Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle Review

Title: Curious Tides

Author: Pascale Lacelle

Genre: YA Fantasy/ Dark Academia

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK

Pages: 544

Release Date: 3 October 2023

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Hello fellow booklovers! Today I'm back with my review for Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle. A lush, dark academia debut teeming with forbidden magic, mystery and secret societies—that fans of Lev Grossman’s The Magicians or Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House are sure to enjoy.

Synopsis

Emory is returning to the prestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magic for one reason: to uncover the secrets behind the night that left her best friend, Romie, and seven other students dead.

But Emory has plenty of secrets herself, not least that her healing abilities have been corrupted by a strange, impossible magic, granting her power no one should possess.

Turning to the only person she believes she can trust, Emory enlists the help of Romie’s brother Baz – someone already well-versed in the dangers of his own dark Eclipse magic.

But when the supposedly drowned students start washing ashore – alive – only for them each immediately to die horrible, magical deaths, Emory and Baz are no longer the only ones seeking answers.

There's a hidden society at the heart of the school, and they’re attracted to nothing more than they are to power...

Review

I did really enjoyed this! The world-building was rather breathtaking, with prose that practically swam off the page — and in a very Erin Morgenstern fashion, submerging us in a world of intricately woven lore and lunar-based magic that I found fascinating. Though I did find the pacing, (particularly of the first half) a quite slow.

I was however, really fond of the excerpts we encounter (from MC Baz’s favourite book, Song of the Drowned Gods.) Which were really reminiscent of the interconnected stories I fell hopelessly in love with in Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea.

Our protagonists, Emory and Baz were likewise quite fascinating too. Suffering from survivor’s guilt (having followed Romie to the sea cave, and being present moments before the tragedy occurred) Emory’s emotional response was quite heartbreaking. However, some of her choices had me seriously questioning her decision making skills.

I do admit, that of our two main characters, it was Baz that I felt the most connected to. Being born with Eclipse magic (the most stigmatised branch of magic), Baz has endured a lifetime of vitriol. And yet, his determination to help Emory, (and risk having his own magic bound if they’re caught) was incredibly endearing. Especially after witnessing the depth of his compassion and his unwavering drive to do the right thing—even if it means breaking the rules.

Overall, a magical, mystery filled YA fantasy with a sprinkle of romance and just the right amount of dark academia deliciousness.

Also, thanks to Rachel Quin, Simon & Schuster UK & Netgalley for the e-arc.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

About The Author 

Pascale Lacelle (pronounced pass-kal la-cell) is a French-Canadian writer from Ottawa, Ontario. A longtime devourer of books, she started writing her own at the age of 13 and quickly became enthralled by the magic of words. After earning her bachelor’s degree in French Literature, she realized the English language is where her literary heart lies (but please don’t tell any of her French professors that).

When not lost in stories, she’s most likely daydreaming about food and travel, playing with her dog Roscoe, or trying to curate the perfect playlist for every mood.

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