The Dark Tide

Every year, the island kingdom of Caldella demands a royal sacrifice to appease the Witch Queen and hold back the dangerous dark tide. Princess Eva volunteers in place of her twin brother, accepting a fate meant to protect their people from destruction. Lina Kirk learns her brother is missing on the same night Princess Eva offers herself to the Witch Queen. Though their paths shouldn't cross, Lina strikes a risky bargain with the queen to save her brother - a choice that binds her fate to Eva's. In the queen's enchanted palace beneath the ocean, Eva and Lina navigate magic, deception, and their growing connection to each other. As the dark tide's deadline approaches, they must decide what sacrifices they're willing to make and what price they'll pay to change their destinies. This YA fantasy explores themes of sacrifice, free will, and the bonds between siblings while questioning traditional fairy tale dynamics through a queer romance lens.

Readers note strong worldbuilding and atmospheric descriptions of the witch-ruled island setting. The f/f romance between Eva and Lina draws praise for its enemies-to-lovers dynamic and moral complexity around sacrifice. Positive reviews highlight: - Dark fairy tale tone and Eastern European folklore influences - LGBTQ+ representation - Descriptive writing style - Fast pacing in second half Common criticisms: - Slow start and uneven pacing - Underdeveloped side characters - Predictable plot twists - Romance feels rushed in places Average Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (500+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.75/5 One reader praised the "haunting atmosphere and complex moral choices," while another noted "the romance needed more development to feel authentic." Several reviews compared it favorably to The Wicked Deep and These Witches Don't Burn, though felt it didn't quite reach their heights.

These Witches Don't Burn by Hannah Slate A modern witch must protect her seaside town from dark magic while navigating a romance with the new girl in this LGBT+ story of witchcraft and sacrifice.

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia In a Latin-inspired fantasy world, a student at an elite school must choose between duty and love as she becomes a spy for revolutionaries.

Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley A witch who cannot feel love and a girl who radiates magic form an alliance to stop a magical plague in this sapphic enemies-to-lovers tale.

The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska Two rival witches compete to steal the heart of a prince during a winter festival while falling for each other instead.

The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake A girl rebuilds her life in her ancestral Maine hometown while uncovering family secrets and finding unexpected romance with a local girl.

🌊 The author drew inspiration from Slavic folklore and the concept of rusalkas - vengeful water spirits who lure people to their deaths. 🏰 The fictional island of Caldella in the book is partly based on medieval Venice, with its intricate canal systems and masked festivals. 💫 Alicia Jasinska wrote much of the novel while working as a youth librarian in Australia, often drafting scenes during her lunch breaks. 🌙 The annual tithe ritual in the book parallels real historical practices where communities would sacrifice individuals to appease gods or natural forces. 👑 The story subverts the traditional "prince saves princess" trope by featuring two queens as the main romantic pairing, making it a notable addition to LGBTQ+ young adult fantasy literature.