This was one of my favorite reads of 2024.
Pros:
- Arranged Marriage
- Found family
- Magic is scary
- MFC is a Stabby black cat
- MMC is just happy go lucky
- Slower Burn
- With a purpose MFC
- Trauma to Healing

The story gets spicer as it goes. This is a story over smut book.
It was beyond expectations. I even bought the physical copy!

The Serpent and the Wolf - Rebecca Robinson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🐍 Political shenanigans with a side of SPICE

Listen up besties, because I'm about to put you onto your next book obsession! Buckle those seatbelts and hide your TBR pile because this debut is about to wreck your entire reading schedule. Rebecca Robinson said "I'm new here" and then proceeded to serve EVERYTHING.

Picture this: our girl Vaasa is basically a human weapon with scary magic who's like "thanks, but no thanks" to dying for her brother's political games. Then BAM - enter Reid, who's giving major golden retriever energy while also being calculating and HOT. The chemistry? EXPLOSIVE.

Let's break down this serotonin fest:
🗡️ Stabby girl meets sunshine boy
💫 Magic that's actually terrifying
👑 Political schemes that'll make you GASP
🔥 Sexual tension you could cut with a knife
🤝 Marriage of convenience but make it SPICY
💭 Trauma healing that hits different

Listen, I got NO WORK done while reading this because I literally couldn't put it down. The politics are *chef's kiss* perfectly digestible, the romance had me SCREAMING into my pillow, and that ENDING? Ma'am, I'm gonna need book 2 immediately or we're gonna have problems.

If you love your fantasy with a side of "oh no, he's hot" and enough political intrigue to keep you guessing, this is YOUR BOOK. Just don't blame me when you're up at 3 AM yelling "JUST KISS ALREADY!"

TL;DR: It's giving everything it needs to give. My only complaint is that it ended. Excuse me while I go reread it immediately.

This book had a way of just dragging me in with that first chapter. I love this world and especially Reid and Vaasa's dynamic relationship between each other. Vaasa is forced by her brother who wants her killed is an arranged marriage to the enemy of the kingdom Reid. The book opens up on Vaasa and Reid's wedding night and Vaasa is trying to find out about her past from her husband Reid who in return needs Vaasa's help to gain rise in power. I think the world building with the magic needs more info for me to understand it better. It felt a bit choppy on that note. But when Reid and Vaasa were together I just loved those scenes. This does end on a cliffy so I have to be back to find out what happens next.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I loved the audiobook, which is read by Jesse Vilinsky, she did a phenomenal job and I highly recommend that version!

This is a rather classic romantasy book, with a unique magic system.

Our main character, Vaasa, has just been married to Reid, a ruler of an enemy nation. This marriage was arranged by her deceased mother. But the mysterious illness that killed her mother, has also infected Vaasa, and she hopes to use the resources in this foreign nation to find a way to cure herself before she meets the same fate of her mother.

This is a story about love, trust, self acceptance and betrayal. There is a slow burn romance, but it isn't the main focus of the story. This book does end on a cliff hanger and I'm excited for the next book in this series.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic World building and slow burn romance. This was such an interesting book so read. I do think the marketing might be a little off, especially in this climate of readers who see romantasy and think "oh this will be have a lot of romance" This was more fantasy with romantic aspects. Which I enjoyed, I hope the marketing for the next book in the series, is a little more accurate.

This was a good slow burn, enemies to lovers romantasy read. Great tension, but also interesting politics and twists that I didn’t see coming. The cliffhanger ending left me interested enough in continuing on with the series!

i really liked this one! the world-building was solid, and the mix of dark magic, politics, and slow-burn romance kept me hooked. vassa and reid had such a good dynamic, and their tension was so well done. a little slow in parts, but overall, a great read. solid 4 stars!

When forced into an arranged marriage by her brother, Vaasa will do anything to escape her new husband and contain her magic... but when her husband finds her again and makes a deal she can't resist, Vaasa finds herself thrown head first into a new life filled with politics, romance, and magic. Vaasa has been trained to be a blade all her life yet she has magic she can barely contain, magic that killed her own mother. When her cruel brother tries to eliminate Vaasa by having her married off to Reid of Mireh, a ruthless foreign ruler who he hopes will kill her and let her death be the reason for him to finally invade Reid's nation.... Vaasa has other plans and escapes into the night during the marriage night, leaving Reid bloodied and tied up in their bed. But to her surprise Reid comes after her and offers her a new deal: if she pretends to be his wife and help him win the votes he needs to rise in power, he'll grant her freedom and a legal divorce after 3 years and will share his knowledge about the dark magic running through her veins and help her keep it contained. The proposal is too good to be true but Vaasa has no other options... but then there is the issue that there is an undeniable attraction between Vaasa and Reid that they'll have to deal with. Vaasa has had her guard up all her life and with her brother scheming for war and her death, she'll need Reid's help... but a traitor is amongst their ranks and war is brewing... can Vaasa open up her heart to the man she vowed never to fall for? This is the first book in a series and ends up a major cliffhanger. I had a lot of fun reading this and am intrigued to see where the second book goes. This is indeed a slow burn romance but I hope that when we delve into the second book it'll pick up more. I liked Vaasa as a FMC because she was sharp and relentless, she reasoned things out and picked between the options, and yes she can be stubborn but after everything she's been through she has a right to be guarded. Reid was such a patient love interest and I hope we get more POVs from him during the second book. Overall, if you like enemies to lovers/arranged fake marriage with slow burn, absolutely pick this one up!

