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The Veridian Empire #3
From the Silence of the Shadows
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.
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.
574 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2026
60 people are currently reading
1777 people want to read
About the author
V.B. Lacey
9 books413 followersV.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
Follow on Instagram: @vblacey.books
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
February 2, 2026
5 stars
First of all, thank you Vanessa for this early ARC because it was a dream come true. This was my first reading of the year and wow, it was the perfect way to start it!
Now to the review.
I can divide this book in many facets but the ones that stood out to me where the characters and the plot. Let me explain how I feel about both of them and give you some of my favorite pieces from the book.
Characters
I can mainly speak about Devora and Nox (and I will) but I have to acknowledge how Vanessa treated each character in depth even if they were not main or secondary characters. Here we have Nox’s close circle: Arowyn, Silas, Milo, Everett, Kieran and Tessa. Then we have freaking Scarven (let it be known that I HATE THIS MAN), Vera (Nox’s sister and whom he wishes to save) Nox’s mom, a shadow wielder that helped train Devora, that shadow wielder’s mom, and of course, for those who read the two previous books, we get to have our favorites for some parts of this book and I looooooved every single moment with them. So, as I said, I need to let you know that even though this story focuses on Devora and Nox, all of these characters add to their struggles and their strengths which makes the story be perfectly intertwine.
“I rose from the silence of the shadows to take my rightful place in this empire. I have full control over the entirety of Veridian magic.” Nor fair you know whom has the title of the book
I raised my mug of steaming tea, and the others joined it. “To baby Nox Aris and the health of your beautiful family.”
Thorne snorted into his tea. “We are not naming it Nox.”
Now, what I want to focus on are the complexities of these characters, even when some of them don’t have the spotlight of a main or secondary character they still manage to grab your attention and hold it. And if secondary or background characters can do that, imagine for a second what the main characters can do to you.
“But what if I lose you?” I whispered.
In Nox we have a fierce friend, loyal to the bone. His mind is set on destroying Scarven, saving his sister, keeping his friends alive and saving his province from being corrupted by what Scarven is doing. Also, we need to keep in mind that Nox is a victim himself. Man, while reading this it was blow to the face reading how he, being the incredibly powerful dragon shifter that he is, was AFRAID of Scanven, who was a mere lion shifter. I hated that but at the same time it portrayed how deep Nox’s wounds ran, and I don’t mean physical injuries, I mean in his mind and heart. Nox has many layers. He presents himself as this carefree shifter, always joking, always willing to help others, but when it came to his own life, he was hurt, he had nightmares, he missed his father, his mom, his sister, his first love, always thinking he failed all of them, always thinking he doesn’t deserve anything, always thinking he can’t tell the Queen (his friend) about what’s happening to him because he considers that a burden only he can carry. As I said, this man has many layers and all of them are extraordinary to discover while reading this book.
He slit her throat as she screamed my name. The first of many moments I would come to realize were my fault. If I had only done as he asked, if I hadn’t let my pride make me think I could escape, if I’d just been better.
So I became better.
Being with Devora didn’t make me forget about the consequences—she made me unafraid to face them. She made me feel brave and bold, passionate and slightly irresponsible. She made me feel free.
Then we have Devora, a character introduced in the previous book. At the beginning of this story her guilt and burden are laid out in the open, she wants to find the place she belongs to, the people she belongs to and sadly she made some questionable decisions that took her to being a prisoner in Nox’s tower. This girl made me hurt (all of these characters really) because she was alone in the world and another person took advantage of that feeling, to the point of making her hurt other people, other people she cared about and that sucked. Also, she wants to prove herself, making her take risks that no one else had before. I can’t express how AFRAID and DISGUSTED I was in some particular scenes and it’s sad because she only wanted to belong.
Piece by piece, I was gaining parts of the puzzle that were my past. Stories that rounded out my chipped edges, that gave me the feeling that somewhere, somehow…I fit. My mother’s eyes and hair, her desire to seek out answers and observe the world around her. My father’s smile and propensity for humor. Their passion and fire and nobility. I liked to think I had some of that too, when I wasn’t swept up in my own selfishness.
“What if he tries to—if he experiments on me, or hurts me, and I—I can’t stop him—”
Plot
I don’t want to talk about this too much because I feel like I’ll spoil everything for you and the idea is to feel intrigued enough to go and get this book as fast as you can. So, that being said. This individual province is presented with many problems, a lot of people in need and not many willing to do something about it out of fears. This plot goes from a brother trying to save his sister, his friends, his people and now protect this new girl that has come into his life like a storm all the while thinking he’s not good enough and thinking over and over again about the ways he has failed to healing and beautiful moments. We get well or poorly made plans, some fun moments, some challenges, we get to see them fall in love and be afraid to lose the other. We see a monster tormenting the people around him. We see friends trying to heal each other. We get fights and also magic. This book really has a balance between all of those points and it makes me extremely happy that I was able to find and be a part of this group of people that got to read the book. We need more writers like Vanessa in the world because this is a job well done.
Also, that ending made crave for the next book!!!
Now go grab your copy and enjoy!!
I couldn’t help the snort that left me. “Bold of you to assume this is a relationship.”
His fingers stopped. They moved to the back of my neck, gripping tight enough to send a shiver down my spine.
“Bold of you to assume I’d ever let you go.”
-----
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!
----
I KNOW THE TITLE THE TROPES AND OH MY GOODNESS I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY LIFE!!
First of all, thank you Vanessa for this early ARC because it was a dream come true. This was my first reading of the year and wow, it was the perfect way to start it!
Now to the review.
I can divide this book in many facets but the ones that stood out to me where the characters and the plot. Let me explain how I feel about both of them and give you some of my favorite pieces from the book.
Characters
I can mainly speak about Devora and Nox (and I will) but I have to acknowledge how Vanessa treated each character in depth even if they were not main or secondary characters. Here we have Nox’s close circle: Arowyn, Silas, Milo, Everett, Kieran and Tessa. Then we have freaking Scarven (let it be known that I HATE THIS MAN), Vera (Nox’s sister and whom he wishes to save) Nox’s mom, a shadow wielder that helped train Devora, that shadow wielder’s mom, and of course, for those who read the two previous books, we get to have our favorites for some parts of this book and I looooooved every single moment with them. So, as I said, I need to let you know that even though this story focuses on Devora and Nox, all of these characters add to their struggles and their strengths which makes the story be perfectly intertwine.
“I rose from the silence of the shadows to take my rightful place in this empire. I have full control over the entirety of Veridian magic.”
