A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft

A Dark and Drowning Tide captivates readers with its masterful blend of gothic atmosphere, supernatural elements, and emotional depth. Allison Saft’s sophomore novel transports us to the eerie coastal town of Thistlepoint, where secrets lurk beneath the surface and the boundary between the living and the dead blurs with each incoming tide. This atmospheric tale combines elements of mystery, romance, and fantasy while exploring themes of grief, identity, and redemption that resonate long after the final page is turned.

As we dive into this comprehensive review of Saft’s haunting narrative, we’ll explore the intricate plot, complex characters, and the rich thematic elements that make this book stand out in the realm of young adult fantasy. Whether you’re deciding if this book belongs on your reading list or seeking a deeper understanding of its nuances after reading, this in-depth analysis will guide you through the shadowy world Saft has crafted with her compelling prose.

What Is A Dark and Drowning Tide About?

A Dark and Drowning Tide is about a young woman named Ruby Albright who returns to her coastal hometown of Thistlepoint after a personal tragedy, only to become entangled in a mysterious series of drownings connected to local folklore about the sea taking one person every seven years. The story follows Ruby’s investigation alongside the enigmatic Judah Wolfe as they uncover dark secrets about their town, confront supernatural forces, and navigate their growing feelings for each other while battling their own personal demons.

This atmospheric fantasy thriller masterfully weaves together elements of romance, mystery, and the supernatural against the backdrop of a small coastal town shrouded in fog and secrets. At its core, the novel explores themes of grief, redemption, and the power of confronting one’s past. Saft crafts a tale where the line between the natural and supernatural world blurs with each incoming tide, creating a reading experience that is both hauntingly beautiful and deeply emotional.

Let’s take a closer look at the plot details to better understand the captivating narrative that has readers unable to put this book down.

Plot Summary and Key Events

A Dark and Drowning Tide unfolds in the coastal town of Thistlepoint, a place with a dark history and an even darker present. The story begins with Ruby Albright’s reluctant return to her hometown after a devastating personal loss and a failed suicide attempt. Once a promising ballet dancer, Ruby now feels adrift and haunted by her past mistakes.

Upon her return, Ruby discovers that Thistlepoint is experiencing a disturbing pattern of drownings. According to local legend, the sea demands a sacrifice every seven years—a myth most townspeople dismiss as superstition. However, when bodies begin washing ashore with increasing frequency, Ruby can’t help but wonder if there’s more to the legend than mere folklore.

The plot advances through several key developments:

1. Ruby’s encounters with Judah Wolfe: A mysterious young man with his own troubled history who becomes both her ally and romantic interest.
2. The discovery of historical patterns: Ruby and Judah uncover evidence that the drownings have been occurring cyclically for generations.
3. Supernatural manifestations: Strange occurrences begin to plague the town, including ghostly apparitions near the water and inexplicable phenomena.
4. Personal revelations: Both protagonists must confront painful truths about their pasts and their families’ connections to Thistlepoint’s dark history.
5. The climactic confrontation: Ruby and Judah discover the true nature of the entity behind the drownings and must make difficult choices to break the cycle.

Throughout the narrative, Saft skillfully intertwines the external mystery with Ruby and Judah’s internal struggles, creating a multi-layered story that keeps readers engaged until the final resolution. The plot moves at a deliberate pace, allowing for atmospheric development while maintaining tension through well-timed revelations and escalating danger.

The novel’s twists are particularly noteworthy, especially as the connection between Ruby’s family history and the supernatural elements becomes clear in the latter half of the book. This adds emotional weight to what might otherwise be simply a supernatural thriller.

Setting and Atmosphere

The fictional town of Thistlepoint serves as more than just a backdrop; it functions almost as a character in its own right. Allison Saft has created a setting that practically drips with atmosphere—a remote coastal town perpetually shrouded in mist, where old Victorian houses perch precariously on cliffs above a temperamental sea.

Key aspects of the setting include:

• The physical environment: Rocky shores, treacherous tides, dense fog, and a persistent chill that seems to permeate everything.
• The town’s architecture: Weathered buildings, abandoned lighthouses, and narrow streets that feel both claustrophobic and exposed.
• The social atmosphere: A tight-knit community harboring generational secrets, where outsiders are viewed with suspicion and old traditions hold powerful sway.
• The supernatural overlay: Areas where the boundary between the natural and supernatural worlds seems to thin, particularly during certain tidal conditions.

Saft’s descriptive prose excels in creating sensory immersion. Readers can almost taste the salt in the air, feel the clammy dampness of the fog, and hear the rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore. This sensory richness contributes significantly to the novel’s gothic feel and helps establish the mood of foreboding that permeates the narrative.

The atmosphere is further enhanced by Saft’s skillful use of weather as a narrative device. Storms coincide with moments of emotional or plot intensity, while rare moments of sunshine often signal brief respites or revelations. This pathetic fallacy technique reinforces the connection between the external environment and the characters’ internal states.

As readers at Readlogy have noted in discussions, the setting of Thistlepoint rivals some of the most memorable fictional towns in contemporary fantasy, drawing favorable comparisons to settings created by authors like Maggie Stiefvater and Nova Ren Suma.

Who Are the Main Characters in A Dark and Drowning Tide?

The main characters in A Dark and Drowning Tide are Ruby Albright, a former ballet dancer returning to her hometown after a suicide attempt, and Judah Wolfe, a reclusive young man with a mysterious past and connection to the sea. Supporting characters include Ruby’s mother Helena, her deceased father Arthur, Judah’s guardian Olivia, and several townspeople connected to Thistlepoint’s dark history. The character dynamics center around Ruby and Judah’s developing relationship as they investigate the town’s supernatural drownings while confronting their own personal traumas.

What makes these characters particularly compelling is their psychological complexity and authentic emotional struggles. Unlike flat archetypes often found in similar genres, Saft’s characters feel genuinely human in their flaws, contradictions, and growth throughout the narrative. Let’s examine these key characters in greater depth.

Ruby Albright: Character Analysis

Ruby Albright stands as one of Allison Saft’s most fully realized protagonists. As we meet her at the beginning of the novel, Ruby is defined by her losses: her career as a ballet dancer cut short by injury, her father’s death years earlier, and most recently, her own failed suicide attempt. Her return to Thistlepoint is not a homecoming but a retreat—a last resort when she has nowhere else to go.

