A Dark and Drowning Tide by Saft Allison (Paperback)

Lorelei Kaskel, a sharp-tongued folklorist with a quick wit, embarks on an expedition to find a legendary spring said to hold immense magical power. Hired alongside six eccentric nobles, the journey promises both adventure and the chance for Lorelei to fulfil her dream of becoming a naturalist and exploring lands she has only read about. The stakes are high, as the king intends to harness the spring’s power to secure his reign over Brunnestaad.

The expedition takes a dark turn when Lorelei’s beloved mentor is murdered aboard the ship, leaving five remaining expedition members as suspects. The only person she can trust is her long-time academic rival, the infuriatingly brilliant Sylvia von Wolff. Forced to work together, Lorelei and Sylvia must navigate treacherous forests, rivers hiding slumbering dragons, and shapeshifting beasts, all while uncovering dangerous secrets their mentor left behind.

As the pair work to solve the murder, their reluctant partnership evolves into something deeper. Together, they must decide whether justice is worth pursuing or if the survival of the kingdom itself should take precedence. Saft Allison’s A Dark and Drowning Tide weaves a lush sapphic fantasy romance filled with suspense, intricate world-building, and compelling characters.

This enthralling novel blends murder mystery, magical adventure, and forbidden romance, keeping readers on edge as Lorelei and Sylvia confront both deadly creatures and the truths hidden within their own hearts.