A stunning, dark and equally heart wrenching sequel to The Gilded Wolves. I love this rag-tag team of misfits more than I can say. Reuniting with this eccentric group of characters was as exhilarating as I imagined it would be.

The Silvered Serpents follows very close after the events at the end of The Gilded Wolves. I was highly anticipating this book as The Gilded Wolves was one of my favorite books of last year. While I did enjoy this book and the fast paced action, unfortunately it was a little bit of a disappointment. I don't think it was bad at all, it just didn't live up to the love and passion and I felt for the first book. I can't figure out exactly didn't click for me. I still love these characters a lot, especially Zofia who I adore. These books are super fast paced and engaging so I had a good time reading it a lot. Roshani Chokshi's writing really works for me so I always enjoy what she writes. I think the story itself was maybe lacking for me. It was just a little flat and I didn't care as much about what was happening as I wanted to. The quest that Severin was on just made me increasingly frustrated with him and I get that he was grieving but that's not a good enough excuse to treat the people who care about you like garbage for so long and then be confused why they decide to stop trusting you. I still am really excited to see what happens next in this series and I have high hopes for the next book, this one just wasn't my favorite.

OKAY. So the first book in this series, The Gilded Wolves, was good, but could be confusing at time with multiple characters and world building. None of that here in the sequel. I was blown away by this book. Just incredibly good and I can't believe how much I enjoyed it. It's worth reading the first book just to read the second!

The Silvered Serpents is a great sequel filled with tension, danger and more of the crew that I love.

The crew is still coping after the costly victory of the first book and it appears that they are all ready to go their separate ways. Severin has a lead on an ancient artifact and needs everyone to come together one more time to help him pull off a final job. The story started off slowly and took me a bit to get pulled in but once I did this story took me on a journey that I didn’t see coming. Silvered Serpents felt a bit darker than The Gilded Wolves. I had a few moments of hopelessness while still rooting for my favorite characters to figure things out but Chokshi truly knows how to make you hang on until the very end. Now, I’ll just be over here anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley.

I'm going to start this off by saying WTF WTF WTF!! I loved this book but that ending has me screaming. The exploration of grief in this story is very beautiful. I had to remind myself multiple times that these characters are young adults. That their processes for managing grief are so different.

I have enjoyed Roshani's other book and her writing style a lot and I cannot wait for the next story to come.

Oh and I've said it before, I'll say it again. LAILA AND SÈVERIN ARE IDIOTS

Silvered Serpents is a strong follow-up to Guilded Wolves. Chokshi excels in building lush descriptions of both setting and characters. The narrative is an elaborate mystery that weaves a spell on the readers. Lovely pacing and a surprising, cliff hanger ending.

This is an incredible story you can completely immerse yourself in as a reader. The first in the series, The Gilded Wolves, was an incredible read and this sequel hits that high mark as well. The characters, world, and plot are very well drawn and engaging. I absolutely cannot wait for the third (final?) book in this series, as this book left me waiting to see what happens next!

I was skeptical going into this book because the first one didn't really grab my attention. I have a habit though of having to continue series and was fortunate enough to get approved for The Silvered Serpents. I am glad I stuck with it because this book is fantastic and dare I say better than the first? That is a rarity for me.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I just love the characters in this series! Zofia is still my absolute favorite, I would be best friends with that girl. She is so literal and I love that.

This sequel to The Gilded Wolves is much darker as the crew is suffering through their loss. I don’t want to give away to much of the plot because I want you to experience all the ups and downs for yourself.

I had a hard time with the story flow, but I think that had more to do with the format of the ebook. The worst part of this book is that cliffhanger! Oh My Gosh, Why?! I am going to have to wait so long to find out what happens, and it is going to drive me crazy. I want to know now! That is the hardest part about reading ARC and new releases.

