This is a lovely conclusion to the Zemkoska Chronicles. Deyzi is the princess of Domovnia, and is about to become queen after her mother’s death. However in order to wear the Briar Crown and come into her full powers without being drained of energy like her mother, she needs to find her equivalent Waterborn heir who is to wear the lost Tidal Helm. Along the way we encounter wonderful creatures like sea wryms, dryads like Deyzi and naiads like Taido the orphan zabim or a mix of species, centaurs and merfolk or ryban as they preferred to be called.
HRP writes beautiful prose to describe the flora and fauna around this world. There’s also lots of vivid intimate moments, which goes on a little too long, but the encounters are mutual and fit with the characters. I would perhaps prefer less scenes like these, but that’s my personal opinion. This is a fantasy romance and many readers will be ok with this.
The main villain, Arri Eduk, is slowly revealed and why he does what he does. You do feel sorry for him at times because of his background, but he’s too vengeful and power driven. Some of the other side characters make surprise choices, that this is almost a cozy fantasy. But the main appeal is Deyzi and Taido and their relationship and journey. Reading this is a good time right through the epilogue.
A special mention to Silen, the satyr advisor to Deyzi and the Domonov line of queens. I would’ve loved to have more of him in the story. He is my favorite character!
Splendid end to this tetralogy.

As the final installment in an beloved saga, The Tidal Helm had a lot to live up to, and it delivered on every promise. This book is a delightful and powerful retelling of the classic "Frog Prince" fairy tale, weaving together a narrative that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. It serves as a truly magnificent and emotionally satisfying finale to the Zemkoska Chronicles.

At the heart of this story is Deizy, a protagonist who embodies determination and strength. She is a force to be reckoned with, and it's exhilarating to watch her navigate the magical world with a clear sense of purpose. Her journey to break the curse is not just about freeing a prince, but also about discovering her own power. This contrasts beautifully with Taido, whose gentle and caring nature provides a perfect counterpoint to her fiery spirit. Their relationship blossoms with a tenderness that feels earned and authentic, making every moment they share on the page a joy to read.

One of the most impressive aspects of The Tidal Helm is its ability to tie up loose ends while introducing a compelling new dynamic. The inclusion of a redemption arc for a key character is a masterstroke. It adds layers of complexity and emotional depth, proving that even in a world of fairy tales, people are not defined by their past mistakes. This plotline is handled with such grace and skill that it feels both surprising and inevitable.

The author's writing throughout is fantastic, maintaining the series' signature wit and warmth while also rising to the occasion for a grand conclusion. The pacing is spot-on, building to an ending that is both climactic and deeply moving. It's a book that will have you cheering for its characters and sighing with contentment as you turn the final page. For fans of the Zemkoska Chronicles, The Tidal Helm is the perfect send-off.

Beneath a broken kingdom lies a hidden world—where water remembers, stone bears secrets, and hope clings like moss in the dark.

In The Tidal Helm, Helen Rygh-Pedersen takes us deep beneath the surface—literally and emotionally. Through Deyzi Domonov’s journey, we descend into flooded caverns and ancient tunnels, chasing the echoes of a vanished civilization and the myth of a crown that could restore a dynasty.

The writing flows like the waters it describes—lyrical, dark, and full of quiet tension. Every chapter pulses with the weight of legacy, loss, and the kind of courage that isn’t loud but steady. Deyzi’s strength isn’t just in her mission, but in the way she confronts truth: about her kingdom, her family, and herself.

The Waterborn—creatures of mystery and memory—haunt the pages. One in particular, with “hair like the sun he has never seen,” lingers in your mind long after the final chapter. His world is cold and cursed, but his presence brings unexpected warmth. Their bond is slow-burning, tangled in trust and betrayal, but beautifully human.

This is not a story of easy victories or neatly tied ends. It is a song of survival, of digging into the dark to find the last light, of choosing love when duty wavers.

For readers who love their fantasy with depth, sorrow, and splendor—The Tidal Helm doesn’t shout. It sings. And you’ll want to listen.

The Tidal Helm pulled me in right away with its mix of political intrigue, high stakes, and deeply personal motivations. The pacing felt well balanced. there was always something driving the plot forward, whether it was a tense political exchange, a new revelation about the missing dynasty, or a moment that deepened my understanding of the characters. I liked that the story didn’t just focus on grand battles or sweeping magic, but also on the emotional cost of what’s been lost and the personal stakes behind reclaiming the crown.

The writing style worked for me because it gave enough detail to make the world feel established without dumping too much information at once. I could sense the history in the setting and the weight behind each decision the characters made. The shifts in alliances and the layers of secrecy kept me engaged, and I found myself genuinely invested in how the search for the missing people would turn out.

From what I’ve seen in other reviews, readers also talk about how immersive the political maneuvering is and how much they enjoyed the blend of intrigue and emotional depth. I saw some people mention they wanted more sensory description of the setting, which I agree with, a few more vivid details of the landscapes, architecture, or even the sounds of the world could have made certain scenes hit even harder. Still, what’s here already works well because it’s so tightly tied to the characters and their goals.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It delivered on the epic scope while keeping the story grounded in human emotion, and I appreciated how the themes of legacy, loyalty, and justice played out.

I was blowing through this, having a decent time. Then the romance kicked in and I just wasn't into it anymore. I haven't read any others in the series. if this was just a fantasy novel I think I would've liked it more.

this is definitely for someone out there who likes romantasy, so I'm giving 3 stars as I did enjoy the plot.