Rating 3.75 stars rounded up to 4 out of 5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a review copy of The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson exchange for writing an honest review and promoting the novel. A dark, lyrical blend of folklore, vengeance, and slow-burning power struggles, The Serpent and the Wolf is a haunting story that draws you into its mist-laced world from the very first page. Robinson’s prose is rich and moody, conjuring a realm where superstition and blood loyalty coil like the titular serpent and wolf. The story follows a fierce yet vulnerable protagonist navigating a brutal society ruled by ancient magic and fractured allegiances. The tension builds steadily, with twists that feel earned rather than shocking for shock’s sake.

If you liked these, then you might like the Serpent and the Wolf
Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Shield of Sparrows by Deveny Perry
The Crimson Moth by Kristin Ciccarelli
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten


Elements include:
Political intrigue
Angst and Tension
Arranged Marriage
Heavy Worldbuilding
Witches
She tries to kill him

When I first read the blurb for this one—enemies to lovers + arranged marriage + fighting evil together—I was so intrigued. That’s basically my kryptonite. Unfortunately, while the idea had all the right ingredients, the execution didn’t quite land for me.

The first 30% was a real struggle to get through. The pacing felt off, the writing was kind of messy, and I just couldn’t connect with the characters right away. That opening scene? It had so much potential but felt rushed. I would’ve loved to see more buildup—maybe show the wedding, her journey there, or just something to ground us in her perspective and the tension with the MMC. It felt like a missed opportunity to set the tone and really invest us in their dynamic.

Once I got over that awkward start, it did become an easier read, but the choppy pacing and half-explained worldbuilding made it hard to fully sink into the story. I often found myself confused about how things worked in this world—and what the actual stakes were.

Now, Vaasa (our FMC) was interesting! Even though she left me scratching my head sometimes, I liked her voice. Reid, though? Honestly felt super one-dimensional. He was hyped up as this terrifying, ruthless warlord, but then… he really wasn’t? I don’t mind a softer MMC at all, but I wish the buildup had matched the reality. The misalignment just left me a little 🤷‍♀️.

That said, I did enjoy the slow-burn romance between them—it gave the relationship time to build without being overly dramatic. And bonus points: no constant reminders of how painfully attractive everyone was. That alone felt like a breath of fresh air.

💭 Final thoughts: Definitely some rough edges, but there’s potential here. I’m curious to see where the sequel goes!

🖤 ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to Saga Press Books and the SagaSaysCrew for the free book!

What a good story!! This was a slow burn to the MAX, which I enjoy so it didn’t bother me too much! But once you see that relationship start to grow WOOWEE it’s so good. I loved learning about Vaasa and Reid’s stories and how they not only ended up in this situation, but have been connected for longer than they realize. I also really enjoyed learning about the magic system! It felt so powerful and unique to me!

Where it got confusing to me was all the war talks and the characters to keep up with. It didn’t ruin the story for me by any means, but there were times I’d have to go back several pages to figure out (or remember) where the heck a person was from or what their role was.

That cliffhanger at the end is brutal!!! I’m ABSOLUTELY going to have to read the next book when it comes out!

I would suggest this to anyone who likes a slow burn romantasy! 🗡️

I tried reading this many, many times and this story just didn’t work for me. It had some awesome moments and was really compelling at times, but it felt like the entire plot was just smut or smut adjacent. This started off really strong and I loved the main characters, but this also had too much fantasy politics and I got lost a few times. Unfortunately, I had to DNF around 30%. It just felt very repetitive and the plot didn’t grab me enough for me to continue.

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for this ARC.

What an amazing debut! I loved the world building and the slow burn tension. My fave FMCs are the ones that take no bs and that is definitely here. You get a unique magic system, political intrigue, and who did this to you. Hate a cliffhanger when book 2 isn’t out yet, but I’ll be reading it the moment it is!

I loved this book.

I lived the characters. I loved following Vaasa's growth as a witch and as a wife. I absolutely lived Reid; he was the perfect balance of dangerous and protective but patient and vulnerable at the same time.

How is this book not blowing up? This Book deserves more hype.

I am anxiously awaiting for book 2 in this series.

