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.

Wow this blew me away! Lyrical magic and enchanting storytelling!

This story of pirates and soul magic and the tension between these two characters made for an enamoring dynamic. Saoirse meets the legend that is the wolf of the wild, and finds he is her only escape from her father and future husband. When she discovers he needs her help just as much, they leave on a journey to help him find a secret island.

The yearning in this book is felt do clearly between these characters in this marriage of convenience type romantic story. I loved the writing, it was so lovely and magical in its own way, I did find some of the magical elements confusing only at the start but quickly picked it up as the story developed.

This read so quickly and felt unique in all its own ways, I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Thank you ace books and Berkley for the arc!

"Let me make a legend of you."

Cursed since childhood with a powerful, misunderstood magic, Saoirse longs to be free from the burden and escape her cage. On the eve of her arranged marriage, she seeks out Faolan, the Wolf of the Wild, a pirate who is more legend than man. Together, they strike a deal to help each other, on one condition: Faolan must marry Saoirse first. As they relentlessly search for a mythical island with their ragtag crew, they discover what it truly takes to become a legend.

I loved this book. The banter, the gorgeous details, and the well-developed characters kept me turning pages late into the night. The use of Celtic elements was a unique take on pirates that I hadn't read before, and found family is one of my favorite tropes - please take me adventuring on the ship with you. The first few chapters were a little confusing with what was happening, but it becomes clearer as you read further.

Saoirse is allowed to remain soft, despite everything that has happened to her, and I think that's something that we don't see a lot of in fantasy. Don't get me wrong, I love a good heroine who can sword fight and has no fear, but there are different kinds of strength, and Saoirse's is so important. she learns to accept her power - but is very aware of its significance and conscious of its consequences. It was refreshing to read a character like Saoirse, and I hope that we get to read more of her story in the future.

Faolan is the feral, rogueish pirate of your romantasy dreams. Rugged and brash with a softer side, he is loyal and will do anything for those he loves. There are plenty of "my wife" moments, and even a "who did this to you." His banter is witty and swoon-worthy.

A sweeping adventure full of myth and magic, tenderness and longing, and Celtic elements, Soulgazer is perfect for the readers who long to know what's beyond the edges of the map, where the sky meets the sea, and the line between legend and reality is blurred.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was super excited to start reading Soulgazer - pirates, fantasy, marriage of convenience and found family all sounded right up my alley, but unfortunately I couldn't fully get into it.

Firstly, the world building is a slightly overwhelming info dump and never made a lot of sense to me. I did not get the ceremony/ritual at the beginning, which was supposed to be pretty important. The writing was lyrical and beautiful, but sometimes to the point where it was hard to understand what was happening in certain scenes.

The story picked up after Saoirse married Faolan (a pirate) to escape the marriage her father forced on her to a cruel man. They board a ship with the goal of finding a solution to Saoirse's deadly curse, which sets off a long quest. At several points the magic system and the purpose of the island had me confused, but at least the vibes were good and the banter between Saoirse and Faolan was witty and sharp. The found family aspect is also well done.

For me, the biggest issue I had was that the writing obscured certain scenes and made it hard to grasp what was happening. In a lot of places there simply wasn't enough context to make sense of the plot, and there were a few plot holes as well. The writing is undeniably strong but the book just needed more clarity and context.

Thanks so much to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC!

I LOVE fantasy books with pirates so I was really excited to read this arc and I was not disappointed! The characters were so great and the setting really drew me in. Such a great read!

2.75-3 stars

*taps on mic* testing is this thing on? okay, how do a pirates say no? *looks around at the non-existent audience* NAURRR. *takes a bow and confidently exists stage*(ohcomeonitwasalittlebitfunnyno)

anyways, i guess it's safe to say that i was sold quite easily just from the book blurb and stunning cover. like hellooo--a stand alone NA romantasy with Celtic pirates, curses, found family, AND a marriage of convenience trope...sign me tf up. (also is it just me or are there not that many books about pirates out there; unless there are like a bunch out there and i've just been digging under the wrong rocks, in which case, pls feel free to point me toward some lol--idc ima try to sneak in as many pirate references as i can so accept it or walk the metaphorical plank)

