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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I liked this one more than the first. The audiobook male narrator is still meh... Considering rereading physical book
Wow. WOW. I gave The Gilded Wolves five stars, but I'm seriously reconsidering knocking it down to four stars because The Silvered Serpents is so phenomenal, so breath-takingly tense and amazing, that I can't imagine how amazing that final book will be that follows it.
As someone who also enjoys writing, I felt like this story was so well-crafted! Roshani does a wonderful job fully delivering on the series promise of feeling like National Treasure. The majority of this book centers around finding The Divine Book of Lyrics, a magical object with the power to turn one into a God - or give them god-like powers, anyway. When we begin the story, our characters are still grieving from the loss of Tristan. Enrique is trying to distance himself from the team and make his own name; Zofia is on her way back from her spending time with her ill sister; Laila is counting down her days to live; Hypnos is shrouded in secret as he leads a romance with Enrique; and Severin is so absolutely destroyed, and seeking to be a God. So, you know, totally normal stuff! As the team reunites once a lead arises about the Divine Book, their traumas, secrets, and desires clash together as they work through puzzles and treasures in their quest. Along the way, we have a few other major players: Delphine, the almost-mother that abandons Severin as a child; and Eva and Ruslan, two people from the Russian house to help. But no heist is ever normal, and things go south at an alarming speed, leading to what is probably one of the most shocking endings EVER.
This book was so phenomenal, I couldn't stop saying "oh my GOD" at the end of it! The last 100 pages or so is BANANAS and it totally stole my breath away. Also, Severin was out to make me CRY in this one and I was very stressed OFTEN. Overall, 100/10, would recommend.
I received a digital ARC of this copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and MacMillan/Wednesday Books for providing me a copy!
As someone who also enjoys writing, I felt like this story was so well-crafted! Roshani does a wonderful job fully delivering on the series promise of feeling like National Treasure. The majority of this book centers around finding The Divine Book of Lyrics, a magical object with the power to turn one into a God - or give them god-like powers, anyway. When we begin the story, our characters are still grieving from the loss of Tristan. Enrique is trying to distance himself from the team and make his own name; Zofia is on her way back from her spending time with her ill sister; Laila is counting down her days to live; Hypnos is shrouded in secret as he leads a romance with Enrique; and Severin is so absolutely destroyed, and seeking to be a God. So, you know, totally normal stuff! As the team reunites once a lead arises about the Divine Book, their traumas, secrets, and desires clash together as they work through puzzles and treasures in their quest. Along the way, we have a few other major players: Delphine, the almost-mother that abandons Severin as a child; and Eva and Ruslan, two people from the Russian house to help. But no heist is ever normal, and things go south at an alarming speed, leading to what is probably one of the most shocking endings EVER.
This book was so phenomenal, I couldn't stop saying "oh my GOD" at the end of it! The last 100 pages or so is BANANAS and it totally stole my breath away. Also, Severin was out to make me CRY in this one and I was very stressed OFTEN. Overall, 100/10, would recommend.
I received a digital ARC of this copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and MacMillan/Wednesday Books for providing me a copy!
I hate how I’m committed to these books because I love Laila, Zofia and Enrique so much when the rest of the story drives me mad. That’s not to say these 3 characters are even particularly written to their full potential, Laila for example alternates between being strong willed and defiant to accepting whatever terrible treatment Severin inflicts on her, we’re not told her real name (although I get maybe that’s a book 3 reveal) and so much of her backstory is just vague. That said, as a trio I love them, especially the moment when Laila finally told them she was dying. Even just interacting with each other it’s so tender, like how Laila is tender and almost maternal with Zofia or how Zofia and Enrique both struggle to be understood and yet they ‘see’ each other when no one else does. These characters are so endearing and likeable and their interactions so lovely that I have to keep reading.
BUT this book also is a bit of a mess, it’s just jumping around a lot, there’s a lot of obvious moments, a lot of pointless moments and cliches. That said it is enjoyable and you can absorb yourself in it, I’ve read the first 2 books in a matter of days.
