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Crimson Sails #3

Rebel in the Deep

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The rebellion’s fight turns into a battle for their hearts aboard the next sexy fantasy romance from Katee Robert, the New York Times bestselling author of Hunt on Dark Waters.

Nox has been steadfastly working as a quartermaster for the rebellion for years. They don’t ask for much in return, except for one crucial condition—their ex, the noble Lord Bastian, stays as far away from them as possible. To say things ended poorly between them is a gross understatement . . . and it’s the only relationship Nox has never quite recovered from.

But now the rules have changed. Siobhan, the rebel leader, has emerged from hiding to tell Nox that Bastian’s involvement in the rebellion has been discovered, and he’s being taken to stand trial in the capital as a traitor. The fate of the entire rebellion now rests on Nox and Siobhan’s ability to rescue Bastian from the Cŵn Annwn ship.

Saving Bastian is only the start of their hardships, as the trio is tracked by ferocious pirates across Threshold. And Nox’s complicated relationships and entanglements with Bastian and Siobhan put not only their life at risk but their heart on the line.

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 20, 2025

115 people are currently reading
16657 people want to read

About the author

Katee Robert

159 books36.8k followers
Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of spicy romance. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over two million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.

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5 stars
189 (13%)
4 stars
490 (35%)
3 stars
546 (39%)
2 stars
138 (9%)
1 star
36 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
Profile Image for TeagzReads.
365 reviews25 followers
May 31, 2025
Quick Review: 3.5⭐️ Robert struck the perfect balance of plot to spice in book three! While polyamory can sometimes feel uneven in its execution, here it felt natural, no pairing was obviously stronger. The history and dynamics between the three of them drew me in and kept me invested in their happy ending. I also loved all the callbacks to past characters! I had a fun time and it’s a satisfying conclusion to the series. I think Blood On The Tide is still my favorite, but this one comes in as a close second!

**Thank you to Berkley Romance for providing me an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.**
Profile Image for Gretal.
1,066 reviews85 followers
December 30, 2024
Blood on the Tide remains my favourite of the trilogy, but I do think this was my second favourite. It was surprisingly plotty for a Katee Robert book, and in fact only had one sex scene.
Profile Image for Aimee.
365 reviews11 followers
January 27, 2025
2.5/5 Stars

Thank you to Berkley romance for providing me with a free arc to read and review.

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and Katee Robert is one of my favorite authors of all time but this one didn’t work for me. I didn’t care for the characters and I didn’t believe the romance at all. The tension failed to work and made it feel like these characters didn’t care for each other and also meant that I didn’t believe the story of their relationships prior to this book. It didn’t feel like the nonbinary character and mmc had cared for each other for 14 year but weren’t together and it didn’t feel like the mmc and fmc had been together for 10 years. I liked the plot of this one and enjoyed how it wrapped up the story which is why I didn’t dnf it. This book starts right after book 2 and I really recommend reading these in order for the best experience. This book also is mainly plot very little spice, definitely not what I expected from Katee Robert’s title but the one spicy scene that stands out was decent. I thought it used magic in a very unique way that I hadn’t seen before and it was cool.

I still am excited for whatever katee robert writes next but sadly this one didn’t work for me. I am again very grateful to berkley for providing me with an arc and I hope to be able to review more from them in the future.
Profile Image for Jenn.
5,019 reviews77 followers
January 23, 2025
The final book in Robert's Crimson Sails trilogy is an extremely satisfying conclusion. Rebel leader Siobhan has come to Captain Nox for help they aren't going to want to give. Siobhan's paramoure (and Nox's ex) Bastian has been taken and they need to get him back before the rebellion's secrets are tortured out of him. Not only does Nox want nothing to do with Bastian, but rescuing him is nigh on impossible. Well, for most people. This thrilling end to a series is almost nonstop action and intrigue and I am SO here for it!

