Read more
In this sweeping romantic fantasy, a dangerous deal binds a young jeweler''s apprentice to the mysterious Serpent King in a marriage of convenience, thrusting her into a deadly game between the cunning, fearsome ruler and his rebellious huntsman. Perfect for fans of The Wrath & the Dawn and Once Upon a Broken Heart ! The Serpent King has come to find his bride, and with his arrival festivities sweep through the city. Inside and outside the Rose Palace await women from across the six kingdoms determined to become his new bride-to-be--all except for eighteen-year-old Saphira. After escaping life as a palace ward under the cruel djinn Lady Incarnadine, Saphira now works as the apprentice to the unscrupulous jewelsmith Galen. Out of fear of being discovered, she hides her rare gift for harnessing the magic in gemstones and lets Galen take credit for her craft. But when Galen makes a boast that ruffles the court, Lady Incarnadine punishes him with an impossible task--one that threatens to drag Saphira back into Incarnadine''s grasp. Desperate to avoid this fate, Saphira strikes a dangerous deal with Rane, the enigmatic huntsman sent by the Serpent King to find the best jewelsmith in the empire. Rane promises that if Saphira crafts a mysterious piece for his master, the Serpent King will grant her a new identity and freedom. But when their plans go awry and the only way out is to marry the Serpent King, Saphira becomes entangled in the dangerous affairs of kingdoms and empires--caught between the cunning, handsome Rane and her cold, serpentine husband.
Summary
“An exquisite jewel of a book.” —Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning
In this sweeping romantic fantasy, a dangerous deal binds a young jeweler's apprentice to the mysterious Serpent King in a marriage of convenience, thrusting her into a deadly game between the cunning, fearsome ruler and his rebellious huntsman. Perfect for fans of The Wrath & the Dawn and Once Upon a Broken Heart!
The Serpent King is the most eligible bachelor in the land: a monster with dark and terrible magic and the ruler of the last free kingdom. Riches and power await his future bride—but so does a life forever trapped in the games of court.
That fate is eighteen-year-old Saphira's worst nightmare. Ever since the Empire made her an orphan, she’s found freedom in being invisible. So despite her rare gift for harnessing the magic in gemstones, she lets an unscrupulous jewelsmith take credit for her increasingly sought-after work.
But when the king sends his most clever huntsman to find the best jewelsmith of all, the spotlight lands on Saphira. Faced with choosing between falling into the Empire’s grasp or marrying a monster, she chooses the latter — even if it means getting increasingly caught between her cold, serpentine husband and his cunning, handsome huntsman.
She chose the monster to escape the Empire, but what new dangers await her in the Serpent King’s court?
- Marriage of Convenience: She agrees to marry a monster to save herself, but finds the Serpent King is colder and more serpentine than she ever imagined.
- Enemies to Lovers: Saphira fears her monstrous new husband, but the greatest threat in the palace might be the unexpected connection she feels for the king she’s supposed to hate.
- Forced Proximity: Trapped in the royal court, she can’t escape the king’s piercing gaze or the attention of his handsome, clever huntsman who seems to be watching her every move.
- A Unique Magic System: A world where magic is harnessed from gemstones, and Saphira’s secret talent as a jeweler is the one thing that could save her—or get her killed.
Report
"Complex feelings and an intriguing way of looking at magic." - Booklist
"A wild, intricate, romantic fantasy." - The Guardian
"Dark, intense and mysterious." - People
"A story as multifaceted and compelling as any necklace its clever jewelsmith crafts, Embrace the Serpent will keep the reader eagerly chasing after Saphira and her Serpent King until the last page." - Shveta Thakrar, author of the Andre Norton Nebula Award finalist Star Daughter
"An exquisite jewel of a book." - Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning
"A seductive, jewel-studded escape into a world of deception, power, and romance."- - Dinesh Thiru, author of Into the Sunken City
"An enchanting tale that must not be missed. Beautifully written, with luscious prose, a sweeping love story, and adventure at every turn." - Angela Montoya, author of Sinner's Isle and A Cruel Thirst
"A stunning journey with unique magic, irresistible love interests, and a poignant struggle. Readers will devour this adventure with its fairytale energy and lush world." - Lexi Ryan, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of These Hollow Vows
"Colorful and romantic fantasy." - Kirkus Reviews
