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.

I was hooked by the tension between Vaasa and Reid, I stayed for the amazing story. This book has all the goods, an arranged marriage, slow burn romance, witches and an ending that makes you want more.

Favorite Tropes

Who did this to you?
Arranged Marriage
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
He falls First

Thank you to Saga Press for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

This debut romantasy from Rebecca Robinson was extremely fun and memorable. I’ve read many books within the romantasy space this year, and this one hooked me.

Our FMC, Vassa, is amid a difficult family situation – her father passed away from illness, her mother recently passed away from a mysterious curse, and her conniving brother has pushed her into an arranged marriage for political gain with our MMC, Reid. The book opens with a fast-paced scene depicting Vassa escaping from Reid on the night of their wedding.

Vassa quickly realizes that she is also impacted by the dark curse that overtook her mother. Unable to control the dark magic that is now inside of her, Vassa worries for her safety. Reid is working to win political votes and rise to power within the kingdom. The two come to common ground and figure out a way for the marriage arrangement to be mutually beneficial – Reid will help Vassa understand and control her magic, and Vassa will help Reid win the favor and assurances of other key figures in the political landscape.

This story includes many themes and tropes that have become a bit formulaic for a Romantasy read:
• “Stabby” FMC
• Cinnamon Roll MMC
• Arranged Marriage
• Fake Dating (Fake Marriage?)
• He Tends to her Wounds
• One Bed
• “My Wife”
• “Who Hurt You”
• Found Family

I’m a sucker for a good slow burn, and banter and tension in this book was great. Reid is one of my top book boyfriends of all time; we love a consent king.

While I found this to be a good mix of romance and plot, I do think the world building could have been a bit stronger. Many areas in the world were mentioned and became key in the political negotiation that occurred – but I didn’t get a feel for the importance, location, uniqueness etc. of each of these areas in the world. A map and a bit more time spent building the world would have improved my understanding.

The ending of this book has left me excited and wanting book two immediately! Can’t wait to see what else Rebecca Robinson releases in the future!

This book is such a whirl wind of what is going on it really throws you for a loop. Between the royals, the proposition of death, her marriage, and everything else you really feel for the character and the chaos that she is surrounded by. I loved this book and the writing style. The cover I was iffy on because it's not a very unique one. Pretty sure there are at least two with the same cover on tiktok. However, the writing is phenomenal and a plot that really hasn't been done well before.

The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson is an enthralling blend of political intrigue, dark magic, and complex relationships, delivering a gripping story that surprised me in the best way. After losing her mother and discovering the dark magic within herself, Vaasa Kozar is a fierce, determined woman who fiercely fights for her own survival at the center of a world where betrayal and power struggles are the norm.Being the pawn in her brother’s political game, she is forced to marry a man she has never met. Her marriage to Reid of Mireh, a cold and calculating foreign ruler who is next in line to the throne. Their marriage sets the tone between two survivors, quickly becoming more complicated as the chemistry between them threatens their fragile alliance.

What stands out most is the depth of Vaasa’s character. She’s not only a skilled tactician but also someone grappling with the mystery and danger of the dark magic that seems to surround her. Her resilience, sharp wit, and her chameleon-like ability to adapt make her a compelling character. Reid, on the other hand, is a complex mix of danger and vulnerability. Reid, too, proves to be more than just a brutal ruler—his motivations and offer to help Vaasa manage her power add intriguing layers to his character. Their relationship is tense, filled with mutual suspicion, yet it develops in a believable and nuanced way. Their relationship crackles with enemies-to-lovers chemistry, which is executed beautifully throughout the book.Their dynamic is full of fire and unexpected moments, making their interactions exciting to read.Some may think a drawback lies in some predictability regarding the romantic development, though the political tension and Vaasa’s internal conflict more than make up for this. The stakes are high, and with every twist, I was left wondering how far Vaasa will go to survive and what she will sacrifice.

The novel’s pacing is excellent, with layers of political maneuvering and personal stakes that keep the tension high throughout. However, the first chapter left me feeling like I’d missed a few key pieces. It feels as though the story drops you straight into the story, skipping any real buildup or easing in to how Vaasa got to this point.While this can be a bit jarring, it doesn’t take long to catch up, but I would have preferred a smoother introduction into the world and the high-stakes political intrigue that has set Vaasa up on the path we walk with her on.

Overall, The Serpent and the Wolf is a powerful story about survival, trust, and the lengths people will go to secure power and freedom. If you enjoy stories with strong heroines, dark magic, slow-burn relationships, and enemies to lovers this book will leave you hooked until the very last page. Thank you to S&S/Saga Press, NetGalley, and Rebecca Robinson for the free ARC.

There is no other way to say this other than DEVOURED.

I read this book in a day and did not put it down. The world building is excellent. The pacing speeds up and slows down based on the action, but regardless, it's page turning. I loved the magic system and how it is described. It built throughout the story to that ending, which is a GASP!

The characters are a highlight for me. Vaasa is such a strong, gritty FMC. She goes through a journey which is about acceptance for who she is and how she can be loved. Reid is a shadow daddy, cinnamon roll all rolled into one and I just can't get enough of him. Their chemistry is a slow burn and worth every second. The villains are awful and hateful but I love that we know their motivations for the decisions that they've made.

The plot twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat. Especially the ending. I'm just not okay and can't wait for more!

There is so much more for this series and I for one will be reading it.

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

Thank you so much for the advanced copy!

I will rate this book as a 3/5. It does a great job as a New Adult novel. I appreciated that it was a quick read, and readers will likely enjoy the easy escape. That being said, The Serpent and the Wolf felt very surface-level in what it could have achieved. The different politics were hard to follow, and it took awhile to really understand the magic Vaasa was trying to hone. I do love an enemies to lovers trope, too, but that piece also could have been expanded on throughout the story.

I don’t anticipate reading the sequel, but it looks like other advanced-copy readers were caught by the cliff-hanger! I’d recommend a glossary and an overall larger commitment to the story and world building.

I loved this! Definitely lived up to the hype. Hands down one of my favorites of the year, can’t believe this is a debut novel! Very excited to see what comes next!

As a die hard fantatsy and romanatasy reader, The Serpent and the Wolf hits all the marks! Enemies to lovers -YES. He falls first- YES. Touch them and die - YES! Add in to political intrigue and the world as whole, and you will not be disappointed!

I found The Serpent and the Wolf to be a difficult read. It's a fantasy romance and those are usually difficult for me to engage with. You have to really sell me on the developing relationship, and make me love the characters to the point where I am invested in the relationship. If I don't like the characters, and feel invested in their happiness, I will just bounce off the building relationship...and this is what happened with this novel.

Now, the initial premise was an interesting one. It's an Enemies to Lovers combined with Arranged and Fake Marriage tropes, which as a concept seemed like fun. Our Tempestuous Heroine is also cursed with a terrifying magical ability that she inherited from her mother. There were also some interesting hints that her father might have intended her to be some kind of spy/intelligence analysist or perhaps assassin, until this career was ended by her suddenly having magic and her brother apparently wanting to kill her because of this. (While using her as an excuse for a war.) There were some definitely interesting ideas here. I would have been on board with Spy Princess. I would have been on board for Fantasy Politics. I did not quite get that.

