Soulgazer is hands-down one of my FAVORITE reads of the entire year. Rapier's voice is gorgeously lyrical, detailed, and utterly evocative. Saoirse is a unique FMC; she stands out in a sea of "bad-ass" FMCs (which I also love; no shade!) as someone deeply wounded and hurting, and yet those wounds are what make her brave and strong. Faolan is hilarious and charming, making him easy to love. His song for Saoirse still makes me giggle. But I also love his depth-- he's clearly a man who wants to be loved but is scared of what happens when he does, and watching him fight to reconcile that over the course of the book is something to cherish. I am absolutely feral waiting for the second book to drop!

**Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an advanced e-book in exchange for an honest review.**

When I read that this was a pirate romantasy, I was in. I feel like anything pirates? Bring me the adventure.
This book definitely has a lot of difficult topics and serious moments - dealing with so much loneliness and grief, emotional and physical abuse, and this ever persistent feeling that you just need to be more, or that you are nothing. The dichotomy of those two is played so well through the main characters, how they collide but are similar in their guilt, their grief, their secrets. Sure, at times it was difficult to like Saoirse or Faolen, but the characters are real. All of these complicated feelings, emotions, moments, secrets - they are written in a fantastical way but they are at the true heart of how so many people feel.

All of the serious and heartfelt moments are of course cut with the banter and humour that I would fully expect from a pirate adventure. And the found family that is shaped and loved with the crew of wolves. Brona? An amazing character. And the friendship that her and Saoirse form is one that I truly cherish - as I love seeing supportive female friendships blossom in stories.

In case it isn't clear, I really enjoyed this book. It has everything I enjoy - a good romance, friendships, great side characters, political dealings, adventure, tales and myths, and some fantastic writing!
I will note that I felt there was one section that I didn't love for how the story played out, with how everything ended with Saoirse's dad and that some characters from earlier on seem non-existent for the ending. But this is a fantastic debut in my opinion. Rapier weaves an adventurous tale filled with the magic, romance, and moments that I love to read about. I even teared up at one scene, which is not something I do often when reading ;)

Definitely recommend for the romantasy fans who would like some piracy in their reading!

TW: blood, injury/ injury detail, emotional abuse, death, physical abuse, drowning, death of parent, child death, confinement, sexual content, fire/ fire injury, violence

Overall, this was a good pirate romantsy book. I did struggle with grasping the worldbuilding but eventually grew to enjoy it. I wished that we had seen more development of the minor characters who seemed to get lost towards the end of the book. The adventure part of the novel worked fantastically as they sought the lost isle. Faolan had a deep personality to him that helped keep the story afloat. If you're looking for a meaningful novel, where the heroine begins to make way for herself, this is definitely your book. Plus, the ending was an absolute cliffhanger, that has me questioning what will happen to Saoirse and Faolan.

Soulgazer is a swashbuckling, magical pirate novel featuring Saorise, a soulgazer, who thinks she’s cursed because that’s what her horrible father has taught her. She’s dreamed of escaping her imprisoned life with the Wolf of the Wild, a legendary handsome pirate. So on the eve of her wedding to the Stone King, a match orchestrated by her father that would lead from one prison to another, she runs away to the Wolf’s ship and convinces him to marry her instead. Luckily, with her colorful and ever-shifting ocean eyes (cue Billie Eilish’s song), she’s just the girl he’s looking for.
Faolan, or the Wolf, who wears a single leather glove like he’s Michael Jackson, is looking for the Island of Lost Souls and Saorise’s magic is just what he needs to find it. So he agrees to their marriage of convenience and sets sail with the stolen bride.

The premise of this was so exciting and promising but failed to deliver in my opinion.
The beginning of the book was so confusing, I almost closed it up, didn’t finish and moved on with my life.
There’s so little description of setting it was difficult to understand where the characters were. I didn’t even realize entire chapters in the beginning took place on a ship.
The author writes in lyrical prose that made everything sound pretty but overall lacked substance to hide the lack of setting and minimal world building.
That being said, I was hooked in the middle by the story and quickly read the rest of the book. Was I confused a lot? Yes. Is so much of the magic system and world still a giant void of nothingness that is yet to be described? Also yes. Will I read the sequel? Maybe, but mostly because I’m a curious person and need to know what happens next.

I was lucky enough to get an e-ARC of yet another one of my most anticipated books of 2025 back in February and yet, it took me months to finally read it. Why? Because I was so afraid to be disappointed. But once I finally jumped in, I couldn't look up and break the surface. I was completely immersed in the story, and I fell in love with the characters. Also, the tension, the angst between the couple was to die for!
Soulgazer is releasing July 8th, a month from now, and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy. This book was so great, I already want to re-read it. And you won't want to miss out on Maggie Rapier's beautiful writing style, let me assure you.

Well, fairly certain this is my favorite read of the year 2025!

Not only did this fill the pirate romantasy void in my heart, but it also made me weep and heal something in me.
So for the fun bits! Pirates!! Marriage of Convenience!! Reluctant allies to lovers!! Found family!!
Ever since Pirates of the Caribbean, I have been dying for more pirate romance fantasy stories, and this one fit the bill so well! You are thrown into a fantastical world where old gods were slain and their blood seeping into each island left them with magical properties. I truly enjoy the novels where you are just along for the ride and the world building is done along the way, instead of an info dump in the beginning. Learning the world as you go on this adventure with the main character makes it fresh and keeps you on your toes.

Now for the soul ripping part. This book is for the girls who are tired of being angry. Its for the ones who just want to heal and not burn the world down (yet) Saoirse's inner dialogue felt so so similar to my own. I was also naive and innocent to the world. I was taught the outside world was full of evil people, but instead what I found like her was a found family. People who accept me for me. Saoirse's journey shadowed my own but in a fantasy setting.
The author's note at the end of the book was what finally had me crying my eyes out. I reread it twice and then a third time to my husband. I cannot WAIT to get a physical copy of this book. It has carved out a special place in my heart.

Absolutely loved this! I knew from the description that this story would be right up my alley, but to say that this book does not disappoint would be an understatement. The story was beautifully told, the romance was perfect and the character progression was great! At times, the plot does lag a little but it picks up immediately after, it was thoroughly entertaining until the end!

The cover is what immediately drew me in and the description sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, the writing style of this one isn't for me and I ended up DNF'ing.
Thank you to Ace for allowing me to be an early reader. All thoughts are my own.

4 stars. It seems like all I'm reading this year is romantasy. I know that's not 100% the case, but there have been a lot of romantasy reads for me this year. And a lot of them have been from the Ace/ Berkley publisher. And I've enjoyed every romantasy release from Ace that I've read this year, but Soulgazer is my favorite so far. Personally, I haven't read THAT many pirate type romances, and I think that's one of the reasons I really enjoyed Soulgazer-- it felt fresh and new to me. And I mean, the book is essentially a romance between Rogue from X Men and Captain Jack Sparrow. Truly, this is 100% the book for someone that loves Pirates of the Caribbean, but wanted Jack Sparrow to be the love interest. Faolan was just as cocky and jokey and frivolous and morally grey and so much more than meets the eye. And Saoirse is my favorite type of heroine-- one that is completely underestimated. Everyone in the book minimizes Saoirse, but Saorise also minimizes herself. I think both characters show a ton of growth. I also loved the ending... a lot of the plot is wrapped up, but it still leaves enough open to be excited about the next book. All in all, I really enjoyed Soulgazer. A big thank you to Berkley/ Ace, Rapier, and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Many thanks to Ace and NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.

OMG Y'ALL THIS WAS SO GOOD! I read it in one sitting and could not put it down. So if you read the acknowledgements and author's note (WHICH YOU SHOULD), Rapier says this book started as "sexy pirate, the saddest girl in the world, and BIG FEELINGS,." And honestly that's incredibly accurate, no notes from me. But it's also just so much more.

This story has a high-stakes plot with lots of action, danger, and a quest. But this is the most character driven book at the same time. Saoirse has been so abused by her father; she's made herself into the smallest version of herself, and believes the awful things he's driven into her head. She both desperately wants to escape, but it also incredibly scared. Enter Faolan, a sexy rogue if ever there was one, who jokes and flirts his way through life while making a legend of himself. But those jokes hide a lot that he isn't willing to share with the world. Together they have a very bumpy road to healing.

There is so much tension, ANGST, longing, yearning, mistrust, hope, and heartwrenching hurts. Saoirse has a lot to unpack, and Faolan slowly teases her out of her shell. This is a slooooooow burn, but everything is earned here. But Faolan is as frustrating as he is sexy; he manages to ruin so many perfect moments by adding a joke because he's just not willing to reveal his heart yet. And it hurts! I cried a couple of times, ngl. But to quote Rapier, "the point isn't her sadness. The point is that she heals."

The ending sequence had my heart in my throat. But these 2 have my entire heart. This book wraps up the first arc pretty cleanly. It's incredibly bittersweet, but hopeful. I am already feral for the second book to see where we go from here, and hopefully get more happy moments.

Highly recommended!!

Soulgazer completely pulled me in like a tide! 🌊⚔️ Maggie Rapier has crafted a dazzling pirate romantasy filled with magic, Celtic lore, and a slow-burn romance that had me clutching my chest the whole time. I won’t lie I’m not one for pirate romances normally but this sounded to good to not give a shot and I’m glad I took the chance on it.

Saoirse is vulnerable yet fierce, soft yet determined, with a journey of self-empowerment that had me rooting for her on every page. And Faolan? That rakish pirate with charm, bite, and hidden depths? Pure perfection. Their tension, their banter, their slow dance toward trust and love — I was obsessed! 😍

The world-building was phenomenal, from the magic system to the stormy seas and the quest for the mythical isle. This book gave me everything: marriage of convenience, found family, pirate adventures, emotional healing, and that delicious push-pull dynamic between the leads. I’m marking myself down as fully hooked and counting the days until the sequel. If you want a romantasy that will sweep you off your feet and leave you breathless for more, Soulgazer is it! 🖤✨🏴‍☠️

If you're looking for a pirate romantasy, look no further! This had some of my fave tropes of golden retriever MMC and found family. Also, marriage of convenience. All in all an enjoyable romp of a tale!

I really enjoyed this debut! I think it'll be a perfect recommendation for patrons looking for their next romantasy read. I can't wait for the sequel.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.

3.5 | I have so many conflicted feelings after reading this book. Did I enjoy the experience of reading it? Definitely. Did I find it challenging to grasp the plot? Without a doubt, yes.

Let's discuss the positive aspects of this book.

The main highlight of this story was certainly the two lead characters. Saoirse definitely reminds me of Elide from the Throne of Glass series. She is a kind, shy girl who has endured many terrible experiences that made her doubt her worthiness of love and feel as though no one truly cares about her. She is quite insecure and often fears disappointing or hurting those she loves. I appreciated that during the course of this book, she managed to break out of her shell and pursue what she truly desires. However, I think she still has some personal growth to achieve, as she remained quite insecure and lacked the confidence to express her true wishes by the end.

Now, let’s discuss my Faolan, the famous pirate. He certainly came across as a stereotype of a flirtatious pirate, but I enjoyed it. The playful exchanges between him and Saorise were fantastic to read. He really assisted her in building her confidence and breaking out of her shell. This book reveals that he relies on humor to deal with his challenges, which helped us gain a deeper understanding of his character. I wished we could see things from his perspective, as he is undoubtedly a fascinating character to explore.

The connection between Saorise and Faolan was delightful to read. He took his time to earn Saorise's confidence by consistently supporting her. Additionally, I enjoyed the instances when Saorise openly expressed her wants to Faolan. I will always appreciate the dynamic of a shy girl and a golden retriever guy.

My main problem with this book is that I struggled to grasp the story. Typically, I don’t have trouble comprehending a story after reaching the 20% point. Yet, in this particular book, I never felt confident that I grasped the storyline. Frankly, I would say that I only understood about 40% of the book.

I think it’s likely the style of the writing that makes it difficult for me to grasp what is taking place. The prose is excellent, yet quite challenging to follow. There were some lovely and poetic lines, and the sections I did comprehend were fairly engaging. However, many moments lacked background or detail. Events would simply unfold, and I would need a moment to get my bearings in the scene.

The creation of the world felt a bit like an excessive amount of information and often did not register clearly for me. I was confused about the ceremony or ritual at the start, which was intended to be quite significant. At multiple moments, I found myself puzzled by the magic system and the island's objective.

To wrap things up, the main problem I encountered was that the writing made some scenes unclear and difficult to understand. In many areas, there was a lack of sufficient context to follow the storyline, and there were also several gaps in the plot. While the writing is definitely powerful, the book required additional clarity and context.

The ending had me confused, yet I plan to keep reading this series since I really enjoyed the characters and remained engaged with the storyline in the sections I grasped.

TROPES
- Soft & shy FMC / Golden retriever MMC
- Pirate on a quest
- Mariage of convenience
- Irish mythology
- Found family

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.