Member Reviews
Blood on the Tide is the second book Katee Robert's Crimson Sails series and I loved it! Even better than the first. I loved the adventure, the sapphic romance, and entire cast of characters.
Blood on the Tide by Katee Robert dives into an intriguing mix of supernatural romance and high-seas adventure, featuring gay selkies and a brooding vampire. The story weaves elements of mystery, loyalty, and passion as the characters navigate treacherous waters—both literal and emotional. The high-stakes tension between the leads is palpable, and the supernatural elements feel well-integrated into the nautical setting.
While the premise holds promise, the execution feels just a bit underwhelming. The intimate scenes are believable and reasonably steamy, but they lack the spark to make them truly memorable. The overall narrative is engaging enough to keep you going but doesn’t quite anchor itself as a standout in the genre.
If you’re looking for a supernatural romance with unique characters and an atmospheric setting, this book may still be worth a read, though it might not blow you out of the water.
I liked this book SO MUCH MORE than book 1!! Lizzie and Maeve both felt like real characters, and there was much more plot and intrigue. I do wish we had a bit more stakes regarding everything, it felt like a bit of a let down and not quite as intense as other books I’ve read by them, but overall it was fun, and I’m actually excited for book 3!!!
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Blood on the Tide by Katee Robert!
This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended.
One of Katee Robert’s best works yet. This is the second book in the series and I wouldn’t recommend reading it as a standalone as you’ll miss important parts from book one! Lizzie and Maeve start out as a partnership of convenience but quickly evolve into more. Lizzie’s character growth was my favorite part of this novel. Lizzie is such a strong character, Maeve truly brings out her soft side and helps her realize there’s more to life than what you know.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Katee Robert has been and always been one of my auto-buy authors and I am so glad I finally got around to reading Blood on the Tide. This book had less spice than the first one in the series and it focused more on the plot. I enjoyed the characters and their growth plus the relationship between Lizzie and Maeve. I highly recommend this Katee Robert book and all her other ones.
I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.
3.5 stars. I'm going to start with saying I love Katee Robert's writing and I've read a ton of her books (and loved them all!). I'm struggling a bit with this series to be honest. I do think I liked this book a bit more than the first in the series - it definitely helped being more familiar with the realm and setting and how the realm operates. But there's something with this particular series of books that isn't quite clicking for me - and I don't know what it is. Overall, the story was fine. I've been meaning to read this one for a while and I'm generally glad that I finally picked it up.
The two FMCs in this story were interesting in their own right and had a joint quest that flowed really well and set up the foundation for the story. A bloodline vampire searching for her family heirlooms and a selkie searching to retrieve her pelt. There are maybe a few less supporting characters in this book which streamlined the story a bit, but at the same time, there's a huge variety of characters and powers to digest as the story progresses.
The relationship between these two was fine - definitely with some of the spicy moments that I've come to expect from Katee! For whatever reason, I just wasn't as invested in them as a couple, which made the adventure / quest more interesting to me than the relationship - which was developing in fits and starts. I do want to call out a great use of the one bed trope though - I definitely appreciated that element! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book to read! I do plan to read the next book in this series when it comes out because I do feel like the series is gradually getting better!
Honestly, anything that Katee Robert writes I literally devour as soon as possible! Sapphic romance with vampires? Love it!
I'm enjoying this fantasy romance series - lots of action and adventure, intriguing characters and a unique plot. I'm definitely interested in more!
Sapphic vampire sapphic vampire sapphic vampire!!!!! I was sooo very excited to get this because I absolutely LOVED the first book. And this one was also phenomenal!!
If spicy pirate-flavored sapphic romantasy if your jam, Katee Roberts delivers all that and more, in this engaging adventure featuring a vampire and a selkie sailing the seven seas, each with their own goal in mind, and emotional baggage to unpack.
