Daughters of the Tide

by Arianne James

Weaving historical fiction with folklore and Tasmanian gothic, this is a gorgeously atmospheric debut that explores memory and self, the resilience of women and a dangerous longing for the sea.


The Findlay family history has long been steeped in secrets, tragedy and dark rumours of madness. Generations of its women have been haunted by a dangerous luring melody and an insatiable longing for the sea.

It's 1923 and Isla Findlay lives with her parents on the edge of the ocean in Tasmania, in a rambling mansion full of whispers of this cursed legacy. When Isla discovers her estranged aunt is finally coming home, long repressed memories of the selkie stories of her childhood start to resurface, along with disturbing dreams of seals and an eerie song that Isla starts to hear even in her waking hours.

As the line between what's real and imagined starts to blur, Isla and her aunt and mother must reckon with long-held secrets and ghosts who have not been properly laid to rest. The closer they get to the truths of the past, the louder they hear the seductive call of the ocean. Does it sing of freedom, or only more tragedy?

A tale of madness and miracles, secrets and sins, myth and reality, and the tenacity and resilience of women in the face of impossible choices.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Mystery, Romance, Fiction

459 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published 1 June
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

******

Daughters of the Tide is not my usual genre, but it is undeniably beautiful, with a lingering sense of the ocean’s pull. Saturated with ocean imagery, the world feels immersive, dreamy, almost hypnotic. The writing leans heavily into atmosphere, with waves, salt, and shifting tides shaping every element of the story. The women of the novel are the ocean, their pull and push to this is mesmerising.

Beneath the fantasy elements, the book explores a strong feminist angle, focusing on generational inheritance - whether accepting or not,, identity and the quiet power passed between women. The connection between the characters and the sea feels both magical and unsettling, adding tension to the otherwise lyrical narrative. The fact that this is a debut is hard to fathom and I’m keen to see what may come next.

While the plot can feel slow and poetic rather than driven keenly with action, readers who enjoy ocean based fantasy and rich descriptive storytelling will find this beautiful. Ultimately, this is a book for lovers of coastal myths, feminine folklore and stories where the setting feels as alive as the characters themselves.

I was entranced with the imagination of this young Australian debut writer who highlighted Tasmania with a quiet yet fierce beauty. I sensed the commitment in respect of place.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for a copy of this striking book.

❓What genre do you rarely read

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the folklore, historical elements and Tasmanian setting. I was hooked into the story from the very beginning, and the storytelling kept me reading long into the night.

'A tale of madness and miracles, secrets and sins, myth and reality, and the tenacity and resilience of women in the face of impossible choices.'

I was immersed in this haunting story, with the blurring of boundaries between reality and myth, selkie folklore, family secrets and the rumours of madness amongst the Findlay family.

'It's 1923 and Isla Findlay lives with her parents on the edge of the ocean in Tasmania, in a rambling mansion full of whispers of this cursed legacy. When Isla discovers her estranged aunt is finally coming home, long repressed memories of the selkie stories of her childhood start to resurface, along with disturbing dreams of seals and an eerie song that Isla starts to hear even in her waking hours.'

This is a beautifully crafted debut novel. I am looking forward to reading more stories from Tasmanian author Arianne James.

I have continued to think about this story since I finished it. This will definitely be a re-read for me in the future. As an added bonus, the cover of this book is gorgeous!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

First off I would like to say this isn't the genre I read, and so maybe I just didn't take to this like others.

Daughters of the Tide was a lovely debut by Arianne and I'll be interested to see where she goes with this. This story is about three women all related and all connected to the ocean that calls to them. One trying to understand what's happening to her with no background of knowing why, one who has embraced it and one who is hiding from it. Told in 3 POVs each woman has a chance to share their story with a scattering of the grandmother/great grandmother scattered through.

I found this so slow at the start and found I just wanted something to grip me, it did feel scattered and choppy but now I do wonder if it was the particular POVs that felt this way for me. I then got more into it and found I was starting to understand the Findlay women more and more.
There were some odd things that happened and things I will remember. And I can see this will be a favorite for some, it just wasn't that for me but again. Not my genre so I have no idea what I'm looking for 😅

I did enjoy reading about my home town in the 1920's and found myself looking into how it would've all looked.

I can see Arianne has great potential, and she's so lovely and I can see her continuing writing with a beautiful voice.

Please note some triggers: child loss, and mental illness.

[Tiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so grateful Harlequin Australia for sending me this absolutely stunning ARC 💌 I mean just look at that gorgeous cover 😍

I found this to be such an enchanting and hauntingly beautiful story, filled to the brim with celtic folklore & mythology. I loved the lyrical writing style and gothic undertones, as well as the feminist lens of this cautionary tale. There were so many themes that were explored so tenderly, including: womanhood & motherhood, domestic violence & abuse, and grief, mental health & healing. This truly felt like a piece of wisdom being passed on from a guiding matriarchal figure ❤️‍🩹

I adored the three generations of Findlay women and found them to be so empowering. I especially enjoyed watching how they eventually grew to understand each other and heal. I was particularly drawn to the free-spirited Isla, who pushes the boundaries of how society views women and remains unapologetically herself ☕️📚🍃

The only (very) minor issue I had is that at times I felt the pacing was off. It felt like the middle section dragged a bit in places while the final sequence was a tad rushed. In saying that, this could have been a consequence of the multiple flashbacks and switching timelines, both of which were elements I loved.

Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this 4⭐️ gothic historical fiction! Not sure if it was just me, but the intergenerational story of the Findlay women reminded me a bit of Practical Magic✨️

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of the tide is a book about families and relationships and control.

Set in two different time periods, about two generations of the Findlays, Isla, Adelaide and Clara and Ettie all try to resist the song if the sea and the selkies.
Some of the women make some bad choices in husbands, all suffer some loss.

I enjoyed Daughters of the Tides though I prefer a tidier ending then what Arianne James gave us. The character were interesting but the story took a long time to come together.

I think anyone who likes fables and selkie stories or Tasmanian places and history would enjoy this book.

4 stars.
#hqinsiders

[Bianca Rose (Belladonnabooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of the Tide is a beautifully atmospheric historical novel set on the rugged Tasmanian coast in 1923. From the very first pages, I was swept away by the wild beauty of the setting, where the sea is both a constant presence and a powerful force shaping the lives of the characters. The landscape feels vivid and alive, and the author’s prose perfectly captures both its harshness and its beauty.

There were so many gorgeous elements that came together seamlessly. A family saga, folklore, romance, mystery and beautiful prose which are woven together into a story that feels both grounded and enchanting. The fairy-tale qualities never felt separate from the narrative but instead flowed naturally through it, creating a sense of wonder that lingered throughout the book.

At the heart of the story are Adelaide and Isla, whose connection to the selkie folklore adds another layer of magic and meaning to the novel. I particularly enjoyed the exploration of mothers and daughters, inheritance, identity, and belonging. Isla and Clara were an interesting dynamic. The contrast between Isla’s relationship to the selkie stories and her mother’s distance from them added depth to the themes of family history and the ties that connect generations. The novel asks thoughtful questions about what we inherit from those who came before us, and what happens when those connections are embraced, lost, or rediscovered.

The characters felt wonderfully realised. I appreciated that the male characters were given their own distinct personalities and motivations, enriching the story rather than simply supporting it. Every relationship felt nuanced and believable, contributing to the emotional depth of the novel.

The prose is gorgeous throughout - lyrical, evocative, and perfectly suited to a story steeped in folklore and the sea. This is a novel to sink into and savour, one that balances beauty and heartbreak, myth and reality, while remaining deeply rooted in place and family.

A captivating and immersive read that will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction infused with folklore, richly drawn characters, and stories that explore the enduring bonds between mothers and daughters.

Thank you to Harper Colins Australia and Harlequin Australia for my review copy.

[Faith Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Findlay women have the sea in their veins, and the sea doesn't shrink herself for anyone.”

Perfect for fans of Heather Rose, Mary Lou Stevens and Alice Hoffman’s “Practical Magic” ✨🐚🌊

Daughters of The Tide masterfully blends historical fiction, unique folklore and an eerie gothic atmosphere. It is magic brought to life. A beautiful, powerful yet haunting exploration of identity, secrets, sins, the resilience of a generation of women up against insurmountable odds and the transformation that comes with healing and allowing one’s true nature to swell.

I was instantly connected to the stories of the Findlay women, each with their own unique struggles yet so tightly bound and connected to one another. I loved how Arianne explored the erasure of women in this story, of how their legacies, sacrifices, intelligence and identity is so commonly swept away, forgotten or stolen from lesser men. And now each of the women grieved the lives they were unable to have because of their womanhood and all the cages it comes with.

As a Tasmanian I loved how much it felt the a character in the story, as did the sea. It evokes such a sense of belonging, nostalgia and vibrancy while reading. Truly atmospheric and enthralling, like a Florence and the Machine song come to life.

A wildly beautiful, memorable and powerful debut. 5 stars!!!!


Highlights —

“But rage feels good. So much easier to deal with than sadness. Sorrow stings and clings like sticky sap to the underside of her heart
where she thought she was safe.”

“We can feel things that others can't, hear things that are beyond the realm of normal listening. We can bite back.”

“Women are powerful, but we have to be clever with how we use that power. It can be so easily taken from us.”

“To love is to find oneself reflected in the heart of another, to see oneself magnified in their gaze and as such learn to love yourself. lo love is to find your soul's home, a place where you feel safe even while knowing that safety may, at times, be threatened, but choosing to reside there anyway. To love does not mean to lose yourself."

“He was my escape as much as my undoing, Adelaide says. I don’t think I'd feel like myself if I hadn't known him.
But you wouldn't know, if you'd never met,' Clara says.
I think I would. That's what I've never been able to shake. The feeling that I would have always known him.”

“It’s hard to know when you’re young and the world is full of possibilities, a thousand and one directions to choose from and no due which is right save for your heart's compass.”

[Hu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so grateful to have received an advanced readers copy for review from HaperCollins/HQ!

Daughters of the Tide is a haunting and atmospheric blend of historical fiction, mystery, and mythology that completely drew me into its coastal world. Told through the perspectives of Adelaide, Isla, and Clara, alongside Ettie’s diary entries memories, and dreamlike sequences, the novel created a layered and intriguing reading experience where reality often felt blurred beneath suppressed memories and long-buried family secrets.

