When I read the blurb for this book, I was very intrigued by it. Enemies to lovers in an arranged marriage who must work together to fight against evil? Yes, please.

Unfortunately, while the potential was there, the execution fell flat for me.

The first like 30% of this, I really struggled to get into it. The writing was a bit messy, the pacing felt off, and I didn’t really like the characters.
That first scene in the beginning could have been so much longer. Like give me some context, maybe the wedding that happened on that same day? Or her travelling there? Let me get into her head a bit to understand what’s happening and why she doesn’t like him and acts the way she does? Like that scene had such potential, the set-up was so good and could have really worked well a bit later on to build tension between the two main characters, missed opportunity imo.

It turned into somewhat of an easy read (once I got past that weird beginning) even though I found the pacing to be a bit choppy.

The world building felt kind of half-baked, like a lot is explained but not in a satisfying way? I just never felt like I had a real grasp on this world and everything that was happening in it. Same with the whole plot tbh, it just left me confused most of the time.

I did like Vaasa, the fmc, she was an interesting character, albeit a confusing one. Reid, the mmc, felt very much two-dimensional to me. Also, kind of disappointing that he's described as brutal, feared by everyone, merciless, notorious, threatening (I could go on), and then he wasn’t like that at all.. He was kind of the opposite? And that’s fine! But why make him out to be something he is not? Oh yeah, because every mmc in a romantasy has to be this morally grey horrible person or whatever..

The romance between them was somewhat of a slow burn, and I appreciated that. Something else I realised while halfway through, there was no excessive talk about how insanely beautiful everyone was, and I found that to be very refreshing.

Overall, an interesting debut with potential for the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

A good story creates an emotional connection with the reader, and "The Serpent and the Wolf" by Rebecca Robinson did just that. This stellar, spellbinding romantasy debut had me hooked from the start, devouring it in just a couple of days. It’s the first book in a series and one of those that are nearly impossible to put down once you’ve begun. The story kicks off with a bang and never lets up.

The narrative centers around Vaasa Kozár, a princess of Asterya who believes she is cursed. She harbors dark magic within her that she can neither control nor understand. To make matters worse, she has a brother who wants her dead and a husband she didn’t choose. After their parents' death, her cruel brother, Dominic, ascends as Emperor. To rid himself of Vaasa, he marries her off to a ruthless foreign ruler, Reid of Mireh.

But Vaasa isn’t your typical helpless heroine. She possesses political savvy, combat skills, speaks six languages, and knows how to hold her own. Her arranged marriage starts on the wrong foot, and what unfolds is an intriguing tale that blends political intrigue, action, magic, and a steamy, enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romance.

I loved this book. It’s the perfect example of a page-turner. The writing is clear and engaging without being simplistic, pulling me in from the first page. The world-building, characters, magic, political systems, and suspenseful plot make it a thoroughly enjoyable and captivating read.

The plot is complex and creatively executed, making the story feel fresh and unique - a breath of fresh air in the genre. I was particularly impressed by the intricate plotting. Every action was well thought out, and Vaasa's intelligence, bravery, and ability to confront her demons despite her fears and insecurities won me over. I appreciated what the Serpent and the Wolf symbolized and admired how Robinson didn’t spoon-feed us answers, allowing events to unfold naturally.

The characters are fantastic, ranging from honorable to downright wicked. Vaasa, in particular, is incredibly well-drawn. Robinson skillfully delves into her deepest thoughts and emotions, making her a real, relatable character. Though she was a bit irritating at times with her attitude and reluctance to open up, I appreciated the way she grew and developed throughout the story. The dynamic and sexual tension between Vaasa and Reid were also compelling.

The author rises above clichés to craft a story that feels fresh and less predictable than it might have been. The side characters are mostly well-developed, adding depth to the narrative. This is a story that highlights the importance of personal strength, perseverance, support, community, friendships, and love. It's worth mentioning, however, that there are a couple of steamy scenes, which fit seamlessly into the story.

My only minor complaint is the frequent use of swear words, which didn’t seem to fit the world Robinson created. Nonetheless, this novel was everything I could have wished for and more. It wasn’t just entertaining; it also provided something I love to see in a book - moral conflict.

