A Tale of Cursed Tides Summary & Book Review: A Dark, Heartbreaking Bargain
Introduction
This is a romantasy that blends the longing of The Little Mermaid with the dark political intrigue of A Court of Thorns and Roses.
This A Tale of Cursed Tides summary explores a world where love is a weapon, secrets are deadly, and the cost of freedom is far higher than any bargain.
Sherring, a South African‑born, New Zealand‑based author, crafts a world where merfolk live trapped behind an enchanted barrier and mortals fear any magic that isn’t their own.
The story follows Princess Alara Eldoris, whose kingdom has been imprisoned for twenty‑two years. On the night of her Ascension, a witch known as the Crow offers Alara a bargain: travel to the mortal world, make a prince fall in love with her, and break his heart before the next full moon.
Only then will the curse on her people be lifted. But Alara’s mission becomes complicated when she discovers that the prince she’s meant to manipulate is noble, kind—and that her own heart may be the one in danger.
TL;DR: The Quick Snapshot
⏱️ Short Summary ⚡ (NO SPOILERS)
A mermaid princess strikes a bargain with a witch to break a generations‑old curse: she must travel to the human world, seduce a prince, and shatter his heart before the next full moon.
The book explores whether love can be manufactured and what happens when the person you’re supposed to use becomes someone you genuinely care about. It offers a tense, romantic, and unexpectedly violent reading experience.
🔹 Key Takeaways (High‑Level • Spoiler‑Free)
How far would you go to save your people, and at what point does the cost become too high?
The story questions whether honesty is always the right choice when deception is the only tool you have.
It examines the difference between falling in love naturally and being forced into a situation where love is the goal.
🧠 Themes (Very Brief)
Freedom vs. imprisonment, the price of secrets, species prejudice, mothers and orphans, the cycle of vengeance, water as life and weapon.
🎭 Tone / Style
Atmospheric, romantic, tinged with dread, and punctuated by moments of visceral horror.
Watch/Listen To The Recap & Summary of ‘A Tale of Cursed Tides’
A cursed mermaid princess must break a prince’s heart to save her kingdom—but love, secrets, and a deadly mystery threaten everything.
▶ Listen to A Tale of Cursed Tides Recap On Youtube
Book Details & Data
Publisher: Lavender and Archer Press
Language: English
Print Length: 392 pages
ISBN-10: 1067122206
ISBN-13: 978-1067122201
Series: The Lore of Orradon
Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Young Adult, Dark Fantasy
Sub‑Genres: Fairy Tale Retelling, Mermaid Fantasy, Political Intrigue
Grab Your Copy Now: If you’re ready for a mermaid tale that doesn’t shy away from blood, betrayal, and the brutal mathematics of love, pick up A Tale of Cursed Tides by T. R. Sherring.
It’s a story that will make you question whether any victory is worth the price of a shattered heart.
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A Tale of Cursed Tides Book Review & Literary Analysis
Note: This section provides a detailed literary analysis of the book, covering themes, characters, symbolism, and romance tropes. It is intended to interpret the story rather than summarize it, helping readers understand the deeper layers of the narrative.
Themes Analysis
Freedom vs. Imprisonment: The enchanted barrier around Vantillios is a literal cage, but the book also explores psychological cages—the expectations of royalty, the masks people wear, and the bargains that bind them.
The Price of Secrets: Almost every major character hides something (Alara’s identity, Hugo’s love for Filip, Livia’s true nature), and these secrets inevitably lead to violence, betrayal, or heartbreak.
The Nature of Love: Contrasts “true love” (Tarben’s genuine feelings) with “enchanted love” (the amulet Oriane wears), asking whether a feeling born of magic is any less real—and whether love can be a weapon.
Species Prejudice: Humans view magical beings as monsters to be exterminated; Mer view mortals as “lowly” and dangerous. The book shows how fear of the “other” fuels cycles of hatred.
Mothers and Orphans: Alara, Amalie, Tarben, and Hugo are all motherless in different ways. The shared grief for absent mothers becomes an emotional anchor and a source of empathy.
The Cycle of Vengeance: Livia’s story is a dark mirror of Alara’s: a victim of cruelty who becomes a perpetrator of dark rituals because she was denied any other path.
Fate vs. Choice: Alara is “foretold” to have power, but it is her choices—saving Amalie, sparing the wards, telling Tarben the truth—that define the outcome, not destiny.
