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Virelai's Hoard: A Sapphic Pirate Fantasy
Some treasures should stay buried. Some secrets should never be unearthed.
Riley has spent her life surviving on lies. She cons, she cheats, she takes what she wants and never looks back. When she tricks her way onto the Moonshadow, a pirate ship bound for an impossible treasure, she expects gold, and dreams of the things that come with it. Stability, security, a future where she doesn’t have to fight for every scrap. What she doesn’t expect is to be dealt into the crew’s games, drawn into their stories, and treated like she belongs.
But their leader, Captain Calla Nymeris, is as untouchable as the ocean—secretive, relentless, her gaze always fixed on the horizon as if haunted by something only she can see. Her first mate Sable is a force of nature herself, a warrior with sharp eyes and a sharper tongue, who watches Riley like she’s trying to decide whether to trust her or throw her overboard.
As they chase a treasure that shouldn’t exist, through waters that pull ships under and islands where the dead do not sleep, Riley realizes she wants more than gold.
But the sea is always hungry. And it never gives without taking.
A darkly romantic sapphic fantasy, Virelai’s Hoard is a tale of cursed treasure, treacherous seas, and love tangled in betrayal.
Riley has spent her life surviving on lies. She cons, she cheats, she takes what she wants and never looks back. When she tricks her way onto the Moonshadow, a pirate ship bound for an impossible treasure, she expects gold, and dreams of the things that come with it. Stability, security, a future where she doesn’t have to fight for every scrap. What she doesn’t expect is to be dealt into the crew’s games, drawn into their stories, and treated like she belongs.
But their leader, Captain Calla Nymeris, is as untouchable as the ocean—secretive, relentless, her gaze always fixed on the horizon as if haunted by something only she can see. Her first mate Sable is a force of nature herself, a warrior with sharp eyes and a sharper tongue, who watches Riley like she’s trying to decide whether to trust her or throw her overboard.
As they chase a treasure that shouldn’t exist, through waters that pull ships under and islands where the dead do not sleep, Riley realizes she wants more than gold.
But the sea is always hungry. And it never gives without taking.
A darkly romantic sapphic fantasy, Virelai’s Hoard is a tale of cursed treasure, treacherous seas, and love tangled in betrayal.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2025
32 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Vivien Nash
4 books15 followersLover of dogs, spices and everything queer. She's spent so long wondering where all the sapphic-focused stories are that she decided to make her own contribution to the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 8, 2025
Is it an imperfect book? It is. Did I love it? Hell, yeah.
I am not really a pirate fan, so I went expecting... I don't know really, but as I read I was getting very invested with the story and the characters, loved them to pieces. Sometimes you read characters that fall flat or are lacking in some aspect or many, and they end up hindering the story and involvement. And sometimes you read characters that make you want more, as this was the case, I wanted more of their story, background, a bit more polishing too, but you know? They made me feel things, silly buggers.
The worlbuilding is intriguing, I hope to see it more developed in the next book. A great start for the series.
I am not really a pirate fan, so I went expecting... I don't know really, but as I read I was getting very invested with the story and the characters, loved them to pieces. Sometimes you read characters that fall flat or are lacking in some aspect or many, and they end up hindering the story and involvement. And sometimes you read characters that make you want more, as this was the case, I wanted more of their story, background, a bit more polishing too, but you know? They made me feel things, silly buggers.
The worlbuilding is intriguing, I hope to see it more developed in the next book. A great start for the series.
August 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC review!!
i was a little hesitant to begin with as ive somehow never read a pirate fantasy book so was a bit unsure if this would be something i would enjoy. let me tell you, this book has opened my eyes to a whole new side of fantasy books. i LOVED everything about this book. if i could go back to read it for the first time i would in a heartbeat. i was stuck in a reading slump before starting this book and once i started it, i was hooked!!
‼️SPOILER WARNINGS‼️
i honestly loved every character in this book. however dont get attached cause somehow your favourites keep dying😭 pip, sweet little pip💔 you deserved so much better than to die to some sirens. i sobbed, genuinely sobbed and i kept hoping that he’ll just magically appear back onboard with everyone else (he did not….) and maren. MAREN! saving riley just to die instead. i was rooting for him, i thought no way she’d kill one of the new sailors right? RIGHT?????? i was wrong again😭 but a very important character that actually survived the whole book, our little rodent patch🫶🏼 i loved him, genuinely loved him!! watching him form relationships with the other crew members and calla was so so sweet🥺
i also was not expecting that ending??? the cliffhanger???? what is calla now???? what’s going to happen to sable and kit??? more importantly where the heck are they😭😭 i’m left with so many questions that only vivien can answer with book number two!!
this book is honestly a rollercoaster of emotions. i cannot recommend it enough(my friends are fed up of me telling them to buy it and its only been out a couple days😂) if you’re thinking about buying this, do it!! you won’t regret it!! i can’t wait for book number two!!
ARC review!!
i was a little hesitant to begin with as ive somehow never read a pirate fantasy book so was a bit unsure if this would be something i would enjoy. let me tell you, this book has opened my eyes to a whole new side of fantasy books. i LOVED everything about this book. if i could go back to read it for the first time i would in a heartbeat. i was stuck in a reading slump before starting this book and once i started it, i was hooked!!
‼️SPOILER WARNINGS‼️
i honestly loved every character in this book. however dont get attached cause somehow your favourites keep dying😭 pip, sweet little pip💔 you deserved so much better than to die to some sirens. i sobbed, genuinely sobbed and i kept hoping that he’ll just magically appear back onboard with everyone else (he did not….) and maren. MAREN! saving riley just to die instead. i was rooting for him, i thought no way she’d kill one of the new sailors right? RIGHT?????? i was wrong again😭 but a very important character that actually survived the whole book, our little rodent patch🫶🏼 i loved him, genuinely loved him!! watching him form relationships with the other crew members and calla was so so sweet🥺
i also was not expecting that ending??? the cliffhanger???? what is calla now???? what’s going to happen to sable and kit??? more importantly where the heck are they😭😭 i’m left with so many questions that only vivien can answer with book number two!!
this book is honestly a rollercoaster of emotions. i cannot recommend it enough(my friends are fed up of me telling them to buy it and its only been out a couple days😂) if you’re thinking about buying this, do it!! you won’t regret it!! i can’t wait for book number two!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2025
*2.75
The premise of this story had so much promise, but the world building, character writing, and endless internal exposition really let it down.
Firstly, all of the characters felt very one note, and that's largely attributable to what I think the author wanted as internal monologue, but came across as the author's exposition; every thought, action, motivation, feeling, was explained so explicitly it made the characters feel juvenile. Too much exposition can make your reader feel lectured at, and leaves no room for imagination or pondering over the characters.
