A Dark and Drowning Tide: A Novel By Allison Saft

In this lush sapphic fantasy romance, Lorelei Kaskel, a sharp-witted folklorist, embarks on a perilous expedition alongside six eccentric nobles to find a fabled spring that promises immense power. The spring’s magic is key to securing the reign of the embattled king of Brunnestaad, and Lorelei is eager to prove herself on this journey—her one chance to fulfill her dream of becoming a naturalist and exploring distant lands.

However, the expedition is immediately thrown into chaos when their leader—Lorelei’s beloved mentor—is murdered aboard their ship. The culprit must be one of the five remaining companions, each with a hidden motive. The only person Lorelei can trust is her longtime academic rival, Sylvia von Wolff, the infuriatingly gallant and strikingly beautiful scholar. Together, they must take charge of the expedition, find the spring, and uncover the murderer’s identity before the killer strikes again or a political coup erupts.

As Lorelei and Sylvia are forced to set aside their rivalry and work together, they face greater dangers in the treacherous lands: forests that shift in the night, rivers concealing dragons, and deadly shapeshifters. Amid the growing tension, Lorelei begins to question the nature of justice and whether the kingdom is truly worth saving as secrets from her mentor’s past come to light.

With danger closing in and their feelings for each other intensifying, Lorelei and Sylvia must navigate both the perils of the wild and the mysteries of the heart.