This book took me by storm. It reminded me of Underworld with those fated vampire/human romance meets the Hunger Games. The romance is sizzling, the world is rich and blood soaked, and the fighting is captivating. Keep reading this book review of The Serpent & the Wings of Night.
Summary
The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself.
But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival.
Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him.
But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I just finished The Serpent & the Wings of Night earlier today and I can’t stop thinking about it or recommending it. This feels like if The Hunger Games met my enemies to lovers star crossed “Underworld” favorites. Like The Hunger Games there are deadly competitions with high body counts. Except this has an added twist where if you win you can ask this super powerful goddess for a boon – think impossible dream style. And like “Underworld” we have a vampire and human romance which should be trouble enough. Except add in the complicated family dynamics of Selene who has to learn about her own family lineage and the secrets they’ve been hiding.
Are you as obsessed as I am already? The Serpent & the Wings of Night is captivating from start to finish. It’s a book that even after my holiday dinner party I still stayed up late to read. What I think I enjoyed about it is that not only are there intense action scenes with different battles and challenges each time, but also the family dynamics. Oraya has to figure out not only what she’s made of – if she can really make it out alive as the only human – but also what she is fighting for. Because she’s got a lot to think about as she breaks down the idea that she “isn’t like the other humans”.
To wonder if there are just some things that are in our nature as humans, as vampires, and if we can ever escape it. Can love erase the betrayals, the secrets, the power games? The Serpent & the Wings of Night delivers a multi-layered story with heart pounding action and introspective conversations about the truth, our identity, and what we would do for change – true change. Find The Serpent & the Wings of Night on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.