The Sea Witch dives you into an immersive pirating world that toes the line between fantasy and the real world. An ode to feminine strength and taking back your power while sinking into a slow burn that makes you want more even after hitting the climax ;).

3.5 rounded up to 4


Witch Pirates— say less.

The Sea Witch from historical romance favorite Eva Leigh is full of super feisty, super feminist witch pirates with magic on the run from the British navy. Alys is our domineering pirate caption who I loved from the jump. Ben is an uptight British navigator determined to find and capture all the pirates, especially the one that may have killed his dead.

These two have tons of chemistry, the magic is awesome, the battle scenes are fast paced and the plot is well done. I just didn’t want the cliffhanger, I wanted it all wrapped up and I think I am just tired of these romantasy trilogies or duologies.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a review copy, all opinions are my own.

Witch pirates? WITCH PIRATES??

This was a fun, easy, and pretty quick read!

We have women living in a world where they aren’t allowed to use their magic, and they said MAKE ME STOP THEN. This was very empowering and fun.

I do still stand by not being a big fan of third person story telling but I still enjoyed this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

This title will be released August 26, 2025!

This book was so much fun! Pirates, magic, possessed sea creatures, OH MY!

I love that this book reversed the gender roles that most romantasy books seem to follow- domineering man and damsel-in-distress that needs saved. In this story, women run the ship, literally. The FMC, Alys, is a witch that escapes her life in New England that would see her hanged and take up the sails as a pirate captain of The Sea Witch. Her ship is comprised entirely of women pirates, many of whom are witches. They encounter Ben, a Royal Navy navigator, who becomes their prisoner.

This book has a unique storyline, lots of action and adventure, some spice, and had me captivated right from the start.

This was a swashbuckling good time and I'm eager for the next book in the series. If you loved Pirates of the Caribbean as a kid and you love romantasy now, you will definitely enjoy this book.

This follows a witch pirate captain named Alys Tanner, who after escaping her colonial town with a group of persecuted witches, flees to the Caribbean and establishes herself as the head of a ship manned entirely by women, many of them witches. She is pursued by Sailing Master Benjamin Priestley, an uptight naval captain determined to hunt down the pirates who killed his father. Taken captive aboard Alys's ship, Ben agrees to help her find the fail-safe for releasing the leviathans that are controlled by the Royal Navy's mages. Cue pirate hijinks!

I really appreciated the change of pace for this book. The FMC is the more "morally gray" character, and the MMC is the one taken captive. Also, she is the one secure in her sexuality and her place - she has carved out a feminist utopia on her ship , The Sea Witch, and she will defend it to the death. It's the MMC who has to have the change of heart. I really appreciated how Alys is in charge of her sexuality and her pleasure (I've been waiting for spice where the MMC has to learn what makes the FMC get hot and this really delivered!), and how Ben is the one who has the emotional journey to become a better person (and a pirate, along the way). Also, the opening scene is a chase through the wild and raucous streets of Tortuga. What's not to love?

Perfect for those looking for a light-hearted, pirate themed romance with feminist undertones.

Thank you to Canary Street Press for this digital review copy in exchange for honest feedback!

When Alys Tanner and her fellow witches are threatened with death in the colonies they take to the sea and become pirates in the Caribbean. A year later the ship has gained a reputation among pirates and the Royal Navy alike. When Ben Priestley, a naval navigator, pursues Alys to her ship he is taken captive and forced to help on their mission to sever the tether between the Navy and the sea creatures it uses to attack ships.

I am not a romantasy reader but I cut my teeth on pirate romances form the late 90s and 2000s. I love that Alys was the captain and that Ben was the captive, which was a fun juxtaposition of the classic trope. I love romances set on sailing ships and so those parts of the story were catnip for me. I honestly don’t have strong opinions on the magic and how much the system made sense, I didn’t need it and honestly enjoyed the moments without magic or creatures the best. I hate hate hate books that end on a cliffhanger, but I know that goes withe territory in romantasy, so I can’t hold that against the book. I liked both Alys and Ben and look forward to seeing where this series takes us.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so good! Exactly what I wanted from a romantasy! Enemies to lovers was done so well. There was also amazing world building and writing was also great. The only gripe is I wasn’t a fan of the spice.

I love that The Sea Witch is a fresh, feminist twist on high-seas adventure, full of magic, pirates, and romance. Alys is a strong, brave main character, and her relationship with Ben feels real and emotional. The story moves at a good pace, though a little more detail about the world would help. Overall, it’s an entertaining and empowering read that keeps you hooked.

I couldn't put it down, so fun and fast paced, loved loved loved the whole witches pirates aesthetic and how it worked together, the romance was very fun and exciting to read but I am very happy that it wasn't the main point of the story, which felt very refreshing in comparison with other romantasies out there. I really enjoyed this book and I CAN'T WAIT for the second book on this series, that ending?????? just kill me already

I'm going to be completely honest up front: Romantasy is not my normal jam. However, when I heard Eva Leigh (the awesome Historical Romance author) would be writing one, there wasn't even a question. I knew I'd be reading it ASAP. And I am so glad I did. :)

Alys and Ben are such a wonderful example of the enemies-to-lovers trope done perfectly right. Not only is this pirate romantasy full of awesome feminist rage and badassery, it's also home to a favorite trope of mine: When the guy is less experienced than the girl and she gets to teach him. And WHEW, is he a fast learner. Leigh writes such amazing sexual chemistry in her historical romances, and this was just as sexy. (When he admits to her that he also sleeps naked, I died happily.)

Overall, this is an absolute gem of a book with plenty of spice and heart!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | “The Sea Witch” by Eva Leigh – Witchy Pirate Magic & Slow‑Burn Sparks**

I just turned the final page of *The Sea Witch* and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel. This book swept me away on a magic‑fueled pirate adventure I didn’t know I needed—with lashings of female rage, forbidden sea‑witch powers, and just the right amount of steam.

Alys Tanner immediately stood out—bold, whip‑smart, and unapologetically a leader. Seeing her transform into the captain of an all‑female witch crew felt empowering and raw. Then there’s Ben, the button‑down naval navigator. Their enemies‑to‑lovers banter is sharp and sizzling, and the slow‑burn romance hit all the right notes.

Leigh does a brilliant job with the setting—vivid tropical seas, monster‑infested islands, the tense clash of Puritanical repression and magical rebellion. The conflict between the pirate witches and the British navy kept the stakes high, and I loved how Alys’s witchy abilities unfolded—mysterious, dangerous, and unpredictable.

That said, I docked it one star because the pacing felt a bit uneven at times—some sections dragged before the tension ramped up again. I did wish for a bit more build‑up to make the romance feel unshakable, but honestly, when the spark ignited, it was electric.

All told, this is a badass romantasy: smart heroine, clever romantic tension, feminist vibes—and yes, sea monsters. If you’re craving a fresh new take on pirate fantasy with magic and emotional heat, *The Sea Witch* is your treasure. I’m giving it a solid 4 stars, and I’m counting the days until the next voyage with Alys and her crew. 🏴‍☠️🔥

🌊✨ Book Review: The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh ✨⚓

I absolutely LOVED this book! 😍🔥 The Sea Witch swept me away with its fierce pirate witches, sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, and epic adventures on monster-filled seas. 🧜‍♀️🗡

Alys is the ultimate badass pirate witch captain — fearless, powerful, and impossible not to root for. Ben, the stiff British naval hero she takes captive, is the perfect match for her fire. Their forced proximity and crackling chemistry had me grinning and swooning the whole time. 💫❤️

If you want a story with magic, vengeance, tropical danger, female rage, and a romance that burns as hot as the Caribbean sun, this book is it! 📚💥 I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly recommend for anyone craving a bold, magical, piratey escape! 🏴‍☠️

There were multiple points in the book where I found myself questioning why I'm still reading it, but still something kept pulling me back to it. I'm not into pirates at all -- the only reason I picked up a pirate book is bc it's one of the prompts in this year's r/fantasy bingo challenge. I'm also not into historical romance which this book feels like, at least based on the writing. The reading experience was too tedious to be enjoyable. I was intrigued by the idea of an all-women pirate crew, but it turned out too girlboss than true women empowerment.

I think I kept reading bc I really liked that the MMC wasn't a cliche macho captain of a navy ship but a gentler, more intellectual character. And the unexpected plot twists and reveals kept me interested enough to see them play out (with good payoff at the end). I enjoyed the last 20% more than I thought I would -- so much that I'd pick up the sequel!

This book is a champion of femininity and strength. I absolutley adored the backdrop. It's been a while since I've read any historical fiction works, but this one just took the cake. WOW. I think the blurring of witches and pirates was done so beautifully. I loved the strength of all of the featured women and how there was never a submission between the two love interests in this romantasy. To be loved, because of your strengths and not forced to shrink is such a powerful message. Beyond that, the world building was phenomenal, both simplistic but intriguing there were clear lines and boundaries even as we followed main characters who have been shunned from the magical world. The delightful mixture of history, fantasy, and romance is just perfection.

We have Alys the strong female captain who led an escape of the witches of her town and took to the sea to finally seek freedom from the oppression of men in their daily lives as well as the threat of violence against wishes. She wants freedom and peace for her sisters. She has a strong front but is a very sensitive emotional character underneath, you just have to crack through her shell. Then we have Ben. He loves rules, order, and vengeance for his father's death. His determination winds him captive as the only male on Alys' boat. When they are linked through a dream bond they must work together to solve the threats at sea, but will they be able to stand the tension between them or the secrets that lay ashore.

The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh is an enchanting blend of romance, magic, and a touch of darkness that pulls you in from the very first pages. Set against a vivid, windswept seaside backdrop, the story masterfully captures the tension between desire and danger.

The chemistry between the protagonists is undeniable—passionate, complex, and full of longing—which keeps the pages turning. Leigh’s writing brings the world to life with lush descriptions and an undercurrent of mystery that adds depth beyond the central romance.

At times, the pacing slows and a few plot threads could have been tighter, but overall, this is a compelling, atmospheric tale perfect for readers who love their romance with a dash of the gothic and the magical. A seductive escape you won’t soon forget.

Absolutely loved this book! I enjoyed Alys and Ben going on this unforgettable quest. A pirate captain witch was something I had not read about before. Eva Leigh created a wonderful story and I cannot wait for the next book.

Fleeing colonial America and a future that means certain death, a witch seeks a new future in the Caribbean. In her world, men with magical abilities are trained and taught, and women are scorned and killed.

A year later, as a captain of an all-female pirate ship, she is given a clue that sets her on a treasure hunt not for gold, but for safety. A pesky, but attractive, royal navy-man entangles himself in her sails. He, too, is both escaping and searching.

—

I thought this book was clever and the world-building was intriguing. I would read the inevitable sequel!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.


Our main character is Alys Tanner; she was condemned to die for being a witch. She managed to escape Puritanical New England, using her magical powers; she fled to the high seas where she stole The Sea Witch. She became captain of the ship with an all-female crew. They ruled the high seas using their sorcery. The British navy is determined to capture and defeat them. The British Navy wants to control the Caribbean and intends to destroy pirates, witches and anything that won’t bow to them.
After a year on the waters, the Sea Witch’s crew captures the naval navigator, Ben Priestley. Ben and Alys form a tentative bond, together they can take down the Navy. Together they face dangerous islands, lying pirates, and the monsters that fill the seas; they form an unexpected relationship.
This is a pirate romance novel at its best. In this tale Alys is more experienced than Ben and guides their relationship. This tale has desire, witchcraft, and female liberation. The females in this tale are strong, independent and determined to make their mark on the world and mankind.

I feel like this book was marketed for me personally. Witches who are also pirates on a multicultural ship that frees enslaved people and are a constant thorn in the side of the navy? Sign me up!

Alys and Ben have a very slow burn romance, but the build up is part of the charm of the story. There is so much action in this novel that it doesn’t feel like a romance, more like a romance is developing naturally as the story progresses. The enemies to lovers trope is utilized wonderfully in this story, a pagan pirate Captain falling for a bold naval officer with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove to himself.

The magical elements were very interesting, mixing in monsters and mages to create a world much like our own but completely different at the same time. The plot was full of action and I genuinely think this would make an amazing TV show.

I did not like was how Alys seemed to do a complete 180 in attitude once she and Ben finally had sex. Suddenly she was not as focused on their mission as she was in protecting him. I also didn’t like some of the dialogue, as it felt really forced/stereotypically “pirate” , but that’s a small complaint in the grand scheme of things. Still, an amazing story!

Star Rating: 3.5

This ARC of The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh was my first pirate book! The story centers around a diverse, all-female crew of pirate witches, and the theme of female empowerment is what caught my attention. I had been wanting to try a pirate romance for a while, so I was v happy when I got approved for this ARC.

I enjoyed the book overall and read it fairly quickly, but I was honestly a little underwhelmed. Some plot points felt drawn out longer than necessary, and a few story elements seemed inconsistent. For example, the main plot begins after the crew has been on The Sea Witch for just one year, yet they act as though they’ve been lifelong pirates. Their lingo, relationships, and daily routines would have felt more authentic if they’d had several years together before the main events of the book.

The idea of dream walking was introduced early on, and I was excited to see where it would go, but it ended up feeling underdeveloped. I wish it had played a larger role, as it had so much potential.

The central storyline is essentially a treasure hunt full of obstacles. While this kept the plot moving it started to feel repetitive, and my interest started dwindling. That said, I really enjoyed the character development throughout. The dual POVs were well-timed and added depth to the story.

The dynamic between the main characters was different from what I typically read. She is experienced, bold, and confrontational, while he is more rigid, modest, and passive. I thought it was executed well and will definitely appeal to readers who enjoy this type of dynamic.

The ending was action-packed and had an unexpected twist that nicely set up the direction for the sequel.

While it didn’t totally love it, it was an easy summertime read, and I’ll be keeping my eyes open for the release of the sequel.

I would recommend The Sea Witch to anyone looking for a new summer fantasy read, especially if you enjoy:

- Witches
- Pirates
- Strong FMCs
- Historical fantasy romance