This was my favorite romantasy of the year! Familiar tropes with all-new twists (it's so hard to be surprised by this genre anymore) and enemies-to-lovers slow-burn banter that never made me cringe. Highly recommend it for fans of The Hurricane Wars or Fourth Wing. I do wish that the book had been a bit longer and showed more of the found-family relationships though.

This is easily one of top reads of the year. It's a slow burn, enemies to lovers that is filled with magic, action, and growth. My mind is still reeling from all of the twists and turns in this plot. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.

I loved Julie Garwood’s strong female characters who were carted off and did battle with hunky Highland Lairds. Now why would I interject that past history? The first page of The Serpent and the Wolf had me channeling all the enjoyment I had reading Ms. Garwood’s books all those many years ago. It is a true compliment.

Rebecca’s Robinson has captured the essence of that age old love conquest thing that splits individuals and nations. Her characters are great, her fictional setting really well thought out and described. The conflicts and battles are ferocious. The use of magic and darkness was just about believable. The undercurrent of humor and repartee are very special. The embracing of multicultural, diverse communities was subtle but extremely effective. Yeah, I really liked this book. If there is a negative it is the use of current jargon here and there which somehow sounded off - but a minor complaint.

Back to the hunky Headman - he commands armies, entire fleets and we are left wondering if they will be of any help - when the magic is all that is left and will determine all. Now, when is the next installment due to hit the shelves because I am a wreck thinking about what is to come.

Just one more little question - the copyright is accredited to Rebecca Gilmore - just wondering.

So many thanks to Saga Press / Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for a copy.

Oh. My. God.

I don’t have the words to express how AMAZING this story was. Reid and Vaasa captivated me from the jump. Very rarely do romantasy books start with both the FMC and the MMC interacting in the first 20 pages, and while it’s not something that works for everyone - my god did it work here.

Vaasa had me from the jump. This cunning, scared, ambitious woman who refused to lie down and take what the world served her. She faced her challenges with poise and determination and my GOD I LOVE HER YOUR HONOR

But Reid? Let’s talk about this giant warrior of a man, who was instantly smitten with his arranged bride. If there’s one trope that’s gonna get me every time, it’s “He Falls First”.

Their relationship was real, it felt tangible and tragic to me. I can’t wait to read the next book, and I’m BEGGING for it to be here soon

Definitely a great high fantasy book! I was happy that it wasn’t over focused on the romance and did not lose the story in the progress. Yes there is romance but it’s a slow burn that fuels plenty of tension between main characters. The one thing I hope is there is more details on the mmc in the next book. Overall a great read

The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson completely blew me away. It’s not your typical romantasy—it’s clever, layered, and so original. The story pulls you into a world full of magic, political intrigue, and a romance that simmers in the best way. If you’re into slow-burn, high-stakes stories like Throne of Glass or One Dark Window, this is for you.

The book follows Vaasa, a sharp, dangerous princess sold into an arranged marriage with Reid, a golden-hearted foreman known as the Wolf of Mireh. Their dynamic? Absolute gold. She ties him to a bed and escapes on their wedding night, while he falls for her almost immediately. Reid is that perfect mix of soft and strong—completely devoted but never overbearing.

Vaasa, though, is the star. She’s ruthless, guarded, and doesn’t let anyone in—yet watching her learn to trust and open up was so satisfying. Their romance feels real, with the perfect mix of tension, banter, and slow-building connection.

This book has everything: strong characters, a gripping plot, and a romance that will make you swoon. I’m obsessed and NEED the sequel now…..

Thank you to NetGalley & Saga Press.

The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson is brilliant. I loved everything about it and the writing.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Let me start my saying, I ate this book DOWN!!!

For this book to be a debut novel, I am completely blown away. It was so well written and beautifully executed that I swore I was reading something from a seasoned author. Well done Rebecca! Plus, shout out to my fellow educator! 🫶🏾

What I loved ♡
-The book starts with a bang. From chapter one, you’re already drawn in.
-The found family and enemies to lovers aspect
-Badass FMC, Vaasa! I love how she could stand on her own but also has a vulnerable side (although it takes time for her to let her guard down)
-The twists! Omfg! The damn twists! Being a thriller reader, I’m usually good at catching the twists, but I saw none of it coming and I had to pick my literal jaw off the floor…….many times!
-Reid! He is the perfect MMC! “From who did this to you” to “my wife”😩! He just made my heart full the way he showed up for Vaasa, no questions asked and w/out a second thought. Even when she fought against it.
-The angst, the spice, and the dramaaaa! There was just the right amount of each of them.

This book has been added to my “books I’ll always recommend” list.