In this sweeping sequel to The Gilded Wolves, Roshani Chokshi has proven (once again) that she's the queen of lush and rich storytelling. As if I was not madly loving and overprotective of the characters already, The Silvered Serpents gave me more reason to (it's so hard to speak spoiler-free, oh god). I cannot wait for the third (and final?) book (but if it's really the final book, am I ready?!).

Full review to come.

Roshani Chokshi still has me captivated with her stories. They're so lush and full of life. These characters continue to jump off the page, and her descriptions are seriously to die for. This web she's spun for her readers makes me want to spend my days speculating what's going to happen next, but knowing that whatever I'm imagining will never compare to her work.

This was such a good sequel! I love this cast of characters so much and I love their dynamic. This series has such an interesting and different magic system. The new setting was well thought out and the ending left me shocked. How long do we need to wait for the next book?

The Gilded Wolves was one of my favourite books of 2019. I picked it up and fell absolutely in love with the world and its characters. And The Silvered Serpents was no different. I read most of it in one sitting and felt so immersed in this interesting, atmospheric world, filled with suspense and character development. While I'm SO happy I got to read this early, it's also going to be such a long wait for book 3!

The Silvered Serpents is the second installment in author Roshani Chokshi's The Gilded Wolves trilogy. The book picks up 2 months from where the first installment left off. The story opens with a Prologue from 13 years ago with a revealing secret regarding Séverin Montagnet, House Vanth, & House Kore which I won't spoil. If fairness, this was hinted to at the end of the previous installment. Séverin, Enrique, Zofia, and Laila are reeling over the death of someone Séverin swore to protect.

The Silvered Serpents deep dives into the character's emotional lives and the repercussions of the notable death at the end of the first book. As a reminder, the Order of Babel hired Séverin and his crew to find the Fallen House's treasure trove. They have done so to a point. The Fallen House has shown their cards and it's not the last time we will hear from them. To top everything off, The Divine Lyrics holds the secrets of joining the world's Babel fragments which would cause irreparable damage to the world.

Séverin summons his crew back to L’Eden with the news that he’s discovered a clue that could lead them to the Fallen House’s store of hidden treasure - including the Divine Lyrics. It's fair to say that this Séverin is not the one you've met in the opening installment. Séverin's urgently needs to find the Divine Lyrics which might lead to godhood for himself and his friends. The idea of attaining godhood for himself and his friends leads him to doing some very bizarre and terrible things including making a deal with the devil. This group heads off to St. Petersburg, Russia, Siberia, and the Sleeping Palace which is expected to host the Winter Enclave in a matter of weeks.

Meanwhile, Laila, who can read an object's history, is literally running out of time. She has 21 days before her 20th birthday in which magic used to forge her comes unraveled and she'll no longer exist. Though she's resolved to tell no one about the whole dying thing, her resolve is starting to falter. Laila needs The Divine Lyrics in order to live. She was told all she needs to do is open the book in order to find a way to live past her 20th birthday. Laila also may be the key to opening the book.

Enrique is trying his hardest to fit in with the Illustrados, only he’s not having much by way of success. Then there’s his relationship with Hypnos, who seems more interested in being included as a fully-fledged member of the L’Eden Gang than he is in Enrique. Zofia is back in Poland tending to her gravely ill sister Hela, and is ready to quit the gang altogether. The L'Eden gang is on the verge of dissolution but Zofia desperately needs the money to send back to her sister.

As the team struggles to come back together to find a mysterious book that could be their salvation...or their downfall, there are old enemies, new enemies and twist and shocking surprises that await them in Russia. There's some really horrible surprises in store for this group which leaves a rather large hole in my heart until I am able to read the sequel.

I honestly don't know if I am reading a different series to everyone else because I seem to be missing the wow factor in these books. After reading The Gilded Wolves I was intrigued to see where the story went and how it developed, but The Silvered Serpents did not impress me.

