For a debut novel I was impressed with the writing. The world building was pretty solid, but I think the plot failed to keep me captivated throughout the book. One chapter I would be intrigued and the next I wouldn’t care to keep reading, it just felt a bit choppy to me. I liked the pace of the slow burn in the first 60% but then it sped up so quickly that it felt like there was a sudden jump as well. I wish we got to know Reid more, he almost felt like more like a side character to me. I really loved and preferred the friendship between Vaasa and Amalie and I thought that relationship was special.

Overall this book was fun and the magic interesting, but the romance and mmc felt underdeveloped. There’s a lot of political intrigue so people who prefer that may like this more than I did!

This book pulled me in from the beginning. I loved the political intrigue, the slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, and the magic. This was a great debut and a great introduction to this world and this series. There is so much tension between the FMC and MMC throughout the book. There was a lot that worked so well for me in this book. In the sequel I would love to see more world building. Also, reading the ARC I really wanted to see the map so I am excited to look at it when I can grab a finished copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to @sagapressbooks for my copy of the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

the squeal I squelt at the last line

✧ 4.5 stars, complex world building, juicy political intrigue, witch covens with dark magic, and a slow burn forced marriage turned lovers between a bloodthirsty heroine and a consent king.

thank you to saga press for the ebook arc.

I live for an arranged marriage story, especially one where he's so far gone for her and she has her walls up high, and well thats exactly this book. I ate up the political machinations and loved every bit of the 'fake' relationship. I definitely had some confusion about the hierarchy, but the author has a pinned post on her insta that helped me out a lot. The ending definitely hurt, and I'm looking forward to the next book to see what happens next in this world.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher Saga Press for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is being called a thrilling romantasy. For me, not a reader of romantasy in general, I found the novel quite enjoyable for the political machinations, scheming, surprises and action scenes. For those that like more spice, those readers may be disappointed as there are only a few steamy romance scenes in the novel. But for readers that like a build-up to the spice, then it certainly delivers. Both general fantasy and romantasy readers will find many things to like about this novel.

This is the story of Vaasa Kozár heir to the Asteryan throne. Vaasa has known throughout her life that her life is to be used as a weapon for her people. Her brother, Dominik, the emperor has her married off to a rival family, a family she has been trained during her life to fear and distrust. Dominik believes this marriage will remove Vaasa from his kingdom and believes his sister is an instrument to bring the downfall of this rival kingdom of Icruria.

Vaasa, though, has other plans. With her upbringing, she is strong-willed and flees this marriage, to live her own life and to hopefully find a cure for the black magic she has been inflicted with, a black magic that she believes will kill her, as it did her mother. But Reid, Vaasa’s husband, is not willing to let her go, finds her and makes a deal with her. Vaasa will stay with Reid for three years masquerading as a loving couple to help Reid defeat his political opponents, so he can take the crown. Vaasa will get in return the promise that he will let her use all the resources available to him, including a coven of witches, to help her learn more about this black magic that is festering inside her.

The biggest problem with the novel, go figure, was the romance between Reid and Vaasa. Not to get into too much with spoilers, but it was hard to fathom why Vaasa was so reluctant with building a relationship with Reid. It just seemed like Reid was the perfect mate for Vaasa. I like when my characters are more flawed. On one hand, we have a flawed, complex character in Vaasa, but Reid doesn’t feel that well developed. Also, while readers of romantasy will be happy with the spicey scenes, it is more stimulating to my senses when we leave more to the imagination when it comes to sex scenes.

The cat and mouse and political machinations by the rival families were enjoyable, and the action scenes were exciting and a nice surprise. Also, there is a theme regarding mental health and how traumatic events can eat us from the inside if we let them and how we cope with these emotions adds a little depth to this novel.

And most of all like any good first novel of a fantasy series, the cliffhanger ending, leaves me wanting more. I am glad I gave a novel of a sub-genre, I rarely read a chance. I hope others that are reluctant to read a novel categorized in the romantasy genre give it a try. Like I did. Can’t wait to see where the series goes next.

