Upon a Starlit Tide
Buy Now
By using these links, you support READO. We receive an affiliate commission without any additional costs to you.
Description
Upon a Starlit Tide is a dark and enchanting historical fantasy combining elements of "The Little Mermaid" and "Cinderella" into a wholly original tale of love, power, and betrayal.
*The hardcover edition features beautiful custom endpapers.*
Saint-Malo, Brittany, 1758. To Lucinde Léon, the youngest daughter of a wealthy French shipowner, the high walls of Saint-Malo are more hindrance than haven.
While her sisters are busy trying to secure advantageous marriages, Luce spends her days secretly being taught to sail by Samuel, her best friend-and an English smuggler. Only he understands how the waves call to her. Then one stormy morning, Luce rescues a drowning man from the sea.
Immediately drawn in by the stranger's charm, Luce is plunged into a world of glittering balls and faerie magic, seduction and brutality. Secrets that have long been lost in the shadowy depths of the ocean begin to rise to the surface, but as Luce wrestles with warring desires, she finds that her own power is growing brighter and brighter, shining like a sea-glass slipper.
Or the scales of a seamaid's tail.
"Magnificent. This is a must-read!"-Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Sevenwaters and Blackthorn & Grim series
Book Information
Posts
With this book I'm a little torn. The first half dragged a bit and a few things annoyed me, mostly the inconsistent writing of some characters and the slow-ish plot-progression. I also was bored by the protagonist being from a wealthy, high society preoccupied with balls and finding husbands and picking out dresses - maybe I've just had enough period drama for now 😅 However, the further it progressed the better it got. The story became more and more gripping and I was invested in the relationship dynamics and the mysteries behind Luces origins. The setting was again superb, you could definitely tell that a lot of research and care went into portraying a historical Saint-Malo and its society. And the fairytale-mashup was great again as well, and so was the implementation of fae-creatures. Towards the finale the book took surprisingly brutal and angry turns, which I enjoyed. The very ending then left me teary-eyed and I loved the resolution. So all in all an enjoyable read, even though the beginning could have been more streamlined for my taste. Still, everyone who loves a good historical fantasy with fairy elements will probably enjoy this, as will fans of Wood's first book 😊 Thanks to Tor Books and Netgalley for the e-ARC!
Description
Upon a Starlit Tide is a dark and enchanting historical fantasy combining elements of "The Little Mermaid" and "Cinderella" into a wholly original tale of love, power, and betrayal.
*The hardcover edition features beautiful custom endpapers.*
Saint-Malo, Brittany, 1758. To Lucinde Léon, the youngest daughter of a wealthy French shipowner, the high walls of Saint-Malo are more hindrance than haven.
While her sisters are busy trying to secure advantageous marriages, Luce spends her days secretly being taught to sail by Samuel, her best friend-and an English smuggler. Only he understands how the waves call to her. Then one stormy morning, Luce rescues a drowning man from the sea.
Immediately drawn in by the stranger's charm, Luce is plunged into a world of glittering balls and faerie magic, seduction and brutality. Secrets that have long been lost in the shadowy depths of the ocean begin to rise to the surface, but as Luce wrestles with warring desires, she finds that her own power is growing brighter and brighter, shining like a sea-glass slipper.
Or the scales of a seamaid's tail.
"Magnificent. This is a must-read!"-Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Sevenwaters and Blackthorn & Grim series
Book Information
Posts
With this book I'm a little torn. The first half dragged a bit and a few things annoyed me, mostly the inconsistent writing of some characters and the slow-ish plot-progression. I also was bored by the protagonist being from a wealthy, high society preoccupied with balls and finding husbands and picking out dresses - maybe I've just had enough period drama for now 😅 However, the further it progressed the better it got. The story became more and more gripping and I was invested in the relationship dynamics and the mysteries behind Luces origins. The setting was again superb, you could definitely tell that a lot of research and care went into portraying a historical Saint-Malo and its society. And the fairytale-mashup was great again as well, and so was the implementation of fae-creatures. Towards the finale the book took surprisingly brutal and angry turns, which I enjoyed. The very ending then left me teary-eyed and I loved the resolution. So all in all an enjoyable read, even though the beginning could have been more streamlined for my taste. Still, everyone who loves a good historical fantasy with fairy elements will probably enjoy this, as will fans of Wood's first book 😊 Thanks to Tor Books and Netgalley for the e-ARC!