Character Analysis
| Character | Role & Development |
|---|---|
| Alara Eldoris | Protagonist. A Mer princess who begins as a reckless, self‑absorbed royal viewing her mission as a necessary evil. Through her time in Solvardunn, she transforms into a selfless protector who chooses honesty over manipulation, even when honesty costs her everything. |
| Prince Tarben | The Love Interest. The moral compass of the mortal world—noble, compassionate, and genuinely falling for Alara. His arc ends in emotional wreckage when he learns he was a pawn, but his confession of love ultimately breaks the curse. |
| Prince Hugo | The Skeptic Turned Ally. Initially hostile, he becomes a vital ally after discovering Alara’s true nature. His prickly exterior hides deep loyalty to his family and his secret relationship with Filip. |
| Livia Hywell | The Antagonist. A selkie whose “hide” was burned by her human husband, leaving her trapped on land. She seeks to steal Alara’s heart to regain her connection to the sea—a tragic figure who becomes the monster she was accused of being. |
| The Crow | Overarching Villain. The witch who cursed Vantillios. A master manipulator who views everyone as a pawn. Her defeat is only temporary; the epilogue reveals a deeper threat. |
Romance Tropes & Conflicts
Enemies to Lovers (sort of): Alara enters the mortal world with the explicit goal of using Tarben. Their romance grows despite her deception.
Forbidden Love: A mermaid and a human in a world where magical beings are hunted.
Love Triangle Subversion: The “other woman” (Oriane) is manipulated by magic, not by her own will.
The Bargain as a Romantic Obstacle: The ticking clock of the curse creates constant tension.
Confession Under Duress: The curse breaks when Tarben confesses his love while Alara is dying, not in a moment of happy certainty.
Symbolism in The Book
My Personal Analysis:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The Ocean | Freedom, home, and the source of Alara’s identity. Being away from it is a slow death. |
| The Crow | Death, manipulation, and the corrosive nature of bargains. |
| The Maglocuni | The dark magic that festers when natural balances are disrupted. |
| Silver Yew Arrows | The weapon used to kill magical beings—representing human fear turned deadly. |
| The Potion Vial | Alara’s lifeline to her human form, and also a symbol of her dependence on deception. |
| The Raven | A watcher, hinting at a larger, unaddressed threat. |
Settings & Genres
| Setting | Genre Application |
|---|---|
| Vantillios (Mer Kingdom) | Dark Fantasy. A beautiful but decaying underwater realm trapped behind an invisible barrier. |
| Cliffcrest Castle | Dark Academia / Gothic. A setting of political intrigue, hidden passages, and a string of brutal murders. |
| The Deep Woods | Gothic Horror. Where the maglocuni hunt and the truth about Livia is uncovered. |
| Barvik (Capital) | High Fantasy. Bustling, colorful, and full of human prejudice against magical beings. |
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Who This Book Is For?
Readers who enjoy mermaid stories with teeth—not just romance, but actual violence and moral complexity.
Fans of To Kill a Kingdom and Daughter of the Pirate King who want a darker, more political take.
Those who love a slow‑burn romance where the protagonist is actively trying not to fall in love.
Readers who appreciate a strong mystery subplot woven into a fantasy setting.
Anyone who wants a fairy‑tale retelling that doesn’t shy away from blood and sacrifice.
Romantasy fans who prefer endings that are earned, not happily‑ever‑after in the traditional sense.
My Final Rating: 4.2 / 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What Should I Read Next? Books Like A Tale of Cursed Tides by T. R. Sherring
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo – A dark mermaid retelling where a siren must take a prince’s heart.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas – A bargain with a powerful entity and a human thrust into a magical world.
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller – A high‑seas mission with a defiant, skilled female lead.
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin – A witch hiding her identity in a world that burns her kind.
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge – A protagonist sent to kill the person she ends up loving.
Furyborn by Claire Legrand – Foretold power and a dual‑timeline struggle with dark magic.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black – High court intrigue, dangerous bargains, and a non‑human setting.
Sea Witch by Sarah Henning – A darker origin story for the Little Mermaid’s villain.
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller – A morally grey protagonist scheming to marry and kill a king.
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson – A fairy bargain gone wrong with a forbidden romance.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik – A dark, folklore‑inspired fantasy with a magical wood and a bargain.
The Winter King by C. L. Wilson – A political marriage bargain that becomes something more.
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen – A princess sent to marry and betray a king, only to fall for him.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco – A witch investigating murders in a gothic setting.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh – A lyrical, atmospheric retelling of a Korean myth with sea spirits.
T. R. Sherring – A Rising Voice in Romantasy
T. R. Sherring is a South African‑born, New Zealand‑based author who writes “romantasy” with a focus on immersive world‑building and high‑stakes character arcs.
