this was such an interesting read! I had been eyeing this book ever since it was announced and was super excited once I found out I was approved for the book in netgalley.

Saoirse is cursed and has been ever since she was a child after touching something that she didn't know she wasn't supposed to. now she wears jewels/amulets to help keep it at bay. that is until her father tries to force her into trying to keep it at bay even MORE which in turn, really harms her.
she does end up being forced to marry an awful king but ends up marrying a pirate in order to escape.

I do wish to have seen more details about the location, the history of the area, and more details on location descriptions. I think it would definitely help readers know even more about the storyline.

what you will find:
° romance 💕
° action 🎬
° found family 💓

4.5 rounded up to 5. I'm so impressed that this is a debut!! And so very excited for the next book. This author has a beautiful writing style that captivated me. And overall I think this is exactly what I'm looking for when I say I want a romantasy!

What to expect:
- It's open door but not spicy IMO
- celtic pirates
- marriage of convenience
- mythology
- romantasy

I did find the book a little difficult to get into at first, having issues following all of the characters being introduced, understanding the ceremony they were at, the intentions of all of the characters, etc...I saw another reviewer say that they thought the lyrical prose sometimes got carried away / in the way of the story, and I would agree with that to an extent.

But I thought the story really hit its stride after Saoirse is aboard the Wolf's boat. Loved getting to know the crew, watching them accept her and watching as they challenged her entire world view, which had previously been so small. This is where we also got to learn more about the mythology and Saoirse's powers which I found so intriguing and I'm so ready for more!!

Life really had me dragging this book out but oh my goodness I enjoyed every single morsel of this book. I am so excited for book 2 to be released and I know this book just came out, but I am dying to know what happens next.

This was the perfect summer reads, pirates, the ocean, and the tension! And that ending was just chefs kiss!

This cover though!!

A really swoony, emotional, magical fantasy romance with all the swoony morally grey pirate vibes. Super enjoyed this one and loved the balance of romantic and story driven plot, especially how soft and tender our MMC was for the FMC!!!

The perfect pirate story for your beach read needs! I was in LOVE with Saoirse and Faolan's story, and how it developed. Saoirse's story is so relatable, and I felt so much for her struggles to find love and acceptance, along with her dreams of the kind of pirate and hope that Faolan represented. I adored their relationship, and how they both supported one another and gave each other comfort/solace. I also loved that Saoirse is represented as a bigger girl, and I was so happy to read about a character who has cellulite and a belly, and who is still loved by the MMC for these features.
The story itself was also very engaging. I'm always on the hunt for a good pirate story, and I was really intrigued by the story's inspiration from Irish mythology. I enjoyed reading about Saoirse's adventures, and I also loved the supporting cast of characters that made up Faolan's pirate crew. Finally, this book ended on just the right cliffhanger, and I cannot WAIT for the next book!

Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier is the first book in her The Magpie and the Wolf Duology Series. The story revolves between Saoirse and Faolan, who will attempt to find a lost mythical isle to save the world. Saoirse has spent her entire life afraid of her own power, cursed from childhood with a volatile magic. She was able to hide her curse, living under constant terror that one day it will break free. When her father engages her to a cruel king, she escapes and enters a marriage of convenience to Faolan, a pirate (wolf of the wild), who she will help find the lost island of dead souls.

Faolan led his ship and crew, and Saoirse becomes part of the group, as he always watches over her. Faolan promises her to help her rid her magic, if she can use it to locate the lost mythical island. Saoirse cannot control her deadly curse, and she discovers that Faolan needs her help, and together they leave on a long quest to find the secret island.

The romance between Saoirse and Faolan was slow burn, with some steamy and tender moments, as well as witty and sharp. I really did like them together. Faolan helps her see the best of her issues, as she doesn’t understand her power, fearing the magic she may not be able to control. As we get closer to the end, Saoirse’s magic system is unique, with her seeing the real thing among the land of the souls, and those who fulfilled the truths.

Soulgazer was a captivating story, with magic, souls, pirates, slaughtered gods and a land that could absorb Saoirse’s powers. Soulgazer was well written by Maggie Rapier. Saoirse and Faoland made a great couple, as they neared the end. I will say that many times I did get confused with the story line

"Soulgazer" by Maggie Rapier is a captivating blend of dark fantasy and romance, weaving together a rich tapestry of magic, myth, and emotional depth. The story follows Saoirse, a young woman cursed with volatile magic, and Faolan, the infamous pirate known as the Wolf of the Wild, as they embark on a perilous journey to find the mythical Isle of the Lost. Their quest is fraught with danger, betrayal, and a slow-burn romance that keeps readers eagerly turning pages.

Rapier's lyrical prose and immersive world-building create a vivid setting steeped in Celtic-inspired mythology. The dynamic between Saoirse and Faolan is electric, filled with tension, wit, and undeniable chemistry. While some readers may find the pacing deliberate, the emotional payoff and character development are well worth the investment.

"Soulgazer" is a promising start to The Magpie and the Wolf duology, offering a compelling mix of adventure, magic, and romance. Fans of romantasy and character-driven stories will find much to enjoy in this enchanting debut.

The story of a wolf and a magpie. This was my first pirate romantasy book and I ate it up. The heroine Saoirse was soft and full of magic she didn't know how to use. Her relationship with Faolan was complex and constantly developing. In this book you will find tales of Gods and a search for an island that will change everything. The author's writing is so unique and I am looking forward to book 2!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Ace Books, and the author for an advanced copy.

If you like your romantasy with a celtic edge, you'll want to pick this one up. Saoirse was cursed as a child when she touched her grandmother's soulstone (just go with it, OK?) and she's spent much of her life neglected and with the understanding that she's a danger to herself and others. On the eve of her betrothal to a gross old guy (tm) she finally decides to take an active part in her own life and runs away with the legendary Wolf.

Faolan (thanks to Laura Kinsale and @alexandravasti for giving me the background I needed to know that this means wolf!) is looking for a lost island, and he thinks Saoirse can lead him there. He agrees to a handfasting of convenience to get her on his ship.

The book is based on Irish mythology, and we both felt that it was accessible for people who are only slightly familiar with it (like we are!). The book is very romantasy in that it's written in the first person, present tense from the POV of a young woman learning to use her power. I could have been annoyed at Saoirse's naivety, but I thought Rapier did a great job of setting up why the character was so timid-yet-powerful. There are intimate scenes but they're more euphemistic than explicit. That said, the romance is an integral part of the book and the sexual tension is real thick.

Do note that this is the first in a duology, and while there is a resolution to the story (and relationship) in some senses, we aren't quite at HEA time yet!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Thank you to ACE for an e-arc of this book.

So…pirates. Magic, curses to be broken. What could be better? Normally these are things that I love, but for whatever reason this book just didn’t hit for me in a way that I wanted it to. I feel like there needed to be more world building at the beginning, and I love a good complex fantasy, and I feel like this book needed to be grounded a bit more. It felt a little too loose for me. I know part of it was supposed to be that we were learning along with our main character, but I still needed something more. I don’t know how to explain it better than that.

I love a good slow burn romance as well, I just didn’t love the romance aspects of this book. I was never convinced about the romance at all. And I wanted to be. Put plainly, it didn’t work for me at all.

I do think the magic in this book is cool and unique, I loved the idea of it, I just feel for me that the execution of it failed.

Lastly, I don’t think this book was horrible by any means, but it is not one I’m rushing to read the next book. It honestly is probably going to be one of those books that just sort of fades out for me. I’ll remember I liked it, but not much more than that.

There was nothing in it that really stuck for me.

That said, I do think a lot of people will enjoy this book, it just ended up not being the perfect book for me.

