Tag: the veridian empire

Book Review: By the Flames of Her Fury (The Veridian Empire #4) by V.B. Lacey

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 580 pages
Author: V.B. Lacey
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 22nd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Mummy in the epic conclusion to the Veridian Empire series of interconnected standalones.

The world wants her power. She wants her vengeance.

Vera Duma has spent a year tracking down the man who stole her freedom and tortured her with magical experiments. She doesn’t care what her retribution costs, even if it means leaving behind everything she’s ever loved.

But the hunt leads somewhere she never expected: a kingdom hidden from the rest of the world for a thousand years, whose rulers believe Vera is the one prophesied to raise them from the dark. They have answers to questions she’s sought her whole life, and an agenda she’s too desperate to see clearly.

Her quest becomes more complicated when Everett Swift, the boy she fell in love with in their captivity, follows her into this new world. Their past love is rekindled as the kingdom’s secrets begin to unravel, and Vera must decide what she’s fighting for before her power is used to unleash something far more dangerous.

Because when her fury ignites, the world will either rise from its ashes…or burn with her.

By the Flames of Her Fury is the fourth and final book in the Veridian Empire series of interconnected fantasy standalones. This book includes a summary of books 1-3 for those who haven’t read them. While it’s advised to read books 1-3 first, it’s not necessary. By the Flames of Her Fury follows a phoenix Shifter FMC and the man she fell in love with in captivity as they go on a revenge quest against their captor, but get caught up in a lost kingdom full of secrets darker than they bargained for. Perfect for lovers of Pirates of the Caribbean, The Mummy, and the Ever Seas series by LJ Andrews, this book is full of no spice second chance romance, epic quests with mythical creatures, feminine rage, a powerful female cast, and a beautiful found family.

Thank you RB Media for the gifted audiobook.

GOOD CONCLUSION.

I’ll miss this series! I had a really good time with every book and I thought this wrapped up the larger arc well. You don’t have to read these in order but it is recommended because the characters and plot does build upon itself in some ways.

I love a man down bad, and Everett embodied that rope fantastically. I loved his nature. He’s soft while being strong and protective. He knows what he wants and is patient and kind too. I also loved Vera. The running away thing kind of bugged me but I did like seeing how all of the things came together.

The Pirates of the Caribbean x The Mummy vibes were 100% present and I loved seeing those little touches woven in. This found family is a strong one and their pop-ups were some of my favorite moments too.

There were a few times where I thought things were going to end and then it kept going?? I wish it had been a bit tighter but that was my only complaint. The audiobook is wonderful and I love that format for this series. I also SUPER appreciate knowing a consistently closed door fantasy author that hits the romance genre so well.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: torture, imprisonment, loss of life

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Book Review: From the Silence of the Shadows (The Veridian Empire #3) by V.B. Lacey

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 574 pages
Author: V.B> Lacey
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: January 28th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Hades and Persephone meets Six of Crows in this dark fantasy romance standalone with dragons, shadow wielders, hate-to-love no spice romance, and an epic rebellion against their darkest foe. Not all prisons are made of stone.

For nineteen years, Nox Duma has been a pawn to the Veridian Empire’s most ruthless tyrant, a man who tortures his own kind with cruel magical experiments. Haunted by the sister still trapped under this tyrant’s control, Nox struggles to lead a secret rebellion—until a captured traitor falls into his hands, one who may hold the key to victory.

Once a spy and now Nox’s prisoner, all Devora wants is freedom. But when she discovers her dormant shadow-wielding magic could provide the perfect opportunity to spy on the enemy, she’s forced to decide where her loyalty truly lies.

As the rebellion makes its final stand, Nox and Devora’s uneasy alliance deepens into something neither expected. To survive, they must test the limits of trust, power, and love against a foe who can bend magic to his will. But in a world where failure means more than death, can they survive the darkness threatening to consume their empire?

Or will the shadows finally cage them once and for all?

