Blood on the Tide (Crimson Sails)

Lizzie wasn’t likable in the first book in this series, so it took me a minute to want to root for her. It’s clear this is by design. Lizzie isn’t meant to be likable, but she will eventually have you caring for her. Lizzie herself doesn’t care for many people and doesn’t care that she’s not adored. She’s proud of her surly attitude and enjoys the solitude she gets from others being afraid of her.To Lizzie’s annoyance, she still has some sort of feelings for Evelyn (MC from Hunt on Dark Waters) that make her “soft” in ways she never was before. When Lizzie helps to rescue Maeve, she finds herself more and more enamored with the selkie. The thing is, Lizzie has never really had friendship or even companionship, so she doesn’t understand that her feelings for Evelyn are of that ilk; a tenderness and fondness that comes from loving and respecting someone.Maeve’s search for her pelt and Lizzie’s search for her family heirlooms have these two teaming up on an adventure. The more time they spend together, the more protective Lizzie gets. It isn’t until Maeve gets her pelt back that Lizzie understands how powerful Maeve can be. She still feels protective, but now understands that Maeve feels the same for her. There is a lot of excitement and peril these two must face while on their quests, every bit of it pushing them closer and closer together. Lizzie finds a softness toward Maeve she’s never had with anyone else. Maeve finds she can hold her own out in the world away from her small island. They work well together with their different personalities meshing perfectly.As much as I enjoyed this book, it didn’t quite live up to the first book in the series. I didn’t connect to these characters on the same level. Still, it was a great adventure with amazing side characters and it furthered the overall plot of the series. The narrator for Lizzie took me a while to get used, although she did a great job. There was just more gravel in her voice than I was expecting or used to.

I truly enjoyed this book! The banter between characters is fun and engaging, while the action scenes are suspenseful and intense. Very highly recommended for fans of fantasy romance, particularly those who enjoy stories with morally gray characters and quests. If you enjoyed the first book in the Crimson Sails series, you won't want to put this one down!

Just couldn’t finish it- while the previous book ended well, and I like Lizzie as a character, but the story felt a bit lackluster and predictable. I appreciate and love that the writer addresses attraction and interest, as well as intimacy of person to person, the clarity of pronouns needed work. Maybe I was following the story too closely- and that I should have just glossed over any areas that needed improvement - but as a neuro-spicy person who visualizes well, I felt bogged down a bit. I love LOVE all the inclusion- but it was just a bit jerky and enough to distract when I was struggling to connect with the characters. Maybe I’ll change my mind with a reread later.

Currently on a Katee Robert kick, I tried one of her new series. I am mixed on this one. I like the world building. I especially enjoy the characters. The plot also works for me. What I do find interesting is the use of non-binary gender. Looking at the author's more updated bio, it trends with their current pronouns. For those who struggle with pronouns and consider it a fad, this book may annoy you. For those who could care less and want to read a good book, continue on! This is book two which I did read as a standalone. It took a few chapters to orient myself to the storyline. Author Katee Robert does a nice job of cluing new readers into the the current situation.Lizzie is a vampire in a completely different universe. She followed a lover into this world for revenge and wouldn't you know it, she ends up on a different quest. The start of this story is slow and frustrating for me because I feel like Lizzie's completely received the raw end of the deal from her former lover. I am outraged at the wrongs committed against Lizzie. It seems as if no one cares and to pile it on, they feel Lizzie is not the victim. Even at the end of this book whilst the original issue may have been resolved to a degree, I still don't like how it turned out for Lizzie and what her lover did. That subplot aside, I loved the quest Lizzie ended up on.Lizzie pairs up with Maeve, a selkie with a stolen fur. If there is one thing that gets me, it is a selkie with a stolen fur. It is at least in the top 5 things in paranormal romances that incense me. Why? Because it is tearing a person apart physically and the reason behind it is always selfish and usually heinous. In this one, it definitely is both. I'm disgusted. These two unlikely partners go through several different trials and side quests to ultimately end up where they want to be. Funny enough, where Lizzie ends up is not her original goal and I cannot be sad for her. I am happy with Lizzie's new world. I just shudder to think what will happen when the reckoning comes from her mother.The pace of this story ebbs and flows as Lizzie and Maeve run into obstacles to overcome. At one point Maeve arrives at a dead end and becomes forlorn. I enjoyed the highs and lows of the emotions throughout this story. It helps build the bond between Lizzie and Maeve. This Ff paranormal romance is recommended to readers who enjoy quests, questionable antiheroes, and where there be monsters encounters.

Gah I love the voicing of Lizzie. Dry, scathing, irresistible.And Maeve is gloriously soft and strong and just ugh.Pirates! Jewels! Brothels! Ports!