Katee Robert, known for her steamy contemporary romances including the popular Neon Gods series, ventures into uncharted territory with Hunt on Dark Waters, the inaugural novel in her new fantasy romance series, Crimson Sails. While this represents a departure from her usual modern settings, Robert brings her signature blend of heat and character dynamics to a magical maritime world. The series continues with Blood on the Tide and Rebel in the Deep, promising readers more adventures in the mystical realm of Threshold.
A Witch, A Captain, and the Sea Between Worlds
The story follows Evelyn, a witch whose life philosophy centers around embracing chaos and poor decision-making with equal enthusiasm. After stealing from her vampire ex-lover Lizzie in a moment of fury, Evelyn finds herself tumbling through a portal into Threshold—a magical realm that serves as the crossroads between all worlds. Her dramatic entrance into this new reality comes courtesy of Captain Bowen and his crew aboard the Crimson Hag, members of the Cŵn Annwn who patrol these mystical waters.
Bowen represents everything Evelyn typically avoids: honorable, duty-bound, and frustratingly principled. As a telekinetic captain sworn to protect Threshold’s portals, he operates under a rigid moral code that initially clashes spectacularly with Evelyn’s anarchic worldview. The fundamental tension between her desire for freedom and his commitment to duty drives much of the novel’s conflict, both romantic and external.
Characters Navigating Moral Complexity
Robert’s characterization shines brightest in the gradual evolution of both protagonists. Evelyn’s journey from a woman running from consequences to someone willing to fight for a cause feels earned and authentic. Her relationship with her deceased grandmother Bunny provides emotional depth that grounds her otherwise chaotic nature. The author skillfully uses Evelyn’s grief and her memories of Bunny’s wisdom to illustrate her moral compass, even when she seems to be spinning wildly off course.
Bowen’s character arc proves more challenging to execute successfully. His transformation from an unquestioning enforcer to someone willing to challenge an unjust system requires him to confront twenty years of conditioning. While Robert handles this internal conflict with care, some readers may find his initial rigidity frustrating, particularly in early chapters where his adherence to harmful laws feels inexcusable despite his good intentions.
The supporting characters bring varying degrees of success to the narrative. Lizzie, the vampire ex-lover who pursues Evelyn across realms, creates genuine tension and complexity. Her relationship with Evelyn adds layers of history and unresolved feelings that complicate the central romance in meaningful ways. The crew members, particularly the mysterious quartermaster Nox and the wise navigator Dia, hint at deeper stories that will likely unfold in subsequent books.
Worldbuilding That Floats But Doesn’t Soar
The magical system and worldbuilding in Hunt on Dark Waters present both strengths and weaknesses. Threshold as a concept—a realm connecting all others—offers intriguing possibilities, and Robert creates some genuinely inventive magical elements. Evelyn’s tattoo-based spell system provides a unique approach to witch magic, while the various supernatural beings from different realms add diversity to the world.
However, the worldbuilding sometimes feels underdeveloped, particularly regarding the politics and history of the Cŵn Annwn. The revelation that this supposedly noble organization operates through forced conscription and questionable moral standards comes across as somewhat predictable. While this serves the plot’s needs, it leaves readers wanting more nuanced exploration of how such a system developed and persisted.
The maritime setting works well for the adventure elements, though Robert occasionally struggles to balance nautical authenticity with fantasy elements. The ships themselves, enhanced with magical pocket dimensions and supernatural navigation, feel more functional than atmospheric.
Romance That Runs Hot and Cold
The romantic development between Evelyn and Bowen follows Robert’s established pattern of intense physical chemistry paired with emotional vulnerability. Their relationship progression feels organic, built on mutual respect and genuine character growth rather than mere attraction. The author excels at writing their intimate scenes with both heat and tenderness, showcasing her expertise in crafting compelling romantic dynamics.
However, the romance occasionally suffers from pacing issues. The attraction between the protagonists develops quite rapidly, which works for the passionate elements but sometimes undermines the emotional foundations of their relationship. Readers seeking a slower burn may find themselves wanting more gradual development of their deeper connection.
The love triangle elements involving Lizzie add complexity without feeling forced or manipulative. Robert treats all three characters’ feelings with respect, avoiding the typical pitfalls of this romantic structure.
Action and Adventure on the High Seas
The action sequences showcase Robert’s improving skills in fantasy adventure writing. The mermaid battle stands out as particularly well-executed, balancing magical combat with genuine stakes and consequences. The dragon encounter, which serves as a crucial turning point for Bowen’s character development, effectively combines action with moral questioning.
Some fight scenes feel less polished, particularly those involving Evelyn’s magical abilities. While her spell-casting system is creative, the execution in combat sometimes lacks the visceral impact needed to maintain tension.
Themes of Justice and Moral Awakening
Beneath the romantic plot, Hunt on Dark Waters explores themes of justice, moral awakening, and the courage required to challenge unjust systems. Evelyn’s questions about the Cŵn Annwn’s methods force both Bowen and readers to examine the difference between following orders and doing what’s right. This thematic exploration adds depth to what could have been a straightforward enemies-to-lovers romance.
The book’s examination of power structures and their abuse feels relevant to contemporary concerns while remaining grounded in its fantasy setting. Robert doesn’t oversimplify these issues, showing how good people can become complicit in harmful systems and how difficult it can be to break free from institutional thinking.
Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, Hunt on Dark Waters suffers from some common debut fantasy romance issues. The pacing feels uneven, with some scenes dragging while others rush through important developments. The political intrigue subplot involving the underground resistance movement needs more development to feel fully realized.
Some dialogue feels stilted, particularly during exposition-heavy scenes where characters explain the world’s mechanics. Robert’s contemporary romance background occasionally shows through in ways that don’t quite fit the fantasy setting.
Setting Course for Future Adventures
As the opening volume in the Crimson Sails series, Hunt on Dark Waters succeeds in establishing a world worth revisiting and characters readers will want to follow. The setup for future books, particularly the underground resistance movement and the larger political situation in Threshold, provides plenty of material for the upcoming Blood on the Tide.
Robert demonstrates clear growth as a fantasy writer while maintaining the romantic expertise that made her contemporary works successful. While this may not reach the heights of series like Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass or Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Blood and Ash, it offers an entertaining entry point for readers seeking romance-forward fantasy adventure.
Final Verdict
Hunt on Dark Waters delivers exactly what it promises: a steamy fantasy romance with pirates, magic, and moral complexity. While it doesn’t break significant new ground in either romance or fantasy, it combines these elements competently enough to satisfy readers of both genres. Robert’s willingness to tackle serious themes alongside romantic development shows ambition that, if refined in future installments, Blood on the Tide and Rebel in the Deep, could elevate this series significantly.
For readers who enjoyed Adrienne Young’s Sky in the Deep series or R.L. Martinez’s The Resurrectionist of Caligo, this book offers similar appeals with more explicit romantic content. This is solid genre fiction that entertains without transcending its category.
Hunt on Dark Waters serves as a promising beginning to what could become a compelling series, provided Robert continues developing her fantasy worldbuilding skills while maintaining the romantic tension that remains her greatest strength.
