Swift as the Rising Tide

by E.K. Condos

Swift as the Rising Tide is the next installment of The Nostos Series, a Greek Mythology and Pirates of the Caribbean inspired Romantasy. It is best read after book two, A Spell of Bones and Madness and follows a side quest of our favorite characters Dimitris and Thalia.


A reckless prince sent to do his brother’s bidding.

A cursed seer determined not to fall in love.

On the eve of war in the Mykandrian Sea, Dimitris Kirassos is set to accompany Thalia—the illustrious, yet irksome seer of The Nostos' crew—to rally soldiers in the Lost Isle of Skiatha. His orders are simple, bring a fleet back to Nexos to aid in the looming war with Hades’ acolytes and don’t, under any circumstances, touch the seer. As the winter solstice nears, Dimitris can’t help but wonder if he would risk Alexander’s wrath to call Thalia his own.

Cursed to relive the pain of death over and over, Thalia only agrees to travel on the journey to Skiatha for one reason—to rescue her sister from the vicious Lernean Legion. With the wise guidance of her psychí, Mykonos, Thalia must navigate the treacherous waters of being confined to a ship with Alexander’s rakish younger brother. To her surprise, the prince has more than just gambling and tricks up his sleeve. Perhaps the Fates have more in store for her than what she has seen. Perhaps Dimitris is the key to breaking her curse. Perhaps love was always the answer.

But can they both decide before the God of the Underworld claims Thalia for good?

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2025

Reviews

[Maricruz Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a first-time ARC reader, this was the perfect introduction. I got to fall in love with a world before it officially meets everyone else. Thank you to EK Condos and The Alchemy Lit for this opportunity
Thoughts: The atmosphere is truly the star of this book; moody, introspective, and drenched in coastal magic. The characters feel real; imperfect, hopeful, carrying their own shadows, and trying to rise above them. The author’s writing style is poetic without ever feeling heavy. The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star read for me were a few slow pacing moments, even then I never wanted to put the book down.
The author recommends you read the first 2 books “A Wrecking of Salt & Fire” and “A Spell of Bones and Madness”to fully understand the story/characters.
While I had not read the first 2 books I did not feel lost while reading. It just made me want to run and read the first 2 books!

[Kendra H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 🌟

“Don’t touch the seer.” If that line doesn’t hook you, I don’t know what will. 😉 Add in a cursed seer haunted by repeated death, a reckless prince ordered to avoid her, and a myth‑inspired world teetering on the brink of war, and you’ve got Swift as the Rising Tide.

The slow‑burn romance between Thalia (the seer) and Dimitris Kirassos (the prince) is delicious. Their tension, forbidden attraction, and the weight of curses and duty kept me invested. The stakes are high, a looming war on the Mykandrian Sea, a rescue mission for Thalia’s sister, and the possibility that love might be the only thing powerful enough to break the curse.

I loved the world‑building. The mix of Greek‑myth vibes, sea voyages, magical curses, and pirate‑style danger creates a vivid, sweeping backdrop. And there’s something about seeing the characters forced together on a ship, navigating not only external threats but internal grudges and secrets… it’s tense, immersive, and feels elemental.

My only reason for a 4‑star rather than 5‑star rating? I wanted more... more time with the characters, more depth, more unraveling of secrets, more resolution. 😭

QOTD: If you were cursed like Thalia, who would you trust to break it?

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite being called "The Nostos Novella Book 1" this definitely feels like I should have already known the characters. I guess you're supposed to read books 1 and 2 and THEN this one.

Things start off with a lot of tension - and not really the good kind. For two characters who seemingly hate each other, they go from loathe to lust really fast.

Dimitris - the MMC. He's got some ongoing beef with his family, including his brother the king. He's not even sure why he's being treated poorly. This seems a too naive.

Thalia - the FMC. Powerful seer. Maybe some childhood resentment for being shipped off by the parents to The Order of the Delphine.

I didn't buy the romance. I truly felt like things happened for convenience of this story. It really felt like Thalia, out of the blue, decided this was the right second to rescue her sister. Then she bungles the whole thing and Dimitris has to save the day.

What I did enjoy was Thalia and Dafne's relationships with their psychís,

Thank you The Alchemy Lit for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[JB Mojo · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review

Greek-Mythology x Pirates of the Caribbean Vibes • Flirtatious Wolf Shifter MMC • Seer FMC

This novella was such a delightful read! The story of Thalia and Dimitris hooked me from the first few chapters, thanks to its perfect blend of Greek mythology influence and Pirates of the Caribbean adventure. The world E.K. Condos created feels atmospheric and enchanting, full of magic, sea mist, and danger.

Dimitris absolutely stole the show for me — He's a flirtatious, charming wolf-shifter captain who knows exactly how to get under Thalia’s skin in the best way. And Thalia? Her seer gift/curse adds an intriguing layer to her character... it keeps you guessing about the choices she will make based on either the visions she receives or what she feels in her gut. I also loved her psychi Mykonos, which added a creative way for the reader to gain more insight into Thalia's inner thoughts and struggles. The banter, tension, and growing connection between the FMC and MMC felt effortless and fun with that little splash of tension ✨

Spice rating? I would give it a 1.5 out of 5 🌶️
I feel that it was the perfect amount for this style of writing.

For a novella, it’s rich with worldbuilding and emotion without ever dragging. By the end, I genuinely wished it were longer because I wasn’t ready for it to be over just yet.

I can’t wait to read more from this author — the next installment can’t come fast enough.

I received an ARC of this novella, and this review reflects my honest thoughts.

[Alex Kant · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

The Nostos series quickly became one of my favorites this year as it includes Greek mythology, magic, found family and fierce female characters! I was so excited to be back in this world with Swift as a Rising Tide, a novella picking up after the events of book 2, and following one my favorite characters, Thalia and her psychí Mykonos.

Even though this is a novella, it still packs a punch and highlights Condos’ prowess to weave an epic tale of magic, adventure and romance. Filled with seafaring adventure akin to Pirates of the Caribbean, a Seer facing the traumas of her past, and a charming wolf-shifter who REALLY doesn’t like cats 😉

If this sounds up your alley, PLEASE read books 1 and 2 first! They are so so good and will set the stage so beautifully for this novella!

Thank you so much EK Condos and The Alchemy Lit for the eARC of this novella! My thoughts are my own 💙

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an eARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. This was a quick novella with greek mythology and pirates of the Caribbean vibes. Dimitris and Thalia story draws you in!! Just loved it!

“Swift as the Rising Tide is the next installment of The Nostos Series, a Greek Mythology and Pirates of the Caribbean inspired Romantasy. It is best read after book two, A Spell of Bones and Madness and follows a side quest of our favorite characters Dimitris and Thalia.

A reckless prince sent to do his brother’s bidding.

A cursed seer determined not to fall in love.”

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you The Alchemy Lit and EK Condos for the advanced copy! ☺️

First things first. Please read books 1 and 2 before this novella! Some characters start showing up later on and it won't make a lot of sense in my opinion if you don't know who they are from the other books.

I really enjoyed The Nostos books 1 and 2 so it didn't come as a surprise to me I also enjoyed this novella! It was nice to have a short story and get to know Dimitris and Thalia a bit better.

Also can we talk about Dimitris?? Now I loved Ander but Dimitris has the touch her and die and some jealousy 🤭 I definitely had a few kick my feet in the air moments.

[Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review
This book is perfect! The forced proximity with the Greek/pirates of the Caribbean vibe was as always a great mix! I loved the animal sidekicks and the magical element involved with them! His care for her while she’s sick while she pretends she doesn’t care was such a cute moment. Honestly a 5 star read!!

