Unearth the Tides

A Classic Retold

by Alissa J. Zavalianos

Huxley Krew Gannon III always knew he would be a royal guard; defending the Crown is in his blood. And coming from a long line of Gannons, that means the job is to be taken seriously at all costs.

When tragedy strikes, Huxley is framed for treason, and his only option is to flee to Braka's most feared place: The Wasteful Tides.

It's rumored a monstrous beast haunts those waters, but what Huxley encounters is even worse: an elusive captain, magical herbs, a beautiful lady, and unearthed truths that could change the course of history.

Unearth the Tides is a fantasy retelling of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Filled with mystery, found family, and themes of truth and forgiveness, Unearth the Tides is perfect for those who love the coziness of the classics and the thrill of adventure.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Christian, Christian Fiction, Christian Fantasy, Fiction, Summer

284 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2023

About the author

Alissa J. Zavalianos grew up in New Hampshire and currently lives there with her wonderful husband, sweet daughter, and mischievous cat, Moo. As a child, she always had a love for nature, books, and fairy tales, and as she grew older, that love bloomed all the more. Alissa loves Jesus and is inspired by birds, mountains, castles, Tolkien, Lewis, and the way a cold breath of wind feels on her bare toes.

Reviews

[Alissa J. Zavalianos]

ENDORSEMENTS:

"Fans of adventure, redemption, and Jules Verne will enjoy 𝘜𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴, and the depth its characters reach in this imaginative and wholesome retelling."
-𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐀 𝐌𝐂𝐁𝐄𝐄, award winning author of the 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 Series

"Do you hear the gulls calling to you? Do you smell the salty spray of the sea crashing at your feet? A classic story retold in a heart-pounding, soul-soaring fantasy as hypnotic and enthralling as the ocean deep where it is set, 𝘜𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 is nothing short of an invitation to embark upon one of the most magical and mysterious adventures of your life. All you need to do is walk up the gangplank and set sail upon the Wasteful Tides. Only one question remains: Are you ready to be swept away into worlds unknown and uncover the secrets that lie beyond the water’s edge?"
-𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐒𝐊𝐈, author of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘦, and the 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 Series

"Perfect for young hearts who desire a new adventure and old souls who long for the familiarity of the classics, 𝘜𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 is told with nautical flair and wit, subtly weaving in Scripture alongside a splash of mystery with memorable characters, wholesome romance, and Zavalianos’ signature cozy atmosphere. All aboard! This is a voyage you won’t want to miss!"
-𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒, author of 𝘈 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 and 𝘈 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘳𝘴

"Zavalianos is a storytelling master with her extraordinary ability to create stories that beg to be both savored and devoured. 𝘜𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 is a heartfelt adventure and a fantastic twist on a well-loved classic. Zavalianos puts her signature touch on this magical piece, gently but unwaveringly pointing readers to God and sharing powerful truths within her beautifully written words."
-𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐔, author of 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘥

"𝘜𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 will sweep you off your literary feet and transport you to a world you'll never want to leave. With elements of mystery, a cast of characters who hold your heart, and thrilling adventure coupled with a heartwarming romance, Zavalianos's retelling is magical, intriguing, and attention-holding. Reminiscent of Amanda Dykes and Joanna Ruth Meyer's master storytelling, 𝘜𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 is not to be missed!"
-𝐂𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑, author of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 and 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘠𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘛𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

"Equal parts dangerous intrigue and delightful adventure, this cozy fantasy hides more secrets than it has any right to. Alissa Zavalianos brings a fresh take to Jules Verne’s classic, interweaving the story with soul-touching truths and themes of mercy and forgiveness."
-𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐄, writer and director of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘚𝘢𝘨𝘢

"Alissa’s newest adventure story is another win in her repertoire. Told from the point of view of a man on the run, readers will joyfully come aboard for the page-turning plot twists, characters with suspicious backstories, an unexpected love interest, and a message of mercy. Alissa has the gift of crafting stories that stay with the reader long after the last page has turned."
-𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐍, author of 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘻𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯'𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This adventure was so fun to write, and I hope you enjoy getting to know Huxley and Willa! My prayer is that Huxley's story reminds you that God is enough and His grace/forgiveness is sufficient in all things. When we come to Him with repentant hearts, He is gracious to forgive us, even when the weight and guilt of our sins feels all-consuming.

