Embrace The Serpent, by Sunya Mara

Sunya Mara solidifies herself as one of the best YA Fantasy author's currently writting with Embrace The Serpent. A fantastic dive into an immersive world of magic and jewles which will quickly consume readers and keep them on their toes throughout.

From the blurb;

'A dangerous deal could save the kingdom - or destroy the king's 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 - and a life forever trapped in the games of the royal 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 a corrupt jewlsmith take credit for her increasingly sought-after work.

'But when the king sends his most clever huntsman to find the best jewlsmith 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... '

Mara expertly lays out her fantasy world, drawing readers into the heart of her fantasy and quickly building a love for main chracter Saphira and her rock friend Grimney, who is sure to steal the heart of many fans with his loyalty and overall cuteness.

Despite giving us the keys to her world in the first few chapters Mara keeps her secrets hidden till the most opportune moments, when she suprises with plot twists and direction changes that will ensure to keep readers on their toes throughout this fast paced read.

A slow burn love story which is in part inspired by Howls Moving Castle, this novel is a dream for fans of legends from the East and magic filled love stoires that flourish through hardship. A complex love triangle and a strained friendship push the story forwards as our chracters strive to escape the ever tightening clutches of a corrupt system that seeks to control and destroy them. Mara keps many of her chracters masked, and while pointing us in one direction is quick to turn the tables and throw us onto a completly new path.

Delighting in beautiful prose Embrace The Serpent is a love letter to myths and legends, while brining in Mara's own creation of magic, centered around jewls and bringing an artists eye to this world. A tale of budding confidence and strength is the undercurrent to this love story, with our main character learning to trust herself and embrace her abilities after a lifetime of fear, hidding and subjecation. A beautiful tale which will warm the hearts of all those who have felt overlooked or underappreciated throughout their lives.

Despite closing on a note which will leave readers satisfied we can only hope that Mara will find a way to return to this world in the future and bring us more stories of Saphira's life.

A whorldwind read that will steal the imagination of any reader and keep them captivated till the very last page, Embrace The Serpent should not be missed.

We give Embrace The Serpent Five Stars

Hardback Cover Price - £18.99 ISBN - 978-1-444-98305-0 First published in Great Britain in 2025 by Hodder & Stoughton