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Skullrunner
The beginning of an epic fantasy series about sapphic pirates, a memory-stealing tyrant, and secrets hidden on the sea.
During the revolution, Commander Gavon slew the tyrannical god of memory and claimed his power. He then built the fair and democratic Golden Republic. But the Republic has terrible flaws, and anyone who fights for change might wake up one day with all memory of their identity stolen from them. Such a thing happened to pirate captain Cevette Zarcanzi. She plans to sail throughout the Seaward Isles, stealing memories trapped in physical form from the Republic’s secret archives, and burning them in hopes she might one day set her lost past free.
Evazina Gavon, the commander’s foster daughter, is an embodied fragment of the shattered soul of the goddess of death. Women like her, known as echoes, are feared and hated in the Golden Republic, and Commander Gavon has only kept her safe because the sacrifice of echoes is what fuels his memory magic. When she joins Cevette’s crew, Eva believes returning the memories to the citizens of the Golden Republic will lead them to speak out and peacefully remove her father from power. But, as Eva and Cevette sail to strange and remote islands, as their feelings for each other deepen, they discover that, to live freely, they must turn their ship around and fight.
During the revolution, Commander Gavon slew the tyrannical god of memory and claimed his power. He then built the fair and democratic Golden Republic. But the Republic has terrible flaws, and anyone who fights for change might wake up one day with all memory of their identity stolen from them. Such a thing happened to pirate captain Cevette Zarcanzi. She plans to sail throughout the Seaward Isles, stealing memories trapped in physical form from the Republic’s secret archives, and burning them in hopes she might one day set her lost past free.
Evazina Gavon, the commander’s foster daughter, is an embodied fragment of the shattered soul of the goddess of death. Women like her, known as echoes, are feared and hated in the Golden Republic, and Commander Gavon has only kept her safe because the sacrifice of echoes is what fuels his memory magic. When she joins Cevette’s crew, Eva believes returning the memories to the citizens of the Golden Republic will lead them to speak out and peacefully remove her father from power. But, as Eva and Cevette sail to strange and remote islands, as their feelings for each other deepen, they discover that, to live freely, they must turn their ship around and fight.
492 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 10, 2025
3.5 ⭐
I’d like to start this review by thanking the author for her kind gesture of gifting me an ARC copy!
At first, I wasn’t really sure what to expect since this was tagged as “Sapphic Pirates.” I didn’t know if it would have Pirates of the Caribbean vibes or if it would go in a completely different direction — and it definitely turned out to be the latter. This book is so much more than just a pirate adventure. At its heart, it’s a story that reflects the struggles of oppressed lands, filled with themes of resistance, cultural survival, and political intrigue, all wrapped in a touch of fantasy that makes the world feel unique and alive.
We’re thrown into a fascinating world where people can take on certain gods’ powers and, by doing so, become what’s known as a Godreaper. This ability is tightly controlled by Commander Gavon — the man who killed the tyrant god of memory and gained the power to alter memories at will. After that, he established the Golden Republic, a place that supposedly stands for truth and fairness. Alongside him are his “children,” Evazina (one of our main characters) and Andreas. But they’re seen as dangerous, because they’re Echoes — beings connected to a goddess who once struck fear into everyone.
This whole concept of Echoes might seem a bit confusing at first, but it eventually makes perfect sense (no spoilers, I promise!). It’s such a creative idea, and I really enjoyed the way the author explored its different layers and implications.
Our two main characters, Evazina and Cevette, end up joining forces to fight for a better world — one where people’s records and memories can’t be rewritten or erased by those in power. Both women face their own insecurities while trying to reclaim the memories that were stolen from them. Eva, in particular, shows some incredible character growth. I loved watching her step out of her comfort zone, learn to see herself in a new light, and lead with confidence while still being empathetic toward others. She’s such a complex and beautifully written character who really grew on me as the story went on.
Cevette was a bit harder for me to connect with at the beginning, but over time I started to understand her better and ended up appreciating her character a lot more than I expected.
