If you’ve ever craved a pirate fantasy that blends sharp-edged soul magic with Celtic myth and emotional grit, Soulgazer just might be your next obsession. This isn’t a clean, polished tale—it’s raw, windswept, and brimming with longing, rage, and reluctant alliances. You can practically feel the sting of seawater on your skin and the pull of something ancient beneath the waves.

At the heart of the story are Saorise and Faolan—two characters bound by secrets, divided by loyalty, and entangled in a slow-burning tension that never quite lets go. Their dynamic is electric, a constant push and pull of mistrust and magnetism that drives the narrative forward in all the right ways.

One of the novel’s standout strengths is its atmosphere. From weather-beaten ships to ghostly shorelines and arcane rituals, the world feels fully alive. The Celtic influences aren’t just aesthetic—they’re deeply woven into the magic system and cultural fabric, making the world feel distinct and steeped in ancient power. And the found family element? Beautifully handled. It never feels forced—it grows like lichen in shadow, messy and real.

That said, Soulgazer isn’t without its flaws. Some scenes felt clouded—like looking through misted glass. There were times when I had to re-read passages just to piece together who was doing what, and why. Transitions between major plot points could’ve been more anchored, and a few character motivations left me squinting for answers.

And the ending? Jarring. It pulls the rug out from under you without much warning, leaving more questions than answers. But instead of feeling like a dead end, it reads more like a storm on the horizon—a promise of more chaos to come. If a sequel is on the way, I’ll be there, compass in hand.

Don’t you just love it when a book so wholly captivates you that it lingers on your mind far beyond the turn of its final page? This is exactly how Soulgazer has left me upon the final turn of its journey. I was so enraptured by the storytelling of this work, and it has left me at the edge of my seat as I anticipate its sequel. I keep going over what happened, what was revealed, how it was left off, and I just want to jump in a time machine and find out right now what the after of it all will encompass! I became so heavily invested in this book, in this soaring adventure, and it has left me breathless in anticipation for all yet to come.

Desperate to escape an unwanted marriage to a cruel king, and desperate to escape a magic within her that has cursed her whole existence, forcibly secluded princess Saoirse enters a bargain with a wolfish pirate who seeks to use her magic to find an lost mythical isle, in exchange for her freedom.

Oh, Saoirse. A new favorite heroine to add to my list! I always prefer those softer heroines of fantasy. Those who do not possess strength in brawn, who are not an arsenal of wit and knowledge. Instead they are the ones who must find their strength elsewhere, whether in heart, in love, in determination, in a bravery all of their own. And Saoirse is exactly this type of heroine.

Saorise has lived her life in forced seclusion, she has lived a life fearing herself, lived a life wishing for escape, and now lives a reality that she must either acquiesce to her father’s demand to marry a presumably wicked King or escapes into an unknown world with the goal to win her freedom after finding a mysterious, magical isle for a crew of pirates. It’s the known versus unknown and Saorise displays her first bout in courage by facing the unknown.

Saoirse is like a fallen phoenix who must learn to rise. She lives a life being underestimated, undervalued, overlooked, and disregarded. Even deep into the journey she tries to speak up only to not be heard. She is punched down repeatedly, intentionally or not. I wanted to push my arms into the story to wrap her in a great big hug, to shield her from every naysayer.

She stumbles, she is pushed down, and still--and still!-- she gets back up on her feet. Her voice may be made smaller and smaller by others, but she learns to make it big and loud. For all to have no choice but to listen. Her journey forces her to confront many fears, but it also tasks her with the tools to empower herself. Every fall sees her picking herself up with more and more strength. Every moment silenced sees her learning to carry her voice over the doubt.

Her self-empowerment is awe-inspiring. I felt such pride in watching her journey. And I felt such empathy watching her fall in love.

In order to ensure her protection as she voyages across the sea , Saoirse has but one condition for the pirate who will sail her to their destination: they must be wed. While marriage in the sense she expected is denied, she is offered a hand-fasting with the intent to undo upon goal resolution. And so, Saoirse, the magpie, weds Faolan, the silver-tongued wolf of the seas.