*Spoiler: Vaasa and Reid tell each other they love one another. Vaasa's brother and one of Reid's friends scheme together, kidnap Vaasa and her best friend Amalie and force Vaasa to write a letter to cause war... only Vaasa kills her brother and then goes to Reid and kills the other traitor as well as Ton (one of the potential allies who had wanted war instead). Then it is revealed that Vaasa was the prophcized wolf that would kill her brother (her magic creates a wolf) and then Ozik (an advisor for her brother) turns out to be an evil wizard who was having an affair with Vaasa's brother and was the ultimate mastermind behind everything. He kills Reid and agrees to bring him back if Vaasa gives up all her magic and comes with him, Vaasa agrees and Reid is brought back. Reid wakes up a week later and announces that he will get his wife back as the new emperor. *

Release Date: November 19,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

YES YES YES! If you are looking for a new romantasy book, this is a book YOU MUST PICK UP. Rebecca Robinson had me hooked from the first chapter and left me wanting more.

I enjoyed this very much! I liked the enemies to lovers relationship, worldbuilding, and magic. Our library purchased this title, and it has been popular amongst our patrons looking for recommendations within the romantasy genre.

Story: 4 ⭐
Spice: 2🌶️ but barely... There were 2 open door scenes.

What a whirlwind! And that freakin' cliff hanger!

Vaasa is a strong and what she thinks is an emotionless women who just wants to be free. Reid is a leader of his area, and known as the Wolf. But, really just a big cinnamon roll for the ones he loves.

They are thrown into an arranged marriage turned into a marriage of convenience. You feel that slow burn happening as they work together for the better of their lands.

This has a very unique magic system and was fun to learn about.

Be prepared for action, fighting, blossoming love, healing, revenge, and a few twists and turns thrown in.

This was EVERYTHING I want in romantasy. It really pulls you in and hooks you from the beginning and keeps a nice pace throughout!

This book was so fun! The beginning had me by the throat, it was so compelling with such great tension between the love interests! I can't wait to read more from this author because this was excellent!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion!

Vaasa and Reid?!?!? The slowest, most DELICIOUS of burns!!!! OOF!!!! Both of the characters are so interesting, so fleshed out and fun. Devastated I have to wait to read more of them, I need it now, Rebecca Robinson!! You're amazing, please keep giving us more of this amazing world building and crazy plot twists!

I’ve gotten very picky with my romantasy books this past year and The Serpent and the Wolf nailed everything I’m looking for in this genre. We’re thrusted into action right from the get go. I loved the worldbuilding, magic system, political intrigue, and, of course, the romance. I’m so excited to have an in progress trilogy to look forward to!

The description for this book tells you everything you need to know. And I wonder how much more I can share without spoiling things.

The book starts with Vaasa and Reid having just completed their wedding ceremony. Vaasa had no intentions of actually being married even though it was necessary for her to complete the ceremony. She has one goal "get away and find out how to get rid of this magic inside her that killed her mother." And so, she runs. But running only gets her so far, and she doesn't find the knowledge she needs.

Reid is intrigued by his political bride. He doesn't expect her to immediately fall in love with him, but the fact that she completed the ceremony means that maybe they can help each other. And it just so happens that she isn't hard to look at, Reid offers her a deal. For three years, she will do what is necessary to pretend to be in love with him and help him win political favor in his country. After that period, she can walk free and he will hand her a divorce. In the meantime, he will also do what he can to help her learn about the magic inside her. His country is on the brink of war, and he desperately wants to help those he loves.

Vaasa agrees to his terms. Most of all, she wants to learn how to get rid of the magic inside. She doesn't understand or trust it. And she's worried that she will die just like her mother did. Only, the magic isn't what Vaasa thinks, and there's no way to get rid of it. Vaasa, however, will have to learn to accept it if she doesn't want it to control her.

