Into the Murky Waters of Fantasy
You know that feeling when you dive into a lake, and for a second, you’re not sure which way is up? That’s exactly how I felt plunging into Allison Saft’s “A Dark and Drowning Tide.” This gothic fantasy had me holding my breath from page one, unsure if I’d surface gasping or grinning. Spoiler alert: I came up for air with a mix of both.
Set in the politically tumultuous kingdom of Brunnestaad, Saft weaves a tale as intricate and mesmerizing as a spider’s web glistening with morning dew. At its center is Lorelei Kaskel, a sharp-tongued folklorist with ambitions as vast as the magical realms she longs to explore. Throw in a murdered mentor, a ragtag crew of nobles with more secrets than sense, and a quest for a mythical spring that promises untold power—oh, and don’t forget the insufferably charming rival-turned-love interest—and you’ve got yourself one hell of a ride.
A Delicious Brew of Genre-Bending Goodness
Saft doesn’t just dip her toes into different genres; she dives in headfirst, creating a story that’s equal parts:
- Fantasy: With shape-shifting creatures, magical springs, and forests that rearrange themselves at night, the world-building is excellent.
- Mystery: Who killed Lorelei’s mentor? The tension ratchets up with each chapter as our protagonist plays detective.
- Romance: The slow-burn romance between Lorelei and Sylvia von Wolff is… well, let’s just say it’s hot enough to melt ice.
- Gothic: Creepy manors, dark forests, and an overall sense of impending doom? Check, check, and check.
Characters That Leap Off the Page (And Sometimes Make You Want to Push Them Back)
Let’s talk about Lorelei for a sec. Our girl is prickly, ambitious, and carrying more baggage than an overloaded donkey. But damn if I didn’t root for her from start to finish. Her journey from distrustful outcast to… well, slightly less distrustful outcast with a heart of gold (kinda) is beautifully crafted.
And Sylvia? Oh, Sylvia. Imagine if a Disney princess decided to become an Indiana Jones-style adventurer, and you’re halfway there. Her relentless optimism and bravery are the perfect foil to Lorelei’s cynicism.
The supporting cast is equally colorful. From the enigmatic Professor Ziegler to the delightfully devious Heike van der Kaas, each character feels fully realized. Even the villains (no spoilers here, folks) are complex enough that you might find yourself grudgingly understanding their motivations.
A World You Can Sink Your Teeth Into
Saft’s Brunnestaad is a place I both desperately want to visit and am terrified of stepping foot in. The magic system, based on manipulating water and aether, feels fresh and well-thought-out. And don’t even get me started on the creatures. Nixies that’ll drown you as soon as look at you, forests full of mischievous spirits, and dragons lurking beneath river surfaces—it’s a monster-lover’s dream (or nightmare, depending on your perspective).
Prose That Flows Like a River (Sometimes Gentle, Sometimes Raging)
Saft’s writing style is… how do I put this? It’s like being wrapped in a velvet cloak while standing in the middle of a thunderstorm. Lush, atmospheric descriptions blend seamlessly with sharp dialogue and moments of breathtaking action. Take this little gem:
“The night was staggeringly clear. The water reflected the stars overhead. They unfurled across the surface like glimmering skeins of fabric.”
I mean, come on. That’s the kind of prose that makes you want to grab a notebook and start scribbling poetry about the night sky.
Pacing: A Wild Ride on Rapids
Fair warning: this book starts off at a sprint and barely lets up. The first few chapters might leave you feeling a bit breathless as Saft throws you headfirst into political intrigue, magical shenanigans, and a murder mystery. But once you find your footing, you’re in for a treat. The pacing ebbs and flows like a river, with moments of quiet character development punctuated by heart-pounding action sequences.
Themes That’ll Make You Think (While You’re Busy Trying Not to Get Eaten by a Dragon)
Don’t let the fantastical elements fool you—”A Dark and Drowning Tide” tackles some heavy themes:
- Identity and belonging: Lorelei’s struggle as a Yeva (a marginalized group in Brunnestaad) is poignant and all too relevant.
- Power and its corrupting influence: The search for the Ursprung (the magical spring) raises questions about who should wield such immense power.
- Trust and betrayal: In a world where everyone has secrets, who can you really rely on?
A Queer Romance That’ll Make Your Heart Sing
Can we talk about Lorelei and Sylvia for a hot minute? Their enemies-to-lovers arc is perfection. The tension, the banter, the moments of vulnerability—it’s all there, folks. And the best part? Their queerness isn’t treated as a big deal or a plot point. It just is, which is refreshing as hell in a fantasy setting.
A Few Ripples in the Stream
Look, no book is perfect, and “A Dark and Drowning Tide” has its moments where it doesn’t quite hit the mark:
- The political intrigue can get a bit convoluted at times. I found myself wishing for a “Houses of Brunnestaad” family tree to keep track of who was scheming against whom.
- Some of the side characters, while intriguing, don’t get as much development as I’d have liked. (Justice for Ludwig, y’all.)
- The pacing in the middle section drags a tiny bit as our heroes trek through various magical landscapes.
But honestly? These are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a fantastic read.
The Verdict: Dive In, The Water’s Fine (Mostly)
“A Dark and Drowning Tide” is a book that’ll grab you by the collar and drag you under—in the best possible way. It’s perfect for fans of:
- Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse
- V.E. Schwab’s “A Darker Shade of Magic”
- Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy
If you like your fantasy with a hefty dose of romance, political intrigue, and enough plot twists to give you whiplash, this is the book for you. Saft has crafted a world that feels both familiar and utterly unique, populated by characters you’ll alternately want to hug and throttle (sometimes in the same chapter).
A Rising Star in the Fantasy Firmament
This isn’t Saft’s first rodeo. Her debut novel, “Down Comes the Night,” was a gothic romance that put her on the map. But with “A Dark and Drowning Tide,” she’s really hit her stride. The complexity of the world-building, the depth of the characters, and the sheer addictiveness of the plot all point to an author coming into her own.
Final Thoughts: A Tide You’ll Want to Get Swept Away In
“A Dark and Drowning Tide” is the kind of book that’ll have you staying up way too late, muttering “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s 3 AM and you’re blinking at the last page, wondering where the time went. It’s a testament to Saft’s skill that she can juggle so many elements—fantasy, mystery, romance, political intrigue—without dropping a single ball.
So, dear reader, my advice to you? Take a deep breath, open to page one, and let yourself get swept away by the current. Just watch out for nixies, yeah?
P.S. If anyone from Netflix is reading this – this would make one hell of a TV series. Just saying.