From the Silence of the Shadows

by V.B. Lacey

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

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

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

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

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

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

Genres: Fantasy

574 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 28, 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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS THE PERFECT START OF A YEAR!! this holds the favorite position of this series right now. Everything about Nox and he fell in love. Everything about Devora and how she fell in love. How they come closer, how they sacrifice for each other, freaking perfection!!!!

Rtc!

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I KNOW THE TITLE THE TROPES AND OH MY GOODNESS I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY LIFE!!

[Ѽ tazannah Ѽ]

IM SO EXCITED EEEEE
I LOVE VB LACEY

[Bree Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

full review to follow- what a MASTERPIECE

[KB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoony tension mixed with magic, mayhem and a madman to stop, SIGN ME UP! VB did the absolute MOST with this one! I love that it’s a standalone but you can also read the other books in the same world!

Tropes:
Captor x captive
Coming into her power
Unique magical world
Enemies to lovers
Throws her over his shoulder

[Jenny Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beta Review

This story completely pulled me under. From the first page to the final line, it’s emotional, dark, beautifully written, and brimming with heart.

Nox and Devora’s journey is raw and deeply human. Both are haunted by their pasts and the choices that have shaped them, yet they continue to fight—to protect, to redeem, and to be worthy of love. Their relationship unfolds so naturally, from enemies on opposite sides to allies, and then to something far deeper. Every step of their arc feels earned, and every quiet, vulnerable moment hits straight to the chest.

The pacing is strong throughout—steady, intentional, and filled with reveals that land exactly when they should. The tension builds with purpose, and by the time it reaches the final act, I was fully invested in how it would all end.

The found-family dynamic within the Ashen Order remains one of my favorite parts of this world. Their loyalty, teasing banter, and willingness to fight for one another brought genuine warmth amid the chaos. And the emotional moments—some tender, some devastating—left me teary more than once.

There are twists I didn’t see coming, scenes that stopped me in my tracks, and writing so evocative I had to pause to breathe it in. The blend of darkness, redemption, and love makes this my favorite installment yet.

If what you’re looking for is slow-burn romance, rich worldbuilding, found family, and characters who fight their way out of the dark—this story delivers. You won’t forget them anytime soon.

[Emelia (emeliaisreading)]

If VB Lacey writes it, I'm gonna read it 🤭🖤

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book…. PHENOMENAL!!! The prologues for every single interconnected standalone in this series are amazing and this one was no exception! You get pulled in immediately and the suspense of getting back to this prologue scene as I progressed through the story had me gripped! The plot development is outstanding and there is no good place to put this book down. You will just want to keep on reading!

The hate to love dynamic between Nox and Devora while they work together to bring down the Empire’s tyrant delivers the perfect amount of tension and the best banter! The tender moments between them were so incredibly written!! My sweet, tortured, dragon shifter Nox had me swooning HARD on multiple occasions and I want his dragon possessiveness focused solely on me! LOL! Devora is chaos, sass, determination, and one giant heart all mixed together! I absolutely adored her!

The entire found family at the Keep will utterly win you over! I want them all to be my besties, but Arowyn takes the cake for me with her sarcastic humor!! There were multiple scenes that I honestly thought my heart was going to explode followed by emotional moments bringing tears to my eyes! That epilogue has me beyond excited for the final interconnected standalone to come! This series is top tier!! An absolute must read!!!

💙 Hate to love
💙 Dragon shifter MMC
💙 Shadow wielding FMC
💙 Prisoner to lover
💙 Found family
💙 Nightmare soothing
💙 “I’ve got you”
💙 Magical parchment
💙 No spice romance with all the tension/yearning/swoon
💙 Hades & Persephone meets Six of Crows

“You smell like mine, Devora. And he always wants what’s mine.”

His touch was one of restraint. Of quiet, unending power. And I ached to be cherished by hands that could bring down mountains.

[Stephanie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of the series so far.

I knew I was bound to enjoy this book since I loved Nox as a side character in the previous books, but once he became the main character, I loved him even more. In the previous books he was always a side character with main character energy so I was happy to see that book 3 follows his story.

Note: Though this is a series of interconnected standalones, I feel like you get the most out of each story by reading them in order of publication.

