Upon a Starlit Tide

· Macmillan Audio · Narrated by Esther Wane
4.8
6 reviews
Audiobook
14 hr 39 min
Unabridged
Eligible
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About this audiobook

Upon a Starlit Tide is a dark and enchanting historical fantasy combining elements of "The Little Mermaid" and "Cinderella" into a wholly original tale of love, power, and betrayal.

*The hardcover edition features beautiful custom endpapers.*

Saint-Malo, Brittany, 1758. To Lucinde Leon, the youngest daughter of a wealthy French shipowner, the high walls of Saint-Malo are more hindrance than haven.

While her sisters are busy trying to secure advantageous marriages, Luce spends her days secretly being taught to sail by Samuel, her best friend—and an English smuggler. Only he understands how the waves call to her. Then one stormy morning, Luce rescues a drowning man from the sea.

Immediately drawn in by the stranger’s charm, Luce is plunged into a world of glittering balls and faerie magic, seduction and brutality. Secrets that have long been lost in the shadowy depths of the ocean begin to rise to the surface, but as Luce wrestles with warring desires, she finds that her own power is growing brighter and brighter, shining like a sea-glass slipper.

Or the scales of a sea-maid's tail.

"Magnificent. This is a must-read!” —Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Sevenwaters and Blackthorn & Grim series

=A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

Ratings and reviews

4.8
6 reviews
Joz “JINX” Paterson
February 23, 2025
A jealous sister, a stolen sea maid, a magical ball. This historical romantasy gave Cinderella and The Little Mermaid vibes all the way through. I loved the combination. I was invested right from the beginning when Lucinde rescued Morgan. There is something about Morgan that draws Lucinde in. Her best friend, Samuel, is a storm diver. Their friendship is hidden from her family, as they would frown upon it. As Lucinde and Samuel collect the remains of Morgan's ship, Lucinde tells Samuel about Morgan. Samuel instantly dislikes Morgan. It was hard to tell whether it was jealousy—that Morgan caught his attention and would be a good fit for her in her parents' eyes over a lowly smuggler like Samuel—or if it was something darker he sensed. Although, Lucinde feels guilty, she still attends the ball she was invited to, but not without some troubles. It is obvious someone doesn't want her to attend. Their was one unexpected scene on Lucinde's ship that turned gruesome.
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Ciera Parr
March 1, 2025
Beautiful, Whimsical, and Poetic! I adored this story. It was a unique and imaginative amalgamation of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid with a touch of Neverland whimsy. The historical elements were blended exquisitely with the lore and mythology of Britannia’s fae. Combing that with the struggles and pains of the women and working class made the story relatable, compelling, and magical. The narration was hauntingly beautiful S well and made the bits of poetry immersive and impactful. Bravo.
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Darcia Helle
February 18, 2025
I loved every moment and every word of UPON A STARLIT TIDE. Read this book if you enjoy historical fantasy, a well developed, heartfelt romance, beautiful writing, and a captivating story of love, betrayal, and vengeance. Audio production is fantastic. Esther Wane embodied the characters’ personalities and moods. I found the listening experience to be totally immersive. *Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook download!*
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About the author

Kell Woods is an Australian historical fantasy author. She has studied English literature, creative writing, and librarianship, and writes about made-up (and not so made-up) places, people, and things you might remember from the fairy tales you read as a child. Kell lives near the sea with her husband, two sons, and a kitten named Juniper.

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