The writing style itself was lyrical and immersive, especially whenever the ocean and underwater imagery took centre stage. The seals, tides, storms, and rugged coastline all felt vividly alive on the page, adding an eerie beauty to the story that perfectly matched its darker themes. I also really appreciated the novel’s exploration of power dynamics between men and women during the late 1800s through to the 1920s, and the ways society attempted to confine women within rigid expectations and roles.

While I found the premise incredibly strong, the pacing occasionally felt a little slow for me, particularly in the middle sections, which stopped it from becoming a full five star read. That said, I was still deeply invested in uncovering the truth behind the family’s history and the mysteries surrounding the women at the heart of the novel.

Alistair was such a well-written antagonist and honestly one of the standout characters for me. There was something deeply predatory about him that reminded me of orcas beaching themselves to hunt seals or the stories of killer whales harassing and capsizing small boats out at sea. That same sense of calculated menace followed him throughout the novel, making it incredibly satisfying to see justice eventually served.

Interestingly, Clara began as my least favourite character, but by the end she had become the one I felt most emotionally connected to as more of her story unfolded.

Overall, this was an eerie, richly layered, and beautifully written novel that balanced historical themes with mythology and psychological mystery in a compelling way. I would absolutely read from Arianne James again.

[Samantha Cirakovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story with exceptional characters. A family from Tasmania steeped in family myth, tragedy and finding yourself and beliefs while navigating family and society pressures. I did feel the 3rd part ‘Clara’ went on a bit too long. The book just stops, it doesn’t really end, and it leaves a lot of loose ends for you to imagine how they all ended up.

[TheSarahChapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so much fun with this book!
I loved the mystery and the family drama.
Such a captivating story set in Tasmania

4⭐️

[Michelle (shelle_reads_books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read and if you like myths and legends like selkies, then this one is for you.

Set in a gothic Tasmania in 1923, Isla is called to the sea. This is heightened when she learns her aunt is returning from being away. She also hears the sirens call and starts dreaming of selkies. Isla, her mother and her aunt have to deal with some long held secrets in order to stop them all hearing the selkies songs.

This is such a well written book and it will have you trying to puzzle out what is real and what is part of the legend. The gothic feeling and the prose will have you hooked from the beginning.

[Faye Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Its one large poem. About half way through I craved a bit more plot, but I'm so glad I persevered as the ending was incredibly moving.

[Andrea Andres · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Harlequin AU for gifting me this book!

Daughters of the Tide is an impressive debut but I felt like it missed the mark with its slow pacing and characterisation.

I struggled initially to get into it and also relate to the three main characters. While I admired the theme of womanhood and what each Findlay woman represented, there was still something lacking and I couldn’t fully connect with them.

What really drew me in though was the atmospheric setting. You rarely hear of books set in 1920s Tasmania and James paints the scene so evocatively from descriptions of the mysterious coves to the wildlife.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This atmospheric, complex, poetic and lyrical feast is pure delight for the senses and imagination. Liquid beauty with a prose that is dream-like. Daughters of the Tide is historical fiction laced with gothic elements that has a gentle ebb and flow plot. It is filled with breathtaking sea images that cast a spell on the open heart. I truly loved all this story had to offer: a creative generational family story set in Tasmania drawing upon the selkie legends. And for those who don’t know what selkies are, here is an online definition: “a selkie is a mythological shapeshifter from Celtic and Norse folklore that can transform between a seal and a human. Found primarily in the tales of Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland, these marine beings shed their seal skins on land to walk among humans.”

The novel carries many dark undertones and soul shattering secrets. It deals with some serious issues like abuse, psychological control, loss of self and unbearable grief. Mental health is also explored. The novel speaks of women whose voices have been stolen, cut off or forced to remain silent. Suffering leaks like the ink of an octopus from the pages of their lives. As we read Ettie’s journal, our hearts break. It is easy to feel the coiled tension in her words. Plus her suffering and desire to protect her family at all costs.

We are provided with more than one viewpoint which works excellently. We hear from Ettie, Clara and her daughter Isla as well as the Clara’s sister Adelaide. This is a story about relationships that are fractured by events. How these women try to heal is seen in their personal journeys, apart and together. Identity issues surface in the midst of learning about the selkies, their culture and songs that come to them in strange moments. Clara has the most anxiety over whether to believe selkies are real. And she has always struggled at being a mother. She cannot quite relate to Isla who rather is more like Adelaide. We are given individual accounts of Isla’s birth, the issues that arose and how Adelaide had to help her sister with her child. This created a bond between Aunt and Niece but the divide between Isla and Clara is long lasting. Will it change when Adelaide returns?

With the high quality of writing so evident, we are pulled into the drama of these troubled women’s lives and can feel everything they experience. Their fears, hopes, dreams and desires clearly flow from page to page and voice to voice. Gothic elements are laced throughout, maybe more subdued than in some books but the dark atmosphere, psychological terror, macabre, supernatural happenings and dangerous romance liaisons known in 18th Century Gothic Romantic Literature— certainly echo throughout this tale. We see the isolation from being ‘different’ and inescapable weight of the past. The novel’s time period swings back forth like a pendulum from the late 1800s to 1920s where we see how each event has affected the characters. And how the past is always looming large— for Ettie’s actions affect her daughters and granddaughter in the future in different ways. And what happened that led to Adelaide going to Orkney to live for so long.

