This was a fun pirate romantasy debut! I liked the adventure of finding the lost isle and the main character learning to embrace her magic. The romance was also cute!

I REALLY wanted to love this! The cover? Gorgeous. The plot description? Promised everything I wanted in a pirate fantasy. It just didn't deliver the way I expected it to. The MMC and the FMC seemed like caricatures of who they were supposed to be and didn't give me enough depth. The world itself was interesting at a surface level, but could have been further fleshed out. Overall, cool concept, lacking in execution.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC!

I really enjoyed this book, and I think it’s a really great fit for fans of Rebecca Ross and Megan Rogerson!

‘Treacherous’ by Taylor Swift is a good representation of this debut romantasy by Maggie Rapier.

This is a lyrically magically book with a deeply wounded FMC, the old gods and dead and she’s a cursed girl.
Watching Saoirse grow and heal was such a treat. She is a soft protagonist, which was a nice change of pace from our fire breathers(still love them but not everyone is like this.) Soft does not mean weak however, and she really challenges herself to find herself, and make decisions she choices to live with.

Our MMC is charming and deceptive, what else do you except from a pirate? Faolon has been searching for Saoirse most of his life and when he does, he’s not going to let her go.

There’s form forced proximity by the nature of this romantic adventure and simmering burn as Saoirse grows in confidence.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for this dreamy romantasy!

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I don’t think I’ve ever rated a book five stars faster than I did Soulgazer, and it’ll be a pleasure to reread this book and return to these characters and this world again.

Soulgazer has so many elements that I can’t help but love. Romance, action, adventure, pirates, magic... the list goes on. This was the romantasy book that my heart needed. Maggie has found the perfect balance of romance and adventure in a story filled with character development and world building that all felt right. There wasn’t a single word of this story that felt forced, and I loved the depth of characters and the world that Maggie built in the book.

Saoirse, as a main character, was so relatable for me, and I thought her character arc and development over the course of the novel was inspiring. Faolan was the love interest that I wanted for Saoirse and a character with his own depth as well; he immediately jumped onto the list of book boyfriends for me. I lost count of how many times I laughed and swooned as these character got to know each other, bantered, and challenged each other over the course of the novel. The tension of the story was excellent, pertaining both to the overarching quest plot (and the time constraints that puts on the characters) and to the tension between Saoirse and Faolan... it’s all top notch.

My only complaint is that I wish there were more pages. I would have happily read more pages with these characters, and the very end of the book could have used some additional pages to compliment the fast-paced end.

I can’t wait to see what’s next for these characters in the next book, and I know I’ll be eagerly waiting for the moment I can get my hands on it.

I was incredibly excited for this book and it really met my expectations of keeping me hooked and the YEARNING it held!! From the moment I read the premise, I knew this story would keep me turning the pages long past my bedtime, and it really did.

Soarise’s character was an absolutely perfect counterpart for Faolan, and yet they still fit so perfectly together. Their differences meshed in a way that made the longing and slow burn that much better.

Aside from that, the fighting through the trauma our FMC clearly has dealt with was so empowering, and there was no part of the story that felt out of place. You are able to really see why Soarise behaves the way she does and how it has affected her entire character. Great writing of her, and I could relate to her feelings so deeply.

My only critique of this book (if it can even be called a critique!) was the fact that I as a reader had moments where I was having trouble keeping up with the pacing of where they were during scenes and what exactly was going on. Whether this was a reader issue or possibly a slight pacing issue, it’s very minor in my opinion, but I wanted to bring it up for likeminded readers (ones with ADHD who lose focus easily lol).

4/5 stars, I recommend, and cannot WAIT for the sequel!!!!!

i really really wanted to like this (that cover? stunning!! & the description sounds so good) but i just didn’t. :/

for me, the characters fell flat. the MMC kind of just seemed like a caricature of a flirty pirate and i never felt connected to him. the romance was okay - i just did not care. definitely a case of telling rather than showing.

although the concept of the magic system was really interesting, i do think there needed to be more world building. also - a lot of scenes had no context or description. things would just start happening and it would take me a minute to orient myself to the scene.

all that being said, this is decently well written (especially in comparison to a lot of popular romantasy books currently published/being published) & i really liked the overall idea/bones of the story.

