Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle – A Dark Academia Fantasy of Secrets and Sorcery

Synopsis

Ninth House meets A Deadly Education in this gorgeously dark academia fantasy following a teen mage who must unravel the truth behind the secret society that may have been involved in her classmates’ deaths.

Emory might be a student at the prestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magics, but her healing abilities have always been mediocre at best—until a treacherous night in the Dovermere sea caves leaves a group of her classmates dead and her as the only survivor. Now Emory is plagued by strange, impossible powers that no healer should possess.

Powers that would ruin her life if the wrong person were to discover them.

To gain control of these new abilities, Emory enlists the help of the school’s most reclusive student, Baz—a boy already well-versed in the deadly nature of darker magic, whose sister happened to be one of the drowned students and Emory’s best friend. Determined to find the truth behind the drownings and the cult-like secret society she’s convinced her classmates were involved in, Emory is faced with even more questions when the supposedly drowned students start washing ashore—alive—only for them each immediately to die horrible, magical deaths.

And Emory is not the only one seeking answers. When her new magic captures the society’s attention, she finds herself drawn into their world of privilege and power, all while wondering if the truth she’s searching for might lead her right back to Dovermere…to face the fate she was never meant to escape.

Why Should You Read This?

In the enchanting realm of dark academia fantasy, “Curious Tides” by Pascale Lacelle emerges as a spellbinding tale that will captivate fans of “Ninth House” and “A Deadly Education.” This novel weaves together elements of mystery, magic, and intrigue into a narrative that is both haunting and irresistible.

The story introduces us to Emory, a young mage enrolled at the prestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magics. While her peers possess formidable magical abilities, Emory’s healing talents have always been rather lackluster. However, her life takes a dark and unexpected turn after a fateful night in the treacherous Dovermere sea caves. In a tragic twist of fate, her classmates meet their demise, leaving Emory as the sole survivor.

It’s on that eerie night that Emory’s life takes a precarious turn. She begins to experience inexplicable and potentially dangerous powers, ones that could shatter her life if they fall into the wrong hands. Fearing discovery, Emory embarks on a quest to master these newfound abilities. In her pursuit of control, she forms an unlikely alliance with Baz, the reclusive and enigmatic student at Aldryn College. Baz’s familiarity with the darker aspects of magic makes him the ideal mentor, especially since his sister was among the drowned students and was Emory’s closest friend.

However, the mysteries and dangers lurking beneath the surface of Aldryn College run deeper than Emory could have ever imagined. The secret society she suspects her classmates were involved in becomes a focal point of her investigation. As she delves deeper into the enigma, her questions multiply. Things take an even more perplexing turn when the supposedly deceased students begin to wash ashore, only to meet gruesome and magical ends.

Emory’s quest for answers propels her into a world of privilege and power that she had never imagined being a part of. As her newfound magical prowess attracts the society’s attention, she becomes entangled in a web of secrets, secrets that might ultimately lead her back to Dovermere, confronting a fate she never thought she could escape.

“Curious Tides” is a masterfully crafted dark academia fantasy that enthralls readers from the very first page. Pascale Lacelle’s vivid storytelling and intricate world-building bring the magical realm of Aldryn College to life. The characters, particularly the resilient Emory and the enigmatic Baz, are richly developed and compelling.

The novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its blend of mystery, magic, and suspense. The underlying themes of privilege and power are skillfully woven into the narrative, providing depth and resonance to the story.

In conclusion, “Curious Tides” by Pascale Lacelle is a mesmerizing dark academia fantasy that is a must-read for fans of the genre. With its intricate plot, memorable characters, and a richly crafted magical world, this novel is an exhilarating journey into a realm where secrets and sorcery intertwine. Prepare to be spellbound by this tale of dark academia intrigue, as Emory’s quest for truth takes her on a thrilling and perilous adventure through the pages of “Curious Tides.”