ddnreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
What the actual fuxk I'm obsessed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Physical abuse, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Violence, Torture, Kidnapping, and Grief
moonlightreads007's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.75
I definitely needed some time to digest this one after that ending - oh god, that ending... 😭😭😭
Overall, I found this book to be much more action-packed compared with the previous one in the series - in the first book, the author was clearly providing background information and setting the stage for the events that would folllow. The beginning of this second book in the series was very engaging, and I found that the author was able to maintain suspense throughout. I love how the characters grow closer to one another, and their character development is readily observable (with the exception of Sévérin - I really didn't like his behaviour in this book tbh). The middle and ending parts were full of adventure, investigations, action and peril. The descriptions are exceptionally intricate and detailed; the story progression and plot are very well developed and organized. Be warned, the ending gets really dark (no spoilers this time though, I promise). Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who liked "The Gilded Wolves" and other similar books with themes of adventure, danger, friendships and mystery.
Overall, I found this book to be much more action-packed compared with the previous one in the series - in the first book, the author was clearly providing background information and setting the stage for the events that would folllow. The beginning of this second book in the series was very engaging, and I found that the author was able to maintain suspense throughout. I love how the characters grow closer to one another, and their character development is readily observable (with the exception of Sévérin - I really didn't like his behaviour in this book tbh). The middle and ending parts were full of adventure, investigations, action and peril. The descriptions are exceptionally intricate and detailed; the story progression and plot are very well developed and organized. Be warned, the ending gets really dark (no spoilers this time though, I promise). Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who liked "The Gilded Wolves" and other similar books with themes of adventure, danger, friendships and mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Antisemitism and Racism
Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage
setakona's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
This getting darker, heavier and grimmer than the first book as all the characters undergo a very difficult time in their lives, both mentally and physically. They all deal with it in completely different ways as they try to grow from their last experiences, still true to their own characters and what they choose to do with those emotions.
This book also full of angst and heartwrenching lines, I found myself waiting for the next heartache, even for betrayal.
“Love does not always wear the face we wish. I wish my love had been more beautiful. I wish...I wish we had more time.”
‘Love did not always wear the face one wished it would. Sometimes it looked down monstrous.’
‘Remember what you mean to me, thought Séverin, as he ignored Laila’s pleading and walked away from her, the weapon of her destruction tucked under his arm. Remember that I am your Majnun.’
I had love-hate relationship with Séverin this time. I love Laila and I wish her to be happy.
I fell in love more with Zofia, she’s so underrated and deserves so much love. :( Enrique... I *still* love his character the most.
Enrique and Zofia character development was the best thing in this book, as you can see their beautiful growth. ‹𝟹
Hypnos, I'M SORRY BUT sometimes I really get annoyed with him.
The book ends on a massive cliffhanger and chaotic, and I DESPERATELY need to know what happens next BUT——I AM NOT YET READY...
This book also full of angst and heartwrenching lines, I found myself waiting for the next heartache, even for betrayal.
“Love does not always wear the face we wish. I wish my love had been more beautiful. I wish...I wish we had more time.”
‘Love did not always wear the face one wished it would. Sometimes it looked down monstrous.’
‘Remember what you mean to me, thought Séverin, as he ignored Laila’s pleading and walked away from her, the weapon of her destruction tucked under his arm. Remember that I am your Majnun.’
I had love-hate relationship with Séverin this time. I love Laila and I wish her to be happy.
I fell in love more with Zofia, she’s so underrated and deserves so much love. :( Enrique... I *still* love his character the most.
Enrique and Zofia character development was the best thing in this book, as you can see their beautiful growth. ‹𝟹
Hypnos, I'M SORRY BUT sometimes I really get annoyed with him.
The book ends on a massive cliffhanger and chaotic, and I DESPERATELY need to know what happens next BUT——I AM NOT YET READY...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Grief
freya_alex123's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Antisemitism, Grief, and Colonisation
Moderate: Car accident, Misogyny, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Hate crime
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Drug use, and Xenophobia
queer_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: suicide mention, violence
The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi is book two in The Gilded Wolves trilogy. I loved this book just as much as the last! The characters of this series are everything. This time instead of a heist, we have a treasure hunt.
We follow up with the gang after the events of last book when they come together for a other job: finding Tezcat spectacles in order to find an artifact called The Divine Lyrics, that is said to grant the power of God. Séverin wants the gang to help him find it. The character stuff really carries this book more than the plot. Honestly, I could just read about this group doing nothing and just being mundane, and I'd love it.
We find out something shocking about Laila that has shaken each member of the group. The striking thing about each them is they all just want to belong and to be loved. Hypnos is desperate for family, Enrique wants to be heard and respected, Zodiac wants to be seen as independent and capable, but also has some fluttery feelings about someone (👀), and Séverin just wants to take care of everyone.
We get a creepy haunted ice palace in Siberia, a treasure hunt, unexpected twists, cool mechanized ice creatures, and blood Forging. I found Séverin to be frustrating in this book. Stubborn, brooding boys. That ending was just rude! I will have to prioritize the next book when I do Sequel September. I must know what happens next!
