Soulgazer (The Magpie and the Wolf Duology, #1) by Maggie Rapier Series: The Wolf and the Magpie #1
Published by Ace on July 8, 2025
Genres: Romantasy
Pages: 480
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
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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.
Read if you like:
- Romantasy
- Forced proximity
- Slow burn romance
- Marriage of convenience
- Pirates
- Magic
My thoughts:
Not enough people are talking about this masterpiece. Soulgazer, Maggie Rapier’s debut novel, is everything you could want in a romantasy. It’s got pirates, magic, and a Celtic-inspired setting, not to mention the romantic tension and yearning of a slow burn romance. This book is utterly perfect.
Maggie Rapier’s lyrical writing style sucks you in and does not let you go. It’s lush and descriptive, painting a flawless picture of the cast of misfit pirates and their world of lost Gods and terrifying magic. While there were times I felt that the writing style was a little wordy, I couldn’t help but love it.
The writing is lovely but it’s the characters that truly make this a five-star read. Saoirse is extremely sheltered but she dreams of freedom, to see the world and find the place she belongs. Faolan and his crew of colorful pirates provide her with the chance to escape the life laid out before her and choose what her future holds. Faolan and the crew may be brash and rude at times but they never hide their true selves and together, they form a rather odd but endearing family. They don’t always trust Saoirse but they embrace her and help her grow.
Saoirse may live in a world of magic and wonder but she’s one of the most relatable characters I’ve read in a long time. Her story is heartbreaking at times but she perseveres, no matter how much she wants to give up. She shows that there is strength in everyone, no matter how weak they may seem.
Faolan is the opposite of Saoirse in so many ways. He’s bold and brash and seems totally fearless. He’s cocky and quick witted. All his flashy mannerisms hide what’s underneath. I won’t lie, I loved the bold Faolan but the vulnerable, sensitive side that Saoirse brought out may have been even better.
The plot was intriguing, if a little slow-paced. The beginning of the book was more world-building than anything else and it didn’t feel like the actual plot came into play until later. I was hoping for something a bit faster paced but this was still a quick read that kept me hooked.
Overall, Soulgazer is a beautifully written story full of characters that you won’t quickly forget. The story wraps up nicely while still setting things up for the second book in the duology. I can’t wait to return to this world and these characters and see what’s next for them!
TL;DR
Pirates, magic, and a search for a lost island of the gods? Slow burn romance, banter, and a bit of a golden retriever MMC? I feel like Maggie Rapier took all my favorite things and combined them to make the perfect book. Soulgazer features a unique story with fascinating characters and gorgeous writing. It’s a slow burn romance with great tension and wonderful banter. I loved it and can’t wait for book two.
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