First and foremost, thank you Saga Press for this arc. My opinions are my own.

The thing I loved most about this book was Reid. He’s the perfect mmc and was so gracious to Vaasa while she was struggling with her inner demons.
I also loved the friendship between Vaasa and Amalie.

However, there were times I felt the story was dragging. If you love political intrigue, this book is for you. I normally don’t mind it considering that my favorite series, the Daveabad trilogy, is heavy on political intrigue. However, I found the politics hard to keep up with.

Overall, I enjoyed this one and think this is a great starting point for a new series!

3.25

I have to be honest, after reading the blurb, I went into this fully expecting some booktok-level fantasy smut. Something fun and silly, but not very good.

I was wrong. I loved Vaasa, I loved Reid, I loved Amalie, I loved the magic system, I loved the political intrigue, I loved the character development, I loved the plot twists.

I loved everything about it. I loved it so much that my only complaint is that I wish the book had been twice as long. I wish I had even more descriptions of the magical hierarchies, the countries and their governments. I wish I had more details about this world that Rebecca Robinson has created.

I am absolutely gutted I have to wait so long for a sequel. Thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free digital copy for review.

I REALLY enjoyed The Serpent and the Wolf. The fact that we got right into the story and never slowed down was fantastic. I typically don’t enjoy the political aspects of books, but the politics in this book were engaging and interesting.

Vaasa was a very interesting character, and I loved watching her journey. The emphasis on female friendship was so beautiful, and the quote “your strength is my strength” may be my new favorite. Reid was a great male main character, and it was so easy to see his feelings for Vaasa from the beginning. I thought they worked great together, both romantically and politically.

The side characters were really wonderful and well rounded. I can’t wait to see more of Amalie and Koen in the next book.

This book would have been 5 stars except for one thing that happened at the end, so turn away if you don’t want spoilers!

SPOILER ALERT

I cannot stand when a female main character has to give up her power for any reason. I understand why she did it and that it is going to lead into the next book, but it’s just something I really do not like.

I will absolutely read book 2 and I can’t wait!

The Serpent and the Wolf has a very rich fantasy world with interesting characters and a plot full of political twists and turns.
While the beginning was a little shaky, once I got to know the characters and their motivations more I became very interested in the plot.
The most interesting part of the story, for me, was learning the history of Vaasa's mother and her magic. I also really liked Vaasa. She's a rage-filled character, I felt like she had a lot to overcome and I liked following her journey. I also liked watching her relationships form with the other women in her coven. I would have happily read a book just about them, because they are such an excellent group and I loved how they supported each other.
I think this book is for you if you like political fantasy and women acting on their rage. However, this book isn't for you if you don't like cliffhanger endings.
In regards to the ending, it really left me interested in where the story will go. I expect the next book will be even stronger than this one.


Thank you to Saga Press and Netgalley for the ARC.

This book wasn’t for me. I didn’t care for the characters but I did find the premise of the plot to be pretty cool. Shifters and trapped gods are pretty awesome as subjects.

The Serpent and the Wolf is a high-stakes political war story about Vaasa who is forced to marry Reid of Mireh so her brother can start an intercontinental war. She’s a pawn in his chess match. This story starts off fast and strong, with likable characters. Vaasa comes with baggage and is hard to open up to, and Reid is this mysterious man who gives her his all. If you’re a fan of slow-burn fantasy, and I mean sloth burning, then this is for you. There’s no romance until around 67%. And it’s tiny. My only issue is that with every fantasy, there’s world building and I noticed that there’s no world map. The world needed to be expanded more to really feel immersed into the storyline. The stakes are high and it’s very plot driven, with a cliffhanger at the end! There’s a witchy magic system that’s perfect for fall, and honestly unexpected. I want to know more. This book comes out November 24th, and I’m excited for you all to read it!

3.75 stars

One of the few romantasy books that balances both the romance and fantasy elements really well. The progression of Vaasa and Reid’s relationship throughout the book was a highlight for me. It’s easy for the romance to either feel like instant love or like it’s moving too slowly. However, Robinson nailed the pacing.

I really enjoyed how much of the plot was politically driven. I almost wish there was even more political scheming throughout the book.

The first 30% was extremely chaotic, and not in a good way. It felt like Robinson didn’t know how to start the story, so she just threw us into the plot without any foundation or setup. Honestly, everything that happened before Reid found Vaasa felt not important.