I raised my mug of steaming tea, and the others joined it. “To baby Nox Aris and the health of your beautiful family.”
Thorne snorted into his tea. “We are not naming it Nox.”
Now, what I want to focus on are the complexities of these characters, even when some of them don’t have the spotlight of a main or secondary character they still manage to grab your attention and hold it. And if secondary or background characters can do that, imagine for a second what the main characters can do to you.
“But what if I lose you?” I whispered.
In Nox we have a fierce friend, loyal to the bone. His mind is set on destroying Scarven, saving his sister, keeping his friends alive and saving his province from being corrupted by what Scarven is doing. Also, we need to keep in mind that Nox is a victim himself. Man, while reading this it was blow to the face reading how he, being the incredibly powerful dragon shifter that he is, was AFRAID of Scanven, who was a mere lion shifter. I hated that but at the same time it portrayed how deep Nox’s wounds ran, and I don’t mean physical injuries, I mean in his mind and heart. Nox has many layers. He presents himself as this carefree shifter, always joking, always willing to help others, but when it came to his own life, he was hurt, he had nightmares, he missed his father, his mom, his sister, his first love, always thinking he failed all of them, always thinking he doesn’t deserve anything, always thinking he can’t tell the Queen (his friend) about what’s happening to him because he considers that a burden only he can carry. As I said, this man has many layers and all of them are extraordinary to discover while reading this book.
He slit her throat as she screamed my name. The first of many moments I would come to realize were my fault. If I had only done as he asked, if I hadn’t let my pride make me think I could escape, if I’d just been better.
So I became better.
Being with Devora didn’t make me forget about the consequences—she made me unafraid to face them. She made me feel brave and bold, passionate and slightly irresponsible. She made me feel free.
Then we have Devora, a character introduced in the previous book. At the beginning of this story her guilt and burden are laid out in the open, she wants to find the place she belongs to, the people she belongs to and sadly she made some questionable decisions that took her to being a prisoner in Nox’s tower. This girl made me hurt (all of these characters really) because she was alone in the world and another person took advantage of that feeling, to the point of making her hurt other people, other people she cared about and that sucked. Also, she wants to prove herself, making her take risks that no one else had before. I can’t express how AFRAID and DISGUSTED I was in some particular scenes and it’s sad because she only wanted to belong.
Piece by piece, I was gaining parts of the puzzle that were my past. Stories that rounded out my chipped edges, that gave me the feeling that somewhere, somehow…I fit. My mother’s eyes and hair, her desire to seek out answers and observe the world around her. My father’s smile and propensity for humor. Their passion and fire and nobility. I liked to think I had some of that too, when I wasn’t swept up in my own selfishness.
“What if he tries to—if he experiments on me, or hurts me, and I—I can’t stop him—”
Plot
I don’t want to talk about this too much because I feel like I’ll spoil everything for you and the idea is to feel intrigued enough to go and get this book as fast as you can. So, that being said. This individual province is presented with many problems, a lot of people in need and not many willing to do something about it out of fears. This plot goes from a brother trying to save his sister, his friends, his people and now protect this new girl that has come into his life like a storm all the while thinking he’s not good enough and thinking over and over again about the ways he has failed to healing and beautiful moments. We get well or poorly made plans, some fun moments, some challenges, we get to see them fall in love and be afraid to lose the other. We see a monster tormenting the people around him. We see friends trying to heal each other. We get fights and also magic. This book really has a balance between all of those points and it makes me extremely happy that I was able to find and be a part of this group of people that got to read the book. We need more writers like Vanessa in the world because this is a job well done.
Also, that ending made crave for the next book!!!
Now go grab your copy and enjoy!!
I couldn’t help the snort that left me. “Bold of you to assume this is a relationship.”
His fingers stopped. They moved to the back of my neck, gripping tight enough to send a shiver down my spine.
“Bold of you to assume I’d ever let you go.”
-----
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!
----
I KNOW THE TITLE THE TROPES AND OH MY GOODNESS I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY LIFE!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
4.5⭐️
💭I really enjoyed this book! The plot had me hooked right from the start (man, can Vanessa write a prologue). The book is dual POV, which I always enjoy. I absolutely loved our possessive dragon shifter MMC! He calls the FMC “darling” and I was eating it up. We meet him in the earlier books and I’m so happy he got his own story. The forced proximity and captor/captive romance was really well done. This book has no spice, but it doesn’t need it because the tension and yearning are 👌. It also had some really cool magic, an epic rescue, and amazing found family forged through working to overthrow a tyrant.
Although these are interconnected standalones, I would recommend reading them in order for maximal impact. I cannot wait for book 4!
Thank you so much V.B Lacey for the gifted e-book and for allowing me to read your book early 🫶
4.5⭐️
💭I really enjoyed this book! The plot had me hooked right from the start (man, can Vanessa write a prologue). The book is dual POV, which I always enjoy. I absolutely loved our possessive dragon shifter MMC! He calls the FMC “darling” and I was eating it up. We meet him in the earlier books and I’m so happy he got his own story. The forced proximity and captor/captive romance was really well done. This book has no spice, but it doesn’t need it because the tension and yearning are 👌. It also had some really cool magic, an epic rescue, and amazing found family forged through working to overthrow a tyrant.
Although these are interconnected standalones, I would recommend reading them in order for maximal impact. I cannot wait for book 4!
Thank you so much V.B Lacey for the gifted e-book and for allowing me to read your book early 🫶
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc Review:
V.B. Lacey has quickly become one of my favorite authors of all time, and with book three in the Veridian Empire series, she’s done it again.
I’m writing this right after I have finnished the final chapter, and I’m still emotional. The way Lacey brings her world and characters to life makes it incredibly hard to let go once you’re invested. This story pulled me in completely and will stay with me long after I finished reading.
I don’t mind spice in books, but it was genuinely refreshing to enjoy a series that doesn’t rely on it. Instead, this book delivers a beautiful romance, a well-thought-out magic system, and immersive worldbuilding (especially rich if you’ve read the earlier books).
While the books can be read as standalones, I highly recommend reading the series in order to get the full experience—and to avoid spoilers.
I cannot recommend this series enough, and I’m already counting down the days until the next book (and considering a full reread).
V.B. Lacey has quickly become one of my favorite authors of all time, and with book three in the Veridian Empire series, she’s done it again.
I’m writing this right after I have finnished the final chapter, and I’m still emotional. The way Lacey brings her world and characters to life makes it incredibly hard to let go once you’re invested. This story pulled me in completely and will stay with me long after I finished reading.
