A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft -> Restarting September 15th, 2025

[Alaina]

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.

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.

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 5%: I started this one this morning! I only got 5%, but was surprised it's set in a fantastical world. LOL -- I was thinking it was our world dark academia, because I haven't read the synopsis in like a year. I think it's going to be great! Just getting through minor set-up right now, meeting our mains.

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 33%: I'm enjoying this. We're having a slow build, but (view spoiler)[I love the idea of them setting out on a ship for an expedition. I also like how the murder happened on the ship, setting up a closed circle mystery. I think we are supposed to suspect Sylvia, but it seems too obvious to me at this point. She had a grudge against the victim, because Lorelei was granted the head role by them. Also, she keeps popping up in the middle of the night at suspicious times. I suspect that Lorelei and Sylvia are going to have a romance though and why would Saft set poor Lorelei up with a murderer?!(view spoiler)[

Anywho, excited to get further in. I always get through Saft novels very quickly! (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 44%: (view spoiler)[Starting to see the tension between Lorilei and Syliva relax a little bit. I've also enjoyed learning a bit more about the rest of the group. Lorilei is definitely an outsider. Their stay in the village has been fruitful and I like how they are using the local folklore to try to discover the truth about where the spring is. It sounds like we're getting ready to head to the mountains. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 57%: (view spoiler)[So, the romance is starting to be more obvious, especially from Lorelei's side. I like that it has take a while to build up into seeing the feelings from the two women. I don't like when you are sort of pitched an enemies-to-lovers idea, but then they are in love very shortly into the book. It's like how do I know their enemies, if that's the case? Just because you're telling me that? You can tell here that Lorelei and Sylvia were definitely rivals, but are starting to gain a new understanding of each other over the course of this expedition. Also, have they really found this spring already? What are we going to do now? And also, finally, poor Ludwig!!! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 67% I think they should drown (view spoiler)[Heike in the Little Sea when they get there. She's such a ungrateful, unhelpful pain in the ass. Literally bringing nothing to the table. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 74%: (view spoiler)[It's always the quiet ones... (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 80%: (view spoiler)[Okay, Sylvia isn't my favorite. I'm not sure why Lorelei was so attracted to her, but she did have her moments and she definitely deserves better treatment than she is getting from these three assholes. Also, I am pissed at Lorelei for flipping on her like that. I'm sure, or I am hoping, there's a plan behind her behavior, but we'll have to see how it pans out. (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 33%: I'm enjoying this."

i just finished chapter 10 and (view spoiler)[i agree it’s a slow build, but i actually like it, especially when it comes to sylvia and lorelei’s relationship development. i can’t wait to see where that goes. also, i feel so bad for lorelei being set up!! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 82% (view spoiler)[I am getting frustrated with Lorilei and Sylvia. Lorilei is treating her like absolute shit and Sylvia serms too willing to forgive and overlook. I want Sylvia to be stronger and Lorilei to stop being so arrogant! Is that too much to ask? Be kind, work together, you dumb twats! <_spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

akacya ❦ wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To 33%: I'm enjoying this."

i just finished chapter 10"Yesssss, it definitely was a pleasing build! I can't wait to see what you think as you get further in!!

[akacya ❦]

chapter 15
(view spoiler)[yikes, that was intense! i had a feeling that thing wasn’t the real ludwig when lorelei thought that ludwig never called sylvia by her last name (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

chapter 16
(view spoiler)[awwww lorelei knew sylvia’s favorite color🥹 (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Finished! This was solid. Definitely a different tone than her YA work, but I still really enjoyed it. I did get frustrated at times with some of the characters, but it kept me engaged. LOL

[akacya ❦]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 57%: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[i agree with what you said about enemies to lovers! that was a problem i had with red, white & royal blue. lorelei and sylvia’s relationship development definitely did feel more natural than many other “enemies to lovers” books (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 82% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[miscommunication sucks🫠 (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

chapter 24
(view spoiler)[i’m glad lorelei was able to get that story off her chest, i’m sure that was hard for her to carry (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Finished! This was solid. Definitely a different tone than her YA work, but I still really enjoyed it. I did get frustrated at times with some of the characters, but it kept me engaged. LOL"

glad you enjoyed it! i did as well. i really liked the ending too (:

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

akacya ❦ wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To 57%: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]" Right!? I'm glad you felt that way. Even all the way to the end, (view spoiler)[they had their moments where those old insecurities and prejudices felt like they were roiling just under the surface. LOL (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

akacya ❦ wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To 82% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]" Indeed it does! Hahahaha

[akacya ❦]

megs_bookrack wrote: "akacya ❦ wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To 57%: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]" Right!? I'm glad you felt that way. Even all the way to the end, [spoilers removed]"

yes!! made things interesting

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Alaina wrote: "Starting this now!"
I hope you love it. Definitely interested in seeing what you think, Alaina!

