Alright y’all… I loved this book so much that I had to hit up bookstore first thing on pub day to get myself a shelf trophy. And the cover is stunning! I am fully hypnotized by Saoirse’s eyes, which aligns perfectly with the story.

Locked away for her cursed magical abilities and their unknown power, Saoirse is moments away from being forced into marrying the ruthless Stone King when she escapes with Faolan, a notorious pirate with his own agenda. They make a deal: if she helps him find the mythical Isle of Lost Souls, she’ll be rid of her volatile powers and finally free. And so the quest begins!

I’m calling it: Faolan is the book boyfriend we didn’t know we needed. He’s brazen and incredibly attractive (and he knows it), but he’s also endearingly protective and respectful. And when I say protective, I’m talking literal “my wife” energy. I couldn’t get enough, and the chemistry between Faolan and Saoirse is undeniable and steamy. I loved that everything happens at Saoirse’s pace with enthusiastic consent. Faolan is that much hotter because he insists on continuously making sure she feels comfortable and secure. *chef’s kiss*

Saoirse is an interesting FMC in that she slowly comes into her power (both literally and metaphorically) as the story progresses. I really enjoyed seeing her transformation from a meek, unsure woman to a complete and utter badass.

I will say, I was pretty confused when I started this book because we kind of dive head first into this new and complex world without much explanation. As the story progressed so did my understanding, but I won’t deny that I think I’ll gain a lot more with a reread. Regardless, I am fully obsessed with this book and cannot wait to find out what happens in the second half of this duology.

Need a swoony pirate romantasy complete with a suspenseful quest? Yes, yes you do, and this is it!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the gifted eARC!

Thank you Maggie Rapier and Ace for this e-ARC of Soulgazer!

I don’t think that this book was for me, but I do think this book could be for you if you love angsty love interests, marriage of convenience, and fantasy pirate romances.

Let’s start with what I enjoyed and who I think will enjoy this! This book is a fantasy romance that is wrapped in lore and storytelling. If you’ve been looking for a pirate fantasy romance with intricate world building and some spice, this book has it. There are lots of layers to this story, and Maggie did a great job of giving you just enough information to get to the next hook. I thought that the way everything came together in the end built up for SUCH a good hook for book two. I also really appreciated that since this book is a marriage of convenience, the romance did feel more on the slow burn side. There was some slight miscommunication but no break up >>

There were a few things that held this book from me, but probably my main issue with this book was the pacing. There were lots of interesting moments through out, but I feel like some of the slower moments could have really been filled with more conversation or relationship building. I felt a little disconnected from these characters, and as much as I did enjoy certain elements and plot points, I think the overall storytelling fell flat for me. I also wish we could have seen a little more of the world?? There was definitely some exploring that happened, but it would have been nice to dig into some of the world more, especially since she spent so much time explaining the lore for each portion.

Again, this wasn’t a bad book - just not what I was hoping for! I really think if you are looking for a pirate fantasy this could be for you 🫶🏻

Let me start by saying this book has been living rent-free in my head since finishing it. Saoirse is a soft girl who is held back by her family and their belief that she’s not worth anything. She’s folded herself up so small that she barely knows who she is. On the day she becomes engaged to a man that would surely break her she decides to take things into her own hands. Enter the Wolf of the Wild, the famous pirate Faolan (who happens to be a heartthrob), who offers to kïdnap her. Saoirse is done being pushed around though and makes a deal with Faolan: he’ll rescue her from her situation and in return, she’ll help him find a lost island. On one condition: he has to marry her first. (AAAAHHHH!!!🫠) Saoirse and Faolan travel the seas and as the stakes become higher as time runs out to find the isle, things become steamier. Saoirse soon discovers that there’s more to Faolan than the myths and Faolan finally feels seen in Saoirse’s company. As kingdoms and magic try to pull them apart, Saoirse and Faolan will have to decide if their quest is worth pursuing and if their growing feelings for each other could become something more…

This book was such a pleasure to read and it was so fun I almost felt guilty reading it😅 Saoirse was so sensitive and sheltered and I loved watching her become brave enough to strike out on her own and take control of her own life. Faolan was perhaps my favorite character because honestly, how could I resist? He is so full of life and literally popped off the page. I swear I highlighted everything he said throughout the book🤭 And the banter between Saoirse and Faolan was SUPERB. What started out as tentative became a source of many giggles on my end and I LIVED for their next exchange. Finally, who says no to a sea adventure? This book could not have been any better. Beyond the characters I want to wrap in a blanket and take home with me, the magic system was unique and the action was heart-racing. I almost felt like I was reading a fairytale but BETTER.

I now have a major book hangover and need the next book immediately.

Soulgazer? More like soul stealer! This novel is going to stick with me for a long time. If this book was a woman, men would have sang songs or crafted sculptures of her beauty.

Soulgazer is the pirate romantasy that I have wished for and dreamed of. There were so many times that I paused to just take in another of Maggie's beautifully crafted sentences. It made me laugh and cry... a lot. I basically read the last few chapters through tears and continued for a while after the last page. I think @thedailymagpie would be proud.

Saoirse, our FMC, is a celebration of softness and vulnerability. She is strong because she is soft. I love her. Faolan is every bit the clever, swoon worthy pirate that my life has been missing. If you love sassy and witty but gentle FMC, please go meet Faolan. These sweet babies need a hug.

The found family aspect was lovely and I adored so many of the side characters. I hope we see more of them in the next book!

𝙇𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙏𝙤:
🩵 Marriage of Convenience
⚔️ Found Family
🩵 Slow Burn
⚔️ Runaway Bride x Pirate
🩵 Celtic Inspired
⚔️ Opposites Attract
🩵 Who Did This To You

This story is hauntingly beautiful and magical! The characters are flawed just enough that it makes them feel real, and I loved them for that.
The last 20% of the book broke my heart! (Bit of a third act breakup). I was waiting for a cliffhanger since it's a duology but there wasn't one, though it's clear that Faolan and Saoirse's story isn't done yet. The ending is something of a unhappily happy ever after.
Before you Google the name pronunciations like I did, check the back for the pronunciation guide. I wish that has been at the beginning!
Speaking of the beginning, I had a bit of a hard time getting into the story because the first chapter just throws you in. Additionally, it's in the perspective of Saoirse who, due to her "curse", seems a bit crazy or "fanciful" at times. The single first person perspective really worked well for this book, though it was nice to get a peek into Faolan's head in the epilogue!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Ms. Rapier for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.
Let me just say: this is a GORGEOUS cover. Full props to the graphic design crew.
I really liked the premise; I guess Irish/Gaelic mythology is having a moment as I’ve seen a several fantasy books featuring it lately. Add in pirates? Sold! Saoirse has been secluded and repressed her entire life due to possessing magic that nobody really understands but everyone feels is dangerous. Her magic played a role in her brother’s death (what exactly that is is unclear at the beginning) and her father has locked her away for her entire life. Now, at marriageable age, she is finally set loose from her <s>prison</s> cabin and set to marry a man she fears. To escape, she turns to the “Wolf” (Faolan), a notorious pirate and adventurer, and bargains her magic for his protection. As part of this bargain, she must assist him with his quest to find a lost island.
The first half was so good. The palpable distrust amongst Faolan’s crew for Saoirse was on point. Saoirse’s fear of her magic and her uncertainty both about her place aboard the ship and in Faolan’s life was so relatable. After all, she’s been locked up her whole life; she’s bound to be naïve and socially inexperienced. I also could understand that she didn’t really grasp what was happening with her magic; after all, she never had anyone to explain it to her and had been actively discouraged from using it.

The climax, though, I got a little lost. I had to re-read a few times to get a better picture of what was happening. Why is Kiara suddenly in charge? What exactly does Saoirse owe her? And WHY? I’m still unclear tbh. I also didn’t expect that this was a duology, but I suppose it makes sense, and maybe all the questions I had will be resolved in the followup book.
Overall I enjoyed this quite a bit. I think it would have benefited from a little more clarity in the climax but hopefully its sequel will clear everything up. I’m very curious about the next steps for Saoirse and Faolan following that ending.
⭐⭐⭐1/2

Pirates! I will absolutely clamor over a stack of tbr books any time I hear about an upcoming pirate fantasy and SOULGAZER has a gorgeous cover, heart, and swashbuckling adventure, so it’s totally fine if I ignore my tbr, right?