When I read the synopsis for this one and heard all the great early buzz it was getting I thought it would be an easy five stars for me. But unfortunately that was not the case. If I’m being honest there wasn’t much I liked about this. The magic system was very bare bones and confusing. The writing style was beautiful but again, confusing. It seemed like things would just happen with little to no explanation. The side characters were so mean to Saoirse and she was spineless. A part of me really did have empathy for her because she’d been through so much trauma and her family was The Worst. But she never ever spoke up and it was like smashing into a wall over and over again for 500 pages. For the most part I did like Faolan but he also kind of gave me the ick sometimes. There was some cool adventures that happened that I enjoyed reading about and the romance was okay. But I probably won’t continue in this series. (2.5 rounded up)

There are absolutely no words to describe how this book made me feel. I can’t even form coherent enough sentences to fathom what this story meant to me. From the magic, to family drama, a sexy pirate, found family, marriage of convenience—-I could not get enough. I’m salivating at the mouth for the sequel!

Book Review of Soulgazer (The Magpie and the Wolf Duology#1) by Maggie Rapier

Cover Story: Soul Gazing
BFF Charm: Eventually
Talky Talk: Emo-tional
Bonus Factors: Fake Marriage, Pirates
Anti-Bonus Factor: Dan Scott Award for Awful Parenting
Relationship Status: Sign Me Onto Your Crew

Cover Story: Soul Gazing
This is a truly lovely illustration of the main characters of this book, Saiorse and Faolan, but definitely depicts them more toward the end of the book, when they’ve had time to grow, both as individuals and as a pair. Definitely getting pirate vibes, though, regardless.

The Deal:
The islands of the Crescent used to be controlled by gods. But ever since the people of the islands rose up against them five generations ago, it’s the people who’ve ruled the land. A land that’s slowly being overrun by soulstones, or what’s left of a person’s soul once they die. The soulstones used to be taken to the Isle of Lost Souls for release, but the island disappeared along with the gods.

Saiorse, the only daughter of Rî Dermot, king of the Isle of Reborn Stalk, once touched a soulstone. For most people, that touch would drive them mad, but Saiorse remained sane—with the added bonus of seeing prophetic visions. Her father was never all that kind to her, but when one of her visions led to the death of his heir—Saiorse’s oldest brother—any good feelings he had toward her were completely lost.

At a yearly meeting of the six clans, Dermot tries to offload Saiorse onto one of his peers, a heartless man who’s only interested in a brood mare. And so, she does what any other woman in her position might do and runs away with a pirate who’s on a quest to find the Isle of Lost Souls. A pirate who, unbeknownst to her, thinks she is The One who will finally lead them there.

BFF Charm: Eventually
Although Saiorse is 22 in this story, she’s been kept alone and away from anyone else for seven years. At the start of the book, she comes across as a teen; it wasn’t until she mentioned her age that I realized she was actually an adult. That said, she does a lot of growing throughout the novel, and by the end of the book she feels much more like a grownup. Interestingly, her path and character development mirrors that of a lot of heroines in YA fantasy novels … and it feels just a smidge more real happening to a 22-year-old rather than someone who’s 17.

Swoonworthy Scale: 7
I’ve hit the jackpot lately with swoony mysterious loner dude love interests. Faolan is a rogueish pirate who’s known throughout the Crescent as The Wolf of the Wild, and that wild nature shows up in ways that go far beyond traveling the seas, if you get my drift. Saiorse sees him as a means to an end, but she can’t help feeling feelings that seem contrary to their mutual aims. And even if Faolan’s putting on a show, he does a damn good job of it.

Talky Talk: Emo-tional
Saiorse is a young woman with a lot of unresolved trauma. She signs up with a pirate crew filled with folks who would also benefit from therapy. They travel through a world that is dirty and harsh and often filled with fog. (I imagine everyone feels damp, just all the time.) But even when I found myself rolling my eyes at some of Saiorse’s antics, I enjoyed every bit of Rapier’s equally moody prose.

Bonus Factor: Fake Marriage
The only way Saiorse can think of to get out of her father’s attempt at selling marrying her off is to get married to someone else first. Faolan’s more than willing to take part in the farce, especially if that means she’ll go with him and his crew on their quest. Naturally, as often happens when folks pretend to be man and wife, things get … complicated.

Bonus Factor: Pirates
I’ve not spent much time on boats or on the ocean, but a pirate’s life has always been one of those fantastical lives that seem amazing. Fresh sea air! Beautiful starry nights! Roguish individuals with scars and stories! Camaraderie and shenanigans! (Although I can’t help but imagine that Faolan’s crew—as lovely as they might all seem—does not smell great. And I really like indoor plumbing.)