I found the book boring and many elements just slapped together. Only the last 10% of the book had me on the edge of my seat. For me, that last bit really saved the book and pulled it all together. It went from being a 1 or 2 star read to a 3 star in the last few chapters. So much of the plot is based on all these weird mythologies, symbols and gods all smashed into one narrative based in 19th century France. It was a little hard for me to keep my brain wrapped around these weird concepts, like ice palaces, steampunk machines, Egyptian gods and forging.

I like that we get in depth looks at the characters in this book. I loved Zofia and Enrique's chapters. They were funny, had some awesome one-liners and kept the story interesting for me. However, Severin absolutely annoyed me throughout this entire book. He was sour, uncaring, rude and helped destroy his so-called friends. Initially I liked his character in the first book but this really put me off him. Laila and Severin's romance wasn't interesting in this book at all. It felt very forced. There was also introduction of other characters into the team dynamic and while they helped progress the story they felt superficial.

The plot was quite straightforward to follow, albeit a bit tedious. There were a couple of twists and turns that I really enjoyed and it ended in a way that made me want to pick up the next book.

I will read the next book, or at least the start of it, to see where the story goes. As I said the last few chapters really caught my attention and kept it. Overall though the book could have just had those last few exciting chapters and a summary of the events that happened prior to that and it would have worked just as well, instead of being dragged out and confusing.

This book just wasn't for me unfortunately!

Where do I even start with this book? Besides to scream in rage at yet another cliffhanger!!

Séverin, Laila, Enrique, and Zofia are all dealing with their grief over the death of Tristan, but none of them are especially healthy in their coping methods. Séverin has ripped apart the garden his brother grew and made a garden of mirrors that show images because he can’t stand to look at his own face. Laila is still dancing, but when she sleeps with someone she’s taken to telling them that she’s dying in the hopes one day she’ll be able to tell the people she actually cares about. Enrique has been focused on being accepted into the Insturados and just wants his thoughts and learnings to be heard. Zofia had gone back to Poland because her sister, Hela, is sick and Zofia has to help pay for her care. But when Séverin gets a new lead for the Divine Lyrics, he makes it so the band is back together for one final acquisition.

This book honestly breaks my heart repeatedly and barely offers any glue to put the pieces back together. It aches to see Séverin especially dealing with his grief, and there are mentions of the fathers he and Tristan once had, but with a new understanding of Tristan. Séverin is also zealous in his pursuit of the Divine Lyrics because he hopes by becoming a god, a divine being, he can undo his mistakes and bring Tristan back.

One of the things I especially enjoy with this book, and series, is the discussions of colonialism and racism. There’s several lines about how history is taken by western colonizers and forgotten because they hide it away in museums. There’s also really great discussions about how colorism and racism play a part in how people are perceived. Both Séverin and Hypnos are mixed Black boys, but because Séverin has a lighter complexion he is able to get to places Hypnos is not as welcome. There’s also themes of belonging because Enrique is the child of Spanish and Filipino parents, but has more Spanish (European) features which, again, allow him access to certain circles, but he also navigates his Filipino identity through the lens of also being descended from their invaders. Just a lot of heavy topics addressed and I like the way these themes are addressed and expressed.

Zofia is still one of my favorite characters, and her neurodivergence feels relatable, as do her feelings of not wanting to be a burden for how her mind works.

This was another great adventure mystery and leaves me wanting more in this world ASAP. Chokshi does a fantastic job blending magic, mythology, and history into a story of ambition and love. Silvered Serpents with break your heart along the fault lines left by Gilded Wolves, but it is impossible to deny the love these characters have for one another. If you loved Gilded Wolves, this will pick right back up and leave you wanting more!

Thank you so much for eARC copy of this book. Unfortunately, I think I have lost the desire to continue with this series at this time. I wish this book all the success and I look forward to working with you again in the future.

Kind regards,

Brittney

The only problem with this book is that it leaves you desperately waiting for the next installment. I love all the characters and the story arc. Can't wait to see what happens to Severus and the team.