Dear Rebecca, I need book two right neowwwwww! Thanks 😊

I really enjoyed this one. I feel though the world building might have been a bit confusing in the beginning. It was hard to get an understanding at first. But when the story started flowing, it ended up being a really good read for me.

I can't wait for the next one!

I really enjoyed Vaasa as our fmc and Reid was a steady mmc. Vaasa definitely had a lot more character growth in this book so I look forward to hopefully seeing more of Reid's development in the next one. I was a little confused in the beginning because it jumps right into their marriage scene and then she's gone, so it started a bit slow for me but once they meet again I was invested. Vaasa is strong, smart, and despite being reluctant to connect - she's a fierce friend to have in your corner. Reid is just a really good guy - steady, strong, and loyal but he doesn't feel like a complex character yet. Their relationship is a slow burn, he falls first, arranged marriage turned marriage of convenience with fake romance vibes (but like they don't have to try too hard to fake it because they totally have the feels). It's not a super romantic book because of the slow burn and larger focus on politics but there's definitely tension and relationship development throughout and I'm excited to see where it all goes in the next book.

I really like the coven - all of them are strong, quirky, fun, loyal women who give Vaasa a community/found family she's desperately in need of and information about her own magic. They are an integral part in her development and while I would have liked to know more about the magic system and have a clearer history, I know that the mystery of Vaasa's magic is also a driving point of the story so I'm not too upset about it. There's plenty of action, deception, political intrigue, questioning loyalties, betrayal, etc. and I am here for the tension of it all! I will definitely be continuing with the series and recommend it to any fantasy readers who like books full of magic with elements of romance, found family, and touch him/her and die.

*slow burn
*sort of enemies to lovers
*black cat x golden retriever vibes
*reverse grumpy x sunshine
*arranged marriage
*fake romance
*touch them & die
*only one bed
*magic

I voluntarily read & reviewed a DRC from Saga Press via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Serpent and the Wolf is the first in the Dark Inheritance Trilogy by Rebecca Robinson. This story is full of well crafted characters that you will love or love to hate. I loved getting to know the main characters Vaasa and Reid and was rooting for them from the very beginning. It is a story that is set in a fantastical world full of love, greed, magic, and betrayal. The ending had me in tears and left me desperately wanting to know what is going to happen next.

For fans of:
- the Hurricane Wars

Vaasa is cursed. She is cursed with a dark magic that she knows will eventually bring her to an untimely demise. She is cursed with a brother who is using her as a pawn and will eventually dispose of her once he is bored. She is cursed with a marriage to a wrathful man from a neighboring kingdom. Worst of all, she is cursed by her own memories.

This book includes:
- Rivals to Lovers
- dark, all consuming magic
- a coven of witches
- treachery and perilous family dynamics
- a misunderstanding
- political intrigue and court machinations

This book was exciting. Watching Vaasa struggle with her darkness (both supernatural and psychological) hooked all of my attention. The slow burn was deliciously sinful and I could feel the chemistry jumping off the page. I especially liked the humanization of the villains. In real life, bad actors are hardly ever all evil. Usually, it is the culmination of fears and abuses coming to life in a way that is destructive and devastating to those around them. "The Serpent and the Wolf" did a good job of showing the "bad guys" as victims of circumstances without absolving them of their sins. I am looking forward to book 2 and will definitely be recommending this book to all my peeps.

I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Robinson, and Saga Press for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

The Serpent and the Wolf is a solid debut that blends slow-burn romance, political intrigue, and dark magic. Vaasa, traded into an arranged marriage with Reid, escapes on their wedding night only to strike a deal: three years as his wife in exchange for her freedom. Along the way, she uncovers truths about her inherited magic, forms unexpected bonds, and faces the looming threat of her ruthless brother.

I enjoyed the banter and chemistry between Vaasa and Reid, but the pacing dragged in the middle, and the large cast of characters sometimes felt overwhelming. That said, the last quarter had me hooked, with a cliffhanger that guarantees I'll pick up the sequel. If you're into slow-burn romantasy with complex world-building, this one’s worth a read.

