By the Flames of Her Fury

The Veridian Empire #4

by V.B. Lacey

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.

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance, Shapeshifters, Magic, Fantasy Romance

580 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

V.B. Lacey is an office manager by day and an avid reader-turned-writer by night. She grew up on stories of magic, love, and sarcasm, and equips her writing with all three. She lives in Texas with her supportive husband and two rambunctious dogs. When she’s not writing about morally grey characters and far-off kingdoms, you can find her reading (mostly fantasy and contemporary romance), playing board games, or spending time with friends.

Follow on Instagram: @vblacey.books

Reviews

[Alexiani G]

5 stars

My deepest and warmest thank you to Vanessa for letting me be part of the group that enjoyed this amazing book before its release date (TODAY BY THE WAY) because what a journey this was. The amount of struggle this book has is astonishing, I was HURTING because I only wanted for Everett and Vera to be left alone, so they could enjoy a life of adventures and happiness. And let me tell, I had to beg the book to give me a freaking moment between the two. I don’t think that has happened before to me and the moment I realized it, it made me think “ok, Vanessa did an incredible job because I am yearning for them to be freaking together”

-The beginning of the book and the little bow at the end

I want to make this like a subtitle because it shocked me how the story wove its way into my brain in a way that in many chapters and by 20% of the book I didn’t have an encounter between Everett and Vera and I was still enjoying the book, the story, the mission, the struggle AND at the same time I wanted them to be together, like yesterday, I couldn’t have that because they were very very VERY far away from each other. AND THE FLASHBACKS????? I usually find going between past and present very annoying because I want to know what is next in the present story but these flashbacks were so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time it just made me tear up for them every time I read one, and the way they became super important at the end????!!! I was like “WHAT!!!! THIS IS SO GORGEOUS!!” I loved the fact that Everett was an illusionist because it made him the literal PERFECT person to put everything back together again (when you read the book you’ll know). So yes Vanessa, you are a genius for turning simple flashbacks in something so vital at the end, the perfect tie-in.

“Everett,” I panted, struggling to stay steady. “You have to know that you’re the reason I survived it. All of it. Every single day of the last seven years, it was you.” I pressed my forehead to his, needing him to feel the truth. “No matter what happens, just know that I love you, Swift. More than you could possibly know

-The struggle

This was (and still is) a story that doesn’t depend on the romance to keep you hooked. It made me so happy to read about other characters and their struggles, to read about how Vera felt and realize that this book is way more than just getting two people together to kiss. This is the story of a girl that was abused and destroyed both mentally and physically (not in a sexual way) just because other people had it in their minds to just experiment. Her journey of realizing that she wasn’t better of alone, that she wasn’t a burden to her family and that being with them and letting them help wasn’t going to make her less. Her journey of trusting in another person with her fear, with her tears, with her heart. And all of that in a fantasy? Yes please, give me more complex books.

“It’s okay,” I murmured. “It’s just me. You can let go.”
A sob burst from her as tears filled her eyes, then slipped down her cheeks. She buried her head in my chest. Wetness coated my skin, and I held her trembling body against me

“The way I feel about you isn’t a weakness. Before you, I was barely surviving. I was numbering the nights and hoping one day they would finally just end it. But then you came along, and you…you gave me something to live for. To fight for.”
I exhaled slowly. “I’m in love with you, Songbird. I think I’ve been in love with you for longer than I even knew what love meant. Do you realize what a gift that is? To be able to feel something so strong, so good, when all I can remember is pain? You gave that to me.” I held her gaze. “I may never be able to touch you, but you are all I can feel.”

-Plot

This book introduces us to a main villain to then make us wait a lot for something (no going to say to stay out of the spoiler zone) but the way the physical villain wasn’t as important as what the villain did to the main characters. It just shows the power of showing and not telling, and the power of creating such a villain that the dude doesn’t need to be on page for you to hate jus guts. Ugh I wish I could punch the guy in the face (or some). I liked how everything turned out. I was waiting for a chasing story but the book gave me that and way more.

I refused to be left behind again. I would go wherever she went, chase any monster she chased, hunt him across any kingdom she did. I would stoke the fire of my vengeance by the flames of her fury until we found him. Together.

-Family and romance

For some reason I always end up needing more from these books. I loved how it ended but I would have liked to see Vera share more time with her family, like I don’t know, three extra epilogues to be extra happy for them. I loved Nox and Vera and their mom together but I wanted more (sorry but not sorry? I love these characters so naturally I needed more). I was happy with the way Tessa and Vera connected and how Vera let herself connect with other people as well. It showed that being and trusting others can be a blessing and not a curse.

And the romance is a good mix of the good moments and the not so good moments. The romance between these two was forged in literal fire. These two don’t have cutesy moments to make us smile, these two have moments that solidify love in the worst of situations, they jump ships to save the other, they go all the way to speak the truth, even if it hurts, they care for each other not in terms of caressing the hair but healing wounds of the flesh and heart, I just loved how I could see their love grow and strengthen.

I forgot what it was like to truly feel her. Free and reckless, with an edge of heat simmering just beneath her skin. I wanted it to consume me. Her flames were the most exquisite form of torture, and now that I was back in the blaze, all I wanted was to feel it again.

“I would fight for you, Songbird,” he said, quieter than before. “Even in chains, I’d fight for you.”

“Everett…” She dropped her hand and swallowed. “I’m scared.”
“I am, too.” I lifted her chin so she faced me again. “But we can’t let our fear make us unable to fight.”

So, to finish up here, this book was incredible, I loved every single second of it and I don’t know which couple is my top one, like could I have them all at the number one podium? Lol

Now, go get this book right now, or better yet, read them all and enjoy the stories. Just for you to know these are four standalone stories, you can read the individually or you could read them in order, either way you will love them!

