Book Review: ‘The Silvered Serpents’ By Roshani Chokshi

Review by Lauren Angel

Roshani Chokshi’s The Gilded Wolves was not my favorite book of 2019. I loved the world-building and some of the characters, but I found the main protagonist, Severin, mostly unlikable. But the intrigue of the plot and the heartbreaking ending of that book hooked me enough to want to read The Silvered Serpents.

The Silvered Serpents begins with Severin’s house in disorder. He has hardened his heart after the death of his brother in order to protect himself from further tragedy. Unfortunately, his team – Laila, Zofia, Enrique, and Hypnos – don’t know the reason for this new cold demeanor. And so they keep secrets from him – and each other. Their continued quest for an artifact known as The Divine Lyrics leads them to the heart of Russia and The Sleeping Palace. But they are not alone, and there is a traitor in their midst.

I enjoyed The Silvered Serpents a great deal more than its predecessor. Chokshi is adept at world-building, and the descriptions of the Sleeping Palace and its contents are beautifully-rendered. I also enjoyed the continued development of the rest of the team. Laila was my favorite character in the previous book, but Enrique and Zofia are more fully-developed here. Chokshi’s characters are truly diverse, which is refreshing in YA literature, and her plots are truly complex. While I figured out a few of the plot twists in advance, there were quite a few unexpected developments that kept me guessing.

The Silvered Serpents is far superior The Gilded Wolves in both plotting and characterization. And the book’s ending has ensured that I will be returning for the next installment – in spite of Severin. He still hasn’t grown on me. Maybe he can redeem himself in the next book?