Soulgazer is a 2025 release I remember being curious about, but didn’t get around to reading. So when I saw it as a Read Now on Netgalley, it felt meant to be. So I picked up this romantasy on a rainy day. Today I want to tell you about this book and what I thought!
A big thank you to Ace for providing me with an eARC to read and review. This doesn’t affect my opinion in any way.
Every legend has a beginning.
With their freedom on the line, a young woman and a rakish pirate take their fate into their own hands as they attempt to find a lost mythical isle with the power to save their entire world.
Saoirse yearns to be powerless. Cursed from childhood with a volatile magic, she’s managed to imprison it within, living under constant terror that one day it will break free. And it does, changing everything.
Horrified at her loss of control, Saoirse’s parents offer her hand to the cold and ruthless Stone King. Knowing she’ll never survive such a cruel man, Saoirse realizes there is only one path forward…she must break her curse.
On the eve of her wedding, Saoirse seeks out the legendary Wolf of the Wild—Faolan, a feral, silver-tongued pirate. He swears to help rid her of the deadly magic, if she’ll use it to locate a lost mythical isle first. Crafted by the slaughtered gods, it’s the only land that could absorb her power.
But Saoirse knows better than to trust a pirate’s word. With the wrath of her disgraced father and scorned betrothed chasing them, Saoirse adds one last condition to protect if Faolan wants her on his ship, he’ll have to marry her first.
Review
As for many fantasy books, we have a female main character who is being forced into a marriage she doesn’t want to be in. According to her parents she’s cursed and this is what she must do. That never felt right and I love the fact that she escapes this with a fake marriage to a pirate heading out on a quest to find a missing island that could solve all of their problems.
I’m always down for a quest in fantasy books and this one checked off a lot of the boxes. Their time at sea and learning all about this world was really interesting and kept me reading. I loved the world and elements of magic that are slowly explained as we read. During the story we definitely had some twists or moments of action that I didn’t see coming.
Saorise was such an interesting character who was definitely shielded growing up. She’s always thought she was cursed and caused a tragic event in her family. So she learned not to take up much space. That doesn’t mean she never felt anything or wanted answers. Throughout Soulgazer she really starts finding herself and I loved it! I have a feeling she’s going to end up a very strong FMC. Then we have Faolan who seems to be notorious and who just happens to be looking for the island that could solve some problems. He was sassy and strong, but could also be so protective of Saorise and what she needed.
The romance between these two is slow burn and the tension was just how I like it. Their banter and push and pull was so fun! Add in the found family aspect of Saorise finding her place with his crew, and I was sold! I really wish we had more of Faolan’s POV though. It would’ve pushed this one to five stars for me I think. I’m excited to see how everything will continue in book two!
The sequel, Wolftamer, releases at the end of August. I’m grateful to say I have an eARC of Wolftamer, so you can definitely expect to see my review on the blog next month! Have you read any amazing romantasy books recently? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!