soulgazer by maggie rapier is solidly in my list of best books I've read this year. an excellent romantasy with pirates, a princess, a marriage of convenience, and a quest to find a mythical isle.

saoirse is the soft girl I wish we'd see more of in romantasy. she just wants to be loved, but definitely has to go on that journey of self acceptance first. faolan is her foil in the form of a cocky pirate who doesn't want to be tied down or fall in love. together, they're a perfect pair. I'm a sucker for swoon, and this book delivers especially with the 'my wife' moments!!

thank you so much to berkley romance and ace books for the free copy!
I highly, highly recommend this one!!!

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an ARC for my honest opinion

Curses, pirates, fake marriage, ancient magic, slow burn romance, great tension, banter and so much more in this book. I loved the plot in this book; it was different enough with the high stakes for the characters and at the same time just refreshing to see the whole plot being laid out for us to pluck and navigate our way through it. In this book you will meet Saoirse who has been treated like dirt by her father her whole life, with all the abuse she has shrunken herself into the smallest version of herself, and she now believes all the horrible things that her father has ever told her. All she wishes is for freedom and to make her own choices in life, and when she sees a pirate who is called The Wolf (Faolan) she decides to finally take matters into her own hands and change her fate. Faolan is what most would call a rogue, he is handsome, and he knows it. He flirts with everyone, and he jokes about everything. Oh, and to make things worse he is trying to become a legend the world will never forget about.

Throughout the book you will go on high-stage missions, with a lot of tension between the two main characters. You will find that they both banter each other so much they drive each other crazy, but with all the bantering you will see that Saoirse slowly comes out of her shell and starts to stand up for herself with the help of Faolan pushing her too. I loved/hated that he was so hard on her but with him doing this he has helped her to learn more about herself and what she is truly capable of. The missions that the characters go on really shine a light on how opposite the characters are but at the same time they balance each other so well. You will find that there are a lot of emotional moments in the book, and ones that will leave you thinking after you have finished it up. I can’t wait for the next book to see the rest of the journey. I want to say more but I won’t so I will end it with, YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK.

I want to thank NetGalley and Berkey Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

saoirse has been sequestered away in a cabin her whole life because she’s cursed. when her father, a king of one of the isles, sets her up to marry a horrible man for an alliance, she really has no choice but to run away into the arms of the legendary pirate, faolan. saoirse promises to help faolan find the missing isle of lost souls in exchange for protection, which comes in the way of a marriage!!!! pirates and marriage of convenience… who knew yet it works so well!!

this book had me by the throat and I read it entirely in one sitting. faolan is a rakish pirate whose reputation precedes him. saoirse is fighting for her freedom in every sense of the word. but things aren’t what they seem and given her curse tends to end up with people dead, the stakes are higher than ever when their marriage stops feeling so fake.

the stakes were high, the magic system was intriguing, the political systems and found family all hit so hard for me and I truly had a great time with this one!! I am waiting with bated breath for book 2!!

thank you so much Berkley romance and PRH audio for the gifted copies!!

Thank you Berkley, Ace Books and Netgalley for the eARC!!!

5 ⭐️'s!!

When I say I'm obsessed, I mean I am absolutely OBSESSED with this book!! It was everything I wanted and more!

The writing was absolutely stunning and I thought the magic system was so interesting and unique!

The marriage of convenience trope is one of my favorites, and I thought the author did an amazing job at writing this trope!

I adored Saoirse. I felt so much for her character & her struggles with her family. I loved seeing her learn more about herself, her family, and her powers.

I thought Faolan was the perfect mmc. Their banter & chemistry was AMAZING, and the slow burn + tension was everything.

I will literally be recommending this book to everyone I know!! The perfect summer romantasy!!

I’m not even sure I understood what happened in this book to give it a real review. This book is over 450 pages and I was confused for at least two thirds. The last thirty percent I skimmed because why bother when I can’t follow along. I was really enjoying this book at the start but after 70% of me going “huh?” “What does that mean?” “What happened?” I’m exhausted. The romance as okay. Could be a little more rounded. World building I think made it hard for me to follow along. So much is talked about but nothing is explained. Something about the writing doesn’t flow for me. I had to go back and re-read the last few pages I had read multiple times but got tired of that. Saoirse has suffered a lot and I liked seeing her build up her confidence. Faolan was fine but I think describing him as a pirate is a bit strong. Their relationship seemed rushed yet super slow. Plot was a lot to grasp. I still don’t understand so many things of how her magic works, why somethings were so easy and why certain things were actually important. I really wanted to love this book but I’m so confused my brain hurts.

*Reviewed via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

**Thank you Ace, Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the free e-ARC**

I really enjoyed this book and loved the more unique aspects of the magic system within this book. I also loved the banter between Faolan and Saoirse overall. Saoirse could be viewed to some as a little frustrating but considering the abuse she ensured growing up I think the author did a good job at conveying how that abuse could effect someone as an adult making them insecure and unsure of themselves and their decisions. Faolan and his crew of pirates are overall enjoyable.

The more difficult part of this book is the world-building. For the world-building I was confused the first 30% of this book because it was a little hard to understand exactly what was going on and magic system. The rest of the book was much easier for me to understand though. Finally the writing. There were some quotes I absolutely loved but at times the author had an elegantly detailed writing style that was a bit verbose.

I loved the premise of this book and book 1 definitely did not end how I thought it would so I will be reading the sequel to see where this all leads to. I am happy this is a duology and hopefully all unanswered questions will be answered in the sequel.

This had me hooked from the beginning! The immersion into the broody Celtic world was immediate and all encompassing. And these characters! I always enjoy the badass fighter FMC, but there is something special about a FMC who is softer, less self-assured, but also brave enough to do what she feels needs to be done. That is absolutely Saoirse (sur-shuh).

What can I even begin to say about Faolan (Fay-lan)? He is a cheeky rogue pirate with a charm and quick wit that enamored me immediately. Every bit the "wolf," he is cocky and playful, but also fiercely protective. I loved how very patient and sweet he was, and he constantly had me chuckling.

The crew were a colorful bunch, and I loved all of the dynamics as everyone got to know one another. The trust was mostly slow to build, but the wolf pack is loyal to the end.

The magic in this was of the more subtle type, where there were "gods-kissed" things left behind after the humans killed the gods, like magic fish or leather from a magic goat. Saoirse had her curse, and her amulet & tattoo, but had no control over any of it.

This is low spice, but most certainly not lacking in tension! The chemistry between Saoirse and Faolan is fantastic, as is the slow burn romance that occurs between them.

I can't wait for the next book! The ending to this one isn't a cliffhanger, but I am so very curious how things evolve from here!

I’ve loved pirate stories since I was little, and this one is officially a new favorite. The high-stakes adventure perfectly interwove with and supported the romance, which was as electric as it was palpable, with the chemistry between Faolan and Saoirse literally jumping off the page. Unashamedly, I swooned over Faolan more times than I care to count. This debut was a breath of fresh air in the romantasy landscape, and I am in desperate need of its sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book.

2.5 stars, rounding up

I have been on the hunt for a good pirate's romance and I'm afraid this one did not quite stick the landing. I found the world building to be confusing and I was lost for a good portion of the book as to the lore of this story and how it impacts the current day and the character's motivations. The saving grace was Wolf, he definitely was a pirate you could swoon over and I loved seeing more of him. I wish we could have seen more interactions with the crew and this found family that the FMC gets close to along the way.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a promising, but ultimately pretty confusing book. I'll do my best to sum up the premise. We follow Saoirse, a young woman with a curse who is essentially held captive by her father, a King. She flees in order to help a sorta-pirate, Faolan, find a mythical Island of Lost Souls. Why? Because in this Celtic inspired fantasy world, the gods have all died and when humans now die, they are trapped in "soulstones", which if you touch, kill you. If they can find the island, they can free the trapped souls.

Am I 100% sure what I told you is correct. Nope. The biggest flaw with this book is that it is written very confusingly. Transitions just sorta happen, with characters suddenly in a new scene with little explanation. The world building is both vague and too detailed at the same time. The author tells us too much that we don't need to know, and too little of what we do. The characters fair a bit better, but there's a lot that's told and not shown, especially with Faolan. We're told he's a rakish, famous pirate, but we see so little of that. Saoirse can be quite contradictory in nature, which while it could be intentional, it feels confusing because of how everything else is written. Also, I could not tell you what happened at the end.