Secondly, the characters were not fleshed out at all, and the relationships felt surface level and therefore, there was very little emotional investment. This same feeling carried over into the deaths that take place; they happen so suddenly, and the characters are so indistinguishable from one another, that I felt nothing when they happened. I think the author would benefit from stripping back multiple POV's because they were sparodic and did nothing to enrich the narrative, owing to the internal one tone all of the characters have.
Thirdly, the world building was poor in that, there was so little, the book could have been taking place anywhere. You get small hints of a unique world, but not even the uncharted path the characters take is fleshed out. One minute they're in a storm, then there is an island, then there's a cave. It was really hard to feel invested in what should be a deadly quest.
The points I can give are for the tastefully written intimacy scenes; the author handled herself very well here without falling into lewedity or being too coy. The author also has a talent for writing action scenes, with her descriptions being easy to follow, yet described in unique and interesting ways.
Overall, by half way I was no longer excited to pick it back up again. It's clear the author intended for this to be part of a series, and perhaps this is why she invested so little in the missing points above, but this strikes me as presumptive and lazy. You want your reader invested in the beginning, and you cannot rely on a whole series together to entertain; you have to care first and foremost about the initial experience.
The premise of this story had so much promise, but the world building, character writing, and endless internal exposition really let it down.
Firstly, all of the characters felt very one note, and that's largely attributable to what I think the author wanted as internal monologue, but came across as the author's exposition; every thought, action, motivation, feeling, was explained so explicitly it made the characters feel juvenile. Too much exposition can make your reader feel lectured at, and leaves no room for imagination or pondering over the characters.
Secondly, the characters were not fleshed out at all, and the relationships felt surface level and therefore, there was very little emotional investment. This same feeling carried over into the deaths that take place; they happen so suddenly, and the characters are so indistinguishable from one another, that I felt nothing when they happened. I think the author would benefit from stripping back multiple POV's because they were sparodic and did nothing to enrich the narrative, owing to the internal one tone all of the characters have.
Thirdly, the world building was poor in that, there was so little, the book could have been taking place anywhere. You get small hints of a unique world, but not even the uncharted path the characters take is fleshed out. One minute they're in a storm, then there is an island, then there's a cave. It was really hard to feel invested in what should be a deadly quest.
The points I can give are for the tastefully written intimacy scenes; the author handled herself very well here without falling into lewedity or being too coy. The author also has a talent for writing action scenes, with her descriptions being easy to follow, yet described in unique and interesting ways.
Overall, by half way I was no longer excited to pick it back up again. It's clear the author intended for this to be part of a series, and perhaps this is why she invested so little in the missing points above, but this strikes me as presumptive and lazy. You want your reader invested in the beginning, and you cannot rely on a whole series together to entertain; you have to care first and foremost about the initial experience.
July 22, 2025
Thank you so much to Bookfunnel for providing me with my first ARC 🥰
I really enjoyed this book and am honoured to be the first one to review! This book is perfect for anyone that likes Our Flag Means Death, Black Sails, Running Close To The Wind naturally was appealing to me. I loved the diverse array of characters, who all felt nicely fleshed out and interacted with each other in intriguing ways. I did feel that the first introductory chapter could have been slowed down more in order to slowly acclimatise the characters to the reader. This was more than made up for with the later exposition of the pirate crew and some of the main 3 characters backstories, embroiling the reader in the fast paced plot. I loved all 3 main characters even when they were in conflict, Calla, Sable and Riley make for a very interesting trio and their complicated dynamics continue to push the plot (and the romance angle further). I very much look forward to seeing the rest of this series. This book was well paced and I was pleased with the attention to detail and the amount of ‘problems’ that the Moonshadow encounters on her journey to the treasure, leading the characters in various directions adding to their nuance and complexity. I did like the attention to women within the book as they were included within the traditionally masculine domain of piracy, how the women handle their power, status and drive is key to the success of this novel! Thank you so much for the ARC it was a pleasure to read!
I really enjoyed this book and am honoured to be the first one to review! This book is perfect for anyone that likes Our Flag Means Death, Black Sails, Running Close To The Wind naturally was appealing to me. I loved the diverse array of characters, who all felt nicely fleshed out and interacted with each other in intriguing ways. I did feel that the first introductory chapter could have been slowed down more in order to slowly acclimatise the characters to the reader. This was more than made up for with the later exposition of the pirate crew and some of the main 3 characters backstories, embroiling the reader in the fast paced plot. I loved all 3 main characters even when they were in conflict, Calla, Sable and Riley make for a very interesting trio and their complicated dynamics continue to push the plot (and the romance angle further). I very much look forward to seeing the rest of this series. This book was well paced and I was pleased with the attention to detail and the amount of ‘problems’ that the Moonshadow encounters on her journey to the treasure, leading the characters in various directions adding to their nuance and complexity. I did like the attention to women within the book as they were included within the traditionally masculine domain of piracy, how the women handle their power, status and drive is key to the success of this novel! Thank you so much for the ARC it was a pleasure to read!
January 12, 2026
Virelai's Hoard was engaging and fun, I loved getting lost in Nash’s unique world of pirates, high-stakes treasure, and sapphic desire. Overall, the writing style was easy to follow and mostly evenly paced, though I was left wanting more from this first installment.
Many thanks to Vivien Nash and Bookfunnel for the ARC! All thoughts, opinions, and critiques are my own.
(My review contains no spoilers.)
What I appreciated:
- I enjoyed the pirate atmosphere, even if the main crew is a little “unconventional” at times. It’s a vibe of its own, and I’m here for it! Even more so, the world itself and the dynamic between people and nature were very unique.
- This was my first time reading sapphic, though honestly, some of my favorite spice that I’ve read thus far in my romantasy journey! New favorite sub-genre unlocked..?? I appreciated that it wasn’t the main focus either.
- I also loved all the diversity and representation!
What wasn't for me:
- The ending felt rushed, and I was overall left wanting more from this first book: more world-building, more character development, more time with certain characters; not all of the emotional moments/ appeal attempts hit their marks due to this.
All that being said, I will continue the series. I read Vivien Nash's accompanying novella Storm Shelter, and am very excited for the appearance of Rowe in the second installment!
Many thanks to Vivien Nash and Bookfunnel for the ARC! All thoughts, opinions, and critiques are my own.
(My review contains no spoilers.)
What I appreciated:
- I enjoyed the pirate atmosphere, even if the main crew is a little “unconventional” at times. It’s a vibe of its own, and I’m here for it! Even more so, the world itself and the dynamic between people and nature were very unique.
- This was my first time reading sapphic, though honestly, some of my favorite spice that I’ve read thus far in my romantasy journey! New favorite sub-genre unlocked..?? I appreciated that it wasn’t the main focus either.
- I also loved all the diversity and representation!
What wasn't for me:
- The ending felt rushed, and I was overall left wanting more from this first book: more world-building, more character development, more time with certain characters; not all of the emotional moments/ appeal attempts hit their marks due to this.
All that being said, I will continue the series. I read Vivien Nash's accompanying novella Storm Shelter, and am very excited for the appearance of Rowe in the second installment!
August 12, 2025
I was obsessed with this novel! I honestly could not put it down. The tension, characters, and high stakes, it was a thrilling read that takes you to the treacherous high seas.
Virelai's Hoard is a fast-paced novel that is a whirlwind of action. Riley has spent her life surviving on the streets and tricks her way through life with her mischievous little companion Patch - a rat. He is a brilliant little character! For the hope of getting a substantial reward, she joins the crew on the Moonshadow, an indestructible ship that holds many tales. Captain Calla Nymeris is just as mystifying as her buried secrets haunt her as she looks to perilous seas. Her second in command, Sable - fierce and loyal - completes the trio. Together, they face many obstacles to get to the treasure, but the endgame differs precariously.
I was invested with the entire crew of the Moonshadow. The bonds between everyone were expertly woven together by Nash, and it made the story all the more poignant when disaster struck. I was so shocked by one that I had to walk away in a huff. Believe me when I say Vivien Nash is not afraid of throwing a punch at her readers where her characters are concerned. I'll leave you to guess the meaning so I don't spoil anything too much. But I loved the dynamics between all the characters and the unpredictable world of pirates.
The sapphic element was so intricately woven throughout the text, and romance was so gradual that nothing felt stilted in the relationship. It just added to the characters' interactions and, to some degree, propelled the plot in a very subtle way.
My only complaint is the ending. Yes, it is a cliffhanger; and yes, I have a love-hate relationship with cliffhangers. But I just felt it was rushed, so much seemed to happen in such a short space of time, and I slightly lost my bearings in understanding what was going on. I got the gist but had to go back to reread some parts to just make sure I was following properly.
But honestly, I loved this book and can't wait to continue the journey. If you enjoy strong female protagonists, high stakes, and treacherous seas of mythical creature, I would really encourage you to pick this book up. Also, it reminded me a little of Pirates of the Caribbean, not in the plot but the bonds between the characters. Virelai's Hoard is a great combination of being plot and character driven. Not only is this book all about discovery, but I'm also excited to uncover what happens next.
___________________
Favourite Quotes:
Do not let him. That one cannot be saved. Or would you feed the both of them to the lake? What use do these humans serve to you, besides holding you back?
They took and called it growth. They conquered and called it order. They silenced the wild and called it peace.
___________________
🌶🌶🌶.5/5
Thank you Vivien Nash for sending me an e-arc.
Virelai's Hoard is a fast-paced novel that is a whirlwind of action. Riley has spent her life surviving on the streets and tricks her way through life with her mischievous little companion Patch - a rat. He is a brilliant little character! For the hope of getting a substantial reward, she joins the crew on the Moonshadow, an indestructible ship that holds many tales. Captain Calla Nymeris is just as mystifying as her buried secrets haunt her as she looks to perilous seas. Her second in command, Sable - fierce and loyal - completes the trio. Together, they face many obstacles to get to the treasure, but the endgame differs precariously.
I was invested with the entire crew of the Moonshadow. The bonds between everyone were expertly woven together by Nash, and it made the story all the more poignant when disaster struck. I was so shocked by one that I had to walk away in a huff. Believe me when I say Vivien Nash is not afraid of throwing a punch at her readers where her characters are concerned. I'll leave you to guess the meaning so I don't spoil anything too much. But I loved the dynamics between all the characters and the unpredictable world of pirates.
The sapphic element was so intricately woven throughout the text, and romance was so gradual that nothing felt stilted in the relationship. It just added to the characters' interactions and, to some degree, propelled the plot in a very subtle way.
My only complaint is the ending. Yes, it is a cliffhanger; and yes, I have a love-hate relationship with cliffhangers. But I just felt it was rushed, so much seemed to happen in such a short space of time, and I slightly lost my bearings in understanding what was going on. I got the gist but had to go back to reread some parts to just make sure I was following properly.
But honestly, I loved this book and can't wait to continue the journey. If you enjoy strong female protagonists, high stakes, and treacherous seas of mythical creature, I would really encourage you to pick this book up. Also, it reminded me a little of Pirates of the Caribbean, not in the plot but the bonds between the characters. Virelai's Hoard is a great combination of being plot and character driven. Not only is this book all about discovery, but I'm also excited to uncover what happens next.
___________________
Favourite Quotes:
Do not let him. That one cannot be saved. Or would you feed the both of them to the lake? What use do these humans serve to you, besides holding you back?
They took and called it growth. They conquered and called it order. They silenced the wild and called it peace.
___________________
🌶🌶🌶.5/5
Thank you Vivien Nash for sending me an e-arc.
July 23, 2025
I received a digital ARC of Virelai's Hoard from Vivien Nash via BookFunnel, who I want to thank for giving me the opportunity to read this book before its release!
Virelai's Hoard's plunges the reader into a world where the sea has decided humans are not worthy of sailing its waves.
Street rat Riley is only out for herself, and the prospect of a pile of gold is too good to resist, even if she must adapt to life as a pirate to get to it. While her past prevents her from forming meaningful connections, she finds herself tangled in the lives of other crewmembers.
We get to discover this story through four POVs. Some of them felt quite similar to read (mainly Riley and Sable's), though they both have similar issues that would explain similar tones. I do wish the chapters/POVs had been distributed a bit more equally, but it didn't feel too abrupt either.
This may be a quirk of my e-reader, but the only thing that truly bothered me was that some of the inner monologue wasn't distinct from the rest of the chapter. (Not italicized nor introduced beforehand, so it was a jarring first-person insight in an otherwise third-person POV).
Here's what will bring me back for the rest of the trilogy: the world-building. I am so intrigued and I'm so here for it. One small part that I adored? The crew having a card game inherently built for pirates. Really lovely to see!
The romance was steamy and heartbreaking all at once, but I won't say more on that because it deserves to be discovered.
Overall, I would definitely pick this up again. It is a fairly short read, but I'm left thinking of the seas... And hoping for more.
Virelai's Hoard's plunges the reader into a world where the sea has decided humans are not worthy of sailing its waves.
Street rat Riley is only out for herself, and the prospect of a pile of gold is too good to resist, even if she must adapt to life as a pirate to get to it. While her past prevents her from forming meaningful connections, she finds herself tangled in the lives of other crewmembers.
We get to discover this story through four POVs. Some of them felt quite similar to read (mainly Riley and Sable's), though they both have similar issues that would explain similar tones. I do wish the chapters/POVs had been distributed a bit more equally, but it didn't feel too abrupt either.
This may be a quirk of my e-reader, but the only thing that truly bothered me was that some of the inner monologue wasn't distinct from the rest of the chapter. (Not italicized nor introduced beforehand, so it was a jarring first-person insight in an otherwise third-person POV).
Here's what will bring me back for the rest of the trilogy: the world-building. I am so intrigued and I'm so here for it. One small part that I adored? The crew having a card game inherently built for pirates. Really lovely to see!
The romance was steamy and heartbreaking all at once, but I won't say more on that because it deserves to be discovered.
Overall, I would definitely pick this up again. It is a fairly short read, but I'm left thinking of the seas... And hoping for more.
July 31, 2025
Thank you to Vivien Nash and BookFunnel for the ARC.
This story was fun and felt like a breeze to get through. I loved the character descriptions, and that coupled with the way dialogue and the characters’ personalities were written made each one feel distinct and memorable. I especially liked Riley’s characterization. The story is told through multiple POVs, but if I were to choose just one character to see the story through, I would definitely go with Riley, although I loved all of the characters’ POVs. I felt that the development of Riley’s relationships with the characters, namely Sable, felt natural.
The cast is a bit big, and it was a bit confusing remembering who’s who when it comes to the characters with less presence.
The story was exciting, tense at times, and included classic pirate tropes from sirens, to ghosts, to the treasure, but it didn’t feel cliche in its delivery.
I liked the pacing for the most part, but I wish that the story had lingered at the port city for just a bit longer. A part of me thought it was nice to jump right into the action, but another part of me was interested in becoming more acquainted with the setting, seeing more of what Riley’s day-to-day was like before her boarding the ship, things like that. I also wished that there were more moments at the port city that could have displayed people’s disdain for people who aren’t completely human, such as Thorian, the half-giant, as the treatment of people who are different get brought up semi-frequently.
Overall, this was a fun read and I would recommend it!
This story was fun and felt like a breeze to get through. I loved the character descriptions, and that coupled with the way dialogue and the characters’ personalities were written made each one feel distinct and memorable. I especially liked Riley’s characterization. The story is told through multiple POVs, but if I were to choose just one character to see the story through, I would definitely go with Riley, although I loved all of the characters’ POVs. I felt that the development of Riley’s relationships with the characters, namely Sable, felt natural.
The cast is a bit big, and it was a bit confusing remembering who’s who when it comes to the characters with less presence.
The story was exciting, tense at times, and included classic pirate tropes from sirens, to ghosts, to the treasure, but it didn’t feel cliche in its delivery.
I liked the pacing for the most part, but I wish that the story had lingered at the port city for just a bit longer. A part of me thought it was nice to jump right into the action, but another part of me was interested in becoming more acquainted with the setting, seeing more of what Riley’s day-to-day was like before her boarding the ship, things like that. I also wished that there were more moments at the port city that could have displayed people’s disdain for people who aren’t completely human, such as Thorian, the half-giant, as the treatment of people who are different get brought up semi-frequently.
Overall, this was a fun read and I would recommend it!
August 13, 2025
“The sea is holding her breath, but not for long. A storm is coming.”
This book was a breath of sea air, a fresh take on the pirate genre and I adored it a lot! I was immediately sold on the concept of pirates in an era where the sea literally hates humans and the story around that. I enjoyed the blending of the dilapidation and mythological in the world building and was hooked on uncovering the mysteries within.
Vivien Nash has a really great skill for writing complicated characters and I really loved seeing the development of Riley, Sabre and Calla across the book. The secondary characters were also rich and the crew genuinely felt like a loving - if not dysfunctional - family who may mock and frustrate each other immensely but would literally stab you if you threatened their shipmates. I was especially fond of Eryx, appreciated seeing neutral pronouns and I'm very curious about their story and connection to the seas 👀 I would also die for Patch (green mist or not!) and he can do no wrong ever and I love him.
I rated that this was a slow burn as that felt authentic to the characters and didn't overshadow the badass plot, moments of tension and pirate hijinks. I really appreciated this while we're setting the stage in this first book of the trilogy as it gives the plot, characters and relationship dynamics room to grow realistically.
Like the sea, I too will be holding my breath in anticipation for the storm coming in book two!
Honest review in exchange for an ARC of the book. Many thanks to the author and their team for the opportunity to read this.
This book was a breath of sea air, a fresh take on the pirate genre and I adored it a lot! I was immediately sold on the concept of pirates in an era where the sea literally hates humans and the story around that. I enjoyed the blending of the dilapidation and mythological in the world building and was hooked on uncovering the mysteries within.
Vivien Nash has a really great skill for writing complicated characters and I really loved seeing the development of Riley, Sabre and Calla across the book. The secondary characters were also rich and the crew genuinely felt like a loving - if not dysfunctional - family who may mock and frustrate each other immensely but would literally stab you if you threatened their shipmates. I was especially fond of Eryx, appreciated seeing neutral pronouns and I'm very curious about their story and connection to the seas 👀 I would also die for Patch (green mist or not!) and he can do no wrong ever and I love him.
I rated that this was a slow burn as that felt authentic to the characters and didn't overshadow the badass plot, moments of tension and pirate hijinks. I really appreciated this while we're setting the stage in this first book of the trilogy as it gives the plot, characters and relationship dynamics room to grow realistically.
Like the sea, I too will be holding my breath in anticipation for the storm coming in book two!
Honest review in exchange for an ARC of the book. Many thanks to the author and their team for the opportunity to read this.
July 22, 2025
Well! So this is another one of my arc reads and I love it. Think a more unhinged pirates of the Caribbean lol. I don’t want to give spoilers especially since it’s not coming out until August 4th (meaning add this to your list!!) so let’s just do this:
Riley- our main girl, in the beginning I was kinda ehh about her but she grew on me and her character really grows by the end of the story
Sable- at first I wasn’t a fan of this woman. Mean girl energy but she cares, has a a heart and her character also grows into someone you’re going to like!
Calla - I wasn’t sure about her but as the story progressed she also grew on me. It’s moreso the end where you’re like ok I can deal with her, she’s not that bad.
Patch- how does a rat of all things get jail time?! Lmao that had me cracking up and going back to make sure my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me! We lose the little dude but we get our little furry rodent back in the end
Pip- I was NOT ready for that!!
We have our pirates looking for a treasure, sirens being chaotic doing things of things and getting deeper into things. So if you like pirates, like seriously like pirates because that’s what we are dealing with here, what feels like it could or is possibly a love triangle of the ladies, ghost ship activity and a rodent and you can deal with a cliffhanger then grab your rum, settle in and have fun!
Riley- our main girl, in the beginning I was kinda ehh about her but she grew on me and her character really grows by the end of the story
Sable- at first I wasn’t a fan of this woman. Mean girl energy but she cares, has a a heart and her character also grows into someone you’re going to like!
Calla - I wasn’t sure about her but as the story progressed she also grew on me. It’s moreso the end where you’re like ok I can deal with her, she’s not that bad.
Patch- how does a rat of all things get jail time?! Lmao that had me cracking up and going back to make sure my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me! We lose the little dude but we get our little furry rodent back in the end
Pip- I was NOT ready for that!!
We have our pirates looking for a treasure, sirens being chaotic doing things of things and getting deeper into things. So if you like pirates, like seriously like pirates because that’s what we are dealing with here, what feels like it could or is possibly a love triangle of the ladies, ghost ship activity and a rodent and you can deal with a cliffhanger then grab your rum, settle in and have fun!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
July 21, 2025Thank you to Vivien Nash and Bookfunnel for offering me an ARC of this book!
I really enjoyed this read. The concept is interesting and the pacing was quick and engaging, with some really fun humor spread throughout an overall serious story. It’s not a complete reinvention of the pirate genre but it collects some beloved and familiar conventions while delivering on an interesting sapphic romance between likable and intriguing characters. I had some issues with character motivation- I felt at times that they said and did things because the plot needed it, or to fit an archetype, and not necessarily that they were organic decisions. Some of the deaths felt a little rushed, like maybe the characters needed a little room to breathe for the full emotional payoff. However, this is a full cast of characters and they all have their moments to shine, and since it’s a series that can build over the course of several books. There’s still plenty on the table for the rest of the series, and I’d be interested to read the sequel when it’s ready! I can’t say I’ve encountered a lot of stories about poly lesbian pirates… but I’m glad that they’re out there. If you’re looking for them, you should check this out.
I really enjoyed this read. The concept is interesting and the pacing was quick and engaging, with some really fun humor spread throughout an overall serious story. It’s not a complete reinvention of the pirate genre but it collects some beloved and familiar conventions while delivering on an interesting sapphic romance between likable and intriguing characters. I had some issues with character motivation- I felt at times that they said and did things because the plot needed it, or to fit an archetype, and not necessarily that they were organic decisions. Some of the deaths felt a little rushed, like maybe the characters needed a little room to breathe for the full emotional payoff. However, this is a full cast of characters and they all have their moments to shine, and since it’s a series that can build over the course of several books. There’s still plenty on the table for the rest of the series, and I’d be interested to read the sequel when it’s ready! I can’t say I’ve encountered a lot of stories about poly lesbian pirates… but I’m glad that they’re out there. If you’re looking for them, you should check this out.
July 30, 2025
I received an ARC of Virelais' Hoard from Vivien Nash via BookFunnel in exchange for an honest review, thank you for the opportunity!
This is one of those books where I can absolutely see the craft and creativity behind it, even if it personally didn’t fully connect with me. The world-building is vivid and imaginative (the sea as an almost sentient force was such a cool concept), and the pirate setting is packed with classic elements.. sirens, ghosts, treasure, and moral ambiguity, without feeling cliché.
That said, I struggled to get emotionally invested. I never fully connected with the characters or the plot, despite really wanting to. The multiple POVs were well written, but they didn’t quite grab me the way I’d hoped, and I occasionally found it hard to keep track of who was who, especially among the broader cast.
Still, there are moments that really shine, the pirate card game was a particularly fun detail, and I can see how fans of found-family crews, morally gray characters, and sapphic romance would really enjoy this. It’s a solid debut with a lot of promise for the rest of the trilogy.
It wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, but I’m glad I read it and would still recommend it to readers looking for something fresh and queer in the fantasy genre.
This is one of those books where I can absolutely see the craft and creativity behind it, even if it personally didn’t fully connect with me. The world-building is vivid and imaginative (the sea as an almost sentient force was such a cool concept), and the pirate setting is packed with classic elements.. sirens, ghosts, treasure, and moral ambiguity, without feeling cliché.
That said, I struggled to get emotionally invested. I never fully connected with the characters or the plot, despite really wanting to. The multiple POVs were well written, but they didn’t quite grab me the way I’d hoped, and I occasionally found it hard to keep track of who was who, especially among the broader cast.
Still, there are moments that really shine, the pirate card game was a particularly fun detail, and I can see how fans of found-family crews, morally gray characters, and sapphic romance would really enjoy this. It’s a solid debut with a lot of promise for the rest of the trilogy.
It wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, but I’m glad I read it and would still recommend it to readers looking for something fresh and queer in the fantasy genre.
November 6, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This was an intriguing read set in a world where the sea itself rises up to destroy ships that venture out beyond the ocean immediately around the land, with sirens and treasure concealed in the depths. It does fall into the pitfall of many early novels in that there is a lot of threads at work here, and not all of them are used effectively. Two characters are vaguely not-human/cursed/something and that is hinted at but not used in any capacity. There is a sequel in the works so hopefully it will come to fruition there.
For the romance, it’s a bit of a tangled one, but that’s what made it fun. The spicy scenes were tasteful and contained some of the more solid writing through the story. There’s a vague doomed love triangle between pirate captain, first mate, and new recruit, and I’m hooked to see what happens in the next book.
The worldbuilding is interesting but the pacing is off, heavy in some places and incredibly light in others, tying in the too many plot threads mentioned previously. There’s a handful of not-named characters who are purely there to fill in space while the named cast can be intimidating to keep track of.
I really enjoyed this read, excellent potc vibes.
This was an intriguing read set in a world where the sea itself rises up to destroy ships that venture out beyond the ocean immediately around the land, with sirens and treasure concealed in the depths. It does fall into the pitfall of many early novels in that there is a lot of threads at work here, and not all of them are used effectively. Two characters are vaguely not-human/cursed/something and that is hinted at but not used in any capacity. There is a sequel in the works so hopefully it will come to fruition there.
For the romance, it’s a bit of a tangled one, but that’s what made it fun. The spicy scenes were tasteful and contained some of the more solid writing through the story. There’s a vague doomed love triangle between pirate captain, first mate, and new recruit, and I’m hooked to see what happens in the next book.
The worldbuilding is interesting but the pacing is off, heavy in some places and incredibly light in others, tying in the too many plot threads mentioned previously. There’s a handful of not-named characters who are purely there to fill in space while the named cast can be intimidating to keep track of.
