Preview
  • A Dark and Drowning Tide

  • A Novel
  • By: Allison Saft
  • Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
  • Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (10 ratings)

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A Dark and Drowning Tide

By: Allison Saft
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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Publisher's summary

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

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

What listeners say about A Dark and Drowning Tide

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

a refreshing stand-alone story

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

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Adventure, Magic, Love

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft in exchange for an honest review. What a beautiful adventure and love story. There is a quest for water that imbues power, a treasonous plot to overthrow the king, and enemies finding the chance for love. I really enjoyed this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely stunning

A fantastic story with a fascinating magic system and all too familiar social problems, especially for the main character. The world building is well done and intertwined with the character development in a way that makes you almost not notice it happening. Highly recommended!

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