What a whirlwind!

Buckle up cause boy does this book move quickly! This book launches you right into the world, and it's a tad jarring to say the least. There is a lot happening in this world, and the readers are really just thrown into the action right of the bat.

Where to even begin? It felt like this book had a lot going on, but we only got to scratch the surface of a lot of it. There were so many intriguing concepts in this plot, but many of them felt unfinished or lacking details. I will say, I did enjoy the FMC's growth throughout this book. I enjoyed watching her character dynamic throughout the book. The romance was pretty swoony, mostly in part to the MMC. He just was everything a woman could/should want in a man! Overall, I do wish we would've gotten to see more of their romance throughout. It did feel a bit choppy at times. Also this book was not as blazing spicy as I expected...definitely had some heat, but it wasn't anything too crazy.

Overall, this book was enjoyable. I found myself getting through it pretty quickly. Pacing wasn't too bad, but I wish we could've seen a little more cohesiveness through the ideas in the plot.

I would like to give a huge thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.2/5

I’m obsessed! I did find vassa a little annoying at first but she grew on me. I loved the different witch covens and how the magic was learned and passed down. I also thought that the trails for the foremen to become headman and the political set up was fun and unique, also loved the mentions of cultures and languages. I also liked the found family and most especially Reid and his little friend group. I like that Keon was in a different area and yet still very close and loyal to Reid. Reid is very precious and i cannot wait to see what he does in the next book. I am excited for more chapters in his pov and to see hoe things work with his new title and country as well as the ramifications of vassa’s actions towards the end of the book.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice: 🌶️

I want to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for giving me this ARC.

This was SO good! I’m calling it now. I think this will be the next book to make its way to BookTok soon. If you love a Romantasy with political intrigue, a badass FMC, forced marriage,a cinnamon roll MMC that gives you Raihn/Casteel/Kaan vibes then you will love this book.

Our FMC Vaasa is forced to marry someone from a neighboring kingdom by her brother. She obviously doesn’t want this, and literally ties her now husband to the bed and leaves him there and escapes. He ends up finding her, and they make an arrangement to be married for 3 years that way he can win an impending election.

The MMC Reid had me in a chokehold by some of the things he said. Our FMC is the grump in this book while Reid is our sunshine. It would have been a 5 star if it had fewer talks of politics. A lot of the time it went right over my head 😂. But that’s just a me problem.

I definitely recommend this, and I might even go out to buy the physical copy

I am SPEECHLESS.

This book was phenomenal. It has been a while since I’ve picked up a book that I simply could not put down. That gave me that same rush as Fourth Wing. The world building was phenomenal with so much political intrigue. The slow burn, enemies to lovers, and arranged marriage was *chef’s kiss*, though the romance was definitely more of a subplot. Vaasa, the FMC, was so incredibly stubborn and I loved the reverse grumpy sunshine (FMC was grumpy and MMC was sunshine). I adored the hidden magic and witch covens and found family. The ending has me SO STRESSED I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW!

One of my favorite books of the year by far.

Thank you so much to Saga Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to like this one, but unfortunately this one fell short for me. DNF at 20%. Just didn't keep my attention like I want books to do and I found myself skimming the pages.

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for this eARC of The Serpent and the Wolf.

Where do I even begin? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am anxiously awaiting for the sequel. I really enjoyed the world building and the complex politics between Vaasa and Reid’s enemy nations.

In romantasy books, we usually see the MMC as the one wielding the shadows/darkness and in this book it was the FMC who was the dark magic/shadow wielder and I loved that.

I also enjoyed that I didn’t see the ending coming and when I thought I knew who was responsible for what, it twisted and caught me off guard in a good way. I love it when books keep me on my toes and I can’t predict the outcomes.

These were my favorite aspects/topes for this book:
🐍 Complex politics between warring nations
🐍 Arranged Marriage
🐍 Strong and politically savvy FMC
🐍 Reluctant allies to lovers
🐍 Witches
🐍 Dark Forbidden Magic
🐍 Coven/Sisterhood
🐍 Found Family
🐍 Slooooooow burn
🐍 He’d burn the world for her
🐍 Cliffhanger

I am now anxiously awaiting the next book because I’m dying to know what happens next.

Wowowowow do not get me started on this book 😍 Out of the 116 I've read so far this year, it's easily in the top 10.

Vaasa is forced by her cruel and conniving brother into marriage with the elected foreman of an enemy country, Reid the Wolf of Mireh. For me, this book has the ideal combination of fantasy and romance. Read if you like:
🔮 Arranged marriage
🔮 Deliciously slow burn
🔮 Mysterious magic
🔮 Political intrigue
🔮 Sibling rivalry
🔮 Found family

I loved this take on enemies to lovers, and the slow burn is ✨ exquisite ✨ Reid is THE book boyfriend--confident, strong, secure, hot, and funny. I love how he appreciates Vaasa's intelligence even from the very first chapter when she is working against him, and he always gives her a choice. 👏👏👏 Vaasa is a brave and smart FMC who must face the depth of her anger forged by the cruelty of the empire and family she grew up in.

I was hooked from the very first chapter, and the ending had my heart beating out of my chest. I need the sequel IMMEDIATELY, and I will not take no for an answer. 😆

Thank you so much to Rebecca Robinson and Saga Press for the ARC in exchange for the honest review! All opinions are my own 🫶

4.25 ⭐️ thank you saga press for sending me an ARC of this book. This was EXACTLY what I’ve been wanting ALL YEAR for romantasy. This finally scratched that itch. Thus deserves all the hype it’s been getting

The Serpent and the Wolf was a surprisingly interesting read. I felt like the world, economy, different cultures, and magic systems were all really well developed. The characters themselves were so unique and had complex emotions and backstories.

The story itself explores what it takes to lead, how scary it can be to both feel like you have no place you belong but also the anxiety of having a place you belong and fearing losing it, the fear of falling in love because it may lead to heartbreak, and making your own family.

The two main characters, Vaasa and Reid, were lovable and completely different from one another in a way that complimented each other, building a stronger unit when they are together. However, I did feel like there was a lacking of longing between them for the romance. I wanted them to want each other so much it hurt, but it mostly just felt like Vaasa was ignoring her physical desire to touch him. Don't get me wrong, the romance was by no means bad, but it could have been more.

The only other critique I have is that the main evil guy, Vaasa's brother, felt like he was cartoonishly evil with no real reason other than he was raised that way, which felt like there was a lack of depth.

Amazing debut! I wish I could give this more than 5 stars! The angst…character development…the end of chapters 26 & 28….!

Thank you Saga Press for granting me an ARC! I can’t wait for the sequel to be released!

This book was so much fun to read!! Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas; specifically, for fans of her Throne of Glass series. While "The Serpent and the Wolf" may have quite a few similarities with Maas's series (spoilers ahead for the Throne of Glass series and Robinson's book!!!!), such as demon-summoning magic, seemingly-corrupt ruling families, a sick witch crew, an FMC discovering her magic, and the political processes of becoming a person in power with the odds stacked against them, and yet I feel Robinson did a great job creating a story that's entirely her own! I thought the characters were well-written and the enemies-to-lovers trope was *chef's kiss.* My only qualm was when Vaasa was described to be wearing leggings at one point. I have no idea why, but it took me out of the setting since it's not exactly an urban fantasy book. Otherwise, I thought it was scrumptious. I can't wait for the sequel!

4.5 stars

I loved this book. The vibes are pretty similar to A Promise of Fire but tells a completely different story. You also will love this book if you enjoy:

Witches
Arranged marriage
Found family
Enemies to lovers
Forbidden magic
Political intrigue
SLOW burn

This is a book that for once in my life I am so upset I read early because that means I have to wait that much longer for the sequel. The characters are well developed, excellent pacing, and the plot is very well executed. This should definitely be on your radar in November when it’s released!

The story jumped right into the action from the very first page and held my interest throughout. I could not put the book down. I loved the chemistry between Vaasa and Reid from the very first. The world building and magic system is very well thought out. I cannot wait for the next book!

4.5 ⭐️ a literal masterpiece
I cannot say how amazing of a Romantasy this book was. Enemies to lovers fan? Check! Twists you might not see coming? Double check!! A CRAZY CLIFFHANGER??? Yes and I’m dying over it.

Now for all honesty, I did not give it a 5 just because towards 3/4 of the book, it kind of dragged on for me a little. It was a lot of info and not so much going on. It was necessary for the plot (like important stuff was happening, but I knew something big was coming so I just kept wanting to get to that part if that makes sense….) but I just felt like I wasn’t as drawn to it as I was throughout the first half. But then the end picks UP and omg did I get dragged right back into loving this book. The ending? Honestly don’t think I can say I ever would have saw it coming and I’m still a little in shock.

I loved the world building (a map would be sooo cool though 👀) and honestly the whole set up is amazing. For me, the world was unique and described enough that I had a good image of it, but not SO much that I had no room for imagination or got bored with the details of world building.

I definitely recommend this book! Do you like romantasy, fantasy kingdoms and politics (ish), enemies to lovers, arranged marriage (but like I promise it’s AMAZING guys), found family, “that’s my wife” vibes, and an FMC that fights for what she wants? Because if so like you need this book NOW!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

Vaasa, sister of an empress, has no intention of being married off to Reid of Mireh. But she quickly becomes enshrined in the politics of their countries, while navigating their connection.

This book had so many amazing layers to it - political intrigue, a magic sisterhood of women and epic romance. I couldn't put it down and would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the politics of Game of Thrones, the romance of Fourth Wing or who loves strong women coming together. This is one of the best books of the fall of 2024.

This was exactly what my female rage heart needed.

Short Synopsis:
Vaasa is the last remaining family member to the her brothers crown. So in order to get rid of her, he marries her off to Reid, an enemy ruler. Vaasa does what she can to escape the marriage and find her freedom. And strikes a deal with her enemy husband.

My Thoughts:
This was exactly the book I needed when I picked it up. It was filled with a strong female character, some rage and horrible men, but also a tender love story and a fight for what’s right.

I love how down bad Reid was for Vaasa. The found family was beautiful and I just really enjoyed this one. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a slow burn Romantasy or a female rage read.

What You’ll Find:
🖤Enemies to lovers
❤️‍🔥Female rage
🥰Nicknames
💞Arranged marriage
🛏️Only one bed
💍“My wife”

This book didn’t blow me away but overall, I liked it. It was hard to get into the plot at first but by the 20% mark I started to get into it. It hit a lull around 70% but the ending made me interested in reading book 2.

This had a lot more political intrigue than romance which was fine for me. The politics were a little confusing but hopefully it gets more fleshed out in book 2. What little romance we got was a slow burn throughout. I was more interested in the secondary characters than the main characters.

Thank you to Saga Press for the ARC!

This debut has ALLLLL of the tropes, along with a lot of angst, bitterness, grief, magic, witches, betrayals, lies, secrets and more!

Vaasa (FMC) and Reid (MMC) are forced into an arranged marriage between two nations. The political scheme turns advantageous for them both: Vaasa will learn how to use the new dark magic flowing through her veins, and Reid will win an election with his wife by his side.

Vaasa and Reid’s banter and dynamic was absolutely immaculate, and they 100% give black cat/golden retriever energy.

I absolutely devoured the first half, but the second half lost me with all the world-building, including a lot of political intrigue/machination and an intricate yet confusing magic system. I hope that this book is just the foundation and we will get to see an expansion of all of these elements in the future.

Overall, this is an intriguing debut with a lot of potential for the sequel (ESPECIALLY with that ending)! AND you won’t have to wait long to read because this book comes out November 19th!

And finally - thank you so much to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This was an amazing book. It wasn't exactly an enemies to lovers scenario but definently a slow burn. The characters in this story had to of been very thought out. Reid the mmc- hearing the rumors of him and how he truly is made the storyline thst much more interesting. Vaasa the fmc- being extremely cunning and just every detail about her character was perfect. It was a good twist with her brother as a villain and an unexpected ally aiding him. Overall this was a great book and I look forward to more from this author and I strongly recommend this, especially considering it Includes witches. And after reading Sarah j maas and the thirteen I cant get enough of witches!

The Serpent and the Wolf is one of the best political machination books I’ve read in a very long time. There’s action and adventure as well, but the bulk of the tension in this story comes from political scheming and intrigue. Vaasa is such a relatable character in that all she wants is the freedom to live her life as she chooses; however, others have different plans for her. I’m also obsessed with Vaasa being the shadow wielder. Robinson also had great world building as well as a unique and interesting magic system. The friendship between Vaasa and Amalie was one of the best relationships to come out of this book. I am all for women supporting other women, and the friendship they develop is heartwarming. The other great relationship is that between Vaasa and Reid. I love the slow burn, reluctant allies to friends to lovers progression. It was natural and well executed for how their relationship started out and what Vaasa thought she knew of Reid. The change in Vaasa’s magic manifestation is such a great representation of their relationship development. This is one of the few times I was completely blindsided by a betrayal. I did not see the way the ending would unfold, and I’m still processing everything that happened. Quite simply, this book is a must read.