Jump on board of the second fantasy romance in Robert’s Crimson Sails series. Lizzie, a fierce bloodline vampire, is on a quest to retrieve stolen family heirlooms and find a way back home. Her path takes a twist when she rescues Maeve, a selkie whose skin has been taken from her. Together, they form an uneasy but electric alliance—Lizzie needs a guide through the perilous Threshold, and Maeve needs help reclaiming her stolen skin.
As they navigate their mutual needs, Maeve finds herself both terrified and drawn to Lizzie’s deadly charm and seductive bite. But their journey is fraught with danger, as they are chasing a ship owned by the Cŵn Annwn, a fierce group that fiercely punishes thieves. With danger looming, the stakes are high, and Lizzie’s ferocity and Maeve’s selkie strength might not be enough to escape the wrath of the Cŵn Annwn.
Pirates, selkies and vampires—really, what more could you want from a story?
Lizzie was a really intriguing character—fans of Robert’s other books and who have read the first book in this series (though it isn’t a must to understand Blood on the Tide!) will know that Lizzie wasn’t the most likeable character before. Now, though, we get a glimpse of what has driven Lizzie to become the “ice queen” who often seems heart—and ruthless. She’s by no means perfect and has flaws just like everyone else but it is endearing seeing how she reacts to mistakes she makes and wants to do better. I’m a sucker for chaotic characters who are morally grey so Lizzie’s bloodlust also made me grin quite a few times.
Maeve, meanwhile, proved to be just as much of a powerhouse as Lizzie is. While she’s less fleshed out than Lizzie, her character compels with her ambition to regain her stolen skin and her instantaneous attraction to Lizzie that makes their chemistry feel real from the beginning.
Speaking of their chemistry, fans of the grumpy meets sunshine trope will love Lizzie and Maeve’s romance. Unlike the first book in the series where we followed Evelyn and Bowen, this time around we really hone in on the two main characters, mostly forgoing scenes with a big cast of characters and instead focusing on how Maeve and Lizzie balance each other out with their quick wit and their ability to hold their own even when sharp words pass between them. Sure, this doesn’t leave the characters interacting a lot with others, but it does give the reader a lot more opportunities to get to know Lizzie and Maeve and what makes both of these badass women tick. While the spicy scenes aren’t as steamy as you’re probably used to from Robert, the love felt all the more real for it. Both Lizzie and Maeve aren’t looking for love or a relationship (they have their own issues to deal with when it comes to love) and while they are quite stubborn, they both can’t help but fall for the other. I especially enjoyed how Maeve was so into Lizzie whenever Lizzie basically offered to destroy anyone who’d even think of harming a hair on Maeve’s body. The “I would kill for you” vibes sometimes read quite cringey in books but here they fit perfectly.
Beyond the romance plot, this book also focuses a lot more on worldbuilding than the previous instalment did. The world is expanded on and shared in more detail as the stakes rise, which not only drives the plot forward in a fast-pace (and thus makes for a very quick read) but also adds much-needed action sequences that drive Maeve and Lizzie closer together.
All in all, Blood on the Tide proved to be a fun blend of action and romance and is sure to be a hit with lovers of paranormal romance.
Looking for an adventurous sapphic romance with pirates, vampires and selkies? Katee Robert delivers all that and more in Blood on the Tide, sprinkled with a dash of grumpy meets sunshine vibes and morally grey characters you can’t help but love.
Blood on the Tide is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of May 14th 2024.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Set sail for adventure and love in the next spicy fantasy romance from Katee Robert, the New York Times bestselling author of the TikTok smash hit Neon Gods.
As a bloodline vampire, Lizzie has never had a problem taking what she wants, and right now what she wants are the family heirlooms that were stolen from her and a portal home. Too bad even that short list is impossible to accomplish on her own—and her allies have bigger things to worry about.
When they rescue a selkie from captivity, it’s the perfect solution to her problem. Lizzie needs a guide through Threshold and the selkie needs someone to help her get her skin back. Maeve didn’t choose to give up her skin—it was stolen from her. Now she’s in an uneasy partnership with a dangerous woman who seems more apt to kill than to share a kind word. It’s terrifying…and a bit alluring. Even though she knows it will end in heartbreak, Maeve can’t help being drawn to Lizzie and her all-too-pleasurable vampire bite.
Unfortunately, the danger to Maeve’s heart is the least of her worries. The ship Lizzie’s chasing belongs to the Cŵn Annwn, and they don’t take kindly to people who steal from them. Not even Lizzie’s viciousness or Maeve’s selkie strength will be enough to save them if the Cŵn Annwn seek retribution…
