Will getting eaten by the dragon sharks will remain one of the most satisfying things I have ever read. But overall this wasn't quite as engrossing or dynamic as the first book. Rather than capitalizing on other elements this sequel doubled down on the bleakness of the first book. I'm never opposed to expanding an ensemble cast but this book had so many POV characters that the narrative started to feel like it was spread thin and quite scattered. Not a lot of actual resolution which underscores how messy life is in this section of the world for this group of characters but also wasn't always satisfying. I have a strong feeling this series was envisioned as a trilogy at some point or a springboard for another companion series that has not seen the light of day.

More expansive than Tess of the Road but even more skillfully done, especially considering the scope and nuance of the new topics — imperialism, colonialism, taking on new perspectives other than your own — the author took on.
Full review on YouTube

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I have never been so disappointed with a sequel before. My disappointment resides in the field of "man I wish I never wished for a sequel". I absolutely LOVED Tess of the Road, it's one of my top favorite YA books of all time, and a lot of that is due to the story focusing on Tess and her journey. In the Serpent's Wake has no real central focus and just feels like Hartman wanted to shove in so many different plots that she forgot Tess even existed in this.

I made it 74% where I finally decided after ANOTHER new character was introduced that I just did not care anymore. I normally have no issue following large casts but whatever Hartman did in this, made it feel impossible to follow along. It didn't help that a lot of the characters had two different names. None of the new characters where likable, well maybe Jacomo, but everyone else they where just god awful. I could have absolutely positively done without Aemelia, she was horrendous, and having to spend so much time around her and listen to her ridicule the natives of the island she ruled over was exhausting and frustrating. I was pretty neutral on Lady Marga until we met Aemelia, and realized she was just as horrible because she never spoke against anything Aemelia said, but continued to call her her friend.

What I really hated was how Hartman handled William's return to the story. If you read Tess of the Road, you will know what he did to Tess and their terrible connection. What I wanted in a sequel for this was for it to focus on Tess finding and facing William for what he did to her and the book making that a big central plot since Tess of the Road focused so much on Tess's healing. Instead William came back for about 10% of the book, learned about the baby, and then promptly died. Like are you kidding me? Now don't get me wrong I didn't want them to get back together but I wanted him to be held accountable for what he did to her, (and then maybe die much later), he deserved to suffer for some amount of time, but nope, we just killed him, and said "that's all good now, more random plots".

There are way to many plots in this, and the only plot I wanted to care about was finding the southern Serpent, but it gets completely lost in the thousands of subplots Hartman included in this, and none of the subplots were engaging, they we honestly depressing. The amount of horrible shit happening in this world that she expanded on started to become unbearable, there was slavery, servitude, colonization, removal of religions, there is even a whole chapter on a priest who is raping the girls in a mission school. All of these plots plus so many more pull so far from Tess and her place in the story, that it made this feel like it wasn't an extension of her life, and instead she just happens to be around. Making it to 74% and they still had made no progress towards the Southern Serpent, and honestly I don't think they ever will make it, because apparently a war might be breaking out, so who freakin knows, lets just add another subplot to the already growing list. I think this isn't going to tie up fully at the end, but I just don't have the patient anymore.

Tess of the Road will always be special to me, but this was not it, and I'm so sad it turned out this way.

This book was well-written and the world very rich, but there wasn't enough backstory to understand the world completely. And before I said I wouldn't recommend it to readers - this is because it isn't the first in the duology and requires understanding from the first, so the series I would recommend but not this as a standalone. I do plan to come back to it sometime after I've read the first.

Tess returns for further adventures in this fourth book in Hartman's Seraphina series. Hartman's desire to tell a good story of exploration and adventure without replicating the narratives of colonialism slows the momentum of the novel, but fans of the series will appreciate the author's continued dedication to issues of conscience.

I have loved all of Rachel Hartman’s other books in this universe because her world-building is incredible. I have waited years for the sequel of Tess of the Road. However, this novel was a let down. There is not much going on with Tess. The other characters’ perspectives did not not seem to enhance the storyline. The story was very slow moving and feels like a filler. It seems that most of the story is going to happen in the next book. Still, Rachel Hartman is a talented author, and I look forward to what she does with Tess! I recommend this for fans of Robert Beatty, Laura Sebastian, and Naomi Novik!

The best way I can describe this series in a YA fantasy written like an Adult fantasy series. Even though the character is young and you definitely feel that, the complexity and thorough description of the world and politics reads like adult fantasy. I am really enjoying this series even if it is taking me a minute to get through. Thank you ti Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange with an honest review.

I have not read this author's previous work but now I must! Such beautiful writing and the imagination is out of this world! Must have for all YA collections and also if this author isn't popular start hyping her up!

Now, I loved Seraphina’s books, and I loved loved loved Tess on the Road. Something about Tess’s journey in that story spoke to my whole heart and captured me like few have before.

This particular story did not.