[Alaina]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[Who the heck killed Ingrid? Could it be someone from the group or someone on the boat? Or someone who wasn't on the boat? I just have so many questions and need answers. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[I had a feeling one of them was going to waste a question without realizing it. I'm also hoping Ludwig is actually okay and not dying, but who knows? I'm trying to be hopeful here. Also, it's interesting that the mist (or whatever) showed them where it was. Oh, and who is trying to mess up this mission? I have lots of questions! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 33%: .."

Yeah, I just want to know who the murderer is!

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 44%: [spoilers removed]"

I am enjoying getting to know everyone a bit more on the crew. Is it weird to hope none of them killed her?

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 57%: [spoilers removed]"

I'm just happy that they figured out it wasn't him after they just left him... you know. It felt obvious that it wasn't going to be him, but one never knows.

[Alaina]

akacya ❦ wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To 33%: I'm enjoying this."

i just finished chapter 10 and [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, not a fan of that happening and hope they figure it out and find everything that they need in time.

[Alaina]

akacya ❦ wrote: "chapter 15
[spoilers removed]"

RIGHT?! Thankfully, she was quick to realize.

[Alaina]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[Ugh, I was wrong, and it was one of them. Well, two of them really, which is UGH. It's fine. It's fine. Let's see how they get out of this, because I really want them to not all die. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 67% I think they should drown [spoilers removed]"

She could be helpful... maybe?!?!

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 74%: [spoilers removed]"

UGH I KNOW

[Alaina]

akacya ❦ wrote: "chapter 16
[spoilers removed]"

They really are cute together (and now I just need them to get together).

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Alaina wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To 57%: [spoilers removed]"

I'm just happy that they figured out it wasn't him after they just left him... you know. It felt obvious that it wasn't going to be him, but one n..."Yeah, totally!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Alaina wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"I know, I was like....ughhhhhh, that tugged at my heartstrings, because even though some of them were like bitchy and nasty half the time (view spoiler)[, I didn't want any of them to actually be a cold-blooded murderer. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Alaina wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To 67% I think they should drown [spoilers removed]"

She could be helpful... maybe?!?!"Hahahahaha, she could be. I feel like half the time she was her own worst enemy. Like she made things more difficult on herself by not just being a bit more of a team player. I mean, it's an expedition, right? You know you are going to have to work with others, but then....where would the drama be!? LOL

[akacya ❦]

Alaina wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[being betrayed by fictional characters is the worst💔 (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

akacya ❦ wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

It really is!

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"I know, I was like....ughhhhhh, that tugged at my heartstrings, because even though some of them were like bitchy and nasty half the time [spoilers removed]"

RIGHT?!

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Alaina wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To 67% I think they should drown [spoilers removed]"

She could be helpful... maybe?!?!"Hahahahaha, she could be. I feel like half the time she was her own wors..."

hahaha true, so true!

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 80%: [spoilers removed]"

No, no, I still like her!

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 82% [spoilers removed]"

LOL but we need the drama, right?

[Alaina]

akacya ❦ wrote: "chapter 24
[spoilers removed]"

Saaaaaame!

[Alaina]

Part 4/Finished: (view spoiler)[Okay, I'm so happy they got together in the end. Also, did she ever get that Alp a kettle of coffee (or five)? I didn't think it died, right? (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Alaina wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To 80%: [spoilers removed]"

No, no, I still like her!"Hahahaha, I came back around. This one was definitely an emotional roller coaster for me! LOLZ

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Alaina wrote: "Part 4/Finished: [spoilers removed]"
Oh, IDK! Hahaha, I sort of forgot about that.

[Andy]

I will try to get to this soon!

[Jessica]

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RESTARTING SEPTEMBER 15th, 2025

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