Incredible. Roshani’s writing and world building are some of my favorite things about this series. The characters, dialogue, and ending all are absolutely amazing. TGW3 can not come soon enough.

I had the most difficult time to jump into the book, maybe because Séverin is so dark and negative, trying to feel absolutely nothing... But when the action kicked in, I was hooked!!!! So much is happening in so little time, I couldn't put it down.

I absolutely devoured The Gilded Wolves. This one is different, but sooo good too! Hope you'll like it too.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love a heist. I love snarky characters and banter. This is emotional and beautiful and rich. Somehow, Chokshi manages to point up the inequity and darkness of colonialism without it being heavy-handed. The characters feel real- they're messy and flawed and you root for them so much. There's a great deal of grief and angst in this book, which is part of what keeps you reading, along with truly gorgeous setting and lots of atmosphere. I can't wait for the third instalment.

Omg this is besssssst book I read . I was earth to read this book after gilded wolves but don't have time because of various things happening in my life, but my God this book is epic.

NOW I CANT WAIT FOR NEXT BOOK.

A nice, fast-paced fantasy/mystery that had me eagerly turning pages. My only complaint was that the ending was a little too abrupt for my tastes and such a cliffhanger (I don't mind the cliffhanger per se but I hate having to wait for the next book). I did manage to figure out a couple twists pretty easily, but it still wasn't necessarily predictable or tropey; it was more that I watch so many thrillers and mysteries that sometimes I'm good at picking up on plot turns.

I spent most of the book wanting to smack Severin upside his head but I get it, he's dealing with trauma and fear. I still wanna smack him. Enrique and Zophia really shown in this book and I found myself really enjoying their chapters more than anything else.

Can't wait to see what happens next!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi

(Warning: there's no way to talk about The Silvered Serpents without spoilers for The Gilded Wolves, so consider yourself warned.)

I'm not sure what it is about Roshani Chokshi's story of a motley, fractious heist crew in magical Belle Époque not-Paris that draws me in so thoroughly when heist-driven stories in general often aren't my thing . The worldbuilding certainly helps: with an intriguing magic system and history, Chokshi creates a version of an imperialist European nation whose genteel facade doesn't in any way obscure its imperialist exploitation of other cultures. The characters themselves are perfectly placed to underscore that: from mixed race Filipino academic and cake enthusiast Enrique, whose dual heritage leaves him distrusted and shut out of his peers' endeavours; to Jewish, neurodiverse engineering prodigy Zofia, all are people who find themselves on the margins of the elite, recognised and occasionally valued for their talents but never truly accepted. Or maybe these books hook me because they're just great, and they also end with heartbreaking cliffhangers every time and I can't help but finish up wanting more.

The Silvered Serpents picks up where the Gilded Wolves left off: with the found-family heist crew put together by disinherited noble and terrible choice-maker Séverin smashed into tiny pieces by the events of the last book, as Séverin attempts to prevent himself from having to grapple again with the kind of loss brought on by its catastophic revelations. However, when an opportunity arises to pursue godhood in the form of a lost text called the Divine Lyrics, Séverin decides to get the band back together - including Laila, his former flame, who he pushed away in a brutal ending scene in The Gilded Wolves - and the group end up travelling to Russia, working with Séverin's estranged Aunt and another noble House to uncover the artefact's secrets, and to stop the damage being caused by another, considerably more murderous group seeking to harness its power.

Even more than its predecessor, The Silvered Serpents' thematic focus on bloodlines and heritage means that the emphasis is very much on the characters and the relationships between them, and that works perfectly: there's just so much to enjoy. While I did find some elements strained (honestly, I'm sort of done with "neurodiverse person doesn't realise they are experiencing love because they can only analyse their emotions through the detached lens of physical reaction", no matter how much I was rooting for that particular relationship), on the whole this is a great follow-up and (thanks to that cliffhanger!) I'm definitely keen to see where the final book goes.

I love the cast of characters of Chokshi's beautiful world.

However, I feel like this book definitely felt the middle book syndrome. The first half of the book felt very slow and I struggled to keep my attention on this book, but once we hit the last third, I finished it in a couple hours. I think pushing through the dragging parts was well worth it to get to the end. And these characters are so enchanting, I just want to root for them through every triumph and failure. Plus, heists? Always sign me up!

Though this wasn't my favorite book of my series, I am so excited to read the thrilling conclusion of this series.

3.5 stars

Roshani Chokshi's beautiful writing continues to create the stunning world in this sequel where the L'Eden squad are searching for an artefact mentioned in the first book, in the midst of a snow-clad Siberia and on the grounds of a Sleeping Palace where the magic, puzzles, and stakes continue to rise. With a greater focus on the emotional pain, struggle, and misunderstanding among the characters, especially after the saddening end of The Gilded Wolves, this instalment easily delivers heartbreak, dwindling relationships, and love that surpasses loss as well friendships. In terms of plot complexity, The Silvered Serpents ranks lower than the predecessor but the essence of a diverse cast and a set-up for what the dangerous combination of pain and power can bring to a table where godly purposes are thought to be the ultimate solution, continues to effortlessly impress in this character-oriented sequel and certainly makes one anticipate the conclusion of this trilogy.

Roshani Chokshi masterfully tells her story through multiple points of view, with each character developing their own unique voice. I've previously enjoyed her titles The Star Touched Queen and A Crown of Wishes. Beginning this book, I was unaware at first that it was a sequel, so I think I would have benefited from previously reading The Gilded Wolves. Ms. Chokshi knows how to create a thrilling plot set within a world that captures your attention and allows you to imagine the buildings and scenery so clearly. I especially enjoy plots that mix real life elements with those of fantasy or magic. I would recommend for any readers who previously read and enjoyed titles by this author, and those who enjoy fantasy and adventure.

*Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the complimentary copy for my honest review*

This book was definitely darker than the first book but that's one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much more. The character growth was amazing and that was a huge plus for me in this book. The author has the ability to grab the reader's attention and you will not be able to put this book down. I adored this book and I love Roshani Chokshi's writing style, it's just beautiful.

The Silvered Serpents is the second book in Roshani Chokshi's trilogy. It's darker and much more grim than its predecessor. The story progression was perfect and I enjoyed more world and magic building in this novel. The pacing flowed naturally and I was eager to continue reading even when I should have been attending to other things. For me I would equally enjoy these novels in movie, or television format. The settings, and time period are stunning. The only disappointment I feel is that the third book is not due until September of 2021.

I had never read the first book in this series but that didn’t stop me from getting hooked. Following a team of treasure hunters for the ultimate prize. So many twists and turns that keep you wanting more.

I did not finish this ARC because I did not get a chance to read the first novel. I am hoping to check this series out soon. Thanks for the early copy.

Great second book in a series. I love the complexity of the characters and the intrigue. It's one of my favourite series from the last couple of years and I can't wait to get my hands on book three! I love the puzzles and riddles mixed in with history. It's ingenious!

Roshani broke my heart with this one, in the worst and the best ways. I can't wait for the final installment of this wildly satisfying series.

Sadly this series isn't for me. I've heard good things but I just couldn't connect to it. But I will probably try again at a later time.

NetGalley doesn't state if a book is part of a series, and perhaps this book would have made more sense after reading the first one,. Having said that, this author does a spectacular job of bringing supernatural beings to life in an ice castle in Russia no less. The heroes are just a bit beyond human, which makes them infinitely more interesting, but all are deeply flawed with very human emotions. I recommend this series based on the author's storytelling and descriptive talent, but maybe start from the beginning! I received a digital copy from the publisher Wednesday Books through NetGalley.

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This review is long in the coming. Mainly because I was so so ready to read this book and yet I just could not. I kept picking it up ready to read only to quickly put it back down again. It felt like this book took an abrupt, quick turn with one of the characters that felt out of no where. That was just such a jarring change that I couldn't connect with the book. I understand why the character made that change but I wish there was more build up with the character's feelings before they got to where they are now. I might try to finish this one again in the future but for now it is on my DNF shelf.

I love these kids so much and just want the best for them. ♥️

The Silvered Serpents is a thrilling and fast-paced follow up to The Gilded Wolves and just as full of treasure hunting mysteries, witty banter, touching friendships and slow simmering romance.

I do wish a little that I had given myself a bit of a refresher and reread the first book before starting this, as it does jump right into it and there were a few instances I was a bit lost trying to remember who some of the characters outside the main group were and events from the previous book, but that is solely on me and I think this series will be quite a lot of fun to go back and binge once they’re all released.

All of that said, I quickly found myself falling into step with the main characters again and recalled just how much I love their dynamic. The cultural, LGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity representation is some of the strongest I’ve seen in a YA fantasy and I appreciate the even weight and careful importance Chokshi places upon that representation, making it feel close to our real life experiences.

Hypnos is still charmingly ridiculous. Zofia’s brilliance is regularly saving everyone’s butt again. Enrique deserves the world I just want want him to feel accepted and appreciated and listened to. Laila and Séverin continue to circle each other, but you’re never quite sure if they’re coiled to strike or embrace.

One of the biggest strengths in this book is the growth and development of Zofia and Enrique’s characters, as well as Hypnos. Though I did feel as though that forced some of Sèverin and Laila’s rocky relationship to be sidelined at moments and I really wish the communication issue wasn’t there between them.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this one though. It’s another exciting romp through secret societies and treasure troves and mythology, with a fantastic cast of characters you just want to hang out and eat cake with.

This was a really great sequel to the Gilded Wolves. The tension is ratcheted up by a ton, the characters are as usual amazing, even though they are completely traumatized by the ending of book one, and the story took a lot of turns i wasn't expecting.

We start the book with all of our characters kind of having all gone their own way. After the ending of the first book, and the traumatic loss of their friend, there's a lot of sadness as well as animosity to go around.

Severin has decided that he is going to focus on finding the divine lyrics. In his mind, if they're gods no one can die- they can bend reality to their will. As a character, he became a little unhinged and has purposely set himself apart from everyone so he doesn't have to feel.

The rest of the characters also have their own gauntlets to run. Laila is still dealing with the impending timeline of her death as well as her taught and outright hostile relationship with Severin. Zofia has to deal with her sister's illness, and is practically forced back by Severin to help with this quest, in addition to having to acknowledge her feelings for Enrique. Enrique and Hypnos have grown apart, and Enrique is still struggling with his identity and getting the respect that he so craves from certain people.

This book was in ways completely different and very similar to the first book. It's another quest, more of a mystery quest than a heist storyline like the first book, but there's still plenty of danger. The whole time you're reading you're waiting for the other shoe to drop because it's pretty clear our crew is walking into a trap.

The world is much more well developed, in my opinion, in this book than it was in the first - but i did find that the writing was less lyrical and the setting while more expansive seemed less romantic and fantasy-esque than in the first book.

One gripe I had was that I CANNOT STAND cattiness and girl hate and there was a lot of that going on and that was one aspect this story really could have gone without. Because of this I would definitely say it's more of a 4.5 rating than a whole five if half stars were allowed.

I had a hard time dealing with our characters not getting along, but at the same time couldn't stop reading because I had to know how it would end. I blew through this book in two sittings. It was absolutely fantastic. And I don't know how I'm supposed to go on, knowing what I know, and not having the sequel in my hands.