Speaking of Orkney, I was good friends with the late renowned Orkney poet and story teller George MacKay Brown. It was a pleasure to talk to him about this island he loved so much and the stories it birthed in him. Tasmania seems to be doing the same thing as there are many inspired writers erupting from its stunning wild and wonderful land and seascape.

The novel opens with a poem clip from William Butler Yeats’ A Man Young and Old that sets up the story beautifully.

A mermaid found a swimming lad,
Picked him for her own,
Pressed her body to his body,
Laughed; and plunging down
Forgot in cruel happiness
That even lovers drown.

The last line particularly is chilling and evident inspiration in Daughters of the Tide. Ettie particularly learns some tough lessons about the love she had at first for the man she married. He is a seriously disturbing character. She moves from the illusion and impetuous passion of youth to wisdom that comes as she ages. Her revelations of the truth set her on a path of freedom but her actions—well could be judged severely if known. These remain hidden long after her passing— until her children discover what she has done to survive.

This novel’s powerful images, characters, themes and plot will remain in my mind forever. The message for women it champions and the strength in sisterhood it supports—are epic. We clearly get a glimpse of the evil that is present in our world. Yet in following these women through their journeys in their selkie community, we see the universal desire for meaning, connection and purpose.

Daughters of the Tide has a circular theme that starts in the prologue with such a beautiful image of a woman standing on the precipice of a cliff at night. And at the end we return to her. Her song is powerful, her movements the same. We watch as ‘she falls, softly, like a star into the sea.’ The novel ends with a coda of wisdom. Magical, mystical, mesmerising. This deeply heartfelt story that explores the human condition, should not be missed. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Millie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daughters of the Tide, Arianne James’ debut novel, is an atmospheric work of historical fiction rich with myth, secrets, and longing. Set in Tasmania in the 1920s, the text seeks to share the story of the Findlay family, as told over several generations of women. The text maintains a distinctly Tasmanian gothic, delivering a tale in which myth and memory cast eerie shadows over reality.

Whilst the aftereffects of the First World War are very much felt in this novel, the women of the Findlay family experience a haunting of their own that goes back generations. The song of the selkies has filled the ears and minds of these women, long before their arrival on stolen shores, dating back to their ancestors in Scotland. This ancestry is kept alive through storytelling, a favoured means of communication between characters throughout the text.

The story is told from four perspectives, three in the ‘present’ day and one through memories, flashbacks, and diary entries from the not-so-distant past. We are first introduced to Isla, the youngest of the Findlay women and the most recent to hear the selkies song. Adelaide, Isla’s estranged aunty and Clara’s sister, returns a third of the way into the book, bringing with her a flurry of newly discovered secrets and the uncovering of long kept ones. Finally, Clara, Isla’s mother and perhaps the character that undergoes the most growth, does her best to protect her daughter—and herself—from the so called ‘madness’ the luring call of the ocean induces. Themes of motherhood and mental health are touchingly explored here, layering Clara’s drive for normalcy at any cost. Through Isla’s great grandmother Ettie we learn much about the fascination of the Findlay women with the ocean, and are introduced to Adelaide and Clara’s younger selves.

The text has a keen interest in family and power dynamics, paying careful attention to the building up of strong women and those that seek to tear them down. The violence of Alistair, Ettie’s husband, grounds the text in a reality that threatens so many women, and introduces a felt necessity to the independence so central to the Findlay identity. It appears throughout as though the weather, and indeed the house itself, are on the women’s side, along with the seemingly immortal housekeeper, Agatha.

This novel starts strong, with readers as in the dark as Isla appears to be during her increasing bouts of sleepwalking and selkie-related dreams. The story grows slowly from here, revealing each character through the eyes of another so that by the time readers reach said character’s section, they already have a fairly comprehensive understanding of their motives and feelings. The inclusion of several perspectives means that the plot feels both repetitive and confused at times, the writing style not quite distinct enough between each section. And yet, despite the slower pace the text falls into, the ending felt slightly rushed.

That being said, however, this book is an impressive debut and gives much for the literary landscape of Tasmania to be excited about. For fans of ocean mythology, atmospheric writing, and historical fiction, I would gladly recommend Daughters of the Tide.

I’d like to thank HQ Insiders for my advance readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Daughters of the Tide is out on May 26th, 2026.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I came to the last page of this story, I had to let it sit with me for a couple of days. For Arianne James has crafted a compelling generational family story that is dense, complicated, and highly emotional.
The Findlay family arrives in Tasmania around the 1880s and quickly establish their influence in the emerging colony. The women in the family, not only must contend living in a man’s world but understand their strong association to the sea and to the mythical selkies. This perpetual calling to the Findlay women causes both excitement and trepidation. Central to the story centres is three of the Findlay women who we come to meet in the early 1920s. The sisters are Adelaide and Clara and Clara’s daughter Isla. Circling around all of them is the presence of Ettie, the sister’s grandmother.
When I started reading Isla’s story, I had Dictionary of Lost Words vibes, with a young woman wanting to make her mark in the academic world but constrained by the protocols of the times. The story soon pivots as Isla begins to awaken to the call of the sea and the selkies. Isla is also trying to reconcile her feelings towards her mother Clara. The relationship is strained on both sides and the reasons when revealed are poignant. The household is thrown into disarray with the news that Adelaide is returning after several years away. Adelaide’s departure was sudden and unexpected for Isla and as a young child at the time, feels that Adelaide’s departure was her fault. Clara and Adelaide have unresolved issues as siblings, with grandparents and partners. This convergence of the three Findlay women is deliciously complicated with each trying to redress the past and navigate their future. Then added into the mix, is the relationship to the sea and the selkies. This invokes a haunting atmosphere that really ensnares you into the setting.
As you read each of the stories of the women and how they intertwine, interact and develop, you cannot be amazed at how James peels back each character with such regard. She brings forth their challenges and trauma in a way that makes you feel part of what is happening. There are some dark personal moments for each of the characters and James reveals her craft as an author by dealing with these empathy and compassion. The Findlay women and the supporting characters are wonderfully created and lift off the page. It is a joy as a reader to unpack these fully realised stories and people.
Arianne James is an exciting new voice and Daughters of the Tide is atmospheric, gothic, richly complex, full of surprises and will stay with you long after the book is closed.

Thanks to HQ Insiders for the printed ARC, opinions are my own.

[Laura Black Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always had a thing for selkies – the siren song of seals and Celtic folklore is so appealing, so I jumped to read Daughters of the Tide, set in alternating timelines among three generations of women in 1920s Hobart. This is a beautiful and haunting novel about the Findlay family of women who struggle with seals, love and everything that women have endured for men.
The narrative moves between Ettie in 1885 and Isla, Clara and Adelaide in 1923/24. There’s a balance between the mystical aspects of their lives, and the more prosaic challenges of 1920s society in Hobart.

Ettie was the first generation to settle in Fossil Cove, where she mysteriously drowned in 1889. Her granddaughters Clara and Adelaide continue to live in the sea-side Findlay family home when Clara marries Harold, and has a daughter Isla. Adelaide leaves for Scotland when Isla is six, fracturing the family unit and destroying the closeness with her sister and niece.

Isla has secretly been accepted to Oxford University to study paleobiology, but her plan is put on hold when she learns that Adelaide is returning from her years’ long exile in Scotland. Adelaide’s return means that all the secrets that have been safely kept during her absence begin to unravel.

The call of the sea is real for the Findlay women, and at its most potent, they can hear a song that is both comforting and haunting, and draws them to the water. Author Arianne James doesn’t dive deeply (so to speak) into the selkie mythology, but there’s enough detail for the reader to follow. The attraction of the seals is especially strong for Isla in the months around Adelaide’s return, and we gradually find out why.

Secondary characters are terrific – Clara’s husband Harold especially. He’s both of his time (wanting to lead and be the head of his family) but he loves his wife and daughter, and is trying ever so hard to do the ‘right thing’ – my heart ached for him. I would have liked to know more of Jack, Isla’s platonic love interest. Most of the action occurs between September 1923 and June 1924, on a tight countdown to the annual solstice ball. This time-frame kept the momentum up and the focus on life in Fossil Cove.

I felt that sometimes the language feels too modern for the 1920s, but overall it’s immersive and haunting, and a little Gothic, and by the end I felt as if I shared the sea’s comfort. Recommended!

Thank you Arianne James and HQ Insiders for giving me an ARC printed copy to read and review. Opinions are my own.

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to HQ Insiders for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

Daughters of the Tide is a quiet, lyrical piece of historical fiction threaded through with magical realism, grief, memory, and the enduring pull of the sea. This is very much a mood read rather than a plot-driven one, and I think your enjoyment will depend largely on whether you’re in the right headspace to simply drift along with it.

The novel moves between dual timelines: 1923 Hobart, where Isla is struggling with her strained relationship with her mother Clara and the lingering absence of her beloved Aunt Adelaide, who disappeared back to the Orkney Islands years earlier, and 1885, following their grandmother Ettie, trapped in a difficult marriage and increasingly drawn toward the sea and the selkie myths woven through her heritage.

What Arianne James does particularly well is atmosphere. The writing has a very literary, almost dreamlike quality to it, and the Tasmanian and Orkney settings feel vividly realised without becoming overly romanticised. You can feel the salt air, the cold water, the isolation, and the emotional weight sitting heavily over generations of women shaped by silence, grief, and family expectation.

At its heart, though, this is really a character study of Isla, Clara, and Adelaide more than a traditionally plotted historical novel. It explores fractured relationships, inherited trauma, loss, longing, and the stories families choose to tell or bury. The selkie mythology sits gently beneath the narrative rather than dominating it, adding a haunting thread of folklore and symbolism throughout.

That said, readers looking for a lot of action or dramatic plot turns may struggle here. This is a very slow-moving novel, and while I appreciated the emotional depth and atmospheric writing, there were sections where the pacing felt extremely heavy for me. At times it felt less like being carried by the tide and more like swimming through molasses. Beautiful molasses, admittedly, but molasses nonetheless.

Still, there’s something deeply sincere and emotionally intimate about the storytelling that stayed with me. It feels like a very personal novel, one written with genuine affection for place, family history, and the women at its centre.

Overall, this is an evocative and thoughtful debut that will likely appeal most to readers who enjoy literary historical fiction with folkloric elements, layered family relationships, and strong atmospheric writing over fast-moving plot.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

[Faye (fayescapes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks so much, HarlequinAU for the physical ARC. 💕

Daughters of the Tide by Arianne James is officially my first Aussie gothic read and it definitely will not be my last. It’s a gothic historical novel set in Tasmania following three women who bound to the sea and family secrets. There’s this haunting connection to the sea running through the novel and if you love selkie mythology or stories inspired by that kind of folklore and mysticism, this book is absolutely for you.

What stood out to me immediately was the writing. It’s beautifully atmospheric in that way where the setting feels like its own separate character. I could vividly picture everything: the manor, the cliffs, the cold air, the sea, the isolation of Tasmania. Arianne James did such a wonderful job bringing the landscape to life.

Pacing-wise, this is definitely a slower read but I don’t mean that as a negative at all. In fact, I think this is the kind of book that deserves to be read when you actually have the time to sit down with it properly. This isn’t a fast-paced, plot-driven read meant to be rushed through. Giving this book time will allow you to experience it in the best possible way. So if you’re someone who mainly prefers very fast-paced books, this may not work for you BUT if you love immersive, atmospheric storytelling, this delivers.

Theme-wise, what I loved most is that beneath all the gothic elements, mysticism and eerie coastal atmosphere, this is really a story about women. Different kinds of women. Their desires, sacrifices, loneliness, resilience and the ways they move through the world. Even though this is historical fiction set across the late 1800s and early 1900s, so much of what it says about womanhood still feels incredibly relevant. My favourite character was Clara. She felt so real to me - very complex, very flawed. Her character arc gave me exactly what I want from a female protagonist.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a strange little ocean book but like in a reallyyy amazingggg way <33 im still thinking about it even though I finished it a week ago.
It's set in 1923 tasmania and isla lives in this huge as creepy house by the ocean with her mum and their fam history is like such a mess of secrets and whispers about women going mad. The main plot starts when isla's estranged aunt comes home which kinda makes Isla remember all these old selkie she used to hear. She starts having these weird dreams about seals and hearing this song from the ocean.

My favvv part was def the setting bc the whole book feels cold, salty and really haunted. The ocean is like a mc thats always there and watching everything. The selkie folklore adds this magical kinda creepy layer but the heart of the story is really about this family and the secrets they've kept for generations.

tbhhh this is a really slow book, the plot isn't gonna grab you and hook you to the end, its def a mood like you just have to kinda sink into it and just drift along with the story, almost as if your floating in the ocean and letting it decide where you end up. its one you have to stick with and lemme tell you it is 100000% worth sticking with like the writing is just super lyrical and really atmospheric. butttt what did keep me hooked was the fam drama and watching Isla, her mum and her aunt have to finally deal with all the stuff they've been ignoring for years. The mother daughter relationship was done soooo well.

It's not somethin id normally read but I'm actually glad I did. It's a beautifully haunting little story. and I really want to read more books like this!

Read if you like
🌊 ocean gothic
🦭 selkie folklore
🏚️ rambling family mansions
🤫 family secrets
👩‍👧 mother/daughter relationships
🕰️ historical fiction
✨ myth and reality blurring
🌫️ slow atmospheric reads
🖤 Tasmanian gothic

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the arc. my review is my honest opinion and my thoughts are my own.

[Booked.withb · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Daughters of the Tide” by Arianne James 🦭🧜‍♀️

Thank you so much Harlequin for the gifted ARC copy! This releases 26th May and if you love atmospheric historical fiction with gothic folklore vibes, this one might be for you.

Weaving historical fiction with folklore and Tasmanian gothic elements, this was such a beautifully written and immersive debut. The eerie coastal setting, haunting family legacy and strong gothic atmosphere were easily the standout parts for me. The writing created such a vivid sense of place and the overall mood of the story felt very rich and unsettling in the best way.

I also really appreciated the themes surrounding womanhood, memory and identity and there were definitely moments that completely pulled me in emotionally. The folklore-inspired elements added a mysterious edge that made the story feel unique and atmospheric throughout.

That said, while I loved the atmosphere, the overall flow didn’t fully work for me. The pacing dragged quite a bit in parts and I found myself wanting more from the plot overall — more energy, more tension, more drama and scenes that felt a little more impactful. Some sections felt repetitive and I was left wanting a bit more substance and momentum from the story as a whole.

I also wish the gothic mystery and folklore elements had been pushed even further because those aspects were by far the strongest part for me. The premise had so much potential and while I enjoyed the writing and mood, I finished the book still wanting a little more from the execution.

Overall, this was a solid debut with gorgeous writing and an incredibly atmospheric setting but the slower pacing stopped me from fully connecting with it. I’d still recommend it if you enjoy literary historical fiction, gothic family stories, haunting seaside settings and folklore-inspired reads. 🌫️🌊

[Alison McIntyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. It was slow and atmospheric and I had to ask myself why slow is a bad thing? I guess it is not. Slow novels build and build but I feel like this never really built to anything. I have a lot of questions still.

The story is historical with a splash of folklore. It takes place in post WWI Tasmania and centres around the Findlay family - but mainly the women. There’s the mother Clara and her daughter Isla who has been accepted into Oxford. Clara and Isla never really got along and Isla was more attuned to her aunt Adelaide. Adelaide was sent away to Scotland when Isla was young and she never knew why.

