Thank you to Simon & Schuster, Rebecca Robinson and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Shortly after her mother died Vaasa is placed into an arranged marriage to Reid who is painted as a ruthless foreign ruler. Vassa has an illness which seems to be a dark curse the same as what killed her mother. After escaping her marriage Reid tracks her down and makes her an offer to work together for a time and then she will be free to do whatever she likes.

The summary of this book really caught my attention but I felt as if the final product didn't scratch the itch. I enjoyed the FMC Vassa and seeing her change throught the book. Reid on the other hand was painted as yet another morally grey MMC who ended up very touch her and die, burn the world for her vibes but that was it really - I didn't feel as if his character was as fleshed out as it could be.

The magic system seemed easy enough to follow which I appreciated but when it came to the political aspect of the book there was a lot of names and places which felt just kind of flung out there and never mentioned again.

I don't know that I would call the book a "romantasy" if you're looking for what booktok and bookstagram would define as a romantasy as there was a lot less focus on the romance than you would typically see in one of the well known/viral "romantasy" books. That's not to say i didn't still enjoy it i was just expecting a bit more romance/spice.

*ACTUAL RATING: 3.5 STARS*

----------- WHAT I ENJOYED ------------
- So, one thing that I will forever love in a book is an angsty romance. And the romance between our two main characters, Reid and Vaasa, definitely falls into this category! They are essentially "fake-dating" and have to put on a public act... but they are actually married, and Vaasa has a lot of very complicated feelings about the whole situation. This makes their whole relationship very messy and full of tension, and honestly I ate it up!

- I loved Reid especially in how he contributed to the relationship dynamic - he was so obsessed with Vaasa from the beginning, but she just didn't want to believe it. He was attentive to her needs, was there as her emotional support as she worked through her trauma, and never tried to rush her or push her into anything she wasn't ready for. Honestly, he is just the most golden retriever character ever! He was just wholesome and I really enjoyed how he contrasted Vaasa's very "stand-offish" demeanour. I've said it before - we love a man who simps hard for the heroine!

- As well as the main couple, I also really liked what we saw of the side characters, especially the coven of witches Reid introduces Vaasa to. I loved seeing the "found-family" dynamic begin to form between Vaasa and these witches as they guided her through accepting her magic. We see Vaasa slowly start to become more comfortable with them, and within herself, allowing us to see a more vulnerable side of her character. The other witches all also have their own trauma that they have worked through, and seeing how they have each worked through that pain and used it to make each other stronger was so heart-warming and empowering!

- Aside from the character dynamics, I liked the idea of the magic system and how people acquired magic. It was interesting to see how this changed depending on the type of magic, and the different reactions to magic across this fantasy land.

------- WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME -------
- Now, I will say that I found elements of this book to be quite confusing, particularly the politics and general layout of the world. This was all explained very quickly at the beginning of the book, and then we never really get a moment to process it. We also don't get a refresher or more information throughout, and so by the time we got to the in-depth political movements, I was like... huh??

- Honestly, it wasn't just with the worldbuilding either. There would be moments in the dialogue where I felt like I had completely skipped a passage. One moment I would be following along, and then I would very suddenly feel super lost because the conversation just took a complete turn. It left the overall writing style feeling a bit choppy and jumpy, if I'm honest, and it was hard to follow at points.

- Another element that didn't work for me was that, outside of the relationships they formed, the characters otherwise felt very surface level. I enjoyed how they interacted with each other, and the dynamics these relationships created, but outside of this we actually didn't know a lot about the characters and their history. The only character we know in-depth is Vaasa herself, and that is because the story is in her perspective. I just hope that, in the next book, we see a bit more from the characters on an individual level so that we get to know them a bit more!

------- OVERALL THOUGHTS -------
Overall, I did still end up enjoying this book, even if it wasn't perfect. It was fast-paced and had me hooked with the drama; the ending really had me on the edge of my seat! I will definitely be picking up the next book, and I just hope that we get to know the characters and the world in a bit more depth!

Thank you again to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster publishing ☺️
It took me a little while to get round to reading this but I’m so glad I finally have!!
First thoughts when I started reading was that I’d missed a few chapters, it felt like I’d started midway through a story which threw me off for a minute but then the more I read the more that was revealed and it all made sense! I really enjoyed the way the story unraveled!
The eldest daughter of an empire is sold into marriage with a ruthless foreign ruler after the death of her father and mother.
All is not as it seems though and the truth along with the magic and the slow burn are finally revealed!
I really liked Vaasa the FMC, her character development was great.
The cliffhanger ending was so well done but man I need to know what happens next!
Would definitely recommend!!

Just Wow 😍 I haven't read a 5 star book this good in so long!

Vaasa and Reid are both such great main characters, they are both strong, very capable and yet vulnerable in their own ways. I also liked all the side characters and the intricacies of their relationships. The Mother Son relationship was especially heart warming to read.

The depth of these characters was so all consuming, I drowned in Vaasa's feelings and Reid's anguish tore my heart out. The writing was so good I was sucked in and the story was brilliant, there were a lot of twists and turns and I loved every single minute of it. The political intrigue was thrilling throughout and the magic system was interesting and I cannot wait to delve deeper into this in book two with all the Sodalities 😊

The romance was slow burn to perfection and the spice was great, I do love it when they don't need to be gentle 🥵 I loved the pretending and the lies and the chasing. I loved them as a couple and I cannot wait to see them burn the world down for each other.

I cried multiple times and at that ending I literally kicked my feet at how much I loved it and cannot wait for the next book. This is one of those rare books I wish I could rate higher than 5 stars and I want to read it again immediately.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I could put this book down – absolutely loved it.

I can already tell that I won’t like these characters. Also the writing is not a style I enjoy. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book, it’s greatly appreciated.

Really enjoyed the Serpent and the Wolf.
Had everything I want from a romantasy. Really liked the world building and the writing style.
Can't wait for book 2!

Absolutely fantastic read with twists and turns and world building, also a little bit of smut but not too much

This book has everything I want in a story. One bed, slow burn, forced proximity, deadly trials and marriage of convenience (which I didn't think I actually liked but I very much do)! I will start off by saying that I actually wanted to DNF this book after the first 3 or 4 chapters because I just didn't feel a connection. However I read so many other good reviews on here that I decided to stick with it and I'm glad I did 👌🏼

Vaasa and Reid are such good characters. I love the development of their relationship. Vaasa is so strong willed as a FMC and Reid is really likeable and genuine.

The last 100 pages or so had me completely hooked and I can't believe it ended how it did. I'll definitely be looking out for book 2. Thank you Netgalley.

There is something so sharp about Rebecca Robinson’s writing, and in the way she wields her words as deftly as Vaasa wields her blades. With a few quick sentences she cuts to the heart of a character, or their motives, and drags you into their world. It makes The Serpent and the Wolf a dangerously compelling read, and I so struggled to put it down.

Arranged marriages x forced proximity is one of my favourite tropes, and The Serpent and The Wolf nails everything that I love about it - banter, bickering, that blossoms into something real and powerful. Reid is the perfect mix of Cassian from ACOTAR and Lowe from Bride, but with extra charm, and Vaasa is perfectly flawed, and incredibly fierce. I swooned so aggressively that I think I might have fallen in love with the both of them from the first chapter. Fans of Bride and The Bridge Kingdom series are going to eat this up. The wait for book two is going to be agony.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a marriage of convenience, slow burn, enemies to lovers romance, alongside high-stakes political intrigue.

It was a bit slow to get started for me, feeling like the action really started to happen at the end, but as the first book in a series this isn’t a huge deal as it sets the scene so well.

As for the action at the end, I did not know peace for the last 50 pages of this book. There was so much happening and I was engrossed.

The romance was definitely a slow burn, and I did like that side of the story, but it was the political intrigue that won me over - I was so invested in the outcome of the scheming & events.

I liked both the main characters & the side characters. Reid is an angel & Vaasa is such a strong FMC who can certainly hold her own. I think these characters really compliment each other & I loved watching their relationship develop.

For a debut book & the start of a romantasy series, this is fantastic! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the second installment!

After finding out about this book I was so desperate to get my hands on it 🙌 to then realise it wasn’t released yet 🤯Thank goodness I managed to get an arc which I didn’t think I would get.
The book lived up to my expectations although I didn’t like the political aspect but tbh there really wasn’t that much and the rest of the plot made up for it.

I would have finished the book in one or two days if it hadn’t been for life getting in the way.

The cliffhanger 😵😨 I really wasnt expecting that.

Book two can’t come quick enough 💯

Few of my favourite tropes:
Slow burn 🔥
Enemies to lovers ♥️
Shadow magic ✨
Bad ass fmc 🤗
Betrayal 👌
Witches 🧙‍♀️

I have JUST finished this book and I am furious that I have to wait for the next installment!
This was an exciting, engaing, and enthralling read. It fits beautifully into the recent canon of Romantasy YA without being cliche or overly "tropey".
Vaasa is a gorgeously real heroine, raw and emotive. She is paradoxically vulnerable and strong. Her power is fun and brings an extra level of intrigue to the plot. Reid, the male protagonist, is everything you want in a fictional man. Sexy, loyal and very entertaining.
The twists and turns are fun and exciting. They are not predictable but, also don't feel so left-field that the plot is forfeit.

One of my favourite books of the year. Get the second one out soon!
(FYI it is a bit spicy at 2 points, so not for those who prefer a clean YA read)

I was very grateful to recieve an Arc (E arc) of this book from netgalley/simon& schuster so thank you so much, and here is my honest opinion.
I loved this. By the time i was around quarter of the way through i knew what i was rating this.
We have an arranged marriage between kingdoms, magic, witches and even an evil monster. There is political intrigue, tension and great world building all with a slow burn romantic subplot.
I dont mind a bit of spice but i liked that it didnt happen right away.
It is a brilliant start to a series, i will be buying the book and i am looking forward to the next book.
Thank you again to netgalley and the publisher for the e arc.

Thank you for the EArc Netgalley

As you can see I loved this book. Did I from the start though? No.
I wanted to DNF 2 chapters in. I wasn't really understanding it, understanding what was going on but I continued to give it a chance and I'm glad I did.

I don't do politics and the political side did go over my head but the relationships is what kept me going.

The slow burn is definitely worth it. I screamed at my kindle multiple times for Vaasa to jump Reid. Their relationship is brilliant. The CONSENT is amazing and not something that is focused on in books I've noticed but I loved the focus on consent.

Vaasa's character development was enthralling. Seeing her build relationships, find herself a family, fantastic.

There's witches, a different magic system and having their own inner politics between covens outside the main political storu

The ending had me on tender hooks. The twists I did not see coming.

I cannot wait for the next one

I have no words for how amazing this book was. A fantastic reading experience, perfect world building, amazing characters and a plot that will keep you wanting to devour the book in one go. Yes that good. Can’t wait for what else is to come