Ladies and gentlemen we have a big winner!!!! I proudly declare that I finished one of the best books of 2020 right now!

I cannot believe how much I loved this book, I gave four stars to the first one and but when I compare two of them, it’s only fair to give this one ten gazillion stars because this is so so so so sooooooooo much better. Can you hear I still slap my forehead for waiting too much to get this into my hands? BANG BANG BANG(Yes, my skull is too thick! Made by more woods than flesh!)

Our gang is back in business for another mission, both of them suffering from grief, toughened up, more serious and their bond got tightened. Severin is haunted the ghost of his great loss, building more walls around his heart not to show his feelings. He cares his teammates, especially one of them has the most special place in his heart but “love does not wear the face we wish” and he is about to learn it from the hardest way.

This book is darker and grimmer than the first one because the characters’ deep pain about their big loss following them behind like an ominous dark cloud and affecting their judgments, actions, mood swings. Of course witty dialogues and never ending sarcastic comments between Hypnos and Zofia thankfully save the most parts and makes us smile. I already admitted that I fell in love with those team members at the first book. Every one of them were developed realistically make you feel like you have friends with them in your real life and you want to hang up with them, drinking coffee, talking about last twitter trends (okay I shut my mouth before I wear straitjacket again. Did I say again? Ups! Okay I should get a drink and stop typing.)

The rising tension of the book can make you say goodbye to your nails, to your hands and maybe entire arms. Stop biting them and concentrate on the pages! And I have to say something about incredible writing of Roshani Chokshi : the first book is great start but this book gave me skyrocket effect with its fast pacing, incredible story progression, exciting development, all those twists made my head spin so much and I’m still dizzy and confused right now! With her perfectly written, magical, philosophical, intriguing book with its amazing political references, she is taking you to a journey around Russia. She definitely worked her skills to create magical journey and made her words twist and dance around the pages, captivating us with this well-crafted story that we wish it never ends.

And after last revelation, I splash a big ice bucket on my head but I am still in shock, talking nonsense. Yes, I didn’t see it coming and I cry out louder in the middle of the night. My husband is begging me to stop screaming. But I cannot! Because this is torture to wait for what’s gonna happen next.

I feel so lucky to have a chance to become one of the first readers of this book and I hope I will be also the one of first ones to read the upcoming work. (Last time I felt the same when I had to wait for two and half years for last season of GOT! Luckily I’m sure my waiting for this book will not result with full of frustration. This author is too gifted to write anything wrong.)

So when I talk about loving middle books in a trilogy, it's because of books like the Silvered Serpents. It took an incredible story and raised the stakes to new levels. It's strongest feature being the relationships between the characters of the story. Roshani Chokshi took her time to flesh out the characters, their motivations, and their struggles. Which helped immensely with plot development because as things started happening, you had that inner knowledge of the character's fears and it made everything feel more stressful. Also the main gang are all my babies and I just want to take them somewhere far away and let them live happy lives.
In terms of plot, the story didn't pick up pace until about 50% through and that was honestly my biggest issue with the story. Once the plot picked up, the it was more engaging and all the slow build-up paid off. Plus you got SO many answers to the questions you had in Gilded Wolves. There was a lot more world building in this story because there are tons of lore and mythology drops throughout the entire book that provide more clarity about the world in this story. I finished the book feeling shocked but also thrilled because I can't wait to see what will happen in the final book.

A great sequel that rises the stakes even higher than before!

Being with these characters again...I felt ALL the feelings. For me, the most engaging and interesting chapters were Laila and Séverin but I think that's also because I find their romance so angsty and just so captivating that it outshines anything else. I love, love, LOVE how despite there being romance plots in this book, these characters' arcs are not wrapped solely in who they end up with. Each character is their own individual person. They have fears, wants, desires out of life that makes them so integral and important to the plot. Everyone plays their part and honestly, these characters are so multi-dimensional that I feel like I know them. I love this friendship group so much I honestly could just take an entire book about them living together and just hanging out every single day.

I found the plot really intruding but I will admit that I guess where certain things would go from about half way through the book. So in some ways, it felt predictable but that is not necessarily a bad thing because while there were some things I could predict, there were many others that left me surprised by the outcome.

The ending has me shaking for the third book and I truly do not know how I'm going to wait for the final book! I think fans of the first book will not be disappointed by this book and I can't wait to see everyone's reactions!