Faolan is a vain, raking pirate who charms all with smiles and good-natured humor, and it makes for the perfect mask. So often I could not read him. I kept asking myself in so many moments: is he being genuine or presenting pretense? At times I didn’t know, and that is absolutely not a knock on the narrative, rather the narrative placed me so perfectly in Saoirse’s place for when she was confused, hurt, or doubtful, I felt the very same. It brought me closer to Saoirse even as Faolan felt at an intentful distance. This conflict kept me on my toes as well, for it kept Faolan an indelibly mysterious enigma who reader (and Saoirse!) will feel both allure and caution. It heightens tension, evokes a medley of feelings, and keeps one fully engaged in the hopes of what discovery may lie ahead.

All of this also serves the core relationship between Saoirse and Faolan. Their relationship has an electric chemistry but it's also fueled by an uncertainty that creates hesitation, ensuring a slow burn as they learn one another. I was very much taken with their romance, even when I did not always like Faolan’s actions, every new layer peeled back on his character kept me reeled in.

Also keeping me reeled in is the enticing magic system. Admittedly, it’s one that did confound me at times. I lost my way here and there, but it still kept me intrigued, my eyes always glued to its every development.

Mark me down as fully in love, fully invested, and full in anticipation of this utterly enthralling adventure’s sequel!

Massive thank you NetGalley, Ace, and the Berkley Romance program for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

If you're looking for: pirate themes, a marriage of convenience, complex family dynamics, and a strong sense of found family, this is the perfect read!

This book is honestly very solid. I absolutely adored the dynamics between the two main characters, It masterfully combines romantic and non-romantic elements, with high stakes, intense tension, and a swoon-worthy love interest! And their banter was top-notch. Surprisingly, Saoirse's innocence didn't irritate me as it often does; it felt authentic rather than forced.

While I enjoyed the characters and their interactions, there were moments when I felt a bit lost in the plot.

The story follows a cursed, lonely girl who escapes an arranged marriage to a terrible king by entering into a marriage of convenience with a charming pirate, embarking on a journey across the high seas to locate a missing island.

I loved the delightful tension, the adventure and action galore, the sense of found family, the world-building which feels organic (NO info dumping)

What I didn’t love were a few instances where the lyrical prose became a bit convoluted and obscured the narrative, but this was minimal and easily manageable! Plus the final 25% felt somewhat rushed!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for giving me a copy of this book. I saw this book and just wanted to read it, it was Pirates, escaping an arranged marriage by arranging another and a lost magical island all wrapped up in one book. I loved Saoirse, admittedly felt a bit sad for her in the opening, but I loved this book was all from her perspective and that we don’t just know everything about her and her power – it all unfolds beautifully. Maggie Rapier has a beautiful and dreamy way of telling a story, and this is the pirate romantasy we all need.

I really liked this! The world-building! The magic! And pirates! Absolutely fun, and very much one I will recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!

That cover! Soulgazer immediately swept me in with its stunning artwork and intense emotional tone—it just feels like a book that’s going to gut you in the best way. Add in Scottish lore, pirates, and a unique magic system, and I was sold.

The pacing was fast, and I flew through it. We’re on and off the seas with Saoirse and Faolan, moving from one mini adventure to the next, and I really enjoyed that momentum. The magic system was unlike anything I’ve read before, which I appreciated, though I did find myself a little confused at times. But that may have been intentional—Saoirse herself is lost and struggling to understand the powers around her, and the reader is pulled into that same sense of disorientation. It adds to the atmosphere, even if it made some moments feel murky.

The romance was a standout. I loved that Faolan wasn’t written as some perfect hero. He messes up—often in ways that make sense given Saoirse’s trauma—and it felt refreshingly realistic to watch him slowly try to understand her, grow, and actually do better. Saoirse’s arc was just as compelling. She comes with deep emotional scars, and while we see her make progress, she’s far from “healed” by the end. And that’s okay. Her strength is quiet, subtle, and still very much in progress—which I found deeply refreshing in a genre that often skips the hard work in favor of a flashy glow-up.

My only real struggle was clarity. At times it was hard to keep track of who was trying to do what, how the magic and curses functioned, and who we were meant to trust. Those threads were there, but they didn’t always stick easily in my mind.

That said, I’ll definitely be picking up book 2. I’m fully invested in seeing how this story concludes.

This was a really fun book! I have always loved a pirate fantasy book. Throw in a marriage out of necessity and a quest for a mysterious island? You’ve got me hooked.