Arranged marriage, enemy to lovers, found family, witch magic, political turmoil, this fantasy story has it all and I absolutely loved it! I was hooked from the start and sacrificed sleep for the night to finish it. This is one of favorite reads of the year. This ends with a cliffhanger and I cannot wait for the next book. This book has earned a trophy spot on my bookshelf and the sequel will be an immediate add-to-cart moment when released.

A tale of enemies to lovers, found family, and betrayal, this story follows Vaasa, who, after the tragic loss of both her parents, is thrust into an arranged marriage by her cruel and ruthless brother. But everything begins to change when she crosses paths with the mysteriously charming Reid, forcing her into a series of choices that could alter not only her future but the fate of those around her.
For me, this book landed somewhere in the middle. I enjoyed the plot and the typical tropes of a romantasy, but it felt like it was simply ticking the boxes rather than offering something fresh or unique. While it was an enjoyable read, it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression.

*Thank you to Rebecca Robinson, Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I definitely loved the idea of this one more than the execution but still really enjoyed the book. I liked that it was more of a political intrigue book and that our FMC is used more than just a way to explore the world we created (I'm looking at you, Violet Sorengail, reciting exposition as a coping mechanism). My beef is with the pacing. The first 30% was tough to get through and our slow-burn didn't ever burn since the Wolf is a Golden Retriever. I was hoping for a little more of the magic explanation as more about the world, but if it was in the beginning, I definitely missed it. I'll read the next in the series, but I'm going to need it to give me a little bit more to it.

This was really good and I can’t wait to continue this series! Love the slow burn romance in this one.

There were so many aspects to this story that I loved.
The FMC feels real and Robinson does such an amazing job bringing her to life
The MMC is absolutely amazing and I loved watching their relationship grow throughout the book

Vaasa and Reid - love this pair. Can’t wait for book two.

“Pretend you love me, and make it convincing” - Pretty much sums up a major plot point of the book. An arranged marriage without Vaasa’s (heiress of Asterya) consent left her angry enough to tie up her husband the night they got married and leave him. I knew I was going to love the main FMC after the first 10 pages. She’s feisty, smart, strong, and independent. And Reid - he’s a strong MMC that’s not an a$$hole. He’s a “mountain of a warrior” who is a good guy that can kick some butt and wants what is best for his people. In most romantasy books the MMC is usually a brooding type of character with a reason behind it, but with Reid he’s truly just a good decent guy. No brooding, no baggage and he wasn’t boring. It was refreshing character arc for a MMC.

Vaasa agrees to stay married to Reid for three years. Enough time for Reid to win his election and in exchange he provides Vaasa with someone who can teach her about the Veragi magic she has and how to control it. At the end of the three years, Vaasa can ask for a separation if she wants it.

“We could be friends, you know. There is no requirement that you hate me.” (Reid)
“I don’t need friends” (Vaasa)
“Very well, Take your time coming to the conclusion I already have” (Reid)
“And what’s that?” (Vaasa)
“We are well matched” (Reid)

Add a little dark magic, douchehole of a brother who is an emperor, some pesky gods, a coven of witches and to die for love - you have a great book. I am looking forward to book two.

I had a great time reading this one!

Vaasa is an MC that's easy to root for, especially since she comes out swinging (literally) when she escapes her arranged marriage by force in the first chapter. Reid (the aforementioned abandoned betrothed) eventually catches up and makes Vaasa an offer she can't refuse: pretend to be his happy wife and stand by his side long enough to help him win the upcoming election and she gets to walk free after AND he'll help her learn how to control the magic that she fears will kill her the same way it killed her mother,

I wasn't really expecting the deep dive into the geopolitics of the world and the layers upon layers of political intrigue but honestly I was into it. The slow burn enemies to lovers vibes are immaculate -- Vaasa is a witty hater and Reid is down bad early on in the best way. The middle of the book drags a *tiny* bit but the ending more than makes up for it. I'll absolutely be reading the sequel!

Big thanks to @sagapressbooks for the epic book mail! 💌📚

Listen, I was not ready for The Serpent and the Wolf to steal my soul, but here I am—obsessed, wrecked, and fully prepared to burn down kingdoms for Reid and Vaasa.

Rebecca Robinson’s debut is the kind of romantasy that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go, delivering high-stakes political intrigue, magic with a dark bite, and a slow-burn romance so tension-filled it might actually 💀me.

Vaasa Kozár is a blade, honed by loss and sharpened by betrayal. Her brother wants her dead, her magic threatens to consume her, and her only way out is a marriage to Reid of Mireh—a ruthless ruler who should be her enemy. But instead of taking her life, he offers her a deal: help him win power, and he’ll help her control the dark magic simmering beneath her skin. Simple, right? WRONG.

Because the more time they spend together, the harder it is to ignore the sparks flying between them. And let’s be real—this man is a consent king, an “I’ll burn down the world for you” kind of love interest, and he falls first. What was Vaasa supposed to do? Resist? Impossible.

Let’s talk tropes, because this book DELIVERS.
🔥 Arranged marriage between rival kingdoms? Check.
🔥 Enemies to lovers with top-tier banter? Oh, absolutely.
🔥 She tries to stab him? TWICE. (A true sign of affection.)
🔥 He’s obsessed with her from day one? My weakness.
🔥 Political scheming, betrayals, and twists that will leave you screaming? YES.
🔥 Found family and friendships that make your heart ache? Perfection.

And let’s not forget the writing. Robinson crafts a world that feels alive—a blend of lush, immersive settings and political tension so thick you could cut it with Vaasa’s dagger.

The magic system? Unique and dangerous.
The romance? A masterclass in longing.

The Serpent and the Wolf needs to be on your shelf immediately. It’s intense, addictive, and will leave you screaming into the void for book two. Rebecca Robinson, you have my attention. Now hand over the sequel before I riot.

Romantasy is not my favorite genre, but Rebecca Robinson's The Serpent and the Wolf really surprised me! I loved how the male main character actually liked the female main character and did not demean her. Robinson's writing is very engaging and the story was fast-paced. I will definitely read the sequel.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Serpent and the Wolf. I loved the world and appreciated the depth of our main characters, Vaasa and Reid. I'm a huge fan of a slow burn romance. They keep me flipping pages and feel more authentic to me. I'm eager to read the next installation in this series.

Perfect for fans of Raven Kennedy and Thea Guanzon, Rebecca Robinson’s thrilling romantasy debut combines high-stakes political intrigue and a steamy, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance.

With lush world-building, a tension filled slow burn romance sub-plot, and jaw dropping twists and turns, The Serpent and the Wolf is the perfect start to a new series and a phenomenal debut!

What to Expect:
🗡️High-Stakes Fantasy w/ a romantic subplot
🗡️ALL the slow-burn TENSION though!
🗡️Top tier world building
🗡️Political intrigue
🗡️Arranged marriage
🗡️Rival kingdoms
🗡️Consent king/burn down the world for her/he falls first
MMC
🗡️Magic/Witches/Monsters
🗡️Found family

The Serpent and the Wolf started off very fast and promising but as we progressed the pacing was so slow in my opinion, and the romance was.... barely there. it didn't feel like a romantasy to me, but this had so much promise to be a great read.

The Serpent and the Wolf is an enchanting fantasy novel that intertwines high-stakes political intrigue, dark magic, and enemies-to-lovers romance. The story centers around Vassa, a strong female protagonist who struggles with her magical abilities and initially rejects her arranged marriage to the male lead, Reid. Reid is a fierce and lovable mmc who supports Vassa during her character growth and I really enjoyed how their love story unfolded. I was blown away by Robinson’s phenomenal world-building, creative magic system, and the tense political landscape. This is a fantastic debut and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us!

What an intriguing cast of characters and a compelling premise. I read this a few months ago, but it’s still vivid in my mind because of how much I enjoyed it. One thing that really stood out to me was the female lead—strong, capable, and genuinely admirable. It was so refreshing to see a character who actively drove the plot forward, rather than being swept along by it.

The magic system was another highlight. The witches, the coven, the way it all unfolded—it felt rich and well thought-out without being overwhelming. The characters had real depth, and I found myself invested in each of their stories and relationships.

Overall, it was such a fun and engaging read. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where the story goes in the next book!