Atmospheric, mystical, swashbuckling.
Filled with lore inspired by Celtic myths, Soulgazer is a stunning read. I've been in a significant reading slump over the last few years, and this was the first book in a long while that had me glued to the page. Our heroine, the awkward and slight Saoirse, has spent the better part of her life in exile. The only daughter of a cruel and greedy king, she was sent away to live alone after a terrible tragedy that took the life of her eldest brother. A tragedy that everyone believes was caused by Saoirse herself, and the strange magic humming through her veins. She can sense spirits, receive feeling of foreboding from events yet to come, dream of the dead gods....Shackled with various charms and mushroom-based inks that muffle her powers, she's an outsider among her own people. In her isolation, she dreamed of freedom. And the Wolf.
While at a summit where rulers from each of the six clans gather for the summer solstice, she gets a glimpse of the Wolf of the Wild, the legendary pirate whose exploits have been turned legend. He's in the thick of the celebration, letting everyone know his next quest is to find the Isle of Lost Souls - a mysterious place where the dead ought rest. And to find it, he'll need the girl with ocean eyes to lead him that way. But right as her idol recognizes Saoirse as the ocean-eyed girl he's been searching for, her father announces that she will be married off to the cold Stone King, who rules a rival territory. Saoirse panics, but that fear grows tenfold when her father seeks to further extinguish her cursed magic ahead of her wedding.
After striking a bargain with the Wolf, Saoirse sees herself suddenly married to the hero of her dreams, brought aboard his ship and thrust into a quest to find the lost Isle. His crew is wary, mistrustful of her, and the Wolf pushes his new wife to explore her long-denied powers to help them navigate. It's not going to be as easy as drawing up a map, especially not with Saoirse's father in pursuit, her former betrothed clashing with them on the open seas, and the Wolf's cousin, Queen of the Ashen Flame, keeping a tight leash on them with her fraught bargains.
Fantasy + Romance used to be a combination that was catnip for me, but lately with the market being flooded with ACOTAR knock-offs, I've struggled to find books to my taste. Soulgazer puts the action and adventure first, which I believe makes this a stronger book over all.
Saoirse is growing as a person and within her magic, but she's not given "chosen one" powers. She's still frail, still making mistakes. Her family's trauma, the abuse suffered at the hands of her father, all feels very carefully portrayed. The dynamics that bring about Saoirse's "curse," her father's difficult relationship with his mother, the surviving brother's conflicted loyalties, are all so well drawn.
The Wolf is a very appealing hero - he's a bit Howl-ish in being slightly vain, witty, and too charming for his own good. There were so many bits of dialog between him and our heroine that left me grinning. We find that he's bit of a martyr in his own right, and rails against the trickster-bargains his powerful cousin has cornered him into. But despite his well-earned moniker, Faolan is very gentle with Saoirse while still encouraging her to empower herself. And damnit, while there are plenty of moments throughout the narrative where he's boneheaded about keeping his regard for his new wife too close to his chest (like, so close she can't tell if he likes her let alone loves her), the moments when his emotions burst forth are just swoon-y as hell. He is fighting for his independence, and driven by the promise that uncovering the isle will lead to his debt being paid off to his cousin. Fierce and funny, with a dark edge, I found Faolan, the Wolf, such a great contrast to our heroine.
It might be tempting to call this book YA, but with some very well-written moments of intimacy, it definitely leans more Adult/New Adult. Saoirse is very drawn to her new husband, while he is understandably very cautious about pursuing anything physical. When we do get to the sex, it is very well-portrayed -- awkward and lovely and head-spinning.
I really appreciated Rapier's approach at world building. We're not spoon-fed anything. There's a lot that isn't given explanation, questions we never see answered. Readers are trusted to fill in blanks. She's set up so much atmosphere and color that it was easy to picture the Celtic-inspired setting. These people have no gods, as they were slaughtered generations ago, but they've got plenty of magic. There's political tension between all six clans, and while we never get a full view of the various alliances and enemies, Saoirse narrates enough so that we can grasp the different territories and the individual economies. The magic systems are pretty vague - people can be cursed, there are magical fish whose gills will let you breath underwater if you turn them into necklaces, ghosts make the occasional appearance. Saoirse's specific brand of magic is described in somewhat vague terms, though readers will get the major beats of what it entails. Overall it felt like a good balance of information, not so much as to make the book feel heavy, enough to give a reader a solid grasp on what is going on. No one wants Moby Dick describing whaling levels of lore in a New Adult novel.
The Isle of Lost Souls shifts in what it represents throughout the text, first as a piece of folklore, then as the key to freedom, with its final form bringing the story to its crescendo. My one disappointment was that for a book centered on an island that is supposed to house the souls of the dead, there aren't nearly as many ghosts or discussion of death as I'd imagine. Throughout the text there are pursuits of guidance from the dead, and the occasionally mention of feeling spirits nearby, or even seeing them. A key element is the "soulstone" every person carries that is relinquished when they die. They seem to house the soul of the once living and are dangerous to touch. We learn early on that touching one might've been what cursed Saoirse. But there's not much discussion of what it means to live alongside the dead.
With elements of found family, a heroine who navigates a history of abuse and alienation, a hidden history of long-dead gods, and an epic quest, this might appeal to readers who loved Howl's Moving Castle, Queen of the Tearling, or the works of Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley. For all of the kids who were constantly buried in Eragon, Graceling, Inkheart, or Ella Enchanted, I think you'll find something to love in Soulgazer
Many thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