For readers of Robert's other books, including the first two in this trilogy, you'll find MUCH less sex. This one is way more focused on plot and, I believe, better for it. This series is much better than Dark Olympus, IMHO.
Profile Image for Shae.
3,221 reviews354 followers
March 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. Getting Nox's story, and all of the drama there-in was absolutely great. I really liked this triad, and where the story went. No regrets here, and a solid entry after I didn't love the second one as much.
Profile Image for kate ✧.
196 reviews13 followers
October 13, 2025
imagine how upset i am when this was supposed to be my favorite in the series :(
Profile Image for Laura ☾.
1,025 reviews319 followers
June 15, 2025
Somehow I didn't like this book as much as the rest of the series - somehow I struggled to focus on this instalment, and it felt a little rushed and bland.
Profile Image for Danika at The Lesbrary.
712 reviews1,675 followers
Read
August 28, 2025
This was just okay. I felt like this romantasy series was stronger on the romance side than the fantasy side, and because this is the final book, it's more plot-heavy, and the plot wasn't very compelling. I like the idea of the throuple, though the chemistry wasn't as high as the previous two books. There definitely is a Memorable Scene, but overall, I think this is the weakest in the trilogy.
Profile Image for  Reading In Pajamas .
1,091 reviews105 followers
May 20, 2025
Review: REBEL IN THE DEEP by Katee Robert https://bit.ly/4jfjtsd
Publication Date: 05/20/2025
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 4.5 Stars

I love Katee Robert’s books because she always delivers a great HEA and the final book in The Crimson Series Trilogy delivered. It had all the spice, chemistry, great characters and a great plot. It’s set on the high seas with monsters so there is lots of action and adventure as well. Ultimately it was a great love story between three people. I loved the writing and the story and highly recommend the trilogy for paranormal romance lovers. I devoured it.

*Review copy provided by Berkley Romance in exchange for an honest review.


Kindle https://amzn.to/4mqmJUa
Profile Image for The Bookish Elf.
2,899 reviews451 followers
May 31, 2025
The narrative picks up with Nox, the steadfast quartermaster turned reluctant captain, facing their greatest nightmare: their noble ex-lover Bastian has been captured by the Cŵn Annwn and faces trial for treason. When rebellion leader Siobhan emerges from the shadows to recruit Nox for a rescue mission, the stage is set for a mission that will determine not only Bastian's fate but the future of their entire rebellion.

Robert's plot construction in Rebel in the Deep is both ambitious and problematic. The rescue mission that forms the book's first act demonstrates her strength in crafting tense, action-packed sequences. The magical storm sequence, where Nox pushes their elemental powers to dangerous limits while Bastian creates an elaborate glamour to deceive their pursuers, ranks among the series' most thrilling moments. These scenes showcase Robert's ability to blend magical systems with genuine emotional stakes, creating tension that stems from both external danger and internal character growth.

However, the pacing becomes increasingly uneven as the story progresses. The middle section, which should build toward the climactic confrontation with the original Cŵn Annwn, instead feels rushed and occasionally confusing. Robert introduces the concept of the Wild Hunt and the ancient horn with insufficient groundwork, leaving readers struggling to understand the mythology that becomes central to the resolution. This represents a significant departure from the careful world-building established in the previous two volumes.

Characters Adrift: Development and Relationships

The polyamorous relationship between Nox, Bastian, and Siobhan forms the emotional core of Rebel in the Deep, and it's here that Robert both succeeds and stumbles most dramatically. Nox emerges as the trilogy's most compelling character, their journey from bitter quartermaster to reluctant leader providing genuine character growth. Robert captures their internal struggle between self-preservation and loyalty with nuanced writing that feels authentic to their maritime background and traumatic past.

Bastian's characterization proves more problematic. While his guilt over past mistakes and determination to prove himself worthy of redemption create interesting internal conflict, his noble background often feels like a convenient plot device rather than meaningful character development. His magical abilities, particularly his glamour magic, serve the story's needs but lack the organic integration seen with Nox's elemental powers.

Siobhan represents the book's greatest character challenge. As the rebellion's mysterious leader, she carries tremendous narrative weight, but Robert struggles to balance her competence as a strategist with her vulnerability in romantic relationships. Her ultimate sacrifice—revealed gradually through the clever use of Dia's prophecy—feels both inevitable and somewhat hollow, as readers haven't spent enough time with her to fully invest in her fate.