The plot twist at the end was well done, and the ending left me wanting more!

A gripping fantasy romance! The Serpent and the Wolf drops you immediately into the action as Vaasa attempts to escape her arranged marriage to a powerful man that is not quite what he seems, as well as dark family secrets that might be her undoing.

Vaasa is a brilliant woman and a complex character whose growth and relationships are the driving force of this book.

My only gripes are that I wanted Reid to be fleshed out a bit more and would have loved more details on the ways the territories within Icruria fit together.

If you enjoy a well-balanced, slow-burn romance within a complex fantasy world, buckle up because the Serpent and the Wolf is just the beginning.

I was excited to receive this book as an eARC! This story was more fantasy than romantasy in my opinion! I felt like the romance was more of a subplot than the lead. You really go through a lot of politics and political standpoints between the different countries while simultaneously also mixing in witches and that lil bit of romance. Vaasa is forced to marry Reid of Mireh because of her brother. Vaasa goes through a lot of internal development as the story progresses and you can to see her start to understand why she reacts and says the things she does. Reid is just a good ole boy that basically says and does everything perfect ya feel?? I loved him because he stays patient and consistent with Vaasa which i think she needs. You know the entire time basically that Reid really loves Vaasa and would do anything for her, but we never actually know why he fell for her or what it was about her. At around 83% in i really was upset with Vaasa because that girl just gives my mans the run around. I know she has issues but baby girl COMITT!!!!! 😂 (i cannot spoil if she ends up committing or not ok??) but just know this is a S L O W. B U R N. The ending lowkey had me in some tears though!

All in all, 4 stars for me. It kept me intrigued, made me scream a few times, but also i loved it🤪 i also really wish we had a map because there were times I was like wait what?? But I’m also visual so that is just me!

Thank you NetGalley and SagaPress for sending me this arc!!

**I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

OMG I need book 2 IMMEDIATELY. This book was so good!!!

You are following Vaasa who has learned many things under the ruling of her father in Asterya. She is wed off to a formen in Ircauria who she has been told is a wolf and brute. That he is cruel in so many ways. Her parents had died and her brother Dominick has taken the throne of Asterya as the male lineage always does.

Things are not as Vaasa though when she slowly starts learning her heritage, the curse that she has inside her and who her husband truly is. War is looming on the horizon, will Vaasa be on the winning side?

This has so many good things like the banter, the relationships, the way that there was not really miscommunication but just keeping things from each other until they slowly and naturally could come out. I will definitely be scouring for an ARC of book 2 when it is announced!

Fast paced, tension filled, with an impeccable slow burn romance! The Serpent and the Wolf was absolutely unputdownable (is that even a real word???), and I loved every minute of it!

This is a 🌶️🌶️ romantic Political Fantasy with an arranged marriage, healing through friendship, found family and clear consent communication. While the relationship is very important, and the plot and character development would not work without it, I wouldn’t put this book in the romance category.

The first third of the book is mostly character development and a little personal growth. This is not a long book and IMO I think there was room to have fleshed out more of the early life of the main character in the book. There is a lot of telling the reader what happened in short form rather than taking us on the journey. This pulled me out of the book and kept me from being fully invested in the beginning.

Once I got past the first third,the pace sped up and by the end I couldn’t put it down. The relationship building was beautiful and most importantly Healthy. There is no toxic romance in this book. The MMC was a green flag at every turn. The political intrigue was phenomenal. This was a great start to a series with a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

The story follows Vaasa Kozár, a character molded into a weapon by her tragic upbringing, as she navigates a treacherous landscape filled with dark magic, familial betrayal, and unexpected alliances. From the very beginning you are plunged into Vaasa's tumultuous life. The loss of her mother to a shadowy curse sets a harrowing tone, encapsulating the stakes at play not just in her life, but in the sovereignty of her realm. Vaasa's brother seems to be the embodiment of ruthlessness, orchestrating a deceitful political maneuver that sees his sister married off to Reid of Mireh, a foreign ruler shrouded in mystery and danger.
Robinson's writing shines particularly in her character development. Vaasa is a fiercely determined protagonist, grappling with grief and betrayal while simultaneously balancing her desire for freedom against the harsh realities of her situation. The introduction of Reid is equally compelling; he is a complex character whose intentions remain ambiguous, adding layers of tension to their evolving relationship. The chemistry between Vaasa and Reid is palpable, deftly crafted by Robinson, as she explores themes of trust and power dynamics within the bounds of their political marriage.
Despite its darker themes, there is a sense of empowerment that runs through Vaasa's journey. Her transformation from a pawn in her brother’s scheme to an active player in her own story is inspiring. The moral complexities of betrayal, trust, and love are richly explored, making this a multi-dimensional read.
Overall, this book is an enchanting blend of fantasy, romance, and suspense that leaves a lasting impression. With its memorable characters, intricate world-building, and a plot that dances between danger and desire, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre.