Anti-Bonus Factor: Dan Scott Award for Awful Parenting
As you might have gleaned from the fact that hetries to foist her onto another (equally awful) man, Saiorse’s father is not a good dude. He blames her for the death of her brother—even though it wasn’t her fault—and exiled her to live in a cottage by herself for seven years, forbidding anyone from so much as talking to her. He has turned her mother into a sniveling shell of herself and twisted her younger brother into someone he was never meant to be. He ultimately gets his just desserts—sorry, spoiler—but it takes 400 pages too long to finally rid Saiorse of that horrendous garbage barge.

Relationship Status: Sign Me Onto Your Crew
I’m willing to give up toilets (temporarily) for you, Book, and that means a lot coming from me. Our first adventure was filled with emotion and intrigue, and I can’t wait until we set sail once again.

Soulgazer is a sea spun shanty with notes of Celtic mythology. Told through fluid, lyrical prose the novel details the marriage of convenience between a cursed princess and legendary pirate who embark on a quest to discover a magical isle.

It is so refreshing to see a character like Saoirse at the helm of a romantasy novel. Don’t get me wrong, I love a “stab first, ask questions later” heroine but there is something so haunting and lovely about Saoirse’s softness. It coincides with the poetic style of the writing. Saoirse comes into her strength with the controlled, quiet yearning of someone who has been brought up to doubt themselves and their abilities. Because of this, the self discovery journey she goes on hits an even greater emotional chord and I found myself relating to her many facets.

I have always been obsessed with pirates and this high-seas adventure ticked off all of the things I love about swashbuckling tales. Faolan was the perfect leading man, a rogue whose desire for our heroine becomes more evident the longer they spend in each other’s presence. Like Saoirse, Faolan is multifaceted as well — shimmering with shades of mischief, pride, sorrow, and tenderness. I was drawn in by the naughty exterior persona he presents as the “Wolf of the Wild,” but I truly fell in love with the wounded, yet hopeful man at his core. Every time these two characters interact it is a gasp of breath, all anticipation and wanting. Their romance is exquisite and I was struck by the intensity of the tension that author Maggie Rapier was able to create.

I still have some questions about the logistics of the magic system but overall, I have not stopped thinking about this book and its incredible writing and characters. Soulgazer is such a fresh addition to the romantasy genre and I am highly looking forward to the culmination of this duology.

Thank you Berkley/Ace and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love N9rdic fantasy so knew this would be right up my alley. I enjoyed the author's writing style and storytelling ability but where this lacked for me was character development. I wish the heroine had been a bit more multi faceted and less whiny

3.5 stars

Saoirse, a young woman cursed with volatile magic, is feared and shunned by everyone around her, including her family. Isolated for years, she yearns for freedom and adventure. After her father offers her hand in marriage to a cruel Stone King, Saoirse finds the courage to escape and seek the legendary pirate, Faolan, the Wolf of the Wild. With her magic, Saoirse promises him to help find the Isle of Lost Souls. Faolan has reservations about letting Saoirse join his crew, but the reward for finding the Isle of Lost Souls is too great to miss. Saoirse, Faolan, and his crew embark on a dangerous and exhilarating quest that will test their beliefs, feelings, and loyalties.

I love pirate stories, and was intrigued by the premise. I initially struggled with the writing style. It was a bit convoluted, and I found it difficult to follow at first. I had to reread sentences to understand what was going on. It got better as the book progressed, and as I gained a better understanding of the world-building. The relationship between Saoirse and Faolan was sweet. Faolan brought the best out of Saoirse, who had trouble believing in herself. Even though the book is marketed as adult fantasy, it reads more like YA. I wish the romance was more mature. The ending was satisfying, setting a scene for a promising sequel. I recommend The Soulgazer to romance and fantasy fans.

4.5 Stars

I loved this book. Maybe I am in my pirate era. If I am being honest, I was craving a damsel-in-distress read, and this delivered. Not to mention found family, angst, and lust, a slow-building romance...this book had me giddy. I was literally smiling like a dummy 80% of the time.

I believe the right book finds you when you need it...and this was it for me. This book grabbed me by the collar and whispered, “What if the magic that could destroy the world also made you fall in love with a pirate?” And honestly, I’ve never said yes faster.

Set in a sea-swept world on the edge of ruin, Soulgazer introduces us to Saoirse, a cursed, powerful, and desperate to be free of the volatile magic that’s haunted her since childhood. When her parents trade her to the Stone King to save face, she escapes and strikes a dangerous deal with Faolan, the infamous “Wolf of the Wild”...a feral pirate with silver eyes, secrets, and swagger for days.

Themes:
Reluctant allies to lovers
Marriage of convenience
Delicious slow burn
Morally gray MMC (he’s called The Wolf for a reason)
Found family aboard a ship full of rogues
Betrayal, and banter for DAYS

This book is a ride. The tension between Saoirse and Faolan is so palpable. You’ll get broody stares across a ship deck, tender moments hidden under layers of mistrust, and scenes so charged they practically spark.

Would I recommend it?
Without hesitation. This is for the girlies who want Pirates of the Caribbean with more angst, more yearning, and 100% more emotional devastation.

....I need a sexy pirate right fecking now!!! Maggie Rapier, you have done the one thing not many authors have done before, make me wish for a book boyfriend I hadn't already dreamed up. I had a feeling Soulgazer was going to be a good book, but nothing could of prepared me for the absolute tidal wave of emotions this book made me feel.

Soulgazer is a book that from the very first chapter had me questioning relationships, intentions, and wanting more. When I tell you I couldn't put this book down....I read 68% in one day and I set my alarm early so I could get up and read. I found myself being drawn in for Saoirse, but quickly stayed for the incredible magic, the found family in the crew of the unnamed ship made of starlight, and my favorite, the pirate with a dirty mouth and hands full of rings. The way Faolan treasures and respects Saoirse from the very start made my heart swoon. When he pulls her from her shell and coaxes her magic from her soul- nothing could compare to watching our FMC bloom. Not only that but his SMART MOUTH?! GIRLLLLLLLL! I was texting my friends "I need this man right now." Don't even get me started on his "don't touch my wife" comment. That should be enough to convince you to pick this up (though it is only a small drop in a very large bucket of why you should.)

If I had to choose a top 5 book for this year: this would absolutely be one of those picks. The worldbuilding is something like I've never read. The high-stakes jumping from island to island had me on the edge of my seat. Saoirse on the journey to find herself and foster positive relationships with her new crew had me EMOTIONAL. The female centered storyline made me want to weep for my maternal side. For too long our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers have been punished for storytelling and little pieces of magic. For Saoirse to reclaim that part of her past it just healed a little part of me. It was so beautiful and tragic and it just made me want to shout from the rooftops how much I love this story.

If you are looking for a magical, nautical romantasy with sassy pirates and characters you fall in love with from the very first sentence, Soulgazer should be your next read.

On another note: I'm seeing this is a duology...and having mixed thoughts (in the best way) because I love Saoirse and Faolan and want them to be happy...but also want to never stop Maggie Rapier's writing???


Thank you to Berkley Publishing, Maggie Rapier, and Netgalley for the e-arc of this book!

THIS! OMG!!! if I was to recommend only one book this year this is on the top the list. I was pulled into this story from the moment I started it and COULD NOT put it down. I am heavily anticipating the second book!!!

I almost chucked this one into the ocean.

THIS WAY LIES SPOILERS AND IT IS GOING TO BE RANTY!

I saw many, many 4 to 5 star reviews on Goodreads so I decided to save this one for my beach read. The only reason it didn't hit the ocean when I was done is simply because I finished it at the house, so I would still have time to start a new beach book before we headed home. Yes, I did scream and toss it across the room. To which my Beach Book Club asked "Did you like it?" Everyone's a wise ass.

What didn't I like about it, you ask. Everything! Saoirse was a sad, pathetic character, Faolan was a narcissist, and the world building was stupid.