That said, the romance didn’t completely win me over. Even though it develops slowly, I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between Captain Cevette and Eva. Maybe it’s because there’s a recurring mention of someone from Cevette’s past — which sometimes made it seem like Eva was a second choice. That feeling fades toward the end once we learn the truth, but it still lingered a little for me.
My main struggle was with the pacing in the first half of the book. There’s a lot going on, and at times it felt a bit overwhelming trying to keep track of everything. The multiple POVs also took me a while to get used to, since the transitions between them weren’t always the smoothest, which made the story feel dense in parts.
Still, once everything clicks into place, Skullrunner delivers a rich, emotional, and powerful story about what it means to be silenced — and how important it is to embrace your culture, your identity, and your truth. It’s a story filled with heart, humor, and a sense of resistance that stays with you long after you finish the last page.
I’d like to start this review by thanking the author for her kind gesture of gifting me an ARC copy!
At first, I wasn’t really sure what to expect since this was tagged as “Sapphic Pirates.” I didn’t know if it would have Pirates of the Caribbean vibes or if it would go in a completely different direction — and it definitely turned out to be the latter. This book is so much more than just a pirate adventure. At its heart, it’s a story that reflects the struggles of oppressed lands, filled with themes of resistance, cultural survival, and political intrigue, all wrapped in a touch of fantasy that makes the world feel unique and alive.
We’re thrown into a fascinating world where people can take on certain gods’ powers and, by doing so, become what’s known as a Godreaper. This ability is tightly controlled by Commander Gavon — the man who killed the tyrant god of memory and gained the power to alter memories at will. After that, he established the Golden Republic, a place that supposedly stands for truth and fairness. Alongside him are his “children,” Evazina (one of our main characters) and Andreas. But they’re seen as dangerous, because they’re Echoes — beings connected to a goddess who once struck fear into everyone.
This whole concept of Echoes might seem a bit confusing at first, but it eventually makes perfect sense (no spoilers, I promise!). It’s such a creative idea, and I really enjoyed the way the author explored its different layers and implications.
Our two main characters, Evazina and Cevette, end up joining forces to fight for a better world — one where people’s records and memories can’t be rewritten or erased by those in power. Both women face their own insecurities while trying to reclaim the memories that were stolen from them. Eva, in particular, shows some incredible character growth. I loved watching her step out of her comfort zone, learn to see herself in a new light, and lead with confidence while still being empathetic toward others. She’s such a complex and beautifully written character who really grew on me as the story went on.
Cevette was a bit harder for me to connect with at the beginning, but over time I started to understand her better and ended up appreciating her character a lot more than I expected.
That said, the romance didn’t completely win me over. Even though it develops slowly, I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between Captain Cevette and Eva. Maybe it’s because there’s a recurring mention of someone from Cevette’s past — which sometimes made it seem like Eva was a second choice. That feeling fades toward the end once we learn the truth, but it still lingered a little for me.
My main struggle was with the pacing in the first half of the book. There’s a lot going on, and at times it felt a bit overwhelming trying to keep track of everything. The multiple POVs also took me a while to get used to, since the transitions between them weren’t always the smoothest, which made the story feel dense in parts.
Still, once everything clicks into place, Skullrunner delivers a rich, emotional, and powerful story about what it means to be silenced — and how important it is to embrace your culture, your identity, and your truth. It’s a story filled with heart, humor, and a sense of resistance that stays with you long after you finish the last page.
October 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Talon Press for providing me with a digital copy of the book for this review.
Skullrunner really pulled me in. This is a detailed, well-planned, lgbtq+ pirate fantasy that is as emotionally sharp as it is imaginative. Vyvre Argent gives us a world of memory-thieves, rebellion, and inventive new magic. What stood out most for me were the lesbian and progressive elements. The lesbian relationship at the heart of the story, between Eva and Cevette, is handled beautifully, as it is tender, complex, and refreshingly natural, as well as the diverse cast of characters. The author has found a way of making representation integral for the lore and culture of the world of the novel (for example, with the existence and realities of being an ‘echo’, and the gender dynamics) and without it ever being tokenized. You can see that Argent really cares about the community, as it’s simply there, woven into the fabric of the world like it should be.
Argent also builds a layered history of oppressed Indigenous peoples of the lands of the ‘Golden Republic’, and it’s handled with real care. There’s a strong undercurrent of resistance and cultural survival throughout the book, and it resonates deeply. The way the author ties that history into the theme of memory theft and power corruption is honestly brilliant, it feels both personal and political, as it is in real life, and firmly takes a stand on the right side of history, both real and fantastical.
“It had also described the long history of their struggles, peaceful and otherwise, against the waves of colonists who had planted their banners on their shores. The citizens of the Republic would rob the Sea People of their wealth, then use their poverty as justification to rob them more.”
If I had to nit-pick, the story occasionally gets a bit dense, since some of the worldbuilding could have been spread out more evenly. There were also spelling and grammatical mistakes, which are understandable as I received an eARC. The emotional through line and moral depth more than make up for those small bumps. On this topic, I really loved the letters and document-like pieces at the beginnning of the chapters, they were very well executed and added essential information that slowly revealed the mystery at the heart of the novel. That ending discovery was diabolical.
I loved it, even when it got messy, and I’m already looking forward to whatever Vyvre Argent writes next, as well as continuing with the series and getting the physical book. I also think the cover is beautiful.
Skullrunner really pulled me in. This is a detailed, well-planned, lgbtq+ pirate fantasy that is as emotionally sharp as it is imaginative. Vyvre Argent gives us a world of memory-thieves, rebellion, and inventive new magic. What stood out most for me were the lesbian and progressive elements. The lesbian relationship at the heart of the story, between Eva and Cevette, is handled beautifully, as it is tender, complex, and refreshingly natural, as well as the diverse cast of characters. The author has found a way of making representation integral for the lore and culture of the world of the novel (for example, with the existence and realities of being an ‘echo’, and the gender dynamics) and without it ever being tokenized. You can see that Argent really cares about the community, as it’s simply there, woven into the fabric of the world like it should be.
Argent also builds a layered history of oppressed Indigenous peoples of the lands of the ‘Golden Republic’, and it’s handled with real care. There’s a strong undercurrent of resistance and cultural survival throughout the book, and it resonates deeply. The way the author ties that history into the theme of memory theft and power corruption is honestly brilliant, it feels both personal and political, as it is in real life, and firmly takes a stand on the right side of history, both real and fantastical.
“It had also described the long history of their struggles, peaceful and otherwise, against the waves of colonists who had planted their banners on their shores. The citizens of the Republic would rob the Sea People of their wealth, then use their poverty as justification to rob them more.”
If I had to nit-pick, the story occasionally gets a bit dense, since some of the worldbuilding could have been spread out more evenly. There were also spelling and grammatical mistakes, which are understandable as I received an eARC. The emotional through line and moral depth more than make up for those small bumps. On this topic, I really loved the letters and document-like pieces at the beginnning of the chapters, they were very well executed and added essential information that slowly revealed the mystery at the heart of the novel. That ending discovery was diabolical.
I loved it, even when it got messy, and I’m already looking forward to whatever Vyvre Argent writes next, as well as continuing with the series and getting the physical book. I also think the cover is beautiful.
January 18, 2026
The world building and characters grabbed my immediately. The Ending had me glued to the edge of my seat and now I'm foaming at the mouth for book 2 to find out what happens next!
4.5
4.5
November 18, 2025
Skullrunner is Vyvre Argent’s foray into flintlock fantasy: an adventure that reads like Orphan Black meets Pirates of the Caribbean, with a touch of Godkiller and Gideon the Ninth.
What captivated me most about this “clones and pirates” novel was its original concept and immersive worldbuilding, meticulously crafted and worthy of the best epic fantasy settings.