This book takes a little bit of a darker turn than the previous two books. There is a bit more violence, trauma, torture, human experimentation, and just a shadow of control and darkness that permeates the book as it is taking place in the darker region of the Veridian Empire that has been taken over by a tyrannical, sadistic governor and has suffered under his rule for years. I appreciate the way the author navigated these darker themes and represented character actions and reactions in ways that seem believable and realistic (at least to me who has never had to experience things of this nature). The darker scenes aren’t terribly graphic or graphic for shock value but they also don’t shy away from being gruesome.

Despite the darker tone, there are moments light throughout the book to break the heaviness and actually make the reader laugh or at least smile. I enjoyed the banter between Nox (MMC) and Devora (FMC) and the way their relationship developed over time. Nox is very much the sarcastic, blond haired, charming type with a heart for his people and those that he is close to. He’s got the hero/I need to fix things complex and the power/strength/ability to do it but, he also needs to realize that he can only do it as long as he relies on his friends to help.

Devora’s character is also fun to see her really find her place within the ragtag group of heroes/vigilantes she’s been introduced to. A orphan (who is now an adult) with no knowledge of where she comes from or who she really is/wants to be isn’t a unique storyline, but I love seeing characters really find their purpose/reason for living.

There’s a pretty good sized cast of side characters that feature new characters as well as people mention previous books. If you hadn’t read the previous books, necessary information about returning characters is repeated not only for the reader, but for Devora who is new to this world.

There’s a lot of action spread amongst the slower/character building parts but I feel like the story was compelling enough and the pacing wasn’t too fast or too slow overall. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thank for the author for allowing me the pleasure and privilege of receiving an eARC copy.

[Tamta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a perfect start of the year!
5/5🌟
Thank you V.B Lacey and her team for an ARC!
From the Silence of the Shadows is a third book in an interconnected fantasy series that follows Devora and Nox, my absolute favourites.

I had such an amazing time discovering V.B's world of shifters, alchemy and unbelievable magic. The characters were so imperfectly perfect and created such an intimate group of friends. You truly could feel the love and admiration they had for each other.

I love a strong and smart MC and Devora was just that. She had her flaws, which made it all better, but she tried time and time again to redeem her past mistakes, find herself and her purpose. I really enjoyed her personality and would love to be her friend.

Now Nox, though being emotionally scarred by his past and present, still retains a just and good heart and is an amazing leader. Some of the things he said to Dev were gutwrenchingly sweet and he made me fall in love with him.

What I loved about this book is their relationship. They didn't have unnecessary conflicts and break ups for a dramatic flare, and were communicative. It took them time to come in terms with their feelings but once they did, ugh I just loved them.

Side characters were also well-developed and integrated in the story. Sometimes the main couple wasn't even the centre of the plot and I liked it because it felt like we were getting the bigger picture, not just MCs pov.

I haven't read the first 2 books in the series and while I believe it would make the experience better, I must say V.B made it quite easy to not get confused by a lack of information. She explained enough and made sure this one was able to be read as a full standalone.

One thing that I'd point out is that, even though MCs hated each other at the start, the ice between them started to thaw quite fast so I wouldn't call this a true enemies to lovers. More hate to friends to love.
Also, I laughed and awwed a lot despite the dark settings. I'd recommend this to anyone, especially as it's spice free. They don't need spice to create tension or connection, they did that all on their own.

Again, thank you for the ARC!!
I cannot wait for the final book in the series, I'd love to see where the story takes our beloved characters.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

V.B. Lacey gets you hooked from the first chapter! The world building is on point and the imagery puts a movie in your mind. The pacing is great and the story flows beautifully. The various chapters from each character's perspective come together seamlessly, creating a unified story that draws you in and keeps you wanting more! You don't want to stop!

Nox has Devora as his prisoner, as she killed his friend. Devora wants her freedom and her rediscovery of her shadow wielding magic could be just the ticket out. She could end up being the key to helping Nox lead a rebellion to rescue his sister and others from a powerful opponent.

The banter is so much fun to read! The characters leap off the pages with the fantastic writing, drawing you into a world filled with mystery and excitement. You find yourself wishing you could dive in and join in on the adventures! I love the types of stories that you want to jump in and participate and help however you can. You may also find yourself getting emotionally involved. After connecting with the characters, you can't help but root for their happiness and hope things work out in the end.

