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by Pascalle Lacelle
Curious Tides draws you into a world where ancient magic and deep secrets are woven into the very fabric of existence. It follows a sharp, determined young woman as she navigates a mysterious, atmospheric setting — perhaps a secluded island or a hidden academy — where the air itself hums with forgotten power. As she begins to unravel a central enigma, she's forced to confront long-buried truths, not just about her surroundings and its unique magic system, but about her own past and identity. The reading experience here is a journey of intrigue and discovery, building a sense of wonder and foreboding. This book is for readers who love a strong female lead piecing together a complex puzzle in a richly imagined, slightly gothic world, where magic feels both wondrous and dangerous, and every revelation shifts the ground beneath your feet.
If Curious Tides left you craving more, we've gathered books that echo its best qualities. Many of our picks share that distinct dark academia feel, where powerful, often dangerous magic intertwines with ancient institutions and deep secrets. You'll find other compelling protagonists unraveling complex mysteries, navigating treacherous social landscapes, and discovering themselves amidst atmospheric, sometimes gothic, backdrops where every shadow holds a story. These books capture the thrilling blend of magic, mystery, and personal stakes you enjoyed.
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by Naomi Novik
Fans of "Curious Tides" will appreciate the perilous magical school setting where survival is paramount and dark secrets lurk around every corner. This book offers a similarly intense atmosphere, a unique and dangerous magic system, and a compelling strong female lead navigating a world of power dynamics and hidden truths.
by Olivie Blake
This recommendation shares "Curious Tides'" dark academia aesthetic, focusing on a group of powerful mages competing for a coveted spot in a secret society. Readers will enjoy the complex character dynamics, moral ambiguity, and the intricate web of secrets and power struggles within an exclusive magical institution.
For those who enjoyed the darker, more mature elements of "Curious Tides," "Ninth House" delves into a secret society at an elite university where ancient magic and dark rituals intertwine with a compelling mystery. It features a morally complex protagonist grappling with trauma and uncovering hidden truths within a shadowy academic world.
by Donna Tartt
This classic dark academia novel perfectly captures the intense, atmospheric, and morally ambiguous tone found in "Curious Tides." It explores a group of eccentric classics students whose intellectual pursuits lead to a dark secret and a murder, offering a deep dive into psychological complexity and the unraveling of a tight-knit, secretive group.

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Readers who loved the gothic atmosphere, sea-influenced magic, and central mystery of "Curious Tides" will find a similar enchantment here. This book features a haunting island setting, a family curse, and a compelling mystery surrounding the deaths of sisters, blending dark fantasy with a strong sense of place and foreboding.
by Sarah Gailey
This book offers a unique take on a magical school mystery, centered around an estranged sister investigating a murder at the very academy her magical sibling attends. It provides a compelling blend of mystery, family drama, and an an outsider's perspective on a hidden magical world, echoing the secrets and personal stakes in "Curious Tides."
For those drawn to the isolated, mysterious academic setting and psychological undertones of "Curious Tides," "Catherine House" delivers. It explores a secretive, almost cult-like university where students are cut off from the outside world, delving into themes of identity, control, and the unsettling secrets hidden within an exclusive institution.
by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko
If the mysterious, challenging, and profoundly strange magic system and dark academia elements of "Curious Tides" appealed to you, "Vita Nostra" offers an even deeper, more philosophical dive. This book presents a surreal and demanding magical institute where the curriculum itself is a profound mystery, forcing the protagonist into an intense journey of self-discovery and transformation.
Readers who enjoyed the atmospheric setting, hidden magic, and compelling group dynamics in "Curious Tides" will be captivated by this series. It features a group of unlikely friends searching for a mythical king in a small, magical town, brimming with ancient secrets, unique magic, and a strong sense of mystery and adventure.
by V.E. Schwab
Fans of "Curious Tides" will be drawn to the gothic atmosphere, mysterious house, and dark secrets at the heart of "Gallant." This book features a strong female lead who discovers a hidden, decaying world and a family legacy intertwined with shadows and magic, offering a compelling blend of mystery, atmosphere, and a journey of self-discovery.
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