The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi is book two in The Gilded Wolves trilogy. I loved this book just as much as the last! The characters of this series are everything. This time instead of a heist, we have a treasure hunt.
We follow up with the gang after the events of last book when they come together for a other job: finding Tezcat spectacles in order to find an artifact called The Divine Lyrics, that is said to grant the power of God. Séverin wants the gang to help him find it. The character stuff really carries this book more than the plot. Honestly, I could just read about this group doing nothing and just being mundane, and I'd love it.
We find out something shocking about Laila that has shaken each member of the group. The striking thing about each them is they all just want to belong and to be loved. Hypnos is desperate for family, Enrique wants to be heard and respected, Zodiac wants to be seen as independent and capable, but also has some fluttery feelings about someone (👀), and Séverin just wants to take care of everyone.
We get a creepy haunted ice palace in Siberia, a treasure hunt, unexpected twists, cool mechanized ice creatures, and blood Forging. I found Séverin to be frustrating in this book. Stubborn, brooding boys. That ending was just rude! I will have to prioritize the next book when I do Sequel September. I must know what happens next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicide
erin_mh362's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I love this series so much. The plot, the characters, just everything about it is so good.
I will say that this one was made me a little annoyed at times, because some of the characters were being insanely annoying (cough Séverin and Hypnos cough); I understand why they were acting the way they did but I still wanted to throw the book a few times.
Other than the annoying characters I really enjoyed this one, it was very twisty and fun when people weren’t dying/ having brushes with death
I don’t currently have the next book but I need it right now because that was one heck of a cliffhanger
I will say that this one was made me a little annoyed at times, because some of the characters were being insanely annoying (cough Séverin and Hypnos cough); I understand why they were acting the way they did but I still wanted to throw the book a few times.
Other than the annoying characters I really enjoyed this one, it was very twisty and fun when people weren’t dying/ having brushes with death
I don’t currently have the next book but I need it right now because that was one heck of a cliffhanger
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Animal death and Antisemitism
Minor: Infertility
sturmhcndss's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Violence
blueberry0531's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Antisemitism
readingthroughinfinity's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I read the Gilded Wolves in 2019 and I deserve, quite frankly, to step on lego for not having read the sequel until THREE years later. Three years? For shame.
Anyway, I finally listened to it on audio and, although it was missing some of the panache and energy of the first book, I did enjoy it. I really liked the found family vibes of book one, so I was happy to the group back together for another quest, but it was sad to see Séverin so emotionally removed from everyone else.
Roshani Chokshi really said, I see you were invested in the romances from book one, well here's nothing but pain in book two. Laila and Enrique, my queen and my soft cinnamon roll, I'm so sorry you both deserved better. I also felt like the plot wasn't always clearly narrated, but this might just be because I was listening to the audiobook. Curious to see how book three ends the trilogy!
Content warnings for parental abandonment, grief and mentions of a past death, violence, internalised ableism, prejudice towards sex workers, mentions of antisemitism.
Anyway, I finally listened to it on audio and, although it was missing some of the panache and energy of the first book, I did enjoy it. I really liked the found family vibes of book one, so I was happy to the group back together for another quest, but it was sad to see Séverin so emotionally removed from everyone else.
Roshani Chokshi really said, I see you were invested in the romances from book one, well here's nothing but pain in book two. Laila and Enrique, my queen and my soft cinnamon roll, I'm so sorry you both deserved better. I also felt like the plot wasn't always clearly narrated, but this might just be because I was listening to the audiobook. Curious to see how book three ends the trilogy!
Content warnings for parental abandonment, grief and mentions of a past death, violence, internalised ableism, prejudice towards sex workers, mentions of antisemitism.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Violence, Ableism, and Abandonment
Minor: Antisemitism, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail
thebakerbookworm's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
"I wish my love was more beautiful."
This quote may not make sense out of context but it really got me at the end of this book... *cries*
This was a decent second book in this trilogy. It had a few slow parts but overall had me engaged and wanting to see what happens. I will say some of the plot still confused me and the world building didn't quite do what I'd hoped in this sequel, but I found myself forgiving all of that because these characters are just so good.
So yeah, I love the characters. We get four POVs again, each perfect. Each grieving in their own way. Each keeping secrets. Each showing their love for each other in different ways. I just want them all to be happy by the end of this trilogy, they deserve it!
Though I guessed the big *twist* at the end of this book, the ending was still a ride and had me reaching for book three immediately. (Thank you to my past self for getting the library book ahead of time!) Can't wait to see where it goes!
This quote may not make sense out of context but it really got me at the end of this book... *cries*
This was a decent second book in this trilogy. It had a few slow parts but overall had me engaged and wanting to see what happens. I will say some of the plot still confused me and the world building didn't quite do what I'd hoped in this sequel, but I found myself forgiving all of that because these characters are just so good.
So yeah, I love the characters. We get four POVs again, each perfect. Each grieving in their own way. Each keeping secrets. Each showing their love for each other in different ways. I just want them all to be happy by the end of this trilogy, they deserve it!
Though I guessed the big *twist* at the end of this book, the ending was still a ride and had me reaching for book three immediately. (Thank you to my past self for getting the library book ahead of time!) Can't wait to see where it goes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Antisemitism, and Death