Despite its technical flaws (frequent infodumps and long stretches of static description often slow the pacing in distracting ways), I can’t help but praise Vyvre Argent’s extraordinary imagination and their ability to weave an engaging, surprising, and genuinely unique story.
In Skullrunner, fantasy readers will find a well-balanced mix of action-packed scenes and more contemplative moments. Alongside the classic boarding and swashbuckling sequences you’d expect in a pirate story, the novel tackles several compelling themes. For example, colonialism, ethics, class conflict, politics, and the constant tension between power and culture.
The story revolves around identity and takes place in a society that doesn’t discriminate against queer relationships or genderfluid people. Yet, like every democracy that needs a scapegoat, it unloads its prejudice on the Echoes, fragments of the ancient death goddess Morghaia, exploited and demonized to validate a self-proclaimed hero-patriarch.
Eva, the protagonist, is one of them: destined to embrace piracy and become a reluctant revolutionary. But before she can do that, she must shed the guilt and self-loathing drilled into her by a rigid, oppressive upbringing.
Although Skullrunner can be a bit wordy at times—its chapters sometimes indulge in philosophical or moral reflections reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson’s slower passages—Eva’s character arc is beautifully crafted and entirely convincing. She forms meaningful, nuanced relationships with several key characters, and these connections enrich the narrative.
I must admit, though, that I expected more from Cevette. The novel shines brightest in its worldbuilding, its inventive magic system, and its vivid maritime aesthetic, rather than in its romance, which feels somewhat shallow and overly saccharine. Ironically, I picked up Skullrunner precisely because I was drawn to the promise of a sapphic romantic subplot… and instead found Cevette’s moral dilemmas endlessly monotonous.
Zeke and Andreas, with their recurring mistakes, impossible dreams, and half-concealed vulnerabilities, stood out far more to me. But my favorite, without any doubt, is the story’s wonderfully charismatic villain: a malicious, manipulative, vain Commander. He is 10% Wizard of Oz, 90% Kilgrave from Jessica Jones, and 100% an A-grade scoundrel!
His power—manipulating memories across vast distances—is genuinely unsettling, and the final twist left me breathless. The next installment of this sparkling pirate saga promises to be very intriguing…
Skullrunner is a perfect pick for readers who enjoy classic pirate adventures—those with the sweeping atmosphere of Robin Hobb’s sagas—but who also want modern sensibilities, social commentary, and nuanced explorations of identity. It’s a story that blends the charm of traditional adventure with a vivid, contemporary world that feels strikingly relevant.
(Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me the digital review copy)
What captivated me most about this “clones and pirates” novel was its original concept and immersive worldbuilding, meticulously crafted and worthy of the best epic fantasy settings.
Despite its technical flaws (frequent infodumps and long stretches of static description often slow the pacing in distracting ways), I can’t help but praise Vyvre Argent’s extraordinary imagination and their ability to weave an engaging, surprising, and genuinely unique story.
In Skullrunner, fantasy readers will find a well-balanced mix of action-packed scenes and more contemplative moments. Alongside the classic boarding and swashbuckling sequences you’d expect in a pirate story, the novel tackles several compelling themes. For example, colonialism, ethics, class conflict, politics, and the constant tension between power and culture.
The story revolves around identity and takes place in a society that doesn’t discriminate against queer relationships or genderfluid people. Yet, like every democracy that needs a scapegoat, it unloads its prejudice on the Echoes, fragments of the ancient death goddess Morghaia, exploited and demonized to validate a self-proclaimed hero-patriarch.
Eva, the protagonist, is one of them: destined to embrace piracy and become a reluctant revolutionary. But before she can do that, she must shed the guilt and self-loathing drilled into her by a rigid, oppressive upbringing.
Although Skullrunner can be a bit wordy at times—its chapters sometimes indulge in philosophical or moral reflections reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson’s slower passages—Eva’s character arc is beautifully crafted and entirely convincing. She forms meaningful, nuanced relationships with several key characters, and these connections enrich the narrative.
