Condemned as a witch, sentenced to die, Alys Tanner uses her innate magical power to flee Puritanical New England. Stealing a ship, Alys becomes captain of The Sea Witch, leading its all-female, sorcery-wielding pirate crew. But the colonial British navy is in hot pursuit. The navy fights for a choke hold on the Caribbean and will destroy anything they cannot control, especially witches.
When Ben Priestley, a headstrong naval navigator, is inadvertently captured by the lady pirates, dangerous truths are revealed. A quest that could turn the tides against the navy’s might ignites a reluctant partnership between the by-the-books prisoner and the fierce witch pirate captain. While they brave backstabbing pirates, perilous tropical islands and monster-filled seas, Alys and Ben’s mistrust grows into unexpected desire as they battle an enemy that will stop at nothing to rule the waves.
Release Date: Aug 26, 2025
Series: Salt & Sorcery
Book: 1
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Canary Street Press
Price: $12.99
A gripping fantasy world that I never wanted to leave!
Eva Leigh writes lush worlds with the perfect balance of female empowerment and males who are supportive and not threatened by strong women. I’ve always enjoyed her historical romance stories, but The Sea Witch goes above and beyond. It’s Pirates of the Caribbean, but better. How better? If Jack Sparrow were an intelligent female with magical ability and the desire to be free, but still do the right thing… that’s Alys Tanner.
Now, at first, I thought, based on the titles, this book would be about a female witch pirate who was captured. Never in a hundred years did I expect it to be about Alys Tanner, the captain of a ship called The Sea Witch, and her magically inclined crew on an adventure through the seas to locate clues that would help them free sea-faring leviathans from British Naval enslavement. Add in a relentless, broody, and sexy naval sailing master, who charts the seas, who is intent on bringing Alys to heel, and things get better.
Leigh is once again inspiring me, as I love books that combine plenty of action with romance and a deep-seated plot that still leaves me with questions when I reach the end. The pacing is on point, the stakes are constantly raised, and the setting is lush and vibrant. The magic system was probably one of the aspects that captivated me, aside from the underlying story. Women exist in a world where they are persecuted for using magic, whereas men are professionally trained and celebrated. The witches of Alys Tanner’s crew discover their power through natural means, tying their development to learned experiences and imagination. I love this idea of where magic merely exists, and by embracing it, calling to it, a person can harness its power.
The romance itself is a slow burn that quickly becomes incendiary. Alys and Ben both come from similar yet different worlds. Tortured by their pasts and desperate to forge their own futures. As their paths intertwine, the developing relationship only enriches the story itself and adds a new layer of conflict for both characters.
Overall, I have only one thing left to say – when will Book Two be available? This is all I care about at this point. I need more of this story, of the Sea Witch, the crew, and its captain. If you’re looking for a romantasy with a unique world, a magical system that kicks ass, female empowerment on a grand scale, and plenty of action balanced with romance, this one is for you.
~ Landra
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