The Sea Witch

Salt & Sorcery #1

by Eva Leigh

From a world where women are forbidden to use magic and the only freedom is found on the Caribbean high seas comes a swashbuckling romantasy from USA TODAY bestselling author Eva Leigh.

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Pirates, Witches, Historical Fiction, Fantasy Romance

445 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2025

About the author

Eva Leigh is a USA Today bestselling romance author. A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, her books have been featured by the New York Times, NPR, Oprah Daily, the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus, Booklist, Self, Paste Magazine, and many more. Her work has also been translated into numerous languages. She lives on the Central California coast with her husband and cats. Visit her on the web at evaleighauthor.com.

Reviews

[Kayla_Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read and review the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a unique twist on pirate romantasy. Welcome to the Caribbean! Yes I totally thought of Jack Sparrow just then. I thought of him frequently throughout this book.

An all female group of witch pirates led by a woman named Alys flee Puritanical New England to escape a death sentence. The British navy won’t give up so easy. They will destroy anything they can’t control. Including witches. After a year at sea, the witches end up capturing Ben, a navigational officer after he finds his way onto their ship. This of course leads to a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance. It was a nice change up seeing Alys as the sexually experienced one teaching Ben instead of the other way around. And he was definitely a fast learner. This was written so well and it does end on a cliffhanger but I’m excited to see how this series will progress.

[TheConnieFox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really adored this book and what all it stands for! This is a pirate romantacy book that is full of passion, magic and female empowerment! This story takes us on an exciting adventure at sea! It is an enemies to lovers romance, has mythical creatures in it and includes battles with the British navy. It is bold, daring and full of action! This book was far from boring and kept me engaged throughout the entire time I was reading it. It is well written, thought provoking, fascinating and easy to read!

“The Sea Witch” revolves around the female main character named Alys, who is both a witch and a captain of an all female crew. Even though this is a world where females are not allowed to use their magic, they go against it! As the story unfolds, we see themes of resistance and oppression and the power of magic! This book left me feeling satisfied! I highly recommend it to anyone that is interested in reading a pirate romantic fantasy book! I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Eva Leigh and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book is expected to be published on August 26, 2025!

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world where women are forbidden from using magic, the only place to truly be free is on the open sea and The Sea Witch takes full advantage of that premise. This swashbuckling romantasy throws you onto a pirate ship crewed entirely by witches, led by the fierce and powerful Alys. She’s the captain, the witch, and completely in control especially when she takes Ben, an enemy Navy sailor, prisoner.

The dynamic between them is everything. This is a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance with plenty of tension, spice, and power shifts that stay firmly in Alys’s favor. I loved how she’s the strong one throughout, even in the intimate moments. The story also weaves in strong themes of feminine rage and rebellion, with a clear “burn it all down” energy that totally worked for me.

Of course, no pirate tale is complete without a treasure hunt, and this one delivers set against the lush backdrop of the Caribbean, with sparkling waters, island sunsets, and just the right amount of danger. It’s a wild, magical, and empowering adventure, perfect for summer reading. Thanks to Canary Street Press and HTP books for the gifted ARC. Thanks to Harlequin audio for the ALC. the narration was done well but I do wish it was duet instead of a single narrator. For a single narrator it was well done.

[The Babbling Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

I went into The Sea Witch really excited. Witches, pirates, magic on the high seas? That’s absolutely my kind of setup. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t work for me the way I hoped.

This story carried a lot of political weight, and while I don’t mind politics in fantasy (in fact, I usually love when it’s woven in well), here it felt flat and heavy-handed. Instead of letting the world-building and characters naturally show the struggles of women, witches, and oppressed groups, the narrative often spelled things out in a way that reminded me more of reading a history textbook than being immersed in a fantasy adventure.

Another piece that took me out of the story was the setting. Having it placed directly in the Caribbean, with real-world geography and colonial references, made it feel more like an urban or alternate history fantasy than a true escapist pirate rom-fantasy. Personally, I wish the author had built a fully imagined world with unique names and places. It would have made the magic and pirate elements shine brighter.

And then there’s the romance. For me, it was written in the same flat, spelled-out way. Instead of letting readers pick up on subtle glances, tension, or inference, the feelings were just laid out word for word. I never really got the chance to feel the romance building or form my own interpretation of the connection—it was simply told to me. Whether that was a side effect of the third-person POV or just the style, it didn’t give me the spark I look for in a rom-fantasy.

That said, I did appreciate the themes Eva Leigh wanted to tackle: the reality of sailing being a man’s world, the exclusion of women and witches, and the inclusion of Africans in the story of enslavement and resistance. These are important topics, but the way they were presented sometimes pulled me out of the narrative instead of drawing me deeper into it.

On the audio side, I do want to highlight the narrator. She did a great job keeping the pace of the book and carried the energy throughout, which made the listening experience smoother even when the story itself dragged.

Overall, I wanted this book to sweep me away, but instead it anchored me in issues that felt a little too much like the present day. If you enjoy direct social commentary in your fantasy, this might work better for you. For me, I prefer when politics and romance are layered in more subtly, letting me live in the story first and think critically through the characters’ experiences rather than being told outright what to take away.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for an ARC/ALC of this book as well as Harlequin Trade Publishing and Harlequin Audio!

[XxTainaxX Curvy and Nerdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting adventure on the seas with witches, corrupt governments, and magical creatures. Alys and Ben start on opposing sides but develop into more as they get to know one another. I like the plot and the different threads that have been set up. I want to see where it goes next.

Chante McCormick did a great job with the narration.

[Maile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book!

Romantasy can be very hit or miss for me - I often worry that the plot is sacrificed to move along the romance. That is not the case in this book!

The Sea Witch is filled with action, magic, swashbuckling, and female empowerment - not to mention a love story that will warm your heart (and potentially make you blush). If love on the high seas featuring a pirate witch and a member of the navy sounds like your kind of book, then let me tell you, The Sea Witch is the love story for you. I can't wait to continue this series.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you canary street press and NetGalley for the gifted arc! I was absolutely STUNNED by how much I absolutely adored this book. It was so different than anything I’ve ever read, and it was truly a breath of fresh air in the romantasy genre. This book has it all!! A swoon-worthy romance, a found family to die for, feminine rage in spades, a badass FMC, and an interesting play on our own world with a touch of historical.
Alys might be one of my favorite FMCs ever. This book begins with her and a group of women escaping puritanical Massachusetts in the 1700’s before they’re to be tried for witchcraft. She’s such a complex character with so many layers. Her absolute rage at the societal standards of women pushed her to become the badass captain of the only all-female pirate crew in the Caribbean.
And Ben!! He had so much growth throughout this book. They definitely started as ENEMIES, but by the end of the book, he is a man that is absolutely obsessed with his woman. Top-tier book boyfriend. I love him.
I need the next book immediately after that cliffhanger!! I also need everyone else to read this because it was genuinely so, so, so good and exactly the type of story I’ve been searching for

[abi]

Is this year of historical romance author to fantasy romance author pipeline or what???

[Tia Toro · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ✨

I received this as an advanced review copy & I’m so thankful to Harlequin Trade & Eva Leigh because this book was phenomenal.

The ONLY reason it’s not a 5 star is because the first 20% was really slow in my opinion, and took time for me to get invested. However, once I hit that 20% I did not want to put it down.

The feminine rage in this book is ICONIC.

“An ignorant witch is no match for an educated mage.”
[redacted] drew himself up, his sword ready.
“Underestimating women send you straight to hell”

Who doesn’t love a man that also has rage for the females in the world? YES PLEASE.

You have Ben, forever loyal to the British Navy on his quest to find the pirates that murdered his father. His journey from beginning to end, watching him find himself outside the confines of who he “should” be, was amazing. I have so much love for him.

Alys is just a bad bitch, she’s ride or die, someone you definitely want in your corner. As a witch who, along with her sisters escaped the hunt for witches in Salem, she found piracy. She found freedom. Alys will protect her crew with her life without a second thought. I also, have so much love for her and her strength. Seeing her let her walls down and let someone in, allowing herself feelings filled me with so much happiness.

The last 10% had my heart rate through the roof. I guarantee if I look at my oura ring, it’ll say I was stressed during that time period. Because I was. There is quite a bit of action throughout the book, but the last 10% was a nail biter.

This book does end on a very depressing cliffhanger that had me in tears, so yeah, I need the next book. Immediately. Thank you.

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a little trouble getting into this one on my first attempt at listening to it.
I set it aside and a couple weeks later picked it back up.
Glad I gave this baby a second chance, because it was definitely a me not being in the right mood for it kinda thing on my first attempt.
I shall now convince you to read this book with three words...

MAGIC LADY PIRATES.

Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Audio for my ALC.

[Jessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received the Audiobook Arc from NetGalley in exchange for a review. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this opportunity.

A quick disclaimer before I get into my thoughts on the book, I listened to this while commuting, and I do believe that affected how well I was able to focus on the details of the book. However, I often listen to audiobooks while commuting, and this is one of the only ones that I found myself struggling to pay attention to, largely because I did not connect with the story.

The Sea Witch follows Alys Tanner, a Witch living in Puritanical New England, who, after facing the threat of death for using her magic, sets out to Captain her own ship. She assembles a crew of fellow witches, saving them from certain death and early on, captures Ben, a young naval officer. The book follows Alys and her crew as they set out to free more witches and women threatened by the strict gender ideology that governs magic, and as she gradually gets to know her new captive, who might have his own aims to pursue and that Alys as she grows closer to him, decides to help him out while falling for him at the same time.

What I liked was the themes around challenging misogyny and how Alys takes an active effort to free other women who are facing the threat of gendered violence in her world. I liked how the author combined this both with the history of Puritanical New England and also the history of the persecution of witchcraft and combining this with a more fantasy-esque story where magic does indeed exist was really clever. I thought Alys was quite a strong character as well, she has gone through a lot of difficult experiences in her life and I really appreciated her strength and determination.

However, there were more negatives to this book for me personally. The first one, which I alluded to at the beginning, this book did not really capture my attention. There were a lot of times that I just wasn't actively listening to what was going on because it was boring or repetitive. I don't remember much about the plotline because it was very generic and formulaic, and didn't do anything unique. The worldbuilding, especially around the magic, was very poorly done. The book is set in an alternative version of our own real-world history where magic does indeed exist; however, there isn't much explanation behind how the magic works and for the most part, it is used as a 'get out of jail free card' by the author to dig Alys and the other characters out of difficult situations they get into. Personally, if a book is going to use magic to solve problems, I want it to have some reason as to why it works that way and for there to be consequences.

Similarly, I didn't really feel like most of the characters were well-developed. I thought that Alys was solid, but I didn't connect to the rest of the cast, including Ben, the love interest. I didn't care much for his relationship with Alys and honestly found myself really uncomfortable with the 'intimate' scenes between (probably at least in part because I was listening to the book in public lol) and had to skip over most of them. Still, overall I didn't buy the connection between the characters and also didn't think that the author had a good grasp of the 'rules of propriety' that governed social relations during this historical time period. For instance, (slight spoiler) there is a scene where Alys and Ben disguise themselves as a young couple looking to get married. They end up kissing in front of the church pastor before they are 'married,' which, if you know anything about how strict the rules regarding historical courtship were, most likely would not have happened.

Overall, the Sea Witch is not a bad book, but it is not one that I personally connected with. I do like the overall message and themes the author was trying to explore, but for me personally, I did not enjoy the execution of this within the novel or the actual narrative itself.

[Michelle (Bamamele.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Harlequin & The Hive for the preview. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun witchy pirate book. I absolutely pictured Ben as Norrington from Pirates of the Caribbean the whole time. This has tons of action, magic, high stakes, a quest, swashbuckling, and a slow burn enemies to lovers romance that becomes scorching.

I loved the found family of the pirate crew, and how they specifically tried to help women and enslaved people. There’s tons to love here, and I think people new to romantasy will especially enjoy it if they’re coming from a historical romance background.

I will say, I did try to start with the audio, but I was NOT vibing with the narrator. She didn’t do a good job of differentiating between characters and voices. I switched to the ebook and flew through the book after that.

I’m entertained and engaged enough to want to continue the series to see where we go next!

[Katie’s Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

"Here, in these waters, I could remake myself in the image of who I wanted to be."

A fun combination of pirates and witches in a historical setting, this went on my TBR the moment it was announced! We open with a scene of Alys Tanner fleeing her puritanical home in Massachusetts with her fellow witches and friends, setting off to a land where they can be free.

We see Alys and her crew a year later, sailing the Caribbean as pirates and liberators. On the other hand we have Ben Pristely of the Royal Navy, who has sworn to serve the King and help put an end to piracy. He ends up on the Sea Witch ad a captive, and slowly gets to know Alys and her crew.