I must admit, though, that I expected more from Cevette. The novel shines brightest in its worldbuilding, its inventive magic system, and its vivid maritime aesthetic, rather than in its romance, which feels somewhat shallow and overly saccharine. Ironically, I picked up Skullrunner precisely because I was drawn to the promise of a sapphic romantic subplot… and instead found Cevette’s moral dilemmas endlessly monotonous.
Zeke and Andreas, with their recurring mistakes, impossible dreams, and half-concealed vulnerabilities, stood out far more to me. But my favorite, without any doubt, is the story’s wonderfully charismatic villain: a malicious, manipulative, vain Commander. He is 10% Wizard of Oz, 90% Kilgrave from Jessica Jones, and 100% an A-grade scoundrel!
His power—manipulating memories across vast distances—is genuinely unsettling, and the final twist left me breathless. The next installment of this sparkling pirate saga promises to be very intriguing…
Skullrunner is a perfect pick for readers who enjoy classic pirate adventures—those with the sweeping atmosphere of Robin Hobb’s sagas—but who also want modern sensibilities, social commentary, and nuanced explorations of identity. It’s a story that blends the charm of traditional adventure with a vivid, contemporary world that feels strikingly relevant.
(Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me the digital review copy)
October 15, 2025
Actual Rating: 4.5/5
I admit, when I first started this, I did not expect to fall in love as quickly as I did with Skullrunner.
Sapphic pirates? Consider me sold.
During the revolution, Commander Gavon slew the tyrant god of memory and took the god's powers as his own. He built what is now known as the Golden Republic... a seemingly fair and just place of truth... to live a perfect life in....and with him are his two children... who are in fact fosterlings... echos of a goddess once feared...
But life in the Republic may not be as perfect as it seems. Evazina, the commander's foster daughter.... is feared and hated by most citizens of the Republic for what she is... and she is viewed as a danger...kept safe only by her father... who has that same magic that she too fears... the ability to split an echo such as herself ... to fuel the magic that he stole from the god so long ago...and the seemingly-perfect Republic has its major flaws.. flaws that are also covered up by her father's magic...
And yet she tries to live her life as best as she can... until the night of her brother's birthday, when she is supposed to celebrate him as she watches him become a Godreaper... watches as he takes the Skullrunner's power as his own.... but the night shifts as they are attacked... and Evazina steals the Skullrunner's power for herself...and uses it to escape her father after her echo brother sets her free... but also sets free the pirate her father captured alongside her...
And as she settles into her new life as a pirate, alongside her new captain... and their journey to free the memories her father stole and ... hopefully peacefully remove him from his position of power... and as Evazina's feelings stir for the captain... they discover that if they truly wish to be free... they must turn their ship around and fight.
There are a few odd errors here and there with typos and wording, but I didn't feel as though they detracted enough from the story to dock more than a half point off of the star rating. Vyvre has truly outdone themselves, spinning a tale far more than worthy of being told on the seas. I loved the fact that there is so much lore that we can explore, from the Republic to the nearby surrounding nations... to the mythology and the idea of Godreaping.... to be able to wield what was once a god (or goddess) 's powers for your own...and yet, while there is so much lore and potential built into the world that Vyvre has created, it does not once feel overwhelming... or detract too much from the story that is going on...
And the MEMORIES. The fact that I can feel the raw emotions of trying to find oneself... of trying to come to terms with your past...goodness... I don't know what you've created Vyvre, but I want to know more... and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to Talon Press, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the rest of my reviews can be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
I admit, when I first started this, I did not expect to fall in love as quickly as I did with Skullrunner.
Sapphic pirates? Consider me sold.
During the revolution, Commander Gavon slew the tyrant god of memory and took the god's powers as his own. He built what is now known as the Golden Republic... a seemingly fair and just place of truth... to live a perfect life in....and with him are his two children... who are in fact fosterlings... echos of a goddess once feared...
But life in the Republic may not be as perfect as it seems. Evazina, the commander's foster daughter.... is feared and hated by most citizens of the Republic for what she is... and she is viewed as a danger...kept safe only by her father... who has that same magic that she too fears... the ability to split an echo such as herself ... to fuel the magic that he stole from the god so long ago...and the seemingly-perfect Republic has its major flaws.. flaws that are also covered up by her father's magic...
And yet she tries to live her life as best as she can... until the night of her brother's birthday, when she is supposed to celebrate him as she watches him become a Godreaper... watches as he takes the Skullrunner's power as his own.... but the night shifts as they are attacked... and Evazina steals the Skullrunner's power for herself...and uses it to escape her father after her echo brother sets her free... but also sets free the pirate her father captured alongside her...
And as she settles into her new life as a pirate, alongside her new captain... and their journey to free the memories her father stole and ... hopefully peacefully remove him from his position of power... and as Evazina's feelings stir for the captain... they discover that if they truly wish to be free... they must turn their ship around and fight.
There are a few odd errors here and there with typos and wording, but I didn't feel as though they detracted enough from the story to dock more than a half point off of the star rating. Vyvre has truly outdone themselves, spinning a tale far more than worthy of being told on the seas. I loved the fact that there is so much lore that we can explore, from the Republic to the nearby surrounding nations... to the mythology and the idea of Godreaping.... to be able to wield what was once a god (or goddess) 's powers for your own...and yet, while there is so much lore and potential built into the world that Vyvre has created, it does not once feel overwhelming... or detract too much from the story that is going on...
And the MEMORIES. The fact that I can feel the raw emotions of trying to find oneself... of trying to come to terms with your past...goodness... I don't know what you've created Vyvre, but I want to know more... and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to Talon Press, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the rest of my reviews can be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
December 9, 2025
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. And I LOVED it. This is exactly the book my queer autistic soul was craving. While the book doesn't use the term autism because this is secondary-world fantasy, multiple major characters are clearly coded as autistic in a way that was extremely relatable to me. Additionally, almost all the characters were queer, and the worldbuilding is thoughtful about the different ways the various cultures depicted would understand gender and sexuality.
I think you probably have to be okay with queer and autistic characters in order to enjoy this book, but I don't think you have to be queer or autistic yourself to be impressed by the worldbuilding, the pace of the plot, or the ethical questions the book is wrestling with. Deep research into Indigenous cultures, Enlightenment philosophy (and its racism!), the American Revolution and its mythologization, the Golden Age of Piracy, and seafaring ships shine through every chapter of the book. At the same time, the fantasy elements of the book were inventive and fascinating in ways that got deeper the more of the book I read. There's always something happening, too; the plot allows for very occasional moments of relief but no real slack.
The ethical quandaries of the book are also thorny and extremely well thought out. Some books make their Good vs Evil lines too tidy, while others throw their hands up and make everyone out to be equally bad. Skullrunner charts a third path, where it's clear who the Bad Guy is but significantly less clear how to successfully defeat him in an ethical manner. I loved the way that Eva, the protagonist, wrestled with that question repeatedly throughout the book as she gradually realized that there was no perfect answer and that success would involve a certain amount of ethical compromise.
This is a long book that's not doing standard, normal stuff. If you're ready to tackle that, you're in for a great ride.
I think you probably have to be okay with queer and autistic characters in order to enjoy this book, but I don't think you have to be queer or autistic yourself to be impressed by the worldbuilding, the pace of the plot, or the ethical questions the book is wrestling with. Deep research into Indigenous cultures, Enlightenment philosophy (and its racism!), the American Revolution and its mythologization, the Golden Age of Piracy, and seafaring ships shine through every chapter of the book. At the same time, the fantasy elements of the book were inventive and fascinating in ways that got deeper the more of the book I read. There's always something happening, too; the plot allows for very occasional moments of relief but no real slack.
