I really wanted to love this book. It has everything I should have loved. Crew of female pirates? Check. Romantasy set on the high seas? Check. Feminist themes? Check. Unfortunately I could not get into it. I think my main issue with the novel is it's pacing. The beginning is slow and plodding. It takes quite a bit for the true action to start and the central conflict to emerge. I wasn't really invested in the characters either. Outside of the two main love interests, our core cast of characters don't feel concrete. They come across as decoration rather than real people with stakes in the plot. And finally, the romance at the heart of the story feels forced. The MMC comes across as cold and unyielding. I never found him to be someone I wanted to root for. As a result, the FMC comes across as naive for entertaining him.

If I wasn't reading this book to write a review I probably would have DNF'd it. I am bummed to say that I cannot recommend The Sea Witch.

The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh was a captivating and sensual read that I couldn’t put down. I loved how Leigh brought the mysterious, magical elements to life while grounding the story in real, emotional stakes. The chemistry between the characters was electric, and their journey felt both intense and heartfelt.

BOOKSTAGRAM POST COMING SOON

Dare I say I may have been an ARC reader for THE next big romantasy? Is this how ARC readers of Fourth Wing felt?👀

In the beginning, we meet our protagonist and resident bada$$ Alys Tanner, who is escaping execution in Puritan New England. She seizes a ship and becomes captain of the titular The Sea Witch, leading a crew of sorcery-wielding women hunted by the British navy. When they capture Ben Priestley, a defiant naval navigator, Alys is forced into an uneasy partnership that could tip the balance of power at sea. Amid cursed islands, rival pirates, and monstrous threats, mistrust slowly gives way to desire as they fight an enemy determined to rule the waves.

Eva Leigh paints such a rich tale in this novel. I was extremely impressed by the three dimensional characters and the stories they had to tell. The layers were rich and beautifully written. I felt as though I could actually taste the salt in the air and feel the wind on my skin as I was reading. There’s a feminist undertone throughout the story, but it wasn’t overdone and was very tasteful, and I very much appreciated it. A swashbuckling tale filled with feminine rage and a dash of romance, this is a must read for fans of Pirates of the Caribbean and Daughter of the Pirate King.

So listen… this book is written in super intense 3rd person, and usually, that’s not my vibe, but I gave it a chance. And wow, I actually loved it. I mean, witch pirate? HELLO!!! 🧙🏻‍♀️⚔️ Enemies to lovers, ships, the sea, runaway witches, magic, and total women empowerment? Say no more. And let's not forget... the cliffhanger 👌🏼. A solid ⭐⭐⭐ for me.

Pirates of the Caribbean x Running Close to the Wind x To Ravish A Rogue x magic

I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley. I started because the publication dating is approaching so I was reading for the sake of reading: the world building was interesting, appreciated learning about the patriarchal society that hates women yada yada and then BOOM chapter 6 - the link happens and I’m ENGROSSED and enthralled

I absolutely love a reverse trope: he’s the “damsel in distress”/strait laced person who needs to loosen up. Everything moment of their relationship felt real. Nothing was rushed and felt organic to the story.

Benjamin Priestly - A MAN.

Listen - there are some of the most gorgeous declarations of love without saying it in a book. The most epic “touch her and die” sequences that are a hoot and a half. The magic system is incredibly interesting. The fight sequences were tense and thrilling. I was on the edge of my seat.

This is why I don’t read unfinished series. This was amazing and I don’t know when the next book will be out!

I will be reading Eva Leigh’s back catalogue of historical romance.

Publication Date: August 26, 2025

Eva Leigh is one of my favorite historical romance authors, and I was eager to see how her writing would translate into historical romantasy. The Sea Witch not only lived up to my hopes—it exceeded them.

The story follows Alys Tanner, who escapes Puritan Massachusetts and becomes captain of The Sea Witch, a pirate ship crewed entirely by women, many of them witches. When she crosses paths with British naval navigator Ben Priestley, their collision sets the stage for a high-stakes adventure. Ben’s loyalty to the crown clashes with Alys’s determination to protect her crew, but as their worlds intertwine, both characters are forced to reevaluate everything they believe.

