Special thanks to HarperCollins for providing a digital ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

TL;DR: Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high but I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t end up loving this more. I rarely say this, but I think Embrace the Serpent could’ve benefitted from being a duology for more detailed world-building, better exploration of the magic system, and deeper character arcs/relationship development. That said, I think it was a fairly solid YA romance fantasy with a unique magic system, and interesting settings and characters. I would recommend this for fantasy readers who aren’t looking for in-depth world-building and magic exploration, but enjoy being reeled in with a simple and unique system, plus those who love an innocently sweet romance with fairly decent stakes.

The story started strong and I was immediately hooked from the first few pages. I loved the unique gemstone-based magic system and how each gemstone had a different ability and strength based on the size, shape, cut, and setting. I enjoyed seeing Saphira utilizing her innate ability to understand what a particular gemstone wants and needs to be—it was fascinating and I really wished that we could have seen her use more of her ability.

Saphira was an interesting character. I did find her timidity and blushing shyness became a bit grating as the story went on (and still nothing changed despite all the things she survived), but it was easy to tell that she had a good heart. After a traumatizing upbringing, she’s desperate for safety and security, which she has found working as a secret jewelsmith for a smarmy jewel merchant pretending to be more than he is. Understandably, she would do anything to maintain that safety, until that choice is taken away from her. Her passion for understanding gemstones and how best to utilize them, as well as her enthusiasm for being a jewelsmith were infectious and seeing her work were some of my favourite parts of the story. Another favourite part of the story was Grimney, Saphira’s adorable and noble golem companion. I loved Grimney so much and his presence on the page never failed to make me chuckle and put a smile on my face! Saphira and Grimney had a very wholesome friendship and I loved their banter so much! 💜

The banter and occasional humour woven into the story was something that I think Mara did well. Although at times the humour felt a bit out of place, for the most part, those moments still managed to make me laugh. Even though I didn’t love the romance, I did enjoy the banter between Saphira and her love interest. A relationship that I struggled with was that between Saphira and her nemesis. I didn’t understand what that girl wanted, and it seemed that neither did she. Ruining someone’s life under the guise of “rescuing” them from a life of mediocrity when you “know” they could be more powerful doesn’t make you the good guy! 🤦🏻‍♀️ Honestly, I thought Saphira was too kind to the enemies, lol. I wished she had been a bit more firm but I guess that would’ve strayed too far from her character!

Despite all of that, however, I was surprised to not feel an emotional connection to the story and I can’t pinpoint exactly why that is. Maybe it’s because, even though the writing wasn’t bad, the progression of the story felt very rushed, and as a result, it came across as more “telling than showing”. There were some major scenes that had “stomp on my heart and punch me in the gut” emotionally devastating potential, and yet, I was reading those scenes as if it was just another moment in the story due to how rushed the scenes felt. There was so much that I think could’ve been expanded upon and was instead packed into less than 400 pages, that the world-building and character development felt sadly undercooked at the end.

Overall, while I wished that I loved this more and especially felt a stronger connection to it, I don’t think it was a bad story and I know many readers will enjoy it (many reviews have already proved that). I’d be keen to see what else Mara comes out with in the future—hopefully, it’ll be a story that gets the proper time to breathe and grow because her stories deserve it!

Have you read Embrace the Serpent or is it on your TBR?

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