I really liked the characters here! There were alot of side characters too that I thought were fun additions to the story. There were some times where the book got a little confusing, which is why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5, but I do think I’ll be reading more from this author!

3.5 ⭐️

I realllyyyyy thought I would love this way more than I did. The characters and romance kinda fell flat for me, and I felt like I was just ready to finish this one. I was expecting the plot to be a bit more adventurous and I just didn’t find myself caring or connecting. With that being said, I know some people will LOVE this, and the writing is amazing, so I still recommend!

Thank you to Ace for the advanced copy. Out July 8!

Saoirse has been cursed her entire life and has been locked away by her father. Faolan is a legendary pirate who is intent on finding the girl with ocean eyes to lead him in a quest. When Saoirse is trapped in an unwanted betrothal, she makes a deal with Fallen to help him on his quest as long as he helps her escape.

This book has SO much to be excited for - pirates, magic & gods, marriage of convenience and found family. It all sounded so good, and yet unfortunately it never really hooked me. I think maybe it was just a case of wrong book, wrong time because the bones of the story are good and I definitely found myself enjoying a lot of it, I just never really felt pulled in.

That being said, I think this is a fun pirate romantasy & I would still recommend it!

What you get:
-pirate romantasy
-magic, curses & gods
-marriage of convenience
-flirty pirate MMC
-finding her power FMC
-"my wife"
-found family

Thank you to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

SOULGAZER is everything I didn't know I was missing. I was hooked on simply the premise, but I stayed for Maggie's lush prose and this stunning world she's made come alive. Also, I am in love with Faolan. I can't want to tell the world about this book. And I can't wait for book two!

Soulgazer tells the story Saoirse, a young woman with a mysterious power who never asked for it. All she yearns for is freedom until one day she thinks she may have found it with a pirate of legend - Faolan (the wolf) who has tasked her with helping him find the Isle of Lost Souls.

I enjoyed the overall concept of this book and the descriptions of setting were great, I always feel like I could see exactly what was being described. I also enjoyed the characters in general, I really liked the rest of the pirate crew and wish we had gotten more of them.

My main critique of this story is that I never felt like I truly understood the power Saoirse had until about 3/4s of the way through the book. I think that was partly due to the storytelling of her figuring out what her power was, but it just came across as incredibly confusing and took me out of the story a lot. I felt very lost for the first half of the book.

I also feel like the pacing was off, arguments felt like they were resolved too quickly or things felt like they weren't flushed out as well as they could have been. I also feel like there were too many "conveniences" to keep the story going in the right direction.

Lastly, the ending felt out of character/abrupt. It leaves you wanting more which I guess helps lead into the sequel - but it honestly just left a bad taste in my mouth.

What a fun debut! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book, other than the promised pirates and romance, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

Saoirse has had a tumultuous childhood under the oppressive rule of her father. Cursed with Seer magic, Saoirse has spent most of her life shunned by her own family. In an effort to secure funds for their lands, her father promises her hand in marriage to the Maccus, a formidable ruler known as the Stone King. To escape her fate and to find a way to get rid of her magic, Saoirse seeks out Faolan, a handsome but devious pirate, to help her. He agrees, but with a price: she must help him find the Isle of Lost Souls. What ensues is an adventure of high stakes, deception, found family, and love.

Soulgazer was just the romantasy I needed in my life. I requested this solely based on the cover and the fact that the description mentioned pirates, but this ended up being so much more. What I really enjoyed was Saoirse’s journey of self discovery. I loved how Faolan encouraged and believed in her and how it counteracted much of the internalized trauma from her family. I also found Faolan and Saoirse’s dynamic to be so refreshing to read (so much tension, so little time).

I will say, the magic system took me a little while to fully understand. Even still, I found Saoirse’s magic to be very interesting and unique.

I didn’t realize this was the start of a duology, but I am so excited to see where the story goes in the next installment. Mark your calendars for when Soulgazer is out in July!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley/Ace for the ARC!