The ethical quandaries of the book are also thorny and extremely well thought out. Some books make their Good vs Evil lines too tidy, while others throw their hands up and make everyone out to be equally bad. Skullrunner charts a third path, where it's clear who the Bad Guy is but significantly less clear how to successfully defeat him in an ethical manner. I loved the way that Eva, the protagonist, wrestled with that question repeatedly throughout the book as she gradually realized that there was no perfect answer and that success would involve a certain amount of ethical compromise.
This is a long book that's not doing standard, normal stuff. If you're ready to tackle that, you're in for a great ride.
December 2, 2025
This book was a WILD RIDE, and I'm SO GLAD I came along
TLDR: The epic queer nautical fantasy of my dreams💚 LUSCIOUS world!! RIVETING plot 👀 If you're struggling with the beginning, wait till they spend some time on the ship before giving up!
_________
Skullrunner introduces its audience to a deliciously immersive world rich with magic, culture, history, and a veritable cornucopia of queerness.
I struggled with the first part of the book. The pacing, character choices, and exposition felt choppy and lacked the nuance that later parts of the book display. If you're struggling with the beginning, hold on till they get to the pirate ship before you give up! I couldn't be more glad I finished it.
Worldbuilding and plot are among the book's greatest strengths— a boon for any epic fantasy— and the lifeblood of this book. The Sea People, the northern frontier, the Soladiseans, the GODS, and the tangled history they wove together never ceased holding my interest.
I also love a story that is haunted, and Morghaia's presence haunts the novel in a very tangible way through the presence of the echoes and the way Gavon treats them. And boy howdy, does this story use the concept of echoes to explore fascinating questions of selfhood and identity!
Truly, I cannot compliment the world and story enough. If my biggest gripe with a book is that the prose and dialogue is occasionally unable to live up to the absolute ingenuity of the plot and worldbuilding, that seems a pretty insubstantial problem to have.
I shall continue to vibrate in anticipation of the next installment. I miss my girls, and need the otter sharks to come back!!
TLDR: The epic queer nautical fantasy of my dreams💚 LUSCIOUS world!! RIVETING plot 👀 If you're struggling with the beginning, wait till they spend some time on the ship before giving up!
_________
Skullrunner introduces its audience to a deliciously immersive world rich with magic, culture, history, and a veritable cornucopia of queerness.
I struggled with the first part of the book. The pacing, character choices, and exposition felt choppy and lacked the nuance that later parts of the book display. If you're struggling with the beginning, hold on till they get to the pirate ship before you give up! I couldn't be more glad I finished it.
Worldbuilding and plot are among the book's greatest strengths— a boon for any epic fantasy— and the lifeblood of this book. The Sea People, the northern frontier, the Soladiseans, the GODS, and the tangled history they wove together never ceased holding my interest.
I also love a story that is haunted, and Morghaia's presence haunts the novel in a very tangible way through the presence of the echoes and the way Gavon treats them. And boy howdy, does this story use the concept of echoes to explore fascinating questions of selfhood and identity!
Truly, I cannot compliment the world and story enough. If my biggest gripe with a book is that the prose and dialogue is occasionally unable to live up to the absolute ingenuity of the plot and worldbuilding, that seems a pretty insubstantial problem to have.
I shall continue to vibrate in anticipation of the next installment. I miss my girls, and need the otter sharks to come back!!