[Beth Pinkston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read and a great introduction to the characters and world. Excited to continue this series!
Thank you to The Alchemy Lit and author E.K. Condos for allowing me to read and review ❤️

[Claudia Kolta · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t look so angry, gatáki, I did this for you.”

“Do not make me repeat myself, fengaráki, because I will not.”

“Do not argue with me, fengaráki, I have no patience left today.”

“Maybe one day that will change, gatáki. Maybe one day you will return.”

“Are you insinuating that I would lose to an overly feral little thing like yourself? Oh, gatáki.”

“ I could pick you up and toss you to the ground with one arm before you landed a single blow.”
“We will see, fengaráki.”

“It was more than kinship, than respect, or love even—it felt as if his soul had fractured into a million tiny pieces and the only thing that would keep the broken bits together was her. Her smell. Her smile. Her laugh. The way her nose wrinkled when he got too close and said something too snarky. The fire in her eyes when she was determined and even more so when she was angry. It made him want to fall to his knees and thank all the gods that came before him for the chance to even be in the same room near her. The bond in his heart that had frayed for years weaved itself back together when he had her.”_ Dimitris
Thalia was his—his Fated in this life and any that were before or would come after. Psychí mou.”

“You might not believe me, but I always have. From the moment I sat across from you at my father’s table in Nexos it was as if something in me snapped—like I knew you would ruin me, consume me, haunt me—and I had never wanted anything more.”
“Stay with me,”
“You do not need to say you feel the same—I do not expect that—but just stay the night with me.”_ Dimitris 🖤

He would hold her until she was awake—until the pain faded. It wouldn’t be the first time Dimitris stayed with the seer as she healed—itwouldn’t be the last either. He only wished there was a way he could take away the pain from the beginning, that she didn’t need to suffer through this alone.
There was.

“she really is someone I never saw coming. I had resigned myself a lone man—that I would never find my equal in life, someone who I would want standing by my side at the helm of my ship and in battle. But she is it. If she will have me. Gods, I feel like I am asking a cat for her hand in marriage. I am not, by the way, asking for marriage. Only that she might come with me on this journey, be my partner as we fight for peace. What am I even doing? I’m going to stop talking now.”_ Dimitris 🖤

“I never said I wasn’t—but I am only a fool for you. Sleep, gatáki, I’ll protect you from the creatures of the night.”Thalia nuzzled closer to him, tucking Mykonos under her arm. “I am counting on it,” she whispered. 
“I will always protect you, Thalia”

“I will find you, Thalia. I promise—on the battlefield or in the gardens of Elysium—I will find you.”

“the woman he loved—because he did love Thalia, without regard for expectations or whether she felt anything close to that for him—almost died. She would not fall again, not when he could protect her. It wasn’t as if he needed to protect her, but Dimitris could feel it in his bones, in the tether that kept him grounded, that he had to. He would rip the throats from every creature that dared harm her. He hadn’t realized it that day he cut the daimon down in Aidesian, but the preternatural obsession with making any living or dead thing perish if they harmed her was so much more than loyalty. He’d convinced himself time and time again that was all it was. Yet here he stood, ready to face those vicious creatures—or something so much worse—all for her. All to see her live. If he perished, then a sweet death it would be. ”

“Please,” he whispered, voice strained and crackling. “Not now—not when we’ve only just begun. Come back to me, Thalia. Come back.”

“Please, please, please, he repeated over and over in his head. Come back to me, psychí mou. Come back to me.”

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Swift as the Rising Tide by E.K. Condos
ARC

Thank you The Alchemy Lit for giving me the opportunity to read Swift as the Rising Tide. All parts of the review are of my honest opinion

I will admit I had a little difficulty at first. Everything moved too fast for me at the beginning, especially the first smut scene. Some parts just didn’t fit where it was placed as well as it could have. But this is a novella so I can understand the fast pace. I also wish we had maybe a page with just definitions or details that would have helped. I didn't understand some of the terms without googling a Greek to English translation. Because of this I enjoyed more so the second half of the novella compared to the first.

But overall it wasn’t bad. I enjoyed the characters and how they were imperfect and hopeful in their own way. You could also tell that they each had some trauma from their past that shaped them into who they were. It gave them a nice level of depth for a novella. And that twin sister, I couldn’t help feel for her and now I am heartbroken over what happened. Iykyk

It is also suggested to read Book 1 and 2 of the series, but I can say that it isn’t entirely necessary if you can't do so. I have not read the first two and though it would have helped knowing some background information, I could still understand what was happening in the novella and enjoyed it. I would like to say that you do have to keep in mind that there is a cliffhanger in this novella so you'll want to read the next book.

If you like a Pirates of the Caribbean vibe with seers, wolves, animal companions, and evil creatures, give the novella a shot. It does have a little spice, but you could skip if needed

[Jennifer Olive · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swift as the Rising Tide is a fast paced novella in the Nostos Series. We join the rakish Dimitris on a journey with the haunted and cursed seer, Thalia.

Dimitris is the wolf -shifter Prince. He's dismissed and untrusted by his own family. As captain of the Aphrodite, he finds himself under the direction, and at the mercy, of the woman who both intrigues and infuriates him.

Thalia: the acerbic, sharp-tongued seer. Her mission is to recruit an army, but that requires sailing on the brooding Prince's ship--a man she would prefer to stay far away from. Her temperamental soul cat agrees. Cursed to feel the pain of others, will her heart ever be able to feel the one thing she's yearning for?

This book is filled with quick snippets of action that fill in the gaps of the main series. As a novella, the plot is fast paced, moving along as swift as a rising tide (the title is completely appropriate) but the real draw here is inner monologue and interactions of the characters.

The tension between Thalia and Dimitris practically crackles off the page. There’s this quiet, underlying, stubborn spark of emotion neither thinks they have any right to feel. It’s a perfect mix of "I shouldn’t” but “I can’t help it".

Overall, it’s a genuinely fun, engaging read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves the Nostos Series.

Thank you to The Alchemy Lit for providing me with a copy of this book. My review is honest and the opinions are my own.


Pirates x Greek Myth
Slow burn
Head vs. Heart
Reluctant allies
Forced proximity
Only one horse
He falls first

[Alicia López Montero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am, once more, begging Emily to put me out of my misery and give me next instalment of this series STAT.

My rating: 4🔱

What's inside:
- Dimitris and Thalia's journey
- Rescue mission
- ONE HORSE
- Sparring scene
- Pirates and Gods
- The seer and the wolf
- two big cats

My thoughts:

This was so much fun to read!

True to Emily's style, this story was fast paced and plot driven with lots of threads that require your undivided attention at all times. It may seem convoluted and disconnected and make you feel lost and dizzy, but that's war between the old and new Gods. You are either completely locked in, or you will inevitably miss impossibly determinant details.

Because this is a novella I guess I was expecting it to be a bit less impactful (stupidly foolish of me, I know), so I was pleasantly surprised and fully appreciative that there were enough substance, character development and high stakes to keep us on our toes to the very end.

Getting to know more of Dimitris, of his back story, and seeing more of his true personality shine was fantastic. Same with Thalia's. While I already liked her during the previous books, I always kept wanting more of her, of her motivations and fears, and thankfully we got to see them all here.

Also, and after that ending, I cannot wait to see what's coming next and how Dimitris deals with the repercussions of this decision. He's in for a wild ride and I'll be waiting front row with a bucket full of popcorn.

Lastly, this is for Emily and Emily alone: I cannot forgive you for what you just did. You owe me another big cat.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acknowledgement: I received this ARC from the author & The Alchemy Lit in exchange for an honest review.


This book is part of The Nostos Series and is best read after book 2, HOWEVER, as it’s a side quest/Novella, it can be read alone.