I don’t mind spice in books, but it was genuinely refreshing to enjoy a series that doesn’t rely on it. Instead, this book delivers a beautiful romance, a well-thought-out magic system, and immersive worldbuilding (especially rich if you’ve read the earlier books).
While the books can be read as standalones, I highly recommend reading the series in order to get the full experience—and to avoid spoilers.
I cannot recommend this series enough, and I’m already counting down the days until the next book (and considering a full reread).
April 22, 2026
Thank you Tantor Audio for the gifted audiobook.
GREAT READ.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
I continually love coming back to V.B. Lacey’s books. I love that she writes closed door fantasy romances with heat and heart and that don’t come off silly. It is easy to recommend her books and it was fun to get to read this one as an audiobook! The audiobook narrators weren’t 100% my favorite but did grow on me. It was no where near bothersome enough to not be able to listen to the audiobook format.
I liked seeing more of the empire and Nox. I’ve been waiting to see his background and it did not disappoint. I loved his compassionate nature and how growly he was about all the things. The slow burn with Devora progressed well. Lacey does a good job creating a standalones that give genuine tension and wrap up big plots.
The pacing felt solid and the magic system unfolded without force. I loved seeing previous characters again and the moments between them too. It’s just a solid fantasy and I can’t wait for the last one!!
[Note: while a standalone these books really build on each other and should be read in order; I have read and enjoyed them all!]
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy romance
- Language: low
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: high
- Content warnings: loss of life, kidnapping, non-consensual drugging, assault
GREAT READ.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
I continually love coming back to V.B. Lacey’s books. I love that she writes closed door fantasy romances with heat and heart and that don’t come off silly. It is easy to recommend her books and it was fun to get to read this one as an audiobook! The audiobook narrators weren’t 100% my favorite but did grow on me. It was no where near bothersome enough to not be able to listen to the audiobook format.
I liked seeing more of the empire and Nox. I’ve been waiting to see his background and it did not disappoint. I loved his compassionate nature and how growly he was about all the things. The slow burn with Devora progressed well. Lacey does a good job creating a standalones that give genuine tension and wrap up big plots.
The pacing felt solid and the magic system unfolded without force. I loved seeing previous characters again and the moments between them too. It’s just a solid fantasy and I can’t wait for the last one!!
[Note: while a standalone these books really build on each other and should be read in order; I have read and enjoyed them all!]
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy romance
- Language: low
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: high
- Content warnings: loss of life, kidnapping, non-consensual drugging, assault
February 14, 2026
Wowowowow I love Nox and Devora. Their story was so fun to read, and this book sets us up nicely for the next interconnected standalone in the series. Every book in this series is so well done and the stories are nicely interwoven, From the Silence of the Shadows is no exception. I do think this one is my least favorite of The Veridian Empire series so far, but I still enjoyed their story and VB Lacey's writing. I'd recommend reading them in order, as having past knowledge of the other characters makes this one much more enjoyable.
Thank you to the author V.B. Lacey for the eARC!!
Thank you to the author V.B. Lacey for the eARC!!
Want to Read
December 27, 2025IM SO EXCITED EEEEE
I LOVE VB LACEY
I LOVE VB LACEY
Review of advance copy received from Author
full review to follow- what a MASTERPIECE
FULL REVIEW:
Y'all.... From the Silence of the Shadows by @vblacey.books is an absolute goddamn MASTERPIECE of romantasy literature. I absolutely devoured this book during a reading marathon while o was on holiday and oh my GOD I wish i was a slower reader simply so i could live longer in this world 🥹
I, alongside many, many people, have loved Nox since his first apperance in In The Wake of the Wicked and to finally be able to get inside his head and see the world from his perspective was a gut wrenching love affair that i just wanted more and more of.
Devora and Nox are the perfect pair that see each other for their flaws, perfections and demons. They fight for their tomorrow and i have never been so obsessed with a pairing than i have this entire series. What i love is that despite this being closed door romance, we get ALL the tension that we all love and it honestly doesn't feel like we're missing the spice. Extremely refreshing and my honest to goodness go to author 💛
Vanessa, thank you for letting us into this world 🥹 Thanks for letting us love Nox and Devora.
Here's to whatevers next 🍻
FULL REVIEW:
Y'all.... From the Silence of the Shadows by @vblacey.books is an absolute goddamn MASTERPIECE of romantasy literature. I absolutely devoured this book during a reading marathon while o was on holiday and oh my GOD I wish i was a slower reader simply so i could live longer in this world 🥹
I, alongside many, many people, have loved Nox since his first apperance in In The Wake of the Wicked and to finally be able to get inside his head and see the world from his perspective was a gut wrenching love affair that i just wanted more and more of.
Devora and Nox are the perfect pair that see each other for their flaws, perfections and demons. They fight for their tomorrow and i have never been so obsessed with a pairing than i have this entire series. What i love is that despite this being closed door romance, we get ALL the tension that we all love and it honestly doesn't feel like we're missing the spice. Extremely refreshing and my honest to goodness go to author 💛
Vanessa, thank you for letting us into this world 🥹 Thanks for letting us love Nox and Devora.
Here's to whatevers next 🍻
November 3, 2025
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
Tropes:
Captor x captive
Coming into her power
Unique magical world
Enemies to lovers
Throws her over his shoulder
January 25, 2026
I received this book as an ARC. Rating 3.5/5
From the Silence of the Shadows is the third book in The Veridian Empire series. I had to take some time to think about how I wanted to rate this one. It was not my favorite book of the three.
From the Silence of the Shadows centers on Nox Duma and Devora, both of whom we met in the previous book(s). This book is essentially Devora's redemption story. I think reading this one as a standalone without having read the second book would have made me a little more inclined to Devora. Unfortunately, I really just couldn't support her, and the book didn't convince me that she was completely redeemable as Nox's point of views and interactions made it sound like he was in the wrong for keeping her "prisoner" in the very luxurious and cushy bedroom/chamber where she was held. While it is somewhat acknowledged that yes, she should have been taken to the gallows, the impression is given off that restricting her freedom was so very wrong. I disagree with this: she was a traitor, and she had it very good considering. Yet, she holds it over Nox's head as if she has any grounds to do so.