What a comfort to hold on to!

[Caitlin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endorsement: "Unearth the Tides will sweep you off your literary feet and transport you to a world you'll never want to leave. With elements of mystery, a cast of characters who hold your heart, and thrilling adventure coupled with a heartwarming romance, Zavalianos's retelling is magical, intriguing, and attention-holding. Reminiscent of Amanda Dykes and Joanna Ruth Meyer's master storytelling, Unearth the Tides is not to be missed!" -Caitlin Miller, author of The Memories We Painted and Our Yellow Tape Letters

[Erin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Perfect for young hearts who desire a new adventure and old souls who long for the familiarity of the classics, Unearth the Tides is told with nautical flair and wit, subtly weaving in Scripture alongside a splash of mystery with memorable characters, wholesome romance, and Zavalianos’ signature cozy atmosphere. All aboard! This is a voyage you won’t want to miss!"

-Erin Phillips, author of A Crown of Chains and A Bond of Briars

My official copy just arrived! Can’t wait to reread and share a more in depth review!

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time my mom read aloud 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to me and my sister, and all I remember was that it was very boring and they sat around and classified fish a LOT. (Upon bringing this up to my mom now she said she doesn’t remember any of that. Lucky her.) So I wasn’t hugely keen on this retelling except that it was written by this author and since I loved The Earth-Treader I figured I’d try it anyways when the ebook went on sale. So I bought it, downloaded it…and then proceeded to ignore it, lol.

But thanks to a reading vlog I’m creating, as of writing this review, for my YouTube channel, my friend picked this as one of the books I had to read so I was stuck with it, lol. (Genuine thanks, Celestria!) And you know what? I actually really enjoyed it! (Wow! What a concept! 😆🤪)

Huxley’s internal journey is slow in its unfolding and healing pace though not without its bumps and scars and raw bleeding out everywhere in such a real and relatable way that I appreciated. This author writes nature and the vast glorious beauty and wonder of it in such a way I both want to emulate in my own writing but also bask in its beauty because being able to write such a magnificent part of our world most people ignore or take for granted is an art form all on its own that I greatly admire.

There were so many underlying mysteries that I kept turning the pages hoping for answers despite a few of the scenes being a wee bit boring which was mostly when they were underwater—I’m glad for the shorter length of the book for that reason alone because I don’t know how well I would have handled more pages of them stuck underwater, haha. Also the way she translates a sci-fi classic to a fantasy setting is nothing short of brilliant, especially with the submarine.

A beautiful story that, from an extremely bored younger me’s perspective, does justice to the original while being uniquely itself and thankfully not boring as heck.

And thank God they didn’t classify fish once. 😆


‼️Content‼️

Language: bloody; darndest; gods

Violence: injuries and blood (not detailed); a man threatens to kill another’s family; a character is chased and shot at (not detailed); a character jumps out a window

Alcohol/Drugs: a character was poisoned

Other: a character is accused of murder/treason; a body is found floating in a box; death and grief; a magical object; people were falsely imprisoned

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Where do I start?! I was certain I’d fall in love with this tale long before I ever read it & it’s even better than I imagined!

As a retelling of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, it was original & fresh while still paying a delight homage to Verne’s story.

I grew up beside the ocean & there is a vivid realness to the descriptions, especially of Braka, that reminded me of childhood. I could practically smell the sea spray & feel the breeze in my face.

The characters were enchanting & have my heart! 😍 Poor Huxley is afraid of getting his heart broken again & struggling under the weight of trying (& sometimes failing) to keep others safe. His growth over the story was so relatable & so beautifully done. Huxley & Monty were THE BEST! I adored their brotherhood / friend bond, the way they called each out out, supported each other, and had each others backs—they’re hilarious & oh so precious! Also, Captain Aldo… I can’t say much, but he is seriously a mad genius. 😂

There’s a super light, sweet romance thread between Huxley & Willa that was just so heartwarming! They’re awkwardly adorable & I just love them. My only wish is that we had seen them together more or seen Willa’s POV, because again, I just love them. 🥰

AND THAT PLOT TWIST!!! I feel like I should have seen this coming, but I didn’t. My jaw dropped. Sheer brilliance!!