I was really looking forward to this and ended up being a bit disappointed. It just didn't manage to ever fully hold my attention, but I can't quite put my finger on why. I think maybe because the romance was lacking. Alys is the captain and all around pirate badass, used to giving orders and not showing any weakness. And I think my problem was that she also never let her walls down for Ben? Like even until the end I wasn't fully convinced she had any feelings for him. At one point they're intimate, and then she immediately throws him back into the cells at the bottom of the ship which like... was not great.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva Leigh is a go-to author for me in historical romance. She writes dynamic characters, intriguing plots, and excellent spicy scenes. So when I saw she had a historical romantasy coming out, set in the early 18th century, I immediately DM’d her to join the street team for the book. I NEEDED to get my hands on an early copy. Huge thanks to Eva Leigh and Canary Street Press for the complimentary early copy of The Sea Witch.

Alys Tanner escapes 1719 Puritan Massachusetts, just minutes ahead of a mob ready to hang her and her friends for witchcraft. Together, the women commandeer a ship and set sail for the Caribbean. A year later, Alys is captain of The Sea Witch, a pirate ship crewed entirely by women—many of them witches.

When a pirate wake erupts into chaos, Alys crosses paths with British naval navigator Ben Priestley. He makes the mistake of following her back to The Sea Witch, where he’s promptly taken captive. Alys and her crew are searching for a magical safeguard to stop the navy’s newest project: enslaving sea creatures powerful enough to destroy ships in one blow. Ben’s navigational skills could be invaluable, but he’s a loyal navy man through and through. Yet, as he begins to see Alys’s perspective, he realizes the villains may not be who he thought—and perhaps he’s been serving the wrong side all along.

I absolutely loved this book. It struck the perfect balance of history, romance, and magic, keeping me completely engaged from start to finish. I’ve long adored Eva Leigh’s historical romances, and I was thrilled to see that her style translates beautifully to romantasy.

Alys comes from Norham, Massachusetts, a fictional Puritanical town where women are forced into submission and forbidden to practice magic. Men with magical gifts are sent to school; women are executed. Both Alys and her sister are born with magic, but when her sister refuses to hide her gifts, she’s executed by a mob—shortly before Alys and her friends are driven out of town. Watching Alys and her crew build a new life aboard The Sea Witch was one of my favorite elements of the book. Their ship becomes a kind of utopia for women, magical and non-magical alike—a place where they can own their identities and shape their futures.

Ben, by contrast, begins the novel as a loyal officer of the British navy. With a father murdered by pirates, he has devoted his life to service and justice. For years, he’s gathered intelligence to hunt down pirates, never questioning the navy’s mission—or his own worldview. He’s barely spent time with women, never considered what life is like for witches, and certainly never doubted the righteousness of the crown. But exposure to Alys, her crew, and their reality cracks open his perspective, forcing him to confront how narrow his world has been.

Everything about this book worked for me. The romance was layered and compelling—two characters who should be enemies but can’t resist each other, with magic complicating things from their very first encounter. The fantasy elements felt organic within the historical setting, and the danger to women like Alys rang true: less from the law and more from their communities. Eva Leigh also infused the story with vivid detail, from ship life to early modern fashion, which grounded the magic in a rich sense of history.

I loved this book. It’s easily making my best of the year list, and I can’t wait for book two in the series. Five stars!

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

In The Sea Witch, Alys Tanner flees Puritanical New England with nothing but her magical power, a rebellious streak, and the audacity to steal a ship—thus beginning her pirate life. With an all-female crew aboard the gloriously named Sea Witch, she blends spellcraft with swashbuckling, proving that patriarchy makes for excellent kindling.

The pacing can falter, but the premise—witch pirates, sea battles, and unapologetic women carving out their own freedom—keeps it interesting. If you like your romance with a side of pirate-action, curses, cannon fire, and a heroine who flouts Puritanical ways, this may be one you should check out.

[Randee Norton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m so sad… I’m in a witchy/pirate mood and this just wasn’t it.
The premise had so much potential but the execution fell flat. The writing was telling us what happened rather that showing which caused me to be so detached. I didn’t care who everyone was or what was going on. It came off one dimensional DNF at 54%

[Natalie Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for letting me listen to the audio of this book! When I heard the premise of it following an all female pirate crew of witches I was instantly sold. Throw in that it’s based on Pirates of the Caribbean and you have yourselves an amazing story.

This is an enemies to lovers between the caption of The Sea Witch and a navy officer hunting down and killing pirates. They form an uneasy alliance while fighting different sea monsters and perils of the sea. I love books with strong females and there were plenty of them here.

The book does end on a cliffhanger so be prepared. But please check this book out cause it’s amazing and deserves all the love!!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ rounded up

I love a good witch story, throw in pirates and I'm all in! This was so good imo, especially when the author takes familiar tropes and gives them a fresh spin with role reversals. Who needs a knight in shining armor, when the FMC is a badass pirate witch?! Alys is bold, daring, and unapologetically in charge of every situation. Meanwhile, Ben, the MMC, slips into the more supportive role and willing to yield to Alys in every way. It made the dynamic between them feel modern and exciting.

The story itself was a perfect mix of adventure, political intrigue, steam, and magic which kept me interested throughout. My only gripe would be that I wish some of the side characters had more on page time. Like give me more of Stasia please!

Overall, a fun and empowering twist on some classic themes! If you enjoy feminine power, witches, and pirates mixed into your romance, this would be worth picking up!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the eARC!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeling a lot of grlpwr this week!! I loved this book and don't think I've ever wanted to be a fictional character sm. A pirate witch and an open-minded man <33 honestly can't wait for the rest of the series

[uma · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE!!!!!!

Full of the most bold and incredibly nuanced characters, I fell in love with all of them. This is a book about powerful women and I live for that.

That cliff hanger??? Hello?? I need more…

[Heathers_readss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun and im so glad to see it’s the first in a series as I would definitely be interested to read more!

If you enjoy the fantasy genre with the edition to pirates, witches, sea monsters and slow burn romance.

I loved the high stakes adventure it was so different to Any typical fantasy genre!

Be prepared for a cliff hanger that will leave you dying for more 😆

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the gifted netgalley copy!

[Victoria Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a sneak peek at this August 2025 romantasy, and when I say it was a swashbuckling good time? Just WOW! A group of Massachusetts witches fleeing persecution in the 18th century steal a ship and set out to be…pirates! The magical worldbuilding is fantastic, the feminist adventures are rollicking, and the romance is a sizzling slow burn. What more could you ask for? Pre-order now!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a super big romantasy gal, but I *am* a loyal b!tch. If you're one of my favorite authors, ESPECIALLY one of my favorite historical romance authors, I will read anything you write in any genre. So believe me when I tell you Eva Leigh was born to write witch pirates and sea monsters. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book.

The Sea Witch is like if the Pirates of the Caribbean had the witchy girl gang vibes of The Craft and they fought against the colonization of sea monsters and the military industrial complex for the sake of women's rights (and wrongs) rolled up into a novel made for those of us who couldn't stop reading about the Salem Witch Trials as wee angry feminist youths. I hope this makes sense because I am not giving you my summary of the plot and just asking you to implicitly trust me when I say you're going to have a very good time reading this book. The "world" is very easy to pick up, the characters are diverse and fun, Ben is an absolute snack, and I hope he can fight because Alys is a woman after my own heart.

But don't you dare come at me when you turn the page to the next chapter and it says "Acknowledgments" because I forgot about cliffhangers existing in most multi-volume romantasy stories too. We can be insufferable until the next installment is released together.

5 bajillion stars!

Thank you to @htpbooks @readmirabooks and @evaleighauthor for a copy of this eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Andrea Griggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an ARC review. I want to thank Eva Leigh and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day! Although I had a hard time getting into this storyline (which very well could be because it’s in 3rd person) I pushed through and happily can say it got better as the plot went on.

Alys Tanner and Benjamin Priestley are not two you’d see together as Alys is a known witch who leads a ship of witches. It seemed as though once Alys dream walked into their dreams they were immediately tied and everything changed. Ben being held captive on a ship with some powerful strong and dominant crew of witches truly was a gem. These women do not depend on men and are a great portrayal of strong independent women.

Although I am a HUGE fan of women empowerment, it was hard to follow until about halfway through. I did not connect with the magical system as I wished that I did but thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd half of the book.