I had previously discovered Roshani Chokshi's writing in the Rick Riordan Presents series. When I saw this book, I knew I wanted to check out Chokshi's voice in a universe all her own...and I was far from disappointed. This book is enchanting, and I love (yes, love) the inventiveness of this author. I'm looking forward to reading new words by Roshani Chokshi again very soon.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

The Silvered Serpents picks up where The Gilded Wolves left off and primarily takes place in Russia. Severin's grief made it feel darker and less light-hearted than The Gilded Wolves which I was glad for since The Gilded Wolves seemed to be lacking some gravitas for the situation. I also found myself becoming more and more interested in Hypnos and Sofia and less interested in Severin as he continually distanced himself from his friends.

Overall, I enjoyed this 2nd one even more than the 1st one and more than a little miffed at having to wait so long for the 3rd book.

This sequel to The Gilded Wolves picks up right where we left off. The group is reeling from the loss of one of their members and must figure out how to move on from this tragic event. Chokshi delivers a wonderful world to us that is part dystopian, part historical and part fantasy. I love getting wrapped up in these characters and all their flaws and abilities. There is something about these stories that draws the reader in immediately. I cannot wait for the next installment of this series!

For fans of Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows and the like!

I love this series and when I saw I got approved for this on Net Galley I almost cried (and I immediately called my mom). This book is the epitome of "Be Gay Do Crime" and I loved every second of it. Very few YA books that I've read depict diversity as well as this series does-- we have people of different genders, ethnicities, traumas without seeming like Roshani Chokshi (who is amazing and everyone should follow on Instagram) is just trying to tick groups off on a list. The characters are nuanced and fun and three dimensional and the story (started with Gilded Wolves) is GLORIOUS.

This is a heist book that melds technology and fantasy wonderfully and just the world-building itself is beautiful and intricate. I was so honoured to get this as an arc but now I CAN'T WAIT TIL BOOK THREE COMES OUT. But it was totally worth it.

A true joy to read!

In full disclosure, I will admit almost always my favorite book in any book series is always the first one. This is probably the case because I live for character introduction, world development, and the care that authors take to make sure readers understand. After I read Gilded Wolves, I did not know what to expect. This is the second in a series and can I just say OH MY WORD! This was GRIPPING! I could not wrap my head around one part when the next part would come and I would gasp again! The plot moved quickly but not so quickly that you could not keep up. It was face-paced, intriguing , and kept me on the edge of my seat.

I loved the twists and turns in this book and some things that truly threw me for a loop (in a good way!) When I finally finished, I was already lamenting it was over and wanted to know where these characters would go and do next! Highly recommend this book and series.

The publisher generously provided me with a copy of the book upon request on NetGalley. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves #2) doesn’t even come out until September 2020—and I’m not one to brag, but I’ve already read it!
Séverin and crew are left devastated by the (no name mentioned) death of The Gilded Wolves. Now they are headed into another complicated journey—this one in Russia. This new adventure is as magical as the last, but the emotional aspect is deep and haunting. The world-building and craftmanship of the world is as unique and imaginative as in book one, but the intensity and emotional arc in The Silvered Serpents is off the charts! Roshani Chokshi has woven imaginative creatures and mythology in a beautiful, adventurous package—and it’s stunning! The banter between Séverin, Laila, Enrique, and Zofia is as witty and fun as in book one. It was like being back in a room with old friends. Bu that plot twist—oh, no! I can’t even wait for the next book, this is wholly and entirely unfair!
*I received a copy of The Silvered Serpents from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review

I had to flip back through the Gilded Wolves a couple times to really get started on this one! The author has created a complicated story/world here. I find this cast of characters to be so improbable that it can destruct from the story...however- the story keeps you going. Like it’s predecessor, every time I put it down, it called to me, and I had to pick it back up and find out. Oh, Severin. You just keep breaking my heart!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I will be posting a full review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram.

This series is such a pleasure, and this book was just a fun read. I loved the first book, The Gilded Wolves and the introduction into this magical almost underground world or Houses and magic. For how good I felt that book one was, The Silvered Serpents, as a sequel was delicious to read and to continue the story. The group of characters in this story are smart, funny, fierce and all unique and they are such a joy to read about. Roshani Chokshi knows how to weave this tale of mysterious Houses and the quest for this lost artifact. It's very much a search for the Holy Grail kind of adventure. I did love the mystery behind who the Fallen House was and to figure that out was a fun and interesting shock. The story is almost Gothic-like and I loved that undertone throughout the book. I loved this book, and I absolutely cannot wait for book three now.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I was accepted for this ARC I was over the moon. Yet, I didn’t read it right away. Why? Because the release date is so far away! But, I decided I might as well read it now before it burns a hole in my pocket. It has also weaseled its way into my heart like its predecessor. It is not only going to be a long wait for this one to come out, but for the third book to come out as well. HOWEVER, I read a character I thought was coded into the aro/ace spectrum, and that took a turn and I am severely disappointed. I was really hoping it wasn’t going to go that way, and in the end, it sucked some of the enjoyment out of the book for me.

