A Dark and Drowning Tide Audiobook By Allison Saft cover art

A Dark and Drowning Tide

A Novel

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A Dark and Drowning Tide

By: Allison Saft
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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About this listen

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • 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.

©2024 Allison Saft (P)2024 Random House Audio
Crime Fairy Tales Fantasy Murder Romance Fiction Magic
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Critic reviews

“Richly imagined and as bewitching as a naiad’s song, A Dark and Drowning Tide deftly weaves romance with powerful indictments of the fetid, nationalistic roots of our favorite fairy tales. But for each prick of a prejudicial thorn, Saft offers her readers a balm—at its core, this is a story about the healing capacity of love. Clever, emotional, and gorgeous.”—Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Juniper & Thorn

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

“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

Beautiful Narrative • Fascinating Magic System • Engaging Romance • Intriguing Mystery • Refreshing Personalities
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Amazing. I haven’t been hooked into a book as much as this one in a long time. Nothing was predictable and I was at the edge of my seat the entire time

Holy crap

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While this story was a bit…. Uneventful, it was written so stunningly! I will definitely try more by this author

Written Beautifully

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It took a me about 5 chapters to really get into it but by the end I was so happy! Ahh.

The banter was bantering!

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I liked the story overall - however, I found the first part very slow and the last bit seemed rushed. It was beautifully written and the gorgeous cover definitely made me pick this up.

Good Story

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Usually I enjoy this author much more. The writing is good. The story was fine. I liked that it was sapphic. Went from hate to love fairly easily. From dislike to sudden longing. Didn’t find the story very exciting, ending was lack luster.

Loved the sapphic romantasy vibes

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i enjoyed the story but most of all the characters they felt refreshing and interesting but most of all real it made me wish for a second book just to see them interact again

a refreshing stand-alone story

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If you love fantasy and murder mystery books with a fashion of diversity then this book is wonderful.

Sapphic Romance &Murder Mystery

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god this book took me out. i am HEARTBROKEN. sylvia von wolff i LOVE YOU

lesbians can never be normal about anything

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Loved this romance!! Great storytelling, great pace, great narration! Love it so much! Give it a try!

What a great read!!

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I really enjoyed this book alot. The writing style was perfectly descriptive and had lovely details. Parts were beautifully poetic. If you enjoy old school Victorian horror and fairy tales this book really hits the spot!

Whimsy Faury Tale

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