A review by keepcalmblogon
Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Curious Tides drew me in from a Barnes & Noble email, actually.  I was very happy to have found the Barnes & Noble book club edition still in stock–it has a bonus story!  Of course, I actually listened to the audiobook and then read the bonus story in the physical book and I loved the audio!

Immediately this book started off with a tragedy and a mystery, and while I don’t enjoy mystery books, I do like a mystery with my fantasy.  Emory is the only survivor of a secret initiation gone wrong and ends up with special powers.  Kieran tries to help her, but can she trust him?  Baz is so clearly in love with her, but does she feel the same?  And all the while, flashbacks and memories of Baz’s sister and Emory’s best friend Romie thread through the story.

Furthermore, to anyone familiar with The Magicians, there’s an element in Curious Tides of a book which may or may not be fiction and has important implications, downright plot points!, to the story.  I love a magical book and otherworldly travel along with secret societies and a corrupt government!

The only thing that was a little hard to follow in this book was the magic system and the history of the magic system, but I did enjoy that it wasn’t info-dumped!

I recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Ninth House, Atlas Six, or The Magicians.  Five stars!