3.5

if outlander, the shepherd king duology and pirates of the caribbean had a baby it would be this book.

first off, let me just say the writing in this is phenomenal! so poetic and compelling and i’m really looking forward to following along this author’s journey.

the premise & magic system of this world is unique to the romantasy scene which i think will give readers a fresh experience as they read this book. i’d recommend for those who gravitate to the softer fmcs whose strength can still be found even in their quietness (these are my personal favorite fmcs to read about!)

the character development felt a bit rushed/glanced over where i was wish we could have lingered more. i love the fmc but would have loved to see her open up & communicate more with those around her, especially with the mmc. and speaking of our pirate, he rly shined in this book! like jack sparrow and will turner rolled into one 🫠

the pacing felt a little off at times, giving the sensation of being randomly dropped into a scene with no context as to how we got to X location or became a part of Y conversation.

one last thing to mention the author’s note:
powerful, resonating, and necessary!!! for those that grew up in the clutches of purity culture and confined by religious oppression, this book was written FOR YOU! i loved how clear that messaging was from the very beginning and loved seeing confirmation of this in the note at the end. reclamation of womanhood is something i will always appreciate in stories and this author does a fantastic job of that 👏🏻

thank you so much to berkley romance for the gifted arc in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌

I liked this book and can't wait for the next one. The pirate theme was fun, and I liked the fmc Saoirse and her exploring her magic and family hatred towards her and the powers she has inside her. The mmc Faolan was a brooding pirate who was leading the ship and crew, and I liked him, though I wanted to get to know his motivations more. The fmc is not accepted by her family and is lonely, so she gets into an arranged marriage with the fmc. I loved the high-sea aspect and adventures, especially at sea with people trying to get them. The romance is a slow burn and isn't that spicy, but there are steamy and tender moments. There is good found family, and I am intrigued by the worldbuilding and magic system, and would love to see it delved more into in the next book. I liked the plot adventure quest, and also liked the writing; it wasn't difficult to understand and flowed so well. I can't wait to see where the story goes in the next book. Thanks to Ace Books for this arc for an honest review.

Where has this book been all my life? Maggie Rapier's debut is a dazzling entry into the romantasy canon. I devoured every page, and I can't wait for more. Plus, can we get a moment for the cover?!

Beautiful writing. Interesting and unique premise. However found the romance to be just okay and the world building to be confusing/lacking at times.

Equal parts adventure and steamy romance! Marriage of convenience that takes her into a forced adventure with a rugged pirate! Yes, please!

The absolutely stunning cover is what initially caught my eye and then once I read the blurb I was sold. It sounded like it’d he a great adventure with a fun romance.
Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me. While I generally enjoyed the writing, I didn’t find much else about the story to be compelling. I do think that’s why I’m giving it 3 stars, it might be a personal opinion of not entirely enjoying the story itself and not necessarily a reflection on the writing.
I do enjoy tragic characters but I felt the beginning was bit much. I just kept thinking “Dang, will she ever catch a break?” But not in a way that makes me want to keep reading.
I also found the world building to be a bit clunky and it made it hard to enjoy the story.

Overall though, I know there will be an audience for this book that will love it. Unfortunately it just wasn’t me!

What a lovely debut. I was immediately drawn in by the cover, and I’m so glad it prompted me to pick up this book.

Soulgazer is peak romantasy, with equal attention to character and atmosphere as plot. If you have a weak spot for pirates, you’ll especially like this one. I’m a sucker for marriages of convenience, but I appreciated that it was still a slow burn. I kept wanting to push them together, but of course, the payoff is worth it in the end.

I truly appreciate that Saoirse is a soft heroine—not a skilled physical fighter, and more sad than angry. It’s a refreshing change from other stories I’ve read. Her not having the typical slender, muscled body type was also welcome. All in all, I loved Rapier’s writing style, which is balanced and beautiful.

It’s rare I find a book where I can rate the sexual content as “moderate” rather than graphic or minor. The characters’ physical relationship was important to their story, and we weren’t completely shut out of it. But the scenes aren’t vulgar or extremely descriptive. I’d let a high schooler read it.

There were a few scenes I felt like I was missing some context, and I’d have to go back and reread to see what I’d missed, but then was still confused so I just plundered on. This was mainly during the quests—I found myself not exactly knowing what they were seeking and why. I’m sure I’d understand more on a reread.

I was so glad to see that the author plans to continue this as a series. It’s a fascinating world and lovable, interesting characters who deserve more page time. I will definitely continue reading.

A beautifully written pirate fantasy with unique magic, curses, an epic quest, mythology, found family, tons of witty banter, and a yearning love story. Can't wait for the next book!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!