So the premise to Hunt on Dark Waters is fabulous. A sticky-fingered witch who falls through a portal into a realm of pirates... yes please! The witch has stolen something from her vampire ex-girlfriend and then goes on to encounter magical creatures of land and sea with a tall-dark-and-handsome pirate captain... even more yes please! I hadn't read a Katee Robert book before, so I didn't know what to expect but was very intrigued.

The plot, as I mentioned was great, I enjoyed the adventure and I liked the worldbuilding. It wasn't that detailed, but it was enough to root the story in place. The MC was... annoying. Sorry. I did not like her. And the MMC was a bit flat in comparison to her.

My biggest issue with this book was the romance. Yes, it was spicy and fun, but the initial attraction and romance was way too fast and unrealistic. There was no build-up to it, it almost felt a bit random and vague as to how and when exactly it happened. I also had a bit of trouble with the pacing being quite uneven.

2.5 rounded up to 3. I can definitely see that this book will be a hit with certain readers, I sadly was not one of them.
Thank you the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This is the first in a new Fantasy romance series.

Our female main character is a witch with some personal problems. She finds herself having to run from the home of her 'friend with benefits' before she gets eaten by vampires and she escapes through a portal which takes her to the Threshold.

This is a kind of in between place, the only problem is that if you go there then your only choices are to join the wild hunt, or to die. And our male main character is the one who offers her that choice and is going to hold her to it. But she does not agree with the way that the hunt operates, can she change his mind and is there something bigger going on too.

I enjoyed this, I would say it's more plotty than the neon gods series, although still sufficiently spicy. Our two main characters do have quite an instant connection but given the restrictions in place, if they didn't she wouldn't have survived very long!

4 stars, I'm looking forward to seeing where this series is going.

Witches, vampires, pirates, and sea monsters… I was sold and, then, I was disappointed. This is my first novel by Katee Roberts so I didn’t know what to expect, but I liked the premises and, all in all, I liked the world building. However, I found the female main character, Evelyn, slightly annoying and I didn’t like how the romance was rushed. I expected more of an enemies-to-lovers and instead it was more of an insta-love that was way too rushed and I didn’t really enjoy. The pace is really fast and there is a lot of spice and tension. Overall entertaining, but I still haven’t decided if I am going to read the sequel.

I loved this! At first I was not sure about it but I knew I had loved the author’s other books so I stuck with it and the characters really began to grow on me. I loved the writing style and was in love with the story, and just couldn’t put the book down by the end! I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a romance with a unique cast of pirates, witches, and vampires, and to any fans of Katee Robert’s other works.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher/author for accepting my request to read and review this book!

I have previously LOVED Katee Roberts books and they are always so much fun and so sexy and spicy.

I was thrilled to see this one as I ADORE ocean/sea themed settings and pirates are just the best ever.

However, this book fell so flat for me for so many reasons and I ended up nit being able to finish it as I dreaded picking it up and it felt a bit like a chore.

Honestly the characters were so shallow, the writing was poor, the plot wasn’t engaging and the more I read the more I didn’t even believe Katee Robert had written it.

I solidly believe that maybe this story just didn’t work for her as I truly have adored her previous works but this one wasn’t it for me.

Evelyn is a witch , she can fight and use magick and is an excellent thief. However she also has a pension for dangerous habits and making poor choices.

This becomes very clear when she finds herself on a pirate ship and is told take the vow or die! She takes the vow but decides that there must be a work around.

Bowen is the Captain bound to the ship and his crew to hunt monsters where ever they may be found.

This is a fast paced , sexy tale that reminds us that not everything is as it seems and sometimes the most honourable thing you can do is question the rules and make your own choices. The characters are well rounded and there's something in each to like. Fantastic world, great sexy times ! I love it.

So after finishing Neon Gods i spotted this on Netgalley and have never been more grateful to be offered this early
Many Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

So firstly- pirate romance series? Sign me up immediately. The plot in this story was extremely well thought out and delivered and written well. The pacing was spectacular and i loved exploring this universe with some great worldbuilding.

The characters were well developed throughout, but some felt a little stilted or bland occasionally, like i may not have felt much for them as i couldn't quite get behind them but this may improve when more happens in the future.

