IMMEDIATELY swept away into this lovely, fairytale-esque book. The writing was atmospheric, the characters compelling, and the storytelling absolutely phenomenal. I loved the blend of classic Hans Christian Andersen tales into one cohesive story (primarily The Little Mermaid and Cinderella), all with a twist of Breton folklore.

Upon a Starlit Tide follows Luce Leon, the youngest daughter of the richest merchant on Saint-Malo, In a twist on the classic mermaid tale, she's a land-faring girl who yearns for the sea and seeks it out at every opportunity. During her escapades, she befriends a handsome English smuggler and rescues a fellow Breton noble from a shipwreck (let the love triangle ensue). But as Luce learns more and more about her past and what really occurred on that shipwreck, the more danger she finds herself in.

Though much of this story is character driven rather than plot driven, I found myself unable to stop listening (I literally gave myself more chores to do as an excuse). Kell Woods' writing entranced me, and Luce was a fantastic character to root for and someone who experiences so much growth. I loved both the romantic and familial relationships, and I'd absolutely eat up another story set in this world.

All my Disney princess and fairytale retelling girlies need to LOCK IN and make sure you pick up this book on Feb 18!!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC Audio Copy!

This book was so fun and enchanting, with a mashup of Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and a touch of Blubeard was not somethin that I knew that I needed, but I am so glad that I found it. Such a whimsical fairytale retelling and the audiobook was so well done I loved every minute of it. It is also refreshing to have a standalone book in a world filled with long series.

This audiobook swept me away! Although it's a fairytale-retelling, the storylines that are original to Woods stood out to me the most. Her writing especially shines in the second half of the story...I was on the edge of my seat! I also love that it's a standalone fantasy, a wonderful little glimpse into Luce's life. The second half cinched it for me--5 stars!

Wow.. this was amazing. When I hear dark fairytale retelling this is exactly what I want. This story is incredibly beautiful, poignant and dark. A Little Mermaid and Cinderella retelling with female rage, fae folktales, family secrets and hot smugglers. The beginning is a little bit slow, but having finished the book I found that groundwork of character development that happened in the slower bits was so important to the way the story unfolds and made the conclusion incredibly impactful. Overall, just a beautiful book and can’t wait to get the physical copy when it releases.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

The story is enchanting. The small imagined myth of the sea "creatures" was delightful. The way it flowed with the story was easy to understand and still thought-provoking. I loved the main character's name. I loved their communication with each other. The length was just right. I was seriously wanting more towards the end. The flow was just right. I would buy this for my library and to own. I would recommend this for anyone who devours "fairytales". It's heart-pulling and uplifting.

🧜🏻‍♀️ For my friends who love a sea-loving story full of adventure and romance.

UPON A STARLIT TIDE by Kell Woods (Esther Wane, Narrator)

🎧 Thanks, @Macmillan.audio, for the audiobook review copy. #macaudio2025 (Available 18 Feb 25) 14 hours 39 minutes

My first #FiveSpongeAudiobook of 2025 (a book so enchanting you look for things to clean to keep listening)!! 🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽

Luce is the favorite daughter of a wealthy shipowner living on the coast of Brittany. While afforded every luxury, she is more at home in the sea than on land, where her misshapen feet make her clumsy and self-conscious. Her quiet life begins to slide into the unusual when she rescues a handsome sailor from drowning, after which various threads of her previously quiet, unassuming life start unraveling in exciting ways.

With hints of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, this was a wholly original, fast-paced, and thrilling fantasy full of magic, betrayal, secrets, and seduction, and I was smitten from the very first scene. The audio narration was exceptional, with wonderful accents and characterizations that added to the story’s appeal.

This was such an interesting retelling of fairytales. I loved the combination of The Little mermaid and Cinderella and the earthier feel they had. The story felt closer to the originals and had that darker elements that kept it from feeling over the top or a forced retelling.

The narration for the audio book was well done for all except the younger male characters. They all sounded like much older men and it was hard to visualize their actions and their characters together.

Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods was such an enjoyable read. While it falls outside my usual genres of mysteries, thrillers, and historical fiction, I found myself captivated by the story and Woods' storytelling. This reimagining of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella is a wonderful blend of fantasy, adventure, romance, mystery, and thrills. There were moments when I could predict the outcome before the main character, but I still eagerly followed her journey to uncover the truth. At times, I didn’t suspect the culprit until Woods was ready to reveal the information, which added to the excitement. It’s a quick, immersive read that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

4.5 Thank you netgalley for the audio arc. Rounded up. overall I liked this except it did a few things that are just not my taste. The narrator in particular for this book I found odd on how she did the male characters because at first, I thought Samuel was a gruff old man and then when he became a love interest I was so confused. All the men in this for the most part sounded like they were in their 60s and sea worn by that so it set off the tone of the romances but once I got over that and just reminded myself they weren't then I enjoyed it much more. It has a lot of good twists and turns with combining Cinderella and Little Mermaid themes so it felt like not only an homage to those but it's own unique fairy tale.