It's books like this, that make you want to dive into the pages and escape reality for a while. I have really enjoyed this series and I am excited for book 4!

Thank you V.B. for the ARC. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

"You know nothing about prisons, Devora."
"I know they're not all made of stone."

"But sometimes we're better off staying in the dark. Sometimes not knowing hurts less than the truth."

"I know you have your dark thoughts, girl. We all do. But shadows aren't just darkness. They aren't what's left when the light goes out. They're proof that light was there to begin with, and that it will come back again."

"You're not the sum of your past, Devora. Forgiveness isn't about forgetting. It's about choosing to believe you're more than your mistakes."

"I wish you could see yourself the way I do, darling."

From the Silence of the Shadows
V.B. Lacey

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the last book, Nox has returned to Drakorum with Devora, the prisoner from Mysthelm. Trying to act like the broken puppet to the man who killed his father and took over Drakorum, Scarven, he hides his rebel activity at the home he lives in with all the refugees. Trying to keep Devora prisoner proves fruitless and when she sneaks out and manages to get more information than they have, Nox decides to let her join their little team. But this will move things forward quicker than they have planned and put everyone in danger. Nox and Devora must learn to work together and try to gain some trust between them if they are going to defeat Scarven.
Nox acts like the epitome of carefree and charismatic. He pretends to be the man who doesn't care and acts as though he is the "playboy", never getting close to anyone. The reality of Nox is much different. He must hide himself away so his half-brother can't take away anyone else he cares for. He takes in those harmed by Scarven and rescues who he can. Devora is a young woman who never knew her family or the love they could give. She is desperate for any hint to where her family may be and is willing to do what she can to find them - as shown by her actions in the previous book. But she will work to prove her loyalty when she finds a worthy cause.
This book was a little closer to book one writing wise. There was definitely more action and suspenseful moments. This book was also a little darker than the previous book and dealt with some darker themes. Scarven is a horrible person, as is his alchemist, and the book really shows that. There is no spice, but it does not shy away from sensitive topics. There are moments of heartache and moments of feeling the pain the characters are in. But there are also moments of relationship building between Nox and Devora and also Devora and the rest of the rebels in the Ashen Order. There were so many moments I was holding my breath wondering how they were going to get out of their situations and esp at the end. I also can't wait to find out what will happen next with the way things were left. I was not expecting book 4 to be about this character and I can't wait!

[MegGraham_Reads ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨B O O K R E V I E W✨

📖: From the Silence of the Shadows
✍🏻: VB Lacey
🔥: 🫑

-•-

⚡️Enemies to lovers
⚡️Forced proximity
⚡️Found family
⚡️Shadow mommy FMC
⚡️Dragon daddy MMC

4⭐️

-•-

First of all, thank you to Vanessa for allowing me to be part of your ARC Team for this new release 🙏

This is the third in The Veridian Empire series and, each time, the stories get stronger. On this occasion, we focus on Nox - the charming dragon-shifter we first met in book one, tasked by Rissa, now crowned Empress, with dealing with a traitor to the Empire: Devora, the maid who nearly cost Rissa her life in Mysthelm.

From the minute I met Nox, I knew he would be a brilliant side character, and I am so glad he has a book of his own; now we can delve a little deeper, past the charming, flirtatious facade to the layers beneath. I’ll be honest: Devora didn’t grab me as much as a character when I first met her, but I like her - she is smart and sassy, and keeps Nox on his toes from the moment they meet. I also really empathised with her struggles and her anxieties. One thing VB Lacey does brilliantly is mental health rep.

Overall, their chemistry is good and the relationship develops pretty well; however I just felt that something was missing for me. I felt like I’d missed a few scenes between them still in an enemy-meets-desire phase to the enemy aspect falling away. I also feel like any time Arowyn was around, she had the most banter with Nox - and I couldn’t help feeling like she might’ve been a better FMC for him than Devora.

Speaking of Arowyn, the cast of side characters here were so strong. I loved every one of Nox’s found family, but especially Tessa and Kieran and their polar opposite personalities. I was pleased there wasn’t a reliance on the established characters and felt their cameo appearances were the perfect amount of page time.

This book is darker in tone than previously, and Scarven is an absolutely horrendous (brilliant) villain. I enjoyed this move to a darker story and felt the ending was well earned, setting up for the final book in the series later this year!

