Katee Robert

Full review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2023/11/18/hunt-on-dark-waters-crimson-sails-1-by...

Hunt on Dark Waters is adventurous and entertaining pirate romantasy that has witches, vampires, selkies, mermaids, berserkers, elemental magic, telekinesis, dragons… basically every type of magic and every type of fantasy/paranormal creatures.

Plot is filled with action, romance, drama, and spice. Writing is gripping and fast-paced for most of the book with alternative dual perspectives from Evie and Bowen. without question. Crimson Hag has been his life for the past twenty years since he was rescued at age 13 by the previous captain who raised him like his own son. But he doesn’t remember his life prior to Crimson Hag which is a mystery that might be solved in the next books of the series. I felt for him when his whole world turned upside down after Evie’s arrival.

– I liked how Evie helped him see the faults of Cŵn Annwn and made him question the rules and their way of life. Even though his development was good, it felt a bit sudden or rather too fast.

/- Romance is fast. It’s kind of insta-lust and it felt like they fell for each other pretty quick that might be an issue with some readers but chemistry is hot and I found it pretty interesting the way the author used telekinesis for intimate moments. I thought Evie’s ex coming to hunt her might add a twist to her newfound love but I liked author didn’t give it love triangle angle.

World is super interesting and unique. I loved the idea of Threshold where all the realms connect through portals which is ruled by the Cŵn Annwn. The Threshold has many islands, some are permanent while others are disappearing islands and each of them has portals. They inhibit both normal humans and different paranormal species. I wish there was a map in the book. Apparently, characters have it but readers don’t which makes it hard to figure out where Evie was saved and was taken on Crimson Hag and which island was where.

I enjoyed the details on the Cŵn Annwn, how it’s made up of the council and its pirate captains who slaughter monsters on the council’s order, their rules, and their consequences. There is some of the history of Cŵn Annwn, how it was formed but we don’t have it all in this book. It felt the author has left some of the part to be explored in upcoming books which I can’t wait to read.

/- The second half focuses more on the theme and layers of the real monsters of the world, loss and grief, moving on from the past, finding purpose in life, and righting the wrong. While I liked the way they were represented there is lots of repetition and rumination in this part that slowed the pace and dragged the plot.

/- The climax is action-packed and tense. I liked how it gave a new twist to the story and gave it new direction that will be followed in next book of the series. End was good but I didn’t feel the thrill in that final fight.

Overall, Hunt on Dark Waters is an enjoyable, entertaining, and adventurous portal fantasy with pirates and spicy romance.… (altro)

Grumpy vampire becomes a rebel for her sunshine selkie.

The issue I had with this is you can’t show me a grumpy + dangerous flirt pairing at the beginning of this book with insane tension and then pair said grumpy up with a softie sunshine character. I was rooting for Lizzie and Nox throwing down in all meanings of the term.
I also felt the romance was very heavy handed and in your face, not what I prefer as a slow burn girlie. And the actual “plot” was a background vibe in this with the romance being the main meat of the book. The word “baby” was also overused.

Hopefully Nox is the main character in the next one and gets a great love interest.… (altro)