The themes of forgiveness & letting go, trusting God the healer of broken hearts, and accepting the healing balm of all-sufficient grace hit my heart deeply. “‘Just when I think all is forgotten, here in the abyss, our Maker sends reinforcements. He sends light.’” 🥹

Unearth the Tides is an epic underwater adventure with so much cosiness & so much heart! My heart is full to bursting over this story. 💛



*I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

[R.M. Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review to come Sep. 19, but here's the short version:

Overall, Unearth the Tides is a fun adventure story that draws bits of inspiration from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea into a fantasy world. It takes a fascination with the Nautilus and Captain Nemo and answers the questions that arise from that curiosity in the context of a new story in a new world.

Full review:
I’ve seen this series of “Classics Retold” going around my author/reader circles for a while now, and it looked pretty cool (I enjoy classics) but I didn’t really stop long enough to add any of the involved books to my TBR. But then I connected with Alissa on Instagram, discovered she writes “cozy” fantasy, and said, “Hey, would you like to do a review swap?” So here we are with my review of Unearth the Tides (and I will probably check out more of the Classics Retold series in the future).

(Disclaimer: I was not required to leave a positive review and all opinions are my own.)

So, funny story, I’ve participated for about a year in a Jules Verne-focused online book club and our most recent read was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. And, while all of the above about the Classics Retold series is true, I didn’t actually realize that Unearth the Tides was part of that series or that it was a retelling of 20,000 Leagues until I opened it, lol. So the timing of starting it just after finishing its source material was pretty fun and providential.

One of the first things that struck me about Unearth the Tides–beyond discovering it was a retelling of 20,000 Leagues–was how fast-paced it is. It dumps you straight into the story and there’s not really a lot of breathing room for the first several chapters–even where it sometimes seems like there should be. My biggest disappointment with this was that it felt like the pacing did a disservice to the characters and world. It’s evident that both the characters and the world were well-developed, but that depth gets lost on the page as there’s not a lot of processing time with Huxley to really understand how he’s thinking about things or come to see the world through his eyes. He responds to things in real-time and then seems to sometimes forget about them until they become relevant again–even things like the inciting incident that led to his entire predicament. This also has a detrimental effect on the climax, as there’s not a lot of lead-up or foreshadowing before we’re thrown into a discovery with Huxley and the ensuing plan for resolution. In short, the pacing made it hard for me to get invested in the story in a lot of places.

However. The characters were still engaging, in certain points toward the middle of the book especially. Huxley was a little difficult for me to connect with for the reasons stated, but Willa, Monty, and Aldo were compelling side characters. I would have liked to see a little more from Monty because he struck me as rather one-dimensional, there just to serve a purpose in Huxley’s story instead of really having his own, but that desire came from the fact that he had enough depth to seem like he had more to offer the story. Willa was a great feminine character, and I enjoyed the way that her relationship with Huxley was written. I found Aldo to be the most compelling character for a while because of his similarities with Captain Nemo; he was a really well-done counterpart, and I enjoyed the intrigue carried over from 20,000 Leagues.

I don’t have much to say on the world. It was largely unexplored, as the majority of the story takes place on a submarine, but it was pretty typical fantasy fare. The propulsion of the submarine was well-done; I enjoyed that detail. The way that the ship was generally constructed–as well as the restoration of Monty’s boat–stretched my disbelief a bit. But those were minor details easily moved on from.

As this book is a retelling of a classic novel, it seems appropriate to discuss its merits as a retelling. For those who enjoy very distinct retellings, this is a fun read. It keeps vestiges of the original, while spinning them into what is very much an original story. On the other hand, if you enjoyed 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for its slow pacing, its ambiguity and intrigue, or a main character who is fascinated by the research opportunities afforded on a submarine, you should be aware that Unearth the Tides steps away from all of those elements. Huxley is more of a Ned Land than an Aronnax, the submarine’s crew plays much more of a role, and the ending–built on the captain’s backstory–is clearly defined. None of these are faults in the story, whether as a retelling or not, but they are worthwhile details to be aware of if you go into this book as a fan of Verne’s story.

Overall, Unearth the Tides is a fun adventure story that draws bits of inspiration from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea into a fantasy world. It takes a fascination with the Nautilus and Captain Nemo and answers the questions that arise from that curiosity in the context of a new story in a new world.

[Cheyenne Langevelde · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I have not yet read the book this particular novel is a retelling of, so I can't make any statements in regards to how much it follows the original tale and how much it does not. I remember watching the old film of it years ago, but don't remember enough to really speak to that fact.

The Good:
Zavalianos delves into a setting not yet done among her books: the watery deep. As such, not to mention the fact it's a retelling of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (who else has done this?), sets up for a very promising tale.

Alissa did an excellent job making you feel as though you were really at/in/within the ocean. The details and description really brought the settings to life in an unforgettable way, and I only wish I could have read this at the beach for a fully immersive experience. (Though maybe...not a literally immersive experience, haha).

I also really appreciated the research done in crafting a fantasy world where people can dive underwater using seal skins, glass jars, and bioluminescent algae, as well as the details shown in the apothecary stuff. Those are definitely not my areas of expertise, but I found them super interesting while reading. I also really enjoyed the Earth Treader reference!

The Bad:
I really struggled to love this story. Normally I would have DNF'd, but since I had signed up for an eARC and since Zavalianos is one of my favorite people in the indie author community, I felt I owed it to her (and also my hopes for this book) to continue and try to see if maybe I would connect with the story once it progressed further.

That said, I think the reason *why* I didn't connect with this story, in comparison with all else Zavalianos has published, is that this story felt extremely underdeveloped.

Granted, it is a short book, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with short fantasies. If I'm honest, I actually prefer them as they're not as daunting to read.

The underdevelopedness really stood out in terms of the characters, plot, and some of the descriptions (such as the ship...I was confused about how big this thing really was), especially since much of this was contradictory (sometimes the book would say one thing, in another place, it would say another). I was confused for much of the book, just trying to understand all the author was trying to say since nothing was properly developed, with things suddenly mentioned in the story as fact when they'd never been introduced before. (One example being Lauren...I still have no idea who she was supposed to be, but I'm guessing she was an old love interest of Huxley?)

As a result, the book didn't feel as fully fleshed out as I expected it to be, compared to Zavalianos' other works, and I really struggled to feel invested in the story as a result of confusion.

I don't think it necessary to go further than what I've already said in this review, so we're moving on!

What the Reader Thought:
Alissa Zavalianos is one of my favorite authors of cozy fantasy, and I've enjoyed everything she has written up until this book. I am quite aware though, that this is just my opinion, and hope that any other reader gets more out of it than I did. I enjoyed the level of detail shown in terms of the sea and apothecary work and the underwater ship very much; I just wish the same level of care had been shown to the rest of the book. Nonetheless, Zavalianos does have a lot of talent, and I look forward to whatever she writes next! This book just wasn't what I expected, personally.

That said, though, I am even more interested in reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and if that was the main intent of this work, I say that it succeeded in its goal.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All these opinions are entirely my own.

[Jordan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endorsement: Alissa’s newest adventure story is another win in her repertoire. Told from the point of view of a man on the run, readers will joyfully come aboard for the page-turning plot twists, characters with suspicious backstories, an unexpected love interest, and a message of mercy. Alissa has the gift of crafting stories that stay with the reader long after the last page has turned.
-Jordan Taylor Nilan, author of Marzipan’s First Christmas

It’s a gift to write a review for someone who isn’t just a wonderful friend, but a fantastic writer. I’m continuously amazed by Alissa’s maturity, grace, humor, and structure in her writing. Unearth the Tides is another beautiful example of her standing as a professional independent author. The plot twists! The reveals! The love! The forgiveness! I dearly loved this book and I think lovers of Narnia and Ella Enchanted will, as well.

[Renae | Redhair_and_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alissa’s books always sweep me away into another world- a world of her own creation, full of adventure and hope- and Unearth the Tides is no exception. This time her imagination puts a new twist on a classic tale, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. But instead of grumpy and cynical Captain Nemo, this tale gives us a fantastic crew of unforgettable characters, like a rogue captain, an exiled soldier, a handful of royals, and of course, a sea monster of massive proportions! When Huxley and his best friend attempt to flee their homeland, they get more adventure than they bargained for and uncover more than a handful of secrets down in the depths of the Wasteful Tides.