Ok, wow. Phew! I just finished this book a few minutes ago and I’m just sitting here trying to come to terms with everything that happened in the last 10%. This book was a wild ride!

The Silvered Serpents is the sequel to The Gilded Wolves, which was one of my favorite books of 2019. I was so excited when I got the arc of TSS later last year, but I also knew that I wasn’t emotionally ready for whatever was going to happen in this sequel, so I put it aside for a few months and decided to wait for my summer break to read it. Not only did this book wreck me, but it was definitely a worthy sequel to TGW and added so many extra layers not only to this world but to these amazing characters.


I do want to point out that I think I loved TGW a liiiittle bit more. Although I understand the reason behind it, I think The Silvered Serpents lacked character interactions and romance, which was my favorite part of the first book. I thought group was so funny together, and some of my favorite scenes from The Gilded Wolves were of moments between all the characters. Like I said, I understand the reason behind the lack of said scenes, but I still missed them.


This was also a much darker book than the first. The characters are dealing with a painful loss, and they all deal in their own ways. It was heartbreaking to see what Tristan’s death did to the group as a whole.


I also think that, although I thought this book had a beautifully executed plot, it dragged a bit in some areas. Some moments I couldn’t stop reading, meanwhile there were some parts where I do have to admit I had to force myself into picking the book up and continuing. But, the later situation didn’t happen as much, and didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.

I also expected more of the Laila being Severin’s mistress, since The Gilded Wolves ended in a way that made me expect this plot point to be an important part of the sequel. We got so little of this plot and I was expecting more from it! Quite honestly, this might be biased, but I just wanted more of these two together overall!! I felt like I didn’t get as many scenes as I hoped, and I was left hoping for more.


Lastly, like I mentioned in the beginning of the review, the last 10% of the book were WILD. I found myself gasping so many times. I honestly predicted a few of the twists, but I still enjoyed their reveal even without being surprised. The last 3 chapters made me so frustrated, nervous, sad and obviously excited for the 3rd book! I can’t wait to see where Roshani takes us next!


*i received an arc of this book by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I wanted to love this, but Severin is just an extremely annoying character. He pushes everyone away who is close to them thinking it is for their betterment. How can he lead people when he can’t even face his own demons?! I wish the plot was more focused on the puzzle aspect of the heists versus the emotional. It was a bit too dark for my liking.

Severin: French-Algerian. Leader of the group. Supposed heir to House Vanth.

Tristan: Severin’s foster brother. Botanist. Pet tarantula Goliath (yikes!).

Laila: Indian. Chef. Dancer. Can read objects.

Enrique: Spanish-Filipino. Historian. Bi.

Zofia: Jewish-Polish. Lab rat. Autistic? OCD.

Hypnos: French-African-descent. Heir to House Nyx. Enemy to friend.



Things I Liked:

Growth. We start to see the characters’ flaws and how they came to be the people they are today. We see their weaknesses, as well as, them overcoming their fears in the form of strengths.
Not everything goes right. So many young adult novels have characters with essentially no faults. It is nice to see things not work as they are planned.
The puzzles. I love them! It was so fun to try to figure the puzzles out before the characters.


Things I Didn’t Like:

People who think they can decide what is best for someone. Severin is a guy that you love to hate. He has the best interests of people close to him in his heart, but he doesn’t always execute in the best way. He takes responsibility for things he has no control over and let’s that fear of hurt for those he loves takeover his life. People can decide for themselves if they want to take risks, they don’t need someone else choosing for them.
Forbidden love. Man loves girl. Girl loves man. Man can’t be with girl for fear of hurting her and vice versa. This is so stupid! You’ll make things work with someone if you truly love them.
Dark. The Silvered Serpents was a lot darker than The Gilded Wolves. Readers can find more foul play, deception, and a look into the darker parts of the human mind.


The Silvered Serpents is a story about deception, love, and friendship. People who enjoy heists and a loyal gang of misfits will love this novel.