[Jenny Marshall]

4.5 stars

This was my third beta read from Vanessa and my 4th opportunity to be an ARC reader overall in this series. This was such an emotional journey. And as always, she had me hooked early. Starting with Vera and Starke in the cave and seeing her still fully locked into her revenge era after leaving everything behind. The early cameos from Nox, Devora, and the Ashen Order were so good, especially seeing how their world has evolved since book three.

Vera… my sweet girl. She goes through it, and the only way out is through. I loved watching her come back into herself—realizing she isn’t a weapon, isn’t someone’s pawn or plaything. Seeing her reclaim who she is, learn to love herself again, and slowly let those walls down for others (including our guy Ev) was satisfying.

Everett. What a man. Steady, patient, selfless, and love that never wavered. He was going to find her and bring her home, no matter what that meant. And his letters?? Hello??? Vanessa wrote some absolutely breathtaking lines in this.

I loved the side characters—Starke (we’re currently fighting), Odessa, and a certain member of the Ashen Order, and the found family Vera builds along the way. The pacing kept me engaged, especially with the twists toward the end… it was a bit of a wild ride in the best way!

I also loved the Odessa and Kieran moments—we would absolutely eat up anything more with those two. Overall, I really enjoyed this and was happy with how it ended.

[Robin]

Every single star! This last interconnected standalone stole my heart! The YEARNING, the emotions, the found family across this series! I am so emotional about this being the end! This was not only a phenomenal standalone on its own but the way it wrapped up across the entire series was perfect!

The switch between past and present was executed flawlessly! Everett’s words had me in a puddle on the floor, swooning so hard, and needing him to get every single thing he ever wanted! That man will do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, for Vera! Top tier cinnamon roll MMC! And Vera! My girl! What she endures and her emotional growth and character development throughout this book was exceptional! You will feel gutted for both of them during those flashbacks! My poor heart is still trying to recover!

The side characters are not to be overlooked either! They all add so much to the story and I loved getting more insight into Tessa especially and how her relationship with Vera helped bring Vera out of her fortified walls! This book also delivered heart pounding quests, rescues, and adventure with mythical monsters and I absolutely loved the tributes to The Mummy and Pirates of the Caribbean embedded throughout!

This book (and the entire Veridian Empire series) will forever be one I recommend and a top favorite of mine!

✨Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Mummy
✨Phoenix shifter FMC
✨Revenge quest
✨Feminine rage
✨YEARNING!
✨Tell me to stop 🙌
✨The letters 🥹🥹🥹
✨Found family
✨No spice romantasy

Vengeance was a powerful motivator, and I had enough of it to ignite the entire ocean.

“Good people don’t need a reason to be kind to those who are hurting.”

“I would fight for you, Songbird,” he said, quieter than before. “Even in chains, I’d fight for you.”

“The way I feel about you isn’t a weakness. Before you, I was barely surviving. I was numbering the nights and hoping one day they would finally just end it. But then you came along, and you… you gave me something to live for. To fight for.”

“I may never be able to touch you, but you are all I can feel.”

“Don’t let fear make you unable to fight.”

“Sometimes it’s opening your eyes when you don’t want to. It’s breathing through the pain instead of letting it swallow you. Sometimes it’s just… surviving.” His voice softened. “You’re still here. That’s fighting. And I’m with you every step of the way.”

Her flames were the most exquisite form of torture, and now that I was back in the blaze, all I wanted was to feel it again.

[Cassie]

A Pirates of the Caribbean x The Mummy inspired romantasy? SAY LESS. I am all the way here for it. Immediately 5 stars. 10/10 perfection. No notes.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆.

This book had it ALL. Intrigue. Swooning. Yearning. I felt every single emotion while I was reading this book and I cannot gush enough about it.

I loved the dual timelines and they were such an integral part of the story. I can’t believe it is all over. I want to go back and live in this book. A strong, badass FMC is my favorite part of any book and Vera is that girl. Add in the fact that she is a Phoenix Shifter and she has literally become one of my favorite characters.

And Everett. THE MAN YOU ARE. The intensity comes through every time these characters interact.

"𝓘 𝓶𝓪𝔂 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓫𝓮 𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓸𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵."

Perfect story. Perfect yearning. Perfect characters. This book is an absolute must read. It’s going to stay with me for a long time. This was the perfect ending to the series and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

While this is the fourth book in a “series”, it is an interconnected stand alone and the author does a fantastic job of giving a synopsis of all the books before it.

Out Tuesday, September 22nd!

[Megan]

By the Flames of Her Fury was a fantastic conclusion to the Veridian Empire series by V.B. Lacey. I really enjoyed the dual timeline format of this book so we can truly experience Vera and Everett and how they became who they are. There was so much action in this book which seemed very fitting for Vera and Everett

I loved getting to re-visit characters from the previous Veridian Empire books.

Thank you to V.B. Lacey for the eARC of By The Flames of Her Fury.

[Rhiannon Sharples]

Another absolutely brilliant read from Vanessa. This series has a part of my soul forever and always! It does everything it says on the tin and more! If you're a fantasy lover and want pirates, wraiths, alchemy, shifters.... A mission! Revenge! And your person who will stand with you no matter the cost! A HEA that's hard won!! Like a how the actual hell will this be a HEA!?! Then read this, read the whole series! Incredible

[Ashley | A Pair of Readers]

VB Lacey's final book in the Veridian Empire leaves the reader on a beautiful high note. Everett and Vera's was the perfect story to end on as we close the chapter on everything that has happened since Rose's story in In the Wake of the Wicked.