Chokshi’s writing is beyond amazing. I’ve always loved it, and am always happy to read it. There is something that clicks with me, and it resonates so strongly that I can’t even believe it…I just can’t. Chokshi is great at putting a mix of dialogue and description together, and it comes together beautifully. The world comes alive as she writes it, and it is a lovely one to boot.

The pacing in this book was good. Saying this as someone who liked the first book (5 stars) I felt the pacing was even better in this one than the previous one. It all felt that it flowed smoothly together and I really enjoyed that. There is little that I can despair about in terms of pacing. It all came off without a hitch. And the pacing, is what helped make this book. You were anxious to know what happens next…

And that is part of the superb plot! This book is a lot more straight forward than The Gilded Wolves was. It is far less confusing, and not nearly as daunting. It isn’t so much a heist in this one as a treasure hunt. Which is <i>almost</i> as good. As the plot moves on you’re left wondering what is happening, what is going, on and OH MY GOD every ten pages. You never know what is going to happen. I loved that, and I loved that about the first book as well. There is something satisfying when a plot brings in characters and it works for them all. And this plot worked for everyone. As they hunt for this mysterious book, lots happens, and I prevaricate because I do not want to spoil this book at all! It is so much better left unknown and you just sit down and read it!

I love the characters. Not so much Séverin in this one though. Séverin was definitely my least favorite character of all this time around. Okay, that’s not quite true, but of the main cast he was. Enrique remains my favorite of all. Also Zofia is super amazing. And Laila. Let’s just go…with LOVE THEM ALL. All their characters in this have a little growth, and it adds to the plot.

There were a few things I was…unhappy with the direction they took in the relationship department. One of them at least – I’m a little unhappy about because I thought the character represented something else. I don’t want to spoil too much, but it honestly brought down the rating for me overall. I love a good relationship drama, but I felt this one was done poorly and it didn’t sit right with me. This is all personal preference of course, so I’ll be interested to see how it turns out in the next book. (As in…I hope it turns into a poly relationship. My heart would be much more relieved about that.)

I liked it a lot. There is a lot to love (except that one relationship aspect, it felt shoved in) in this book. And the next one will be amazing, no doubt!

I love the dark turn Roshani Chokshi gave this book after the devastating events at the end of "The Gilded Wolves". After a tragedy people and relationships do not stay the same, and this was very well reflected in the depiction of the characters in this second book.

Although this is another "heist" book, the changes in the characters, and especially in Severin, made it interesting. In the first book the team trusted each other implicitly. In "The Silvered Serpents" there is an air of second guessing motives and the keeping of secrets. I love that the second book isn't just a slightly changed version of the first, and that we get to see the characters all transformed through their experiences.

The plot was extremely well written, and the twists and turns kept me very engaged. I'm only sad because it will be too long before the next book will be released.

This is a beautifully written sequel to the Gilded Wolves. We reenter the world that enchanted so many, and our gang comes together once more for another high stakes sweep. With a grittier, darker atmosphere - cloud of loss and sorrow hanging over the group - we explore their worlds as they attempt to cope with their emotions. Ever poignant, brilliantly quotable, and entirely immersive, I definitely recommend this novel to those who even mildly enjoyed the first one!

Chokshi has done it again. She has written a beautiful novel with many surprises and a diverse and interesting cast of characters. This is a definitely must for fans of Six of Crows, or fantasy, or history, or...well....reading. This book has so many appeal factors. My only complaint is that we have to wait so long for the third installment!

Unfortunately, this was not the book for me. I tried very hard to read it, but I had to DNF it.

I don't feel like I can accurately review this book as I did not finish it. So I kept this as neutral as I could. And rated it 3 stars.

Thank you for allowing me the chance to read it.

I have no words. This was one of the top books I wanted to read this year and it did not disappoint. I missed Roshani's writing style.

I absolutely freaking loved this book. I loved the Russian setting, the new characters we found there, and the shenanigans our crew got into. The story developed in such an engaging way that I could not put it down and I did not see the twist coming until the very end. These characters are so near and dear to me and they're so thoroughly developed that I scream and cry right along with them.

This has a huge number of reviews which paint a very good picture of what to expect from this rather prolific author who knows how to tell a good tale. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the the ARC for review!!