Hunt on Dark Waters

I’m officially in my paranormal romance era! And my pirates era, too? For months, I’ve been intrigued about Hunt on Dark Waters, the first in Katee Robert’s Crimson Sails series. Equal parts romance and fantasy, it’s set in the magical sea realm of Threshold, connecting many other realms, including one just like our own. It draws from Welsh mythology and feels at least partially inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean, and it is an exhilerating read.

Special thanks to the publicists at Penguin Random House and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Summary

Evelyn finds herself in trouble when she steals jewels from her vampire ex and escapes through a portal, landing in the magical sea of Threshold. She’s picked up by a crew led by Captain Bowen, part of the Cŵn Annwn, and she has a choice: join them or die. She reluctantly agrees to join them, but she’s ready to break her vows the minute she finds a portal back to her own realm. But as attraction grows between her and Bowen, she won’t be the only one at risk if she attempts to flee. Danger lurks all over Threshold—from the Cŵn Annwn themselves to Evelyn’s murderous ex who’s currently hunting her down. 

Review

Hunt on Dark Waters is a portal fantasy that promises a lot of magic and adventure, and it certainly delivers. I always love anything involving different worlds or realms, and here, there are numerous realms connected to Threshold, a magical sea interrupted only by smatterings of islands. The world-building and magic systems are swift and easy to understand, perhaps in part because this is largely an amalgamation of so much that is already familiar. There is any number of magical creatures here: witches, vampires, mermaids, dragons, selkies, and so much more. The magic systems are just as expansive, from spells to telekinesis to transformations. A particular source of inspiration is Welsh mythology (of which I know very little), especially with the presence of the Cŵn Annwn. 

Evelyn is a witch and a bad girl. She’s mouthy and argumentative, and she has a penchant for casual theft and choosing badly when it comes to romance. But she’s also sentimental and sensitive, and she thinks critically about everything she comes up against. This is why she questions the Cŵn Annwn as soon as she arrives in Threshold and is forced to join up. The ship’s captain, Bowen, is the opposite of Evelyn in so many ways. He’s stoic and loyal, will protect and defend to his death, and has total golden retriever energy. His past is a mystery, but he trusts absolutely… at least, until Evelyn shows up and starts exposing the ugly side of the Cŵn Annwn that he’s ignored for so long. Who does he serve, really? Is he actually the villain, not a protector like he thought? 

That is one of my favorite elements of Hunt on Dark Waters. There’s a system of power in place, but it may not be as benevolent as they’d have you believe. The Cŵn Annwn isn’t set up in the most humane or fair way, and it begs the question as to what their true motives are. Is there deeper corruption at play? Evelyn is suspicious from the start, and she sets Bowen on a path of critical thinking and healthy questioning. 

There is a ton of action throughout this book. These are seafarers battling monsters (that term might be used loosely!) who are wreaking havoc on innocent citizens. Other shipmates are also not always to be trusted. And then there’s Evelyn’s murderous vampire ex, Lizzie, who’s actively hunting her down. The Cŵn Annwn themselves are just the mysterious cherry on top. It’s a bit fast-paced for my own tastes, but it definitely holds your interest. 

Through it all, we have Evelyn and Bowen generally working together. They’re rather insta-love (or at least insta-lust); I personally could have done with some more buildup in their relationship, but it didn’t bother me, either. They’re such opposites, and I like how they balance each other out and bring out the best in each other. A lot of their relationship builds around their sexual chemistry, but their deeper conversations and showing true care for each other are what convinced me of their long-term potential. 

Final Thoughts

Hunt on Dark Waters is magical, exciting, and fun to read. It’s the first in the Crimson Sails series, and I will warn you, it does not wrap up here. A lot of questions are left unanswered and there’s so much left to explore. It makes me eager to continue the series; the second book, Blood on the Tide, is due out in May 2024. 

Get the Book

You can buy Hunt on Dark Waters here – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert
Series	Crimson Sails (#1)
Audience	Adult
Genre	Romantasy; Fantasy; Paranormal Romance
Setting	Threshold (fantasy realm)
Number of Pages	336
Format I Read	Ebook (NetGalley ARC)
Original Publication Date	November 7, 2023

Official Summary

A stern captain meets his witchy match in this captivating first fantasy romance novel in the Crimson Sails series from Katee Robert, the New York Times bestselling author of the TikTok smash-hit Neon Gods.

Evelyn is a witch with a perfect storm of impulses: terrible taste in bed partners, sticky fingers, and a lust for danger. After she steals from her vampire ex and falls through a portal to another realm, she’s fished out of the waters by a band of seafarers and their telekinetic captain. She’s immediately given a choice—join their ship’s crew or die.

Bowen has no memory of his life before he became one of the Cŵn Annwn. He and his band of pirates are bound by vow to patrol through Threshold, the magical sea in between realms, keeping the portals to other worlds safe. When he rescues Evelyn, he doesn’t expect to be attracted to the unflappably brassy pickpocket. The longer he spends in her presence, the more he begins to question if his heart is the next thing she’ll steal.

But as tension heats up between Bowen and Evelyn, the danger at sea escalates as well. Because Evelyn has no intention of keeping her vows to the Cŵn Annwn, and if she betrays the crew, both she and Bowen will pay the ultimate price…