This book is pure magic. It thrums with adventure and danger, but at its core, it is about freedom, not just from the forces that chase them but from the fears that chain them. A beautifully intoxicating mix of peril and passion, it lingers long after the final page, leaving behind the scent of salt and longing in its wake. Highly recommending it.

This was such an amazing debut fantasy romance! The plot was super fast-paced, and the writing style was very easy to read. I thought that the magic system was really interesting as well, and I loved the pirate theme, too! Saoirse was such a great main character, and her character development throughout the book was really great to read. I loved watching her learn to accept herself and come into her power! She was a perfect, flawed, and enjoyable main character. The romance in this book was also super well done! The chemistry between Saoirse and Faolan was well-written, and I loved watching their relationship grow. I thought their characters really complemented each other! Overall, I absolutely adored this book! I think it will end up being one of my favourites of the year. I would completely recommend this book, and I can't wait to read whatever Maggie Rapier writes next! :)

This had all of the makings of a book I would like but unfortunately this didn't land for me. It lacked the clarity and consistency that's crucial in a standalone fantasy world. The magic system was confusing instead of mysterious, Saorise's motivation and critical thinking skills were lacking when convenient for the storyline, and there wasn't enough distinction between the side characters. That said, I did enjoy the pacing, the romance, and the structure of the plot. I'd be interested in reading another book by this author but this one just didn't work for me.

3.5*

A pretty solid debut novel.

There is so much about this book that I loved!

I mean Pirates!! I love a good pirate book.

Faolan & Saoirse, I really enjoyed both of their characters. The romance had great banter, chemistry and so much angst! The scenes of them interacting just the two of them were my favourite. The romance is definitely what kept me most engaged with the story.

The cast of side characters was interesting and I found myself intrigued by a couple of them, wishing we could get their stories as well. The plot was paced nicely, I was excited to see what they'd encounter next and was never bored.

Where this lost me a little is the prose, and the world building/magic.

The writing was flowery at times, which isn't always a bad thing.. but I definitely found myself needing to backtrack and reread paragraphs or sentences quite a few times to make sure I was understanding what was written.

The world building needed more fleshing out. With how this book ended, I'm assuming this is the first book in a possible series? If that's the case, there is definitely room for the author to expand on this.

The magic. This was the most confusing bit.. it was a bit all over the place and I'm not sure if that's due to the main character herself not truly knowing the extent of her own magic, or if it just wasn't fully conceptualized. Genuinely kept getting confused on what her magic truly was throughout the story.

Despite these issues, I still enjoyed this book quite a bit and would recommend you giving it a read! I will definitely be picking a sequel if this is a series.

This was an immersive, lush new romantasy—the tension, yearning, and heat between the leads was impeccable, and I felt so immersed in the world. Cannot wait for more from Rapier!!

beautiful world. lyrical writing. tension filled main characters with so much depth and wit. i loved the quest and the world building was so flawless that you never felt lost. a beautiful world to escape into that felt one-of-a-kind with delicious romance between two very likeable characters.

You had me at our FMC escaped an arranged marriage by entering a marriage of convenience with a pirate 🫢😜 loved the story, characters, and adventure. One of my favorite books of this month. I will never not recommend this book.

3.5 stars!
3 open door scenes, innuendo, and some swear words.

The main thing I loved about this book was the vibes. The pirates, the setting, the found family, the magic, the adventure.... were all really fun to read about. The pacing of the plot was also really great. There's constantly things happening so you are never bored! The pacing was really well done. The world is different and interesting and I liked the side characters!