While it might not be entirely new to the genre, it’s definitely a cut above many others. If you enjoy an intense story with a brilliant cast of characters, a satisfying story arc, and emotional depth dealing with grief, loss, bullying, trauma, loneliness, and rising above one’s upbringing, then this book is for you. The action-packed ending is impossible to put down and leaves you on a cliffhanger. I must read the second book in the series now!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

I have a new favourite author! Rebecca Robinson takes fantasy romance to the next level and I am obsessed

This book is gonna be well loved for sure by the romantasy world. It’s so friggin good! If you enjoy Carissa Broadbent, Raven Kennedy, and Sarah J Maas- this story will be right up your alley.

The story centers around Vaasa, a princess from an incredibly cruel and domineering country that has sold her into marriage to a man she doesn’t know.

Vaasa’s no damsel in distress though. She is everything she was raised to be: sly, dangerous, and cold. She is a well crafted weapon. Learning how to love and trust is actually a big part of her journey.

And the guy she’s just been forced to marry, tie to a bed, threaten to kill, and run from? Well that’s Reid, the Wolf of Mireh. And it’s basically love at first death threat for him. He’s got big Cassian vibes.

There is political intrigue, magic, and a whole new world and culture to dive into here. Robinson’s world building is excellent, but it was her relationship building that totally won me. This is a really interesting, fun, emotional, and well told story. Definitely check it out!

5/5 STARS!!

After the death of her father, Vaasa Kozár's brother took the crown, and then following the death of her mother, she is sent to die in a marriage she does not want with an enemy kingdom. See, Vaasa also possesses rare magic that she views as a curse, but as she spends time with her husband and the local coven, she realizes it's not the curse she originally thought it was. She experiences incredible personal growth, learning how to love and let people in. All the while, her husband and current Foreman (like a governor) of Mireh, Reid, is attempting to run for Headman (above the governors). To appear like the perfect Headman, he strikes a deal with Vassa: her freedom in exchange for three years of her help. But all of this begs the question of what happens when feelings get involved and three years isn't enough.

I literally cannot express how good this book was, I mean wow. Honestly, I don't usually enjoy books in the third person, so I dreaded starting this, but I did myself a disservice by waiting so long. This book was simply fantastic. I LOVED the political intrigue- it very much reminded me of The Auran Chronicles by Wendy Heiss, where the main female character is essentially playing political chess the whole time. I was also captivated the entire time- there was pretty much always something going on.

Overall, I LOVED this book. If you're thinking about it, I cannot recommend it enough. And I know the book hasn't even been published yet but I desperately need the second book in my hands right now so incredibly badly.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was the perfect “romantasy” recipe!! The tension and banter were great!!

All of my favorite tropes including:
Enemies to lovers
He falls first
Badass fmc

Overall such a great start to a series! Can’t wait to see where the rest of the story goes!!

All her life, Vassa has been trained as a tool for her father to use as a way of strengthening his political hold on other countries. When her parents die, her brother who sees Vassa as a threat to his rule, marries her to the supposedly ruthless and evil King Reid of Mireh. Vassa knows that if the newly inherited magic doesn’t kill her, then she will either die at the hands of Reid or her brother. And Vassa wants to live! But Reid isn’t who she thought he was. He loves his country and wants what is best for his people and for her as his new wife. They make a deal; she helps him win the election and stays with him for three years as his consort and then he will release her and she can finally be free. What neither of them expected was falling in love or her brother’s determination to kill her.

I fell in love this novel from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. There is action, politics, and slow burning chemistry. The only negative, the story ends with a big cliff-hanger; when is the next book is coming out?

For the romantasy lover who also loves the political intrigue side of the story!

I used to think that enemies-to-lovers was my number one favorite but this book made me see just how much I enjoy one-sided-enemy-to-lover. So much so that I've officially tied those two tropes for first place! It contained so many of my favorite tropes and I just love how this author addressed them. I felt the author did their best to reform the tropes based on popular complaints from readers and made them better. I, for one, was impressed with how she executed that!

Vaasa is officially one of my top 5 FMCs. I loved how she was the perfect compliment of tough and vulnerable. She wasn't always right in her actions, but who of us is right all the time? Thankfully, the author reflected that the character was aware of this and took the needed steps to change.

Reid quickly became one of my many book boyfriends. I think I liked him from the moment he walked into the room for the first time. As much as I love a morally grey MMC, Reid was a dose of fresh, cinnamon roll scented air.

Tropes:
He falls first
Grumpy/Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Strong, Self-aware FMC -- She can be annoying at times but she's self aware enough to address that! I LOVE when an author does this.
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Who did this to you?

Fair warning, this does end on a cliffhanger but it's so worth it. I'm so looking forward to the next in this series!

The Serpent and the Wolf was a promising start to its series. The beginning of the book started off strong. It was giving me Sarah J Maas and Jennifer Armentrout vibes. I liked how the author set up the world. I especially liked how Vaasa and Reid came together. That opening scene with them was awesome. Overall, I enjoyed Vaasa and Reid's characters. Vaasa started to grow on me towards the end of the book. She was a prickly character and I found it hard to root for her at times. She definitely was her biggest obstacle. Although Reid could have been developed a smidge more in my opinion, I was content with his character. I left the book with a good sense of who he is as a character. I liked Vaasa and Reid's relationship. It was nice to see their relationship gradually develop over time. As a slow burn girlie, I did want a bit more tension between them at the beginning. There were A LOT of side characters to keep track of. I had a hard time keeping track of everyone. I found myself frequently searching names on my Kindle. I liked the Veragi side characters, especially Melisina and Amalie. I hope to see more development from all of the witches in future installments. I did struggle at the 60-70% mark of the book. I'm not sure what happened, but I wasn't as captivated as I was at the beginning of the book. The story really picked up at the end with some surprising twists and action. The ending does leave off on a more unhappy note...which I was fine with! I think readers will be eager to get answers and conclusions with the next book. My ARC did not have a world map, which made it hard to follow along at points. I hope the published version will have one for readers. Overall, this was an exciting romantasy book. Thank you to NetGalley and S&S/Saga Press for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for this ARC of The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson in return for an honest review! I found this book to be well written and to deliver exactly what readers who pick it up would like! I'm even more impressed that The Serpent and the Wolf is a debut book for Rebecca Robinson. I think this was a great start for her and I was left looking forward to her future books!

I'm a fan of a lot of romantasy books and so I was looking forward to reading this book. I think I was in particular excited for the political elements of the story. So I'm pleased to say I was not disappointed at all. It's difficult to create a world and then create compelling political intrigue within that world, but I really think Robinson succeeded here. The story itself was pretty captivating and clever, especially after the first few chapters. Those were a little slow, but necessary for bringing readers into the world.

The characters are also very interesting. To be completely honest, Vaasa was not my favorite character, but she definitely grew on me as I read. Reid was someone I enjoyed more, mostly because I found how sweet and compassionate he is to be really unique among MMC in the romantasy genre. Such a cinnamon roll! I did like the maturity of both our leads. That was also in some ways refreshing and made the actual plot of the book easier to focus on.

I know this book is marketed as enemies-to-lovers, but as with many such books I do have a slight bone to pick. I just don't feel like they're enemies at all. Maybe I'm wrong here because so many books are like this and so maybe that's actually what the trope means or at least includes, but my opinion is they should both actually be enemies or at least hate each other for it to be enemies-to-lovers. Vaasa and Reid just have a more complicated dynamic than that. They're more like married-strangers-to-working-together-for-mutual-gain-allies-to-lovers. And that's still simplifying it, but it's a little more accurate. Though maybe I'm being too nit-picky. If what you're looking for is a dynamic where there's tension that evolves as their relationship grows and changes, you'll be pleased with this book! I loved the arranged/fake marriage aspect of the book, and the slow burn aspect was pretty good. It could've been slower for me, but overall can't complain about it.

And wow what a cliffhanger ending! This is definitely a book that will have you wishing you could jump right into the sequel!

Dearest Rebecca,

With all due respect, HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!? I hope that you are at a coffee shop, right this minute, penning the next installment of this series because I don’t know how long my emotional health can wait for what happens next.

Sincerely,
A reader who is about to make this series her entire personality

In all seriousness, this book is fantastic. The political intrigue and machinations are so well written and the world that you’re drawn into is full of magic, power, intrigue, love, betrayal and so much more. I am screaming over a FMC who doesn’t hesitate to slay her enemies, is a political genius and also a freakin’ magical powerhouse.

This will be one of my top 5 reads of the year, I’m already sure of it.

Thank you NetGalley and Rebecca for the ARC and the emotional trauma.

This is a perfect enemies to lovers romance book! The story was very well written and the plot twist was amazing. The Romance was also really great!

This was a solid romantasy enemies to lovers story. From the jump, I knew I would love it. It had several of a romantasy reader’s favorite tropes (one bed, he falls first, enemies to lovers, etc). Reid was everything I wanted in a book boyfriend and I was here for it. Vassa’s serpent powers were kind of creepy but also interesting. Also the plot twist delivered at the end was solid! I can’t wait to follow along as the author releases more books in this series! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC!

I don't really have any strong feelings about this one, either negative or positive, which is why it's a three star for me. It was a solid romantasy and I think lovers of that genre will really enjoy it. For me, I think I'm growing a little tired of the over-done, rinse and repeat feel to the genre. Although the predictability and tropes are probably what many readers enjoy about it, I need something that feels more fresh and has more depth to be excited. Regardless, I'd still definitely recommend this book to romatasy lovers! It's fun, steamy, fast-paced, good magic system, full of political intrigue - sure to be a popular release with readers vying for the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Robinson, and the publishers for allowing me access to the e-Arc.

4.75 stars

There was so much intrigue with this one. Kingdoms are fighting against each other. FMC is a political tool for her brother. She has magic abilities that she can’t control.

*Tropes*
Knife to the throat
Touch her and you die
Enemies to lovers

I can’t wait to read the next book! Please, give this book a read!

I liked this book. It’s your typical romantic fantasy novel, so it’s not like it’s a groundbreaking story, but it’s still a good read. It has an enemies to lovers slow burn romance, magic, and some political and familial conflict that’s heavily intertwined. I thought the story was interesting enough to keep my attention, and I really liked the action filled ending and the way it set the scene for the sequel. I’m hoping to see more of the witch coven’s found family in the next book.

This book was ok. I found MFC to be a little annoying (how many times did she need to say how many languages she spoke?! Honestly.). Was also annoyed that the MMC was able to easily take down his own personal guard. Why is she his guard then?? Very politically heavy, felt fresh, but didn’t snag me. Will continue the series because the last 50 or so pages had me staying up late to finish

Yes! Omg I loved this book, it has so much political intrigue which was one of my favorite things and the enemies to lovers! The dynamic duo of nesta from acotar and Rowan from tog.

Firstly, thank you for Saga Press for allowing me to read an eARC of The Serpent and the Wolf.

If I’m being honest, this is your run of the mill romantasy. It gave me Bridge Kingdom vibes in a lot of ways. We have a few tropes: enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, forced proximity. There is magic and mild political intrigue. But over all, nothing that really distinguishes it from the pack of books in the same category. To me, it takes more than writing to popular tropes to be a unique and engaging story. But if these tropes scratch your itch, then you’d really like this story.

Our main female character is a sharp edged, intelligent princess from another country who was raised by a cruel father and grew up with an even crueler brother. Our main male character is a brawny, somewhat cocky but smart leader in his own country. His name never fit in my opinion (he is named Reid, which is one of my most favorite names), but maybe that is because I always picture Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds XD.

If you like stories like The Bridge Kingdom or Spark of the Everflame, this may be for you! Pick it up when it releases this fall :)

Side note as a former educator: I think it is a bit daunting to mention that she works in a school in her bio. Wouldn't put it past parents to give her a hard time for writing "smut."

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

□ At first I thought that the nickname given to the FMC was over used and a little cheesy but it started to grow on me throughout the book (but I think that's because it was used less/at "more appropriate times" as the story went on)
□ I appreciate the enemies to lovers trope but not with the "denial of feelings" -- nothing annoys me more than when we as readers see that the character acknowledges their own feelings but won't admit them to their partner, but that didn't happen in this book and I appreciated that.
□ Because this was a shorter book (for me) I wasn't expecting to get so choked up about characters but towards the end I was fighting the urge to tear up...
□ The ending--- uhggg. How are you going to do me like that..WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT?!? Things just started popping off.