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The Lyrian Sea #1
Tempest
Not yet published
Expected 8 Sep 26From #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard comes an epic adventure of love and betrayal, amid 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 Rose 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, captained by a pirate who continually evades both noose and blade: 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 choice: 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?
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 Rose 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, captained by a pirate who continually evades both noose and blade: 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 choice: 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?
464 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 8, 2026
About the author
Victoria Aveyard
28 books76.7k followersI'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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
Did Not Finish
June 26, 2026Hahah soft dnfd- I finally got free and out of my slump but idt it's the right book to read rn
___
Reading a Victoria Aveyard book after 5 years is insane 😭 I stopped cuz I wasn't feeling it with Realmbreaker but I loveeeed her Red Queen series, it was also one of the first series I read. Hopefully, this is good!!
Buddy reading with my cousin who will infuriate me throughout the book 😒
___
Reading a Victoria Aveyard book after 5 years is insane 😭 I stopped cuz I wasn't feeling it with Realmbreaker but I loveeeed her Red Queen series, it was also one of the first series I read. Hopefully, this is good!!
Buddy reading with my cousin who will infuriate me throughout the book 😒
unreleased
May 31, 2026ALEXA, PLAY THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN SOUNDTRACK
Want to Read
March 6, 2026So many anticipated releases in 2026!!
Want to Read
February 11, 2026give it to me right now victoria hope lauren doesnt plagiarize this one too
Want to Read
February 23, 2026PIRATES! ADULT DUOLOGY! ROMANTIC FANTASY! LOVE TRIANGLE?!?!
WE ARE SO BACK.
WE ARE SO BACK.
March 25, 2026
Thank you to Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. (I am writing this review a near 6 months before publication, so there is time to alter it). Oof… It hurts to be writing this, but I need to be truthful. I went into this expecting adventure, high stakes, and tension. Above all of that, though, I expected it to be ADULT. The only thing that seemed adult about it, was the expansive world building… But even YA books can have that. The overly-descriptive writing and repetitive language made me want to hit my head on the wall. I wanted so badly to be immersed, but I wasn’t. The pacing is bad… Like really bad. It was so boring until about 80% in, and by then, I had just read so many words, but none of them were saying anything. The main characters’ relationship didn’t give me any feelings because the bond wasn’t shown to the reader until too far in. Therefore, I didn’t really care when the action finally happened. I think with some editing, it could be good. But now? I didn’t like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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 😋😋
saw this on tiktok just now and i read the synopsis and oh my god!!! PIRATES??? YES PLEASE 😋😋
April 29, 2025
Get me back to gods country (victoria aveyards books)
Want to Read
February 2, 2026will read this before rauren loberts decides to write defenseless based on this series 👀
Want to Read
October 16, 2024sorry to all the other books being published in 2026 because victoria is going to SERVE with this one 🏴☠️
not-released-yet
March 4, 2026holy shit we're so back
May 4, 2026
Victoria Aveyard has long been a cornerstone of the YA fantasy book space...but she has come to make her mark on the adult market. Tempest is a highly addictive, politically intriguing, and daring dip into the world of pirates. The Lyrian Sea is no home for the weak & through Tempest, you get to see her brutality first hand.
Cat Rose is no meek FMC, she is cunning, swift, and everything a lady shouldn't be. She is by far one of my favorite FMC's to grace the pages in front of me. I've never found a character I want to be friends with so bad. It's so refreshing to see a character age right before you. We jump between Cat being 20 & 30. You can FEEL how she's changed.
Valerian Kane. My new obsession. What we got to see of him was not enough. I'm sure it will never be enough. Sharp, observant, and so charismatic, he is the ultimate pirate boyfriend. My only qualm is wanting more of him. "Release the files!" I scream, but I'm only screaming at Victoria about wanting the second book already.
Tempest is an absolute stand out read for me. Reading Victoria Aveyard's book as an adult brings me the same amount of joy that it did when I was reading her books as a teen. PS for the most immersive reading experience you should read this outside in in the sun, perhaps near a body of water, and put on the Pirate of The Caribbean soundtrack. Trust me it won't disappoint.