I really enjoy V.B. Lacey's writing and her storytelling. I enjoy the world she's created with the Veridian Empire as well as well the different elements, creatures, and magic that make up this series. However, I felt that FtSotS had plot holes and plot elements that just didn't get enough explanation to make it reasonable to the progression of the story. Problems were present that had potentially obvious solutions or options that were never addressed (e.g. I still want to know why Nox never directly challenged Scarven in reference to a past event). Other times, solutions seemed readily convenient and available. Devora's past, which should have had some build-up prior the reveal, was readily divulged upon traveling to the Shadow-wielding lands. I also felt it was odd how confidently the (...we'll call him the informant) informant essentially knew who Devora was upon seeing her and also already assumed that Devora knew what happened to her parents. Why would he think she already knew? He doesn't even know her. There are also times when decisions by the characters really don't make logical sense and aren't well thought out as would be expected with their supposed character traits (e.g testing).
While the pace of the book was good overall, I felt myself struggling to get through the last 25% of the book, and that was mostly action too. I found Nox's and Devora's continual dialogues of emotional reassurance and vocalized devotion a bit tedious as it was frequently present in their interactions. Yes, there should be some vulnerability, but there should be some constraint as to how often they have to reassure the other that they would never leave each other. I also felt that the timeline and the developments of friendships, trust and love were overly quick or confounding at the rate in which they occurred.
This is my third book by V.B. Lacey, and I would certainly be interested in reading the final and fourth book in this series. However, for this book, I do think that some of the plot points need to be fleshed out a bit more, and other elements need to be tapered down.
From the Silence of the Shadows is the third book in The Veridian Empire series. I had to take some time to think about how I wanted to rate this one. It was not my favorite book of the three.
From the Silence of the Shadows centers on Nox Duma and Devora, both of whom we met in the previous book(s). This book is essentially Devora's redemption story. I think reading this one as a standalone without having read the second book would have made me a little more inclined to Devora. Unfortunately, I really just couldn't support her, and the book didn't convince me that she was completely redeemable as Nox's point of views and interactions made it sound like he was in the wrong for keeping her "prisoner" in the very luxurious and cushy bedroom/chamber where she was held. While it is somewhat acknowledged that yes, she should have been taken to the gallows, the impression is given off that restricting her freedom was so very wrong. I disagree with this: she was a traitor, and she had it very good considering. Yet, she holds it over Nox's head as if she has any grounds to do so.
I really enjoy V.B. Lacey's writing and her storytelling. I enjoy the world she's created with the Veridian Empire as well as well the different elements, creatures, and magic that make up this series. However, I felt that FtSotS had plot holes and plot elements that just didn't get enough explanation to make it reasonable to the progression of the story. Problems were present that had potentially obvious solutions or options that were never addressed (e.g. I still want to know why Nox never directly challenged Scarven in reference to a past event). Other times, solutions seemed readily convenient and available. Devora's past, which should have had some build-up prior the reveal, was readily divulged upon traveling to the Shadow-wielding lands. I also felt it was odd how confidently the (...we'll call him the informant) informant essentially knew who Devora was upon seeing her and also already assumed that Devora knew what happened to her parents. Why would he think she already knew? He doesn't even know her. There are also times when decisions by the characters really don't make logical sense and aren't well thought out as would be expected with their supposed character traits (e.g testing).
While the pace of the book was good overall, I felt myself struggling to get through the last 25% of the book, and that was mostly action too. I found Nox's and Devora's continual dialogues of emotional reassurance and vocalized devotion a bit tedious as it was frequently present in their interactions. Yes, there should be some vulnerability, but there should be some constraint as to how often they have to reassure the other that they would never leave each other. I also felt that the timeline and the developments of friendships, trust and love were overly quick or confounding at the rate in which they occurred.
This is my third book by V.B. Lacey, and I would certainly be interested in reading the final and fourth book in this series. However, for this book, I do think that some of the plot points need to be fleshed out a bit more, and other elements need to be tapered down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
thank you so much for the ARC :) I have been loving this series, with book 2 as my favorite so far. I was really excited for this one since Nox is one of my favorite characters in this series.
I really had a hard time rooting for Devora and even with her being the love interest...she irked me when considering her betrayal, her prison conditions were beyond generous and I never found her character to really get better as it feels like she was primarily driven to redeem herself out of guilt and not exactly for the situation going on. I really could not get into her dynamic with Nox.
There were some plot holes (especially with Kieran at the end...how TF???). The dialogue especially between Nox and Devora felt unnatural a lot of the time, especially when they were trying to motivate each other and even some of the more "romantic" lines felt a bit cringe for me here. It also took me a good amount of time to feel more pulled into the book this time around, where it felt a bit hard to be engaged until about half way through.
I really do love this world and series as a whole, the ending really has me intrigued (because where DID HE GO?! AND would love to see Vera's POV with the way things ended here). I was just hoping to love this one...I liked it but I didn't love it the way I loved the first 2 books.
I really had a hard time rooting for Devora and even with her being the love interest...she irked me when considering her betrayal, her prison conditions were beyond generous and I never found her character to really get better as it feels like she was primarily driven to redeem herself out of guilt and not exactly for the situation going on. I really could not get into her dynamic with Nox.
There were some plot holes (especially with Kieran at the end...how TF???). The dialogue especially between Nox and Devora felt unnatural a lot of the time, especially when they were trying to motivate each other and even some of the more "romantic" lines felt a bit cringe for me here. It also took me a good amount of time to feel more pulled into the book this time around, where it felt a bit hard to be engaged until about half way through.
I really do love this world and series as a whole, the ending really has me intrigued (because where DID HE GO?! AND would love to see Vera's POV with the way things ended here). I was just hoping to love this one...I liked it but I didn't love it the way I loved the first 2 books.
January 9, 2026
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.
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.
February 5, 2026
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book, and oh my goodness I could not put it down! This is the 3rd book in her Veridian Empire Series, but it is considered a standalone and you do not need to read other books in the series to read this first. The author does an amazing job at briefly reintroducing you to characters you meet in earlier books, but without giving away major spoilers for those books so you can still be immersed in their journey if you go back to them. I absolutely loved our FMC and MMC in this book! The FMC is feisty, powerful, and truly comes into her own with being thrust into a new world. The plot twists that go along with the major conflict, and how the magic system develops within each book is AMAZING and I truly did not see some of it coming. Would highly recommend this series!
January 29, 2026
Each book of the Veridian Empire series just keeps getting better! From the Silence of the Shadows is Book 3 of this series of interconnected standalones, and I think this one was my favorite book of the series so far.
This book had so much to love - Hades & Persephone x Six of Crows vibes, a hate to love no spice romance, a slight age gap, epic quests and heists, a dragon shifter MMC, a shadow wielding FMC, found family, all the banter, mental health rep, and so much more.
Nox and Devora are absolutely my new favorite couple from this series. Nox is just the right amount of broody, with trauma for days. Devora is feisty as hell, and she’s got her own tragic backstory.
Devora may start the book as Nox’s captive, but they eventually come together to fight Drakorum’s tyrannical governor. I loved seeing them finally working together instead of staying put as opposing forces. In doing so, their attitudes towards each other finally thaw enough for both of them to see the good in the other.
I love a good training trope, and it once again did not disappoint in this book! As Devora learns more about herself and her past, she also learns to embrace and wield control over her shadows. Her growth in this book was phenomenal.
The overall plot was intriguing with all the twists and conflict, and it kept me on my toes the entire book. I also loved the continuation of the overall series plot. Yes, each book is a standalone, but they’re all interconnected. So while you can read them individually, I would recommend reading this series in order for the most satisfying plot payoff.
After that ending and epilogue, I can’t wait to see where Book 4 takes us!
Thank you so much to V.B. Lacey for the gifted copy of this one! And Happy Release Day again! I hope it’s been the best one yet! 🖤🐉✨
This book had so much to love - Hades & Persephone x Six of Crows vibes, a hate to love no spice romance, a slight age gap, epic quests and heists, a dragon shifter MMC, a shadow wielding FMC, found family, all the banter, mental health rep, and so much more.
Nox and Devora are absolutely my new favorite couple from this series. Nox is just the right amount of broody, with trauma for days. Devora is feisty as hell, and she’s got her own tragic backstory.
Devora may start the book as Nox’s captive, but they eventually come together to fight Drakorum’s tyrannical governor. I loved seeing them finally working together instead of staying put as opposing forces. In doing so, their attitudes towards each other finally thaw enough for both of them to see the good in the other.
I love a good training trope, and it once again did not disappoint in this book! As Devora learns more about herself and her past, she also learns to embrace and wield control over her shadows. Her growth in this book was phenomenal.
The overall plot was intriguing with all the twists and conflict, and it kept me on my toes the entire book. I also loved the continuation of the overall series plot. Yes, each book is a standalone, but they’re all interconnected. So while you can read them individually, I would recommend reading this series in order for the most satisfying plot payoff.
After that ending and epilogue, I can’t wait to see where Book 4 takes us!
Thank you so much to V.B. Lacey for the gifted copy of this one! And Happy Release Day again! I hope it’s been the best one yet! 🖤🐉✨
Want to Read
August 9, 2025If VB Lacey writes it, I'm gonna read it 🤭🖤
February 3, 2026
Book 3 takes everything VB Lacey has been building and just detonates it. Devora stepping into her power? Nox being the most loyal, broody menace alive? The dragons, the tension, the rebellion…it all hits so hard. Dark, emotional, and absolutely unputdownable.
January 16, 2026
Nox and Devora had me yearning from the end of Of the Curse or the Crown. First I'm a sucker for a blonde MMC, secondly he's a dragon shifter?! SOLD.
Moving on from that the story was beautifully told. Trauma played a big part in the overcoming of difficulties and challenges they faced. Scraven was the most psychotic villain I have read in a hot minute. There were so many things that happened with him that my jaw was on the floor. Heading into the last part of the book I was racing my Kindle battery to finish it in time. I did - but I don't think I actually won anything. 10/10 recommend.
Moving on from that the story was beautifully told. Trauma played a big part in the overcoming of difficulties and challenges they faced. Scraven was the most psychotic villain I have read in a hot minute. There were so many things that happened with him that my jaw was on the floor. Heading into the last part of the book I was racing my Kindle battery to finish it in time. I did - but I don't think I actually won anything. 10/10 recommend.
January 29, 2026
Received an advanced reader copy from Author
Thank you for the ARC!
After reading books 1 & 2, I was super excited to read this as Nox is a firm favourite.
I really enjoyed this story, the side characters (give me more Tessa!) and their friendships and loyalty really made this for me. I love the magic system in this world, its interesting, well thought out and the uses and limitations are used really well, particularly in this book.
I loved the arc with Vera, and hope we see more of her in the next book to understand what she went though, and how she finds herself.
I will say that I felt the challenges throughout were overcome a little easy, from Nox and Devora’s hate to love situation to the fight scenes, which felt huge and overwhelming but were then just kind of done and won? Also, Kieran! HOW?!
Nox and Devora definitely had some cringey moments but towards the end of the book I really felt their love and what it meant to each of them.
So overall, yes go and read this book, it will leave you wanting more from this world and if you haven't read the first two books, you should!
Thank you for the ARC!
After reading books 1 & 2, I was super excited to read this as Nox is a firm favourite.
I really enjoyed this story, the side characters (give me more Tessa!) and their friendships and loyalty really made this for me. I love the magic system in this world, its interesting, well thought out and the uses and limitations are used really well, particularly in this book.
I loved the arc with Vera, and hope we see more of her in the next book to understand what she went though, and how she finds herself.
I will say that I felt the challenges throughout were overcome a little easy, from Nox and Devora’s hate to love situation to the fight scenes, which felt huge and overwhelming but were then just kind of done and won? Also, Kieran! HOW?!
Nox and Devora definitely had some cringey moments but towards the end of the book I really felt their love and what it meant to each of them.
So overall, yes go and read this book, it will leave you wanting more from this world and if you haven't read the first two books, you should!
Review of advance copy received from Author
V.B. Lacey has worked her magic again and the moment I cracked this book open, I was hooked. Nox and Devora's story is a gripping story about learning to trust, finding family in the least likely places, and love so deep and profound.
I cannot express how much I loved this book. I loved the characters, which given Devora's past, was surprising. She is sassy, but also caring and vulnerable. Nox is fiercely protective shifter struggling with his own shortcomings, yet continues to fight for the better of his people. And together, they learn and grow and protect those who cannot protect themselves.
This is the perfect book for those who love a group of people coming together despite all odds and face an evil head on.
I cannot express how much I loved this book. I loved the characters, which given Devora's past, was surprising. She is sassy, but also caring and vulnerable. Nox is fiercely protective shifter struggling with his own shortcomings, yet continues to fight for the better of his people. And together, they learn and grow and protect those who cannot protect themselves.
This is the perfect book for those who love a group of people coming together despite all odds and face an evil head on.
February 10, 2026
I absolutely love the FMC in this book. She is absolutely fantastic!