The romance was fantastic and well done, but after Neon Gods i'd expect nothing less. I'm excited to see where this goes in the future and definitely recommend this if you enjoyed the authors other works.

I did not gel well with this book. I found it hard to get into the flow of the writing and to connect with the characters, especially the female lead who i found arrogant and insufferable. Very sorry for this. i wanted to love it!

Where to start with this? I couldn't even find a good quote to begin my review with as usual. The synopsis held such promise: witch, vampire, telekinetic pirate, mermaids, and dragons? Sounds awesome. Except it isn't.

Evelyn is a witch who steals family heirlooms from her ex-lover, a powerful vampire, Lizzie. Somehow, while fleeing, Evelyn randomly stumbles upon a portal that takes her to another world: one from Welsh mythology in which pirates patrol the ocean and fight monsters. She's fished out of the water by Bowen, the captain of such a ship and given a choice: join the group in their 'noble' quest or be killed.

Almost instantly, Evelyn loses her head over the handsome Bowen, who in turn, can't stop thinking about her. That's even though Evelyn plans on betraying him the first chance she gets. But the insta-love between them prevents her from doing that and instead, she very quickly convinces him that his cause is wrong and most monsters are just creatures who deserve to live. And then a furious Lizzie manages to track Evelyn to this realm. Uh-oh.

The plot of this book is full of holes. How does Lizzie find Evelyn among so many different realms when Evelyn destroys the portal she flees from behind her? There is no explanation for why Lizzie so badly wants these particular jewels. How does Evelyn know dragons are creatures deserving of living but mermaids are not? The story is just all over the place.

I'm not a fan of insta-love and this book reinforces my opinion of why. Bowen and Evelyn basically fall from lust into love in a matter of days. There is literally no sexual tension or romantic build-up because they grab each other as soon as they possibly can. They somehow know each other so intimately in a very short space of time that they declare their undying love for each other.

Then there is the writing: inane, repetitive (how many times can you use the word "paladin" in one book?), vacuous and devoid of anything remotely interesting. I won't bother to read the next book in the series.

This is such a exciting first installment to this deliciously dark and thrilling story! cant wait for the next books

This was my first book by Katee Robert and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the storyline and the characters. I'll definitely be picking up more from this author very soon. Would definitely recommend!

I love Katee Robert and will read anything she puts out. I thought this foray into pirates would be really interesting but it fell a little flat for me.

I’m not a big fan of insta-love - I like a little more tension between my MCs and some build up to the romance. World building was good and lots of diverse inclusive characters.

The MCs and their relationship just didn’t do it for me and they make up about 70% of the plot. I would have liked to see a bit more about Bowen’s history and the darker side of the Cyn Annwyn. Guess that’s what the next book is for.

It's Katie! She can do no wrong.

This feels slightly less steamy than usual for a Katee Roberts book but maybe slightly heavier on the plot. This is still hugely readable so I'd say that's no bad thing.

This was fun!

I was captivated by this realm right from the start. The narrative becomes increasingly intriguing as Evelyn traverses a portal. I eagerly anticipated the burgeoning enemies-to-lovers dynamic aboard a ship, particularly between Evelyn and the captain. Their undeniable attraction had me cheering for them to succumb to their desires. The narrative was imbued with spice, tinged with a hint of danger, as secrets began to unravel.

Pirates - check - witches - check - chemistry - ohh yes! This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. Join the pirates or die - we all know which most of us would choose.....

Look, it's pretty easy to convince me to read anything with pirates. Was I a little obsessed with Pirates of the Caribbean in my younger years? Maybe😂 I was looking for something with similar vibes, and I had hoped this book would be it. ⁠
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Alas, I was disappointed. While the worldbuilding is fantastic, and the premise is fantastic, the characters just fell flat for me. There were not enough pirate vibes, and honestly, I was a little bored by the main characters. ⁠
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I like a morally grey character, and while our female mc made questionable choices, the male mc was just too straight-laced for me (I know that's a horrible complaint to make, but I want red flags when it comes to fictional men). ⁠
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Did I want a darker story? Yes. Is it my fault for expecting it from this book? Maybe. ⁠
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I will mention again that the worldbuilding is really good, and we met some other characters whose books I would read. So while it wasn't a win for me, I encourage you to pick it up.

1.5 Stars
Hunt on Dark Waters, Katee Roberts latest new release on first book in a new series, is a fantasy romance with a widely inclusive cast of characters.
Evelyn, the main character in the first book, is a witch. After stealing some of her ex’s jewels she steps through a portal into a different dimension full of pirates and a decision is placed on her shoulders: join their crew or die. As a way of buying more time she reluctantly joins them. Bowen is the male main character and captain of the ship.
I really struggled with this book. I didn’t like the main characters. Evelyn’s P.O.V was like pulling teeth. She was whiny and immature, and I just couldn’t enjoy her view at all. Bowen was in love straight away. It took away any tension, build up etc. Sometimes insta-love is awesome to read. The will they/won’t they scenario or the two characters toeing the line of friends/lovers. But this wasn’t like that. The pacing and flow felt very haphazard as well.
I’m disappointed I didn’t like this as much as I originally thought I would but seeing so many other readers/reviewers love this is great.
Thank you for the eARC

I just finished diving into "Hunt On Dark Waters" by Katee Robert, and let me tell you, it's a wild ride across the high seas of fantasy and romance. If you're into magic-infused escapades with a side of sizzle, this book should be on your radar.

Evelyn, our lead, is a witch who's as unpredictable as a storm at sea, with a knack for trouble that lands her straight into the arms of Bowen, the captain with telekinetic prowess. Their encounter? Nothing short of electric. As they navigate the treacherous waters of the Threshold, the sea that connects realms, you can't help but be drawn into their chaotic yet steamy dynamic.

What really struck me was the pace of the story—it's like being on a ship caught in a tailwind, fast and exhilarating. And the romance? It's there, threading through the narrative with a heat that simmers rather than overwhelms. This isn't your average damsel-in-distress meets brooding hero tale; it's a partnership of equals, with banter that's as sharp as a cutlass.

Katee Robert has a knack for creating these immersive worlds that are just a joy to explore. The magical elements are as vivid as they are intriguing, making the setting itself a character to revel in. And if you thought "Neon Gods" was a hit, wait till you set sail with this one.

In short, "Hunt On Dark Waters" is a fantasy frolic that's perfect for those late-night reading sessions. It's got just the right mix of adventure, magic, and romance to keep you glued to the pages. So, if you're in the mood for a story that's equal parts thrilling and enchanting, grab your copy.

Well, you had me at pirate. It's common knowledge among those who know me that I'm a sucker for pirates and that's 100% what drew me to this book in the first place. And I was not disappointed.
I must say there was very little pirate-y stuff as it's more about the main characters and their instalust than anything else, which, again, not a disappointment at all. So if you think you're gonna read the next Sandokan or something like that, just forget it. It's downright a high seas romance, and sometimes, that's really all you need hehe.
Not to say I didn't like the characters, because I freaking did. Evelyn is such a spitfire who to be honest I think suffers from personality disorder, since she's ready to flee one moment and then wants to become a paladin herself. Not of that the two can't coexist, at times it was just a whiplash. But I love how sassy yet caring she is, and yes, the fact that she's a plus size heroine plays a great part in it.
Bowen is honestly... Well, he's Liam Jones, and suffice to say, I will always love Liam (yes, it is an Once Upon A Time reference, of course it is). As with Evie, I really wanted more introspection, more of his thoughts, especially given his change of heart. Let's say I do love myself a self loathing male lead and one who struggles and suffers. Might be the (light) whumper in me.
In any case, I really, really liked this book, even if it was a bit too fast (and maybe even because of it, after all). The magical system tied to the tattoos and the blood was so good and would have liked more lore on it, I'm a sucker for good magical systems, eugh.
So, if you're looking for a good, instalust novel with a splash of pirates and a sprinkle of smut, this book ticks all the boxes. Have fun ;)

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

I have mixed feelings about this. It was a good read but I found it be lacking in something . . . But I can’t say what.

It’s not one of my favourite books by Katee, and I just found it to be a little rushed. However, I will be picking up book two. I want more of the characters. They’re really likeable.