Upon a Starlit Tide

Starred review from December 2, 2024
Woods (After the Forest) enchants in this sophisticated fairy tale that riffs on both “The Little Mermaid” and “Cinderella.” Lucinde “Luce” Léon is the youngest adoptive daughter of Jean-Baptiste Léon, a distinguished ship owner in 1758 Saint-Malo, Brittany. All her life, Luce has suffered from her misshapen feet, which cause her immense pain with every step. This ache is only soothed when she escapes into the sea, often secretly exploring its depths and retrieving stolen treasures from shipwrecks alongside her dear friend Samuel Thorner, a roguish smuggler. One day, Luce rescues an unconscious stranger near shore and they share an unforgettable kiss before she flees. The man tuns out to be Morgan de Châtelaine, the dashing son of another influential ship-owning family and captain of the recently wrecked Dauphin. To celebrate Morgan’s return, the de Châtelaines throw a ball, and all the local maidens flock at the chance to win the young captain’s heart. This night could finally lead Luce to a happily ever after—but she has too many dark secrets plaguing her, and every day danger draws closer to their harbor. Woods pays loving tribute to two classic tales while crafting an intricate coming-of-power plot that is entirely its own. Readers will be enthralled. Agent: Julie Crisp, Julie Crisp Literary.

December 1, 2024

In 1758 Brittany, Lucinde Leon dreams of joining a ship's crew, but when she rescues Morgan de Chatelaine from the sea, she also longs to attend the ball with him. Complicating matters, the fae are leaving, taking their magic with them. Woods (After the Forest) offers a fairy-tale fantasy mash-up of "The Little Mermaid" and "Cinderella." With a 100K-copy first printing. Prepub Alert.

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Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 1, 2025
Woods follows After the Forest (2023) with a masterful melding of fairy tales and historical events from the Seven Years War into a luscious, lyrical story of sailors, smugglers, secrets, and sea maidens. Confident their city's walls are protected by magical storm-stone, the citizens of Saint-Malo believe they are safe from British incursions. Lucinda Leon, the adopted daughter of a prosperous Saint-Malo shipbuilder, has difficulty walking but is an excellent swimmer. While swimming by herself one morning, Luce saves a shipwrecked sailor from drowning but must hide her involvement or risk ruining her reputation. She leaves the unconscious young man on the beach for the locals to find and deliver to the nearby Leon residence. Luce's parents are delighted to discover their handsome guest is Morgan de Chatelaine, the unwed son of a wealthy, noble family. And they are even more excited when Morgan's grateful parents invite the entire family to a ball in honor of his miraculous rescue. Sibling rivalry emerges when Luce surprises her sisters with her unexpected determination to attend the event. With its well-drawn characters, beautiful language, and fascinating historical details, this combination of magic, mystery, and an impending invasion will appeal to fans of historical fantasy.

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Starred review from April 1, 2025

Luce, the adopted daughter of a wealthy sea merchant and privateer in Saint-Malo, spends time with her mother and two sisters trapped in their houses following social customs, longing for adventure on the sea. She often sneaks out to a small cove to practice sailing with Samuel and Bones, two British smugglers. One morning after a storm, Luce finds a young man in the wreckage of a ship. Morgan is the youngest son of another wealthy sea merchant family and romance blooms between them. As the story progresses, some ugly truths are revealed: Morgan's intentions, Luce's true heritage, and the ultimate betrayal by those she loves. The writing is both lyrical and descriptive, and the constant tension between expectations and Luce's desires keeps the pace moving along. Set in the 1750s as British and French fleets are privateering, this story blends historical fiction, familiar fairy tale themes, folklore, and fae in a compelling tale of love, loss, learning, and discovery. There are a few love scenes and violent interactions, but nothing too graphic. This excellent book will appeal to a wide variety of readers, especially fans of Marissa Meyer's Gilded and Robin McKinley's Beauty. VERDICT A compelling tale full of the mundane and magical, Luce's adventures and self-discovery will keep readers engaged in this page turner. A very strong first buy.-Tamara Saarinen

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