Her perspective is influenced by a lifelong love of stories that force the reader to stay up for “just one more chapter.”
Famous Books:
A Tale of Cursed Tides (The Lore of Orradon, Book One)
Authors with Similar Style: Sarah J. Maas, Alexandra Christo, Tricia Levenseller, Holly Black, Rosamund Hodge
External Sources:
Goodreads: T. R. Sherring on Goodreads
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Quotes From A Tale of Cursed Tides by T. R. Sherring
“The cake was an abomination.”
“Touch that, and I’ll have your neck.”
“This charmed existence of imprisonment was all I’d ever known.”
“If they scent weakness they’ll tear you apart like a shark would a seal pup.”
“I am here, but I am not here.”
“Break the heart of the one who loves you.”
“I was as brainless as a jellyfish.”
“Please don’t be too late. Slash. Please don’t be too late.”
“I am the ocean’s lost daughter, returning home at last after years of exile.”
“I deserved every angry word he directed at me.”
“He’d take away her victory. He would steal the ending she thought she had earned.”
A Worth Reading: A Feast for Crows Summary, Book Review & Analysis: A Haunting Aftermath
A Tale of Cursed Tides Summary: What is it about?
(Spoilers Ahead)
The story opens in the Mer kingdom of Vantillios, which has been sealed behind an invisible barrier for twenty‑two years.
Princess Alara Eldoris is about to turn twenty‑two—the age when she is expected to “ascend” and manifest elevated magic.
But the curse that traps her people remains unbroken. At her Ascension Ball, the witch responsible for the curse, the Crow, appears with a new bargain: Alara must travel to the mortal kingdom of Solvardunn, make a prince fall in love with her, and break his heart by the next full moon.
Alara accepts, leaping through a whirlpool portal into the human realm. She arrives during a storm, rescues Princess Amalie from drowning, and is brought to Cliffcrest Castle as a honored guest.
There, she meets Prince Tarben—charming, noble, and exactly the kind of man she must deceive.
As she begins her calculated courtship, she also becomes entangled in a series of brutal murders within the castle. The victims are mutilated with a strange symbol, and rumors of witchcraft spread.
Alara’s mission is complicated by Prince Hugo, Tarben’s suspicious younger brother, who nearly uncovers her secret. After a near‑death attack on Hugo that Alara saves him from, she forms an uneasy alliance with him. Meanwhile, her growing feelings for Tarben become impossible to ignore.
The situation reaches a crisis when Princess Amalie is kidnapped, and Alara must choose between saving the child and preserving her own cover.
The climax reveals that Lady Livia, a seemingly kind widow, is the killer—a selkie whose skin was burned by her husband, trapping her on land.
She needs Alara’s heart to brew a potion to return to the sea. In the final confrontation, Tarben arrives, kills Livia, and confesses his love over Alara’s dying body.
That confession breaks the curse on Vantillios. Alara survives, but she must tell Tarben the truth: their entire relationship was a manipulation.
Heartbroken, Tarben asks for space, and Alara returns to the sea—free, but alone. The epilogue reveals a mysterious raven who intends to steal her victory, setting up the next book.
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Ending Explained
The ending is a bitter triumph. Alara breaks the curse, saves her kingdom, and outsmarts the Crow—but at the cost of Tarben’s trust and their love.
The epilogue introduces a new, unnamed threat (the raven) who claims he will “rewrite her ending in blood,” transforming what seemed like a victory into a cliffhanger for the sequel.
Plot Analysis
The Bargain as Engine: The Crow’s contract drives every decision Alara makes, creating constant tension between her mission and her conscience.
The Mirror of Livia: Livia’s story is the dark version of Alara’s—a magical being trapped in human form who turns to murder for freedom. Her death is both a warning and a release.
The Cost of Honesty: Alara’s decision to tell Tarben the truth, even though it costs her everything, is the thematic climax. It’s the moment she chooses integrity over victory.
A Similar Review To Read: Heir of Twisted Lies Summary, Analysis & Book Review | L J Andrews
A Tale of Cursed Tides Summary by Chapter
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This section contains detailed, chapter‑by‑chapter plot summaries.
Chapter 1: “The Offensive Cake”
Alara hides in the kitchens, arguing with her caretaker Mae about a hideous birthday cake. She escapes to the ocean to transform into her mermaid self, reflecting on the invisible barrier that imprisons her people.
Chapter 2: “Lessons in the Greenhouse”
Alara visits her tutor, Doran, who uses truth‑detection magic to see through her bravado. They discuss her upcoming Ascension Ball and her fear that she will not manifest any new powers.