💙

[Deas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advance reader copy of this book from the author.

Wow what an experience. I went in knowing absolutely nothing, and I can honestly say it blew me away. This standalone is the kind of slow burn that sets the story perfectly. Where so many standalone stories rush through the opening chapters, this one takes its time, drawing you in piece by piece until you’re completely hooked.

The magic system is easily one of my favourites, 6 types of magic from shadow‑wielding to shifters make up this word and so many layered details that make the world feel alive. The writing is beautiful, the worldbuilding clear and compelling and the plot only gets thicker as you go. There were so many twists and turns that had me whispering “no, no, no” in the best way and parts left me with tears in my eyes.

I am obsessed the dual POV. Watching Nox and Devora’s relationship evolve was one of my favourite parts of the entire story. The banter, the trust issues, the sharp, witty comments and the slow shift from guarded strangers to reluctant allies to something tender and real. It had me completely invested. Their pasts carry so much emotion, and the way those wounds shape their choices made every moment between them feel earned.

The characters as a whole are what truly brought this story to life. The MMC, Nox, and the FMC, Devora, were perfection together with a balance not one over powering the other. The side characters are also powerful, vibrant, and unforgettable. The friendships felt real and free, each personality shining through.

This is the third book in the interconnected standalones and it has made me want to read them all. If they carry even a fraction of the depth, emotion, and magic this one does, I already know I’m going to be obsessed.

I became completely absorbed in this story. And as a standalone, it delivered an ending that felt whole, satisfying, and worth every moment of the journey.

thank you to the author for letting me read an advance copy. Add this book to your TBR.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the ARC for “From the Silence of the Shadows” dropped, I knew sleep was not going to happen. I read straight through to the final chapter, and it was everything I hoped it would be. This standalone from the Veridian Empire series finally gives us Nox Duma’s story—the broody, mysterious dragon shifter who has haunted the edges of the Veridian world for far too long.

To survive, Nox is forced into an uneasy alliance with Devora, a spy turned prisoner. As they’re thrown together, the lines between captor and captive blur, and the story digs deep into questions of loyalty, forgiveness, and what it means to confront the darkness of your past. With an enemy who has taken magic into his own hands and threatens the entire empire, trust becomes both a weapon and a liability.

What to Expect
* Shifters and ancient curses
* Captor/captive dynamics
* Dual POV storytelling
* Secret rebellion
* Forced proximity
* Dragon shifter & shadow magic
* Deep friendships and found family

Ratings
* Spice: 0/5 (but emotionally? a solid 4/5—slowburn and achingly romantic)
* Language: 0/5
* Emotional Damage: 4/5 💔 How do you test the limits of trust, power, and love when the darkness is threatening the entire empire?
* World-Building: 3/5 🌍 (A helpful summary of the first two standalones is included, and more details are revealed about the Veridian world)

Favorites
* Favorite Character: Nox — mysterious, broody, and utterly compelling. His restraint, his obsession, his pain.
* Favorite Side Character: Everett — devoted, patient, and willing to sacrifice everything for those he loves (and I have a strong feeling we’ll be seeing much more of him in book #4).

“From the Silence of the Shadows” is everything I hoped for: a perilous, vivid world; characters who stay with you; and a romance that quietly steals your heart.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, the Veridian Empire DELIVERED. I was so excited when I heard that the third book was going to be for Nox—a dragon shifter. I loved him in the first book and we only had a small snippet of him. His personality, his charming and annoying wit, his snarky comments made me like him immediately. But this, this book—we see so much of him—emotionally, mentally, physically—and I loved it. He’s loyal to his core and would do anything for his friends and family—those that he loves. Then there’s Devora—fiery red head with quick sarcastic comments and knows how to survive—whatever it takes. And newly found to her shadow wielding magic. She’s fierce, strong, and wants to be able to prove that she’s more than just a pawn. Because she’s so much more than that. I absolutely devoured this story. The tense connection between Nox and Devora were absolute perfection and it’s the perfect hate to love story; all the while their lives are filled with secrets, magic, and the desire to take down the villain—and save those that were taken prisoner. The world building in this empire was created so well and you feel like you are there. That you’re apart of it all. The side characters you couldn’t help but absolutely love. And seeing characters from the first two books pop in is always an amazing bonus. I loved the first two books in this series, but this—this one—I think holds my heart dear. There’s just something about Nox and Devora—who they are, what their purpose is, and the trauma they both had to deal with—they are truly remarkable. This was an absolute treasure to read and I can’t wait until the next one.
••••••••••
I can’t thank the author enough for allowing me to be apart of her ARC team. I will forever be grateful to be able to read the story early and shout from the mountains about how phenomenal it is.