I really enjoyed the way VB set up this book to bounce between Everett and Vera's past and their present day. It did a nice job of showing how their bond has grown over time and remained solid despite everything that has happened to them. The pacing of the book keeps the reader hooked as they follow Vera on her revenge tour to track down the man who spent years torturing her in captivity. While this sparks Vera's adventure, it grows into something much more as she looks for a supposedly mythical city.

At its core, this story does a beautiful job of exploring Vera's need to find a place where she fits after spending so much time cut off from the world around her. It also dives into Everett's unwavering love for a woman who is constantly disappearing from his life. I loved watching these two get their second chance after everything they had been through their years of captivity. It also did a wonderful job of highlighting a story of self-acceptance, one's place in a unique found family, and the hope for an adventurous future in the wake of tragedy.

While I am sad to leave the Veridian Empire, I cannot wait to see what VB has in store for us next!

4.5/5

[Emelia (emeliaisreading)]

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: By the Flames of Her Fury by VB Lacey
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Epic Fantasy
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: September 22, 2026

I adore the world VB Lacey has created in the Veridian Empire, and it is so bittersweet that it has come to an end, but she saved the best for last!

​Vera is right on brand as a deeply flawed, headstrong FMC who has suffered through unimaginable trauma. She fears being close to anyone and is fueled by vengeance. Everett is so loving and loyal despite similar adversities. I adore the juxtaposition and how HE is the softy!

​I love how Lacey used alternating timelines to tell us how Vera and Everett fell in love through the walls of a prison cell. My heart ached for them, and it was beautiful how they found a little piece of joy in each other even in the darkest places.

​The side characters are, as always, well thought out and fleshed out beautifully. You will fall in love with each and every one of them! I particularly enjoyed the added layer of tension with Starke (IYKYK 😜).

​The world is stunning and lush in lore. From sirens and Krakens to demigods and unimaginable power, you will not be able to put this epic fantasy adventure down!

​If you are looking for an incredibly binge-worthy series of standalones with all the swoon-worthy moments and tension but none of the spice, plus characters who you will find yourself comparing all future couples to, the Veridian Empire series is all of that and more!

​Thank you so much to the author for the digital review copy! I loved going on this journey with you, and I am so excited to meet your next couple!!

[Natalie]

A powerful story about loving yourself and letting others love you.

Book four in the Veridian Empire series.

Vera is the only magic wielder with all six abilities. She was imprisoned and tortured because of it. After getting freed she is having a hard time figuring out where she belongs so she leaves to find her own path. At first Vera really bothered me with her choices, but after traveling on the journey with her I really understood where she was coming from. Such a complex and well developed character.

Everett was also imprisoned for his magic and was tortured alongside Vera. They fell in love in prison and once freed she left him behind. I loved how steady Swift was. How he spoke life and love into Vera. How he went looking for her and never gave up was beautiful!

I loved the pirates of the Caribbean and the Mummy vibes. This was such a fun fresh take and I had a blast being in this world. This series is so fun and I love all the characters and getting to see them all again. Great conclusion to the series.

Thank you VB Lacey for this complimentary arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Remarks •
No spice - just kisses
No language
TW - torture (kind of graphic), injuries, de*th, gore, fighting

[Jenny L]

What a stunning conclusion to the Veridian Empire. Vera and Everett truly earned their happily ever after! This dual timeline story will tear at the heartstrings and have you aching for these two. And don’t forget the hilarious found family and epic adventure.

Thank you to the author for the eARC.

I have loved reading every book in the Veridian Empire series, and somehow they keep getting better and better. I absolutely adored the dual timeline showing us Vera and Everett's imprisonment. Lacey does an incredible job at showcasing their strength through a very traumatic time, giving themselves something worth living for.

By the Flames of Her Fury was so action packed, and I loved every second of it. It felt incredibly fitting for Vera and Everett. They aren't ones to sit idly by anymore.

I am so thankful we got to see some peeks at our other faves from the rest of the series. They all deserve their happily ever afters, and I love that Vera and Rose can be menaces together.

[Stacey | read.with.stacey]

Thank you VB Lacey for the arc 🫶

4.5⭐️

💭: I really enjoyed this one! I’m sad to see this series end, but it was a great conclusion. This book was packed with adventure and is definitely the most action packed of the series. You’ve got pirates, sirens, and a kraken contributing to the chaos along with some other creepy guardian creatures. I enjoyed the dual timeline in this one that allowed us to see the terrible circumstances in which the FMC and MMC first met. I liked how this book explored the effects of that shared trauma and how it was different for each character. I really liked how the MMC never gave up on the FMC. I enjoyed the wrap up of the story and the epilogue was a great conclusion to the overall series!

Check this out if you like:
✨Pirates of the Caribbean x The Mummy
✨Phoenix shifter FMC
✨second chance romance
✨revenge quest
✨feminine rage

**Although these 4 books can be read in any order, I would recommend pub order for maximal enjoyment**

[Aubrey Hedman]

No spice, but allllll the yearning. This is the 4th book in a series of standalone interconnected books and it was absolutely great!! There are some heart wrenching moments that will have you spinning, but the emotional and physical journey that these characters go on does the epic finale to this series justice. Fast paced and full of adventure. This is a book you don't want to miss. 🫶🏻 I am beyond happy to find another no spice series to eventually add to my bookshelves!

This was an arc review received from the author! Thank you!

[Kelly Lancar]

This is a review of the advance reader copy I received.
I was very enthusiastic about the vibe of the book, and the first 30% really got me. However, I had a difficult time getting into the rest of the book. Sometimes less is more and this book was eventful but it always felt surface level to me. I would have liked fewer but more developed plots. I am grateful I got to read an early copy but bummed I didn’t like the story more. There was definitely a lot of potential.