The romantic dynamics between the three protagonists generate considerable heat, with Robert's signature explicit scenes maintaining the series' reputation for steamy content. However, the emotional foundation of their polyamorous relationship feels underdeveloped compared to Robert's previous work. The connection between Nox and Bastian carries the weight of their shared history, but Siobhan's integration into their dynamic feels more functional than organic.

Magical Realism Meets Maritime Fantasy

Robert's world-building in Rebel in the Deep represents both the series' greatest strength and its most significant weakness. Threshold, with its interconnected islands and portal-based travel system, provides a rich backdrop for maritime adventure. The elemental magic system, particularly as expressed through Nox's water and air manipulation, feels grounded and consequential. When Nox risks magical burnout to protect their crew, the stakes feel real and immediate.

The introduction of the original Cŵn Annwn and the Wild Hunt, however, feels less successful. While the concept of ancient supernatural beings provides an appropriately mythic conclusion to the trilogy, their implementation lacks the careful development that characterized the series' earlier magical elements. The horn that summons the Wild Hunt appears late in the narrative without sufficient foreshadowing, and the rules governing the ancient beings' behavior remain frustratingly vague.

The political landscape of Threshold shows more promise, with Robert crafting a believable portrayal of oppression and resistance. The Cŵn Annwn's transformation from protectors to oppressors provides a compelling backdrop for the rebellion's activities, and the various island cultures feel distinct and lived-in. The resolution, which establishes a more democratic council system, feels earned given the trilogy's political themes.

Technical Craft and Prose

Robert's prose in Rebel in the Deep maintains the accessible, engaging style that has made her previous works popular with romance readers. Her dialogue captures the distinct voices of her characters, particularly Nox's dry wit and Bastian's more formal speech patterns. The action sequences benefit from her clear, kinetic writing style, making complex magical battles easy to follow.

However, the novel suffers from pacing issues that become more pronounced in its final third. The transition from rescue mission to mythic confrontation feels abrupt, and some plot threads receive insufficient resolution. The fate of secondary characters like Poet and Eyal, who played important roles throughout the series, feels rushed in the conclusion.

Robert's handling of intimate scenes remains a strength, with her explicit content feeling integral to character development rather than gratuitous. The polyamorous relationship dynamics are handled with sensitivity, avoiding many of the pitfalls that plague romance novels featuring multiple partners.
Final Verdict: A Trilogy That Never Quite Finds Its True North

Rebel in the Deep concludes the Crimson Sails trilogy with mixed results that reflect both Katee Robert's strengths as a romance writer and the challenges of concluding a complex fantasy series. While the book delivers on its promises of steamy romance and exciting action, it struggles with pacing and mythology integration that prevent it from reaching the heights achieved by Robert's previous works.

The novel succeeds most clearly in its character relationships and maritime adventure elements. Readers who have followed Nox's journey will find satisfaction in their growth from bitter quartermaster to reluctant hero. The romantic elements, while sometimes rushed, maintain the heat and emotional complexity that Robert's readers expect.

However, the introduction of mythic elements feels less successful, and the resolution, while providing closure, lacks the earned satisfaction of the series' earlier high points. For readers seeking a conclusion to the trilogy, Rebel in the Deep provides adequate resolution. For those hoping for a transcendent finale that elevates the entire series, the book may disappoint.
Profile Image for Cam.
216 reviews31 followers
January 3, 2025
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for this eARC! I'm gonna eat up a Katee Robert book every time, point, blank, period. This was an incredible conclusion (?) to the Crimson Sails series and rightfully answers the tired question of a love triangle with the correct answer which is a throuple. There is a battle brewing and the stakes have never been higher and hearts have been broken but Siobhan and Bastian and Nox DESERVE to have them mended for each other. Threshold is safe in their hands and they are safe in each others and I'm gonna cry with joy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mae Bennett.
Author 1 book325 followers
January 12, 2025
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f/nb fantasy romance
-forced proximity
-second chance
-it's always been you

A great mix of plot, angst, glimpses of our favorite characters from the other books in the series and adventures on the high seas
Profile Image for Kate | bookishkatelizabeth.
354 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2025
✨REVIEW✨

Thank you to @berkleyromance for a free copy of Katee Robert’s newest novel, Rebel in the Deep; all thoughts are my own. #berkleypartner #berkleyromance #berkleybookstagram

Anytime I am looking for an engaging and hot escape, I pick up something from Katee Robert. I have devoured every book; they are extremely bingeable.