November 13, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Veyvre Argent for the ARC of Skullrunners. My review score for this book is 3.5/5. This is a spoiler free review. This book was a fun sapphic pirate adventure with political intrigue that I feel most that like sapphic fantasy will probably like. Cevette and Eva are primarily the main characters with Eva taking up most of the pages. I found them both to be interesting in different ways. I had no major issues with Eva as character. The moment Cevette first appeared in this book I was excited. She appears early in the book so kudos to author for that. It did not take long for me to be confused on the friendlyness and proper way that Cevette started speaking to people around her who technically are her enemies so it took me off guard. I don’t expect pirates to be all sir/ma’am or ms. and mr. to everyone. I like my pirates to be a little mean and rough on the edges. Cevette gives me the vibes of a nice blonde woman with a pirate hat on 😭 Andrea’s (Eva brother) and Zeke(Eva best friend) both were pretty decent character’s who got a bit of love in this book. Andrea was kinda boring and just there to me but he was still a cool guy. Zeke I had a love/hate relationship with him the whole book lol Cevette pirate crew was a pretty fun crew. This book had a lot going on for me and sometimes I felt it was a bit much. I hope in the second book we can tighten the plot a bit. Overall it was still a fun pirate adventure and the way the book ended I do look forward to reading a second book in this world.
Characters:7/10
Plot: 7/10
Spice: 1/5
Characters:7/10
Plot: 7/10
Spice: 1/5
December 30, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
I was so excited to start exploring the pirate-fantasy subgenre with Skullrunner, but I was left with mixed feelings. I loved the writing. It's action-packed and makes you feel as though you are onboard Shadow Queen as part of the crew. But, I found it to be a little long-winded. I found it difficult to pick this book up towards the middle with all the world-building, magic systems, god histories, plot line additions, and character relationship developments. It felt a bit overwhelming at times.
However, I LOVED the gender-bending. I don't think I've yet read a fiction novel that expresses gender and sexuality so fluidly than Skullrunner. So for that, I give it a 10/10.
Will I read book 2? I'm not sure. I'd have to be really invested. And after the ending... well it kind of felt like all the characters' efforts were futile.
Anyways, if you're looking to explore fantasy-at-sea, Skullrunner is definitely a good start.
I was so excited to start exploring the pirate-fantasy subgenre with Skullrunner, but I was left with mixed feelings. I loved the writing. It's action-packed and makes you feel as though you are onboard Shadow Queen as part of the crew. But, I found it to be a little long-winded. I found it difficult to pick this book up towards the middle with all the world-building, magic systems, god histories, plot line additions, and character relationship developments. It felt a bit overwhelming at times.
However, I LOVED the gender-bending. I don't think I've yet read a fiction novel that expresses gender and sexuality so fluidly than Skullrunner. So for that, I give it a 10/10.
Will I read book 2? I'm not sure. I'd have to be really invested. And after the ending... well it kind of felt like all the characters' efforts were futile.
Anyways, if you're looking to explore fantasy-at-sea, Skullrunner is definitely a good start.
December 23, 2025
An intricately plotted criticism of colonialism told through the perspectives of people hurt by the "march of progress," Skullrunner primarily follows Evazina, daughter of the tyrannical propagandist Commander Gavon. As Eva comes to terms with her discomfort with, and opposition against, the hegemony, she sets herself on the path of revealing truth to herself and to the people of the world whose memories have been altered, time and again, by the power of the gods. A great read for anyone who loves pirates, justice, swords and sorcery, lesbians, and fighting for freedom.
I received a free copy of an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC!
I received a free copy of an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC!
December 23, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. what an adventure! lots of really interesting worldbuilding and a truly fantastic cast of sapphic pirates. plenty of fun genre conventions. refreshingly original. my only two qualms are 1.) some of the early exposition is convoluted and difficult to follow, and 2.) this is a particularly long debut. nevertheless, I had a great time. also “Bitch Mountain” had me laughing for days
November 17, 2025
I absolutely LOVED this book. My physical copy came in three days ago, and I read it all completely. The twists and turns of the story drew me in from the start, and within a few chapters I was already formulating my own theories and ideas on what was to come. Reveals were shocking, the connections were beautiful, and I enjoyed this book so much. I am eagerly waiting for Book 2
January 12, 2026
This is a great fantasy/pirate/romance/political intrigue novel that delivers on all fronts. I really liked the unique world that it created but drew on well known themes. It's an immersive dive into a world were gods and pirates intersect and memories can be stollen by tyrannical leaders. Absolutely and great read. 5 0f 5 stars!
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