Key character traits include:

• Resilience beneath vulnerability: Despite her fragile mental state, Ruby demonstrates remarkable determination when investigating the drownings.
• Observer’s perspective: Years of ballet training have made her attentive to details others miss, both physically and emotionally.
• Conflicted relationship with her past: She both resents and longs for her former identity as a dancer.
• Guilt and self-blame: She carries overwhelming responsibility for events beyond her control.
• Developing agency: Throughout the narrative, Ruby gradually reclaims her sense of purpose and self-determination.

Ruby’s character arc follows a compelling trajectory from passivity to agency. In the early chapters, she is primarily reactive, responding to events and others’ expectations. As the story progresses and she becomes more invested in solving the mystery of the drownings, she increasingly makes proactive choices, culminating in the climactic sequences where she must decide whether to perpetuate or break the town’s dark cycle.

Her relationship with dance serves as an effective metaphor throughout the novel. Initially representing her greatest loss, dance gradually becomes reconnected to her sense of self in a healthier way, symbolizing her psychological healing process. Saft handles Ruby’s mental health struggles with sensitivity and nuance, avoiding both glamorization and oversimplification of suicidal ideation and recovery.

Judah Wolfe: Character Analysis

If Ruby represents someone fighting to reclaim her place in the world, Judah Wolfe embodies someone who has never truly found his. As the other protagonist and Ruby’s eventual romantic interest, Judah brings a different perspective to the narrative—that of someone who has always existed on the margins of Thistlepoint society.

Judah’s defining characteristics include:

• Isolation and independence: Raised by his guardian Olivia after the drowning of his mother, Judah has grown accustomed to solitude.
• Connection to the sea: Unlike many townspeople who fear the water, Judah feels drawn to it, spending hours in his boat despite the dangers.
• Protective instincts: Despite his loner tendencies, he demonstrates fierce loyalty to those few he allows close.
• Hidden vulnerability: Beneath his stoic exterior lies deep-seated insecurity about his worth and place in the world.
• Intuitive understanding: He possesses an almost supernatural sensitivity to the rhythms and moods of the sea.

Judah’s character development is more subtle than Ruby’s but no less significant. Where she moves from passivity to action, his journey involves moving from isolation to connection. His growing relationship with Ruby challenges his self-imposed emotional barriers, forcing him to confront the possibility of attachment and the risks that come with it.

The revelation of Judah’s true connection to Thistlepoint’s supernatural elements represents one of the novel’s most effective twists. This revelation recontextualizes his earlier behaviors and adds poignancy to his struggle for identity. His final choices in the narrative demonstrate significant character growth, particularly in his willingness to sacrifice for others rather than remain safely detached.

Supporting Cast and Relationships

While Ruby and Judah dominate the narrative, Saft creates a compelling ensemble of secondary characters who enrich the story’s texture and themes.

Notable supporting characters include:

• Helena Albright: Ruby’s mother, whose brittle exterior masks genuine concern for her daughter and regret over past choices.
• Olivia Wolfe: Judah’s guardian, harboring secrets about his origins and the town’s history.
• Arthur Albright: Ruby’s deceased father, whose presence lingers through memories and whose research becomes crucial to understanding Thistlepoint’s supernatural elements.
• Townspeople: A varied cast representing different aspects of Thistlepoint society, from those who blindly maintain traditions to those who question the status quo.

The relationship dynamics in the novel operate on multiple levels:

1. Ruby and Judah’s romance: Develops organically from mutual suspicion to alliance to genuine connection, avoiding many YA romance tropes through its mature handling of trauma and healing.
2. Parent-child relationships: Explored through Ruby’s complicated feelings toward her mother and memories of her father, as well as Judah’s relationship with Olivia and questions about his birth mother.
3. Community connections: The web of relationships among Thistlepoint residents reveals how shared secrets and collective denial shape a community’s identity.

What distinguishes these relationships is their authenticity and complexity. Saft avoids simplistic categorizations of good and bad characters, instead presenting human beings who make understandable choices even when those choices have harmful consequences. This nuance extends to the romantic relationship between Ruby and Judah, which develops from a foundation of mutual respect and shared vulnerability rather than instant attraction or melodrama.

What Themes Does A Dark and Drowning Tide Explore?

A Dark and Drowning Tide explores several profound themes including grief and its various manifestations, the struggle for personal identity after trauma, the power of community secrets and generational trauma, the tension between free will and fate, and the process of healing and redemption. Allison Saft weaves these thematic elements throughout the narrative, using both character development and supernatural elements to examine how humans confront personal and collective darkness, highlighting the courage required to break destructive cycles and choose a different path forward.

The novel’s thematic depth is one reason it resonates so strongly with readers. Rather than simply using its supernatural elements for entertainment value, Saft employs them as metaphorical frameworks to explore very real human experiences. This approach elevates the book beyond genre conventions into a more profound literary experience. Let’s examine these themes in greater detail.

Grief and Loss

Grief permeates A Dark and Drowning Tide at multiple levels. Nearly every major character has experienced significant loss, and their responses to these losses largely define their motivations and actions throughout the narrative.

The novel explores different manifestations of grief:

• Ruby’s grief: Multifaceted, encompassing the loss of her father, her dance career, and her former sense of self. Her suicidal ideation represents grief turned inward.
• Judah’s grief: More complex once his origins are revealed, incorporating both personal losses and a more abstract mourning for a normal life he never had.
• Collective grief: Thistlepoint itself exhibits characteristics of a grieving entity, with the cyclical drownings representing both the cause and expression of community-wide trauma.

Saft portrays grief not as a linear process but as a fluctuating state that can manifest in unexpected ways. Characters move between stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, sometimes cycling back through these states when new losses or revelations occur. Particularly effective is the novel’s exploration of how unprocessed grief can transmute into destructive patterns, both personally and collectively.

The supernatural elements of the story serve as powerful metaphors for grief’s consuming nature. Just as the sea claims victims in a regular cycle, grief can pull people under if they don’t find healthy ways to navigate its currents. The novel suggests that while grief itself is inevitable, being consumed by it is not—characters who find ways to honor their losses without being defined by them are ultimately able to resist the sea’s pull.

Identity and Self-Discovery

Questions of identity form another central theme in the novel. Both Ruby and Judah struggle with fundamental questions about who they are apart from their traumas and family histories.