Now for my thoughts: I absolutely loved this book, it has everything I love—Greek mythology and pirates inspired romantasy where He falls first and HARD!

Dimitri and Thalia start out as enemies, or at least on Thalia’s side, but circumstances forcing them together [see 1 HORSE 🙃] and an opinionated uncle has Thalia finally giving him a chance to be more.

The story is entirely an adventure and totally gives Pirates of the Caribbean vibes…but darker (🤗).

Some things I really enjoyed:
Dimitri (the cinnamon roll mmc I didn’t know I needed)
The uncle (totally gives Uncle Iroh from Avatar the Last Airbender—IYKYK 😉)
The familiars, especially Mykonos (he totally ships Dimitri/Thalia 🥰)
The BATTLE SCENES…🔥

Overall, the writing was great, the storyline was amazing, and the characters well fleshed out, relatable, and PHENOMENAL.

I LOVED this book and will definitely be reading the rest of the series…I absolutely LOVE Dimitri and I would certainly recommend this to all the romantasy, mythology, and pirate lovers out there.

Favorite quotes:

“I will find you, Thalia. I promise—on the battlefield or in the gardens of Elysium—I will find you.”

“Don’t look so angry, gatáki, I did this for you.”

“For the record, Thalia, this does change things for me,”

Tropes you can expect to find/LOVE

💖 Reluctant allies to lovers
💖 Animal sidekick
💖 Shifters and seers
💖 Fate ties
💖 One horse
💖 He crawls to her

[Ashley - taleswithash · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars - ARC Review

E.K. Condos continues to feed us everything The Nostos! This Nostos novella is the perfect blend of introducing a new romance while continuing to build the lore and world of The Nostos Series. Thalia and Dimitris are not new characters to us, but we learn so much more about their backgrounds and their struggles in this novella. Thalia has built impenetrable walls and is quick to judge Dimitris for who she believes he is. Dimitris really stews in the hurt of being misunderstood by everyone around him. He doesn’t correct them, as he seems to believe no one will truly see him. However, we see both of them melt their preconceived notions of themselves and each other as they continue on their mission together, even if it is a little reluctant lol.

I will say I felt a little indifferent about this pairing coming into the novella, but I really loved it. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Thalia and was intrigued by Dimitris from what we learned in the previous books, but I was so wrapped up in everything else going on in The Nostos Series that I didn’t know what this romance or novella would bring. I definitely get tunnel vision when reading fantasy. However, I enjoyed learning more about them and seeing how their romance grew and what they both contribute to the larger plot of The Nostos Series. I say this in case you felt the same and weren’t sure what you would enjoy about Thalia and Dimitris in the beginning. Read this novella! It is so good and you will end up absolutely loving them both!

[Paige Seach Sorrenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review, thank you for my early copy
3.75 ⭐️
Spice 🌶️

I did read the first two books in the series right before reading this novella and should be read after book 2. I think this was my favourite in the series so far.

The one main issue for me which continues in the series is timeline. I’m not actually sure how much time passed during this book 😅 however, I really liked Dimitri and Tahlia’s story. I liked that we got to see more of Dimitri and I felt bad for him almost the entire book. Tahlia continues to be a strong FMC, however it takes her a while to actually form her own opinion of Dimitri, instead just hating him based on his family’s opinion which I kinda disagree with. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Dimitri - the second in line to the throne; the Alpha of the pack. Hated by his siblings. Seems like he’s actually selfless and helps those around him without any acknowledgment.

Tahlia- a seer with a psychi (a shapeshifter which is essentially a part of her soul) with a traumatic childhood and was sold to Ander who gave her freedom. Tahlia seems to be nice and connect with all those she comes into contact with except Dimitri, who continuously protects and saves her.