I get that characters need to have growth so I initially forced myself forgave the sad, pathetic girl who was Saoirse. Her father sent her to a cabin far, far from the family home, sending servants to drop off food once a month, never to talk to her. He did this because her magic was dangerous. He accused her of killing her own brother with it. He also forced her to wear a pendent to help suppress her magic. When she was old enough, his plan was to marry her off and just as our story begins, he is trying to have the same magical suppression tattooed into her skin so her husband would never know he had been tricked into taking her, which he only did to breed an heir off her and for a back room deal between the two kingdoms. At first Saoirse is okay with this, hoping that a marriage would free her from her exile and she too wanted to suppress her dangerous magic. She hates it and is afraid of it. That is until she meets not only her husband-to-be and also she meets The Wolf, who stories of bravery and adventure she has heard since she was young (note: Faolan was only a few years older than her so it is hard imagining teenage Faolan captaining a pirate crew.) Saoirse is a sad character. Yes, that necessary character growth, but here there really wasn't. Saoirse said "I'm sorry" once a chapter for the entire story. Why? She is just sorry for being.

Faolan has been searching for the woman with the "sea in her eyes" because of a ditty someone sang to him when he was younger. When he notes that Saoirse's eyes swirl with the colors of the ocean when her magic was activated, he is determined that she come with him on his adventure to find the Isle of Lost Souls. (Put a pin here. We'll come back) One kudos I do give to Saoirse is that halfway through the story she lays into Faolan that all the stories are about him--The Wolf, and that even his boat doesn't have a name since he can't survive without the spotlight entirely on him. He needs to be the focus of every tale. He is all fake smiles but there is no substance to him.

Saoirse goes with Faolan but insists they get married, so that her father and Stone King will consider her a lost cause and not chase them. Faolan, not excited about a forced marriage, agrees to a hand-fasting instead, which is "until we decide we don't want to be together anymore." Something easily walked away from although we never discuss how that would effect Saoirse's future. Would she no longer be marriage material? Used goods? You would think all men would be hand-fasting women all over the place when they can just walk away when they are no longer interested. This hand-fasting/marriage is in name only, although the crew is lead to believe otherwise. This will cause issues later one when they are caught up with and her intended figures out she is still breedable. Faolan fluctuates in his feelings for Saoirse, between tool to make him infamous and liking her. But even in the end, after the sexy times, when the hand-fasted couple are called King and Queen of the Isle, he is still balking at the idea of being married. He was in it for the fun times and seemed to be happier with Saoirse, but call her his Queen, and he is pulling on his collar and looking for the door.

Are you still with me? Faolan wants to be the savior and find the Isle of Lost Souls. From what I understand, people who die spit out their soul stone. I am unsure about the size of this stone. Faolan almost drowns and says he felt it forming on his tongue but are they the size of a walnut or softball? Biggest problem is that if you touch a soul stone, you go crazy or you die. I believe, that once upon a time, you would scoop up these soul stones and drop them off at the Isle of Lost Souls which was maybe a waystation to heaven? Not sure. What happens if you are poor and can't afford to take your loved one's soul stone to the Isle? At some point the island disappeared, sometime around when the Gods died, and now there are soul stones dangerously hanging around for kids to play with? What about the ones at the bottom of the sea where there are shipwrecks? Do their soul never find peace since their stones won't ever get to the Isle? Lots of unanswered questions about these stones. They eventually find the island (that's the whole point of the story) and a couple of rich people bring their important stones. What about everyone else who died in the last 100 years? Who gets to scoop them up and sail them over?

Saoirse's magic isn't well defined either. Yes, part of that it because of the tattoo that her father put on which partially blocked it (and part of the I'm sorrys because she never told Faolan that the magic he needed to find the island was now blocked). She had moments of visions of the future, such as when her brother died. Apparently, she tried to stop him but he didn't listen to her. She also had feelings to look this way or that way and saw what she was looking for. Was that really magic or just looking around while they sat her to the side while the real pirates did the work.

Obviously, with several 4/5 star reviews, I am the only one who didn't find anything redeeming about this story. It also turns out that this is book 1 of a duology. I felt the story was finished even if it wasn't great so I don't know where the author plans to go from here, but she is going on without me.