I had a hard time following what was going on, which honestly wasn’t much from what I could ascertain. The world-building is incredible but somehow goes too far, with so many different regions, and languages, and terms, that there was no chance of me keeping anything straight. Interestingly enough, this is the same world as Hartman’s three previous books in this universe, and I can’t remember having an issue like this before; maybe Tess’s travels and her (and our) introduction to even more cultures and beliefs pushed it over the edge this time around.

We have some new characters and get the chance to dig deeper into the minds of others we’d met but hadn’t spent much time with. Marga is a welcome addition; though naive and willfully ignorant at times, she has a wonderful heart and is willing to adjust her opinions as new information is revealed. Jacomo is a cutie pie, a support system to Tess and going through a journey all on his own. Spira’s perspective is welcome and certainly interesting, if their story doesn’t necessarily add much to the overall arc of the book.

There’s another character we meet for the first time in real time, rather than in flashbacks, someone from Tess’s past. I will say that though I saw his return a hundred miles away, I was hoping the author wouldn’t go there, but alas, we did, and I can’t say he added anything but unnecessary pain to the protagonist. His presence didn’t provide any growth or forward movement to Tess – though perhaps to Marga and other characters on the periphery – and I was not at all happy with the choice to include him.

But readers of the series will each have their own opinion.

Overall, I’m unsatisfied, but I kept reading because I love Hartman’s writing and her ability to build worlds from the ground up. This story just feels superfluous to Tess’s journey, especially given the heart and gravity of the first book in the series.

I’ll probably pick up the next one if another is on its way.

Trigger warning: sexual assault, colonization, racism, oppression.

I really enjoyed this fantasy. The world-building is expansive, the plot well-placed, and the writing is absolutely wonderful. I couldn't put it down

I enjoyed Tess' story more than Seraphina's. Am I the only one? These stories were so raw and fantastical. I thought Tess was so relatable in so many ways and this second book was just as good as book 1.

Tess's journey continues in an exploration of self-responsibility and colonial oppressions. Our plucky heroine voyages south with her quigutl companions in search of the World Serpent, in the company of Jacomo and Countess Margarethe. Sailing through winding archipelagos, they're confronted with newfangled weaponry, a ship-full of dragons also seeking the serpent, the scars of oppression on the island peoples, and all-too-present ghosts from the past, all of which test Tess's resolve to keep her chin up and do what is best for her friends.

Sadly, for me this was just a very hard read. Heart-breaking, as Hartman is one of my favorite authors, and I ADORE Seraphina and Tess, but I have a hard time picking out moments from this book that I loved.

Now, look here, you say, Tess of the Road was literally all about Tess walking and you loved that. True, and I don't really have a defense, other than to say the first book felt poignant and bittersweet as Tess literally and figuratively walked through her trauma into something new and better on the other side. While in the sequel, it seems like no matter what Tess, or any of the side characters do, it's never quite the 'right' thing. Someone, or just an internal mystical voice, is there to remind them that there indeed was something better or harder that could've been done to make them feel guilty or unsettled about the action they did take.

**Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC**

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,
I think this is a book that a lot of people will like, but I just couldn't somehow. I liked the main charecters, but I the story was hard to follow, which was explained a bit when I found out it was a sequel, but even without reading the previous book, I almost felt like the charecter lost a bit of growth, and overall I felt as if the scope of topics the book was trying to cover was too wide (there were so many I can't even remember them all). There was also a kind of confusing poem at the beginning (I later found out this was the plot of the previous book but it was really confusing when I didn't know that). I think that overall, this could be a good book, but you definetly need to read the first book first. 3/5 stars from me.

Thank you to Random House Books for Young Readers, the author, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was released on February 1, 2022.

*But come, Mind of the World. Open your eyes.*

*We have teased apart one filament, which might be a beginning.*

Following her long, long walk of the previous book, Tess Dombegh takes to the sea as part of an expedition to find the Polar Serpent, partially in an effort to heal her friend Pathka. As the ship travels from island to island, Tess continues to grapple with her past actions and struggles to make the right choices in the present—because good intentions are not enough—while around her, others are being drawn in to this journey-turned-uprising and unearthing similar truths aout themselves.

Sometimes, when I am overwhelmed by a book’s *goodness*, by the breadth of its themes and characters and interweaving stories, I will talk about it so passionately that I almost sound angry. That was the case with IN THE SERPENT’S WAKE. While not quite as emotionally devastating and character-driven as its predecessor, this book does still deal with heavy topics—in this case, predominantly colonialism and the complexity of fault and restitution—and does so in an incredibly breathtaking way as it jumps between point of view characters and fleshes out many of the people we met in the previous book, as well as some newcomers. I especially loved Kikiu (the humor! the destiny!) and Spira (whom I absolutely did not expect to feel as deeply for as I did) as well as the polar peoples introduced along the way. The framing of the book, almost as interconnected stories, being told by an unknown narrator (possibly the Polar Serpent?) felt spiritual to me as I was reading, and between the Mind of the World and the One and the sabak and the examination of stories and their different interpretations/intent/meaning, I found myself wishing that this, more than anything, had been the primary focus—even if that wouldn’t have worked for the narrative as it stands.

My one issue—not even in a negative way, necessarily—with this book is that I had to move through it so slowly in order to ensure that I didn’t miss anything. There are many, many subplots here, and many point of view characters, and such depth to the world and civilizations that I am in absolute awe of the author, and I wouldn’t want any of the latter (in particular) to change, but ITSW rested just on the near side of the line of the level of density I can handle in a fantasy book, and there were times that I felt there was just too much happening and it could have been a bit thinned out in one way or another—but Rachel Hartman still brings everything together so wonderfully that even though this journey didn’t end in quite the mind-shattering way I had hoped it might, I know she gave all the characters the right ending for them.

I requested and was approved for a advanced reader copy of this book before I finished reading the first book in the series, Tess of the Road. This was a mistake. The first book had some good aspects, but its handling of gender, as well as a few other aspects, made it really hard for me to get through. So I started this second book optimistic that it would be better. Unfortunately, the characters continued to be awful and various serious issues continued to be treated poorly.

I might pick this one up again sometime, but for now, it’s a no from me. I still love Rachel Hartman’s previous two books in this universe, Seraphina and Shadow Scale, but I don’t really recommend these ones.

Thank you Random House Children's and NetGalley for this eARC!

4/5 stars!

Rachel Hartman continues to hit the hard hitting subjects in a way that makes them tangible and poignant for young readers who may experience the same in their own lives, without also making them too heavy! I LOVE Tess's inner dialogue, her determination, her wit, and her love for those around her. This was such a grand adventure and a great conclusion to the duology (despite how stressful it was at times!). It was great getting characters from book one as a larger part of the story, as well as some brand new ones. Although, at times it was difficult to keep up with the intersecting storylines, and the ending was not what I thought it'd be!

In the Serpent’s Wake was a lot like Rachel Hartman’s other books for me: things start off super slow but by the end I can’t put it down.

What I liked:
Tess is on a mission to change the world; she has been on this journey since we first met her in Tess of the World. In the Serpents Wake, Tess is out on the open sea desperate to save a friend, and many would not like to see her mission succeed. The author has a way of dragging us into this story with interesting characters, creatures, and discoveries about those characters and animals that are mind-blowing in their detail and enhancement of the story. This story is parallel to our world, and its various issues bring a modern depth of reality that helps you connect to the events and characters you are reading.
Final Verdict:
The Quigutl is my favorite character in this series, and they add a touch of quirkiness to the overall book. The Narrator does their voices so well you can't help but smile when you hear them. The overall pacing of the story is slower than I liked, so at times, it felt drawn out, but again, we are dealing with a lot more levels than in book one, and a lot of balls are being juggled. Go into this one knowing you are in for an emotional ride.
Audiobook Review:
Same Narrator as book one, voicing the characters is unique and makes for a delightful listening adventure.

RATING = 3.5 STARS

Rachel Hartman’s In the Serpent’s Wake is another powerful young adult fantasy read. Educational, entertaining, and thought-provoking - this book is not for the faint of heart or those looking for a light fun read. Events pick up immediately after the ending of the first book Tess of the Road, and it’s just as action-packed.

From the very start, the book was entertaining. I appreciate the recap that was provided in the prologue (and how it was written in verse). Coming up with that many rhymes must have been tiring. Ms. Hartman’s writing style throughout the book was quite engaging and interesting; it was fun to piece the different viewpoints together. As an avid fantasy reader, the expanded worldbuilding was another highlight of In the Serpent’s Wake (it’s always an adventure to get to travel off the edges of the map, in a sense). There were times when the main plot (finding the Polar Serpent) got lost in the numerous subplots, but it didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the book too much.

Tess’ story continues to be one of resilience and determination. She’s had so much go wrong in her life, but she continues to persist and keep moving forward. There’s no doubt she’s deeply flawed and that her past trauma (rape and infant loss) has colored her experiences but I think the author handled things well. There were some very emotional moments in the book (i.e. when a certain ex reappears), but it felt like most of her character arc was covered in the first book.

Another issue that Ms. Hartman tackled in this book is gender identity. A particularly powerful quote from the book on this subject was “One shouldn’t have to change for anyone else’s comfort; to demand such was tyranny.” Gender fluid and non-binary characters are also embraced in this world (to an extent), as the quigutls and dragons are known for using the gender-neutral pronoun ko and gender transitions are not uncommon for not quigutls. For example, the dragon scholar Spira is non-binary and Pathka transitioned from female to male.

Altogether, In the Serpent’s Wake is another fantastic fantasy novel by Rachel Hartman. It’s unclear whether this will be the end of Tess’ storyline (the ending seemed to wrap things up nicely, but the author seemed to leave some threads open for future stories), but I would happily read any stories set in this world in the future. I think a spin-off based on Countess Marga and her adventures would be a great addition.

Thank you to the author, Random House Books for Young Readers, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for my complimentary review copy of the book. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review In the Serpent’s Wake immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed In the Serpent’s Wake. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Rape, Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Underage Drinking, Sex Shaming, Drunkenness, Infant Loss, Gaslighting