Key aspects of identity explored include:

• Identity after loss: Ruby’s journey to redefine herself when she can no longer be a dancer.
• Heritage and destiny: Judah’s struggle to understand how his unusual origins influence but don’t determine his choices.
• Community identity: How Thistlepoint defines itself through both its public face and its hidden traditions.
• Authentic versus performed selves: The masks characters wear versus their true natures.

The novel suggests that identity is neither entirely self-created nor wholly determined by external factors. Instead, it emerges from the dialogue between individual choice and contextual constraints. Ruby and Judah both must confront how their pasts have shaped them while asserting their ability to choose different futures.

Particularly interesting is how Saft uses physical environments to mirror identity struggles. The constantly shifting boundary between land and sea parallels the fluid nature of identity, while the fog that frequently obscures Thistlepoint represents the difficulty of achieving clear self-knowledge. As characters gain insight into themselves, they also gain clearer perception of their surroundings, suggesting a fundamental connection between self-awareness and wider understanding.

Secrets, Lies, and Generational Trauma

Thistlepoint is built upon secrets—some kept intentionally, others buried beneath layers of denial and mythmaking. The novel examines how these secrets poison both individual relationships and community bonds.

The narrative explores several dimensions of secrecy:

• Protective secrets: Those kept ostensibly to shield others from painful truths.
• Self-preserving secrets: Those maintained to avoid confronting one’s own guilt or complicity.
• Collective secrets: Those perpetuated by a community to maintain social cohesion or power structures.
• Supernatural secrets: Knowledge about the town’s true nature that has been deliberately obscured.

Generational trauma figures prominently in this thematic strand. The cyclical nature of the drownings parallels how unresolved trauma tends to replicate itself across generations when not properly addressed. Families in Thistlepoint pass down not only their homes and traditions but also their unhealed wounds and coping mechanisms.

The novel posits that bringing secrets into the light, while initially painful, is necessary for genuine healing. This is illustrated literally through the plot, as understanding the true nature of Thistlepoint’s supernatural elements becomes essential to breaking their power, and metaphorically through character relationships, as honesty—even about difficult truths—strengthens rather than damages authentic connections.

According to analysis from our team at Readlogy, this thematic exploration resonates particularly strongly with contemporary readers navigating a cultural moment of reckoning with historical and institutional secrets.

Fate Versus Free Will

The tension between determinism and choice runs throughout A Dark and Drowning Tide. The town’s legend about inevitable drownings every seven years raises profound questions about whether cycles of tragedy can be broken.

This theme manifests in several ways:

• Prophecy and legend: The predetermined nature of the drownings and whether such patterns can be disrupted.
• Family legacies: How much characters are bound by their ancestral histories versus their ability to chart new courses.
• Psychological determinism: Whether trauma inevitably shapes future behavior or can be overcome.
• Environmental determinism: How physical surroundings influence but don’t necessarily control human choices.

Saft presents a nuanced perspective that acknowledges the powerful forces—supernatural, psychological, and social—that constrain choice while ultimately affirming characters’ agency to resist these forces. The novel suggests that true freedom comes not from an absence of constraints but from conscious awareness of them, allowing for deliberate choices rather than unconscious reactions.

This philosophical dimension adds significant depth to what might otherwise be a straightforward supernatural thriller. By questioning the nature of fate and free will, the novel invites readers to consider these questions in their own lives—how much they are shaped by forces beyond their control and where opportunities for meaningful choice exist despite these constraints.

Healing and Redemption

Despite its dark themes, A Dark and Drowning Tide ultimately offers a hopeful perspective on the possibility of healing and redemption. Characters who have caused harm, whether intentionally or unwittingly, are given opportunities for atonement and growth.

The novel explores different aspects of healing:

• Personal healing: Characters’ journeys toward mental and emotional wholeness after trauma.
• Relational healing: The repair of damaged connections between individuals.
• Community healing: The potential for Thistlepoint to acknowledge its past and create a healthier future.
• Environmental healing: The relationship between the town and the sea potentially shifting from exploitation to respect.

Saft presents healing not as a single transformative moment but as an ongoing process requiring consistent effort and honesty. Particularly effective is her portrayal of Ruby’s mental health journey, which avoids both the trap of magical healing (where problems disappear unrealistically) and unrelenting darkness (where improvement seems impossible).

The redemptive arc of the narrative suggests that while the past cannot be changed, its power to determine the future can be diminished through understanding, acceptance, and deliberate choice. This message resonates beyond the supernatural elements of the story, offering readers insight into how similar principles might apply in navigating real-world trauma and recovery.

How Does Allison Saft’s Writing Style Enhance the Story?

Allison Saft’s writing style enhances A Dark and Drowning Tide through her masterful atmospheric prose that creates immersive sensory experiences, her strategic pacing that balances character development with plot momentum, her nuanced approach to romance and relationships that adds emotional depth without overshadowing the main narrative, and her skillful integration of supernatural elements that feel organic to the world she’s created. Her distinctive voice combines lyrical descriptions with sharp dialogue and psychological insight, resulting in a reading experience that is both aesthetically rich and emotionally resonant.

Critics and readers alike have praised Saft’s prose as one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Her writing demonstrates significant growth from her debut novel, showing increased confidence in her unique stylistic approach. Let’s examine the specific techniques that make her writing so effective in this particular story.

Atmospheric Prose and Imagery

Saft’s descriptive prowess is perhaps the most immediately striking aspect of her writing style. She creates a vivid sensory experience that transports readers fully into Thistlepoint’s foggy, salt-tinged atmosphere.

Notable aspects of her descriptive technique include:

• Sensory layering: Rather than relying solely on visual descriptions, Saft consistently incorporates multiple senses—the taste of salt in the air, the sound of waves against rocks, the feeling of damp cold seeping through clothing.
• Weather as mood: Atmospheric conditions closely mirror emotional states without becoming heavy-handed or predictable.
• Architectural specificity: Buildings are described with enough detail to create clear mental images while leaving room for reader imagination.
• Water imagery: The sea is portrayed in constantly shifting terms, sometimes soothing, sometimes threatening, mirroring its ambiguous role in the narrative.
• Light and shadow play: Descriptions of how light filters through fog or glints off water create a cinematically visual quality.