So, here are some things I bounced off of:
- Our Tempestuous Heroine goes straight from zero to murder, without checking out the lay of the land, or see if she actually needs to murder anyone. Yes, she apparently accepts at face value every terrible rumor she's heard about a country her father was unable to get spies into, and she expects her husband to be inherently terrible. (This is a reasonable worry, her brother and her father both seem to be/have been terrible people and she doesn't seem to have had any positive male role models. She apparently expects abuse so she's going to be hyper-proactive.)
- Writer fails to sell me on Evil Fantasy Russian Empire. (I am referring to it thus because Heroine's name is Vaasalisa, and many of the character names seem to be Eastern European.) Yes, monarchies are bad, and empires even more bad, but writer reduces it to "monarchy bad, democracy good," which isn't very nuanced. (Granted, this is a romance and you don't really go to romance for nuance, I don't think?)
- Writer fails to sell me on Secret Agent Vaasalisa. This is mostly because the writer can't seems to decide if Vaasalisa was trained as a analyst, who was never supposed to go into the field, a spy, or a fantasy politics assassin/wetwork agent. Then later, Vaasalisa states and seems to believe that she was only intended to be destined for a political arranged marriage, despite the extra training she recieved and her actual talents. (I was confused because I thought the writer was implying one thing, but was actually implying another.)
- I am still strongly influenced by my reading of Paladin's Faith, but I am slightly annoyed that Vaasalisa makes some comment about having "only" been married off for trade agreements involving salt. (A big part of the plot of PF involved the salt trade and how extremely valuable salt is, not just for food preservation but also for various trades and industries that use salt in various chemical compounds and processes.)
- I'm annoyed we didn't get to see more of the magic school that Vaasalisa sneaks into, but I'm also annoyed that we don't know how she became familiar with the countries paperwork and bureaucracy, if this country is an intelligence black hole which no one in her empire has any knowledge of. (Note: it is not. The one with the intelligence black hole is Vaasalisa.)
- The entire attempt at the "succession crisis plot" resulting from Vaasalisa getting married...in a marriage arranged by her brother...despite the part where if Vaasalisa gets married, her husband becomes part of the succession. (And thus, her brother is going to murder her and her husband.)
- I wasn't really able to get invested in the relationship. I do like arranged/political marriages but I found myself frustrated with the characters and the worldbuilding.
- The romantic lead's nickname for the heroine.

The general feeling I got from this book was that the writer was trying very hard to make Vaasalisa a likable, relatable character at the expense of making her an interesting one. The writer seemed to be going for "Innocent raised by villains, forced to villainy but secretly Good." This...did not really work for me. If the writer had gone a little harder, and created an actual Spy Princess with a more ruthless and pragmatic personality, I would have been more invested in Vaasalisa's emotional journey and character development. With all that said, take my misgivings with a grain of salt. There were some very interesting ideas here, and the concept definitely had potential--it just didn't go where I thought it might. I admit to being picky about books in regard to plot and characterization, so your mileage may vary. This is a book that's going to be mostly for people who like the tropes on display, and the eventual sexy times.

This review is based on an unproofed galley received from Net Galley.

Rebecca Robinson’s debut The Serpent and the Wolf is a compelling romantasy that blends high-stakes political intrigue with the simmering tension of an enemies-to-lovers romance. While the novel doesn’t break entirely new ground in the fantasy genre, it delivers an engaging and suspenseful story filled with ruthless characters, strategic alliances, and just enough slow-burn romance to keep readers hooked.

At the heart of the novel is Vaasa Kozár, a woman sharpened by loss and betrayal. Having lost her mother to a mysterious dark magic and constantly threatened by her merciless brother, Vaasa enters a politically fraught marriage to survive. Vaasa’s journey is one of defiance and resilience—she’s a heroine who has been trained for combat and political maneuvering her whole life, and it’s her cunning that drives much of the story forward. Robinson does a good job of portraying Vaasa’s inner turmoil as she grapples with both her dangerous magic and her precarious situation in this new marriage.

The marriage to Reid of Mireh is where the romance begins to take shape. From the start, their relationship is rooted in politics, distrust, and manipulation. Reid, the ruthless foreign ruler, offers Vaasa a deal that seems almost too good to be true: help him win the votes he needs to rise in power, and she can walk free. The layers of political machinations between them create a tense, slow-burn dynamic that is one of the novel’s strongest aspects. The enemies-to-lovers trope is handled well, with Robinson letting the tension build naturally. The chemistry between Vaasa and Reid deepens as the story progresses, but it never feels rushed, making their attraction both believable and satisfying.

What sets The Serpent and the Wolf apart is its focus on political intrigue and strategy. Vaasa is not just trying to survive a dangerous marriage—she’s navigating the deadly power plays of multiple nations, including her brother’s lethal plans. The constant tension of betrayal, shifting alliances, and hidden motives keeps the plot engaging. Reid’s political goals also add complexity to his character, making him more than just a brooding love interest. His relationship with Vaasa goes beyond physical attraction, involving mutual respect and strategic thinking, which gives the romance a more mature and layered feel.

The world-building in the novel is solid, though at times it feels like certain aspects could have been more fleshed out. The dark magic that runs through Vaasa’s veins is intriguing, but its mechanics remain somewhat vague throughout the story. The political landscape is detailed and rich, but the magic system, a key part of Vaasa’s identity and struggle, could have used more depth and explanation to make it feel fully integrated into the plot. Still, Robinson provides enough context for readers to stay immersed in the world and its political complexities.

The pacing of the novel is generally steady, though the middle section feels slower as it focuses on the political dealings and trust-building between Vaasa and Reid. While this time is necessary for the development of their relationship, some readers might wish for a bit more action or conflict during this part of the story. The stakes are certainly high, but the build-up to the climax could have been tighter to maintain the momentum.

The secondary characters, particularly Vaasa’s brother, add layers of tension to the narrative. His ruthless ambition and willingness to use his sister as a pawn make him a compelling antagonist, though he could have been explored in more depth. The tension between familial duty and personal survival that Vaasa faces is a driving force in her character development, and more insight into their relationship would have added even more weight to the plot.

Final Thoughts:
The Serpent and the Wolf is a strong debut that successfully combines political intrigue with a slow-burn romance, making it a satisfying read for fans of romantasy. While certain elements, like the magic system, could have been more fully developed, the complex dynamics between Vaasa and Reid keep the story engaging. The novel’s strategic alliances, betrayals, and well-executed enemies-to-lovers arc make it a compelling addition to the genre. A solid 3.5-star read that promises plenty of intrigue and romance, with room for more exploration in potential future installments.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶 / 5

✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Political intrigue
✨ Only one bed
✨ He falls first
✨ Touch her and die
✨ Touch him and die
✨ Fake "dating"
✨ Arranged/forced marriage
✨ Stabby FMC

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!! The plot kept me on my toes and guessing throughout. Vaasa was complex and flawed in a way that didn't make me want to throw the book across the room. She's incredibly relatable to anyone who's every been terrified of vulnerability or letting anyone close.

Truly the only thing I didn't like was that I felt that some of the world building and explanations weren't fully flushed out. I'm still confused about their government and the elections. Also, I would have killed for a map, because the geography simply didn't make sense to me. However, I was able to put all that aside because the characters and plot were amazing.

If you liked the bridge kingdom, I think you'll like this one too!

The Serpent and the Wolf follows a lot of familiar beats of a classic romantasy. Those who are looking for their next book in this genre, I believe this book would be perfect for them. We follow Vassa and Reid, stuck together in a marriage of convenience. The book starts off with a propelling scene of Vassa escaping at the night of their wedding. Cursed with a dark magic inside of her, she seeks her own path and future where she is bound by other people's decisions and choices. Eventually, Vassa and Reid reach an agreement where they realize they can help each other for 3 years. I think Rebecca has intriguing writing and while the story seems familiar, the author does try to make it unique with the marriage of convenience trope set in a fantasy world. The author also described Vassa's magic in an enticing manner. The book is fast-paced, almost to its detriment because the relationship between Reid and Vassa moves a little too fast. Otherwise, the ending has set up the second book in the duology and I'd be interested to see how the story continues.

4.5/5
Amazing new romantasy. Strong characters, great banter, wonderful connection between characters. This book has amazing tension and build up with the slow burn between the 2 main characters and what is expected with an arranged marriage situation. It was amazing to follow. The world building/ political set up was a tad bit confusing for me. I'm not sure if I missed something in the beginning or what but I still have questions not sure if it will be explained later on in the series. The side characters were a wonderful addition, the being a nice flare and depth to the Vassa. This book has you guessing and I love how Vassa is powerful and direct. It is a nice change of pace from FMC that are "weak" and learn to be powerful really quick. This is everything I love in a Romantasy and would highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster/ Saga press for the opportunity to read this e-ARC. This is my honest opinion.