However, I found Saoirse to be SO inconsistent as a character, which made her really frustrating to follow her at times. She would say one thing, and then 10 seconds later do the opposite. Or make a decision, and then immediately go back on it and it got a bit annoying. Because of this I didn't feel the most connected to her or her character development, even though I wanted to because I can see where the author was going with it!! But it just didn't hit. Also, because of her inconsistency I found it hard to connect to and root for the romance. It had a big impact on their dynamic. So while I actually really liked Foalon and they do have some sweet moments, I didn't feel super invested by the end.

The author's writing also definitely has some lyrical/prose like quality to it that I did enjoy at certain points. This book gives me similar vibes to a lot of popular fantasy romance novels out there today so I can see it being very well loved by others.

3.5 stars and rounding to 4 because I enjoyed the book and hope to see more from this world. It defies like an unfinished story!
I wish there was more world building. I want background and history, I want location descriptions!

Our FMC is meek, she’s lived a hard life, she very much has trouble with public speaking and standing up for herself.
If you’re expecting her to be Violet? Aelin? To be a warrior after training for less than a year and able to beat up men twice her size, 7 feet tall, who have been training since childhood… wellllll that delusion doesn’t take place in this book 😂

Our MMC, is the definition of a rakish pirate. He’s funny, flirty and slutty. Very seldom serious and you never know if he’s telling the truth. The problem with him is, he is a flip flopper with our FMC. He says one thing, does another, tells her one truth, then tells her a lie. She can’t, won’t trust him. And now both of their lives are on the line!

I usually read 1-2 books a day and this book took me 4 days, I felt like I needed to take it super super slow and even reading at a snail pace, I still feel like there was parts of the plot I missed. There were definitely points I wish were explained more

I liked the romance but it’s also kinda felt weird because do they even like each other or are they just together?
I wanted more longing, more stolen looks, more passion, just more. It felt like their story isn’t done at all.

The whole situation with her brothers made zero sense to me. All the situations with them, they seemed so left field. So I just kinda had to let it slide 😂

Like a sirens call, ‘Soulgazer’ beckons you forward as Saoirse, a young woman cursed with eyes that shift in color and visions of impending doom, is hidden away by her cruel father until she can be sold to a neighboring kingdom. But when the legendary pirate, Wolf Faolan, arrives at port, Saoirse seizes the chance to break free from her chains and unravel the truth behind the curse that haunts her.

There’s something so much fun about a well-crafted story set on the open water, and this book absolutely delivers. When done right, you can almost taste the salt in the air as the story sweeps you away—and this one does just that. With each page, the promise of adventure is palpable, and the blossoming romance between Saoirse and Faolan crashes over you like waves in a storm, sweeping you into their world of passion, power, and peril.

Saoirse and Faolan are compelling characters in their own right, each driven by their own desires and burdens. Saoirse longs for acceptance, seeking love and validation she was denied in her childhood, while Faolan is determined to cement his legacy, no matter the cost. Their partnership begins as a gentleman’s agreement, but the evolution of their relationship is one of the book's highlights. The respect they share feels genuine, evolving naturally as they each learn to navigate uncharted waters—both literally and emotionally. The slow burn of their dynamic is the heart of the story, and watching their trust and connection grow was nothing short of satisfying.

While the plot itself is engaging, it’s the characters and their motivations that truly shine. Some of the world-building, particularly surrounding the soul stones and the gods, felt a bit complex, and I found myself lost in the intricacies at times though not enough to take my out of the story as a whole. This world has so much potential, and given the twists at the end, it’s clear that there’s more to uncover.

This is the perfect book for anyone seeking a thrilling, character-driven story with adventure on the high seas, romance, and a touch of magic. It’s a perfect summer read, and I can’t wait for you all to dive in and experience the adventure for yourselves.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I am screaming with how much I loved this. I admit, I clicked on it because the cover was so beautiful. I was not expecting the story to be nearly as good as it was! It felt catered to my trope tastes, which is so fun. I loved the Male Main Character, which come on! He's a pirate! The FMC is spunky in all the right ways and their story together fit nicely.

Soulgazer was the adventure of a lifetime. Written in beautiful prose and capturing the collision between two very different characters fated to cross paths and finding love in an undeniable way. The slow burn romance was exquisite, and I loved every single character, especially Saoirse and Faolan. You will love this if you're a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me access to this story in exchange for an honest review, I can't wait to get a physical copy of this book.

This was such an engrossing read - I really enjoyed the plot, and the story. The writing style was fabulous and I am dying to get my hands on whatever Rapier writes next!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this one early!