Particularly effective is Saft’s use of contrasting imagery to heighten emotional impact. Moments of beauty appear more striking against the predominantly gloomy backdrop, while instances of horror feel more disturbing when they intrude upon seemingly peaceful scenes. This technique creates a reading experience of heightened awareness, where seemingly ordinary details may carry significance.

Her prose style in descriptive passages tends toward the lyrical without becoming purple or self-indulgent. Metaphors and similes are used judiciously, often drawing from the natural world or ballet terminology (reflecting Ruby’s background) to create connections that deepen thematic resonance.

Pacing and Narrative Structure

Saft demonstrates significant skill in managing the novel’s pacing, creating a reading experience that feels neither rushed nor sluggish despite covering complex emotional and supernatural territory.

Key aspects of her approach to pacing include:

• Alternating tension and release: Sequences of high suspense or emotional intensity are typically followed by quieter moments allowing readers to process information.
• Scene-setting versus action: Descriptive passages establishing atmosphere are balanced with dialogue-driven scenes that advance the plot.
• Information revelation: Critical plot information is parceled out gradually, with each revelation raising new questions to maintain momentum.
• Time compression and expansion: The narrative sometimes speeds through routine days while stretching important moments into extended sequences, creating a rhythm that mirrors how memory actually works.

The novel’s structure contributes significantly to its effectiveness. Saft employs occasional flashbacks and memories without disrupting the forward momentum of the present-day narrative. These glimpses into the past are integrated organically, typically triggered by sensory experiences or conversations that make their inclusion feel natural rather than forced.

Chapters tend to end on moments of revelation or subtle cliffhangers that encourage continued reading without resorting to melodramatic tactics. This technique creates what reviewers on Readlogy have called a “just one more chapter” effect that makes the book difficult to put down despite its substantial length.

Approach to Romance and Relationships

Saft’s handling of the romantic relationship between Ruby and Judah deserves particular attention, as it demonstrates a mature approach to YA romance that avoids common pitfalls of the genre.

Distinctive aspects of her approach include:

• Slow-burn development: The relationship evolves gradually through meaningful interactions rather than instant attraction.
• Mutual vulnerability: Both characters must risk emotional exposure, creating balanced power dynamics.
• Communication focus: Dialogue between the characters is substantive, revealing character and advancing both relationship and plot simultaneously.
• Integration with themes: The romantic elements reinforce rather than distract from the novel’s central themes.
• Respect for trauma histories: Characters’ past experiences inform their approach to intimacy in psychologically realistic ways.

What’s particularly refreshing is Saft’s avoidance of toxic relationship dynamics sometimes romanticized in YA literature. While both Ruby and Judah carry significant emotional baggage, their relationship is characterized by growing mutual support and honest communication rather than codependency or emotional manipulation.

The physical aspects of their relationship are handled with sensitivity appropriate to the YA audience while honoring the intensity of young adult emotions. Intimate scenes advance character development rather than serving merely as romantic payoff, showing how physical vulnerability connects to emotional vulnerability for both characters.

Integration of Supernatural Elements

One of the most challenging aspects of supernatural fiction is making fantastical elements feel organically integrated rather than arbitrarily imposed. Saft achieves this integration masterfully in A Dark and Drowning Tide.

Her approach includes:

• Folklore foundation: The supernatural elements draw from existing folkloric traditions about the sea, giving them cultural resonance.
• Gradual revelation: Supernatural aspects are introduced incrementally, allowing readers to adjust their understanding of the story’s rules.
• Consistent internal logic: Once established, supernatural elements operate according to discernible patterns rather than convenient plot requirements.
• Psychological parallels: Supernatural manifestations often mirror characters’ internal states, creating thematic cohesion.
• Ambiguity management: Certain elements maintain productive ambiguity about whether they are truly supernatural or have psychological explanations.

Particularly effective is how Saft grounds the supernatural in physical reality. The mystical elements of the narrative are tied to specific locations, objects, and natural phenomena, creating a sense that they are extensions of the natural world rather than impositions upon it. This approach makes the fantastical feel more credible within the context of the story.

The supernatural elements also serve metaphorical functions without becoming reductive allegories. The sea’s cyclical claiming of victims works simultaneously as a literal plot element, a metaphor for grief’s consuming nature, and a symbol of historical patterns that repeat when not confronted directly.

How Does A Dark and Drowning Tide Compare to Allison Saft’s Other Works?

A Dark and Drowning Tide represents a significant evolution in Allison Saft’s writing, building on strengths established in her debut novel Down Comes the Night while showcasing greater confidence in atmospheric worldbuilding and character development. While both novels feature gothic elements and slow-burn romances, A Dark and Drowning Tide demonstrates a more cohesive integration of supernatural elements with psychological depth, more nuanced handling of trauma and mental health themes, and a more distinct authorial voice. Saft maintains her signature atmospheric prose but applies it to a contemporary setting rather than the secondary fantasy world of her debut, resulting in a more grounded emotional resonance while still delivering the haunting aesthetic that has become her hallmark.

For readers tracking Saft’s development as an author, this sophomore novel provides fascinating insights into her growing mastery of craft and thematic concerns. Let’s examine the connections and evolution between her works in greater detail.

Comparison with “Down Comes the Night”

Saft’s debut novel, Down Comes the Night, introduced many elements that would be refined in A Dark and Drowning Tide. Both feature:

• Protagonists dealing with professional setbacks and crises of identity
• Gothic atmospheric settings where the environment itself feels alive
• Slow-burn romances between characters from different backgrounds
• Mysteries that blend the supernatural with human malevolence
• Themes of healing and redemption

However, several key differences highlight Saft’s artistic evolution:

Setting and Worldbuilding:

• Down Comes the Night takes place in a secondary fantasy world with established magic systems and political structures.
• A Dark and Drowning Tide uses a contemporary setting with supernatural elements, creating a different relationship between the familiar and the fantastical.

Character Development:

• The protagonist of Down Comes the Night (Wren) begins with clearly defined professional skills and institutional connections.
• Ruby in A Dark and Drowning Tide starts from a place of greater disconnection and identity loss, requiring a different character arc.

Narrative Structure:

• Down Comes the Night employs a more traditional gothic structure with a central manor house mystery.
• A Dark and Drowning Tide uses a broader community setting with multiple locations and interconnected histories.

Thematic Emphasis:

• While both novels deal with trauma, A Dark and Drowning Tide places greater emphasis on mental health and specifically addresses suicidal ideation with more direct engagement.
• The newer novel also explores community complicity and generational trauma more extensively.

Critics have generally noted significant growth between the two works, particularly in Saft’s confidence handling complex emotional material and her ability to maintain consistent tone throughout a lengthy narrative. The atmospheric qualities that drew praise in her debut are more precisely deployed in A Dark and Drowning Tide, suggesting a writer gaining greater mastery of her distinctive voice.

Recurring Themes and Stylistic Elements

Certain elements appear across Saft’s published works, suggesting core interests and strengths that define her as an author:

Atmospheric Intensity:
Both novels demonstrate Saft’s exceptional ability to create immersive sensory experiences that establish mood and foreshadow plot developments. Her descriptions engage multiple senses and often blur the boundary between setting and character.

Medical/Body Knowledge:
Saft frequently incorporates detailed understanding of human biology and medical practices. In Down Comes the Night, this appears through Wren’s healer training, while in A Dark and Drowning Tide, it manifests in precise descriptions of Ruby’s dance injuries and the physical effects of drowning.

Moral Ambiguity:
Saft consistently resists simplistic characterization, presenting antagonists with understandable motivations and protagonists who make morally questionable choices. This creates narratives where ethical questions remain complex rather than binary.

Romance as Character Development:
In both novels, romantic relationships serve as vehicles for character growth rather than ends in themselves. Partners challenge each other’s assumptions and provide mirrors for self-reflection, creating romances that feel integral to character arcs.

Healing Journeys:
Saft’s narratives typically track characters’ movements from wounded states toward greater wholeness, though never in simplistic or unrealistically complete ways. This creates satisfying emotional arcs while honoring the complexity of real healing processes.

According to analysis from Readlogy readers who have read both works, these recurring elements create a recognizable “Saft signature” while allowing each book to maintain its distinctive identity and approach.

Evolution as a Writer

A Dark and Drowning Tide demonstrates several areas of growth in Saft’s craft compared to her debut:

Dialogue Differentiation:
Characters in the newer novel possess more distinctive speech patterns that reflect their backgrounds and personalities. This creates more immediately recognizable voices even in dialogue-heavy scenes.

Scene Construction:
Saft shows increased skill in building scenes that simultaneously advance plot, develop character, and reinforce themes without feeling didactic or overly engineered.

Pacing Control:
The newer novel maintains more consistent momentum throughout, avoiding the occasional pacing issues that affected sections of her debut.

Thematic Integration:
Supernatural elements in A Dark and Drowning Tide more seamlessly connect to thematic concerns, creating a narrative where plot and theme reinforce each other more consistently.

Emotional Authenticity:
While both novels feature emotionally complex protagonists, Ruby’s internal landscape in A Dark and Drowning Tide demonstrates greater psychological specificity and nuance, particularly regarding mental health struggles.

The growth between these works suggests an author actively refining her craft and developing a more distinctive voice with each publication. This evolution creates exciting possibilities for Saft’s future works, as she continues to build on established strengths while exploring new narrative territory.

What Makes A Dark and Drowning Tide Stand Out in the YA Fantasy Genre?

A Dark and Drowning Tide stands out in the YA fantasy genre through its sophisticated handling of mental health issues including suicidal ideation and recovery, its subversion of common genre tropes particularly regarding romance and female protagonists, its seamless blend of multiple subgenres including gothic, mystery, and fantasy elements, and its commitment to authentic emotional complexity rather than manufactured drama. Allison Saft creates a narrative that respects its young adult audience’s intelligence and emotional capacity while delivering a reading experience that appeals equally to adult readers, resulting in a crossover novel that transcends typical genre limitations.

The novel’s distinctiveness becomes particularly apparent when compared with other popular works in the contemporary YA fantasy landscape. Let’s explore the specific elements that set it apart from its peers.

Handling of Mental Health and Trauma

While YA literature increasingly addresses mental health, A Dark and Drowning Tide demonstrates exceptional nuance in its portrayal of psychological struggles.

Standout aspects include:

• Suicidal ideation representation: The novel addresses Ruby’s suicide attempt and ongoing ideation directly rather than through euphemism, while avoiding both glamorization and oversimplification.
• Recovery realism: Mental health improvement is portrayed as non-linear, involving setbacks and ongoing management rather than magical cures.
• Trauma responses: Characters exhibit psychologically accurate responses to trauma, including avoidance, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
• Therapy normalization: Professional psychological support is presented as a valuable resource rather than stigmatized or dismissed.
• Mental health in context: Psychological struggles are shown as interacting with social and environmental factors rather than existing in isolation.

Particularly noteworthy is how Saft integrates these elements organically into the narrative rather than treating them as “issue book” topics. Mental health considerations inform character decisions and relationships naturally, creating a story where psychological authenticity enhances rather than interrupts the fantastical elements.

The novel also avoids the common YA trap of suggesting that romance can “cure” mental illness. While Ruby and Judah’s relationship provides important support for both characters, it’s clearly presented as just one factor in a more complex healing process that also involves professional help, community connections, and individual psychological work.

Subversion of Genre Tropes

A Dark and Drowning Tide demonstrates self-awareness regarding YA fantasy conventions, frequently subverting reader expectations in refreshing ways.

Notable trope subversions include:

• The damaged bad boy: While Judah initially appears to fit this archetype, the novel deconstructs the trope by exploring the real consequences of isolation and trauma rather than romanticizing his troubled past.
• Insta-love romance: The relationship between Ruby and Judah develops gradually through meaningful interactions and shared experiences rather than immediate attraction.
• The chosen one: Neither protagonist is revealed to have special powers or a predetermined destiny; their importance stems from their choices and connections rather than inherent specialness.
• Adult incompetence: While some adults make harmful choices, others provide genuine support and wisdom, creating a more realistic intergenerational landscape than the absent/useless adult figures common in YA.
• Love triangle: The novel completely avoids this overdone trope, focusing instead on the complexities within a single developing relationship.

This subversive approach creates a reading experience that feels fresh even while operating within recognizable genre parameters. By acknowledging conventions and then deliberately complicating them, Saft demonstrates respect for the genre’s history while pushing its boundaries.