The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson is an enthralling tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the blurred lines between predator and prey. Robinson’s intricate world-building and sharp dialogue bring the story to life, weaving a tense dynamic between the two titular characters. The plot twists are engaging, though some aspects of the story feel predictable. However, the strength of Robinson’s character development and her ability to craft morally complex relationships make this book a standout in the genre. A gripping read with just enough bite to leave readers hungry for the next chapter. Four stars for a strong, atmospheric debut.

Really great debut and start of a new trilogy! That cliff hanger 😅

Pros: i loved the main character. Vaasa reminded me of Ellsbeth from one dark window and Aelin. Ellsbeth because of the “curse” she has and how she personifies It and her relationship with It. She reminds of Aelin because of how resilient and bad ass she is because of her past, but also cold and afraid to get close with anyone.


Cons: For a romantasy, there’s not a whole lot of romance. So much of the book is world building and political(which isn’t a bad thing). I would have loved a little more dialogue and interactions between the love interests. I wish Reid was more well developed. His reputation is that he’s bad ass, takes no shit, and is knows as the wolf, but the whole book we really only ever saw him as a softie.

Really enjoyed this and definitely will be reading the next one when It comes out! (NetGalley please approve me when that happens please after that cliff hanger)

I am so in love with this book! It hooked me from the beginning and kept me captivated throughout. The twists and turns are fantastic and that ending makes me so excited to continue reading more from this author! 🩷🩷🩷

⭐️ 3.75

I really enjoyed this book! The little twist at the end had me crying! Can’t wait for the second book. Thank you Saga Press for this arc!

You should try this out if you like:
Arranged marriage/marriage of convenience
Political intrigue
Mysterious magic system
Found family
Slow burn
Enemies- to lovers

2.75 stars
This book was a fairly quick and easy read, and I was very much enjoying it at the beginning but steadily lost interest as it went on. In summary, Vaasa, infected with some sort of magic she doesn't understand and fears, is married off to Reid, a foreman and soon to be headman of a rival country. She is uninterested in political power and this initially makes her seem to be Reid's enemy though they quickly progress to reluctant allies and then lovers. The main plot is heavily political, primarily involving the intentions of Vaasa's brother Dominik. I thought I had seen this marketed as more of a romantasy, which is honestly something I don't often read and am still trying to figure out what that genre means and consists of. Many books I've read and loved that are sometimes considered romantasy but I would more consider fantasy with a strong romance subplot include Five Broken Blades, One Dark Window, Emily Wilde, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Daughter of the Pirate King, etc. For the start of the book I thought this was going to be more solidly romantasy and primarily motivated by the romance plot, which I was actually quite enjoying, but it turned out to be more of a fantasy romance, where the main plot was the political situation, and the romance was more of a subplot. This was actually surprisingly unfortunate for me, even though I typically love a romance subplot, because I was uninterested and a little confused by the main plot. I don't know if I was too dumb to understand the political landscape or if I just didn't care since elements of the writing, world-building, and character development weren't grabbing me, but I did not find the main political plot compelling. Other books with strong political plots that I have enjoyed in contrast include The Cruel Prince, The Mirror Visitor series, and the aforementioned Five Broken Blades and One Dark Window. This book felt both too exposition heavy and yet also lacking in clarity of world-building and character motivations. I didn't feel I knew most of the characters very well or could distinguish them from each other or understood their decisions. Vaasa as a main character felt flat to me. I quite liked Reid as a male love interest, but other than that I felt little about most characters. There's an attempt at showing Vaasa's character development throughout the book that involves things I'd typically like, but felt too telling rather than showing to me and wasn't convincing. Additionally, the writing style was sometimes trying to be fairly flowery, but it didn't feel natural to me and it wasn't consistent. I have enjoyed flowery writing from Leigh Bardugo, the aforementioned Daughter of the Moon Goddess and One Dark Window, Roshani Chokshi, and Carnivale of Curiosities, but in this book it didn't work for me. Lastly, as I've mentioned the world-building didn't really work for me. For example, I didn't really understand what the Veragi magic was or how it worked or what it did; the descriptions of Vaasa's magic were typically fairly vague, which might work for folks who like the writing style more and the general vibes, but just frustrated me. In some ways, this book reminded me of The Shadows Between Us, which was another book I was disappointed by. I absolutely think that there are people who will love this book, and I have seen positive reviews and reception. I didn't hate the book; I just thought it was somewhere between fine and disappointing.

