An Empire of Flames

The Apocalys Empire #3

by V. Rivière

“A NAME IS NOT A TITLE. POWER IS NEVER GIVEN. LEGACY IS MADE.”

As Apocalys forges a new alliance in Greensburg, Maddox Ryder introduces his protégé. Mirko Capezza is a mafioso with eyes too soft for the criminal world and talents that could dismantle it. When the Capezza capo’s death leaves his family near collapse, a deal with Apocalys offers a far more ambitious path. Elena is the key to it.

Elena Carson has always lived in the shadow of her father’s name. Months of deadly vengeance have further fractured her sense of self, and trauma never comes without a cost. As her connection with Mirko deepens, she risks believing that this time, she won’t be the one left behind.

Between assassination attempts, betrayals, and secrets, a unique plot twist invites you, the reader, into the story.

The third book in this dark mafia romance series explores the cost of legacy and whether becoming a monster is the only way to survive in a world full of them.

441 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2026

About the author

V. Rivière is a full-time French indie author creating exciting dark mafia romance and contemporary fiction.

With a passion for roaring engines and car racing, she brings a unique perspective to each book. Her writing will challenge your morals, leaving you rooting for the villain as they pull you into their chaos.
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Reviews

[Amber (Amber Reads Romance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

An Empire of Flames is the 3rd book in the Apocalys Empire series and one I have been highly anticipating since I have been waiting for Elena's book since the start. Just be aware you must read this series in order and you can't read this as a standalone. There is a lot of interconnected events from the other books you will need to read first.

Also, there is the ongoing, unique relationship the author introduced throughout the series between the reader and a specific character. I have never read anything like this and I loved that Adrian was the character we got this time. I have to mention the super hot scene the reader gets to be a little voyeur to. Such a standout scene I didn't see coming.

This is such a hard book to describe because there is a lot going on and it deals a lot with the mafia politics between the Capezza, Blackwells, and the growing Apocalys empire. Just know this deals with much heavier content due to Tearie's past trauma and the revenge her and Elena take against her abusers. It is a dark and wild tale of torture and murder, so check your triggers. I did think there were a lot of flashbacks to show this journey and they are not always my favorite. I felt like because of that we didn't get to spend enough time with the romance.

However, I still did enjoy Mirko and Elena's relationship. They are both damaged and untrusting characters. They are like two sides of the same coin, just perfect together. Mirko was such an likeable character and I loved seeing him support Elena and finally give her love.

So excited to see what this author does next with this series.

Thank you to V. Riviere for providing the ARC


TW: Previous SA, torture, murder, mutilation, violence

[Laura Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for the ARC of this book, i’m incredibly grateful!

THIS WAS EVERYTHING! I’ve been obsessed with this series since book 1 and it just keeps getting better and better!!!
Elena has been my favorite since page 1 and her book did not disappoint AT ALL! She is such a complex, unique and flawed character, but i can’t help but love her so much and be so protective of her.
Elena and Mirko are going to be my damn undoing. They are everything. They are perfect. They are messy. They are INSANE together. Two people that are so alike, that work wonderfully together in all aspects (professionally and romantically). Their dynamic was so much fun, and the banter???? FUCKING PERFECT. Mirko being so gentle to her during spicy time was everything i knew i needed, honestly. Her vulnerability was so beautifully done and so true to her character imo

The character x reader trope is my favorite thing in the whole wide world, i kid you not. I was completely mesmerized by Arthur in book 1, but Adrian was the cherry on top, i was giggling and kicking my feet whenever i had the pleasure of reading his POV.

I’m so damn excited for the next book and i just love this world so much😭❤️

[Mina · Rating 5 out of 5]

ELENAAAAAAA & MIRKOOOOOO WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL WAS THIS!! i'm actually unwell over them i'm not even kidding.

First off THANK YOU V FOR THE ARC 🧎‍♀️ i’ve been following you since day 1 and you genuinely never disappoint like how are you still leveling up every single book?? I waited so long for this one and i was lowk scared it wouldnt live up to my expectations BUT GIRL WAS I WRONG.

Let's go for the actual review and this will be messy because the ending had me in TEARS.
LEGIT. TEARS.

"Taking a life gives us a sense of power, and it’s becoming an obsession to start again. We’re both in a psychological nightmare, actually.
Wrong is normalized, extremes are tempting.
And yet I still throw up every night."

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Elena girl. ELENAAAA!! I relate to this woman so hard its actually uncomfortable like okay we don't need to talk about it but we both know!! The way she just keeps going even when everything in her life has told her not to expect anything good and when she tells herself she doesn't deserve love?? I actually really appreciated that she’s not magically fixed by the end it wouldnt have made sense for her and i’m glad it stayed true to that. These girls ARE BROKEN.

I already knew i was going to eat this up because i have a whole history of falling harder for the second couple in a series and this book did not help my condition AT ALL. Victoria and Ryder are everything but Elena and Mirko are just built different. I'm obsessed with them because their story is fun and chaotic and messy and more real. It's so different than the first couple. I wondnt say they're enemies to lovers but they have the tension alright (the smut is exceptional but i wish there were a lot more of it tho)🙂‍↕️. ALSO THE KITTY NICKNAME?? HELLO?? I NEED A DOM MIRKO IN MY LIFE RN

The twists in this book had me physically putting it down and walking away. I did not expect Mirko to become what he became at the end. Ryder manipulating Mirko also caught me off guard but then I sat there for a second and was like….. yeah okay that tracks because that man manipulated everyone in book 2 EVEN HIS WIFE SO......

THEN ADRIAN?? Adrian. You freak. I loved him!!
AND THE REUNION?? Like you can 100% tell Victoria wouldve been a dad's girl had she grown up with him

What gets me most about this book is that these are two people life has made them stop expecting good things to happen and when something FINALLY HAPPENED it broke me in the most satisfying way!!
Not the end tho. It was so painful to watch when Elena suffered from her trauma for most of the book.

Business queen Elena I will be thinking about you forever!!

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

This series is HONESTLY A GEM.
Also V is my favorite mafia author by far because the concept of this series alone has me in a chokehold and i'm gatekeeping it aggressively from people i dont think deserve it idc!! This is OURS!!

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

I WILL DROP EVERYTHING WHEN THIS COMES OUT AND ILL BE SCREAMING!!

[ronja · Rating 4 out of 5]

elena my favorite arsonist!! she was one of my faves in the first book so i've been waiting for this one and it did not disappoint.

elena has trust issues and her walls are high and strong (mood). she is independent, loyal and deeply protective of her girls. even while she struggles herself, her friends are her highest priority. love her 🖤

mirko too is guarded, being looked down on his whole life. i didn't know what to expect from him, but he surprised me in a good way.

one moment that really stuck with me is where elena is told not to change, that the right person will love her even with her walls up 😭

and mirko did just that. they're such a good match, their back and forth so entertaining. they're similar in many ways but also different, they're both very untrusting but find a way to trust each other 🥹 and mirko knowing when he needs to be sweet and gentle with elena instead of their usual game.

and adrian voss, the man you are.

like in the whole series, the relationships between the girls is the foundation to it all. in this one specifically i loved seeing more of elena and grace together. can't wait for grace's book btw 👀

it's really plot heavy, there's a lot of mafia politics and other business going on. my braincells were BUSYYY keeping up with all that and everyone involved and i loved that.

honestly i wanna reread the first book again now! this series is so unique, nothing like anything else i've read before. so yes, i am humbly begging you to read it.

[saintvitiosisgf · Rating 5 out of 5]

arc review (thank you) !!

okay elena I see you and I want you bad, shes such a complex and well crafted character (literally everyone is) but I fear I bias her more so. also mirko what the hell. I love them, their playfulness, their banter and their overall chemistry was so enjoyable to read

I cannot wait for the next book, this universe is so complex and well thought out I need about a dozen more book.