As Vaasa and Reid begin relying on each other politically and magically, the bonds between them grow. Vaasa is terribly hurt by her father and brother's treatment of her. She is now a threat against her brother's throne. And her brother was never politically trained by their father like she was.

Favorite quotes:
-"Very well. You take your time coming to the conclusion I already have." Stepping toward the door, desperate for this discussion to be over, Vaasa asked, "And what's that?" Reid beat her to the door, placing his hand upon the knob to open it first. "That we are well matched."

-"I told you. You underestimate just how much I enjoy a good game of blades."

-"I have missed you, wife."

-He often looked at her as if she were a puzzle, and she didn't like the idea of being solved.

-"That is because there is no difference. The magic is your intuition, and you will never learn to wield it if you do not learn to listen to it."

-"You call it anger, you call it fear, but it is none of those things. What lies inside of you is pain. The kind that burns worlds to the ground." Pain.

-"Your father underestimated the weapon he built. And through his cruelty, he forced you to play for yourself and yourself alone. But I will play for you, if you will play for me, too."

-"Dismissing your emotions doesn't make them disappear, it only gives them reason to rise later without your consent."

-No one had ever loved her in the light.

-"Tell me exactly what you want, so I can stop guessing and just give it to you."

-She would never forgive herself if she messed this all up. If she started something she couldn't finish and ended up without a home or a dream again.

-"You always pick a fight when you feel out of control."

-"I have collected a thousand words, and yet I cannot find a single one to tell you what comes alive inside of me when you are near."

-"Remind me who I am. Where I am. Because I think you are the only one who really knows."

-"You are my wife, and everything begins and ends with that."

-How sad to have spent a lifetime always afraid. To have looked upon love and kindness and feared it.

The Serpent and the Wolf was much better than I was expecting it to be. The emotional journeys of the characters were deeper than I expected. The twists were surprising. Overall, I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would. I decided that The Serpent and the Wolf gets 4 Stars, and if I had the sequel in my hands I would pick it up immediately. Have you read The Serpent and the Wolf? What did you think? Let me know!

I really needed this book. Yes, there are some fundamental things I wish were fleshed out. I really needed more history of the world's magic before it came alive. But I loved the characters (this book gives them so much heart and growth). It was lovely to read a non-alphahole MMC, not weak, but not an asshole.

I am dying for the next book, that's pretty much all I have to say about that.

Thank you so much to the author, Saga and Netgalley for the ARC. I attest that I am leaving my review voluntarily and honestly.

“One witch is trouble, a coven is a nightmare”

4.25 stars for this incredibly rich fantasy series debut full of witches, political intrigue, a journey to self-acceptance, and double and triple crosses, all with a side of a slow burn romance in an arranged political marriage!

Vaasalisa has been honed as a weapon her whole life, and when her parents died, that weapon was sent across the border via marriage to further her awful brother’s new conquest to take over the continent. What she finds there is unexpected: true friends for the first time ever, a husband who only wants her to feel safe, acceptance from community, and a chance to understand the magic that she’s seen as a curse.

Her journey to accepting that life can have good things is so fraught, but so wonderful to see. The political machinations are so interesting, and that is what I want my fantasy books to always have!! The steady calm that her husband, Reid, brings is delightful and peaceful, he’s so consistent in a way that she needs to accept herself.

I am absolutely bought in on this series and can’t wait for it to continue!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Saga Press, and Rebecca Robinson for an advanced reading copy of The Serpent and the Wolf in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I devoured this book. Once I started reading, I did not want to put it down. Robinson created a bright, brilliant world full of magic, political intrigue, and a swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers romance.

I try to go into debuts without any preconceived ideas about how the story will go, but this absolutely blew any expectations I had out of the water. The world building was rich, but explained in a way that felt natural and not like all the information was getting dumped on us as the reader. Vaasa and Reid (and most of the side characters) are fully fleshed out, complex characters that you can’t help but to sympathize and root for. And through all of their political maneuvering and the growth that each character goes through, is a lovely slow-burn romance that had me spellbound.

I cannot wait to see what Rebecca Robinson has in store for the rest of the series!

In The Serpent and the Wolf we have an arranged marriage with an explosive meet cute and battles of wills. There's stubborn, strong headed, and whatever Vaasa and Reid are. One of my favorite elements in The Serpent and the Wolf were the coven and the magic. I loved how Vaasa finds friends and support. She comes into her own. At the same time, Vaasa has to figure out how she can control her own magic. Throughout her journey, Vaasa has to learn that dismissing our emotions, our fear, our anger and our pain doesn't make them go away. They just grow in darkened shadows.