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swordsandsapphicsyay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Silvered Serpents builds on the beauty and cruelty found in the pages of The Gilded Wolves. I really appreciated how Chokshi expanded upon the realities of issues like colonialism, racism, antisemitism, etc. and created further discourse regarding the pain and lasting impacts these issues can have on those affected. As a mixed person of colour I also really appreciated the internal struggles felt by several of the characters regarding how they felt like they had a foot in each world but didn’t truly belong to either. I recall this being a subject in The Gilded Wolves as well, and I just felt so seen.
I love this story and this cast of characters with all my heart. The true beauty of it all is that you love these characters in spite of and because of their flaws. No matter how poor their choices might be you see and understand why they made the decisions they did, and that is such a powerful skill as a writer. I am in awe and pain. The gang needs a hug and a break ASAP.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death, Racism, and Violence
claudiaswords's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Death
forevermorepages's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
luckykosmos's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Most characters were more fleshed out - in particular, I'm much ore invested in Severin - and most puzzles were more interesting. My personal pet peeve of linguistic clues that may not hold to scrutiny persists. But that isn't what marks this down for me - I'm still frustrated at how repetitive Zofia's characterization feels in regards to her autism. Yes, we understand that there are certain things that she interprets differently; I don't think Chokshi has succeeded yet in deviating from stereotype, especially when she does introduce interesting facets of her personality that aren't mentioned again. To Chokshi's credit, I much preferred Hypnos this time around, him feeling like a much more fleshed out character, but the Hypnos/Enrique/Zofia triangle drags to me, likely because I don't think Zofia's character is done justice. And I want her to be! She's still one of my favorite characters, but is it because of what she is or what she could be?
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Violence
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. The characters are some of my favorites; they’ve all got a special place in my heart, which is thoroughly broken right now. I’m distraught. Roshani Chokshi is an evil genius. She put a brilliant ensemble cast, heartwarming friendships, agonizing romantic tension, mysterious treasure hunts, multiple explosions, banter aplenty, intriguing magic, unbelievably high stakes, and relevant discussions on many topics including racism and antisemitism all in one book barely over 400 pages. She really did that. I don’t even know what to say. I can only express myself through sad memes as I wait desperately for book three.
Representation:
Representation:
- Séverin is biracial (French-Algerian)
- Laila is Indian, has anxiety
- Enrique is queer, biracial (Spanish-Filipino)
- Zofia is Jewish, autistic
- Hypnos is biracial (Black), queer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Blood, Antisemitism, and Infertility
Minor: Animal cruelty, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
There’s one scene where a character remembers witnessing a stranger’s suicide as a child.azrah786's review against another edition
4.5
[This full review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
Though I don’t talk about them enough, these characters and this story live in my head rent free. This sequel was just wOW
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
Though I don’t talk about them enough, these characters and this story live in my head rent free. This sequel was just wOW
The Silvered Serpents picks up a few months after where The Gilded Wolves left off, with grief an ever present shadow hanging around each and every one of the characters. The loss of Tristan has driven the L’Eden gang apart, but upon discovering a lead to a certain powerful artefact – The Divine Lyrics - Séverin is determined to bring the band back together and to do whatever is necessary to find it.
Roshani’s beautiful and immersive prose transports us right back into her world of secret Houses, magic and Forging, this time taking us on a quest to Russia. The story takes a much darker turn to its predecessor though I feel like it also really comes into its own. The National Treasure-esque storyline is dialled up with higher stakes and more complex puzzles and twists, and further elements of lore and history have been masterfully interwoven into the narrative.
The pacing and new aspects of the Forged magic system and world really keep you on your toes. I don't want to say much with regards to the plot so as not to spoil anything but I was absolutely hooked.
"Knowledge was coy. It liked to hide beneath the shroud of myth, place its heart in a fairy tale, as if it were a prize at the end of the quest."
The L’Eden gang are without a doubt my favourite found family and it really hurt to see how the tragedy at the end of the first book had driven a wedge between them and affected their relationships. Their connections with one another were so full of angst and constantly being explored, as was each individual’s arc and backstory - you can really sense a higher level of maturity around all of them. I really loved how well balanced this all was with the plot. Though the frequent banter from the first book has been somewhat reduced there were still some moments of wittiness that will warm your heart - I particularly loved the dynamic that reformed and strengthened between Laila, Zofia and Enrique. I honestly didn’t think I could love these kids any more but I was wrong.
Now fair warning this book will come with a desire to throttle Séverin on numerous occasions but I feel like Roshani represented grief and its repercussions remarkably well through his character. Again like with book one the various flashbacks added further layers to his story and I won’t lie and say his traumatic childhood had me sympathising with him a little. Well, until he opened his mouth… this boyyyy
"Séverin Montagnet-Alarie knew there was only one difference between monsters and gods. Both inspired fear. Only one inspired worship."
If you thought the romance and pining throughout The Gilded Wolves was driving you crazy, if the ending of the first book made you fling the book at the wall, well…
This book well and truly broke me and I will not know peace until I have book 3 in my hands. (But then again I am terrified of what Roshani has planned for my children.)
Either way I urge you to read this series and suffer with me!
Final Rating - 4.5/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Infertility, Self harm, Suicide, and Violence
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