The Dark Tide (Alicia Jasinska, Penguin)

The island city of Caldella is sinking, and the only way to hold back the tide is through an annual ritual sacrifice performed by the cold, distant Witch Queen. When the boy Lina Kirk loves is taken as tribute, she offers herself in his place. But the magic only works if the Witch Queen truly loves the sacrifice, and the new queen, Eva, threw her heart into the ocean long ago. With the magic that holds back the hungry ocean failing, Lina and Eva must find a way to save Caldella—and each other. The Dark Tide is a lush, dark YA fairytale that enchants from the first pages. Eva and Lina spring from the page sharp and aching for connection. Their relationship feels rich and real as it evolves from enemies to lovers, even as the tension of the ticking clock ratchets ever upwards. As Eva and Lina grappled with their complex feelings and difficult moral quandaries I really didn’t know if they’d choose their duty or each other, and I was breathless racing to find out. The Dark Tide is for fans of of Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas.

Catherine Moller is an editorial assistant for the illustrated nonfiction team at Titan Books in London; she has previously worked with Queensland Writers Centre and Alex Adsett Publishing Services

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