Yet despite all its selling points, the story itself kind of feel short for me. I think one of the biggest reasons had to do with the fact that the book is written in first person, which for anything outside of contemporary/romance/historical romance genres, I don't particularly care for. Though despite that, I'm here to say that I didn't abandon ship and decided to give the story a chance bc who knows it might actually surprise me (spoiler alert: it didn't).

now, the story is told from the pov of the fmc, Saorise, who grew up in household that lets just say wasn't so booty-full. her character is somewhat naive and very much meek, but i didn't rlly mind that too much especially given how she was raised, which realistically speaking, one doesn't just throw away everything they know in little over a month and become the next Black Beard. yet, there were still points in the story where you can see her trying to change and become more confident which i was rlly happy for her for, bc i was honestly kind of over all the pity parties she was constantly throwing herself. one last note, idk if it was just me but i was honestly very confused about her family. there are times where she mentions her two brothers, but then later the story would talk abt her brother (singular) like she only has one real brother and the other is just a childhood friend/guard/smth.

the mmc, Faolan, on the other hand, both delivered and repainted the concept of pirate. i mean just look at one of the first things he said to Saorise was You caught my eye earlier, but I half think you might've stolen my heart as well. Be a dear and give it back? flirty lad=pirate. i don't make the rules. now this wouldn't have completely worked on me, but i'm guessing it was enough for the lass seeing as she later manages to convince our dear captain to bury his rakish(?)ways and shackle himself to her in holy matrimony (for convenience sake ofc). now, i was honestly expecting a lot from his character just bc he seemed to be like an onion with many hidden layers to him. sadly, my dude ended up being more like a banana, but i couldn't even be mad when bro would say stuff like this: That woman is not property, nor did I steal her. She is my wife. She rests under my protection. And you can tell tha' son of a b**** Maccus if he wants a war with me he'd dam well better prepare his funeral pyre. and this: Tell me who hurt you, love.

despite all that, i honestly didn't rlly care all that much for their romance. especially, since it felt like i had a front row seat to their flirting and horny-ness. now, the brewing romance btw two of the crew mates-Lorcan and Brona-that i'd pay money to see and honestly hope they get their own book (i could practically FEEL the yearning radiating from Lorcan)

as for the plot...what plot? aye, that in itself was a treasure hunt. to put it simply, there was a lot of info dumping and the plot holes didn't rlly make anything better (left me with more questions than answers). and personally, if my captain n his landlubbing wife were keeping secrets from me as i was risking my life to help them find some mystical island...i honestly would have committed-or at least very seriously contemplated committing-mutiny, just sayin'.

as for the ending...you can call me a scurvy dog all you want, but ima honestly just let you experience that one for yourself and make up your own mind about it (+10 gold coins if you can guess whether or not i liked it tho).

*Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for giving me an E-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I 100% picked this book for review based on the cover. I’m not even going to downplay my absolute adoration for this gorgeous, gorgeous work of cover art.

This is the story of a young woman, Saoirse, who is burdened by her power. The power to see the souls of the dead and kill with just a touch. She’s been told by her father, the king, that this affliction stems from her touching a soul stone as a girl. Kept isolated and alone, shuttered away in a cabin far from anyone, her one goal is to find a way to get free of this terrible curse.

Brought to an annual celebration at the start of the summer, where the kingdoms of the land mingle to find partners, Saoirse quickly realizes her father has sold her hand in marriage to the ruthless Stone King and has figured out how to lock her magic away. Desperate to find a way to get rid of her curse and out of her betrothal she realizes the only way might be to escape with the pirate searching for a mythical island.

Faolan, the Wolf of the Wild, is a legendary pirate and seaman who is looking for a lost island rumored to be able to grant freedom to the souls trapped in soul stones. He is searching for a girl with ocean eyes, who he is convinced can lead him and his crew to the hidden location. They do find each other, and after a daring escape, set out on his magical ship, with his loyal crew.

This was such a fabulous addition to the romantasy/fantasy romance genre. The beginning was a bit confusing for me as readers are dropped right in the middle of a celebration where Saoirse is introduced and her dire circumstances become apparent. Once she and Faolan head out to the sea to search for clues to the lost island this becomes more of a pirate adventure, and I was all in.

Saoirse is battered and broken, afraid, and constantly second guesses herself and her worth. She’s grown up alone and reviled by her family. She isn’t bloodthirsty and doesn’t outwardly show physical strength, but her magic and will are strong. Faolan is the stuff romantic heroes are made of. Flashy, flirty, handsome, he often masks his true feelings with jokes and laughter. He and Saoirse spend most of the book arguing and sniping at each other, all the while falling deeply in love. There is a tenderness between them that I really enjoyed.

The world building is so very well done. The death of gods, souls trapped in stone, and a magical bloodline, hidden by time and memory. The secondary characters are absolutely fantastic, and each bring their own sparkle and shine to this story. I really believe this book should be on everyone’s radar this summer. I do have to warn you- the ending leaves off in a cliffhanger of sorts, with a HFN ending. I’m not sure if this will be a longer running series, a trilogy, or a duology. There is a definite ending to the quest and Saoirse’s search for answers, but the last chapter leads me to believe there is more to come and this couple will have many more adventures.

Final grade- A

This book was an absolute delight from start to finish! The writing was stunning, pulling me into a world that felt both magical and immersive. The magic system was especially intriguing—I loved how naturally it was integrated into the story without feeling overly complex or forced.

One of my favorite parts was the journey itself. The sense of adventure, the richly described settings, and the way the characters grew along the way made it such an engaging read. I found myself completely swept up in their experiences, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next! Plus, I have to mention the cover—it’s just as enchanting as the book itself.

Maggie Rapier had me sucked in from page one. The introduction pulled me into the world and had me completely engaged. The world building was fascinating. The island nations, their history, gods, cultures all came together to form a fascinating world. Maggie did a great job of balancing the world building with the characters and the plot. Saoirse was relatable and had me rooting for her from day one. I loved learning with her about her magic and her inner strength. Faolan was both a sexy love interest and a great supporter of Saoirse. I appreciated how much he believed in her and let her know that she could do it. There was some miscommunication but as their trust grew, most of it resolved. The story ends in a good place that leaves it open for the possibility of a sequel, which I would LOVE! There's so much that could be told and I would love to stay in this world longer. I absolutely loved it and will be recommending it to anyone who loves fantasy and pirates.

Thank you Berkley, Ace, and Netgalley for the ARC.

DNF @ 15%.

I won’t lie, I picked this one up because of the gorgeous cover and the promise of pirates. However, the writing style and story telling just didn’t click well with me. I was often confused on what was going on – I think they whimsical writing hid the plot too much for my taste at this point. I might pick this one back up in the future as I do love a good pirate romance. I definitely be recommending this to others to see what their opinions are.

Projected rating 4 stars for the right audience. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

This was fun! Faolan is :’) And the cover is so arresting!

I won’t lie, the world-building didn’t hit for me - the reader is just tossed into this story and I feel like there’s a major info dump in the beginning that I can’t really explain to you anything about. The first 20% is honestly kind of dizzying. And I could not have told you how Saorise’s magic worked until maybe 60% in. I know Saorise has been very sheltered and her naivety makes sense because of this, except that it also gets tiring to read her think the same things over and over again. I know it’s realistic, but it doesn’t make it enjoyable to read and reread. The book picked up for me at about 25%, when Saorise boards the ship!

All that being said, I think Soulgazer has better writing in it than about 90% of romantasy books that are currently out there. I mean, Druid-esque pirates is an easy sell and I loved the Celtic names. Just don’t ask me to explain anything to you.

I think this low key might be my new obsession. The writing was so romantic and atmospheric. The magic and lore was fascinating and the romance?! A pirate who's completely soft for his WIFE?! But even more than that, Saoirse's personal journey offered us so much. We got to see her be brave, to vulnerable, to accept and grow: I loved it

I do admit that some of the finer details about the magic system confused me, so I think i'll have to reread it to absorb it all. But outside of that this was a FANTASTIC debut.

I eagerly await Maggie's next novel! (is it a sequel or a standalone?! because i'm already there)
BRB as I take to my socials to rave about this experience.

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for my ARC, I truly appreciate it!

4.5/5

First of all that cover!! The art is gorgeous. Secondly, the story! Beautifully written with great characters, inventive world building, spicy romance and great banter. Can’t wait to see where it goes, because I really hope there’s more coming to add to the story in the future.

Soulgazer was absolutely EVERYTHING TO ME. And no, I’m not exaggerating.

Saoirse is cursed with dangerous magic she desperately wants to rid herself of—like, can you blame her? Her parents try to marry her off to a cold-blooded villain (yikes), so Saoirse takes matters into her own hands and hires Faolan, a silver-tongued pirate who definitely doesn’t have her best interests at heart... at first.

Together, they’re on a quest to find a mythical island that can absorb her powers (because, of course, that’s the only way to break her curse). But here’s the twist: Saoirse insists on a little “protection” and makes Faolan marry her first. Oh, and did I mention their chemistry? It’s a 10/10. Like jaw on the floor type of chemistry.

Packed with magic, tension, and delicious romance, Soulgazer delivers everything you didn’t know you needed like pirates, powerful women, and a whole LOT of angst👀👀. If you're into snarky banter, impossible stakes, and a bit of “we definitely want to kiss but also want to punch each other” energy, this is your next obsession. I can tell you for sure it’s certainly MY OBSESSION and need to have the copy in my hands right now!!!

♾️/10. This was romantic and angsty and gorgeous. I couldn’t put this down. I can’t believe I have to wait to read the second book. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Ross and Isabel Ibañez.

I rarely pick a book by its cover but DANG this one is so stunning I requested it immediately. Fantasy has been soooo hit or miss (mostly miss) and i honestly didn't have high hopes... so imagine my surprise when I completely devoured this book in 24 hours! It is such an intriguing and arresting plot... just confusing enough to make you desperate to figure it out without being frustrated. The characters are so loveable, you call in love with the whole crew (and her nicknames... "trouble", "wolf-tamer"... LOVE). Totally will be reading the next one!

I felt that the world building and magic system wasn’t explained very well which I found frustrating, but I did really enjoy the romance and the found family aspect. I am interested in seeing where the story will go and will be keeping an eye out for the sequel.

A beautifully written story with a gorgeous cover. The magic system was fascinating and I really enjoyed how the explanations were woven into the story. I thoroughly enjoyed all the time spent on the journey and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

plz can pirate romances be the next publishing trend. this was fun! love a male lead whose love language is touch, it's adorable.

the plot can be questionable at times, it's definitely romantasy in that the romance takes priority over fantasy and there's a lot of plot holes. i wish the world building was better, a lot of magical things randomly appeared when they were needed by plot, with no explanation about said items.

the narrative can be jarring at times, where settings/scenes aren't described but then an action takes place that doesn't make sense because we weren't given context to it. for example, they walk up to a cave, it's described as being colorful, and then after a while they start stripping. why? oh it's only after they step into water that we learn this is a cave with a bathing pool, not a cave they're gonna go spelunking in and need to take off their clothes bc of bat guano. shit like that happens constantly in the book, frustrating and jarring, like looking at an AI photo that gives you uncanny valley feelings.

*3.5 stars*

I went into this absolutely blind and it enjoyed that it grabbed me right at the beginning. I was so curious about where things were going to go and it's one of those Fantasy books where you don't understand everything at first but you want to keep getting more info.

I actually really liked the first half and the sea adventure it was setting up. But I will say the second half felt a bit slow and drawn out. It's very much a traveling, "on journey to somewhere" type book.

I was majorly rooting for the romance brewing. It wasn't perfect but I enjoyed it tho, I could have done without some of the steamier moments. It didn't really add anything for me. But I enjoyed the main guy character alot. While our female main character can see a little native and frustrating at times, you can kind of understand where she's coming from and feel for her. Although, there was one misunderstanding that made me roll my eyes.

I'm not sure if this is one of those books that I just lost my mood for or it just lost my attention, but, I still enjoyed it. It just felt like it could have been a bit more exciting for a pirate, sea adventure type book. Plus some of the fantasy elements of the curse were a bit hard to understand. Overall, this wasn't quite what I was expecting but still enjoyable and it could definitely have just been my mood. So it's worth checking out. I'm all about the sea adventure books with a marriage of convenience.