This book was the perfect blend of history, romance, and magic. I loved how Alys and her crew created a haven for themselves at sea—a place where women could live freely and wield their power without fear. Ben’s gradual shift in perspective made his arc especially satisfying, and the chemistry between him and Alys was layered, tense, and compelling.

Leigh’s research and attention to detail shine through, grounding the fantasy elements in a rich, authentic historical setting. From shipboard life to early modern fashion, every detail felt immersive. The romance, the magic, and the themes of power and freedom all worked together beautifully.

The Sea Witch is a standout read and an excellent start to a new series. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy historical romance, romantasy, or pirate adventures with strong feminist themes. This is one of my favorite books of the year, and I’ll be first in line for the sequel.

🪄 "Love's a prison."
⚓ "What your husband gave you... that wasn't love. It was ownership."
🪄 "The same thing."
⚓ "Not with me."

OMG THAT CLIFFHANGER WHAAAA!!! 😱 I had no idea this was a duology and now I’m itching for book two already

I’ll be honest I didn’t expect the romance to hit me as hard as it did... but I completely fell for these characters. Their connection made the story so much more compelling and I just wanted more and more

I loved that the FMC is a witch who’s not only fighting for herself but rescuing other women like her women who are punished simply for existing as witches while men are free to practice as mages without consequence

💔 "Any boy who showed magical aptitude went to be educated at the academies and make his fortune in the larger towns. Any girl who failed to hide her supernatural ability was killed."
That line GUTS ME... It hits way too close to home with what the double standard feels like in being a woman

this is a total Pirates of the Caribbean vibe with adventure, mystery, romance, fighting, magical powers, mythical creatures, and even captured fugitives!!! If you’re craving an exciting adventure that keeps you locked in this one will take you on quite the ride!

This book is amazing! Set in the real world but with touches of magic, mystical beast, pirates and mystery. Alys rescues a group of women from their town in Massachusetts and they are witches. These women hit the high seas and forge a path on their own. When Ben is captured by these women it shows a different light to the preconceived notions about all pirates and we see the why Alys is the ruthless female pirate she is.

Due to accident both Ben and Alys are now connected and share a bond that surprises them both. Along the way surprises come at them and warring the ending is cliffhanger.

This was such a good mix of fantasy but set in the Golden Age of Pirates where there were some female pirates on the high seas during this time. It is also a book that has equal focus on the plot and the spice and the spice is SPICEY!

Can not wait to see what is next.

Free copy given for my honest review thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press.

1720, Caribbean.
Alys Tanner lives in an 18th century world where magic is acceptable, but only when used by men. Her Puritan New England views her magic as unnatural and dangerous, and when she's accused of murdering her husband, she flees from Cape Ann to the Caribbean to captain a pirate ship with other witches. They capture a British naval officer, a ship's navigator named Benjamin Priestly, who may hold the secrets to a powerful treasure. What Alys finds though, is a man unaware of his own power, connected to her through their shared dreamwalking. Their obvious attraction to one another and hatred for everything the other stands for get in the way of the tenuous alliance they'll need to stay alive on the high seas.

The Sea Witch has a lot going on, which makes for a fun read if you just hang for the ride. It's a historical romance dressed up as a pirate adventure with some fantasy and myth, which is exactly what I expected and wanted. The magic system is loose, which works for the style of plot, but may not appeal to readers looking for something tighter: Alys and her witch crew are still exploring the limits of their power, so sometimes they just try something and it works. What I loved about their power is the need for balancing, that they must form bonds to share the magic to ease the burden of its overwhelming strength. For a ship full of witches told that they don't belong, they've forged their own home with one another.

I will never not love a starchy captain, and I was in this for Alys and Ben's romance. Eva Leigh always brings the heat, and once Alys and Ben can get past their opposing views and realize that they can help one another, the book takes a steamy turn. That said, *this is the first book* and the romantic arc is not fully resolved!! Romance readers beware, this has a cliffhanger, not even an HFN.

