Virelai's Hoard: A Sapphic Pirate Fantasy (The Dagger & Tide Trilogy Book 1)

Virelai's Hoard by Vivien Nash was my final book of 2025 and, without a doubt, my favorite indie book of the year! If you wish Pirates of the Caribbean had lesbians, this book is for you. If you like curses, treasure hunts, sword fights, and spicy sapphic scenes, this book is for you. The pacing of the story is done really well. It was a fast read without any long-winded descriptions or overly complicated language, which is great for me since I can get distracted easily. It felt like there was no dead space in the book. Every scene moved the plot or characters forward. Every character is layered. They have strengths and flaws, unique characteristics, and emotions. There is one nonbinary character and one BIPOC character that are part of the main ensemble of characters. While the book is FFF romance, this is not a love triangle, which is a nice change of pace. Time will tell if this ends up a true throuple, perhaps we'll find out in book 2. This book is a fantastic pirate fantasy for sapphic readers or lovers of fantasy! I cannot wait to revisit the world of Vareth in The Selkie's Curse, coming out in January 2026!

I learned of Virelai’s Hoard on Threads. Lesbians, pirates, fantasy- that’s my jam. I really enjoyed the book. Creative. Looking forward to reading part 2

This is an excellent story, it kept me intrigued. I didn't want to stop reading it. Unfortunately I have to get up early for work. No spoilers. I just purchased the second book, which I will be starting. Thank you Kandib

Virelai's Hoard is book one of Vivien Nash's The Dagger & Tide Trilogy. Our main character, Riley, has made a life for herself and her sidekick rat (Patch) by grifting. Riley tricks her way onto the Moonshaddow, a legend among pirate ships, in hopes that she can chase down enough gold to give herself and Patch some stability. As the ship embarks on a hunt for the famed prize "Virelai's Hoard," however, Riley has to navigate the personal dynamics of the crew (her eventual found family), the secrets they all harbor, and the romances that have begun to seep in. When everything turns upside down, who is Riley supposed to trust? Things I love about Virelai's Hoard: -It's a pirate romantasy. Give me more. These are always an absolute good time. Maybe because I was raised on Pirates of the Caribbean, who knows. -Incredibly interesting cast of characters. You get a little bit of everything. -The way Riley just sees something different in Eryx and supports them when others do not. -Sapphic romance is front and center, as a normal part of the society and not as an afterthought. -Multiple POVs. What I wanted more of: -World building. What we got was a solid start, but I have SO MANY open questions. Hoping they're touched on in books 2 & 3. What's the magic system underlying the treasure Calla is hunting and the protections on it? How did the various members of the pre-Riley crew come to join it? Pip?? Patch?? Alaric?? Sable?? -Clarity on what happened in that final…

Oh Riley, you poor, misguided, emotionally inept fool. And, honestly, why in the entire freaking world would you board a pirate ship if you can’t swim?! If you like tales of sapphic pirates, then you are going to fall in love with the Daggers and Tides duology. There is open door spice and yearning that hums just under the surface of the entire book, but this story is chock full of plot. A romantasy on the high seas complete with a secretive pirate captain, a street urchin thief and an angry first mate with some severe unrequited heart eyes. I spent half the book wondering who the relationship would actually develop between…actually I’m still not quite sure. The story is tense and fanciful and has enough twists and turns that you never quite feel settled where it’s headed next. And, since I know you all love the animals in these books as much as the actual smut/romance, you’ll be pleased to hear there is a raggedy little rat with sticky fingers…errmmm sticky paws? Claws? Anyway, a pet rat named Patch, who ends up being quite the supporting character. Alexa, play Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Ezra Furman.