Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier
Fantasy Romance
July 8, 2025- Ace
ARC

Review by Angela

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