There are some real positives in this novel, however. I really liked that Saoirse wasn't a snarky, refuses help from everyone, badass type of FMC. I was really bracing for a training montage but there wasn't one! Miracles do happen! Saoirse may be physically weak but can draw strength and courage outside of her physical prowess. Faolan being a braggadocio was nice as well, he's not combative or rude (no enemies to lovers here) but has a different sort of personality. The fantasy world being built on Celtic mythology was also a nice change of pace.

There was a lot of potential here that was held back by the meandering and obtuse writing and the book was overly long. Overall I didn't have a bad time with it but was left wanting clarity.

Thanks for the free book @berkleypub
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier
3.5 stars ⭐️
A woman decides to take her own fate into her hands when her father arranges her marriage to a brutal king. She escapes on a pirate ship in exchange for leading the ship to a lost island.
I went into this book completely blind. I just saw how gorgeous the cover was and I had to read it. I liked the book overall. I liked the dynamics of the ship and the crew. I do wish that the magic system was better explored. I don't completely understand it. I also found some moments to be jarring. Something would happen and I would have to flip back and see if I missed something. I hope that these issues will be addressed in book 2. I am definitely going to read the rest of the series when they come out.

A perfect blend of romance and fantasy! Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier is the first in a romantasy duology featuring a pirate and a cursed princess. Saoirse has lived her life in fear of touch and what her touch can bring. Blamed for the death of her older brother, she’s been hidden away from the world until now. Now, her father is selling her in marriage to the Stone King and has found a way to bind her magic permanently. When a story reaches her ears about the Wolf of the Wild searching for a girl with ocean eyes who will lead him to the Isle of the Lost, Saoirse knows this is her chance at escape.

Saoirse is an interesting character. Told almost entirely from her perspective, as the reader we get a good sense of who she is, what she cares for, and her magic. It’s clear that Saoirse has been manipulated and lied to her whole life. It’s honestly heartbreaking to read her experiences and for her to believe that’s just how the world is. I enjoyed seeing her grow throughout the book, understand her magic a bit better, and go from being a curse to a blessing.

Faolan, the Wolf of the Wild, is a pirate with a big heart. I instantly liked him and can see why Saoirse did as well. He has his secrets, but I like that he allowed Saoirse to set the pace of their relationship, even when she tricks him into marriage. Their banter is some of my favorite parts of the book. The rest of his crew are great. I loved the side characters and learning about each of them, Brona in particular.

I found the magic system and world building interesting. There are six islands, each representing a home for one of their dead gods. The seventh isle has been missing since the death of the gods, and many believe it never existed. The story revolves around this mysterious isle and Saoirse’s magic. The Isle of the Lost is where the deads’ spirits find rest. Without it, the deads’ soulstones have been piling up and their spirits wondering. Because of her magic, Saoirse is more attuned to them, their suffering and emotions.

While I enjoyed the story as a whole, the beginning was a little rough and hard to follow. Some of that I believe may have been intentional as Saoirse has been kept away from others for so long that she doesn’t know how to respond to people or how her magic will interact with them.

Overall, I really enjoyed Soulgazer. The romance was a slow burn that had me cheering them on. Saoirse’s character growth was great, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for her during the next book. I’m also looking forward to more information about the world as it is ever evolving and changing. Can’t wait for book two! If you are a fan of romantasy, pirates, adventure, and romance, I highly recommend it.

Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier
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Saoirse has spent her whole life cursed by a magic she longs to be free from. She runs away with the legendary pirate- the wolf of the wild, hoping to find a way to free herself and find a new life along the way.
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What I loved:
-I loved how this book started! It sucked me into this world of island life and kingdoms, with a rich lore and history. Saoirse is being treated so unfairly and I was dying for her to get free!
-I immediately shipped these two.
-Loved the entire crew of pirates and their found family.
-The end was so fast paced and I flee through the last 30% of the book.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can’t wait for book two! If you love pirates and adventure with magic then be sure to add this one to your shelf.