Tides of Secrets by A.R. Conwell Review | A Slow Burn Romantasy Worth the Wait
The loss of her words would be unbearable. He had come to rely on them. There were his air and water. Vital. Necessary for survival in this shadowy landscape. – Tides of Secrets by A. R. Conwell
The Obsidian Academy duology is a beautiful reminder of just how unforgettable a love story built on patience can be. Not patience on my part, though. I counted down the days with absolutely zero grace waiting to finish this duology, and Tides of Secrets by A.R. Conwell was worth every second of that wait. Wren and Castien have my heart forever.
Tides of Secrets by A. R. Conwell is the beautiful culmination of everything Ocean of Ink began. Every unanswered question, every lingering glance, every heartfelt letter, and every single ounce of intense longing leads to a conclusion that felt completely earned and truly so satisfying to experience.
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What Is Tides of Secrets About?
This story picks up immediately after the first book, Oceans of Ink. Wren and Castien face new dangers while discovering long-buried secrets. But alongside the dangers and mystery, they must also confront something neither of them can ignore any longer: their feelings they’ve tried so hard to keep hidden.
If your price is more letters from me, then I shall never stop writing. The ink smudge we share will be branded upon my skin.
Tides of Secrets by A. R. Conwell
In Ocean of Ink, love lived in words of ink. In Tides of Secrets, those words finally come to life.
My Tides of Secrets Review (Spoilers)
Dearest A. R. Conwell, you’ve done it again. This duology is one of the most immersive and satisfying reading experiences.
The slow-burn yearning is EVERYTHING you could hope for. Every conversation in person and in letter, and every little touch (accidental or intentional) only strengthens the feelings Wren and Castien share until the emotional tension becomes almost unbearable.
Yearning at it’s very best. The imagery of Castien opening his door, disheveled hair, full of hope seeing Wren. The best moment, because it perfectly captures everything this romance has been slowly building toward.
I know you, Wren. That’s enough for me.
Tides of Secrets by A. R. Conwell
When Wren and Castien finally admit what they’ve been feeling, it feels not only like a reward for readers, but like the natural conclusion to two people who have slowly learned to trust one another and (most importantly) trust themselves.
For me, the most emotional part wasn’t simply that they confessed their love. It was watching Wren begin to believe she was worthy of receiving it. After everything she’d endured (past and present), watching Castien love her so completely was beautiful. I cried right alongside her.
The Tides of Secrets Audiobook Experience
Once again, I had the pleasure of experiencing this story through the audiobook while following along with a physical copy (available on Kindle Unlimited). The dual narration continues to be one of it’s greatest strengths.
In Ocean of Ink, I especially appreciated hearing Castien’s perspective because it erased any doubt I had about his intentions. This time, though, it was Wren’s perspective that meant the most for me to hear.
Her breath was tied to his. Their heartbeats one and the same. His soul was interwoven with hers.
Tides of Secrets by A. R. Conwell
We already knew Castien loved Wren with his whole heart. What we needed was to hear Wren slowly begin to believe she deserved to be loved. She kept her heart guarded like a fortress, which only made it incredibly rewarding to watch those walls come down little by little until she finally lets Castien all the way in.
Is Tides of Secrets Worth Reading?
The Obsidian Academy is absolutely worth reading.
If you love dark academia and slow-burn romantasy that prioritize the emotional connection of the characters, rather than an instant attraction, this is well worth your time. A.R. Conwell doesn’t rush the relationship between Wren and Castien, and that’s exactly what makes their love story feel so authentic and rewarding.
If you’ve already fallen in love with Ocean of Ink, Tides of Secrets is such a deeply satisfying conclusion that truly delivers on the emotional promises of the first book. Every secret and every moment of longing leads to an ending that feels completely earned.
The best slow-burn romances aren’t satisfying because the characters finally kiss and say “I love you.” They’re satisfying because, by the time they do those things, you can’t imagine them doing it any sooner. Every letter and every stolen moment has prepared them for that moment. And that is exactly what makes Tides of Secrets so unforgettable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and of course and A.R. Conwell for yet another perfect ARC!
The Obsidian Academy Duology Reading Order
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