I feel like their relationship is more her hating him until she actually stops being judgmental and forms her own opinion based on his actions. I also feel like while Dimitri may have had real feelings for her, Tahlia used him as a distraction

[Maureen Madray · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all a huge thank you to E.K Condos and Alchemy Lit for my gifted eARC! 🤍🤍🤍🤍

From the very first page, ‘Swift as the Rising Tide’ sweeps you out to sea into a high-stakes world that’s drenched in magic, danger, and …..longing. The tension between duty, curse, and desire truly pulls you through every chapter — you will not want to put this one down as the MCs navigate a journey fraught with peril and impossible choices.

This was an adventure that combined mythology, fantasy, with a pinch of Viking and a dash of pirate…..Need I say more?

✨Spoiler free blurb✨

This story follows two people whose lives are shaped by curses, duty, and a rising conflict that threatens everything they care about. When their paths collide, they’re forced into an uneasy alliance that pulls them across treacherous waters, ancient mysteries, and a world charged with mythic power. Along the way, a spark grows between them — the kind that feels as inevitable as the tide, yet just as dangerous to embrace.

I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new to me author and thought this was the first book. Bad Nikki, there are actually two books prior to this so I dumped myself into an established timeline. Not the first time I've don it and it won't be the last, lol.

Think Pirates, Greek Mythology, Magic, Shifters and Seers all mixed together into an epic adventure to free Thalia's sister. Thalia and Dimitris are frenemy allies, he's her friends brother but something about the man just rubs her the wrong way.

Dimitris is the macho shifter, with a chip on his shoulder about his kingly brother. He's got this flirty playboy pirate exterior but he's got hidden depths. Taking Thalis to save her sister from SA at the hands of a baddie we'll just love to hate! Special mention to Mykonos, Thalia's psychi (think witches familiar) who is cutting and snarky and just loves to rile up Dimitris.

This isn't super spicy, the romance is part of the story but doesn't overwhelm it. I've never been more grateful for my very beginner level Greek and all the pet names, etc, tested my translation powers but at least I know some of it's sinking in!

[Katelyn Delone · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I will find you, Thalia. I promise- on the battlefield or in the gardens of Elysium- I will find you.”

Ahh well I truly did not know what I was getting myself into when I applied to read this book but I absolutely loved it that is for sure. I do wish I had read the books that came before this one to better understand what was going on in the world but I do know it had to do with hades rising and I will be going back to read the others and continue on the journey of the next book because I absolutely loved this one and the characters!! I have to know if certain people made it through this battle as well. Also Dimitris and Thalia I loved them. Their banter and story I loved them therefore I am definitely gonna have to go back and read the beginning and their first encounter of the previous books. And we can’t forget our lovely feline friend Mykonos who is a joy and sassy. Think pirates but also with Greek mythology and seers but also wolf shifts. So many fun aspects rolled into one. What more could you want? 10/10 recommend and guess what release day is today so that means it’s available now to go read!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a good side quest?

Swift as the Rising Tide by @authoremilyk is a novella in the Nostos series following the storyline of Dimitris and Thalia and is best read after A Spell of Bones and Madness.

I loved seeing what these two got up to on their own adventure! There is plenty of tension, angst and yearning to go with the fantastic banter and action on the high seas. Also, there's an adorably sassy animal companion, Mykonos. I only wish it had been longer!

If you love the fun of Jack Sparrow and the intensity of Conrad Fisher then you will love Dimitris, he does not disappoint in the book boyfriend department. He's a wolf shifter and a captain of a ship, it doesn't get any dreamier. Thalia is a headstrong and stabby little thing, who has no patience for Dimitris and definitely never planned on falling in love with him, but we know how well that always works out!

Go ahead and add this series to your TBR, you will enjoy every minute!

TROPES & VIBES

🌊 Reluctant allies to lovers
🌊 Animal Sidekick
🌊 Shifters and Seers
🌊 Fate ties
🌊 Only one horse
🌊 He crawls to her
🌊 “Fcck it”
🌊 Friend's brother
🌊 Stays awake until she heals
🌊 Winter solstice

[Jenn Winning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella and the deeper insight into Thalia and Dimitris. They were two characters that I was hoping to get to know better, and finally being inside their heads was everything I was hoping it would be.

