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Expected 8 Sep 26
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard comes an epic adventure of love and betrayal, amidst a brutal war for the high seas.

MAY THE SEA ALWAYS SING FOR YOU

Cat Rose knows what it is to live in two worlds, in two times. Before—as Lady Catrine of the Meridian Empire, chained to a loathsome lord with a dwindling fortune. And after—as the Widow Rose, queen of a pirate tavern in the Lyrian Sea, determined to be the master of her own fate.

But tides turn and winds change. The Meridian Empire looms on the horizon, the full weight of her navy falling on the Lyrian, bent on reclaiming the wealthy colonies and crushing the pirate republic once and for all. Ship after ship is captured, save for one captain who continuously evades both noose and the legendary Valerian Kane.

With his fearsome ship and uncanny connection to the song of the sea, Valerian is the only man who might rally the pirates who remain. The only man who threatens the Empire. And the only man Cat has ever loved, blazing in and out of her life like a star.

Desperate for victory, the Empire offers Cat a devastating bring them Valerian, or hang. In truth, no choice at all.

But Cat Rose is nothing if not a survivor.

A storm is rising on the Lyrian Sea—the question is, what will it leave in its wake?

Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 8, 2026

1 person is currently reading
4249 people want to read

About the author

Victoria Aveyard

30 books74.7k followers
I'm an author/screenwriter who likes books and lists. This site is the nexus of my universe.

I wrote the #1 NYT bestselling series RED QUEEN the #1 NYT bestselling REALM BREAKER trilogy. Next up, my adult fantasy debut, TEMPEST, coming 2026.

The genres I'm into include YA, Fantasy, Historical, Adventure, Apocalyptic - if people are dying, I'm buying.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
31 (62%)
4 stars
7 (14%)
3 stars
8 (16%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
4 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Anabel .
299 reviews271 followers
Want to read
October 16, 2024
NEW V.A. BOOK 🚨🚨

saw this on tiktok just now and i read the synopsis and oh my god!!! PIRATES??? YES PLEASE 😋😋
Profile Image for Kaven Hirning.
Author 13 books2,827 followers
April 29, 2025
Get me back to gods country (victoria aveyards books)
Profile Image for Breanna.
602 reviews207 followers
Want to read
October 16, 2024
sorry to all the other books being published in 2026 because victoria is going to SERVE with this one 🏴‍☠️
Profile Image for Mari.
217 reviews68 followers
Want to read
October 15, 2024
STANDALONE!! PIRATES!!! ADULT NOVEL!!!
AND INSPIRED BY PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN?!?

“in which a former noblewoman faces execution for treason unless she helps the Empire hunt their most wanted enemy, the last great pirate captain, and the only man she has ever loved”

and here we are finally with a story that reminds me of one my fav ship ever: Elizabeth Swann and Captain Jack Sparrow 🔥


AND HERE I AM WAITING FOR THIS BOOK IN 2024!!! 💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘
Profile Image for Noi (in & out) .
934 reviews550 followers
remind-me-once-out
January 9, 2026
I need a good pirate book, and I PUT MY FAITH IN YOU VICTORIA
Profile Image for Elaina McClendon 📚🌸.
404 reviews41 followers
Want to read
December 19, 2025
If Aveyard fails to bring some kind of substance to the overall Romantasy genre in this, I simply will dnf it. I am sorry, but I genuinely disagree with authors trying to write in the Romantasy genre when they know they only have a romance story to tell and not a story with complex characters, good plot, and great worldbuilding. If this is basically a romance, I won’t even read from her again. 😂

It just feels like authors are writing in the romantasy genre now because they know it sells well, not because they want to bring something new/ substance to the table, which is what the romantasy genre mostly lacks.
Profile Image for Ricky.
Author 8 books188 followers
Want to read
October 16, 2024


We WILL be preordering.
Profile Image for h i n d .
433 reviews447 followers
Want to read
October 15, 2024
- adult romantic fantasy
- inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean
- might have a love triangle??

Former noblewoman faces execution for treason unless she helps the Empire hunt their most wanted enemy, the last great pirate captain and the only man she's ever loved.
Profile Image for ✰DoveyV✰.
164 reviews26 followers
Want to read
January 8, 2026
OCTOBER 16, 2024 // it's gonna be agony waiting till 2026 for this but it's POTC inspired so I'm ready to traumatized again 😆

JANUARY 8, 2026 // WE FINALLY HAVE A RELEASE DATE AND A COVER COMING SOON!! AND BOOK TWO NEXT SUMMER!!!
Profile Image for littlefox.
130 reviews26 followers
Want to read
January 6, 2026
what i would do to get an ARC of this book, i’m gonna POUNCE as soon as it’s released 😮‍💨😮‍💨
Profile Image for Lisa.
57 reviews6 followers
Want to read
October 17, 2024
close enough, welcome back treasure planet (2002)
Profile Image for Kentry.
2 reviews
January 20, 2026
I will say that in the discussion of originality, especially with the controversy in the book world right now (deserved or not), there are some aspects of this that already make me feel… tired.

Cat Rose. Lyrian. Meridian. Valerian.

Some of this feels recycled from 1,000 other books unfortunately, but I do consider any well-written romance a thrill

It’s just that if I’m being completely honest, I don’t think this would have landed an agent or publication if it had been written by an author who wasn’t already so known.
Profile Image for kayla.
2 reviews
Want to read
January 11, 2025
i’m seated. the barnes and nobles employees are scared and asking me to leave because it’s “not 2026 yet” but i’m simply too seated.
Profile Image for Emmy.
101 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy
January 14, 2026
WOOOO IM READY
Profile Image for fer bañuelos.
902 reviews3,818 followers
Want to read
January 14, 2026
las ganas que tengo de leer este libro genuinamente son irreales siento que me voy a orinar de la emoción
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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