A review by billies_not_so_secret_diary
Embrace the Serpent by Sunya Mara

adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.0

Embrace the Serpent 

by Sunya Mara 

YA Fantasy 

NetGalley eARC 

Pub Date: June 24, 2025 

HarperCollins 

Ages: 14+ 

Hiding from the Emperor and his djinn, Lady Incarnadine, Saphira took refuge as Galen's, a jewelsmith, apprentice. Even though she is the better jewelsmith, she lets him take the credit, but because of his boasting, he brings unwanted attention to himself. Not only is there a man coming around the shop, knocking on the back door, looking over his shoulder as if he is avoiding the Emperor's soldiers, but Galen has caught Lady Incarnadine's attention, and she gives him an impossible task. 

Knowing that if she is discovered, either she'll be killed or worse, back under Lady Incarnadine's control. Saphira's only way to escape is the man sneaking around the shop. He is a huntsman sent by the Serpent King to find the best jewelsmith as the king searches for a bride. 

If Saphira can complete the piece for the King, she will be granted a new identity, freedom, and enough money to have her own shop. 

But Galen knows he would lose everything if Saphira escapes. Now, for them all to escape, she must marry the Serpent King. 

Even with the unique world and magic, this was a quick and easy read. It kept a decent pace throughout the story. Most of the characters were well thought out and unique, but there were a few important ones that were not; the Emperor was one of them. He wasn't really mentioned until the end. I, at first, thought Lady Incarnadine was in charge or his wife. Their relationship needs to be cleared up a lot sooner, as do the reasons why Lady Incarnadine takes orphans. 

The magic of jewelsmithing is unique, and I wish there had been more detail about the art and Saphira's gift. 

My biggest issue with this story is that towards the end, it started to read more like a draft instead of a finished story. The important things were brushed over, but for the less important, like objects, there was an overabundance of details that seemed to drag on with the overuse of similes. Too many in one paragraph gets overwhelming. 

The cover is neat, but the title sounds provocative, but luckily, the story isn't. The romance is pretty clean, and the violence isn't graphic, so it's suitable for readers fourteen and older. 

I liked the story, plot, characters, and magic, and I highly recommend it. 

4 Stars