My main issue with this series though is Severin - he is just awful but I feel like the author sees him as a hero. I’m tired of romanticised abuse, of the ‘I’m hurting you for your own good’ or ‘I’m hurting you because I’m hurting’ tropes that I actually find quite dangerous as a reader. Severin is still grieving Tristan, but then the whole team are, however Severin won’t talk about it, he punishes Laila for making him desire her so much he dove to protect her, not Tristan (basically punishing her for not dying - a trauma she already has in her past from a loved one). He knows he didn’t listen to Tristan or respect his beliefs and concerns, so obviously in this book he does the same to the rest of the team, a team who still support him, who barely challenge his treatment even though he continues to cruelly hurt them.
It’s difficult that this book makes you care so much for certain characters and then trivialises their mistreatment - why make us care for them and then just have them sad all the book?!. Laila, for example. The Gilded Wolves ends with Severin unforgivably attempting to push her away and be the big broody martyr we’re stuck with, by throwing a secret she trusted him with back in her face and using her vulnerability and fear to wound her. Because she dropped her guard with him, he knows how to hurt her. But then we get a book here of her offering herself to him still, having hope, mutual flirting only for him to smirk and demean her, even down to making her wear a choker that squeezes when he summons her, like she’s a dog?! It’s barely challenged, it’s uncomfortable and enraging to read, especially when Laila is written as such a kind and empowering woman. Severin is not worth any of the pain he puts people through in this book. He also betrays Enrique and manipulates Zofia and he’s the hero of the book. It’s mindblowing. I just hate him and I don’t see how he can be redeemed for literally hurting everyone who loves him, isolating and bullying them because he has an INSANE idea of protecting them (without asking them if they want it). At one point he says “I wish my love was more beautiful”, how he has cruelly treated people who love him is apparently because he loves them - it’s abuser 101. I’m sorry, no. I don’t care that his POV is tortured and he doesn’t always mean it or want to do it, his actions are unforgivable and a consistent abuse of power. Anything he does in the next book isn’t heroic, it will just be him trying to save the people who HE put in danger in the first place - i just hope he’s held accountable
BUT this book also is a bit of a mess, it’s just jumping around a lot, there’s a lot of obvious moments, a lot of pointless moments and cliches. That said it is enjoyable and you can absorb yourself in it, I’ve read the first 2 books in a matter of days.
My main issue with this series though is Severin - he is just awful but I feel like the author sees him as a hero. I’m tired of romanticised abuse, of the ‘I’m hurting you for your own good’ or ‘I’m hurting you because I’m hurting’ tropes that I actually find quite dangerous as a reader. Severin is still grieving Tristan, but then the whole team are, however Severin won’t talk about it, he punishes Laila for making him desire her so much he dove to protect her, not Tristan (basically punishing her for not dying - a trauma she already has in her past from a loved one). He knows he didn’t listen to Tristan or respect his beliefs and concerns, so obviously in this book he does the same to the rest of the team, a team who still support him, who barely challenge his treatment even though he continues to cruelly hurt them.
It’s difficult that this book makes you care so much for certain characters and then trivialises their mistreatment - why make us care for them and then just have them sad all the book?!. Laila, for example. The Gilded Wolves ends with Severin unforgivably attempting to push her away and be the big broody martyr we’re stuck with, by throwing a secret she trusted him with back in her face and using her vulnerability and fear to wound her. Because she dropped her guard with him, he knows how to hurt her. But then we get a book here of her offering herself to him still, having hope, mutual flirting only for him to smirk and demean her, even down to making her wear a choker that squeezes when he summons her, like she’s a dog?! It’s barely challenged, it’s uncomfortable and enraging to read, especially when Laila is written as such a kind and empowering woman. Severin is not worth any of the pain he puts people through in this book. He also betrays Enrique and manipulates Zofia and he’s the hero of the book. It’s mindblowing. I just hate him and I don’t see how he can be redeemed for literally hurting everyone who loves him, isolating and bullying them because he has an INSANE idea of protecting them (without asking them if they want it). At one point he says “I wish my love was more beautiful”, how he has cruelly treated people who love him is apparently because he loves them - it’s abuser 101. I’m sorry, no. I don’t care that his POV is tortured and he doesn’t always mean it or want to do it, his actions are unforgivable and a consistent abuse of power. Anything he does in the next book isn’t heroic, it will just be him trying to save the people who HE put in danger in the first place - i just hope he’s held accountable
Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
“I wish my love was more beautiful.”
The day I received this I was telling everyone around how lucky and happy I was to get the opportunity to read this early. I thoroughly enjoyed The Gilded Wolves, and in turn fell in love with the author’s other book series The Star-Touched Queen. This book didn’t disappoint for me, it was just what I needed to pull me out of the reading rut that I’ve been in for a couple of months now.
The Silvered Serpents follows its predecessor in being full of all the mysteries, puzzles, and wonder that I had fallen for originally. It’s also very much the “darker middle chapter” in this trilogy, as it should be. While none of the characters ever fully embrace their inner monstrousness, many of the characters explore their inner shadows and the grief that they’ve experienced. The title is very apropos for the contents of this book, and also just so gorgeous.
This book isn’t absolutely perfect, there are a few little things that could be tweaked that I want to bring up. The first is that I feel that how the last book left off was a little misleading for what “this” book actually turned out to be. This isn’t necessarily something wrong, but it did feel a little off for me when reading. The other thing is that the world building is definitely a bit lacking... Fortunately for me, I’m much more interested in the characters than in the world, so it was all okay.
The author’s love of both mythology and words is so very clear to see that it would have been difficult for me not to love this book that she so carefully and lovingly crafted. While it’s not without some flaws, I would absolutely recommend this book and am so looking forward to the finale.
“I wish my love was more beautiful.”
The day I received this I was telling everyone around how lucky and happy I was to get the opportunity to read this early. I thoroughly enjoyed The Gilded Wolves, and in turn fell in love with the author’s other book series The Star-Touched Queen. This book didn’t disappoint for me, it was just what I needed to pull me out of the reading rut that I’ve been in for a couple of months now.
The Silvered Serpents follows its predecessor in being full of all the mysteries, puzzles, and wonder that I had fallen for originally. It’s also very much the “darker middle chapter” in this trilogy, as it should be. While none of the characters ever fully embrace their inner monstrousness, many of the characters explore their inner shadows and the grief that they’ve experienced. The title is very apropos for the contents of this book, and also just so gorgeous.
This book isn’t absolutely perfect, there are a few little things that could be tweaked that I want to bring up. The first is that I feel that how the last book left off was a little misleading for what “this” book actually turned out to be. This isn’t necessarily something wrong, but it did feel a little off for me when reading. The other thing is that the world building is definitely a bit lacking... Fortunately for me, I’m much more interested in the characters than in the world, so it was all okay.
The author’s love of both mythology and words is so very clear to see that it would have been difficult for me not to love this book that she so carefully and lovingly crafted. While it’s not without some flaws, I would absolutely recommend this book and am so looking forward to the finale.
A beautiful continuation of an already beautiful and captivating series, full of actually diverse characters, mythology and history, and a unique magic system. The prose is absolutely stunning and the plot full of expert twists and turns and complications. I finished this book with my heart pounding, my eyes filled with tears, and gasping for breath. I am devastated to not have the third book on hand at this very moment.
In my opinion, Chokski is a master in the fantasy genre.
In my opinion, Chokski is a master in the fantasy genre.
Rating: 1.5/5
The synopsis was better than the actual 402 pages that make up this book.
All of the characters I loved in book 1 became so unbearable in this book. Nothing really happened plot-wise that was imperative to the story, and the characters just did really stupid things that just made me mad.
I gave [b:The Gilded Wolves|39863498|The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1)|Roshani Chokshi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525714353l/39863498._SY75_.jpg|53547018] 3 hopeful little stars because I saw the potential in the series. However, this book crushed all of my hopes, and I doubt I'll finish out the trilogy because I honestly really don't care anymore.
The synopsis was better than the actual 402 pages that make up this book.
All of the characters I loved in book 1 became so unbearable in this book. Nothing really happened plot-wise that was imperative to the story, and the characters just did really stupid things that just made me mad.
I gave [b:The Gilded Wolves|39863498|The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1)|Roshani Chokshi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525714353l/39863498._SY75_.jpg|53547018] 3 hopeful little stars because I saw the potential in the series. However, this book crushed all of my hopes, and I doubt I'll finish out the trilogy because I honestly really don't care anymore.
The Silvered Serpents is the second novel in [b:The Gilded Wolves|39863498|The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1)|Roshani Chokshi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525714353l/39863498._SY75_.jpg|53547018] trilogy and it picks up not long after the close of the first novel. Each of those working with Séverin are struggling to deal with their feeling about the death of Tristan at the end of the first book. Laila blames herself for not having revealed the core of darkness that was eating Tristan alive. Zofia wonders what she might have done. Enrique feels distanced from Séverin even as he sees that Tristan's death is eating his friend alive inside. Hypnos dances around all of the no-longer-merry band he wanted to join, but always hovering on the edges of belonging. They are shadows of themselves, and Séverin especially begins to grow colder, harder, and angrier than the young man we met in the first book. As his diffident relationship with Laila sours by degrees and the clock counts down her life, Laila pulls away from L'Eden, even if she hasn't given up the quest for some of the treasures the group must seek. She takes Enrique and Zofia into her confidence about the fragility of her situation, and her reasons for continuing to help the group as they seek out The Divine Lyrics that she hopes will provide answers to stop her impending death. But what are Séverin's reasons, really? And after the revelation at the end of the first book, that Séverin isn't the heir to the house he believes he is, exactly who is he really?
The Silvered Serpents builds upon the complex story that Chokshi is trying to tell, showing us how each of her major characters strives to find a place and people with whom they fit. Since the first book, we felt that was L'Eden and with each other but the edges of this tapestry are badly frayed. Séverin's hubris in thinking it's his job to protect everyone from everything begins to rub them all the wrong way, especially Enrique, who becomes unsure whether that protection isn't really just a way to control everyone, with Séverin keeping all his players in a state of play, when and where he wants them. Yet through all this, Laila and Zofia shine. Zofia, who is so clearly on the high functioning autism spectrum, makes progress in her interactions with the others in this novel and begins to recognize her own strengths instead of just her weaknesses. And her emerging greatest strength is her great courage in wanting to help Laila. Laila is more defined in this book, less a femme fatale than an alluring, all-mothering figure. Laila is the one who knows how everyone wants and needs things, and yet she is also growing weary of putting up with Séverin and his growing callousness. Enrique also evolves in this novel, coming to see Hypnos, Séverin, and Zofia with clearer eyes.
I enjoyed this second book and found the introduction of Ruslan and Eva to be interesting if predictable development. The revelations at the end of this novel offer insight into the revelations of the first novel and set up daunting possibilities for the third novel of the trilogy. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Chokshi closes out the trilogy.
I received a paper and digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Silvered Serpents builds upon the complex story that Chokshi is trying to tell, showing us how each of her major characters strives to find a place and people with whom they fit. Since the first book, we felt that was L'Eden and with each other but the edges of this tapestry are badly frayed. Séverin's hubris in thinking it's his job to protect everyone from everything begins to rub them all the wrong way, especially Enrique, who becomes unsure whether that protection isn't really just a way to control everyone, with Séverin keeping all his players in a state of play, when and where he wants them. Yet through all this, Laila and Zofia shine. Zofia, who is so clearly on the high functioning autism spectrum, makes progress in her interactions with the others in this novel and begins to recognize her own strengths instead of just her weaknesses. And her emerging greatest strength is her great courage in wanting to help Laila. Laila is more defined in this book, less a femme fatale than an alluring, all-mothering figure. Laila is the one who knows how everyone wants and needs things, and yet she is also growing weary of putting up with Séverin and his growing callousness. Enrique also evolves in this novel, coming to see Hypnos, Séverin, and Zofia with clearer eyes.
I enjoyed this second book and found the introduction of Ruslan and Eva to be interesting if predictable development. The revelations at the end of this novel offer insight into the revelations of the first novel and set up daunting possibilities for the third novel of the trilogy. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Chokshi closes out the trilogy.
I received a paper and digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 1.5/5 stars
Look up at my review of the first or last book in the series, as it sums up my thoughts pretty well too...
Summary of issues for me:
- shallow characters changing their personalities to fit the plot
- confusing magic system that changes to fit the plot
- narrative filled with wrong historical facts & places and anachronisms
- a confusing plot
Look up at my review of the first or last book in the series, as it sums up my thoughts pretty well too...
Summary of issues for me:
- shallow characters changing their personalities to fit the plot
- confusing magic system that changes to fit the plot
- narrative filled with wrong historical facts & places and anachronisms
- a confusing plot
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes