Wicked Onyx

The Veritas Legacy, Book 1

By: Debbie Cassidy

Narrated by: Vanessa Moyen

Born into a sorcerer bloodline, cursed, and cut off from my power, I was accustomed to being an outcast. For generations, my bloodline carried the weight of a crime committed by our ancestor. But my mother's death changed everything. She left a clue that could prove our innocence: an ancient text hidden deep beneath Nightsbridge Academy.

The Academy is a fortress of power, housing the most dangerous incantors and sorcerers, conscripted to keep Horrors and Echoes at bay. And as the last surviving Onyx, I'm owed admission.

My plan is simple—find the book and expose the Imperium as the liars they are.

But I didn't plan for the whispers that haunt my dreams. Or the complication of feelings I shouldn't be capable of—stirred by two men bound to the very institution I've come to destroy. One sees too much yet says too little. The other is steady, protective, and always in my corner.

I can't have either. Yet when I'm in their presence . . . my curse begins to crack. If they discover my true purpose, I'm dead. But some truths are worth dying for.

The Imperium cursed my bloodline. Stripped us of our magic. Branded us as traitors. And now they will pay.

Contains mature themes.

©2026 Debbie Cassidy (P)2026 Tantor Media

4.25 Stars ⭐️

I came into this book completely blind. I feel like such a hypocrite because I usually say that I am not a book cover kind of girl. Yet....it was the book cover that grabbed my attention and prompted me to buy the book. Go figure......

So, it was fun just dropping into this world without any idea of the premise or the plot. I enjoyed just following along as FMC Anamaya Onyx found herself at Nightsbridge Academy in the middle of some crazy circumstances.

Then, I had no clue if this was a "why choose?" or a love triangle or just a taboo romance situation and for whatever reason, I enjoyed the not knowing.

As usual, I alternated between the audio and the print version and was a little surprised that
Vanessa Moyen did such a good job with the narration. I've been listening to quite a few duet narrations and was impressed that she was able to create such different and distinct character performances from each of the characters.

I am beginning to think that books ending in cliffhangers are now a prerequisite and that is a bummer, but regardless, I am definitely intrigued and will be eagerly awaiting the second book.

Academy setting!

Academy almost military setting worked great for me once again 4.5⭐️. Our FMC Anamaya -Ana is interesting and strong. The found family, digging into the past, various creatures, politics and big plotlines pull me in. I'm looking forward to the sequel and strengthening of romances.