[Brooke Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK WAS INCREDIBLE!!! 😮‍💨


Absolutely loved the idea of a recap to start this wonderful book off with. This gem of an idea is perfect for those who want to dive right into FTSOTS and circle back to the others. (If they haven’t already read them) The recap offers an insight into books 1 and 2 to set the stage for FTSOTS. Highly recommend circling back so you can get a better lay of the land and learn more about the other characters. All 3 books are apart of an interconnected standalone series!

This book is incredibly! I was hooked from the very beginning! It was really hard to put my kindle down! I kept finding myself thinking of where I left off and wanting to dive back in! The way V.B. Lacey sets up the plots, the suspense and having the chapters be the POV of both MC made everything flow beautifully! The banter between Devora and Nox was next level! Absolutely loved it! One minute they hated each other and the next they are letting their guards down and letting the other one in. Just a heads up Noxy boy has a way with words and will have you absolutely swooning. I absolutely enjoyed the family dynamic that developed between all the characters in the Keep that were apart of the take over of Scarven filth. If I could jumped in the pages to join them I would’ve! I felt all the emotions reading this wonderful masterpiece! From sitting on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, wanting to throat punch a side character, laughing (thanks Arowyn), rooting for “team take over”, to smiling when the MC grow into the best version of themselves and SO much more!

Highly recommend jumping into the world of Nox and Devora! You won’t be disappointed and V.B. Lacey will not let you down! I cannot wait to re read this and I especially can’t wait to read what’s to come!

So incredibly grateful to have read the ARC! Thanks again, V.B. Lacey!

[Rebecca Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

Oh V.B. what have you done, I’m just sat here staring at the wall unsure on what to do with myself.

The reading experience for this one felt different. I was so absorbed by the plot, not just for the characters we spend a lot of time with but for the others. Each and every one of the people who were experimented on, the horrifying things they went through. I’ll be thinking about this for a long time.

I love Nox, I have since book one. He’s cheeky and calls people darling in a way that can only work for him. I love that we kept that aspect of him even with how heavy this book is. But it was also very nice to really get into the emotional side of him and what he’s been through.

I also really liked devora when she was introduced in book two, so I enjoyed getting to focus on her more. They make a great pair. They have tension and I think it unfolded naturally.

We also have a new group of side characters in this one. I love the original group from book one but this new one is just as amazing. They’re all very strong and I loved reading their interactions. It’s the type of stuff that can only come when you truly understand what people have experienced. Plus the banter is well placed to keep the book from feeling too bleak.

Villain wise scarven is on another level. Book one’s villain was doing some pretty screwed up stuff but this was truly abhorrent. It’s very dark, the torture and the experiments are awful and the way he devolves is amazingly well written.

I am very excited for book four, the suspected main character in that one has a lot to face and deal with so I’m expecting a similar tone to this one. I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion.

[Valerie | Vanelena.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Silence of the Shadows is an action packed and utterly romantic installment in the Veridian Empire Series.

Devora has been marked as a traitorous spy to the Empire, but she was only trying to survive at the mercy of an influential family. Recently discovering her gift of shadow magic, she is a risk if left alone. Nox Duma is a powerful dragon shifter, and friends with the Empress. Nox agrees to take Devora with him, trying to figure out what to do with her. But Nox leads a double life - serving the treacherous governor of his province as his enforcer, if only to keep his sister safe, while also secretly subverting orders and trying to save as many people as he can. When Devora sneaks onto a risky mission, she is a surprising and unexpected help. Nox and Devora must find a way to work together for the common good, and not fall for each other in the process.

I absolutely loved this book! I have read all the books in the Veridian Empire series, and I really think this is the best so far. I loved Nox and Devora so much - both characters have so much personality. Nox is grumpy and self-sacrificing with a heart of gold and a humorous side, while Devora is bubbly and stubborn, but also eager to learn and help. Both have demons in their past, and are hesitant to develop this relationship to anything more. The slow burn was so good! And the balance of plot to romance was perfect - there is a lot going on in this book and it kept me engaged throughout. We also see some familiar faces from the other books in the series. This is my favorite book of the series so far.