It’s gonna be hard to fit everything I loved about this book into a little review, but I’m gonna try. First of all, the book starts off right in the middle of the action and keeps you intrigued from page one! Pacing and action are perfect in this book. The relationships between the characters are fantastic and dynamic, shifting as the story progresses. I am a sucker for a good character arc and there are multiple in this story- so satisfying! I’m always a little nervous reading novellas, because they often feel too short. But Alissa used every word efficiently to tell an engaging story that never once felt stunted or lacking depth.

Also, Alissa wraps in her signature touch of sweet romance and I just LOVE it *sigh*. Alissa is seriously the best at just purely beautiful writing. She has Tolkien’s knack for creativity and world-building, but she writes it all in a way that is graceful and lovely, never once bogging down her readers in overwhelming details. Needless to say, I am a big fan of hers. I own every book she’s written and I can’t wait to add this one to my shelf when it comes out!

Unsurprisingly, I’m giving this book a full 5 out of 5 stars. I have nothing negative to say about it whatsoever. It’s absolutely one of my favorite short stories I had the privilege of reading this year!

Spice: None.

Gore: 0-1 (fights happen, injuries happen, but none of it is descriptive)

Cursing: None.

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who’s never read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, I didn’t actually know what I was getting into when I started an ARC of Unearth the Tides (I don’t recall ever even watching a film adaption of the classic), but what I found was a delightful tale!

This book is full of betrayal, sweet romance, delightful friendships, and impactful themes of forgiveness and faith. It has not one but two characters who struggle with feelings of bitterness and unforgiveness in ways that feel poignantly relatable. There are nuggets of wisdom scattered throughout the book, and the lessons it has to teach are sure to resonate with readers without coming across as heavy-handed.

The pacing and plot were laid out in excellent fashion, and I was never bored while reading this book. In fact, I read the last half of the book in a single afternoon. Right off the bat, the plot drew me in and plunged me into the very center of action and peril. I was immediately hooked. Then, when it came to the climax, I was biting my hand with the anticipation, excitement, and delicious drama that each page offered.

The characters were both likable and properly mysterious (when called for). Captain Aldo, in particular, had the gears in my head turning to try to figure out whether or not I and our heroes should trust him. And Monty stole my heart with his loyalty and tenderheartedness.

The worldbuilding was rich and believable. I especially liked how it hinted at greater depth to the world than what we got to experience in this individual tale.

If you want a book with wholesome brotherhood and friendship between men, a soft and incredibly sweet romance that doesn’t dominate the plot, a clear message of hope and perseverance, and a few brilliant twists, then this is just the book for you!

[Jordan Comeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to gather my thoughts fully on this…

But it probably deserves more than 5 stars, definitely number 2, maybe even 1 of my favorite reads so far this year?!?!

There is so much light and pure goodness in this book, I just-I needed this. 🥺

I think everyone should read it.
It’s written like a middle grade for adults which is honestly my favorite because there is so much purity in middle grade but it also had such truths and depth to it!!

Huxley was so freakin’ relatable it almost hurt, but in a perfect way!!

Willa and her blushing made ME blush, she was so pure.

Monty. This dude is by far my favorite. I loved every single thing about him!! And he cracked me up!

I think that’s all for now??
Just, READ THE DARN BOOK ALREADY !!

[Riley Perrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cozy fantasy retelling of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea! Zavalianos brought a fresh and uplifting take to this somewhat dark tale. Huxley was a relatable main character that I adored and his apprehension was felt throughout the book. I loved the plot twists and didn’t see many of them coming as I’ve never read 2LUtS.

Themes of redemption and forgiveness were prominent and I enjoyed how Zavalianos navigated them. Plus, the herbalism in this book! My little herbalist heart was so excited. All in all, I would definitely read UTT again. It was such a sweet little story.

[Bryanna Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a story I have always loved, seeing that story come to life in A fantasy setting was amazing! This book was such a joy to read; there were things that made me smile and blush, at times I caught myself holding my breath, and some moments made me tear up. Alissa Zavalianos did an amazing job!

[Kayla Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this fun sea adventure!!! Another great novel from Alissa. 💞

[Tara | InkySerendipity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Unearth the Tides immediately transported me to another place and time. I love how engaging and naturally flowing Alissa's writing is, and how strong her characters and dialogue are. I was easily able to sink into the story from page one, and found myself fully invested in the characters until the end of the book. Rather than droning through a tale, Alissa's words sweep you into an adventure at sea. If you love seaside tales, loyal friendships, and stories where good wins in the end, this is the perfect read for you.

Overall: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ /5
Themes: Finding home/belonging, friendship and loyalty, mysterious secrets, light triumphs

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and gentle fantasy read.

[Beilby_Book_Nook Bekki Beilby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely cozy fantasy that I will definitely be sharing with my daughters! I have not read Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, but knew of the synopsis of the story and found that this retelling has me wanting to read the original story. Alissa did a great job in her descriptions of the land and sea, giving vivid imagery to her scenes. I was pulled into the mystery of who the Captain was, and loved the bits of magic that pulled the whole story together. She even included a Glossary of Captain Aldo’s Medicinal Herbs.

I appreciated how Alissa led the characters and readers to the ideas of forgiveness and grace when they encountered betrayal and hurt. The author did a great job of this by weaving these Christian themes throughout the book in a natural way.

I would love to have more of a story with Huxley and Willa! …perhaps a sequel?

Well done! I definitely recommend it as a family friendly read!

I want to thank the author for the free copy of the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Cassie Mesarchik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quaint read! It's a retelling, but I love how it has the feel of a classic. Huxley is a main character you can't help but root for. The story is fast-paced and has a mystery that will have you turning the pages to find out what happens. I like how the author wove in scripture and the Gospel without sounding preachy! How she presents it fits so well within the world she has created and what Huxley is going through. He has great character growth! I also adored the sweet, blossoming romance. This was a very enjoyable read and I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read it!

[Robin Degan · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[librarian.of.rivendell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually my first read by Alissa J. Zavalianos and I was really pleasantly surprised.

Her style is very different from what I usually read and her voice too, but I liked it a lot. While reading the book I was reminded of Emily Hayse and her style. Both kinda feel timeless, like a book that could have been written a hundred years ago or just yesterday, and I loved that aspect of it.

Even though my mother tongue is French, I have never read 20,000 leagues under the sea (a shame, I know), but I knew the general story. Zavalianos’s take on this timeless classic was very interesting and sweet. I did lose a few hours of sleep during the most climactic parts of the novel and I always wanted to come back and see what was going to happen next.

The characters were endearing and the romance, though very light, was sweet.

Overall to me, this book felt like a heartwarming childhood memory.

Many thanks to the author for sending me an ARC of this gem. I am glad to have read it!

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is Alissa a dear person, but she is also an INCREDIBLE author, a total inspiration, and my new favorite cozy fantasy authoress.

The story itself was rich and wonderful. The plot twists kept me on my toes. The overall writing and storytelling was like a warm blanket wrapped around me every time I picked up the book.

I LOVE how Alissa managed to make each character come alive in their own personalities. Each character was unique and lively. She skillfully brought each to life, and none of them were like the other. They each had their own voice and their own story to live out.

The book flows like the tides, it’s one of the smoothest plots I’ve read in a long time. It’s so soothing, definitely the epitome of cozy fantasy.

Alissa gave Huxley the best personality. She wrote from a man’s perspective so well. I’m sure the angle was difficult, but it was an amazing read.

Overall, Unearth the Tides was complex and cozy, full of comforting elements and all the themes that make up a wonderful book.

I loved it. That’s really all I have to say.

[Samantha Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received and eARC of this book… I wish I could give it 4.5 stars on here… what an awesome story… what a turn of events! The beginning of the book was a little confusing but once you get into it it was confusing for the character Hux as well, he had no clue what was going on… I love the characters in this book and how you grow to know why they are the way that they are, I went from hating The Captain to really understanding him and ending up liking him a lot. The slow burn romance that starts between Willa and Hux was very sweet and I wish we had more of their story together. This was my first read from Alissa J. Zavalianos and I can’t wait to pick up another one from her. I highly recommend this book!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was fantastic! 20,000 Leagues, while alright in my mind, left some loose ends that I didn’t approve of…just sayin’. However, Alissa wove her tale together with sufficient nods to the original while also adding her own twists to the story. Loved this!

