Lore of the Tides (The Lore of the Wilds Duology)
Hey, I’m not even going to hold you. I DNF’d this at Chapter 28. The writing still has that rambling style from the first book, but this time it just felt like too much. Maybe I’ll try it again someday, but right now? I’m going to pass.
First off, if you haven’t read Book 1 of The Lore of the Wilds, skip this review because there are spoilers.
I actually thought the setup was interesting. We’re back with Lore after being captured by Asher and, surprise surprise, he’s the bad guy. Honestly, that reveal was beautifully done. Justice for Fin.
I think what really made me drop the book was the way Fin started feeling like a rebound. At the beginning, there’s still this “will Lore and Asher work things out or not?” tension hanging over everything. Meanwhile, Fin who originally had his own opinions and pushback suddenly becomes willing to go along with basically anything Lore wants.
And then his character kind of shifts into the stereotypical overly sexual love interest. With Asher, there was at least some romantic tension and emotional complexity. With Fin, I loved the softer moments, him being protective, doing her hair, caring for her but I never fully felt the romance between them. Then he gets powers and can suddenly communicate with Asher too? It just felt kind of random to me.
Again, this is just my personal opinion. If you enjoyed it, that’s totally fine. I’m just a girl on the internet complaining about a story because I genuinely loved the first book. Lore was exactly the stubborn, hardheaded princess type of character I wanted but now in book too it feels like Lore herself never really grew as a character.
I honestly wish the first book had just been a little longer and wrapped everything up there. I didn’t hate the mermaid storyline, but by this point I was kind of over it. The story kept bringing up Lore’s family, but outside of Gray, we barely spend time with any of them and Gray was more important in the first book anyway. Where is everybody else?
That being said, the opening chapter was genuinely strong and emotional. The writing itself is still good too. This sequel just didn’t work for me the way the first one did.
Either way… later.
It’s always a little heartbreaking when a highly anticipated sequel doesn’t quite hit the mark, isn’t it? Especially after falling head over heels for the first book in a duology like The Lore of the Wilds. When I picked up Lore of the Tides, I had so many expectations, hoping for an even deeper dive into the magical world and the complex characters I’d grown to love. One of the biggest draws for me, and I imagine for many readers, was the promise of an expanded mermaid storyline. The cover itself, with its striking underwater scene featuring a mermaid-like figure, really set the tone. I envisioned rich, intricate descriptions of an underwater kingdom, unique aquatic magic, and perhaps a deeper exploration of mermaid culture and its connection to Lore's world. While the story did touch upon these elements, I found myself waiting for that truly immersive experience, for the mermaid lore to feel like a living, breathing 'system' within the narrative. I wanted to feel the currents, understand the politics of the deep, and see how this new dimension truly challenged or developed our protagonist. Unfortunately, for me, it felt a bit underdeveloped, almost like a backdrop rather than an integral, evolving part of the plot. Speaking of evolving systems, a strong fantasy duology relies heavily on character development and consistent world-building. In a “system deep dive” review, I always look for how the magic, power dynamics, and character relationships mature from the first book to the second. For Lore of the Tides, I was really hoping to see Lore herself grow beyond her initial stubbornness. In the best sequels, characters face new challenges that force them to adapt and transform. I also expected more from the romantic dynamics. The intricate emotional complexities from the first book, particularly with Asher, felt like a well-crafted system of tension and connection. But in book two, when Fin’s character seemed to shift so dramatically, becoming almost a yes-man to Lore, it felt like a missed opportunity for a more nuanced and compelling love interest. How characters react to newfound powers, like Fin's ability to communicate with Asher, should ideally fit within the established rules of the world's 'magic system' and propel the plot forward in a logical, exciting way, not feel random. Ultimately, a successful Book 2 in a duology needs to build upon the foundation of the first, expanding the world, deepening the stakes, and allowing its characters to truly shine. While Lore of the Tides had some strong moments, particularly the opening chapter, it didn't quite deliver the extensive 'system deep dive' into its mermaid lore or character arcs that I was hoping for. It’s a tough balance to strike, maintaining the charm of the original while pushing the narrative into new, exciting territory. For those who enjoy these kinds of fantasy stories, I hope you find what you're looking for, but for me, this mermaid tale didn't quite make waves.