Thalia has come along way from the trauma of her past, yet still finds it hard to let people in. Dimitris is trying to shed his past misgivings and reputation, and prove that he is so much more than the spoiled playboy prince others have labeled him to be. Their banter and chemistry was perfect, and always full of fire. I loved watching that fire turn from perceived loathing to longing to so much more by the end. And I love the surprise appearance of Ander and Ember at the end.

While this novella concentrates on their time in Skiatha, it is not to be missed, as there are so many insights sprinkled through that I am sure will play a huge role in the series and all that has yet to come. As we’ve learned, fates can be changed. But can they stop Hades before his destruction dooms them all?

[Christen Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

To paraphrase the last line of the book: What. The. Fuck.

Seriously though, this was a good time. I've never read a novella the accompanies a series before, and now I feel like I need to. I like getting to know the other characters without the interlude of the FMC and MMC. I enjoy the feeling of going behind the scenes, so to speak. Of getting to witness the struggles and relationships as they unfold rather than as a quick side note in the main series. Dimitris and Thalia's relationship was nothing but banter and tension and reluctance. I really do love a good one horse trope too.

Aside from the spicy side of the story, you get lulled into this false sense of security, like okay, this is just them gathering the army to join in the main fight in book 3. Then the punch in the gut happens and it's a whirlwind of fast-paced action and quick decisions and then the book ends with zero recovery time. Chaotic but in a good way, at least for me.

I am really looking forward to the next novella after the easter eggs from this one, and to see how the timeline lines up.

[Readwithzey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was such a satisfying read, the world in this book is so lived in, and I really recommend it to every Pirates of the Caribbean x Greek Mythology lover.

E.K. Condos always creates an incredible enchanting atmosphere, just enough tension and adventure to feed ur imagination.

We got out main characters, Thalia a sassy cursed seer who goes on a mission to get her sister back, and Dimitris a charming wolf shifter captain who is trying to prove himself and shed from his reputation as the spoiled playboy prince people have made him out to be.
So much depth, yearning and longing between these two, the banter is to die for and stubborn emotions that they both try to deny.

It’s a fast paced story, with mention of heavy emotional trauma, imperfections, dark pasts but also hope and growth.

RECOMMEND to read the first two books “A Wrecking of Salt & Fire” and “A Spell of Bones & Madness” before reading this novella!

And thank you to the author for sending me an ARC copy, I really enjoyed reading it after loving the previous books so much.💙

[Mathilde Frederiksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swift as the Rising Tide is a short romantasy novella within the Nostos series, and once I understood its purpose in the series, it clicked for me. It’s not a full-length novel but a concentrated look into the dynamic between Dimitris and Thalia, mixing tension, action, Greek-mythology vibes, some spice, and emotional stakes in a rather compact format.

Coming from reading 700–900-page fantasy books, the pacing felt fast for me and some transitions were a little abrupt — but that’s more about my reading habits than the book. The writing itself is quite smooth, and the universe feel quite original. Ahoy! Even without having read the first two books, I still enjoyed this world and found myself curious to learn more about the characters’ history and the broader storyline.

Overall, a quick, engaging interlude that I think existing fans of the series will especially appreciate. Solid writing, interesting characters, and enough intrigue to make me want to go back and read the earlier books. 4 stars.

[Kaitlyn Lopez-Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much EK Condos and Alchemy for sending me an arc of this novella!!

Swift as the Rising Tide is a novella around 200 pages in the Nostos series. I love this series because it mixes Greek mythology and Pirates. The story starts off on a tense note between the two characters and you get to see their relationship bloom. I would’ve liked a little more banter and tension between them before they finally get together.