There is a lot of action in the Sea Witch, giving it more of a cinematic feel than a romance with internal monologues. Along with its cliffhanger, that works for the fantasy elements and the assumed longer arc of the romance and plot. Every time a new mythical creature appeared on page, I laughed a little, because the adventure and action just doesn't let up. Pirate lovers, this one is for you.

Many thanks to Harlequin & The Hive for the preview. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun witchy pirate book. I absolutely pictured Ben as Norrington from Pirates of the Caribbean the whole time. This has tons of action, magic, high stakes, a quest, swashbuckling, and a slow burn enemies to lovers romance that becomes scorching.

I loved the found family of the pirate crew, and how they specifically tried to help women and enslaved people. There’s tons to love here, and I think people new to romantasy will especially enjoy it if they’re coming from a historical romance background.

I will say, I did try to start with the audio, but I was NOT vibing with the narrator. She didn’t do a good job of differentiating between characters and voices. I switched to the ebook and flew through the book after that.

I’m entertained and engaged enough to want to continue the series to see where we go next!

It's a pirate ship full of lady pirates, most of whom are also witches, and one British officer foolish enough to chase the captain on to the ship and promptly get himself captured.

I loved this. From the opening escape from a New England town (which reminded me of The Witch of Blackbird Pond, probably mostly because I imprinted on that book as a child), to a daring escape from a tavern, through sea battles, jungle journeys, and daring escapes from the British Navy, this is an adventure book.

I adored how powerful Alys is and how Ben keeps trying to protect her anyway. The depiction of their magic is also fascinating, drawn from the natural world and a support of one another.

But I didn't understand that this is the first book in a duology and there is very much a cliffhanger at the end of this book. I'm looking forward to learning what's going on and how they finally resolve it in book two. Because book one was a good time.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Sea Witch is the first book in the Salt and Sorcery series. This historical romance infused with magic set on the piratical seas of the Caribbean was fun to read. Alys is a beautifully complex morally grey FMC. You see her heart for her crew as well as others she comes across who are less fortunate.

Ben is a complex MMC as we watch him go from a straight-laced by the rules naval officer to embracing the possibility of becoming a pirate. The banter between Alys and Ben is perfect as they move from being enemies to lovers.

The plot is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing while being full of swashbuckling piracy. And it is made all the better as you see it through a crew comprised of magical women. I can’t wait to dive more into this series with the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC.

Raging female pirates take on the high seas and fight against tyranny? Yes please! I loved the magic meets pirates meets high seas. The adventure never stopped.

While I loved the idea of female witch pirates and Salem Witch Trials meets Pirates of the Caribbean, I feel like it fell a little flat. I didn’t feel the connection between the FMC/MMC. Mostly just an enemies vibe. And there were lots of pieces that didn’t quite add up. For instance, Alys kept talking about the limits of her magic but then was able to create massive amounts and be ok but then do a few small things and be drained. Everyone conveniently knew the info that was needed. And there was just a little too much miscommunication for me.

That being said, I thought the plot was fun and exciting. Lots of twists and turns. You never knew where they were headed next!

I hate the term romantasy. I am torn on it as a sub genre but have read some really great stuff. I am torn on it because before I read only romance I read a lot of fantasy by men… that had sex (and often violent and abusive r*pe on page) but that was never called romantasy. So I get a little frustrated that this is somehow not just fantasy?

I also argue that this violates the golden rule of romance - the happily ever after. A cliffhanger is inherently not a happily ever after.

As a book itself - Eva Leigh is still a stunning author. She writes the rage that I need for 2025. Fuck men. Fuck the system. Be angry. I loved it all. Alys is brilliantly vulnerable and tough as nails. Ben is a stuffy man who is so unhappy and learning to be himself makes him so much freer - and isn’t that just a beautiful story too.

I just hate that publishers are pushing the single couple multiple book arc as romance. It isn’t. This is fantasy with romance in it.