I was so excited for this book! I liked Hunt on Dark Waters a lot and was thrilled to read Lizzie's story. While I liked Hunt on Dark Waters more, Blood on the Tide was still a good read. Can't wait to see where Katee Roberts goes next in this series #FF #fantasy #grumpysunshine
I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was surprised by how much I loved this book.
Obviously, it's a book I was interested in since I read, and loved, the first one, and the premise of a Sapphic Romance between a Selkie & a Vampire with such different personalities was absolutely intriguing. I was nervous though cause obviously Lizzie hadn't left the best impression upon me during the first book. I couldn't stop myself from immediately requesting an arc though when I saw it was available. I mean yeah, I'd already pre-ordered, but I didn't want to have to wait - heh, life made me wait anyways, but what ya gonna do? - and was stunned when I got approved. And let me tell you, this book. . . This book had it all. Sea battles, boat fights, clashing personalities, hot sex scenes, and beautiful Romance.
My emotions were all over the place. Maeve is just such a delightful character that worked her way into my heart easily, and Lizzie. . . ahh, Lizzie, I didn't expect to love her so much. Her growth though is just so beautiful. Honestly, I might love these two even more Evelyn and Bowen and I didn't think that was possible. Watching these two women, both strong in their own ways be vulnerable with each other and fall in love was just so wonderful. And the sex scenes were definitely hot between them. Definitely needed a cold drink when reading this book cause whew! they were spicy.
Once again the side characters were just done so well, and as diverse as the first book. I was already interested in so many of these characters from the first book and now there's even more especially as the story of the rebellion gets more and more intriguing. I can't wait to see where this goes and to learn more of this fascinating world. And, of course, the representation of mental health topics were handled so wonderfully again. It is definitely safe to say I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
This is now one of my favorite series from Katee Robert. I LOVE the concept of queer romance on the sea! 5 Stars!
The second book in this series is a delightful, swashbuckling romp. I enjoyed the fact that 1) this is a sapphic romance and 2) the love interest isn't nearly as noble as the love interest in the first book. The mythology of the selkie is something I wasn't super familiar with, but I enjoyed this take on it immensely. I will be eagerly waiting for the next book in the series, as the premise of a portal world with magic and witches and vampires (with a good dose of piracy) is too good for me to resist.
Unfortunately, similarly to the first book, there were holes in the plot that made it hard for me to get into the fantasy element but I really loved the characters! If you aren’t looking for something high stakes I would still recommend this as a romance!
Katee Robert has done it again with "Blood on the Tide," and as a long-time fan, I was thrilled to receive an ARC. After feeling somewhat lukewarm about the first book in this series, I found this sequel to be a delightful surprise. Lizzie's story has been on my mind since I read the Bloodline Vampires series in 2021, and it did not disappoint!
This book features a compelling dynamic between Lizzie, a morally dark bloodline vampire, and Maeve, a selkie with a sunny disposition and a fierce loyalty to her friends. Their reluctant alliance sets the stage for a thrilling adventure filled with danger and a blossoming sapphic romance that tugged at my heartstrings. The tension between them is palpable, as they both know their partnership may lead to heartbreak, yet they can’t help but grow closer.
Lizzie's quest for her family heirlooms and a portal home is urgent, and when Maeve’s stolen pelt comes into play, their fates become intertwined. The character development is beautifully executed; Lizzie is unapologetically fierce, while Maeve's sweetness balances her darkness perfectly. Their bond grows throughout the story, showcasing the lengths they would go to for one another.
I also appreciated the return of the rich magic from the Bloodline Vampires series, enhancing the world-building. Maeve’s selkie shifting was particularly fascinating, adding a unique layer to the narrative.
I highly recommend reading these books in order, and if you have the time, revisiting Bloodline Vampires before diving into this one will enhance your experience. I'm excited to see what comes next in the series and can’t wait to witness the continuing adventures and relationships unfold!
Grumpy x Sunshine is always my cup of tea. This is also my first sapphic read and I know I have been missing alot.