Chapter 3: “The Ascension Ball”
At the lavish ball, Alara feels the weight of her grandmother’s expectations. When midnight strikes and no powers appear, the mood turns grim—until the Crow arrives with a bargain.
Chapter 4: “The Crow’s Bargain”
The Crow offers to break the curse if Alara travels to the mortal world and breaks a prince’s heart. Alara accepts, leaping into a whirlpool portal against her grandmother’s wishes.
Chapter 5: “The Islet of Solvardunn”
Alara arrives on a rocky islet. The Crow gives her a potion to maintain human form and a communication bone. She learns the prince is on a ship caught in a storm.
Chapter 6: “The Savior in the Storm”
Alara swims through violent seas and saves a young girl from drowning, not realizing the girl is Princess Amalie until guards arrive.
Chapters 7–8:
Alara is brought to Cliffcrest Castle, bathed, and given human clothes. She meets King Rikard, Prince Tarben, and the suspicious Prince Hugo.
Chapters 9–15:
Alara settles into castle life, evading Hugo’s questions, befriending Amalie, and beginning her flirtation with Tarben. She learns about the war and experiences human prejudice.
Chapters 16–18:
A masquerade ball brings Alara and Tarben closer. They share a passionate moment on the terrace, but Alara pulls away to keep him wanting more.
Chapters 19–20:
Lord Hywell is found murdered, mutilated with a strange symbol. Rumors of witchcraft spread. Alara finds a threatening note in her room.
Chapters 21–25:
Tarben leaves for the border. Hugo confronts Alara with her potion vial, accusing her of witchcraft. She follows him to the dungeons, where she finds him nearly dead. She is arrested, covered in his blood.
Chapters 26–30:
Under house arrest, Alara summons the Crow for a replacement potion, agreeing to a new price. She visits Hugo’s sickroom and forms an alliance with his guard, Filip.
Chapters 31–35:
Alara and Filip venture into the forest to find a witch named Basia. They find her decapitated corpse. On their return, they are attacked by maglocuni beasts; Alara uses her water magic to drown one.
Chapters 36–40:
Hugo wakes and reveals he was lured by a note. Runa, Alara’s maid, is found murdered. Tarben returns and they share an intimate night. The next day, King Rikard announces Tarben’s betrothal to Lady Oriane.
Chapters 41–45:
Alara prepares to return to the sea, but Filip brings her to Hugo, who has identified the beasts as maglocuni. Alara realizes Oriane’s necklace is a love charm. Amalie is kidnapped; the kidnapper demands Alara bring a stolen grimoire to Basia’s cottage.
Chapters 46–48:
At the cottage, Livia reveals herself as the murderer—a selkie whose skin was burned. She stabs Alara for her heart. Tarben arrives, kills Livia, and confesses his love over Alara’s dying body.
Chapters 49–52:
The Crow appears to claim Alara, but Alara traps her in the cottage’s wards, destroying her. The curse is broken. Alara tells Tarben the truth; he is devastated. She returns to the sea alone.
Epilogue: “The Watcher”
A raven watches Alara dive into the sea. He reveals himself as a “thief” who will rewrite her ending in blood.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is A Tale of Cursed Tides a standalone or part of a series?
It is the first book in The Lore of Orradon series. The story has a complete arc, but the epilogue sets up a sequel.
What age group is this book for?
It is marketed for Young Adult / New Adult readers. It contains violence, murder, and romantic situations, suitable for ages 16+.
Is there a love triangle?
Not in the traditional sense. Oriane is a rival, but she is under a love spell, making her more a victim than a competitor.
What is the “Crow” in the book?
The Crow is a powerful witch who cursed Vantillios. She strikes bargains and views others as pawns in a larger game.
Does A Tale of Cursed Tides have a happy ending?
It has a bittersweet ending. The curse is broken and Alara survives, but she loses Tarben and a new threat emerges.
Are there mermaids in this book?
Yes. The protagonist is a mermaid, and Mer society and magic are central to the story.
What are the maglocuni?
They are monstrous beasts summoned by dark magic. In the book, they are used as enforcers by Livia.
Who is the raven in the epilogue?
The raven is a mysterious watcher who implies he is a greater threat than the Crow. His identity is a cliffhanger for the sequel.
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Conclusion
If you enjoy fairy‑tale retellings with teeth, romances that refuse to be neat, and protagonists who make choices you’ll argue with long after you close the book, A Tale of Cursed Tides deserves a place on your shelf.
Just be prepared to have your heart broken a little, too.
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Sources & References
- Amazon’s book page
- Goodreads’s book page
- Author’s image source: instagram.com
- Book Cover: Amazon.com