Thank you so much to VB Lacey for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own!

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you V. B. Lacey for the ARC!

From the Silence of the Shadows is the third book in a series of interconnected fantasy standalones. This book includes a summary of books In the Wake of the Wicked and Of the Curse or the Crown, for those who have not read them.

From the Silence of the Shadows follows a rebel dragon Shifter and the woman he’s taken as his prisoner for crimes against the empire as they both navigate loyalty, forgiveness, and the darkness of their pasts while battling an enemy who has taken their magic into his own hands.

This book is full of no spice, hate to love (NOT enemies to lovers) romance, epic quests and heists, plot twists, dragons, and a beautiful found family that will feel like your own.

I enjoyed this one. As a standalone book, I felt it was written really well. The plot was good. The side characters were great too! And maybe some characters from first two books are going to come back?! Maybe…

But the romance between FMC and MMC wasn’t developed enough… I think this is the main reason why I always struggle with Lacey’s books… And you really don’t need spice for that! Just more emotional scenes between the FMC and MMC.

And one more thing… THIS IS NOT DARK FANTASY!!!! At all! More YA or romantasy! Please change it, because it misleads the reader!

Maybe the pace could have been a little quicker in places too!

All in all, it was just my opinion and I hope you’ll enjoy it!

[Krista Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I knew that one of the main characters was going to be Nox for this book, I knew it was going to be my favorite of the series and I was so right! That ending was both so devastating in the last few chapters and had me on the edge of my seat but also great closure on their story and sets up well for what I’m hoping for a Vera story!

This picks up right where the last left off, with Nox heading back to his part of the kingdom with a “prisoner” in toe of Devora, who betrayed the empress in the last book, and turns out she’s a shadow welder. They must work together with his gang of rebels to overthrow the tyrant who has his sister trapped and save all of the people he’s kidnapped from around the kingdom.

This book was filled with plenty of excitement, between the undercover missions, battle scenes, terrifying escapes and plenty of tension between the main characters! I loved the new side characters that were introduced along with the cast from previous books occasionally popping back in! I loved seeing the development of trust and the relationship between Devora and Nox and how they both grew as people themselves and together as the book progressed and escaping Devora as she learned to control her new powers and forgive herself for what she’d done in the past because she was forced to! I couldn’t put this book down and cannot wait to get more from this world! My rating 4.8/5!

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

[Jenna Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Spice: 🫑

What do you mean, my first read of 2026 made me this emotional?

This book broke my heart and stitched it back together with shadows.

Not all prisons are made of stone, and this story proves that in the most devastating way.

Nox is a hero carved from pain, loyalty, and quiet fury…and then there’s Devora. She is strength wrapped in fear and hope. Their slow, uneasy alliance turned into something achingly tender. It is built on trust that felt earned, not easy. Every choice carried weight. Every sacrifice made, hurt.

The world is brutal, the magic is dark and compelling, and the emotional stakes never let up. I felt the cost of rebellion on every page…the love, loss, and the terrifying question of how much of yourself you can give before there’s nothing left.

The slow burn 🔥 god, the slow burn is everything. The love that grows between Nox and Devora…I felt in my core. The yearning, the softness, and the intimacy between them is so genuine and delicate.

And let’s not forget about the world building and character development. VB does such an amazing job with these, that you grow to love the characters, making them unforgettable.

This story doesn’t just explore darkness, it dares to ask what it takes to survive it. This story is haunting, powerful, and unforgettable.

[Lynda Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

From The Silence Of The Shadows

Believed to be a traitor, she may well be their only hope.

This is the third book in the Veridian Empire series and each book just gets better. The storytelling is full and captivating. You are drawn into this world and you want to fully immerse yourself. This time around, we are swept into an epic war in a world full of shifters and magic.

Devora, our FMC, was a side character in the previous book, Of The Curse Or The Crown, and in this book she rightfully takes centre stage. Whilst Nox, our dashing MMC has been around since the first book, In The Wake Of The Wicked, and he shows us why he is the leader of this group of rebels.