Thank you Harper Voyager for the advanced copy! <3
May the sea always sing for you…well baby it’s singin. I need a moment to gather my thoughts but know I was here & that this book took my breath away!!
Cat Rose is no meek FMC, she is cunning, swift, and everything a lady shouldn't be. She is by far one of my favorite FMC's to grace the pages in front of me. I've never found a character I want to be friends with so bad. It's so refreshing to see a character age right before you. We jump between Cat being 20 & 30. You can FEEL how she's changed.
Valerian Kane. My new obsession. What we got to see of him was not enough. I'm sure it will never be enough. Sharp, observant, and so charismatic, he is the ultimate pirate boyfriend. My only qualm is wanting more of him. "Release the files!" I scream, but I'm only screaming at Victoria about wanting the second book already.
Tempest is an absolute stand out read for me. Reading Victoria Aveyard's book as an adult brings me the same amount of joy that it did when I was reading her books as a teen. PS for the most immersive reading experience you should read this outside in in the sun, perhaps near a body of water, and put on the Pirate of The Caribbean soundtrack. Trust me it won't disappoint.
Thank you Harper Voyager for the advanced copy! <3
May the sea always sing for you…well baby it’s singin. I need a moment to gather my thoughts but know I was here & that this book took my breath away!!
Want to Read
October 15, 2024STANDALONE!! 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!!! 💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘
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!!! 💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘
remind-me-once-out
January 9, 2026I need a good pirate book, and I PUT MY FAITH IN YOU VICTORIA
March 16, 2026
VICTORIA. WHEN I CATCH YOU, VICTORIA. Also, making me root for a BLONDE MAN is DIABOLICAL.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Recieved an e-Arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own
Oh ya'll are gonna LOVE this
“May the sea always sing for you”
ALEXA PLAY THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN SOUNDTRACK
The world building for this book is insane! The writing is lyrical and beautiful, and I was so invested in Cat. She was smart and analytical, and I loved how we jump right into her story. The love that Victoria Aveyard put into this book and her passion for pirates is so visible. The knowledge she has for the ships, life on the sea, pirate culture, etc… girl did major homework and I respect it. I ended up doing my own deep dive into the golden age of piracy. She meant it, this is in fact giving pirates of the Caribbean vibes.
I will say, I know there’s still 6 months till this is published, but I NEED a map! There’s so many islands and places mentioned that I would have loved to have that visual. Hopefully they do plan to include one in the published version.
I also want to mention that the world building is so detailed that I do think that’s partially why Victoria had to split this into a duet instead of a standalone. Storywise- not much happens. If anything it’s pretty slow moving. This book is us trying to get invested in the characters and Cat’s fight for survival. You’re trying to get to know them. Not everyone is going to love that, and I know it. But I personally would rather be invested over rushing to finish the actual plot and condense it into one book.
Cat herself is NOT perfect and I love her for it. I support women’s wrongs. She’s mean, she’s catty (get it) and girls got a gambling problem. But she feels grown to me, and aware of the harshness of the world. I was able to see a difference between the naive girl she was and the woman she became just trying to survive. None of these characters are good people. They are PIRATES! They kill, scheme and manipulate. You aren’t going to love them but they are going to be consistent.
The romance was interesting, I very rarely see a true enemies to lovers to enemies romance. Like they REALLY hate each other. Give me more. I do wish we got more bits with Valerian, I think he’s a very intriguing character and he should have had a tiniest bit more focus. That’s all I have to say on that because I want to avoid spoilers.
I’m already so excited for the next book. I did get invested, and hopefully it’ll be able to move faster than this book did. I want to know how it ends, and I’m hoping for a good ending. I know how the golden age of piracy historically ended but maybe in Victoria’s world there can be a happier ending. I hope this brings more good books into the pirate genre; that’s lacking and I want more as someone who also grew up watching pirates of the Caribbean.
Victorias writing style is so good, I can see such a clear difference and her growth as a writer. She seems so confident.
P.s. drink every time the word “tempest” appears in this book
Thank you to Victoria Aveyard and publisher for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4/22 edit: saw the bookcon panel where VA literally admits to reading goodreads reviews 💀 Hi babes hope you enjoyed my rambling
Oh ya'll are gonna LOVE this
“May the sea always sing for you”
ALEXA PLAY THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN SOUNDTRACK
The world building for this book is insane! The writing is lyrical and beautiful, and I was so invested in Cat. She was smart and analytical, and I loved how we jump right into her story. The love that Victoria Aveyard put into this book and her passion for pirates is so visible. The knowledge she has for the ships, life on the sea, pirate culture, etc… girl did major homework and I respect it. I ended up doing my own deep dive into the golden age of piracy. She meant it, this is in fact giving pirates of the Caribbean vibes.
I will say, I know there’s still 6 months till this is published, but I NEED a map! There’s so many islands and places mentioned that I would have loved to have that visual. Hopefully they do plan to include one in the published version.
I also want to mention that the world building is so detailed that I do think that’s partially why Victoria had to split this into a duet instead of a standalone. Storywise- not much happens. If anything it’s pretty slow moving. This book is us trying to get invested in the characters and Cat’s fight for survival. You’re trying to get to know them. Not everyone is going to love that, and I know it. But I personally would rather be invested over rushing to finish the actual plot and condense it into one book.
Cat herself is NOT perfect and I love her for it. I support women’s wrongs. She’s mean, she’s catty (get it) and girls got a gambling problem. But she feels grown to me, and aware of the harshness of the world. I was able to see a difference between the naive girl she was and the woman she became just trying to survive. None of these characters are good people. They are PIRATES! They kill, scheme and manipulate. You aren’t going to love them but they are going to be consistent.
The romance was interesting, I very rarely see a true enemies to lovers to enemies romance. Like they REALLY hate each other. Give me more. I do wish we got more bits with Valerian, I think he’s a very intriguing character and he should have had a tiniest bit more focus. That’s all I have to say on that because I want to avoid spoilers.
I’m already so excited for the next book. I did get invested, and hopefully it’ll be able to move faster than this book did. I want to know how it ends, and I’m hoping for a good ending. I know how the golden age of piracy historically ended but maybe in Victoria’s world there can be a happier ending. I hope this brings more good books into the pirate genre; that’s lacking and I want more as someone who also grew up watching pirates of the Caribbean.
Victorias writing style is so good, I can see such a clear difference and her growth as a writer. She seems so confident.
P.s. drink every time the word “tempest” appears in this book
Thank you to Victoria Aveyard and publisher for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4/22 edit: saw the bookcon panel where VA literally admits to reading goodreads reviews 💀 Hi babes hope you enjoyed my rambling
Want to Read
March 6, 2026i'm seated. the book store employees are scared and asking me to leave because it 'isn't even september 2026 yet' but i'm simply too seated
Want to Read
October 15, 2024Victoria is an auto-add at this point 🌊
March 13, 2026
yeah this one had me on the edge of my seat and I need the next one like tomorrow but also why is everyone calling her old she’s 30 😭😭
Want to Read
April 25, 2026I got an ARC of this book. No one talk to me!
Want to Read
December 19, 2025If 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.
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.
May 30, 2026
exhausting repetitive naval gazy prose that didn’t go anywhere. sadly there’s only a single tension hook that this book revolves around (and it’s literally LAND politics) which completely paralyzes all the characters in this book. so as the reader you’re stuck in this narrative loop that keeps just going around and around and around and dragging you down cause nothing changes. when i thought we were finally moving forward, the same stuff was recycled and we went through the same circle of thought over and over again.
this book tried so hard to sound pretty and smart at the expense of pacing and substance. it tried to be lush and atmospheric and yet i was hammered over the head with overused analogies like salt this, wind that, endless tides there, timber here, it sharpened blah blah blah. if i never hear “his tempest eyes” & “the song of the sea” for the rest of my life i literally will be so happy.
i was so bored and so many times i really wish i DNFd it and really i should’ve. the dual timeline, while initially fascinating, definitely did not help this book at all. so much of this was tell vs show. you’re telling us in one timeline of what we should know and imagine about these characters yet nothing was showed in either timelines. seriously didnt care about anyone except maybe ana who is very cool.
im so disappointed cause i really wanted to like this.
this book tried so hard to sound pretty and smart at the expense of pacing and substance. it tried to be lush and atmospheric and yet i was hammered over the head with overused analogies like salt this, wind that, endless tides there, timber here, it sharpened blah blah blah. if i never hear “his tempest eyes” & “the song of the sea” for the rest of my life i literally will be so happy.
i was so bored and so many times i really wish i DNFd it and really i should’ve. the dual timeline, while initially fascinating, definitely did not help this book at all. so much of this was tell vs show. you’re telling us in one timeline of what we should know and imagine about these characters yet nothing was showed in either timelines. seriously didnt care about anyone except maybe ana who is very cool.
im so disappointed cause i really wanted to like this.
July 12, 2026
Pirates of the Caribbean was my bi-awakening, and Tempest has relaunched my POTC obsession, I fear. 🏴☠️
I appreciated Victoria Aveyard's political, class, and social commentary in Tempest just as much as the tension and scheming between the three main characters. She even made me root for a blond man. 🙄 It was a risk to tell this story in dual timelines "before" and "after" but... it worked for me. Book one, at least, felt more atmospheric than action-packed, but I absolutely ate up the worldbuilding and set up for book two so I didn't mind the slower pace. *cue Beyonce's "Tyrant"*
Thank you to Harper Voyager for the physical ARC I received at B&N Book Fest and the eARC I received on treasure hunt day. 💙
I appreciated Victoria Aveyard's political, class, and social commentary in Tempest just as much as the tension and scheming between the three main characters. She even made me root for a blond man. 🙄 It was a risk to tell this story in dual timelines "before" and "after" but... it worked for me. Book one, at least, felt more atmospheric than action-packed, but I absolutely ate up the worldbuilding and set up for book two so I didn't mind the slower pace. *cue Beyonce's "Tyrant"*
Thank you to Harper Voyager for the physical ARC I received at B&N Book Fest and the eARC I received on treasure hunt day. 💙
Did Not Finish
July 13, 2026You all who made my expectations about anything by Victoria Aveyard so high have me so confused because I STRUGGLED with this one. I really wanted to get to at least 20% before deciding to DNF or not, but I could not keep going. And as someone who grew up by the sea and loves pirates, I didn't want my favourite settings to become tainted.
It was too much tell versus show, especially in the prologue, which felt like going on a walk but stopping after each step to describe exactly everything you're seeing. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if the writing was not so repetitive? Certain phrases or words would be repeated across the same page or within 1-2 of each other. Same goes for the introduction of Valerian Kane because I feel like I've read the description of his looks twice (or more) in the chapter he's been introduced to us.
TLDR; AMAZING potential, spoiled by writing.
Nevertheless, thank you to Edelweiss and Victoria Aveyard for providing me with the eARC!
05/07/2026: DNF @11%. RTC.
Pre-read (18/03/2026): Guess who got the ARC!!!
It was too much tell versus show, especially in the prologue, which felt like going on a walk but stopping after each step to describe exactly everything you're seeing. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if the writing was not so repetitive? Certain phrases or words would be repeated across the same page or within 1-2 of each other. Same goes for the introduction of Valerian Kane because I feel like I've read the description of his looks twice (or more) in the chapter he's been introduced to us.
TLDR; AMAZING potential, spoiled by writing.
Nevertheless, thank you to Edelweiss and Victoria Aveyard for providing me with the eARC!
05/07/2026: DNF @11%. RTC.
Pre-read (18/03/2026): Guess who got the ARC!!!
Want to Read
October 16, 2024
We WILL be preordering.
they-told-me-to-read-it
June 21, 2025
Want to Read
March 1, 2026YES MORE PIRATE ADULT FANTASY
March 29, 2026
YEAAA SO THIS IS IN THE RUNNING FOR MY FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR, I AM SO SERIOUS
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.
- 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.
Want to Read
January 8, 2026OCTOBER 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!!!
JANUARY 8, 2026 // WE FINALLY HAVE A RELEASE DATE AND A COVER COMING SOON!! AND BOOK TWO NEXT SUMMER!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews