Upon a Starlit Tide is  a bit of The Little Mermaid meets Cinderella with a dash of fae and folklore in a historical setting. 

I absolutely adored this. I loved the mix of the fantastical with real locations and history and they are blended together effortlessly to create the world of the story. St. Malo, once a stronghold for privateers surrounded by granite walls is the perfect backdrop. The author transports the reader there giving us a real feeling of time and place both grounded in reality and interwoven with the folklore of the story. And it’s not just St. Malo but the familial home, Le Bleau Sauvage, and the churning waters of the Manche.  

Another thing I loved was the atmospheric quality of the writing. Whether it was a glittering ball with beautiful gowns and sea glass slippers, the treacherous waves of the Manche, or a moonlit forest with ghostly apparitions, the vibes were on point. Also the food descriptions were ridiculous. Make sure you have macarons on hand while reading this because you will be craving them.

The relationship between the sisters and the feelings of Luce, our protagonist, are complex and conflicted. I really enjoyed the moments touching on their relationship. The tide-crone and role of fae folk and their role in the world and in Luce’s life was also  a really interesting aspect. For me this was a kind of perfect fairy tale-esque novel. It walks the balance of dark and fantastical and creates a world that feels real and lived in with great characters and high stakes.

If you love of fairy tales, folklore, and adventure this has it all. This would probably appeal to readers that liked Cinderella is Dead, A Sorceress Comes to Call, or Spinning Silver.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.