Along the way, we discover hidden truths and the true depths of our characters. The battles that they face, both internally and externally, build them into the characters that they need to be to face their final challenge.

I absolutely loved this book. The world was so full, of characters and history and such nuanced individuals who you fall in love with and as they make their way through every hurdle, you are cheering them on, hoping that each decison leads them down the right path.

This has been a truly amazing series and I am both eager and sad to know that the next book will be the last. This one was definately a 5 star read for me.

[Taylor Doran]

From the Silence of the Shadows 4.25 stars!

I loved Nox in Wicked and Crown and I was so excited to get his story. He was always so charismatic and flirty and I love that in a side character-turned-main-man. Turns out, he has way more depth than his smooth-talking persona. Did I highlight every time he called Devora "Darling" in my kindle? I'll never tell!

Devora is Nox's prisoner because of some bad decisions she made. However, she finds out that he and his friends are saving young ones who are endangered by the tyrannical leader and wants to be a part of that team.

I love the magic system in Veridia. Each location has a different magical ability, so we see a lot of unique gifts.

I love the found family in this book. There are so many great side characters and I was wondering which were going to get their own book because I was rooting for them all.

I love the magical training montages! Swoon!

She went DARK in this one. There is no spice but attempted SA made this feel more dangerous than the others. There was quite a bit of violence and child endangerment as well.

Love seeing the characters from the other two books.

Pick this up if you like:
No spice fantasy
Medium to slow burn
Rebels taking down oppressive leaders
Dragon shifter MMC
Shadow wielder FMC

This book is out on January 28! It's available for $.99 on Kindle for preorders.

[Allison Agnello · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟
I knew I would like this because Nox (mmc) was so intriguing in the other books. His traumatic past, dragon shifting, and the way he always trys to jump in to fix everything really grabbed my attention. His quest to find his sister Vera and learning who exactly took them and their family history was painfully emotional in the best way.

Devora was a mystery to me before this so I wasnt sure what to expect. I loved Rizza in the last book and felt like I needed to be loyal to her for a good portion of this. In the end Devora won me over. Her family history is as emotionally traumatic as Nox' but in a different way. I felt so sad for her and loved the last chapter.
"Tomorrow" ❤️

The next book is about Swift and Songbird - yay!!!! I cant wait. I really hope its the darkest of the series because not only should it be with the characters it is about but I feel like each book in this series has gotten better because of the emotion, trauma and healing aspects. I really hope we get a lot of flashbacks so we can feel how much they love each other and see why he never gave up on finding her.

Arowyn won favorite side character for me by the end of this book. Id love a spin off with her and Chaz or maybe Kieran.

[Brittni · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔥🐉I would burn the world for what he did to her.🐉🔥

From the Silence of the Shadows is book 3 in the Veridian Empire series by V. B. Lacey, a series of interconnected standalones.

In this romantasy, we have Nox Duma, the head of a group of powerful magic wielders who's on a mission to destroy a power hungry shifter that's been snatching people up for years and experimenting on them and their magic for his own gain. We also have Devora, she's just newly discovered her own magic but she's being kept in a tower in Nox's Keep while the Empress decides what to do with her after Devora betrayed her. Things get messy and Devora takes the opportunity to prove she wants to help Nox with his mission. Can she win them all over or is it too late to gain their trust?

While I did start with this book, I do plan on circling back to read the first two. This was such a fun read! It's been compared to a Hades&Persephone/Six of Crows vibe.

We have our shadow wielding fugitive held captive by our charming dragon daddy. Epic heists and undercover missions. Found family, epic magical/shifter battles. This book definitely kept me occupied!

4/5⭐

You can read the first two books now, and this one comes out January 28th! ✨

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Silence of the Shadows is a masterful, dark, and utterly captivating addition to the Veridian Empire series. And yes, while it can technically be read as a standalone, do yourself a favor and read the first two books first! The worldbuilding, character depth, and emotional stakes are so rich that you’ll want every crumb of backstory to fully immerse yourself in this tense, morally complex, and heart wrenching tale.
Nox and Devora’s dynamic is not your typical romance. Nox is a brooding, tormented dragon Shifter with a past soaked in blood and guilt, while Devora is a sharp, desperate shadow wielder grappling with her own betrayals and the weight of her magic. Their fraught, enemies to uneasy allies relationship is electric, filled with distrust, raw vulnerability, and simmering tension. Lacey writes their interactions with such nuance, you can feel the push and pull between them, the unspoken longing and the walls they’ve both built.
The Veridian Empire is so vividly crafted, with each province’s unique magic. Love it!
This book does not shy away from darkness. There are scenes of torture, trauma, and moral ambiguity that hit hard, but they’re handled with care and purpose.
This book is very well done, I applaud you, V.B. Lacey!

[Kiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Silence of the Shadows by V.B. Lacey is a powerful statement on what should be and what should be left be.

I was brought into the world of the Veridian Empire and let me tell you... I loved it. I loved the shifters, wielders, striders, magic less, alchemists and more. There was so much to this world and even more so in the previous and next books. The author gave me a lot to think about this world and I can't wait to read the next ones.

🐲Captor/Captive
🐲Epic Heists
🐲Found Family
🐲Animal Shifters
🐲Hades & Persephone

The characters' banter and tension was gripping, and the antics, the villain that the main characters needed to fight made me turn pages late into the night. Who doesn't love a double spy, the back and forth between the bad side and the good side made me stay on the edge of my seat. In the book the characters were faced with a variety of different situations (no spoilers from me) and I appreciated the decision making, the selflessness and selfishness. It was a chefs kiss.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a thrilling double spy book with dragon shifters, magic wielders and more!

Thank you V.B. Lacey for the free book!

[Becky Gordy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I loved Nox before, but man did this book make me love him even more!

We finally get to see what sinister stuff has been going on in Drakorum and the dark history of the past few decades.

Nox and Devora together are dynamite. They both have some major insecurities from their past that they work together to overcome and despite the odds, she ends up fitting in with his family even better than expected. I did love that the author didn’t draw out the personal growth between Nox and Devora because sometimes I feel like there can be too much back and forth with “I don’t deserve you” between two main characters. This was not that. It was perfectly addressed and paced between them.

I also loved getting to know Nox’s family in the Order as well as sneaks of some of our old favorite characters. Tessa and Arowyn’s banter is hysterical and Nox with Thorn, Rissa, Rose, and Leo is great!

I was pleasantly surprised that Devora was drawn towards the children, seeing that softer side of her compared to the rest of the book was heartwarming.

I really loved book 3 in the Veridian empire and I can’t wait for the final book!!

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Silence of the Shadows is a gripping fantasy that blends rebellion, shadow magic, and unforgettable character dynamics - and I absolutely loved it.

Nox Duma has survived nineteen years under a brutal tyrant, his life shaped by captivity, rebellion, and loss. When he captures Devora - a woman with her own secrets and latent shadow magic - an uneasy alliance forms that could change the fate of the Veridian Empire. As the rebellion intensifies, trust, power, and loyalty are constantly tested.

V.B. Lacey excels at creating characters you genuinely connect with, and this book is no exception. Nox is a standout MMC - charming, swoon-worthy, and fiercely protective. I only wished we’d had more chapters from his POV because his perspective was so compelling. Devora is strong, sharp, and layered, and the chemistry between them is undeniable.

The banter and sarcastic dialogue between Nox and Devora were some of my favourite moments - witty, natural, and emotionally grounded. Lacey balances tension, romance, and plot seamlessly, making this a story that’s hard to put down.

An outstanding read and one of my favourites in the series. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy romance, rebellion narratives, and unforgettable characters.

[my.literary.addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was such an amazing book. WOW. I’m so blown away. This series just gets better & better with each story & new characters we get to meet. It’s such a fantastic series that you should really pick up. They are standalones but if you don’t read them in order you do get spoiled for some things. Ugh it’s so good.

I really wanted to take my time this year & slow down & not just barrel through & I was still surprised by this story. I love how Nox & Devora just compliment & complete each other even with how similar they are. They started off rocky but the way their relationship just grows was special to read. Everything they went through was intense. I’m a nail biter & it was so hard to not bite them when things got going. Devora with her chaos & Nox being cheeky. One of my favorite book couples.

Ugh Scarven. He will go down as one of the worst villains ever. EVER. 🤢 so gross. I was glad with what happened with him. Perfection. I got the biggest smile when that happened. I did start crying in this one too. This world & the challenges that were created made this such a fun experience. That ending was so good. Like what’s going to happen with the next book?!