It was great to see side characters get their own moment and I fell for Dimitris who is a shifter. Thalia is such an interesting character and I love her seeing abilities. Mykonos has a special place in my heart too. This book set the perfect winter solstice tone that readers will love reading this winter. The last 8% of the book was wild and my favorite part of the novella. I have so many questions after the last part, and I am going to need the next book asap!!!

[Danielle Stricklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is technically The Nostos Novella Book 1 but I highly recommend you read book 1 and 2 before it or you might be a little confused on characters and the story line! This novella had a lot of tension in the book. It had me always wanting to know what was going to happen between the two of them. Thalia is a seer who has to make the right decision based on what she sees and feels. Dimitris is a wolf shifter captain who knows all the right ways to annoy Thalia.  This story line was really good, I was hooked and needed to know what was going to happen. I absolutely loved Thalia and Dafne's relationship with their psychics. It was honestly the best and I could not get enough of it!  If you are interested in a romantasy book inspired by Greek Mythology and Pirates of the Caribbean this book is for you! Thank you so much @thealchemylit and @authoremilyk for the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team!

[My_Books_In_Nooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review for ‘Swift as the Rising Tide’

This world is set in Greek Mythology vs Pirates of the Caribbean, and what an interesting world it is!

We follow Dimitris, a prince set out to find allies for the impending war, and Thalia, a seer, in which I suspect has a lot more power than revealed in this book.
The world building is beautiful, magical.
Dimitris is such a wonderful character! Strong, confident, cocky, sarcastic but in a wink way.
Thalia is tough, has her walls up, but deep inside yearns for a deeper connection she doesn’t want to admit.
Thalia and Dimitri’s chemistry is like an invisible thread needing to be weaved into something strong.
Their 🌶️ is that of pent up feelings, spur in the moment hunger.
But their chemistry is meant to be.
And that cliffhanger?
Well, I definitely want to read the next installment!

4/5

[Tales with Atticus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swift as the Rising Tide is a beautifully atmospheric novella. The Greek-mythology-inspired worldbuilding meets a Pirates-of-the-Caribbean sense of adventure, creating a moody, sea-soaked setting that pulls you in immediately.

Thalia’s trauma and guardedness contrast perfectly with Dimitris’ charm, growth, and determination to prove he’s more than the reckless prince people assume. Their chemistry, banter, and slow-burn tension were my favorite part of the book.

The writing is poetic without feeling heavy, and the emotional beats land. A few pacing dips kept it from being a full five stars for me, but I still never wanted to put it down. Even without reading the first two books, I didn’t feel lost.. if anything, it made me want to go back and start the series from the beginning.

A warm thank-you to EK Condos and The Alchemy Lit for the ARC.

[Megan Fernsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

‼️READ A WRECKING OF SALT AND FIRE and then A SPELL OF BONES AND MADNESS FIRST!!
This novella picks up right after the second book and shows what some of the side characters are up to. It will be difficult to understand what's going on and some of the emotions and actions behind the characters if you do not read the Nostos series first.‼️

I loved reading more about what Thalia Mykonos and Dimitri are up to while the underworld is breaking out. You get a lot more of Thalias back story and find out about her sister, Dafne.
I do wish this was actually a longer book though, it definitely felt rushed and I feel like their relationship could have used more back and forth and more growth between them. And maybe the ending wouldn't have been incomplete to end on a cliff hanger. We could have found out more and what his binding would do to them and the curse she is under.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thalia and Dimistris were two characters that I loved the interaction these two had with the main characters in the Nostos series and was quite excited when found out they were in this novella spinoff series. I loved getting more in depth into these two characters and how they grow together into a relationship. The one horse moment sold me on this book and is now my favorite book in the Nostos world! Other elements that are central to this story that I enjoyed are shifters, he falls first, animal sidekick, and dual POV. This book does a great job of leaving you wanting more with the next book but also feeling satisfied with ending. I do think you get more enjoyment out of this book if you read the first two books in the Nostos series first! I definitely would suggest this book to my friends.