[Pam Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read. I really loved her writing style. It had a short story feel to it, and had such interesting uses of plants!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, 80% of the reason I preordered this book was because I adored the character art of Huxley and Willa, and I wanted to have the art print. The other 20% of my reasoning was because the synopsis sounded interesting and the ebook was only $2.99.

I’m so glad I preordered this story! The day it went to my kindle, I started reading, and for my slow-reading speed, I read this book fast.

It hooked me from page one with the starting action, and I quickly became sympathetic to Huxley.

As the story progressed, I was endeared to his friend, Monty, and I found myself attached to the other passengers aboard the Neptucadis too.

The twists of the story were enough to keep me reading, and I loved that it was a light, easy to read.

One of my favorite elements of the story was the faith theme intertwined in the story. I loved that Christianity was actually involved in this story world, and Huxley’s character arc, slowly realizing his buried anger and flaws, felt relatable. I loved seeing his journey through internal struggles as well as his outward journey.

“Unearth the Tides” was the refreshing read I needed right now. I laughed more than once. There was nothing too dark that I was left emotionally scarred, but still intriguing enough to keep me engaged. It left me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath for the characters’ sakes (and not just because they were underwater).

So I say if you’ve seen this story around and have considered reading it at all, just go for it. It’s a great read!

And in case you’re curious, here’s one of my favorite quotes:

“I may have gotten a touch too close to the flame.” She ducked her head, a familiar blush climbing her neck.

A touch? This bun was more like the brave young men in the Great Book who were thrown in the fiery furnace, only this roll didn’t receive divine intervention.

[Olivia Gratehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Unearth the Tides in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a short and sweet retelling of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, which I have never read, so going in I wasn't sure what to expect other than a giant sea monster. 😆 However, I must confess I had a difficult time getting into the story. While the book begins with an exciting event, the action is short lived, and for a long time I was very confused, wondering when the action would pick up again. I was about halfway through when I realized that this book is a cozy fantasy, and was not intended to have much action, and with that knowledge I was able to appreciate the story a little more.

I liked the characters, however I wish more time had been spent expanding on the backstories and goals, as I felt like everyone kind of floated along (pun intended 😆) without much incentive. The captain was the most interesting character, but we didn't spend enough time with him, and I was never really able to connect with Huxley.

Overall the story was a nice respite from the usual intense and action-packed stories I read, but I wish there had been more.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, and it is probably my favorite book so far by her. With it being the beginning of summer, I've been in the mood for a seaside-type read, so the ocean setting was simply perfect. It was fun to read this one from a man's perspective, and I enjoyed the contrast between his stronger personality with one of the side character's (Willa) more gentle and calming presence.

4.5⭐⭐⭐⭐The only thing is I wish the epilogue events could have been written at the end of the main story so we could have had a longer ending with new information in the epilogue! Haha, I'm just greedy for a good story I guess; I never want it to end and always want more. This was such a fun read!

[Lydia Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unearth the Tides is a fun, adventurous fantasy spin on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Chapter one had me on the edge of my seat as it opens with a situation that made me question everything. A few pages later, I was wondering how the characters would be brought below the depths in this kind of fantasy setting. I was not disappointed!
Fans of Jules Verne who always wondered why Captain Nemo behaved like he did, questioned his motivations and wondered whatever became of him will enjoy this book, where we DO get answers about Captain Aldo (who is based on Nemo). I loved the heartfelt messages and the suspenseful wrap-up. All around, great read!

[Kendra Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unearth the Tides by Alissa Zavalianos is an amazing book. It is a retelling of the classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. This book is a fun adventure to dive into. There is great character development and exciting sea creatures. This book will make you feel like you are right on the Neptucadis. I can’t wait to read more of Alissa’s books!

I was provided a copy of the book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

[Gloria Peavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

This book was a beautiful retelling of 20,000 leagues under the sea. You will find yourself falling in love with the characters and setting. I loved how meaningful the biblical parallels. A beautiful cozy fantasy book.