The novel particularly stands out in its handling of Ruby as a female protagonist. Rather than falling into either the “exceptional girl” or “everygirl” patterns common in YA, Ruby occupies a more nuanced position—extraordinary in her former ballet abilities but ordinary in her human struggles and uncertainties. This creates a character that feels simultaneously distinctive and relatable.

Genre Blending and Innovations

A Dark and Drowning Tide skillfully combines elements from multiple subgenres into a cohesive whole that transcends traditional categorization.

The novel effectively blends:

• Gothic atmosphere: Fog-shrouded settings, ancient secrets, and psychological dread create classic gothic sensibilities.
• Mystery structure: The investigation into the drownings provides narrative momentum and reader engagement.
• Contemporary fantasy: Supernatural elements exist within an otherwise recognizable modern world.
• Psychological thriller: Internal stakes and character psychology drive tension as much as external threats.
• Romance: The developing relationship between Ruby and Judah provides emotional depth and character development.

This genre hybridization creates a reading experience that appeals to diverse reader preferences while maintaining narrative cohesion. Rather than feeling like disparate elements awkwardly forced together, these different genre influences complement each other naturally, each enhancing the effectiveness of the others.

Particularly innovative is Saft’s integration of ballet as both literal background and metaphorical framework for Ruby’s character. The precision, discipline, and bodily awareness from Ruby’s dance background inform how she navigates both physical and emotional challenges, creating connections between seemingly disparate elements of the narrative.

As Readlogy’s genre specialists have noted, this type of sophisticated genre blending represents an important evolution in YA literature, moving beyond rigid category constraints toward more complex narrative approaches.

Emotional Depth and Authenticity

Perhaps the most significant distinction of A Dark and Drowning Tide within its genre is its exceptional emotional authenticity. Rather than relying on manufactured drama or exaggerated emotional states, Saft creates characters with psychologically credible internal landscapes.

Key aspects of this emotional authenticity include:

• Complex motivations: Characters act from layered and sometimes contradictory desires rather than single-note motivations.
• Emotional consequences: Actions have realistic psychological aftereffects rather than being forgotten when narratively convenient.
• Ambivalence representation: Characters experience conflicting feelings about important people and situations, reflecting real emotional complexity.
• Subtle emotional shifts: The narrative tracks small but significant changes in emotional states rather than only dramatic emotional transformations.
• Non-verbal emotional communication: Body language, environmental reactions, and other non-verbal cues carry emotional weight alongside dialogue and internal monologue.

This emotional sophistication creates a reading experience that resonates deeply with both adolescent and adult readers. For younger readers, it validates the complexity of their own emotional experiences; for older readers, it offers nuanced character psychology that respects their emotional intelligence.

The novel’s approach to romance particularly benefits from this emotional authenticity. Rather than relying on external obstacles or contrived misunderstandings to create tension, the relationship between Ruby and Judah derives its complexity from internal conflicts and genuine vulnerability. This creates a romance subplot that feels substantive rather than formulaic.

What Are the Strengths and Weaknesses of A Dark and Drowning Tide?

The strengths of A Dark and Drowning Tide include its immersive atmospheric writing that creates a palpable sense of place, its psychologically complex characters with authentic internal struggles, its balanced pacing that maintains engagement throughout a substantial narrative, and its thematic depth that elevates it beyond typical genre fiction. Its weaknesses include occasional overreliance on descriptive passages that might test impatient readers, some predictable plot elements despite innovative execution, limited diversity in character representation, and a few unanswered questions in the worldbuilding that might frustrate detail-oriented readers. Overall, the novel’s strengths significantly outweigh its weaknesses, resulting in a compelling and emotionally resonant reading experience.

To provide a balanced assessment, let’s analyze both the novel’s major accomplishments and its areas for potential improvement.

Major Strengths

Atmospheric Immersion:
Saft’s descriptive prowess creates a setting that feels tangibly real despite its supernatural elements. The novel excels at:

• Creating consistent mood through environmental details
• Using sensory description to enhance emotional states
• Maintaining distinctive atmosphere throughout different locations
• Employing weather and natural elements as effective narrative devices
• Building tension through environmental changes

This atmospheric quality creates a reading experience where Thistlepoint feels like a place readers have actually visited rather than merely read about. The immersive quality enhances both the supernatural elements (making them feel more credible) and the emotional components (creating environmental correlatives for internal states).

Character Development:
The novel presents characters with genuine psychological depth who evolve believably throughout the narrative:

• Ruby’s journey from passivity to agency feels earned through accumulated experiences
• Judah’s gradual emotional opening occurs through consistent small choices rather than sudden transformation
• Secondary characters possess distinct personalities and motivations beyond serving plot functions
• Character growth occurs through realistic increments rather than dramatic conversions
• Past experiences inform present behaviors in psychologically accurate ways

This attention to realistic character psychology creates emotional investment that drives reader engagement. Characters’ choices feel consequential because they arise from established personalities and values rather than plot requirements.

Pacing Balance:
Despite its substantial length, the novel maintains consistent reader engagement through:

• Effective alternation between high-tension scenes and reflective moments
• Chapter structures that create natural pauses while encouraging continued reading
• Information revelation timed to maintain curiosity
• Subplot development that complements rather than distracts from the main narrative
• Escalating stakes that create momentum toward the climax

This pacing sophistication demonstrates Saft’s growing mastery of narrative structure and helps the novel appeal to both readers who appreciate character-driven stories and those who prefer plot-focused narratives.

Thematic Resonance:
The novel engages with substantive themes that give the narrative lasting impact:

• Exploration of grief that acknowledges its complexity and ongoing nature
• Nuanced portrayal of mental health struggles that avoids both stigmatization and romanticization
• Examination of how communities perpetuate harmful patterns through silence and denial
• Consideration of how the past influences but doesn’t determine the present
• Portrayal of healing as a complex, non-linear process requiring both individual effort and community support

These thematic elements elevate the novel beyond entertainment (though it succeeds admirably as entertainment) into a work that offers genuine insight into human experience.

Areas for Improvement

Descriptive Balance:
While the atmospheric writing is generally a strength, some readers may find:

• Certain descriptive passages become repetitive, particularly regarding weather and sea conditions
• Some scenes prioritize mood establishment over narrative momentum
• Description sometimes delays important plot developments
• Certain sensory details receive disproportionate attention compared to others
• Metaphorical language occasionally becomes overwrought in highly emotional scenes

This potential weakness is largely a matter of reader preference rather than objective flaw—those who appreciate immersive description will likely view these elements positively, while readers seeking faster pacing might find them excessive.