And ofc I fell in love with Nox in book 1, so… 😅 I love both main characters!
Book 1 and 3 are tied for my favourite in this series of interconnected standalones.
Vanessa is so SO good at slow burn, closed door/FTB/no spice romance 💝
I felt like this story could be viewed as more plot than character development but there is still some character development and learning, and you will fall in love with all of the characters! Even the secondary ones!
There’s a princess bride moment that I melted for 😅
The denial is strong in this book but…
He falls first? He’s a sucker for only her? Oh yeah!! 😏
The final battle was *chefs kiss! 💋
I received this as an advanced copy and this is my honest review.
And ofc I fell in love with Nox in book 1, so… 😅 I love both main characters!
Book 1 and 3 are tied for my favourite in this series of interconnected standalones.
Vanessa is so SO good at slow burn, closed door/FTB/no spice romance 💝
I felt like this story could be viewed as more plot than character development but there is still some character development and learning, and you will fall in love with all of the characters! Even the secondary ones!
There’s a princess bride moment that I melted for 😅
The denial is strong in this book but…
He falls first? He’s a sucker for only her? Oh yeah!! 😏
The final battle was *chefs kiss! 💋
I received this as an advanced copy and this is my honest review.
January 6, 2026
I had the opportunity to receive an ARC of this novel and absolutely loved it! The story between Nox and Devora was action-packed, included sweet romance that made you swoon, and kept you locked in wanting to turn the next page. I can’t wait for everyone else to read it! Go preorder it or check it out when it releases on January 28, 2026!
January 11, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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.
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.
January 29, 2026
If you love to have truly horrendous, vile villains to hate (like I do), this book should be on your radar.
This is book 3 in an interconnected series and I do recommend reading the first two books because there is character crossover and it just makes for a more immersive and enjoyable reading experience.
"Forgiveness isn't about forgetting. It's about choosing to believe you're more than your mistakes."
Nox Duma is a flirty, charismatic character that is haunted by his past and even his present. Nox is under the thumb of a vile-tyrant-villain-man because they have his sister but that doesn't stop him from finding ways to rebel. He's had to do a great many things he is not proud of and has build a network to atone for as much of his actions as he can. He guards his heart as love has only been used as a weapon against him but he is fierce in his loyalty to his friends and family and fierce in his protection of innocent lives. He does make a very questionable decision to allow Devora to get closer to the dispicable man...
Devora has earned a spot in a cell, of sorts, because of her betrayal and she only wants the freedom to prove her worth... also the freedom to find her family and learn more about the shadow powers she only just discovered she has. I appreciate how Devora is able to read a room or person and her willingness to put everything into what is right.
While I enjoy Nox and Devora individually and the way they're vulnerable with one another and fight to protect one another and their tomorrow, I felt almost like the relationship had a fated mates like zest to the quickness in the change of direction from hate to desire. I didn't personally love that but it never made me a non-believer.
Other characters... the entire Ashen Order... *slow clap* they are perfect. I absolutely love found family vibes amongst the chaos that is the fight against the tyrant. They balance one another out, keep each other humble with banter, and no one doubts whether someone has their back. They've bonded through grief, frustration, and general exposure to danger.
Darker themes than the two other books as this one deals with magical experimentation on non-consenting individuals including children. Like I said, vile villain.... but there is a story of rising above, healing, fighting, being vulnerable AND strong...
<<>>
There were a couple details I couldn't quite get around inside my head. How Devora's magic seemingly evolved at the exact right moment. Why was Scarvan still alive? Wouldn't have been easier to rescue all those people years ago? Also, shouldn't Nox and his clever team have anticipated that Scarvan would do research into "Selena"?... so the VERY questionable decision to send her in there... <<>>
While these thoughts whirled around my head a couple times, it as not enough to stop me from having a truly enjoyable time. The ending was satisfying while also setting up for the fourth and final book in this interconnected series. Songbird and Swift <3
I did receive an eARC and these thoughts are my own.
This is book 3 in an interconnected series and I do recommend reading the first two books because there is character crossover and it just makes for a more immersive and enjoyable reading experience.
"Forgiveness isn't about forgetting. It's about choosing to believe you're more than your mistakes."
Nox Duma is a flirty, charismatic character that is haunted by his past and even his present. Nox is under the thumb of a vile-tyrant-villain-man because they have his sister but that doesn't stop him from finding ways to rebel. He's had to do a great many things he is not proud of and has build a network to atone for as much of his actions as he can. He guards his heart as love has only been used as a weapon against him but he is fierce in his loyalty to his friends and family and fierce in his protection of innocent lives. He does make a very questionable decision to allow Devora to get closer to the dispicable man...
Devora has earned a spot in a cell, of sorts, because of her betrayal and she only wants the freedom to prove her worth... also the freedom to find her family and learn more about the shadow powers she only just discovered she has. I appreciate how Devora is able to read a room or person and her willingness to put everything into what is right.
While I enjoy Nox and Devora individually and the way they're vulnerable with one another and fight to protect one another and their tomorrow, I felt almost like the relationship had a fated mates like zest to the quickness in the change of direction from hate to desire. I didn't personally love that but it never made me a non-believer.
Other characters... the entire Ashen Order... *slow clap* they are perfect. I absolutely love found family vibes amongst the chaos that is the fight against the tyrant. They balance one another out, keep each other humble with banter, and no one doubts whether someone has their back. They've bonded through grief, frustration, and general exposure to danger.
Darker themes than the two other books as this one deals with magical experimentation on non-consenting individuals including children. Like I said, vile villain.... but there is a story of rising above, healing, fighting, being vulnerable AND strong...
<<>>
There were a couple details I couldn't quite get around inside my head. How Devora's magic seemingly evolved at the exact right moment. Why was Scarvan still alive? Wouldn't have been easier to rescue all those people years ago? Also, shouldn't Nox and his clever team have anticipated that Scarvan would do research into "Selena"?... so the VERY questionable decision to send her in there... <<>>
While these thoughts whirled around my head a couple times, it as not enough to stop me from having a truly enjoyable time. The ending was satisfying while also setting up for the fourth and final book in this interconnected series. Songbird and Swift <3
I did receive an eARC and these thoughts are my own.
January 31, 2026
I have been in a massive reading slump with longer books lately, but “From the Silence of the Shadows”captured my attention literally on page two. I am actually flabbergasted I hadn’t heard of V.B. Lacey before this (and she’s still self publishing???). If you are chasing that specific feeling you got when reading ACOTAR for the first time, mixed with the high stakes of Fourth Wing and the whimsy of a Stephanie Garber novel... this is it.
The world-building here is fantastic. Lacey has created a unique magic system where every kingdom possesses a different ability, and the antagonist is twisting them through genetic experimentation. It feels grounded and high-stakes, weaving in heavy political commentary on POWs, the refugee experience, and the ethics of power in a way that feels incredibly relevant.
Devora: It was so beautiful to see a heroine written with such humanity—balancing strength and resourcefulness with valid insecurity and empathy. I also loved the spin on popular tropes: SHE is the one with the shadow powers here!
Nox: Finally, an emotionally intelligent blonde man! He isn’t your typical "morally grey" MMC. He harbors deep PTSD and grief, yet actively chooses to help those being targeted by an unjust authority figure despite his connections to the antagonist.
For readers who don’t need an explicit scene between battle debriefs, this is the perfect intermediate. It leans heavily into the fantasy plot and political tension while alluding to the spicy scenes rather than letting them overshadow the story. It wasn’t "10 sex scenes when you’re supposed to be at war," but it also wasn’t “I waited three books for them to ‘kiss’”. Don’t get me wrong, I love spice as much as the next girl, but I loved reading a plot-driven romantasy that didn’t feel YA.
With diverse characters and genuine representation of mental health and disability, this interconnected standalone is a triumph. I may or may not have already downloaded the first two books in the series to my Kindle 🫣
A special thank you to the author, V.B. Lacey, for choosing me to be a part of her ARC team! I feel incredibly honored, and can say my honest opinion is that YOU are an amazing author!!!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️ 1.5/5
The world-building here is fantastic. Lacey has created a unique magic system where every kingdom possesses a different ability, and the antagonist is twisting them through genetic experimentation. It feels grounded and high-stakes, weaving in heavy political commentary on POWs, the refugee experience, and the ethics of power in a way that feels incredibly relevant.
Devora: It was so beautiful to see a heroine written with such humanity—balancing strength and resourcefulness with valid insecurity and empathy. I also loved the spin on popular tropes: SHE is the one with the shadow powers here!
Nox: Finally, an emotionally intelligent blonde man! He isn’t your typical "morally grey" MMC. He harbors deep PTSD and grief, yet actively chooses to help those being targeted by an unjust authority figure despite his connections to the antagonist.
For readers who don’t need an explicit scene between battle debriefs, this is the perfect intermediate. It leans heavily into the fantasy plot and political tension while alluding to the spicy scenes rather than letting them overshadow the story. It wasn’t "10 sex scenes when you’re supposed to be at war," but it also wasn’t “I waited three books for them to ‘kiss’”. Don’t get me wrong, I love spice as much as the next girl, but I loved reading a plot-driven romantasy that didn’t feel YA.
With diverse characters and genuine representation of mental health and disability, this interconnected standalone is a triumph. I may or may not have already downloaded the first two books in the series to my Kindle 🫣
A special thank you to the author, V.B. Lacey, for choosing me to be a part of her ARC team! I feel incredibly honored, and can say my honest opinion is that YOU are an amazing author!!!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️ 1.5/5
January 26, 2026
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: From the Silence of the Shadows (The Veridian Empire, book 3)
“𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘢. 𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘥𝘰, 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘩.”
When I first met Nox in the series, I knew this guarded and broody male kept his secrets close to his chest and heart extremely guarded. Devora was meant to be his captive but ends up capturing his attention.
As they shed layers of their hardened exteriors, they find their hearts opening up to the possibility of acceptance and perhaps something more.
Tropes:
👀Dual POV
🐉Dragon shifter MMC
🖤Shadow wielding FMC
🗣️Witty banter
📜Epic quests and heists
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
❤️🩹Mental health rep
🫑No spice romance
Nox is weary from shouldering the secrets and horrible things he must do to keep others safe. Devora is desperate for redemption. Both have been used by others and come from broken families. Neither feels deserving of love. Their heated hate to love dynamic fuels this Hades & Persephone meets Six of Crows tale.
The last 25% had me panicking! VB doesn’t hold back on all the emotional damage, suspense, and heartwrenching romance between these two tortured heroes.
In From the Silence of the Shadows, the characters shine as the author cohesively weaves their intertwined storylines from the prior standalones and sets up the final story. I cannot wait for what’s next!
Thank you to the author for the review copy opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
📖: From the Silence of the Shadows (The Veridian Empire, book 3)
“𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘢. 𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘥𝘰, 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘩.”
When I first met Nox in the series, I knew this guarded and broody male kept his secrets close to his chest and heart extremely guarded. Devora was meant to be his captive but ends up capturing his attention.
As they shed layers of their hardened exteriors, they find their hearts opening up to the possibility of acceptance and perhaps something more.
Tropes:
👀Dual POV
🐉Dragon shifter MMC
🖤Shadow wielding FMC
🗣️Witty banter
📜Epic quests and heists
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
❤️🩹Mental health rep
🫑No spice romance
Nox is weary from shouldering the secrets and horrible things he must do to keep others safe. Devora is desperate for redemption. Both have been used by others and come from broken families. Neither feels deserving of love. Their heated hate to love dynamic fuels this Hades & Persephone meets Six of Crows tale.
The last 25% had me panicking! VB doesn’t hold back on all the emotional damage, suspense, and heartwrenching romance between these two tortured heroes.
In From the Silence of the Shadows, the characters shine as the author cohesively weaves their intertwined storylines from the prior standalones and sets up the final story. I cannot wait for what’s next!
Thank you to the author for the review copy opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
January 11, 2026
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
OMG this book is utter perfection!! This is a dark fantasy romance (and when I say dark, its actually quite dark and I love it) with no spice. VB Lacey is absolutely incredible at writing romantic tension, yearning and love! I personally didn’t feel like anything was missing, I am always happy to read books with spice and no spice as long as it is written well.
Nox Duma leads a secret rebellion against the most ruthless tyrant who has been making cruel magical experiments out of his subjects.
Due to Devoras’ betrayal to the empress, Nox has taken her as his captive until Clarissa can decide what she would like to do with her. Devora desperately wants to prove herself and help Noxs’ cause. She is a rebellious, stubborn, shadow wielding badass.
Can they work through her betrayal and build trust while also working against the most cruel and cunning man?
I was at the edge of my seat reading this book and considering I was in a small reading slump, this really pulled me back! I loved everything about it!
Nox Duma leads a secret rebellion against the most ruthless tyrant who has been making cruel magical experiments out of his subjects.
Due to Devoras’ betrayal to the empress, Nox has taken her as his captive until Clarissa can decide what she would like to do with her. Devora desperately wants to prove herself and help Noxs’ cause. She is a rebellious, stubborn, shadow wielding badass.
Can they work through her betrayal and build trust while also working against the most cruel and cunning man?
I was at the edge of my seat reading this book and considering I was in a small reading slump, this really pulled me back! I loved everything about it!
January 22, 2026
Nox & Devora’s story works really well as an interconnected standalone. The plot was strong, engaging, and kept me hooked from start to finish, and the villain was a standout for me. The tension, stakes, and overall story arc were compelling, and I found myself fully invested in how everything unfolded.
The story itself carried a darker, more intense tone, which I really enjoyed and felt added depth to the overall narrative.
Nox and Devora were characters I enjoyed spending time with, and while their romance felt more established rather than a slow build, it fit the flow of this particular story. The focus leaned more heavily into the plot and conflict, which worked well for me and kept the pacing strong.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with a solid plot, a memorable villain, and a world I continue to love exploring. It stood well on its own while still adding richness to the larger universe.
The story itself carried a darker, more intense tone, which I really enjoyed and felt added depth to the overall narrative.
Nox and Devora were characters I enjoyed spending time with, and while their romance felt more established rather than a slow build, it fit the flow of this particular story. The focus leaned more heavily into the plot and conflict, which worked well for me and kept the pacing strong.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with a solid plot, a memorable villain, and a world I continue to love exploring. It stood well on its own while still adding richness to the larger universe.
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the Silence of the Shadows by VB Lacey completely destroyed me in the most healing way. This book felt like therapy. It's layered with magic, trauma, and a love that asks for courage before comfort. I cried. A lot. And I loved every second of it.
Nox, a dragon shifter who is carrying the weight of survival, and Devora, a shadow wielder just beginning to understand the depth of her power, are both deeply scarred by their pasts. Their journeys toward self love and self trust are devastating and beautiful all at once. Watching them learn how to trust each other while also learning how to forgive themselves had tears streaming down my face.
“I know nothing about you except that you’re an orphan chasing answers… You say you want to help, and I believe you. But I can’t trust you. Not yet.”
Trust isn’t freely given in this story, it’s fought for.
“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.”
Nox’s internal struggle absolutely wrecked me. He craves Devora while fearing what loving her might cost them both: his dragon torn between instinct, protection, and restraint.
“I craved her… She was never my enemy. She was my downfall. But I wouldn’t let myself become hers.”
And Devora, who is powerful & uncertain, becomes something more than temptation. She becomes his freedom.
“Being with Devora didn’t make me forget about the consequences… She made me feel free. Something I hadn’t felt since I was taken from my home and forced in a cell.”
This is book three in the Veridian Empire series, and I truly think it might be my favorite yet. VB Lacey balances fantasy and romance with emotional depth so well, creating a story about trauma, healing, and choosing to believe you deserve more.
If you want a book that will break your heart open and help you rebuild it, this one is unforgettable.
Nox, a dragon shifter who is carrying the weight of survival, and Devora, a shadow wielder just beginning to understand the depth of her power, are both deeply scarred by their pasts. Their journeys toward self love and self trust are devastating and beautiful all at once. Watching them learn how to trust each other while also learning how to forgive themselves had tears streaming down my face.
“I know nothing about you except that you’re an orphan chasing answers… You say you want to help, and I believe you. But I can’t trust you. Not yet.”
Trust isn’t freely given in this story, it’s fought for.
“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.”
Nox’s internal struggle absolutely wrecked me. He craves Devora while fearing what loving her might cost them both: his dragon torn between instinct, protection, and restraint.
“I craved her… She was never my enemy. She was my downfall. But I wouldn’t let myself become hers.”
And Devora, who is powerful & uncertain, becomes something more than temptation. She becomes his freedom.
“Being with Devora didn’t make me forget about the consequences… She made me feel free. Something I hadn’t felt since I was taken from my home and forced in a cell.”
This is book three in the Veridian Empire series, and I truly think it might be my favorite yet. VB Lacey balances fantasy and romance with emotional depth so well, creating a story about trauma, healing, and choosing to believe you deserve more.
If you want a book that will break your heart open and help you rebuild it, this one is unforgettable.
January 28, 2026
I’m just finishing the final chapter and I’m still emotional and nowhere near ready to leave this world behind. The way Lacey breathes life into her characters and setting is nothing short of devastating in the best possible way. Once you’re pulled in, there’s no escape, and letting go feels almost impossible. This story didn’t just captivate me; it consumed me, and I know it will linger in my heart for a long time to come.While I don’t shy away from spice, it was incredibly refreshing to read a series that doesn’t depend on it to leave an impact. Instead, this book delivers a powerful, beautifully written romance, a thoughtfully crafted magic system, and rich, immersive worldbuilding that feels even more profound if you’ve followed the series from the beginning. I’m already counting down the days until the next installment because I absolutely need it.
January 28, 2026
Was I expecting to love this book? Yes. Was I prepared to to find my newest book husband? Nope. But here we are.
💙Nox Duma the man you are.🙌🏻
I am no stranger to The Veridian Empire and V. B. Lacey's spectacular writing but dare I say this one has snagged the spot of favorite in the series so far?! The first 2 books in this series were wonderful with In The Wake of the Wicked being one of my all time favorite books but I love a good enemies to lovers and this one was *chefs kiss* 💋
One of my favorite things about this book (there are many to choose from) is the theme of forgiveness. Finding the ability to forgive not only others for their past mistakes but forgiving yourself. V. B. Lacey does such a beautiful job (as always) of incorporating so many aspects of mental health into her stories and this one did not disappoint.
I need you to read this book. Period. 🫶🏻
💙Nox Duma the man you are.🙌🏻
I am no stranger to The Veridian Empire and V. B. Lacey's spectacular writing but dare I say this one has snagged the spot of favorite in the series so far?! The first 2 books in this series were wonderful with In The Wake of the Wicked being one of my all time favorite books but I love a good enemies to lovers and this one was *chefs kiss* 💋
One of my favorite things about this book (there are many to choose from) is the theme of forgiveness. Finding the ability to forgive not only others for their past mistakes but forgiving yourself. V. B. Lacey does such a beautiful job (as always) of incorporating so many aspects of mental health into her stories and this one did not disappoint.
I need you to read this book. Period. 🫶🏻
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