The Serpent and the Wolf
Dark Inheritance Series
Romatasy
S&S/Saga Press
November 19, 2024
All her life, Vaasa Kozár has been sharpened into a blade. After losing her mother—her only remaining parent—to a mysterious dark magic that has since awakened within her, Vaasa is certain death looms. So is her merciless brother, who aims to eliminate Vaasa as a threat to his crown. In one last political scheme, he marries her off to Reid of Mireh, a ruthless foreign ruler, in hopes that he can use her death as a rallying cry to finally invade Reid’s nation. All Vaasa has to do is die. But she is desperate to live. Vaasa enters her new marriage with every intent to escape it, wielding the hard-won political prowess and combat abilities her late father instilled in her. But to her surprise, Reid offers her a deal: help him win the votes to rise in power, and she can walk free. In exchange, he will share his knowledge about the dark magic running through her veins—and help keep it at bay. This proposal may be too good to refuse, yet Vaasa and Reid’s undeniable attraction threatens to break the rules of their arrangement. As her brother’s lethal machinations take form, everything is at stake: Vaasa must learn to trust her new husband, but how can she, especially when their perfect political marriage begins to feel like the real thing?
If there was ever a book that could be sold strictly from its cover, it would be The Serpent and the Wolf. Honestly, the color choice is stunning, even for someone who isn’t a fan of purple. It’s so regal and hints at a dark story to come. The snake coiled around a dagger is the chef’s kiss.
Immediately, readers are thrown into suspense from page one.
In The Serpent and the Wolf, the story begins amidst our MC executing the steps to her dangerous escape plan. Vaasa’s just been married to a hulking brute with a wolfish reputation. The whole arrangement was to the benefit of her murderous brother. Knowing he hopes she would die in her new husband’s land. Naturally, she will eventually discover that there are a lot of deep secrets to uncover. The curse she’s acquired may actually be a gift, if she could learn how to control it.
The most honest part of Vaasa’s journey is learning to trust anyone besides herself. She was raised in a metaphorical viper’s nest. Her father trained and utilized her as a tool for overthrowing other nations in his quest for power. This keeps her perpetually living in fear of believing anyone’s good intentions. She does slowly learn to trust, and eventually love Reid. Of course, it comes at a high personal cost to Vaasa, leading to an action-fueled cliff hanger.
Cliffhangers are the worst, but trust me! The Serpent and the Wolf is worth the very tense ending. I need more Reid, right now!
Read The Serpent and the Wolf for:
Spicy-Romantasy
Slow Burn Romance
Women in Power
Political Intrigue
Arranged Marriage
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Kristin lives in the PNW with her husband, and three kids. She loves to read YA fiction, fantasy, and romance. She enjoys a few side-hustles, including creating bookreels/booktoks for authors. The only shows she watches are re-runs, and if she’s not reading a book, she’s listening to one.