For a debut, I didn’t connect well with the story and DNF’d about 40% through. The writing was meh, characters lacked depth, and the magical aspect was lacking.

I am eager to see the improvements down the line, but this one wasn’t for me!

Fans of ACOTAR and One Dark Window will fall in love with the Serpent and the Wolf. It's definitely a slower burn, but Rebecca Robinson wrote it in such a magical way where I was never feeling bored. It's obviously how crucial this book is when foreshadowing what is to come. I think this will be an incredible series and I cannot wait to read Book 2.

This was an interesting romantasy debut with a lot of potential to become a well liked series. In this book, we meet Vaasa, an orphaned princess who is married off by her ruthless brother to the potential leader of a rival kingdom, in hopes that her expected death would provide the leverage he needs to openly declare war. Vaasa, fully aware of the predicament she's in, does everything she can to escape the clutches of both men, as well as the deadly magic flowing through her veins.

The story picks up after we truly meet the MMC Reid, who is vying for leadership of his nation, but turns out to be nothing like the ruthless, unfeeling, monster that Vaasa thought she had been married off too. Thus starts their slow burn in an arranged marriage, forced proximity situation, where one partner must grapple with their own past traumas and unwillingness to trust others. I enjoyed Reid and felt like he was super patient with Vaasa. I just wish I saw more of him, maybe even gotten into his head, to be able to fully understand him as a while person. Vaasa, on the other hand, is the kind of character that will continually frustrate you, lololol. While I fully understood her misgivings, I couldn't help but root for her to make some different choices in the face of new opportunities for a different life than she was used to.

There's also lots of political machinations happening throughout this novel, and I really enjoyed that aspect. We have two kingdoms attempting to forge bonds based on deception and scheming, and there are various hidden parties pulling the strings on both sides. The magic system was also interesting, and I'm excited to see where it goes in the next installment, especially based on the ending of this book.

Read this book if you enjoy slow-burn romance, bloodline magic, political intrigue, secrets being revealed, and a world that has the potential to expand much further than its initial explanation.

Thanks to the publisher for gifting me a free copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for letting me read The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson! Such a strong start to a series! Perfect for ppl wanting enemies to lovers tension with political intrigue in a fantasy setting! Eagerly awaiting the next installment!

Vaasa Kozár, cursed with dark magic and targeted by her brother, is forced into a political marriage with Reid of Mireh, a ruthless foreign ruler. Her brother plans to use her death as a rallying cry for war, but Vaasa is determined to survive. Reid offers her a deal: help him gain power, and he’ll grant her freedom while teaching her to control the magic threatening her life. As their alliance deepens and sparks fly, Vaasa must navigate betrayal, deadly schemes, and the unexpected pull of her heart.

This was nothing how I expected! In many ways, I found that refreshing. I didn't expect witches, and I was obsessed with how attentive Reid was towards Vaasa. I absolutely loved the slow burn and tension in this book it was palpable at times. Anything with high stakes I'm immediately hooked into the plot.

What I didn't anticipate was the demons/demonic magic which I don't like reading at all. I wish the synopsis had that in it so I knew before reading it. But I was able to push through those parts. The ending I didn't expect what so ever.

I think a lot of people will enjoy this one for the found family, slow burn, witches, and high stakes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press Books for this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Saga Press, and Ms. Robinson for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Serpent and the Wolf. An honest review was requested but not required.

This was a pleasant surprise. I would say the marketing on it is slightly off: it's not truly romantasy as much as solid fantasy with some romantic elements. It's definitely strongest on the politics, intrigue and plot. The romance (or romantic elements, if you will) exists but it takes a backseat to Vaasa's - and other characters' - machinations.

Vaasa is by far the strongest character, a devious, complex woman with a lot of issues and buried pain to unpack. Not to mention the magic. Reid, on the other hand, is made out to be very complex but seemed pretty straightforward to me. I kept expecting twists out of Reid that never really materialized. The beginning was also a little confusing, as the cold open with Vaasa and Reid on their wedding night could have used a bit more context. Nonetheless, by about a third of the way in things had picked up nicely and the complexity of the politics and plot in general was fascinating. While Reid didn't get extensive characterization (especially compared to Vaasa) in this book, I have a feeling things will pick up in the next one.

