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fromjuliereads 's review for:
Soulgazer
by Maggie Rapier
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an advanced e-book in exchange for an honest review.**
When I read that this was a pirate romantasy, I was in. I feel like anything pirates? Bring me the adventure.
This book definitely has a lot of difficult topics and serious moments - dealing with so much loneliness and grief, emotional and physical abuse, and this ever persistent feeling that you just need to be more, or that you are nothing. The dichotomy of those two is played so well through the main characters, how they collide but are similar in their guilt, their grief, their secrets. Sure, at times it was difficult to like Saoirse or Faolen, but the characters are real. All of these complicated feelings, emotions, moments, secrets - they are written in a fantastical way but they are at the true heart of how so many people feel.
All of the serious and heartfelt moments are of course cut with the banter and humour that I would fully expect from a pirate adventure. And the found family that is shaped and loved with the crew of wolves. Brona? An amazing character. And the friendship that her and Saoirse form is one that I truly cherish - as I love seeing supportive female friendships blossom in stories.
In case it isn't clear, I really enjoyed this book. It has everything I enjoy - a good romance, friendships, great side characters, political dealings, adventure, tales and myths, and some fantastic writing!
I will note that I felt there was one section that I didn't love for how the story played out, with how everything ended with Saoirse's dad and that some characters from earlier on seem non-existent for the ending. But this is a fantastic debut in my opinion. Rapier weaves an adventurous tale filled with the magic, romance, and moments that I love to read about. I even teared up at one scene, which is not something I do often when reading ;)
Definitely recommend for the romantasy fans who would like some piracy in their reading!
When I read that this was a pirate romantasy, I was in. I feel like anything pirates? Bring me the adventure.
This book definitely has a lot of difficult topics and serious moments - dealing with so much loneliness and grief, emotional and physical abuse, and this ever persistent feeling that you just need to be more, or that you are nothing. The dichotomy of those two is played so well through the main characters, how they collide but are similar in their guilt, their grief, their secrets. Sure, at times it was difficult to like Saoirse or Faolen, but the characters are real. All of these complicated feelings, emotions, moments, secrets - they are written in a fantastical way but they are at the true heart of how so many people feel.
All of the serious and heartfelt moments are of course cut with the banter and humour that I would fully expect from a pirate adventure. And the found family that is shaped and loved with the crew of wolves. Brona? An amazing character. And the friendship that her and Saoirse form is one that I truly cherish - as I love seeing supportive female friendships blossom in stories.
In case it isn't clear, I really enjoyed this book. It has everything I enjoy - a good romance, friendships, great side characters, political dealings, adventure, tales and myths, and some fantastic writing!
I will note that I felt there was one section that I didn't love for how the story played out, with how everything ended with Saoirse's dad and that some characters from earlier on seem non-existent for the ending. But this is a fantastic debut in my opinion. Rapier weaves an adventurous tale filled with the magic, romance, and moments that I love to read about. I even teared up at one scene, which is not something I do often when reading ;)
Definitely recommend for the romantasy fans who would like some piracy in their reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Drowning