Review of ‘A Dark and Drowning Tide’ by Allison Saft. Discover the dark, atmospheric world of A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft in this detailed review. With elements of murder mystery, sapphic romance, and rich folklore, this fantasy novel promises a captivating read. But does it deliver on its promise of being a lush and enthralling experience? Read on to find out my thoughts on the plot, characters, and overall execution of this highly anticipated release.
“How is it possible that you exist? You are something out of a fairy tale.”
– A Dark and Drowning Tide
Allison Saft
‘A Dark and Drowning Tide‘ by Allison Saft is an atmospheric fantasy that falls short on romance and character depth
Synopsis
Lorelei Kaskel, a folklorist with a quick temper and an even quicker wit, is on an expedition with six eccentric nobles in search of a fabled spring. The magical spring promises untold power, which the king wants to harness to secure his reign of the embattled country of Brunnestaad. Lorelei is determined to use this opportunity to prove herself and make her wildest, most impossible dream come to become a naturalist, able to travel freely to lands she’s only ever read about.
The expedition gets off to a harrowing start when its leader—Lorelei’s beloved mentor—is murdered in her quarters aboard their ship. The suspects are her five remaining expedition mates, each with their own motive. The only person Lorelei knows must be innocent is her longtime academic rival, the insufferably gallant and maddeningly beautiful Sylvia von Wolff. Now in charge of the expedition, Lorelei must find the spring before the murderer strikes again—and a coup begins in earnest.
But there are other dangers lurking in the forests that rearrange themselves at night, rivers with slumbering dragons waiting beneath the water, and shapeshifting beasts out for blood.
As Lorelei and Sylvia grudgingly work together to uncover the truth—and resist their growing feelings for one another—they discover that their professor had secrets of her own. Secrets that make Lorelei question whether justice is worth pursuing, or if this kingdom is worth saving at all.
Review
I received a free copy from NetGalley and Daphne Press in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for this review copy.
When I first read the blurb of ‘A Dark and Drowning Tide’, I was immediately intrigued. A lush, sapphic fantasy romance with a murder mystery? Right up my alley. But, after finishing the book, I was left feeling a bit disappointed. There were some aspects I really enjoyed, but overall, I was expecting more from this “enthralling” story.
Let’s start with the plot. I have to say, I quite liked it. The murder mystery and the academic rivalry between the characters were engaging, and I appreciated the gloomy, dark atmosphere—perfect for a cozy autumn read. The ‘wildeleute,’ creatures in the book inspired by folklore, were such an interesting element, though I wish they had played a bigger role in the story. I also would’ve liked to see more different wildeleute. The world-building was whimsical and rich, but with a dark twist, which I enjoyed. However, the folklore aspect sometimes felt a bit random, and I found it slowed the pacing down.
The language in the book might throw some readers off at first. Saft uses a lot of German-inspired words like ‘wildeleute’ and ‘ursprung,’ which takes some getting used to. I’d recommend looking up these terms to fully grasp the world. It makes the book harder to get into, but after a few chapters, things started to flow better.
I liked the academic setting, especially seeing each student have their own specialty. It added a nice dynamic to the story. But when it comes to the characters, I struggled. Lorelei, the main character, didn’t appeal to me. She felt one-dimensional—mostly just mean and angry, which made it tough to connect with her or the other characters. I understand that she has trust issues, and I did appreciate the subtle commentary on her background, which drew from a fantasy Jewish heritage. But overall, I just didn’t find her compelling. Sylvia, however, was a standout for me. She was the only character who felt consistent and true to herself throughout the story.
As for the other characters, I didn’t feel like I got to know them well. The story focused more on the quest and the romance, leaving little room for deeper character development. The mystery, too, felt underwhelming. There wasn’t enough investigation, and when the killer revealed themselves, it felt rushed and underdeveloped. I just didn’t feel the stakes were high enough. It was also hard for me to guess who the killer was because I just didn’t know these characters and their motives.
And now, the romance. I picked up this book expecting an academic rivalry with a slow-burn sapphic romance. The academic tension was definitely there, but the romance? Not so much. In the first half, it was nearly non-existent. I love a good slow-burn romance, but this one felt forced. Lorelei and Sylvia didn’t seem to like each other much, and the few hints of attraction we got—a flush of the cheeks here, a racing heart there—weren’t enough to convince me. It did improve in the second half of the book, but even then, it never felt quite right to me. All of the sudden everything happened so fast that it just wasn’t believable anymore.
As I’ve mentioned, the second half of the book picked up, and I found myself enjoying it more. But overall, this one just wasn’t for me. If you’re into a lighter fantasy with a touch of folklore, this might be more your speed, but I was left wanting more.
Would I recommend it?
I’d say it depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re into lighter fantasy with a dash of folklore and don’t mind a slower start, this might be worth picking up. The atmosphere is perfect for a gloomy, autumn read, and the world-building is beautifully done. However, if you’re hoping for an intricate murder mystery or a well-developed romance, this might not hit the mark. It wasn’t quite for me, but if the vibe of the book appeals to you, it could still be worth a try.
Rating
5/10
Details
- Trigger warnings: Antisemitism, blood, colonization, death, murder, panic attacks, violence, war
- Representation: Queer characters
- Genre: Fantasy, (queer) romance (new adult)
- Pages: 384
- Publication date: September 17, 2024
- Publisher: Daphne Press
- About the author: Allison Saft is the New York Times and indie bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic and Down Comes the Night. After receiving her MA in English Literature from Tulane University, she moved from the Gulf Coast to the West Coast, where she spends her time rolling on eight wheels and practicing aerial silks. She lives with her partner and an Italian greyhound named Marzipan.
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