All of them are drawn to the sea and the seals so that’s where the Celtic folklore comes in. The women on their side have always passed down a tale of a Selkie woman who was seduced my a mortal man and gave up herself and the sea for them.

It happened to their grandmother and to Adelaide. However, this is where it gets a bit fuzzy because is this more about how women were treated then and how men weren’t to be trusted? Except Jack.

The stories from their past that blends into the folklore sits on the verge of mental illness more than family legacy. Clara was obviously suffering from postnatal depression after Isla was born.

However, I feel like a lot of the details weren’t clear. What will happen Oxford? What about Jack and Isla? I feel like their relationship grew a lot throughout the story. Did Adelaide’s baby really die or was it the baby seal?

Lastly, is it a good idea to invest in apple business before the next war? I guess they have time.

Overall, I’d say this should be marketed as a dysfunctional family novel and the perils of trusting men (except Jack).

[Amanda McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the 1920s, Isla Findlay's estranged aunt returns to the family home in Tasmania. Her presence sparks the reemergence of memories and secrets from the past for Isla, her aunt and her mother. As more truths emerge, the line between real and imagined begins to blur and each woman is forced to reckon with their family's heritage and what they feel in their hearts and in their blood.

This is a remarkably layered and subtle story that blends historical fiction with folklore and Australian gothic. It peels in layers, giving more and more with each revelation. On the surface, it's a tale of women and selkies, an almost magical realism; and of family and secrets, and the legacies that follow. But with each chapter something new is revealed and the story turns down darker paths, exploring motherhood traumas, domestic abuse, and how patriarchal society can strip women of their identities . The exploration of expectations around motherhood is beautifully and sensitively written, making space for women who struggle with ideas around motherhood and what good mothering looks like, how those mother-child relationships are meant to be. It was that aspect, along with the selkie skin as a metaphor for the female identity, that I found really interesting beyond the initial elements of the plot around familial secrets.

Arianne James has written beautifully, with atmospheric and evocative language and vivid imagery. This is a quiet book driven by characters and relationships moreso than action, just the kind of novel I love. This is a very assured debut and I'm excited to see what she does next.

[Raie · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

Thank you to HQ Insiders for providing me with an ARC of Daughters of the Tide by Ariane James in exchange for my honest review.

Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Gothic Tasmania in the 1920s, with glimpses back to the 1880s, this story follows three generations of women and their deep connection to the sea and the selkies who inhabit its waters.

One of my favourite parts of this book was the atmosphere. Ariane James beautifully captures the wildness and mystery of Tasmania, creating a vivid sense of place where the ocean almost becomes a character itself. The descriptions of the sea, the landscape, and the folklore surrounding the selkies were truly stunning.

At its heart, this is a story about women, motherhood, and the bonds that connect us. I particularly loved exploring the relationship between Adelaide, her sister Clara, and Clara’s daughter Isla. The parallels between the maternal bonds of the women and the selkies were beautifully explored, alongside themes of feminism, identity, and belonging.

While I appreciated the writing and the themes, I did find the pacing quite slow at times, especially in the beginning. It took a while for me to become fully immersed in the story, but I did feel that everything came together beautifully by the end.

I know many readers have absolutely loved this book and rated it four or five stars, but for me, it landed as a solid three-star read. That being said, if you love atmospheric literary fiction, Australian settings, Gothic folklore, and stories centred around women and family, this is definitely one you may enjoy.

[Miss Jordie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ 𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎 ✨

Thank you so much to @harpercollinsaustralia @harlequinaus and @arianne_writes for the gifted ARC of this stunning debut. 🌊🦭

This book completely swept me away with its haunting atmosphere, lyrical writing, and beautifully woven blend of historical fiction, folklore, and Tasmanian gothic.

From the very first page, I felt like I could hear the ocean calling alongside Isla, pulling me deeper into the mystery surrounding the Findlay women and their tragic family legacy.

Set against the wild Tasmanian coastline in 1923, this story is drenched in melancholy, secrets, and that eerie sense that something ancient is lingering just beneath the waves. The selkie folklore added such a magical yet unsettling layer to the story, and I loved how the line between myth, memory, grief, and madness constantly blurred.

What truly stood out to me was the exploration of womanhood, generational trauma, and resilience. The relationships between Isla, her mother, and her aunt were emotional, raw, and incredibly compelling. Every revelation felt like another wave crashing against the shore, pulling long-buried truths to the surface.



If you love:

🌊 Atmospheric gothic fiction

🦭 Selkie folklore & ocean mythology

🏚️ Family secrets & generational curses

✨ Lyrical, immersive writing

🌫️ Haunting seaside settings

📖 Historical fiction with magical realism

…then this absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.



A gorgeously haunting debut that lingers long after the final page.

Releasing May 26th and definitely one to watch. 🌙🌊

[Liat M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Findlay family history is complex, full of secrets and tragedy. There are dark rumours that madness overtakes the women of the family as they have an insatiable longing for the sea.

It’s 1923 and Isla lives with her parents on the edge of the ocean in Tasmania, in a house built by her great grandmother. When Isla discovers her estranged aunt is finally coming home, a long repressed memory of the selkie stories of her childhood start to resurface.

