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The city has fallen…
The Master of Darkness has taken control of Anatoliene and is prepared to use every soul within as leverage to claim or destroy the Balance once and for all.
The Balance is rising…
Forced to flee the city she fought to save, Lacey Talanton must face down ancient power and immortal forces to claim her own fate—and the price of survival may be too high to pay.
Everything comes down to this…
Dodging loss at every turn, Lacey walks the line between life and death—flirting with Darkness and dancing around Light to locate the Virtues before it is too late. But when the past she cannot escape and the future she will not avoid leave her one wrong move from losing everything, she finds only one question
When you stand at the end and it’s all you can see,
Will you fight or take flight, or give it all to be free?
The Master of Darkness has taken control of Anatoliene and is prepared to use every soul within as leverage to claim or destroy the Balance once and for all.
The Balance is rising…
Forced to flee the city she fought to save, Lacey Talanton must face down ancient power and immortal forces to claim her own fate—and the price of survival may be too high to pay.
Everything comes down to this…
Dodging loss at every turn, Lacey walks the line between life and death—flirting with Darkness and dancing around Light to locate the Virtues before it is too late. But when the past she cannot escape and the future she will not avoid leave her one wrong move from losing everything, she finds only one question
When you stand at the end and it’s all you can see,
Will you fight or take flight, or give it all to be free?
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2025
About the author
R.V. Wilbur
8 books109 followersR.V. Wilbur has been in love with reading ever since she received her first Little Golden Book library at the age of two. A love of words soon followed and, after publishing selected poems, she drafted her first book at the age of thirteen. Despite all of this she is still somehow terrible at writing blurbs, so this is about all you get. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two children, and of course her black cat Rory Pond. And she's probably drinking coffee. No, she is definitely drinking coffee.
Follow her on Instagram @RVWilburAuthor for all writing updates!
Follow her on Instagram @RVWilburAuthor for all writing updates!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 2, 2025
A beautiful and emotional conclusion to The Virtues Trilogy. I love this trilogy so much. The character development, the emotions, the romance, the found family!!!
Everything tied up at the end so beautifully. I was surprised at the end but at the same time I wasn’t bc I was like, “well I totally should’ve seen that coming and that totally makes sense!!!” 🤯
Renee is brilliant! I reread the first two books before diving into this one because I just knew she was an “Easter egg” writer. Idk if that’s a thing but that’s what I call them 😂. She plans and plots so that she can leave these little morsels of clues for us yet it’s so clever and intricate that you can’t really see it until it hits you in the face!
Lol idk if I’m making sense but at the end of the day, what I’m trying to say is that you should definitely check out this completed dystopian urban romantasy trilogy if you love:
🖤great character development
🖤found family
🖤light vs dark
🖤murder muffins and milkshakes (iykyk)
🖤slow burn romance
🖤banter
🖤emotional reads
Everything tied up at the end so beautifully. I was surprised at the end but at the same time I wasn’t bc I was like, “well I totally should’ve seen that coming and that totally makes sense!!!” 🤯
Renee is brilliant! I reread the first two books before diving into this one because I just knew she was an “Easter egg” writer. Idk if that’s a thing but that’s what I call them 😂. She plans and plots so that she can leave these little morsels of clues for us yet it’s so clever and intricate that you can’t really see it until it hits you in the face!
Lol idk if I’m making sense but at the end of the day, what I’m trying to say is that you should definitely check out this completed dystopian urban romantasy trilogy if you love:
🖤great character development
🖤found family
🖤light vs dark
🖤murder muffins and milkshakes (iykyk)
🖤slow burn romance
🖤banter
🖤emotional reads
May 6, 2025
Honestly I don’t think any review will do this justice but I shall try. What can I say, I cried (a few times), I laughed (a lot- thank you Carson) but mostly I just really enjoyed reading this book. Such a fitting ending to an amazing series, I’m so sad to see these characters go.
I will love Bax forever- no one can change my mind on that. Lacey’s character arc is legends art, seriously from book 1 to book 3 I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of a fictional character. The themes of growth, found family, friendship, love, and sacrifice ring true throughout the series but especially in this book. Ugh I loved everything about it and I’m so sad it’s over- go read these books- you won’t regret it.
I will love Bax forever- no one can change my mind on that. Lacey’s character arc is legends art, seriously from book 1 to book 3 I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of a fictional character. The themes of growth, found family, friendship, love, and sacrifice ring true throughout the series but especially in this book. Ugh I loved everything about it and I’m so sad it’s over- go read these books- you won’t regret it.
May 31, 2025
And so we have finally come to the end of the virtues trilogy. Oh wow, this series will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s so emotional and so beautifully written.