Review: This magical tale was intriguing to watch unfold. I enjoyed the character development, and was able to connect early on with the main characters. I struggled some with so many names, some very hard to remember and separate who was who. Overall though, the story came together nicely and I was very happy with the outcome. It is a very slow burn, but so worth it! She does leave our MMC and FMC on a cliffhanger, so there’s sure to be a sequel!
Summary: Vaasa lost her mother young, and has spent her life with a mysterious shadow illness that she’s been told will claim her life young. Her brother has inherited the family throne and she struggles to maintain normalcy and keep her sickness at bay. So when her brother trades her off to marry a high leader of another country, she is determined to escape and keep some freedom. Holding her new husband at knifepoint on their wedding night, she does just that. But her freedom is short-lived when he finds her and reclaims his wife. Full of stubbornness and grit, Vaasa is determined to serve her 3 year deal with him in exchange for her freedom. Her ruthless brother has other plans though, coming to see her and her new husband as a threat to his kingdom. In a foreign land where she can’t be sure who to trust, Vaasa slowly makes friendships and begins to see her husband may not be as cruel and rigid as rumor had her believe. Can she make a life here? Can she let her guard down? And how will she defeat the looming threat of her brother? But more than all those questions, the biggest is how will she learn to maintain this shadow sickness, that may not be a sickness at all, but a gift and connection to a powerful ancient coven?

Thank you to NetGalley, author Rebecca Robinson, and Saga Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I’m excited to see where this story goes next!

Solid 4.5 ⭐️ read for me!

I’m absolutely floored by how much I enjoyed this. There was banter, and a slow burn, and politics, and an election and a coven of witches!

Per usual I went in blind after seeing that this was fantasy romance, and I bought a shelf trophy since I received an ARC from NetGalley.

Vaasa was incredible, and there was a moment where she learned to accept friendship and loyalty among the witches and it had me in tears.

And let’s not get me started on the romance with Reid because oh my god I was living for it. Their banter was so fun, and the arranged marriage turned marriage of convenience turned into an actual romance was *chefs kiss*

Well done, Rebecca! Now please get us book two 🤞

A slow-burn, high-stakes fantasy with a complex political system and intense banter; this book is perfect for fans of "The Cruel Prince" and "A Fate Inked in Blood". Vaasa is a blade forged by her father's strict rule and high standards. Her whole life she knew she would be wielded in order for her kingdom to gain more power. Married off to a ruthless foreign ruler, Vaasa escapes on her wedding night to start living for herself. She couldn't outrun her husband forever and when he finds her, he makes her an offer she can't refuse...

I was so addicted to the banter and relationship between Vaasa and Reid (her husband). Their chemistry from the beginning was undeniable and I found both characters so intriguing in their own ways. Vaasa and Reid were both so fully fleshed out it was easy to get lost in their world. I also really enjoyed the magic system in this book and how the coven interacted with other aspects of the society.

If you enjoy slow burn romances with political intrigue then this should be your next read. The last part of this book is fantastic! This teetered between a 3 and 4 star read for me, but the last 20% was what pushed it to a 4 star read.

Vaasa has been raised as a political weapon and is married off to a leader from an opposing country. In defiance of the marriage, Vaasa leaves to pursue her own goals, one of which is learning of her newly inherited magic. Despite her efforts, her new husband, Reid, finds her and strikes a bargain-three years of pretending to be happily married in order to help him become headman of his country and then Vaasa can be free.

The slow burn between Vaasa and Reid was really well done. I loved their banter and the teasing from Reid. He slowly helps Vaasa to see that she can care for others and hope for more. Their romance was sweet and believable.

The pacing of this book is uneven. The first third had me completely hooked. Then in the middle I started to lose interest. I had difficulty keeping track of the characters, where they were from, and how they factored into the politics. I was also hoping for more of the witches and their magic. I’m still not quite sure what exactly Veragi magic does. There’s shadow/mist that’s created and can be blasted into others. Does it shrivel their insides? Stop their hearts? I would’ve been more interested if the magic was explained better and showed Vaasa training and learning how to wield it. Once I got to the last fourth of the book, I really couldn’t put it down. The action of the last section is what’s really keeping me intrigued and looking forward to the next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the advanced copy.

LOVE THIS BOOK READ IT NOW

I see this book every time I walk through target and it warms my heart to know I got to read it before it came out :))

I really need to pick up a physical so I can own this book myself ❤️

The Serpent and the Wolf is a debut romantasy novel by Rebecca Robinson. Vaasa Kozár is our main character; at first, I didn’t care for her. As the novel progresses, we learn more about Vaasa, her family, and her world. Married off to an enemy lord, Vaasa seeks to escape. All she wants in life is freedom–from her new husband, from her brother, and most of all, from the curse that killed her mother.

It starts off slow, and I considered marking this one as DNF at several points. However, I’m glad I finished it, as the second half is way better than the first half.

The novel is clearly part of a series, ending on a big cliffhanger to set up the next book. If, like me, you’re not sure you want to start another series that hasn’t been finished yet, and you don’t like stories with open endings, you may want to skip this one until the rest of the books are done.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 out of 5)

Thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for an advance copy in exchange for sharing my opinions. All opinions in this review are my own.