[Patricia]

First off, I need to say a HUGE thank you to V.B. Lacey for trusting me with the final ARC installment of this incredible series. 🥹🔥 I am so beyond grateful that I got to be part of this journey, but BABES… I was absolutely NOT emotionally prepared to say goodbye to these characters. 😭

This final book gave me everything I wanted and then still somehow managed to completely hurt my feelings in the process. 😂😭

One of my absolute favorite things about this book was the CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Vera’s growth was EVERYTHING to me. She has been through so much, had so much taken from her, and spent so much of her life surviving instead of actually living. Watching her slowly reclaim herself, her choices, her memories, her power, and most importantly her sense of belonging was so emotional and so beautifully done. 🥹🔥

And Everett… SWIFT. 🖤

The patience, loyalty, and love this man has for Vera had me in my feelings CONSTANTLY. Their relationship is so much more than romance. It’s trust, healing, remembering, choosing each other again, and finding your way back to someone even after life has completely changed you.

Swift and Songbird forever. 🥹🔥🖤

And I absolutely loved seeing the growth of the entire group. These characters have survived betrayals, battles, grief, trauma, impossible decisions, and enough chaos to last several lifetimes 😂 but through all of it, the found family has always been one of my favorite parts of this series. Watching everyone finally receive an ending that truly felt right for THEM made me so unbelievably happy.

Was I sad when I reached the final pages?

ABSOLUTELY. 😭

I wanted to slam the book shut and pretend there were another four books waiting for me because I was simply not ready to leave the Veridian Empire.

But at the same time, after everything these characters have survived, watching them finally find love, peace, healing, family, and a place where they truly belong was exactly the ending they deserved. 🥹💜

And listen…

If you love Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Mummy… BABES. COME HERE. 🤌🏻🔥

Just picture the chaotic pirate energy of Jack Sparrow mixed with the rugged, adventure-loving charm of Rick O’Connell… 🤤🫠

Yeah. EXACTLY.

Add in fantasy, romance, epic adventures, danger, magic, mythical creatures, incredible characters, found family, feminine rage, strong women, second chances, and enough chaos to keep you completely hooked, and you have the kind of series that makes you disappear from reality for a while. 😂📚🔥

V.B. Lacey created a world and characters that I became completely attached to, and saying goodbye to the Veridian Empire genuinely HURTS.

Thank you again, V.B. Lacey, for allowing me to be part of this journey and for giving these characters the endings they truly deserved. I am so sad it’s over, but I am also SO happy with the way their stories came full circle. 💜🔥

What a beautiful way to end an incredible series.

[Shell]

What a great final adventure with the characters from the Veridian Empire! This is the fourth fantasy romance from V.B. Lacey's series of interconnected standalone stories. This one has the most ties to its previous book, so I'd really recommend at least reading 'From the Silence of the Shadows' before reading this one.

Everett fell in love with Vera while they were both captives, held in neighbouring cells. He was rescued years before she was, but now they're finally reunited (at the end of the previous book). Now Vera wants revenge on the man who tortured and experimented on her while they were held captive. Vera's quest for revenge takes her away from her family and those she loves. After a year of separation, Everett seizes the chance he's given to find her, but neither expects the mysteries and monsters they encounter as they are reunited and then seek to return home.

The first half of the book gave Pirates of the Caribbean vibes: seafaring quest, sea monsters, and a Barbosa-coded captain. The second half gave The Mummy vibes: animated skeletons, tomb raiding, and death-trap underground passages. The mystery and adventure were so engaging once we got there, but it felt a little slow to start. Maybe that was because it's a big book, or maybe because the two main characters weren't in the same place yet.

The romance sometimes felt like it took a back seat to the fantasy adventure of this book. Maybe because Emmett and Vera weren't together until we were a third of the way into the book. Maybe because it was a second chance romance that felt inevitable. One could even call it a slowburn second chance romance, or maybe just slow.

A note on the "love triangle" (skip this paragraph if you don't want any spoilers, but I'll still try to be vague). Two guys like the same girl; does this count as a love triangle? When the other guy makes a move, she shuts him down pretty quickly, but there's some ongoing tension and jealousy, so I wanted to label this trope in case some readers want to be aware of it.

What you'll find in this book:
*Pirates of the Caribbean x The Mummy
*second chance romance
*love triangle
*he helps her sleep
*touch him and die
*sea monsters & grave monsters
*PTSD rep
*flashbacks

Content warning: scenes depicting violence, body horror, human experimentation and torture, on-page death, traumatic flashbacks, self-inflicted pain, blood magic, near drowning, derealization, dissociation and memory loss, mind control, loss of bodily autonomy, and child captivity and abuse.
Romance level: 3.5/7 (kisses only (moan and tongue mentioned), sleeping in the same bed)

Thank you to the author, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Anais (atrailofpages)]

The High Council of the Triad Realm suggested everyone sends a few delegates to one another’s lands, like an emissary, to meet other leaders and set up an agreement for when they get trading routes established. Nox decides to send Everett in the hopes that he could find his sister Vera and bring her home.

In the meantime, Vera has been on the path of vengeance to find and bring down her tormentor Malek Mortep no matter what.

I am sad this series has come to a close, but I do think it ended well. I actually really wanted Kieran to have his own book. He was one of my favorites second to Nox, but it’s not to be I guess.

I enjoyed this fourth installment more than the third one. I still don’t like Devora, but this is not about her, so I’m not even going to go there.

I enjoyed the high seas adventures we get to experience in this book. It reminded me a lot of Sinbad, quite a bit actually as I continue to think about that. The romance is different though.

I enjoyed Everett and Vera’s to a point. The chapters go back and forth in timelines to help us see how they became friends and more. Those chapters are very dark, I would check any trigger warnings before reading. I liked being able to see how their relationship grew when they were in captivity, how they helped each other stay strong and endure. This helped me feel their connection and the love they have for each other.

However, I struggled with the choices Vera would make at times, and then there’s a lot of miscommunication that occurs, which I don’t like, and then Everett was portrayed as rather an idiot that always gets caught and needs rescuing. There were at least four maybe five instances of this, and all I could think is how is this kid part of the rebellion if he’s always getting caught like this? I liked his character in previous books, but I was disappointed how he was portrayed here and Vera(who seemed to not want to go back to him because she didn’t think she deserved him and was very mean to him multiple times) is the one who would always end up being the one saving him. It was confusing and frustrating for me.

And I know it was part of Vera’s growth, but I don’t think I could fully understand why she made the choices she did, especially when they hurt people she loved and who loved her, and that caused me to really just dislike her for a time. I definitely prefer her over Devora, but I did struggle with Vera too.

It’s definitely an epic adventure with a rather epic love story that has a lot of push and pull and a lot of emotion tired into it, and even betrayal, which came as no shock to me.

I loved the adventure and being with other characters more like Kieran and Tessa. We get to learn of everyone’s happy endings basically, even Kieran’s!

I really did enjoy this final installment. I look forward to more by V.B. Lacey!

Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Zandra Ellerström]

Review of advanced copy recived from the author.

I was a bit late with my ARC schedule and by the time I started this book it was during release day. The audiobook was out too so I decided to read and listen at the same time.
I really love doing this because I feel like it adds even more to the atmosphere and the whole reading experience.

This is the fourth and final book in the Veridian Empire series and I feel so sad that it's over. I've been so invested in these books and I just love this whole world.

The books can be read as interconnected standalones, but for the best experience I really recommend reading or listening to all of them. I'm really glad I listened to From the Silence of the Shadows (book 3), because there are characters from that book that you get to understand better in this one.

This book follows Vera and Everett who both have been captured by the evil Mortep.

Vera is a phoenix shifter and she is fierce, magnificent and just everything. I just love her. She has been through so much and you can really feel how much her past has shaped her. She is strong, determined and driven by her need for revenge, but there is also a more vulnerable side to her.

"More phoenix fire erupted from my wings and encased my body in flames. Burning, aching, transcendent magic flooded me, filling the cracks of my soul, and something woke within me as the power swallowed me whole."

And Everett, I really loved him too. He is such a contrast to Vera. He is caring, loyal and softer and I really liked seeing their relationship and how they find their way back to each other after everything they've been through. I also loved the nicknames they have for each other.

“I love you, Swift,” I finally said, kissing the tip of his finger. “I love you too, Songbird.”

V.B. Lacey I don't know what you put in your books because there is SO much happening and there is never a dull moment. The world building is massive, the magic system is unique, epic quests, mythical creatures and in this book we get adventure over the sea and a secret world.

I really liked the different timelines and the multiple POVs. Getting to see more of Vera and Everett's past while also following everything happening in the present worked so well.

I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts into words because there is just so much happening. Every page is filled with something and I kept wondering what was going to happen next.

And I didn't have just one favourite scene. There were so many. But I got SO excited during the cave and the wraiths when Vera and Arcadia opened the crypt.

This was such a big and an emotional adventure and I'm really sad to say goodbye to the Veridian Empire. It feels like the perfect ending to a world I've love so much.

Thank you so very much to V.B. Lacey for the opportunity to ARC. I'm so honored. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I leave my review freely.

[Brenda]

ARC review

“You are the power.”

Vera has spent years carrying the guilt and trauma of everything she’s survived, always believing that fighting and keeping people at a distance is the only way she can protect the people she loves. But when she discovers that she is the Lightbringer, she finds herself pulled into a much bigger battle involving Pyraeth, the High Elders, the Fates, and a kingdom that needs saving. With Odessa’s life hanging in the balance, Vera must find the remaining amulets and unlock the power needed to free Pyraeth. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous things become, especially when Everett is taken and Vera realizes the people she thought she could trust may have their own agenda. Along the way, she has to confront her past, learn to rely on the people around her, and finally accept that she doesn’t have to fight everything alone.
I LOVED this emotional, action packed fantasy book! Vera was such a fantastic heroine. She’s fierce, stubborn, damaged and determined. Underneath all that strength is someone struggling with everything she’s survived. I really loved watching her slowly learn that she doesn’t have to fight every battle completely alone.
And Everett… I absolutely loved him and Vera together. Their relationship has so much history and emotion behind it, seeing them find their way back to each other was one of my favorite parts. Everett never stopped caring about her, even when Vera was convinced she was better off pushing everyone away.
The adventure was, like in the previous books, very well thought out. There were magical creatures, amulets, secret kingdoms, rebellions, the Fates, dangerous missions and betrayals. There were so many moments where I was completely invested in what was going to happen next. The stakes kept getting higher and higher, especially with Odessa's life depending on Vera finding the final amulet.
There were definitely some emotional moments that hurt, but that's what made the ending so satisfying. After everything Vera and Everett had been through, seeing them finally get a chance at happiness was exactly what I wanted. ❤️

[Becky Gordy]

Wow what an action packed adventure that took us to so many more places than I could’ve even imagined! While I don’t typically love when stories have tons of flashbacks, these really added to the history of both Vera and Everett, as well as my hatred for Mortep. These memories also become rather significant later on for *reasons*.
I was quite heartbroken for Everett and how everyone wanted to support him by encouraging him to move on, but he was steadfast in his love for Vera. Once they were reunited, it wasn’t easy, but he never pushed or forced her and definitely didn’t rage at her like I’d expected from many MMCs. It made me respect him quite a bit more because he truly wanted to give Vera the space she needed to come around. Even when they may have argued, he never was vicious or said things with the intent to truly wound her, which truly speaks to his character.
I also valued that the author didn’t have Vera use the potential other love interest to try to get over her feelings the way that is almost expected in the romantasy genre. Once she realized he had feelings for her and she had been oblivious, she really worked to hold her boundary firm to maintain their friendship without crossing lines.
And Wow! The plot twists. There are a couple but towards the end my heart was really torn by the trust that was broken and not really able to be repaired. Vera didn’t go about things in the most mature way possible, which spoke to her growth.
I absolutely adored seeing all of our MCs across the series in the epilogue - the mischief everyone still gets in, the love they have for each other, and the way Vera finally lets down her walls and allows herself to become part of the family once again. I did appreciate that while a wedding was involved, Vera and Everett weren’t forced into a wedding of their own just to make a tidy ending.
Overall I loved my time spent in the Veridian Empire!!

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of the story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Linda Roach]

Exceptional!! This book was impossible to put down 🙌🏼

I was completely floored by Evra's (Everett and Vera) story. The snippets into their past history were full of deep trauma and emotional damage, and yet the story of Swift and his Songbird was so beautiful. They were each other's light in the dark, the reason to dare to hope and I loved the way they fell for each other, bonded in captivity and pain, with only being able to speak and see through a small hole in the wall.

Vera is my favourite FMC of the entire Veridian Empire series. Her pain, trauma and doubt were so real. The way she keeps running from her problems and distancing herself from letting herself be loved is behaviour I can relate to. We are treated to such deep insights into Vera's trauma response. Despite everything she has endured, deep down she ultimately wants to be worthy of love and friendship. She is so recklessly brave, and yet as she chases vengeance and further betrayals, she experiences incredible growth. She realises that death and revenge is empty when you have nothing else to live for, to hope for.

Everett is such a sweetheart. He is so completely and utterly in love with Vera and the way this man yearns! He will never give up on his love for Vera, no matter how hard she tries to push him away. Ev learns that sometimes the people you love, need you to be ok with them not being ok. Ev is so logical and it was so interesting seeing him struggle with his emotional responses because he wanted to be the man that Vera needed.

Evra are so perfect for each other 🥰 Their slow burn is criminally good! The way Vanessa builds up their longing and makes you question if they will ever be able to find a way forward together!!

I absolutely loved that this story is so Pirates of the Caribbean coded. I literally ate up the quests and the search for knowledge. The world building is incredibly vivid and the pacing is fast and fun. This story is such a good time that the outside world ceases to exist as you become captivated by these characters, their banter and the quest to defeat the bad guys and free those targeted and oppressed.

I can't believe this series is over. The characters will stay in my heart for a long time. My thanks to VB Lacey for the review copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Tricia Pelc]

The 4th book in the Veridian series was amazing. The Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Mummy vibes in this traumantasy book fit perfectly with Vera and Everett's story. I loved Vera's healing arc from her childhood trauma in this story and she finds herself through the need for vengeance against the evil alchemist/sorcerer who tormented her for years. The way her PTSD and how she is trying to navigate the tumultuous emotional seas of her life, play out, are written beautifully. Vera is not a demure or weak female. She is one who is scarred, hurt, angry, and flawed because of her past. She makes mistakes, rash decisions, and in the process, hurts others. As a trauma therapist, who works with real-life people, I could see my clients in Vera's journey. So if you cannot understand the way the trauma response develops in people, you may not understand her actions, so go into it with an open mind.

Everett is a sweetheart. He's so devoted to Vera and his heart has already held out years for her, so to him, waiting another year to find her, after her anxiety, fear, and self-doubt caused her to leave him, is nothing. The empress sends him on a journey to the Triad Realm where Vera happens to be. So their paths eventually cross and this is where their story in the present day begins.

I love the way the storyline goes back in forth from present day to the past when they first met as teenagers in captivity. You see the trauma Vera goes through to make her how she is - even though we get a little bit in book three with Devora and Nox (her brother). The developing friendship between Everett and Vera begins in the past, and it's heartbreakingly sweet.

The action on the seas, the mystery and intrigue as Vera and crew chase Mortep around to discover his whereabouts; the found family with her crew; the mystery of the equinox and the creature; and their budding romance with all the trials and tribulations that come with it, make for a crazy ride. Vanessa definitely saved the best for last with Vera and Everett's story!!

[Stephanie M]

What a solid “ending” to this series of interconnected standalones.
While each book can be read and understood in any order, I think it is best to read the books in publishing order to get a more comprehensive understanding of the overall story. What makes them stand alone novels is that the individual books focus on specific characters and there is a definite ending to each book with the exception of a small nod/hint to what the next book will focus on.

Pitched as a dark fantasy with comp titles like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Mummy, I feel like this book definitely hits the nail on the head with those comparisons but what really stood out to me was the feeling of nostalgia I got while reading this book in particular. Maybe it was more of the setting than anything but reading this book brought me back to that age of movies in the late 90s/2000s with movies like Titan A.E., Treasure Planet, Atlantis, and even Pirates of the Caribbean. There’s action, adventure, mystery, and a search for that “something more” that is prevalent to me in those movies (and many others). It made my little millennial heart so happy.

As with the author’s previous works, there’s romance that weaves its way through the story without it completely taking over and there’s no explicit on page content beyond kissing. There’s yearning and a bit of tension, but I’m a sucker for a story full of yearning.

Like the rest of the series, there are some darker themes prevalent in this book that could be triggering to some but I don’t feel like the violence or triggering events are gratuitous beyond showing the depth or scale of what our main characters experienced.

While the plot isn’t the most unique or shocking, what Lacey does very well is the focus on character development throughout the story. The main characters are the ones you want to root for and the villains are definitely the ones that you want to be defeated. She creates heroes that are perfectly imperfect and flawed but stand true to fight for what they believe in.

A solid end to a series for sure.

[Lola Jelic]

Well, Ms. Lacey (thank you for the ARC), I almost didn't finish this book, but I am glad I did. Now let me explain how I wanted to DNF this book--TWICE. I got into this book eagerly. I couldn't wait to read the story. 20% into the book, I was livid. I hated Vera. Let me repeat it: I HATED VERA. I wanted to DNF and give it 1 star. Yup! I won't give away why. The selfish brat deserved it. I had and have zero empathy for her. Then I thought I will just enjoy the pirate adventure, and I won't care about her (difficult when she is the main character). I kept reading. Around 52% I hated her even more, but the adventure was so good. I kept hoping she would fall into a hole and not come back. Anyway, I made it to the end. I cried a bit. It was that good. I forgave her a bit, but just a little bit. Do we love Everett? YES. He kept me reading. Is the plot great? Yes. Are there plot twists? A few. You will not believe it. I was just torn. In the previous book, I really liked Devora. Then I get into this book, and I can't stand Vera. So, it was weird. Don't get me started on Stark. Do I hate the man? With all my heart. Anyway, I won't give away anything. It wouldn't be cool. Do I love this whole series? Yes, I do. It was a ride. This book was really good. I love the plot and all the details, the challenges, the agony, the danger, the friendship, the sorrow...all of it. Please, read the book. You will not regret it. Maybe we can bond over our mutual hate of Vera...you never know. In the end, she was the character I wanted her to be from the beginning, but it wasn't my story. I know that a lot of readers will like her character and her story. I know I will be in the minority group, but that was my impression. The whole episode with the captain made me so angry. I cannot explain it. So, read the book and judge for yourselves. At some point, I will re-read this series, and I know I will look at this book in a different light.

[Krista Nicole]

An epic final conclusion to this series, with all the emotional turmoil of two people who met in captivity and formed a bond that keeps pulling them back together.

In this final book, you follow one final pair, the FMC Vera, who was kept in captivity most of the last few years and experimented on and Everett, who met her within those same cells but was able to escape years before and was reunited with her in the last book once she broke free of the alchemists influence over her. Vera has left without a trace after finally being reunited, but even after a year, Everett still is trying to find her and when an opportunity arrises, he heads with a few friends to the unknown kingdoms to search for her on her mission to find and kill the alchemist who put her through all that suffering. Only things in this kingdom are not that simple and some type of magic seems to exist there that wants to pull Vera into it and when Everett comes for her she must decide between her own happiness and this revenge plot, or maybe she could have both if she just let him in.

I really enjoyed the dual POV that also had flashbacks to their time together in adjacent cells, it really showed all they went through together and the bond they formed amongst all the trauma. I felt so much for the FMC and how she felt like she was dragging everyone down around her and I think the author represented her dealing with her trauma well but I also loved that the MMC kept reaching out and refused to let her give up on her own happiness, even if it wasn’t with him. There was the fun aspects of being aboard a pirate ship and the danger of being at sea and new magical beings that came after them along with hunting down a powerful alchemist who is a threat in his own right that left me on the edge of my seat waiting for what would happen next! I loved how this wrapped the entire series up nicely and I think it concluded the story in a wonderful way and every character has their own version of a HEA. My rating 4.7/5!

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!

[Ana]

“I would fight for you, Songbird. Even in chains, I’d fight for you.”

The way I absolutely DEVOURED this book!! OMG I’m in love with VB Lacey’s writing! I read book one of this series and loved it, but hadn’t had the chance to read book two and three. However, when I saw book four had a phoenix shifter I was immediately convinced!! This book was everything I needed and more! It was dual POV and timeline so we got the see the present as well as what happened in the past in the cells. Vera and Everett went through so much trauma; I definitely started sobbing during some parts 😭😭 but there was also beautiful healing, and the second chance romance was perfect! The yearning and the tension 😩😩😩 They were perfect for each other, and Everett was so patient and understanding. He never stopped loving Vera and fell in love with her before he even saw what she looked like which literally melted my heart. The plot was perfection too! I didn’t feel like I needed to read the other books to understand what was going on (although there were spoilers which I was ok with), and I really enjoyed the world building. The magic in this world is so cool, so I was excited to dive back in and learn more! Also, we really need more phoenix shifters!!! I loved the Pirates of the Caribbean vibes and the adventure with all the mythical creatures. I will say I predicted some of the plot twists but there were some that totally caught me off guard, so maybe they were luring me into thinking I had everything figured out. There was also revenge and feminine rage, which I of course loved. And the found family was perfect! I loved Vera’s relationship with Tessa and Odessa. 10/10 no notes on this entire book, absolute perfection! I’m so excited to read the rest of the series! I preordered this book and also got book two hehe

Thank you Legends Literary Management and VB Lacey for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are honest, and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Sarah Metcalf]

Vera Duma is finally free from Scarven and Mortep. Unfortunately Mortep has gone missing and now she can’t rest until she finds him and gets justice for what he put her and all the others through. Leaving everything and everyone including Everett behind, she ends up sailing outside the Veridian Empire in her search. But when she begins to piece things together from an ancient legend, she ends up putting all the ones she cares about in danger. Now she has to fulfill a prophesy in order to raise a lost kingdom before her friends are lost to a curse.
Vera has tunnel vision. She believes the only things she needs to find and kill Mortep. She is blind to literally everything else around her. She doesn’t realize how others feel and takes everything for granted. She also wants to believe the best in people, esp when she feels they’ve been wronged. Everett has never given up on her and will literally go to the ends of the Earth to find her. He is single minded in that way as well. Luckily they both have some amazing people around them to help them realize what they can’t see and to help them navigate dangerous waters and lost kingdoms.
This is Pirates of the Caribbean x The Mummy with lots of high stakes action and suspense. Not only is this dual POV, but it takes us back to the years Vera and Everett were captured. We get all the heart wrenching details about how they met and grew close as prisoners. We also find out how Mortep managed to get Vera to do the horrible things we saw in the last book. For the most part this book is fast paced and everything goes by in a blink. You’ve ended reading more than you meant to by the time you notice! This is also considered a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the entire series if you haven’t yet. Although it definitely could be read as a standalone, there will be a few parts you don’t understand.

[Summer M {sum.mun.reads}]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5🌟

I promise to you that VB Lacey writes the steamiest, no spice romances that I’ve ever read. You don’t need descriptive spice to be set on fire with her steamy yearning! This book is no exception. And with the tension and longing that these two bring, who fell in love while imprisoned and never able to touch each other?! Are you kidding me?! This book has so much epic adventure and incredible found family banter, it gives you everything you need to get swept up in an incredible tale. The gasps I gusped, the tears I shed, the stupid grin on my face. I was a mess during this book. And I loved every minute of it. This book is the fourth book of interconnected standalones. You do not need to read them in order, but for the best experience, I recommend that you do read them in order. Especially the last two. You’ll appreciate all of the nuances in this book if you read book three first. However, this is a dual timeline book and the author does an incredible job with flashbacks so you do not actually have to read book three first. For those of you who have read book three, don’t worry…the flashbacks are nothing we’ve seen before. They’re actually very insightful and heart wrenching, so there’s that. Prepare yourself!! This story is a beautiful story about vengeance and learning to forgive…even yourself. This book is also written in dual POV and heartbreakingly so. It’s so good. If you love epic adventures with mythical creatures and impossible tasks, super steamy, no spice romance, incredible found family with all the banter, then look no further. VB Lacey has delivered and you now have a completed four book interconnected standalone series right at your fingertips.

[Lora]

I was apprehensive about reading V.B. Lacey’s “By the Flames of Her Fury” as I had not read the other 3 books in the Veridian Empire series, but she provided a great summary of the other novels (I wish all authors did a synopsis), and it really was easy to enjoy as a stand-alone story. Her description of it as a Pirates of the Caribbean meets the Mummy is accurate as it is a formulaic fantasy-adventure tale with sailing exploits and ancient creatures. There is an interesting magic system, and there is yearning and intense kissing, so it is suitable for YA readers as well as adults. Lacey wrote the chapters alternating between the perspectives of the FMC and MMC which allows the reader a greater depth into the motivations and emotions of these characters. The short chapters often end with a “cliffhanger”, so it is an easy and fast read. Some events are predictable but are still entertaining.

The characters are likeable with differing personalities (i.e., cerebral Odessa and funny Tessa). Their found family feels real, and their banter is fun to read. They face various mythical creatures on their adventure, and there are battles, revenge, and betrayal. The importance of trust, communication, and family/friends is woven throughout the narrative. Also, the novel is well written and here is a quote from chapter 14 to illustrate Lacey’s style: “Massive and craggy, each one bulging up out of the shallow water, waiting to snag our hull.”

Readers who enjoy a character-driven fantasy-adventure story should check out “By the Flames of Her Fury” as it is a pleasurable read with excitement and a satisfying ending.

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

[Tiffany]

I received this book as an ARC.

While this book started out interesting and picked up in action around 35-40%, by 50% I had a really hard time staying tuned in to the book. This book has so many events and plot points that it just felt like one thing after another. I kept setting the book down because I just wasn’t interested. This story felt much longer than it needed to be.

Any information or knowledge wasn’t truly hard earned, and there was always someone with a possible solution or fact ready. Any explanation, new development, or event was given to us at a superficial level instead of digging deeper into the origin behind it. Vera being the “one”, the “Lightbringer”, was only generally explained, and I still don’t know why it had to be her or why Nox is different, etcetera. There are new side characters brought into the story, but we don’t even learn much about them, so they lack the impact and ability to connect to the reader.

I did enjoy the technique of using flashbacks to show the development of Swift and Vera’s relationship as well as the trauma they went through. However, I felt it was drawn out a bit much and somewhat repetitive. Also, for how much magic and skill Vera has from her “training” (and what we know from the previous book), she grossly under utilizes her skills in the multiple life and death scenarios they find themselves in.

The story wraps up nicely (though it reminded me of the Lord of the Rings movie with multiple endings before the credits), and honestly, my favorite part was probably the reappearance of all the characters from the previous book.

[Tessa De Wit]

🔥ARC Review🔥

By the Flames of Her Fury
By V. B. Lacey

This is the fourth and final book in the Veridian Empire series.

I have to begin this review by stating how honored I am to have been chosen as an ARC reader for all four of the books in this series of interconnected standalones. I have truly enjoyed every single one of these books, and it is bittersweet to see it come to an end.

This book follows our main characters, Everett and Vera, through a dual timeline. I appreciate this aspect of the story because I really felt like it allowed me to get to know these characters on a much deeper level. The backstories of our MC's (especially Vera) were simply heartbreaking. I have always adored the way Vanessa writes her characters. She does it in a way that makes you root for them, longing for their happiness. Speaking of longing- the yearning in this book is swoonworthy!

While the characters in Ms. Lacey's stories definitely steal the show (for me personally), this story has "edge of your seat" adventure! It is reminiscent of both Pirates of the Caribbean and The Mummy. We spend a good chunk of the book sailing the seas, but we also traverse ancient tunnels, and an island with no shortage of frightening mythical beings. The setting is so fun and unique.

I rated this book 4.5/5⭐️! It is such a great time; more people need to experience this world!

❤️Fave Quotes❤️

"Good people don't need a reason to be kind to those who are hurting. "

"I don't care what they do to me. I have to find him... And when I do, I'll make them regret every moment of their infinite existence for touching him. "