High political intrigue, lush world-building, tension filled slow burn romantic subplot and twists and turns to keep you guessing! The Serpent and the Wolf is the perfect start to a new series and a phenomenal debut!

What I loved…
- Grade A tension
- rich world building
- Lots of political intrigue and machinations
- Arranged married between rival kingdoms
- Slow burn
- A consent king + burn down the world for her + he falls first MMC
- she tries to 🔪 him
- Magic, witches, evil monsters
- Found family
- Twists + turns to keep you guessing


What I didn’t love…
- My only issue with this book is less about the book and more with the marketing, this is not a romantasy - if you go in expecting tons of romance, you’ll likely be disappointed. This is a solid high fantasy with romantic subplot.
- the MMC felt a little flat for me - but I think we’re likely to get more depth from him in later books.

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press Books for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

📜The Serpent And The Wolf
✍️Rebecca Robinson
📠Saga Press
📚Fantasy/Romance Fiction
🗓️Pub date: November 19, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨Thank you @NetGalley and @sagapressbooks for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to @rrobinsonwrites for penning this masterpiece. Where have you been all of my life?!

✨Since her mother’s death, Vaasa has been inflicted by a looming dark magic and she is certain death is imminent. Her brother, trying to remove her as a threat to his crown, marries her off to Reid of Mireh, a foreign ruler, with the hopes that Vaasa’s death will be the green light to invade Reid’s nation.

✨Vaasa would love to escape her new marriage and has every intention on living. Reid offers her an alternate plan: help him win votes to rise to power and he will set her free. He will also shed light on the dark magic coursing through her veins.

✨Vaasa and Reid’s attraction to each other begins to blur the lines as to what is real and what is pretend, and with everything at stake, maybe this arrangement isn’t as bad as it once seemed.

✨This book is fire!! The slow burn, Vaasa and Reid’s banter, the political intrigue… sign me the F up! I will scream this one’s title from the highest rooftop and hard to believe this is Rebecca Robinson’s debut, as her words feel like an aged vintage wine taking its first breath. Read this now!

#netgalley #theserpentandthewolf #rebeccarobinson #sagapress #fantasyfiction #advancedreadercopy #arc #bookreview #bookstagrammer #fallreleases #readthisnow #slowburn

You know how the first few chapters of a fantasy book is all world building and confusing? That’s this whole book. It was fast paced but somehow that worked against it? The romance fell flat unfortunately and none of the characters were super rememberable.

I am fucking speechless of course it’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!

I am calling it! This is going to be new booktok sensation when it is published! Literally such a beautifully interwoven classic fantasy romance! It has stellar characters, stellar plot and intriguing magic system!

I was provided eARC by publisher through NetGalley and this review is purely my own opinion.

The book immediately starts with my girl Vaasa tying her husband and running away from her (arranged marriage)wedding night! You see I was hooked from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down! Thank god because I was slipping in very serious book slump so this book saved me! yes I have my issues but 5⭐️ is a feeling and I can’t give anything less than 5⭐️ for this beautiful debut novel!

Vaasa 😍 agh she stole my heart with her character development and her character! I love her so much! (she is very much giving Nesta Archeron) you’d see I was crying and feeling everything with her. She is a lone wolf 😉 who always dealt life with armoring herself and keeping people away from her and she never experienced happiness or safety so reading about her inner turmoil and how much she wants to be embraced but also resents it with her whole being did something to me 😭(my poor baby) her character arc is truly giving divine feminine awakening! She is my favorite kind of fmc cunning,smart, beautiful, fierce and feisty. I swear she stole my heart with her soft compassionate heart. I loved reading her character development through and through!!!!