Rebel in the Deep is the 3rd and final book in the Crimson Sails series. This could be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the first two books first to avoid spoilers and get more context.

This book follows Nox, Bastian and Siobhan. Siobhan, the secret leader of the rebellion, enlists the help of Nox, Pirate Captain extraordinaire, to help rescue Bastian from imprisonment. Bastian has been captured and is waiting to face punishment for use of his outlawed glamour magic. Nox is hesitant to assist at first since they have history; Nox and Bastian are estranged lovers, and they haven’t quite got over each other after 14 years. However, for the good of the rebellion, Nox offers their help to Siobhan.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Katee Robert books used to always hit for me, but I feel in recent releases the plot has taken a back seat to spice. However, in this book, there is only 1 steamy scene towards the end. There are 3 POV’s in this book and multiple love stories- Bastian and Siobhan, Bastian and Nox, Nox and Siobhan and then all together. Ultimately, they develop into a polyamorous relationship.

Overall, I ended up enjoying Rebel in the Deep. I think it was a solid wrap up to the series. I always appreciate spending more time with previous characters and seeing more of their happily ever after. The POV’s got a tiny bit confusing at times; I think it was hard to distinguish since they were all on a boat and lived similar lives. I think the internal dialogue must be unique and it was hard to do that given their circumstances. Some of the magic went over my head, but it was still fun to read about.

What to expect:
-Pirates, monsters & magic
- Poly Romance
- Opposites attract
- Adventure and suspense
- Historical-ish but with contemporary language

Rebel in the Deep came out on 5/20 and is available now if you want to pick it up! Thanks again to the publisher for a gifted copy!
Profile Image for Casually Bookish Emma.
566 reviews23 followers
May 20, 2025
Katee Robert continues to be one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to read the conclusion to the Crimson Sails trilogy.

This book follows two characters we have seen previously, Nox and Siobhan, and introduced us to Bastian. We start off right after book two ends with complicated relationships and a rush to defeat the Cwn Annwn before they can destroy our heroes.

I loved the pirates, monsters, magic, ancient history and gods, and fighting off an oppressive government regime by a diverse group of heroes, but I didn't feel as connected to the main characters in this one. The story felt very fast paced, and I was torn between this epic adventure and feeling like it didn't have any teeth. I was never worried they were going to fail.

More plot and romance than spice in this one, I'd give it a 1/5🌶️.

They you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC to read and review.
Profile Image for Jess.
917 reviews41 followers
May 16, 2025
Thank you, @berkleyromance, for the free copy of Rebel in the Deep. #BerkleyRomance #BerkleyPartner #BerkleyBookstagram.

What would you risk for the good of others? What would you risk for happiness?

Rebel in the Deep answers both of these with: a lot. This PNR series set primarily on the oceans where monsters dwell has been so fun. As you know if you’re a Katee Robert reader, the author is not afraid to go there.

In this book, three people are brought together on a dangerous rebel mission, all of them dealing with the challenges of loving or having loved someone. The external threats they’re facing both amp up the tension & allow them to act on their feelings for one another.

There’s plenty of thrills, intrigue, & fighting in these books, along with Katee Robert’s trademark passion & boldness.

3.5 ⭐️, out 05/20.
Profile Image for USOM.
3,389 reviews297 followers
May 15, 2025
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

There's nothing we love more than rebellion with a dash of "I have to save the ex which emotionally destroyed me". Rebel in the Deep delivers the spice we're accustomed to paired with character growth. I loved that this multiple POV story advances their feelings of pain as well as forgiveness. Rebel in the Deep delivers character development all on the background of a rebellion. What more could you want? They're all tangled up in the past, chemistry, and tension. We can see the yearning, the pangs of memories, and the budding feelings in their perspectives.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
168 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2025
2.5/5 stars