From the Silence of the Shadows is the third book in a series of interconnected fantasy standalones. This book includes a summary of books 1 and 2, In the Wake of the Wicked (1) and Of the Curse or the Crown , for those who have not read them. While it is advised to read books 1 and 2 first, it’s not necessary. From the Silence of the Shadows follows a rebel dragon Shifter and the woman he’s taken as his prisoner for crimes against the empire as they both navigate loyalty, forgiveness, and the darkness of their pasts while battling an enemy who has taken their magic into his own hands. Perfect for lovers of Hades and Persephone, the Crowns of Nyaxia series by Carissa Broadbent, and the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo, this book is full of no spice enemies to lovers romance, epic quests and heists, plot twists, dragons, and a beautiful found family that will feel like your own.

Thank you Tantor Audio for the gifted audiobook.

GREAT READ.

I continually love coming back to V.B. Lacey’s books. I love that she writes closed door fantasy romances with heat and heart and that don’t come off silly. It is easy to recommend her books and it was fun to get to read this one as an audiobook! The audiobook narrators weren’t 100% my favorite but did grow on me. It was no where near bothersome enough to not be able to listen to the audiobook format.

I liked seeing more of the empire and Nox. I’ve been waiting to see his background and it did not disappoint. I loved his compassionate nature and how growly he was about all the things. The slow burn with Devora progressed well. Lacey does a good job creating a standalones that give genuine tension and wrap up big plots.

The pacing felt solid and the magic system unfolded without force. I loved seeing previous characters again and the moments between them too. It’s just a solid fantasy and I can’t wait for the last one!!

[Note: while a standalone these books really build on each other and should be read in order; I have read and enjoyed them all!]

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: loss of life, kidnapping, non-consensual drugging, assault

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ARC Book Review: Of the Curse or the Crown (The Veridian Empire #2) by V.B. Lacey

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 566 pages
Author: V.B. Lacey
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 24th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Princess Diaries 2 meets King Midas in this swoon-worthy forbidden romance fantasy standalone.

An heir. An Empress. A Queen.

As a former rebel leader, Clarissa Aris is no stranger to power. She’s ready to reclaim the throne of the Veridian Empire and is eager to guide her people out of a past of violence and into a better future.

But when a mysterious king unexpectedly asks for her hand in marriage to restore peace between their two lands, she chooses to accept. Clarissa travels to meet him in Mysthelm, a realm they had been cut off from for centuries, and is thrust into a foreign kingdom with secrets around every corner, a betrothed she isn’t sure she can trust, and brewing tension with his handsome best friend and advisor.

Clarissa’s search for answers uncovers the truth behind a deadly blight sweeping Mysthelm and a centuries-old curse threatening to destroy the people she’s come to care for. When she learns her magic may be the only cure, she’s determined to both rescue this kingdom from danger and keep the Veridian Empire safe from meddling forces.

Time is running out. Which will fall the curse or the crown?

Of the Curse or the Crown is the second book in a series of interconnected dark fantasy standalones. This book includes a summary of book one, In the Wake of the Wicked , for those who have not read it. While it is advised to read book one first, it’s not necessary. Of the Curse or the Crown follows a newly appointed Empress who chooses to unite with a feuding kingdom in a marriage of convenience. She finds herself thrown into a world of curses, secrets, and meddling Fates while battling feelings for her betrothed’s best friend. Perfect for lovers of Princess Diaries, Greek mythology, and The Plated Prisoner series, this book is full of plot twists, lovable side characters, unique magic, witty banter, and no spice forbidden love romance.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

A GREAT READ!

I am just the biggest fan of V.B. Lacey. Do you know how hard it is to find closed door fantasy authors that still bring the heat? I just love picking her books up.

I adored all of the nods to Princess Diaries 2. It made me giddy every time that I noticed the subtle movie moments (y’all don’t even know how many times I’ve watched PD2). It worked perfectly with the plot and made it a fun journey. There were many memorable scenes and pieces I enjoyed. It’s a good romantasy to sink into and watch the expansion of the world and magic systems. I loved seeing a new land and new people with new dynamics.

This was missing a touch of something for me. A little more swoon and a tightened up pace. While I loved the moments between Clarissa and Thorne. And this had a surprise trope that I wasn’t expecting but was nice to see in a fantasy romance setting (it is NOT surprise pregnancy y’all!!!). The endearing quality of the connection between characters was really sweet to see.

By the end this truly had me salivating over the third book. I am HERE FOR ITTTTT.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: loss of life, PTSD and panic attacks, weapons/physical violence, near death experiences

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