“Anything is possible when sorrow meets sea…your tears fell into the sea.There is magic in such meetings.”

In the latest addition of “stretching my genre” reading I decided to try this new historical fantasy. The setting of 18th century Brittany, France caught my attention and the storyline held it. The reader is dropped into the wealth and opulence, the hopes and dreams of successful shipping families and those who surround them, their fight for power and their love for family.

In the opening chapters Lucinde, the adopted daughter of the Leon family, saves the son of the de Chatelaines, who has washed near the shore when his vessel capsizes. The circumstances raise red flags, and she retreats into the shadows to investigate. Lucinde’s love for literature and her thirst for a life on the sea creates an imaginative outlook for adventures beyond the walls of the city. A grand ball is thrown to celebrate Morgan de Chatelaine’s survival, but none are aware of the true rescuer. It is here that the fantasy kicks in and Cinderella themes pivot to full-on Little Mermaid. Cue the magic and secrets of the underwater faeries and their entanglements with humans on the shore.

As one might expect, greed and power enter the foray, creating a race to the finish where some survive and some do not. As secrets are revealed the questions of who might get a happy ending, rise to the surface.

Ester Wane gives a fine performance on the audiobook narration, but true fantasy aficionados may be enamored with the gorgeous detailing of the hardcover version! The stunning cover and endpaper artwork by Lindsey Carr will be included in my graphics.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio, Tor Publishing Group and Net Galley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

This author created the most beautiful story. She had an incredible way with words. I was hooked from the very first chapter. A great blend of magic and historical fiction. We have Cinderella meets the Little Mermaid in Upon A Starlit sky.

I really enjoyed Lucinde's character. While her sisters are trying to procure marriages she longs for the sea. Throughout the book you get a sense that she is more than what she appears. Her friend Samuel was a nice companion. Plus we have a little love triangle action happening. I felt that each character was written so well along with the fantastic descriptions.

There's dark tones, secrets, betrayal, and magic. What more could you want?

Also, the narration was amazing! She brought each character to life and was a great story teller.

Thank you @macmillanaudio for the gifted audio book!

Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods is a beautifully written fantasy story with elements of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella. I loved Luce our female main character. She is voiced beautifully by the narrator, Esther Wane. I love her relationship with her father, who calls her his greatest treasure, and her relationship with both her sisters. Her friendship with Sam - the only character voice I do not like in this story, is also well done. Luce saves a man from the sea, Morgan, he is the youngest son of a very wealthy man and Morgan kisses her. Luce fancies herself in love with Morgan. His parents give a ball and Luce's dress has been ruined - she fears it is because the jealousy of one of her sisters, but she is still able to attend the ball and dance with Morgan. But, as in all good stories, all is not as it seems. It is in the telling that we see the skill of Kell Woods. Characters, plot and pacing are all really well done. I just think it is a bit overlong. Still really enjoyed this read and I give it 4.25 stars. Thank you to Net Galley and MacMillan Audio for my advance listener copy in exchange for an honest review. I have this on preorder, it comes out February 18th!

4.5 🌟

Thank you netgalley for this arc!

I absolutely loved this retelling of Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Pride and Prejudice. The way Kell Woods wove the different aspects of each of those stories together felt fresh despite calling on the classics. I found myself continually pulled back to this story and read it in only 3 days. The world building was wonderful, I could feel myself immersed into the tale and feeling like I was there in those coves around the sea. The dark story and atmosphere was wrapped around hope and light from the main character that I couldn't help but root for. I want everyone to read this book!

I absolutely loved this blend of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘥 + 𝘊𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢. The storytelling was so beautiful, and I had tears running down my face when I reached the end.

There’s a bit of a love triangle, which I’m not usually a huge fan of, but I thought it worked well here, what with the blending of these two well known fairytales.

There’s a ball, and sisters, and magic, and a gorgeous setting I could see, hear, and feel from the writing alone.

There are definitely some darker elements, reminiscent of the original fairytales, but not too terribly dark. There were also some changes from the original source material, but I thought those changes made the story feel more fresh and the characters a bit more “real”.

This was such an enchanting book, and it had me completely immersed and feeling all the feels.

Audiobook notes: I really enjoyed the narration, but I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan of Sam’s voice? It was a bit too gravely and old sounding, but everything else was wonderful.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for providing me a copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

What this book is giving:
✅ Historical Fantasy
✅ 1758 France
✅ The Little Mermaid meets Cinderella
✅ Ship Owner’s Daughter
✅ Sisters
✅ A Ball
✅ Love Triangle
✅ Sea-Maids and Fae