[rose ✨]

dnf @ 24%

why are authors so scared to let anything be a true slow burn? the need for instant gratification is ruining everything.

i was willing to overlook the logistics of raiding ~100 ships in her first year as a pirate (despite having no experience), i was willing to overlook the second-in-command being like “i’m worried about your keeping our super hot prisoner in your bedroom instead of the brig” IN FRONT OF BEN, i was even willing to overlook alys announcing “most nights i sleep nude” (isn’t that impractical for a pirate captain?), but i draw the line at this weird dream bond happening in chapter 5 of the first book in a duology.

also alys seems like a terrible captain and i hope stasia replaces her at some point.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heat Index: 6.5/10

—pirates but make it witches

—captain heroine, captive hero

—he's inexperienced... but eager to learn!

—RELEASE THE KRAKEN LEVIATHAN

The Basics:

After fleeing a death sentence for witchcraft, Alys Tanner takes control of the ship The Sea Witch and starts an all-female crew full of fellow witches. After taking British navy navigator Ben Priestley captive, Alys realizes he could be the key to finding a fail-safe that could turn the tides in her crew's struggle against the navy. But that's going to mean working with Ben—and perhaps, growing much closer to him than she'd like.

The Review:

I think a lot of historical romance readers were surprised (and excited) when they heard Eva Leigh was making the move to fantasy romance. But there's the thing: While this is most definitely a fantasy romance, and I think it will please romantasy readers across the board, there's a lot of the historical romance left here (complimentary). It especially harkens back to, yes, the old pirate historicals of yesteryear—but with quite a few updates.

There's no domineering hero and shrinking violet here. Alys isn't what I would call a "boss babe". Though she captains her ship, she leans away from heavy authority with her fellow women—men, she's tougher with. And she has to be, what with rampant misogyny and all. But there's a degree of human self-questioning and a capacity for making mistakes that keeps Alys from being this untouchable girlboss. She's strong without lacking softness in total, and it keeps her from slipping into caricature—which so easily happens with fantasy romance heroines especially.

Ben isn't a submissive hero, but he is reserved, a bit less experienced in the ways of the world than Alys, and quite clearly into being bossed around a little. He defies her because he's at her mercy (and has his own personal agenda); but he's also open to learning in many ways, and he's smart enough to know what's up. By giving him an adversarial edge, Leigh keeps him out of golden retriever territory—but he also isn't out to dominate Alys and put her in "little girl" territory. He respects her, even when she's his enemy, and that respect slips into admiration, and from there...

He's a difficult needle to thread, right? Because while this world is very much one of fantasy—mages are woven into the military landscape, casting spells on weapons as witch pirates use their own to escape detection, among many other things—it's also firmly ours. I.... have mixed feelings about this, to be honest. Leigh doesn't dip heavily into the goings-on of the British royal navy, but they do explicitly want control of the Caribbean, and Alys and her crew oppose this. Partially because pirates and they oppose or die in general, and partially because of ideological differences, right? The Sea Witch is mentioned to liberate enslaved people (and the crew is diverse), and we briefly see a little of this on the page. But Ben's also a British guy who grew up in the Caribbean. So...

I really can't speak on the effectiveness of how it's handled here—and if you're going to put your magical world in this framework, you do have to address it. So I kind of do wonder why the framework is there at all? I think there's an effort to make sure we know where Alys and her crew stand, of course (and Ben is supportive), as well as an awareness of the risk of Alys coming off as a white savior. Again, I can't speak to the effectiveness.

A big focus point of the book, unsurprisingly, is a critique of the misogyny of the world in which they live. It can be a bit on the nose, but I appreciated that there wasn't a straight up, one to one, "Ben is a man and I have been ruled by men, and therefore the ultimate girl power is ruling Ben" perspective from Alys. There's nuance to that relationship, and while I feel like it did progress kind of quickly, there's a clear drive for real equality and camaraderie between them.

Regarding the world—the magic is a bit more modern, a bit less traditional witchcraft, and I think it added to the sense of adventure in the book. There's a sense of Howl's Moving Castle (the movie) to it all, at least in my mind—sky-walking, murmured enchantments, fireballs. it's all a lot of fun, and it fits into the real sense of swashbuckling and adventure, which is one of the best aspects of the book. There really is a classic romp to all of it!

The Sex:

Eva Leigh continues to write a great sex scene! There are several full scenes in this one, and a setup early on predicates that Ben and Alys must work together to really fuel that magic. If you get what I'm saying.

One of the best parts of the book? How open Ben was to listening to and learning from Alys in bed. He's not a virgin, but he is inexperienced, and I mean—he picks up a thing or two. By no means would I call their scenes femdom; he's just down to listen. What a concept!

The Conclusion:

This is a fun, exciting read—and it does end on quite the cliffhanger. I'm eager to see what happens to Alys and Ben next!

Thanks to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Women Pirates vs The Navy! And, the women win??

This was incredible!
Alys Tanner is a woman…and a witch… and in order for her to do anything or get any respect, she must leave her home. So, she goes out and steals a ship… and names it The Sea Witch.
This becomes an ALL WOMAN’s Ship that also includes Magicks, as the woman are witches! 😮😮

But, times are tough and the seas are rough!
Can the women prevail? Can they fight through harsh difficulties in order to come out on top?

One of the battles includes a Navy ship… and they capture the head of it… Ben.

But something strange happens as time goes on…. And Ben and Alys start to form a bond. 😮
Enemies to lovers? Good vs evil? Men vs women? Navy vs witches? Is everything as it truly appears??

So, as it starts out, I was really not a big fan of this one! BUT, as time went on, I began to get invested in the characters… and then, I couldn’t put it down! 😫

4 big, brash, pirate-y 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!

#TheSeaWitch (Book #1) by @EvaLeigh and narrated nicely by @ChanteMcCormick.

** THIS WAS RELEASED TODAY, 8.26.25, SO LOOK FOR IT ON SHELVES NOW!! **

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarperAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Jozie | Cozy Romantasy Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sail the Caribbean seas aboard The Sea Witch with a crew of rebellious female witch pirates in this historical fantasy.

Alys Tanner fled her old life in New England, where women who use magic are sentenced to death, but the men who use magic are given a higher education. Now captain of The Sea Witch and a crew of magical women, Alys can forge her own path. Alys and her crew capture a well-known naval navigator, Ben Priestley. Ben and Alys are enemies, but they share a desire to find a failsafe that was hidden by another pirate.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Okay, so now I need to read book two because of that ending!

For me, this book was very slow-paced, and I found my mind drifting while I listened. I think that the world and character building have been well developed for the next book in the series.

adventure • caribbean • enemies to lovers • historical fantasy • historical romance • magic • paranormal romance • pirates • romantasy • witches

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this one was cool, witch x pirate with a touch of female empowerment, but the execution was a little muddy.

The book pacing was inconsistent, and I didn’t feel very connected with the characters or magic system. I do like the mix of witch hunts and female empowerment. I think overall it needed more fleshing out to make it easier to follow and the connection to the characters.


The audiobook narrator did a great job with all the voices and conveying emotions.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the audiobook for my honest opinion.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

1720, Caribbean.
Alys Tanner lives in an 18th century world where magic is acceptable, but only when used by men. Her Puritan New England views her magic as unnatural and dangerous, and when she's accused of murdering her husband, she flees from Cape Ann to the Caribbean to captain a pirate ship with other witches. They capture a British naval officer, a ship's navigator named Benjamin Priestly, who may hold the secrets to a powerful treasure. What Alys finds though, is a man unaware of his own power, connected to her through their shared dreamwalking. Their obvious attraction to one another and hatred for everything the other stands for get in the way of the tenuous alliance they'll need to stay alive on the high seas.

The Sea Witch has a lot going on, which makes for a fun read if you just hang for the ride. It's a historical romance dressed up as a pirate adventure with some fantasy and myth, which is exactly what I expected and wanted. The magic system is loose, which works for the style of plot, but may not appeal to readers looking for something tighter: Alys and her witch crew are still exploring the limits of their power, so sometimes they just try something and it works. What I loved about their power is the need for balancing, that they must form bonds to share the magic to ease the burden of its overwhelming strength. For a ship full of witches told that they don't belong, they've forged their own home with one another.

I will never not love a starchy captain, and I was in this for Alys and Ben's romance. Eva Leigh always brings the heat, and once Alys and Ben can get past their opposing views and realize that they can help one another, the book takes a steamy turn. That said, *this is the first book* and the romantic arc is not fully resolved!! Romance readers beware, this has a cliffhanger, not even an HFN.

There is a lot of action in the Sea Witch, giving it more of a cinematic feel than a romance with internal monologues. Along with its cliffhanger, that works for the fantasy elements and the assumed longer arc of the romance and plot. Every time a new mythical creature appeared on page, I laughed a little, because the adventure and action just doesn't let up. Pirate lovers, this one is for you.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade/Canary Street Press for an eARC. The Sea Witch is out 8/26/25.