Plot Predictability:
While the novel executes its plot effectively, certain elements follow recognizable patterns:

• Some plot twists can be anticipated by genre-savvy readers
• The romance follows a generally predictable trajectory despite nuanced execution
• Certain character revelations conform to established tropes despite psychological complexity
• The climactic confrontation incorporates familiar elements from supernatural thrillers
• Resolution patterns align with genre expectations despite emotional authenticity

Again, this represents a relative weakness rather than a significant flaw. The novel’s execution elevates potentially familiar elements, but readers seeking radical narrative innovation might find the overall plot structure somewhat conventional.

Diversity Considerations:
The novel could have incorporated greater diversity in several dimensions:

• Limited racial and ethnic diversity among central characters
• Minimal exploration of socioeconomic differences despite potential for class analysis
• Absence of explicitly LGBTQ+ characters in significant roles
• Limited disability representation beyond mental health
• Cultural homogeneity within the Thistlepoint community despite opportunities for more diverse portrayals

This represents a missed opportunity rather than problematic content—what exists is handled well, but greater diversity would have enriched the narrative world.

Worldbuilding Questions:
Some aspects of the supernatural elements remain underexplained:

• The exact mechanism behind the drowning cycle could be more precisely defined
• The historical origin of Thistlepoint’s supernatural elements receives limited exploration
• The geographical boundaries of the supernatural influence remain somewhat ambiguous
• The rules governing certain supernatural manifestations seem occasionally inconsistent
• The long-term consequences of the resolution aren’t fully developed

Detail-oriented readers might find these ambiguities frustrating, though others may appreciate the space left for imagination and interpretation.

Who Would Enjoy Reading A Dark and Drowning Tide?

Readers who would enjoy A Dark and Drowning Tide include fans of atmospheric fantasy with gothic elements, those who appreciate complex character-driven narratives with psychological depth, readers interested in thoughtful explorations of mental health within genre fiction, anyone drawn to maritime settings and folklore, and those who enjoy slow-burn romances that develop organically within broader narratives. The novel appeals particularly to readers who value emotional authenticity and atmospheric immersion over fast-paced action, though it contains enough mystery elements to satisfy those who enjoy plot-driven stories as well. Both young adult readers and adult fans of crossover fiction will find elements to appreciate in Saft’s sophisticated storytelling.

Understanding the ideal audience helps potential readers determine whether this book aligns with their preferences. Let’s explore in more detail who might particularly connect with this novel.

Target Audience Analysis

Primary Demographic Appeal:
While marketed as young adult fiction, A Dark and Drowning Tide has significant crossover appeal to adult readers due to:

• Sophisticated handling of complex emotional and psychological themes
• Protagonist age (19) at the upper end of typical YA range
• Mature approach to relationships and sexuality
• Nuanced exploration of family dynamics and community interactions
• Literary quality of the prose that satisfies more developed reading tastes

The novel likely appeals most strongly to readers in the 16-30 age range, though both younger readers with advanced reading interests and older adult readers who enjoy YA crossover fiction will find much to appreciate.

Genre Preference Alignment:
Readers with the following genre interests are particularly likely to enjoy this novel:

• Contemporary fantasy with supernatural elements
• Gothic literature with atmospheric settings
• Character-driven mysteries
• Psychological fiction focusing on internal journeys
• Romance with substantial emotional development
• Literary YA with complex thematic elements

The novel’s genre-blending approach means it can satisfy diverse reading preferences simultaneously, making it accessible to readers who might not typically gravitate toward any single one of these categories.

Reading Experience Preferences:
A Dark and Drowning Tide best suits readers who appreciate:

• Immersive descriptive writing that creates strong sense of place
• Character development prioritized alongside plot progression
• Emotional depth and psychological realism
• Moderate pacing that allows for reflection and atmosphere
• Substantive thematic exploration alongside entertainment value

Readers seeking primarily fast-paced action or plot-focused narratives might find the novel’s deliberate pacing and atmospheric emphasis less aligned with their preferences.

Reader Recommendation Profiles

“If you enjoy these authors, you’ll likely enjoy Allison Saft”:

• Maggie Stiefvater (particularly the Raven Cycle series)
• Nova Ren Suma
• Anna-Marie McLemore
• Rory Power
• Emily A. Duncan
• Adrienne Young

These authors share Saft’s commitment to atmospheric writing, complex characters, and thematic depth, making them helpful comparison points for potential readers.

“If you enjoy these books, consider A Dark and Drowning Tide”:

• The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
• The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
• House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
• Small Favors by Erin A. Craig
• The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman
• Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo (for adult readers)

These titles feature similar combinations of atmospheric settings, supernatural elements, and character-driven narratives that would appeal to the same readers.

“This book is perfect for you if you’re looking for…”:

• A gothic-tinged fantasy with a contemporary setting
• A nuanced portrayal of mental health recovery
• A slow-burn romance between complex characters
• An atmospheric coastal setting that functions almost as a character
• A mystery with both supernatural and human dimensions
• A standalone novel with complete narrative resolution

These specific elements help readers identify whether the novel aligns with their current reading interests and mood.

As reviewers at Readlogy have noted, the book particularly resonates with readers who appreciate the journey as much as the destination—those who enjoy being immersed in a fully realized setting and spending time with psychologically complex characters rather than racing through plot points to reach a conclusion.

Reading Experience Expectations

Potential readers should anticipate:

Pacing and Structure:

• A deliberate opening that establishes atmosphere and character before accelerating plot
• Alternating periods of reflection and tension throughout
• Mysteries that unravel gradually rather than through sudden revelations
• A climactic sequence with both emotional and supernatural intensity
• A conclusion that resolves major plot threads while acknowledging ongoing emotional journeys

Emotional Investment:

• Engaging with characters dealing with significant trauma and mental health challenges
• Experiencing both the darkness of grief and the tentative hope of healing
• Following relationship development through vulnerability and honest communication
• Confronting questions about family legacy and personal responsibility
• Exploring the tension between belonging to a community and challenging its harmful patterns

Content Considerations:

• Discussions of suicide and suicidal ideation
• Depictions of drowning and death
• Exploration of grief and loss
• Some romantic/sexual content (tastefully handled)
• References to family dysfunction
• Supernatural elements that may be disturbing to sensitive readers

Setting appropriate expectations helps ensure readers approach the novel prepared for the experience it offers, increasing the likelihood of a satisfying reading experience.

What Is the Final Verdict on A Dark and Drowning Tide?

A Dark and Drowning Tide earns a strong recommendation for its masterful atmospheric storytelling, psychologically nuanced characters, and thoughtful exploration of complex themes including grief, identity, and healing. Allison Saft demonstrates significant growth as an author in this sophomore novel, crafting a narrative that balances gothic elements with authentic emotional depth. While the deliberately paced, description-rich writing style may not appeal to all readers, those who appreciate immersive atmospheric fiction with meaningful character development will find this a compelling and rewarding read. With a rating of 4.5/5 stars, this novel establishes Saft as a significant voice in contemporary young adult fantasy with appeal that extends well beyond the typical boundaries of the genre.

Let’s break down this assessment in greater detail to provide a comprehensive final verdict.

Critical Assessment

Prose and Style: 5/5
Saft’s atmospheric writing represents the novel’s greatest strength. Her descriptive prowess creates vivid sensory experiences that immerse readers in Thistlepoint’s foggy, salt-tinged world. Particularly impressive is how environmental descriptions consistently enhance emotional states and thematic elements rather than functioning as mere scene-setting. The prose balances literary quality with accessibility, avoiding pretension while maintaining distinctive voice.

Character Development: 4.5/5
The psychological complexity of Ruby and Judah’s characterizations demonstrates Saft’s deep understanding of human motivation and behavior. Both protagonists undergo meaningful evolution throughout the narrative, with changes that feel earned rather than arbitrary. Secondary characters receive less development but generally avoid feeling one-dimensional. The novel particularly excels in its portrayal of Ruby’s mental health journey, which unfolds with psychological authenticity rarely seen in YA fantasy.

Plot and Structure: 4/5
While following recognizable genre patterns in its broad structure, the novel executes its plot with sufficient innovation and emotional authenticity to overcome potential predictability. The mystery elements maintain interest throughout, and revelations are generally well-timed to maintain momentum. The climactic sequence successfully integrates supernatural and emotional elements, providing satisfying resolution while avoiding oversimplification.

Thematic Depth: 5/5
The novel’s exploration of grief, identity, generational trauma, and healing elevates it above typical genre fiction. These themes are integrated organically into the narrative rather than feeling imposed or didactic. Particularly impressive is how supernatural elements function simultaneously as literal plot devices and metaphorical expressions of thematic concerns, creating a narrative where fantastical elements enhance rather than distract from emotional authenticity.

Worldbuilding: 4/5
Thistlepoint emerges as a vividly realized setting with tangible atmosphere and consistent internal logic. The integration of supernatural elements into a contemporary setting feels credible within the established parameters. While some aspects of the supernatural mechanics remain somewhat ambiguous, this generally creates productive mystery rather than frustrating confusion.

Overall Impact: 4.5/5
The novel creates a reading experience with lasting emotional resonance beyond the immediate entertainment value. Its combination of atmospheric immersion, psychological depth, and thematic substance results in a story that lingers in the imagination long after completion. While not revolutionary in its narrative approach, it executes familiar elements with exceptional skill and emotional authenticity.

Recommendation Context

Comparative Standing:
Within the current YA fantasy landscape, A Dark and Drowning Tide stands among the stronger offerings for readers seeking atmospheric, character-driven narratives. It compares favorably with similar works by established authors like Maggie Stiefvater and Nova Ren Suma, demonstrating comparable atmospheric skill while developing its own distinctive voice.

When compared specifically with Saft’s debut novel, this work shows significant growth in narrative confidence, character development, and thematic integration. This trajectory suggests an author developing a unique creative voice with increasing skill and purpose.

Value Proposition:
For readers aligned with the target audience profile, this novel offers exceptional value through:

• Immersive reading experience that creates genuine emotional investment
• Thoughtful exploration of significant themes with real-world relevance
• Satisfying standalone narrative requiring no additional series commitment
• Balanced appeal to both plot and character-focused reading preferences
• Crossover quality that rewards both young adult and adult reading approaches

As Readlogy’s expert reviewers have noted, the novel delivers particularly strong value for readers seeking fiction that balances escapist elements with psychological authenticity—offering both temporary immersion in an atmospheric world and meaningful insights applicable to real-life emotional experiences.

Potential Impact:
Beyond immediate reading enjoyment, the novel has potential lasting impact through:

• Normalizing nuanced discussions of mental health, particularly regarding suicidal ideation and recovery
• Modeling healthy relationship development based on honest communication and mutual support
• Encouraging critical examination of how communities perpetuate harmful patterns
• Providing metaphorical frameworks for understanding grief and healing processes
• Demonstrating how facing difficult truths enables genuine growth

This potential for meaningful resonance elevates the novel beyond entertainment (though it certainly succeeds as entertainment) into a work with genuine emotional and psychological value.

Final Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Dark and Drowning Tide earns this strong rating through exceptional atmospheric writing, psychologically nuanced characterization, and thoughtful thematic exploration. While minor weaknesses exist in plot predictability and certain worldbuilding elements, these are substantially outweighed by the novel’s considerable strengths.

Recommendation Summary:
Strongly recommended for readers who appreciate:

• Atmospheric immersion and vivid sense of place
• Psychologically complex characters with authentic emotional journeys
• Thoughtful exploration of grief, identity, and healing
• Supernatural elements that enhance rather than overwhelm human drama
• Relationship development based on genuine connection rather than contrived romance

Approach with awareness if you prefer:

• Fast-paced narratives with limited descriptive passages
• Action-driven plots with constant forward momentum
• Extensive worldbuilding detail with comprehensive explanations
• Light emotional content with limited psychological complexity
• Primarily escapist reading with minimal thematic weight

For the right readers, this novel offers a deeply satisfying reading experience that balances entertainment value with emotional resonance and thematic substance. Allison Saft demonstrates significant growth as an author in this work, establishing herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary YA fantasy with appeal extending well beyond typical genre boundaries.

As our team at Readlogy concludes, A Dark and Drowning Tide represents the kind of thoughtful, emotionally authentic genre fiction that expands the boundaries of young adult literature while delivering a genuinely compelling reading experience.