Looking forward to picking up book #2 as this one ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. Recommended to all the fantasy and romantasy fans who need a plot (and prefer it to be an intricate capital-P plot) in their romantasy.

This slow burn fantasy romance was just what I needed to break up my epic fantasy reads. I loved Vaasa’s character arc. There were parts early on that made me tear up. Reid’s strength and caring matched well with Vaasa’s fierceness and brokenness.

Other things you may enjoy:
•witches and covens
•arranged marriage
•banter
•he falls first
•political intrigue
•enemies to lovers

4.5 stars!
Wow! I’m not a big fantasy reader but the beautiful cover and description peaked my curiosity. I’m so glad that I read it! This was such an amazing debut novel. A huge congratulations to Rebecca. I love a fierce FMC and when the MMC falls first. Ugh I just love that he kept calling her “my wife”. There was so much tension! This was by far one of the best spicy slow burns I’ve read this year. The banter between the two main characters was amazing. If you’re not a big fantasy reader, this would be a great book to start with. The world building was good, but not confusing at all! Highly recommend picking this one up!

3 - ⭐⭐⭐

"Pretend you love me, Wild One. And make it convincing."

The Serpent and the Wolf is the first novel in the adult fantasy romance series by the same name. The novel is written in third person POV and primarily follows Vaasa, a princess afflicted with a dark shadow magic after the death of her mother. Believing her days are numbered, her ruthless brother marries her off in a political alliance to the brutal leader of Mireh...but Vaasa is no simpering female. Honed as a blade by her father she refused to give in. Except...her new husband offers her a deal she never anticipated. Play the loving wife to help further his political agenda and gain her freedom. This deal is too good to be true but with her brother's dark machinations taking form she is willing to gamble, especially as attraction sparks. Though, in this political game, can love be real?

This book has such a fascinating premise! I just wished for a bit more oomph.

Vaasa is a fiercely independent character. She is easily able to stand on her own and she isn't going to let anyone walk all over her. I admired her confidence in politics and going toe to toe against her husband; at the same time her struggle with her magic is present. She fears what she doesn’t understand and I liked seeing her confront it - though I don't feel I really understand her magic.

Reid plays that confident male that works so well for Vaasa. He doesn't feel threatened by her strength and I liked seeing him work with her. He is a typical male protagonist at times - I just wish I got a better understanding of her strengths. He was lauded as this brutal and ruthless leader but I didn't feel I got to see that part of him.

In terms of spice, this is about 2 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. It is a slow burn romance with spice not occurring until about the 80% mark. The romance for me was hard. I wanted to enjoy it and there were fun quips here and there but I felt there wasn't actually much development between them. They worked well together in terms of planning, they worked well faking things, but I never felt like they were falling for it. It felt more told. The spice itself is well written but I just didn't have the chemistry at the time to feel it rewarding, which was a shame.

“You don’t hate me, and I certainly don’t hate you.”
“I almost killed you on our wedding night.”
“As I told you, you underestimate how much I enjoyed that.”

The story itself is a bit chaotic but had such an excellent start! You really got to see the characters and that drew me in. Now there is one clear-ish storyline involving Vaasa's brother's political machinations that are unknown but the rest was Vaasa just existing to bide her time and revealing tidbits and Reid trying to run his government (which I cannot really describe what he did other than try to talk to people). I struggled to follow and I almost DNF's at 60% because I just didn't know where we were going. Now, the final 20% have a very interesting twist that has me curious but I am unsure if I will continue because of the effort it took to get to the end. I feel if you're more focused on political machinations this may be your jam but I tend to need more character relationships and this wasn't as well developed at the political side.

Thank you Saga Press for this arc!

Thank you saga press and the authors for an advanced copy of this book.

Overall, I thought this book was enjoyable. The marriage of convenience was pulled of in an interesting way. I love a strong female character.

I do wish that that MMC was a little more fleshed out. With the way it ended, I'm assuming we will get more of his story in the next book. The slow burn aspect was nice, but also felt a little rushed at the same time. I just felt like I needed more time with the characters in order to really be invested in them.

I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for an action packed, fast paced, romantasy.