Reid 😍mmc is delightful! He wears his heart on his sleeve and he is soft hearted warrior! True cinnamon roll 😇 I really wished we’d read his falling in love with Vaasa from his pov! I truly wanted to feel and understand it that way but also I have felt so much through Vaasa’s pov as well! I love him and can’t wait to see his character arc! I feel like it is going to be legendary!

The slow burn was burning slowly, TENSION was delicious 🫠 I was kicking my feet and giggling the whole time 🤭 omg it was so good! I truly enjoyed the angst,the love,and the friendship 🫠

I love and adore side characters! I feel like they can all have sideline story! I have seen the potential for real! Reading female friendships and sisterhoods always always warms my heart and this sisterhood was truly beautiful to read it!

Amalie, Vaasa’s best friend, stole my heart (maybe our name is similar that’s why) but I truly love Amalie so much she is truly warmed my heart the way she loved Vaasa unconditionally, true sisters! 😭 What a powerful legend!!!😇😍 I am excited for her journey!!

I love the magic system so much it’s very creative and captivating. Putting witches witch covens in a very politically driven world and adding gods and goodness! 💥🤯😍The series has serious potential and I am so excited for it!

The story is very much political driven and it’s very important for the overall plot line! I really wish we had a map though, country names were similar and it was hard to digest and conceptualized it. I also didn’t like how choppy writing was when it comes to action scenes. I was having a hard time to imagine it.

I am blown away how interwoven plot twists were 🤯 literally it was giving “Matryoshka Doll” in plot form! 🪆I loved everything about the overall main plot 🙌🏼 and excited what’s more to come 😭

I was crying screaming and losing my mind in last 15% of the book literally my favorite kind of anxiety lol

I am not gonna lie I cried many times in this book first for my girl Vaasa’s story, her finding her real self underneath all the pain and suffering was incredible! I have seen myself so much in her and her character truly touched me in very deep level! I highlighted many of the quotes that spoke to me in soul level! But publisher told me not to share it so you gotta read it for yourself! 😘

Make yourself a favor and read this absolute banger! 🙌🏼 I already preordered hardback for my shelf and my future rereads! 😇

This boom was everything you want in a romantasy! The tension the forced marriage trope and the magical world you dive into with this book. I love how fast paced and short the book was for how much I for it did have in it with out it being confusing or leaving out any important plot points or characters driven moments. I love Vaasa and her growth through out the book. The MMC is also one to die for. We love a man who seems dangerous to the whole world but you learn he’s really a carisamatic leader trying to do what’s best. I will say the ending had me on the edge of my seat and hope there is a book to coming soon!

An amazing debut novel that had all the things a Romantasy has to offer. Definitely check this out if you are a fan of the genre!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.25/5

Vaasa has been traded by her brother, the emperor of Aterya, into a marriage to a ruthless foreman of Mireh. Mireh is one of a few countries(?) that are part of Icuria. The foreman, Reid, is hopeful for peace between the countries, but Dominik, the emperor, knows something that Reid doesn't: Vaasa is cursed and dying. Dominik is hopeful to use Vaasa's looming death as a reason to start a war. On her wedding night, Vaasa intends to kill Reid and flee, but upon witnessing his kindness, she decides to run instead. He, of course, finds her and strikes a deal to help her cure her curse, so long as she remains married to him long enough to secure his leadership and peace with Dominik.

This was a phenomenal romantasy. I've read quite a few, and this is one of the best I've read in a very long time. The characters were fantastic, the plot, while focused very much on the romance, didn't seem to be an afterthought, and the slow burn was sloooooow in the best way. While the attraction is there from the start, Vaasa and Reid become friends long before they become anything more, and it was such a sweet, slow build to Vaasa (who is very damaged) finding trust in Reid and his family and country. Vaasa is a great character; I enjoyed watching her grow as a character from someone who builds walls to someone who lets people in and loves very deeply. Reid was also a surprise because we hear from the start how savage and ruthless he is, but he's actually very mature, welcoming, and understanding regarding Vaasa. I also love that both of them are a *little* morally ambiguous and willing to be ruthless when necessary.

Their relationship was also blissfully free of the annoying miscommunication tropes that usually come with the territory.

I thought, toward the end, that it was going to clean up nicely and we were going to get our HEA, but it does look like this book will get a sequel because we're left with quite the cliffhanger, but I will definitely be reading the next installment.