I realized when finishing this book that this is a trilogy, and the story ends here. This book focused a lot on the plot, which was shocking to me and not what I signed up for. There were things that I fully didn’t understand (fantasy elements), but true to me, I just ignored them. And while I liked the characters, they needed to be developed more, as well as their relationship. Unfortunately, I think this was the weakest of the series. While I think this could have been a longer series that developed more into a war, I’m okay with it ending here.
Profile Image for Jessica.
420 reviews12 followers
May 12, 2025
I enjoyed this!
It was a good conclusion to the trilogy!
These characters are all so different, but I liked how they found their happiness together!
I also loved seeing the characters from the other books again and how their happily ever afters are going.
I will read anything Katee Robert writes and this was no different!
Profile Image for Gwen Carl!!.
280 reviews5 followers
May 26, 2025
This book was my Avengers Endgame

All the couples coming together to take down the government, amazing loved it. I do wish there was more spice, like Katee really only one scene... but I digress it was still a good read
Profile Image for Kimberly.
60 reviews
June 4, 2025
Accidentally started by reading book 3...
Profile Image for Libby.
269 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2025
3.75 rounded up

I fear this was too short! Only one intimate scene and mostly plot to finalize the rebellion. It needed probably another 50-100 pages.
Profile Image for Nicole.
451 reviews
August 19, 2025
I enjoyed the ending to this series and liked the thruple in here. Do I wish there'd been more spice? Absolutely, Katee Robert is brilliant at it, but what was there was at least fabulous, as always.
Profile Image for Jordan Brophy-Block.
187 reviews
October 11, 2025
I have learned that throuples are not my thing. Also, I never thought I'd text the words "triple dick dildo" to my hubby, but here we are. I was HORRIBLY disappointed that we didn't get more in-depth on the rebellion and resolution, it was just a little lackluster.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ashley.
888 reviews122 followers
May 20, 2025
I just love the stories @katee_robert creates! They're fun easy reads that keep you engaged. The world building is 🔥 I loved the magic too. The characters are likable and easy to fall in love with! 4 ✨ from me. Thank you @berkleypub for the gifted ebook.
Profile Image for Madison Chambers.
53 reviews
May 28, 2025
GIRRLL. 2.5 stars from me. I was so excited for this third book to come out I really enjoyed the first two but this one was a major let down for sure. I felt like the characters had no chemistry whatsoever. Everybody has been saying this book has more “plot” however I felt like there was just constant conflict. Nothing ever went right, They were constantly fighting their way through the entire book. To only have one sex scene is crazy. I felt like this book could’ve also been a little bit longer. the spacing seemed a little off and like very rapidly wrapped up at the end. Again, the other two books had such cute romances that were maybe a little fast paced but were still really cute and you really loved the characters. This book honestly, any of the three main characters could’ve died at any point and I don’t think I really would’ve cared. I felt like there was barely any backstory about any of them. I was not attached to any of the characters and again the romance was like nonexistent definitely a disappointed in this one :/
Profile Image for Lauren | TransportedLFL.
1,737 reviews42 followers
June 18, 2025
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free book and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own. #Berkley #BerkleyPartner

This is the third and final book in the Crimson Sails series. This series is definitely one to read in order. Through the first two books, we have met many of the people fighting as part of the rebellion against the Cŵn Annwn. In this book, we get to know the even more important players and read the conclusion to the overarching drama.

I had appreciated reading about Nox in the earlier stories. They absolutely deserved their own book. And it felt that they matched incredibly well with Siobhan and Bastion. I would have loved seeing even more of their backstories, especially between Siobhan and Bastion. With three leads, the emphasis felt especially focused on Nox. The steamy scenes were well done. And the emotional storylines dug deep.

As makes sense with concluding the trilogy, the book felt more focused on the fantasy than the romance. I especially loved the quote, "We've been saving people since the beginning, and now it's time to save, well, everything." The stakes are so high, and I was so invested in whether the realm would be saved from an authoritarian force that intentionally created divides among its people.

Nathaniel Priestley, Zura Johnson, and Nicky Endres narrated the three POV, each with uniquely recognizable voices that helped orient me to the perspective. The book sped by at just over 10 hours.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews

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