As the lines blur between what’s real and what is imagined, Isla, her aunt and her mother must reckon with long held family secrets and ghosts not properly laid to rest.

I really loved this story! Not only is it beautifully written but there is a connection to the ocean and the animals that live in its depth that comes across on every page. Told from the perspective of the three Findlay women with Ettie’s story woven between the chapters, we gain an understanding of the secrets and the stories that have been shared through the generations.

While the pace may be a little slow at times, especially towards the beginning, I feel like it flowed well and the characters were definitely relatable. I also felt like the story was trying to fit a lot in, and while most of it worked, there were some parts that felt a little rushed or unnecessary which is why it’s not quite five stars.

Overall, this is a beautiful book filled with the power of story telling and I can’t wait to see what Arianne James writes next!

Thank you to HQ for my copy of this book in exchange for my review.

[Your Book Bestie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a book that explores a haunting draw to the sea and women reclaiming their power, Daughters of the Tide is a worthy addition to your TBR.

This is a gothic historical fiction set in early settler Tasmania. With a delicate touch of fantasy, it was achingly beautiful.

Woven throughout the story is Selkie folklore which adds a haunting, atmospheric backdrop that completely immerses you.

The story follows three generations of women from the Findlay family as they navigate their own significant challenges in an era where women had little to no rights or voice. Every woman in this family has a dangerous pull towards the sea, and this sea has already claimed the lives of two other women in the family.

What stayed with me was the exploration of womanhood. This book tackles losing your voice and sense of self, especially in the context of a relationship and feeling as though you have become smaller than the person you once were.

Daughters of the Tide is a beautiful reminder that women are incredibly resilient. That our strength is always there for us to reclaim.

This is not a romance; the heart of this story is family, memory, identity, grief and the resilience of women in really difficult situations. This book will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished the final page. I highly recommend any woman, or anyone looking to find and reclaim their power to read this book.

If you love atmospheric historical fiction intertwined with folklore and centred on women finding their strength, I cannot recommend Daughters of the Tide enough.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I love a standalone, this was heartbreaking and frustrating. There is so much sadness, loss, and shame and sooo much secrecy and hidden feelings with no one really being honest.

This was set in 1923 Tasmania with the story following the women of one family whose lives are shaped by love, loss, secrets, and the pull of their selkie ancestry.

I enjoyed learning about Isla, Adelaide, and Clara. Isla's wanting to move away and be her own person but also wrapped up in uncovering the truth about her family. Clara and Adelaide sister trying to reconcile their pasts ... all their POVs were heartbreaking with moments of beauty. I did feel like they were all a bit distant to me but I think that came from each characters darkness and secrets that surrounds them.

Agatha, I was so intrigued by her and just wanted to know more. Just there, quietly watching, like a keeper of secrets that connected the past to the present.

Her writing! Soooo beautiful, haunting and atmospheric!! I loved the gothic Tasmania setting. And The ending... ughh 😭. So much emotions!! This story is more of a slower paced read, with a deeper story being told underneath.

This book addressed depression, grief and domestic violence but were handled with such sensitivity and care. The story explores how the wounds of the past can linger through generations and the resilience it takes for these women to face it. - check your TW before going into it.

[Sarah Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

just finished Daughters of the Tide by Arianne James, and honestly, it’s one of those books that leaves a bit of a lingering feeling after you’re done.

The story is set by the coast, and the atmosphere is such a big part of it. It’s kind of moody and a little eerie, especially with how the sea and the local folklore are woven in. The folklore isn’t just there for vibes either—it actually connects to what the characters are going through, which I really liked.

One of the main things the book explores is family, especially mother-daughter relationships. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything—there’s love, but also a lot of tension and unresolved stuff. It felt pretty real in the way families can be complicated and messy.

Mental health is another big theme, and I think it was handled really well. The characters’ struggles feel genuine, and it shows how much your past and your environment can affect you. I also liked that it didn’t try to wrap everything up perfectly—some things just take time, and the book reflects that.

Overall, it’s a really emotional, slightly haunting read with strong characters and a unique atmosphere. If you’re into stories that mix family drama with a touch of folklore and deeper themes, it’s definitely worth checking out.

This book was gifted to me by HQ Insiders

[Joanne - booksjoreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a debut by Tasmanian author Arianne James and it is also set in Tasmania.

From the very beginning, this book had me thinking. It was atmospheric, with an element of fantasy, often leaving an eerie feeling that had me so intrigued.

I especially enjoyed the selkie mythology, it gives the story a haunting, otherworldly edge that I absolutely loved.

This story was told through three different women's perspectives and timelines across the 1880s and the 1920s, but through them all there was a feeling of connection, at times this may have been lost but you always had the feeling that this was a family that through strength, perseverance and understanding would find each other again.

Some moments were genuinely hard to read. The disconnect between Clara and Isla is brutal in its honesty, lines such as "Sometimes I wonder why God gave me you, what's the point of a daughter you can't understand" made me emotional as I read them

I also appreciated the insight into women's lives and social expectations during these periods. The historical detail brought this world to life.

Overall, this is a captivating and unusual piece of historical fiction, atmospheric, emotionally layered, and threaded with folklore.
I'd happily recommend it to readers who enjoy stories with a difference, those that blend myth, history, and the complexities of mother/daughter relationships.