I really enjoyed this read, excellent potc vibes.
December 31, 2025
This was my final book of 2025 and, without a doubt, my favorite indie book of the year! 4.5 stars, but since we can't give half stars on Goodreads, she gets a full 5.
If you wish Pirates of the Caribbean had lesbians, this book is for you. If you like curses, treasure hunts, sword fights, and spicy sapphic scenes, this book is for you.
The pacing of the story is done really well. It was a fast read without any long-winded descriptions or overly complicated language, which is great for me since I can get distracted easily. It felt like there was no dead space in the book. Every scene moved the plot or characters forward.
Every character is layered. They have strengths and flaws, unique characteristics, and emotions. There is one nonbinary character and one BIPOC character that are part of the main ensemble of characters. While the book is FFF romance, this is not a love triangle, which is a nice change of pace. Time will tell if this ends up a true throuple, perhaps we'll find out in book 2.
This book is a fantastic pirate fantasy for sapphic readers or lovers of fantasy! I cannot wait to revisit the world of Vareth in The Selkie's Curse, coming out in January 2026!
If you wish Pirates of the Caribbean had lesbians, this book is for you. If you like curses, treasure hunts, sword fights, and spicy sapphic scenes, this book is for you.
The pacing of the story is done really well. It was a fast read without any long-winded descriptions or overly complicated language, which is great for me since I can get distracted easily. It felt like there was no dead space in the book. Every scene moved the plot or characters forward.
Every character is layered. They have strengths and flaws, unique characteristics, and emotions. There is one nonbinary character and one BIPOC character that are part of the main ensemble of characters. While the book is FFF romance, this is not a love triangle, which is a nice change of pace. Time will tell if this ends up a true throuple, perhaps we'll find out in book 2.
This book is a fantastic pirate fantasy for sapphic readers or lovers of fantasy! I cannot wait to revisit the world of Vareth in The Selkie's Curse, coming out in January 2026!
August 13, 2025
Virelai's Hoard is book one of Vivien Nash's The Dagger & Tide Trilogy. Our main character, Riley, has made a life for herself and her sidekick rat (Patch) by grifting. Riley tricks her way onto the Moonshaddow, a legend among pirate ships, in hopes that she can chase down enough gold to give herself and Patch some stability. As the ship embarks on a hunt for the famed prize "Virelai's Hoard," however, Riley has to navigate the personal dynamics of the crew (her eventual found family), the secrets they all harbor, and the romances that have begun to seep in. When everything turns upside down, who is Riley supposed to trust?
Things I love about Virelai's Hoard:
-It's a pirate romantasy. Give me more. These are always an absolute good time. Maybe because I was raised on Pirates of the Caribbean, who knows.
-Incredibly interesting cast of characters. You get a little bit of everything.
-The way Riley just sees something different in Eryx and supports them when others do not.
-Sapphic romance is front and center, as a normal part of the society and not as an afterthought.
-Multiple POVs.
What I wanted more of:
-World building. What we got was a solid start, but I have SO MANY open questions. Hoping they're touched on in books 2 & 3. What's the magic system underlying the treasure Calla is hunting and the protections on it? How did the various members of the pre-Riley crew come to join it? Pip?? Alaric?? Sable??
-Clarity on what happened in that final pre-epilogue chapter. But maybe it's oblique because the characters aren't sure either?
-Spice. We got 2-3 scenes, but really brief and pretty tame.
-So desperately wanted to see one of the budding relationships get a bit further before the end of book 1.
Overall was well entertained and I'm looking forward to books 2 and 3!! Thanks to Vivien Nash for the eARC.
Things I love about Virelai's Hoard:
-It's a pirate romantasy. Give me more. These are always an absolute good time. Maybe because I was raised on Pirates of the Caribbean, who knows.
-Incredibly interesting cast of characters. You get a little bit of everything.
-The way Riley just sees something different in Eryx and supports them when others do not.
-Sapphic romance is front and center, as a normal part of the society and not as an afterthought.
-Multiple POVs.
What I wanted more of:
-World building. What we got was a solid start, but I have SO MANY open questions. Hoping they're touched on in books 2 & 3. What's the magic system underlying the treasure Calla is hunting and the protections on it? How did the various members of the pre-Riley crew come to join it? Pip?? Alaric?? Sable??
-Clarity on what happened in that final pre-epilogue chapter. But maybe it's oblique because the characters aren't sure either?
-Spice. We got 2-3 scenes, but really brief and pretty tame.
-So desperately wanted to see one of the budding relationships get a bit further before the end of book 1.
Overall was well entertained and I'm looking forward to books 2 and 3!! Thanks to Vivien Nash for the eARC.
August 4, 2025
I was kindly gifted this eARC in exchange for my honest review, so here goes…
Sapphic pirate fantasy … why not?
Adventure, treasure, ghosts, sirens, selkies, a rat BFF named Patch, and a lot of rum - this book was well-paced and the world building was incredible (it almost felt like I was watching a movie)
You do get hit with a whole lot of characters right off the bat, but just stick with it - it’s worth it, I promise. I am a huge sucker for the ‘found family’ trope and I really enjoyed watching the different relationships develop between each of the characters. Nash has done an amazing job laying the foundations in this first book of the series, and I can’t wait to see where this story goes next!!!
A couple of my favourite quotes, to hopefully convince you guys to go grab yourselves a copy of Virilai’s Hoard:
Sapphic pirate fantasy … why not?
Adventure, treasure, ghosts, sirens, selkies, a rat BFF named Patch, and a lot of rum - this book was well-paced and the world building was incredible (it almost felt like I was watching a movie)
You do get hit with a whole lot of characters right off the bat, but just stick with it - it’s worth it, I promise. I am a huge sucker for the ‘found family’ trope and I really enjoyed watching the different relationships develop between each of the characters. Nash has done an amazing job laying the foundations in this first book of the series, and I can’t wait to see where this story goes next!!!
A couple of my favourite quotes, to hopefully convince you guys to go grab yourselves a copy of Virilai’s Hoard:
July 22, 2025
I was given an ARC copy of Virelai's Hoard by author Vivien Nash. Thank you Vivien for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book.
Virelai's Hoard is a sapphic pirate story with tales of legendary treasure, mystery, and of course betrayal. It all starts with a thief, Riley, and her faithful companion, a rat named Patches. The story follows their attempt at what might be Riley's biggest con. However, she probably didn't expect the ice queen of a Captain, Calla Nymeris, and her deadly first mate, Sable, to keep her on her toes, literally. The crew draws her into their lives and she faces some very interesting choices. Overall this story keeps you guessing at what will happen next on the journey and wanting more. If you like stories of treasure, hidden secrets, and hidden desires this book is for you! I could not put this book down and am interested to see where the story goes from here. I am a bit sad that it did end on a cliffhanger.
Virelai's Hoard is a sapphic pirate story with tales of legendary treasure, mystery, and of course betrayal. It all starts with a thief, Riley, and her faithful companion, a rat named Patches. The story follows their attempt at what might be Riley's biggest con. However, she probably didn't expect the ice queen of a Captain, Calla Nymeris, and her deadly first mate, Sable, to keep her on her toes, literally. The crew draws her into their lives and she faces some very interesting choices. Overall this story keeps you guessing at what will happen next on the journey and wanting more. If you like stories of treasure, hidden secrets, and hidden desires this book is for you! I could not put this book down and am interested to see where the story goes from here. I am a bit sad that it did end on a cliffhanger.
August 3, 2025
Virelai's Hoard - Vivien Nash
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Riley has lived life on the streets with her pet rat until joining the crew of the Moonshadow. She joins the crew of pirates as they navigate nearly uncharted waters to pursue the mythical Virelai's Hoard.
The story has appropriate pacing, speeding up at the climax near the end which left me ready and excited for the sequel! Nash does a phenomenal job of using tropes without overusing them, and the relationships between characters is so genuine that I'm half convinced they are real people. There is some spice that is very well done 🥵🥵🥵 without being overwhelming or taking away from the story.
If you enjoy romantasy that has world building at the level you'd expect closer to epic fantasy, found family, sapphic love stories, pirates, misadventures, and rat sidekicks, you'd certainly love this story. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate as an ARC reader!
The book in emojis: 🏴☠️⚓️🐀⚔️🏳️🌈
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Riley has lived life on the streets with her pet rat until joining the crew of the Moonshadow. She joins the crew of pirates as they navigate nearly uncharted waters to pursue the mythical Virelai's Hoard.
The story has appropriate pacing, speeding up at the climax near the end which left me ready and excited for the sequel! Nash does a phenomenal job of using tropes without overusing them, and the relationships between characters is so genuine that I'm half convinced they are real people. There is some spice that is very well done 🥵🥵🥵 without being overwhelming or taking away from the story.
If you enjoy romantasy that has world building at the level you'd expect closer to epic fantasy, found family, sapphic love stories, pirates, misadventures, and rat sidekicks, you'd certainly love this story. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate as an ARC reader!
The book in emojis: 🏴☠️⚓️🐀⚔️🏳️🌈
July 24, 2025
Okay, call me obsessed!! The world building is mystical and simple in the best ways. The three characters are all distinct with their own arcs. I need book two NOW!
This book easily reminded me why fantasy is my favorite genre, and I’ll happily add this to my favorites tag. Riley, Calla, and Sable are the perfect tangled mess. The intimacy scenes were stellar and charged.
The plot was fantastic, fast-paced enough to keep me hooked and guessing. I felt the losses in my core, and I’m only more intrigued by the mystery of what happens next.
Perhaps my only complaint was the Stingers, which I won’t spoil. They felt a little too conveniently placed with no explanation of their origin.
If you love pirates and women kissing and pining, look no further.
Thank you Bookfunnel and Nash for this amazing eARC!
This book easily reminded me why fantasy is my favorite genre, and I’ll happily add this to my favorites tag. Riley, Calla, and Sable are the perfect tangled mess. The intimacy scenes were stellar and charged.
The plot was fantastic, fast-paced enough to keep me hooked and guessing. I felt the losses in my core, and I’m only more intrigued by the mystery of what happens next.
Perhaps my only complaint was the Stingers, which I won’t spoil. They felt a little too conveniently placed with no explanation of their origin.
If you love pirates and women kissing and pining, look no further.
Thank you Bookfunnel and Nash for this amazing eARC!
July 31, 2025
I kindly received an ARC ebook version of Virelai's Hoard from Vivien Nash. I loved this pirate fantasy book, it's got a group of strong stubborn FMCs leading the story and some intriguing side characters.
It contains all the best pirate things you'd expect, maps for cursed hidden treasure & the challenging tests that come with those maps, mythical sea creatures from the deep, fighting on deck and a ghost ship. I loved that a number of the characters were drawn to the sea, some of them quietly & some obsessively. Not to mention the rat BFF and that cliff hanger! I can't wait to see what challenges face Calla, Riley & Sable in the next book.
I also read the novella, Storm Shelter, a fun short story based on one of the side characters, Kittredge, and how she made her way into the main story. It came as a free download when signing up to Vivien's newsletter.
It contains all the best pirate things you'd expect, maps for cursed hidden treasure & the challenging tests that come with those maps, mythical sea creatures from the deep, fighting on deck and a ghost ship. I loved that a number of the characters were drawn to the sea, some of them quietly & some obsessively. Not to mention the rat BFF and that cliff hanger! I can't wait to see what challenges face Calla, Riley & Sable in the next book.
I also read the novella, Storm Shelter, a fun short story based on one of the side characters, Kittredge, and how she made her way into the main story. It came as a free download when signing up to Vivien's newsletter.
July 30, 2025
ARC review
Riley is the main character, and when she is thrust upon a pirate ship, she has to figure out how to survive with Thorian a half giant and Calla the captain of the boat. Virelai was a feared pirate queen from centuries ago. She buried her hoard on a phantom island. That is what every pirate is after her long lost treasure! This book has sirens, ghosts and selkies. It is like Pirates of the Carribean meets Goonies. A strong dedicated group of pirates who are fighting to find the treasure meanwhile there is deception, betrayal and death along the way. Read this book to find out if they can find the treasure or will they loose out to another pirate ship or to even one of their own crew. This book releases August 4th! Add to your TBR now! 🏴☠️⚓️🌊
Riley is the main character, and when she is thrust upon a pirate ship, she has to figure out how to survive with Thorian a half giant and Calla the captain of the boat. Virelai was a feared pirate queen from centuries ago. She buried her hoard on a phantom island. That is what every pirate is after her long lost treasure! This book has sirens, ghosts and selkies. It is like Pirates of the Carribean meets Goonies. A strong dedicated group of pirates who are fighting to find the treasure meanwhile there is deception, betrayal and death along the way. Read this book to find out if they can find the treasure or will they loose out to another pirate ship or to even one of their own crew. This book releases August 4th! Add to your TBR now! 🏴☠️⚓️🌊
August 29, 2025
A high seas adventure that blends action, mystery, and romance. Easily, a five star read.
Riley has nothing but her wits and her pet rat named Patch. When the chance of a lifetime appears to join a pirate crew. The promise of food, shelter, and the thrill of treasure is too tempting to resist. Life at sea isn’t easy and Riley quickly discovers that Captain Calla is keeping secrets she’s determined to uncover.
Between fierce pirate battles, mysterious encounters, and devastating losses, Riley’s journey is packed with nonstop adventure. What she never expected was to start to trust and maybe even the beginnings of love aboard the ship.
This story is action packed, emotional, and brimming with danger. And that ending?! A jaw dropping cliffhanger that left me desperate for book two!
Riley has nothing but her wits and her pet rat named Patch. When the chance of a lifetime appears to join a pirate crew. The promise of food, shelter, and the thrill of treasure is too tempting to resist. Life at sea isn’t easy and Riley quickly discovers that Captain Calla is keeping secrets she’s determined to uncover.
Between fierce pirate battles, mysterious encounters, and devastating losses, Riley’s journey is packed with nonstop adventure. What she never expected was to start to trust and maybe even the beginnings of love aboard the ship.
This story is action packed, emotional, and brimming with danger. And that ending?! A jaw dropping cliffhanger that left me desperate for book two!
July 28, 2025
Thank you to BookFunnel and Vivian Nash for providing me with an eARC.
Virelai’s Hoard is an enthralling tale that captivated from the very beginning. The different POV’s and character development made me feel like I was truly living in the story. Mystery and action with a little bit of romance are weaved throughout and tie the story together. I loved the connections formed between the characters. Riley captivated my heart for the majority of the story, but Sable definitely grew on me and can’t wait to find more in their story. The ending was very well constructed and left a great opening for the second book.
Virelai’s Hoard is an enthralling tale that captivated from the very beginning. The different POV’s and character development made me feel like I was truly living in the story. Mystery and action with a little bit of romance are weaved throughout and tie the story together. I loved the connections formed between the characters. Riley captivated my heart for the majority of the story, but Sable definitely grew on me and can’t wait to find more in their story. The ending was very well constructed and left a great opening for the second book.
August 4, 2025
4.0
This was a very interesting book. It was different from what I typically read but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The attention to the women in the book was definitely something I loved. Typically when one thinks of books with pirates it’s mostly male dominated but that wasn’t the case here. These women could definitely hold their own and that really raised the bar on this book for me . The pacing was kind of hit or miss for me. Some sections seemed rushed while others were perfectly paced. Overall the story definitely kept you intrigued with the diverse cast and action going on in the story.
Thank you so much to Vivien for the copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are mine💜💜
This was a very interesting book. It was different from what I typically read but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The attention to the women in the book was definitely something I loved. Typically when one thinks of books with pirates it’s mostly male dominated but that wasn’t the case here. These women could definitely hold their own and that really raised the bar on this book for me . The pacing was kind of hit or miss for me. Some sections seemed rushed while others were perfectly paced. Overall the story definitely kept you intrigued with the diverse cast and action going on in the story.
Thank you so much to Vivien for the copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are mine💜💜
July 27, 2025
Virelai’s Hoard is a sapphic pirate fantasy that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let you go. It was giving Pirates of the Caribbean meets Sinbad with a cast of characters that grow on you. If you enjoy found-family, chaos, and adventure then this is for you! This was a first pirate fantasy for me and I honestly enjoyed it much more than I thought I would!
Thank you to Vivian Nash and her team for the E-ARC, this was my first ARC and I’m grateful for the opportunity to read this book before its release! I look forward to seeing where Riley and our pirate girls stories go!
Thank you to Vivian Nash and her team for the E-ARC, this was my first ARC and I’m grateful for the opportunity to read this book before its release! I look forward to seeing where Riley and our pirate girls stories go!
July 31, 2025
4 stars
Thank you so much to Vivien Nash for allowing me to be an ARC reader for Virelai’s Hoard, I’m forever grateful!
I’ve discovered I really like pirates in both books and movies, and this novel was no exception! Despite how flawed each character is, you learn to love them all, in all different ways. It’s incredible.
Each character’s relationship to another is so unique, so raw, that I just couldn’t get enough. And the story? I loved it.
I recommend this book to whoever likes a sapphic pirate fantasy!
Thank you so much to Vivien Nash for allowing me to be an ARC reader for Virelai’s Hoard, I’m forever grateful!
I’ve discovered I really like pirates in both books and movies, and this novel was no exception! Despite how flawed each character is, you learn to love them all, in all different ways. It’s incredible.
Each character’s relationship to another is so unique, so raw, that I just couldn’t get enough. And the story? I loved it.
I recommend this book to whoever likes a sapphic pirate fantasy!
September 3, 2025
Mupltiple POV
Thank you to Vivian Nash for an advanced copy.
Get swept away in this pirate adventure. Treasure maps, riddles, and mythical sea creatures all come together on this journey to find the heart of the abyss.
I enjoyed the story. I’m not sure about how the book ended, more in how it ended rather than that it was a cliff hanger. I’ve never been fond of books with more than 2 point of views, but provided a unique cast of characters.
Keep your eyes peeled for the second book of the trilogy, The Selkie’s Curse.
Thank you to Vivian Nash for an advanced copy.
Get swept away in this pirate adventure. Treasure maps, riddles, and mythical sea creatures all come together on this journey to find the heart of the abyss.
I enjoyed the story. I’m not sure about how the book ended, more in how it ended rather than that it was a cliff hanger. I’ve never been fond of books with more than 2 point of views, but provided a unique cast of characters.
Keep your eyes peeled for the second book of the trilogy, The Selkie’s Curse.
July 24, 2025
This was such a fun read. I did not know I had such an interest in pirates (and ghosts) until this book. Riley is charming and frustrating. As a reader, I loved her raw thoughts and emotions. The missions, mysteries and romances were easy to root for. Most of the other characters were lovely as well.
I will definitely continue reading the series and recommend it. Thank you to the author for the ARC.
I will definitely continue reading the series and recommend it. Thank you to the author for the ARC.
August 17, 2025
This is a fun, quick-paced read. A sapphic, pirate adventure to find riches and treasure beyond measure. There are multiples POVs and the characters are all quite likable, though my favorite of them all was Sable. The ending of the book felt quite abrupt (in my opinion), but it also left me wanting more. I look forward to the next installment in this series. I look forward to seeing the author fine tune her writing style and grow as the series unfolds.
July 24, 2025
Okay. Gonna be needing the next book soon. This was a very cool book. It reminded me a bit of Pirates Of the Caribbean meets The Goonies, but with lesbians and selkies. Bloody brilliant.
I’m definitely in my Siren/pirate era and this book delivered spectacularly. It’s was action non-stop from the beginning.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review
I’m definitely in my Siren/pirate era and this book delivered spectacularly. It’s was action non-stop from the beginning.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review
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