The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh was such a fun, adventurous read with a refreshing twist on pirate stories.
Alys, a witch escaping death, takes to the seas with an all female, magic wielding crew and becomes a fierce pirate captain. I loved the female empowerment and the way the crew stood together against danger, magic, and the British navy. Ben, the uptight navy navigator, was the perfect contrast to Alys, buttoned up, rule following, and completely thrown off by her boldness. Their reluctant partnership slowly grows into something more, with a true enemies to lovers vibe that didn’t rush into romance. The worldbuilding was unique, with magical sea monsters, tropical adventures, and dangerous secrets. While the pacing slowed a bit in places, the found family feel, action, and creativity kept me hooked. This is a perfect read for anyone who loves pirates, magic, and a story led by bold, unforgettable women.
Looking forward to see how this duology develops next.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

To be honest, not the book for me. The first few chapters felt exciting given that she is a female pirate but later on it felt mundane. No offense to authors and anyone who liked it - maybe it's just me. Every adventure and every twist felt cliche and not in a cute way. I disliked the idea of them establishing a bond because that took away from the relationship growth. Also the bond should imply that at least they get together sooner but you finish almost 60% - 65% and then something happens.

I am not saying the book is bad, it just did not feel exciting for me.

okay this gave what it was trying to give! you know me - i will EAT UP anything that has to do with pirates. and here we have an all female crew of PIRATE WITCHES????? i. c. o. n. i. c.

alys escapes her small town as she was being hunted for being a witch. she brings along a bunch of other witches from her home to take the seas and begins a new life as a pirate captain. her and her crew become notorious around the caribbean - we LOVE to see it. she was such a fantastic main character to read from. i also love that she was the swashbuckling pirate while ben was the buttoned up master sailer of the british navy. he was appalled at the things she said and her actions because to him, they were unladylike. as she should! ben has been trying to track down the pirates who killed his father years ago which is how he ends up as a prisoner (and i use that term loosely lol) on alys' ship. the two of them work together to find this fail-safe item that a previous pirate left that would break the control over a leviathan creature that the navy has been using to get rid of pirates.

this had adventure, romance, found family, and FEMALE EMPOWERMENT. i did feel like this got a bit showy over telling. but i adored the characters as well as the messages in this story. i wasn't a huge fan of the romance, only because it felt typical and cliche for a story like this and i'm over those right now (but that's a huge personal preference). however, i will say that nothing romantic really happened until after 50% of the book which i appreciated because they weren't jumping each others bones from the get go. ben and alys were pretty bitter towards each other in the beginning because of their opposing views, so it truly felt more rivals to lovers.

this ends on a crazy cliffhanger than makes me intrigued to continue. a lovely romantasy if you're a fan of pirates! it was giving MAJOR will turner and elizabeth swann vibes.

A day of cleaning and packing and I decided to dive into a pirate romantasy!

I really liked that this was ‘different’ from the usual take on a pirate book. An all-female pirate crew with a male capture. In general, the book is very female-forward which I loved! The romance in this book is super slow burn, in my opinion. While you can assume who, the way it unfolds is not what I had originally expected when diving into this.

Just a warning, there’s a cliffhanger 😉

Arc Review!!

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, pirate witch x navy hero, forced proximity, she takes him captive

(4.75 rating)
This was just the perfect book for the end of the summer! I immensely enjoyed following Alys (the fmc) as she makes her way from a witch condemned with death to a pirate captain of an all-female crew in times when women didn't have the same options as men, especially not those with power. It was the perfect adventure with a sprinkle of romance between the main characters as they form a reluctant partnership having hated what one another stands for.

WE LOVE A STRONG FMC! Perfect for those who love Pirates of the Caribbean!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Canary Street Press for this e-ARC!

(Bookstagram review story coming soon!)

The Sea Witch blends the adventure of Pirates of the Caribbean with the atmospheric tension of Serpent & Dove. Set aboard an all-female pirate ship, the story follows a group of witches who escape execution in their hometown and reinvent themselves as fearsome pirates in the Caribbean. With a unique magic system and themes of female rage and resilience, it offers a fresh twist on both pirate and witch lore.

While the book delivers a compelling premise and a powerful sense of sisterhood, it does have its slower moments. The pacing occasionally drifts from the central plot, and the chemistry between the main characters takes a while to spark—perhaps a bit too much of a slow burn.

That said, the story finds its rhythm near the 3/4 mark, culminating in a satisfying turn that builds real momentum. It ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you eager to dive into the next book.