Synopses & Reviews
A sharp-tongued folklorist must pair up with her academic rival to solve their mentor's murder in this lush and enthralling sapphic fantasy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic.
"Clever, emotional, and gorgeous — at its core, this is a story about the healing capacity of love" — Ava Reid, author of Juniper & Thorn
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 in order to secure his reign over the embattled country of Brunnestaad. Lorelei is determined to use this opportunity to prove herself and make her wildest, most impossible dream come true: to become a naturalist, able to travel freely to lands she's only 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 the 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 dark: forests that rearrange themselves at night, rivers with slumbering dragons hiding 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 each other — they discover that their leader had secrets of her own. Secrets that make Lorelei question whether justice is worth pursuing, and if this kingdom is worth saving at all.
Review
"A Dark and Drowning Tide is an elegantly crafted triumph. Allison Saft's sumptuous prose joins forces with her delightfully clever worldbuilding to blow us all away with this atmospheric fantasy steeped in rich lore, gripping intrigue, and simmering romantic tension. Definitely one of my favorite reads ever!" Thea Guanzon, USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars
Review
"Haunting and bewitchingly romantic, A Dark and Drowning Tide deftly twines mystery and lore and adventure. Protagonists Lorelei and Sylvia illuminate their surrounding gloom and will sweep you clean off your feet. I loved every page." Rachel Gillig, New York Times bestselling author of One Dark Window
Review
"Richly imagined and deftly told, A Dark and Drowning Tide is a story that draws you deep as any unexplored wild and leaves you changed on the other side." Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of The Foxglove King
Review
"Reading A Dark and Drowning Tide is like being immersed in a fairy tale. Allison Saft writes beautifully, and she fearlessly explores powerful themes in this compelling, magical novel infused with folklore and woven through with a sapphic, rivals-to-lovers romance that will leave you breathless. It's dark academia fantasy perfection." India Holton, international bestselling author of The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love
About the Author
Allison Saft is the New York Times bestselling author of the eerie romantic young adult fantasies Down Comes the Night and A Far Wilder Magic. 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 hiking the redwoods and practicing aerial silks.