The Serpent and the Wolf

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Pub Date Jan 01 2025 | Archive Date Dec 30 2024
Simon & Schuster (Australia) | Simon & Schuster Australia

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Description

A fake marriage meets enemies to lovers in Rebecca Robinson’s steamy, thrilling romantasy debut, the start to a duology perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout.

All her life, Vaasa Kozár has been sharpened into a blade.

She has now lost her mother – her only remaining parent – to a dark magic that has since awoken within her. Vaasa’s domineering brother, Dominik, knows Vaasa isn’t long for this world, so he marries her off to Reid of Mireh, a ruthless foreign ruler, in one last political scheme. For Dominik to invade Reid’s nation, all Vaasa has to do is die.

But she is desperate to live, and Vaasa enters her new marriage with every intention of escaping it. To her surprise, Reid offers her a deal: help him win the votes to rise in power, and she can walk free. In exchange, he will help keep the dark magic running through her veins at bay.

His proposal may be too good to refuse, yet Vaasa and Reid’s undeniable attraction threatens to break the rules of their arrangement. As Dominik’s lethal machinations take form, everything is at stake, and Vaasa must learn to trust her new husband. But how can she? Especially when their perfect political marriage begins to feel like the real thing . . .
A fake marriage meets enemies to lovers in Rebecca Robinson’s steamy, thrilling romantasy debut, the start to a duology perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout.

All her life...

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EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781761632556
PRICE A$34.99 (AUD)
PAGES 352

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Average rating from 8 members


Featured Reviews

The Serpent and the Wolf is the first instalment of a romantasy duology and is the debut novel of author Rebecca Robinson.
This book follows Vaasalina Kozár, heiress to the Asteryan empire, married off to the foreman of Mireh: Reid Cazden. Mere weeks after her mother’s death, a black curse that promises death follows closely behind her and Vaasa must use whatever means necessary to find out how to cure the affliction that plagues her. Even making a deal with her now-husband.
I absolutely loved this book. I am such a big fan of romance with a plot and The Serpent and the Wolf certainly delivered. Vaasa is a deeply compelling and complicated character, and her struggles feel so real it’s very easy to empathise, despite it being a character in a book. The author spoke about how she created Vaasa when she was feeling similar turmoil, so the writing is authentic and so real. Her story arc was very well done.
I know the book is marketed as a romantasy, but it didn’t really feel like one. I expected a lot more of the traditional magic/creatures/other-worldly elements rather than a primarily human story with a few paranormal features. This did start to change towards the end, so perhaps the sequel will continue on the trajectory.
I really enjoyed the political intrigue; the worldbuilding was done at a comfortable pace and it was refreshing to read about a democratic system rather than the commonly used kingdom/royalty. It opened up a lot of avenues of exploration and the politics were just as good as the romance. The set-up of the foremen and councillors were a bit hard to keep up with at times, it took a while for me to make sense of their system.
The romance: *chefs kiss*. I love a slow burn. Love it. This was a slow burn done right. Other authors should read this book and emulate how to write a slow burn. It felt really genuine. The found family aspect was also wonderful.
I demolished this novel in two days and I can’t wait for the sequel.

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The Serpant and the Wolf

By Rebecca Robinson

This story has everything - witches and magic, warriors, arranged marriages, sibling rivalry and even politics!

Vassa is coming to terms with the recent and violent death of her mother when she is sent to a new territory for her arranged marriage. Unhappy about the arrangement Vassa attempts to flee in a quest to find the answers she needs to survive. Drama and danger follow her as her murderous brother keeps track of her movements within her new home.

I loved this story - it's plot, pace and twists were all fantastic as was the strong fmc and the other female characters surrounding her. Definitely worth a read! I am hoping there is not too long to wait until the next book!

Thank you Rebecca Robinson and Netgalley for the arc read!

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