Renee wrote the perfect ending to this series. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. I cried so many times, but my heart was so full by the end.
I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters, but what a way to end it. 🥹
Renee wrote the perfect ending to this series. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. I cried so many times, but my heart was so full by the end.
I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters, but what a way to end it. 🥹
May 13, 2025
The found family. The romance. The characters. THIS BOOK. THIS SERIES.
The way that this story is told is so beautiful. R.V. Wilbur always writes in a beautiful way that will make you feel things. Lacey is so real as an FMC, and her emotions are almost tangible. The found family in this book had me making that teary-eyed happy emoji face. I loved the found family that was established in books one and two, but this was just next-level and I ADORED the vibes. I came to absolutely adore Carson and became feral when I thought something bad could or would happen to him (and if it did you’ll have to read to find out). The girl gang had me making the emoji face again.
This series is now complete, so you have no reasons to not binge!!! Go go go!
The way that this story is told is so beautiful. R.V. Wilbur always writes in a beautiful way that will make you feel things. Lacey is so real as an FMC, and her emotions are almost tangible. The found family in this book had me making that teary-eyed happy emoji face. I loved the found family that was established in books one and two, but this was just next-level and I ADORED the vibes. I came to absolutely adore Carson and became feral when I thought something bad could or would happen to him (and if it did you’ll have to read to find out). The girl gang had me making the emoji face again.
This series is now complete, so you have no reasons to not binge!!! Go go go!
May 9, 2025
I have been hooked on this series since book one and it is such a bittersweet feeling now be finished with the conclusion of The Virtues Trilogy.
This series consists of Flight, Fight and Free. It’s an urban fantasy that is drastically under hyped. Wilbur’s writing through the entire series is engaging and the storyline is fast paced and captures all your attention.
It’s so hard to write a review on the last book in the series. There is so much I want to say but also don’t want to give away key points that you find out in books 1 and 2 for the new readers out there. Each book really packs in the emotion. My cry count for Free was 4 and honestly it may have been more of if I wasn’t reading in public and needing to school my features. I feel this book does a phenomenal job really bringing all the pieces together. There is really no stone left uncovered and we are given the answers we have been in search of.
I loved watching Lacey’s relationships evolve over each book and how that impacted her in Free. Her character growth was great to watch and although there is pain, trauma and suffering, Lacey gets an ending we can all be happy with.
Finn. Oh Finn. This man and his devotion to Lacey is not only fierce but his “I will burn the world down for you” attitude makes me giddy. Finn and Lacey’s chemistry has been electric since the beginning and with the sheer trauma that was the end of Fight, I was nice seeing them really start to grow together without all the secrets between them.
The found family in this book is top notch. Lacey is really out there on her own when this all started in Flight and to see the family that she built and protects is so heartwarming.
I honestly feel that this is a series that needs your attention. It has such a unique storyline and a heart-achingly amazing love story that you are doing yourself a disservice is you don’t.
This series consists of Flight, Fight and Free. It’s an urban fantasy that is drastically under hyped. Wilbur’s writing through the entire series is engaging and the storyline is fast paced and captures all your attention.
It’s so hard to write a review on the last book in the series. There is so much I want to say but also don’t want to give away key points that you find out in books 1 and 2 for the new readers out there. Each book really packs in the emotion. My cry count for Free was 4 and honestly it may have been more of if I wasn’t reading in public and needing to school my features. I feel this book does a phenomenal job really bringing all the pieces together. There is really no stone left uncovered and we are given the answers we have been in search of.
I loved watching Lacey’s relationships evolve over each book and how that impacted her in Free. Her character growth was great to watch and although there is pain, trauma and suffering, Lacey gets an ending we can all be happy with.
Finn. Oh Finn. This man and his devotion to Lacey is not only fierce but his “I will burn the world down for you” attitude makes me giddy. Finn and Lacey’s chemistry has been electric since the beginning and with the sheer trauma that was the end of Fight, I was nice seeing them really start to grow together without all the secrets between them.
The found family in this book is top notch. Lacey is really out there on her own when this all started in Flight and to see the family that she built and protects is so heartwarming.
I honestly feel that this is a series that needs your attention. It has such a unique storyline and a heart-achingly amazing love story that you are doing yourself a disservice is you don’t.
May 13, 2025
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: Free (The Virtues Trilogy, Book 3)
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵. 𝘞𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.”
When we first meet Lacey in Flight, she runs from her past and struggles to survive. Throughout the series, she slowly finds purpose and belonging. Every moment led to this fight for freedom.
In the battle between darkness and light, Lacey remains a beacon of hope. To fulfill the prophecy and for the future of the world, what will Lacey choose?
Tropes:
🏙️Dark urban fantasy romance
📜Prophecy
💫Chosen one
💔Emotional devastation
💡Light vs Darkness
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
💕HEA
I don’t think I can adequately convey the intense ride Renée has taken me on over these three books with these characters. Theirs is a remarkable journey of growth that’s emotionally devastating and inspiring. The dystopian and fantasy elements interwoven with betrayal, grief, and sacrifice lend to a haunting and wistful narrative.
In Free, Renée masterfully balances the heavy themes with a found family that is hilarious and unfailingly devoted and a romantic love that is resilient and profound. This is such a perfect conclusion. I never want to say goodbye to these characters, so I’ll simply say “goodnight.”
The trilogy is now complete! Add to your TBR immediately if you’re looking for a high-stakes, dark urban romantasy that will make you *feel* every emotion
Huge thanks to RV Wilbur for the ARC opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review
📖: Free (The Virtues Trilogy, Book 3)
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵. 𝘞𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.”
When we first meet Lacey in Flight, she runs from her past and struggles to survive. Throughout the series, she slowly finds purpose and belonging. Every moment led to this fight for freedom.
In the battle between darkness and light, Lacey remains a beacon of hope. To fulfill the prophecy and for the future of the world, what will Lacey choose?
Tropes:
🏙️Dark urban fantasy romance
📜Prophecy
💫Chosen one
💔Emotional devastation
💡Light vs Darkness
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
💕HEA
I don’t think I can adequately convey the intense ride Renée has taken me on over these three books with these characters. Theirs is a remarkable journey of growth that’s emotionally devastating and inspiring. The dystopian and fantasy elements interwoven with betrayal, grief, and sacrifice lend to a haunting and wistful narrative.
In Free, Renée masterfully balances the heavy themes with a found family that is hilarious and unfailingly devoted and a romantic love that is resilient and profound. This is such a perfect conclusion. I never want to say goodbye to these characters, so I’ll simply say “goodnight.”
The trilogy is now complete! Add to your TBR immediately if you’re looking for a high-stakes, dark urban romantasy that will make you *feel* every emotion
Huge thanks to RV Wilbur for the ARC opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review
May 13, 2025
This was a brilliant conclusion to the trilogy! The found family in this series is incredible! The depth of these characters and the growth they each have throughout this entire trilogy, makes every single high and low they experience hit so much harder! Finn is and always will be top tier book boyfriend material. I cannot even put into words how much I adore that man! And Bax is the epitome of the best friend you absolutely need in your life. Lacey and the girls, Cayle, Carson, I could go on and on. I just love them all so much!
This entire series is emotional and this one hit me again to where I felt raw. It always amazes me when I can go from laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes, to literally sobbing because my heart is broken in the span of a couple chapters. The brilliance to which everything within the first two books was woven back into this one is nothing short of amazing! I was in awe of how it all tied together in the end! I absolutely LOVE this trilogy! If you love emotional trauma before that eventual HEA, you’ve got to read this one. It is completely underrated and deserves all the love because every single book in this trilogy was hands down five stars for me!
“It’s easy to point fingers, isn’t it? To condemn? As effortless as breathing sometimes. It’s harder to try to understand one another. But if no one tries, then we will all end up suffering and dying by someone else’s hand just because they think we’re wrong.”
“He has taken me in many ways and many places. Mind, body, and soul, I am his and he is mine.”
“I told you once that I wanted you for as long as I’m breathing. I always will. You are everything I could have ever wanted. More than I will ever deserve. And on the day that I walk beyond the Veil, your face will be the last thing on my mind. Your name will be the final word falling from my lips. And with my dying breath, I will still kiss you goodnight.”
This entire series is emotional and this one hit me again to where I felt raw. It always amazes me when I can go from laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes, to literally sobbing because my heart is broken in the span of a couple chapters. The brilliance to which everything within the first two books was woven back into this one is nothing short of amazing! I was in awe of how it all tied together in the end! I absolutely LOVE this trilogy! If you love emotional trauma before that eventual HEA, you’ve got to read this one. It is completely underrated and deserves all the love because every single book in this trilogy was hands down five stars for me!
“It’s easy to point fingers, isn’t it? To condemn? As effortless as breathing sometimes. It’s harder to try to understand one another. But if no one tries, then we will all end up suffering and dying by someone else’s hand just because they think we’re wrong.”
“He has taken me in many ways and many places. Mind, body, and soul, I am his and he is mine.”
“I told you once that I wanted you for as long as I’m breathing. I always will. You are everything I could have ever wanted. More than I will ever deserve. And on the day that I walk beyond the Veil, your face will be the last thing on my mind. Your name will be the final word falling from my lips. And with my dying breath, I will still kiss you goodnight.”
May 14, 2025
Beautiful ending for an epic trilogy. Please read this trilogy! It's one of my all time favorite!
Lacey's growth throughout the series is so inspiring. I truly loved seeing how much Lacey changed from the first page of Flight (book 1) to the last page of Free (book 3). She is one bad*ss woman.
Finn, I love him so much. My favorite MMC. I think I highlighted most of his dialogue because swoon.
They are both broken in their own way but they work together to heal themselves.
The found family in this trilogy is top tier. I wish everyone could experience the love that Lacey receives from her found family. It is remarkable.
This book is so much more than just good vs evil, light vs darkness, it's about finding the balance between them both.
I'm not ready to say goodbye to these character yet, so for now, I'll just say goodnight.
Lacey's growth throughout the series is so inspiring. I truly loved seeing how much Lacey changed from the first page of Flight (book 1) to the last page of Free (book 3). She is one bad*ss woman.
Finn, I love him so much. My favorite MMC. I think I highlighted most of his dialogue because swoon.
They are both broken in their own way but they work together to heal themselves.
The found family in this trilogy is top tier. I wish everyone could experience the love that Lacey receives from her found family. It is remarkable.
This book is so much more than just good vs evil, light vs darkness, it's about finding the balance between them both.
I'm not ready to say goodbye to these character yet, so for now, I'll just say goodnight.
May 15, 2025
This book took me through it heartache, hope, chaos, love… all of it. The stakes were sky-high, the emotion was raw, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Lacey’s story wraps up in the most powerful (and painful, in the best way) way, and it just works. The world building, the characters, the depth it all comes together perfectly.
June 11, 2025
It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten the chance to read a completed series back to back, and I ate this one up. Very different from what I’ve been reading and I enjoyed the hell out of the wild ride these books took me on. Never goodbye, only goodnight 🫶🏻
May 12, 2025
A rollercoaster ride of emotions, plot twists and happy endings! An amazing end to this urban fantasy triology!
Lacey is the unlikable turned likeable FMC that stole our hearts with her story and now we get to watch her rise for the last battle. The found family vibes in this series are SO strong, I'm going to miss all of these characters so much! Buckle up and get your comfort blanket ready friends, this is a great one!
Lacey is the unlikable turned likeable FMC that stole our hearts with her story and now we get to watch her rise for the last battle. The found family vibes in this series are SO strong, I'm going to miss all of these characters so much! Buckle up and get your comfort blanket ready friends, this is a great one!
February 22, 2026
Once I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. The third and final book in the Virtues series is a fast pace, break your heart, nonstop ride on an emotional rollercoaster.
I loved watching Lacey grow from the first book into the final. She is flawed and perfect, her bravery and capacity to love and protect those she cares for shines throughout out the series.
Finn, for every dark thing he has done in the past, he shows his humanity in the simple pleasures of making tea. It is my favorite thing about him. Living in darkness for so long and finding his light in Lacey is so sweet.
Lacey and Finn face the biggest battle of their lives. Vowing to protect each other and the people they love until their last breath. I was emotional during a sweet exchange between them while facing an uncertain future, living life in that very moment.
Renee does and amazing job creating this world and her characters with love and detail. I cried, I laughed, I cheered reading this whole series. I highly recommend you read Flight and Fight to really appreciate this final chapter in Free.
I absolutely enjoyed being part of this journey from the beginning. As you read this series, just remember, I have you.
I loved watching Lacey grow from the first book into the final. She is flawed and perfect, her bravery and capacity to love and protect those she cares for shines throughout out the series.
Finn, for every dark thing he has done in the past, he shows his humanity in the simple pleasures of making tea. It is my favorite thing about him. Living in darkness for so long and finding his light in Lacey is so sweet.
Lacey and Finn face the biggest battle of their lives. Vowing to protect each other and the people they love until their last breath. I was emotional during a sweet exchange between them while facing an uncertain future, living life in that very moment.
Renee does and amazing job creating this world and her characters with love and detail. I cried, I laughed, I cheered reading this whole series. I highly recommend you read Flight and Fight to really appreciate this final chapter in Free.
I absolutely enjoyed being part of this journey from the beginning. As you read this series, just remember, I have you.
November 24, 2025
This book broke me apart in the BEST WAY. this is everything you want in a trilogy finale, high stakes, drama, action, beautiful romance
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews