The Serpent and the Wolf (Dark Inheritance Trilogy Book 1)

M. Rose

Loved this so much!

"✨The Serpent and the Wolf✨ Gosh, this book was so fun! I inhaled it in a day because I just couldn’t get enough of this MMC. I found him so intriguing and unique compared to our typical dark, morally grey MMC. In TSATW, we follow the third person POV of our FMC, Vaasa, who has just been forced to marry the Wolf of Icruria. After tying him to the bed on their wedding night and escaping the kingdom, she is intent on finding the answer to the curse of her newly given powers. But when Reid, her rejected husband, finds her, they settle on a bargain: she will help him become Headman (basically president) and she will learn how to control her magic + earn her freedom. Being raised to be scheming, cunning, ruthless, and self-preserving, Vaasa is shocked to find that in this new kingdom with her new found family and husband, those skills are helpful but not why they want her- the opportunity to heal is of higher priority. These pages take us on a journey of her getting to use her skills within politics to help rather than harm. The path towards her healing was beautiful to witness, especially with the help of such supportive people around her. I enjoyed getting to see all of Vaasa’s phases and I hope to get to know our consent king Reid even more! Each character was pivotal for teaching Vaasa grace, kindness, and acceptance. It was lovely seeing her lessons and how they targeted her wellbeing and not just power. And THAT ENDING! I knew something big was coming, my heart was all built up with suspense, and then all the things happened!! I was like YES!!! And then I was like NOOOOOO. And now I’m dying for this to be fixed! Gosh, so good!! Tropes you may find in TSATW are arranged marriage meets fake dating, knife to the throat, one bed, enemies to lovers, slow burn, political intrigue, found family, who did this to you, tension, consent king, 🔥 the world for her, he falls first, plot twists, forbidden magic, my wife, and a cliffhanger. ["

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January 2, 2026 Verified Purchase

Kindle Customer

A bloody good book

"I love how magic is described and used in this world. It feels refreshing and new, absolutely delicious. I really enjoyed how Vaasa and Reid developed their relationship, I was kept on my toes and was surprised quite a few times. The politics are awesome and love how it is brought into this story. Hate the villians. Really well done on their part, makes you sympathise and hate them at the same time. ["

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April 7, 2026 Verified Purchase

Kimberly N

Six stars!

"If I could give The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson six stars, I absolutely would! As the first book in the Dark Inheritance Trilogy, it delivers an unforgettable blend of fantasy and magic, political intrigue, and a slow-burn romance that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Vaasa is a captivating protagonist, inheriting her mother’s dangerous magic and the heavy weight of its "curse." Her brother Dominik, the Emperor of Asterya, expects it to destroy her—just like it did their mother—so he still forges ahead with an arranged marriage for his sister to Reid of Mireh, a Foreman from Icruria, even though her marriage is the only thing that could provide an alternative line of success to his throne. Vaasa resents being married off, because it essentially ensures that her brother will have her killed if she doesn't die on her own. Because of that, she runs away from her husband on their wedding night. Reid of Mireh, isn't what Vaasa expected. After he tracks down Vaasa he offers her a deal. If she helps him secure the position of Headman (essentially the president of Icruria) over the next three years, he’ll grant her a divorce and introduce her to someone who can help her control her magic. What follows is a masterful story full of political maneuvering, unexpected alliances, and emotional growth. The chemistry between Reid and Vaasa is slow and simmering. Reid seems taken from the start, but Vaasa is hesitant to care for anyone because that makes them a target for Dominik. Watching Vaasa learn to control her magic, helping Reid navigate the complex political system, and open herself up to trust and love is a very compelling journey. There are many unexpected plot twists, and the stakes are high at every turn. The world-building is intricate, and I loved the way the political systems and cultures were woven into the plot. Bonus points for the extra resources the author shared on Instagram, like character guides, a map, and more—they really enhanced my understanding of the story. I read this on Kindle with Audible narration, and both formats are fantastic. I found myself reading along with the audiobook the entire time because it was so much easier to follow and keep all the political constructs and characters straight. The narrator brings the story to life beautifully. The only downside? Now I have to wait for book two! If you love fantasy romance with complex characters, high-stakes intrigue, and heart-pounding twists, The Serpent and the Wolf is must-read. ["

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January 8, 2025 Verified Purchase

Andrea Griggs

Marriage of Convenience

"Vaasa and Reid do not start of conventional at all! But somehow along this journey I was wildly invested. Reid’s Wild One truly never did anything I thought she would do. Everyone goes left and she’s like I’ll try right all by myself. But through meeting Reid and her coven she realizes that being alone is not all it’s cracked up to be. Being supported and loved is not a weakness as she once believed. While I am usually not a huge fan of 3rd person I did find it mostly enjoyable. The plot is truly a gem. There were unexpected twists and turns but what did not waver was from the moment Reid met Vaasa he would do and give her anything she desired. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Nothing better than a hubby on a rampage to get back what is his. ["

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January 28, 2026 Verified Purchase

Jacy

For Lovers of Political Intrigue

"⭐ 3.5 / 🌶️ 3 The Serpent and the Wolf is a series-starter that requires some patience but offers a high reward for fans of cunning protagonists and heavy political intrigue. Vaasa is a cynical political strategist, providing a sharp contrast to the male lead, Reid. Despite his "Khal Drogo" exterior, Reid is a confident cinnamon-roll consent king. Their chemistry is strong, and their emotional connection feels earned through a hard-won, slow-burn development. Looking back after finishing the sequel, this installment reminds me of series like ACOTAR, The Plated Prisoner, or Throne of Glass. Much like those series, the first book can feel like a hurdle as the writing finds its footing while it sets up the world. While I initially felt the narrative dragged around the 75% mark, I’ve realized the issue was less about the presence of politics and more about the execution of the scheming, which feels much denser with a lot of exposition (telling rather than showing) and less organic than it does in the second book. Additionally, the antagonists (the brother in particular) feel like shallow caricatures compared to the nuanced villians introduced in the sequel, but these antagonists do get much more developed in The Wicked and the Damned. The final quarter of the book shifts into high gear with a tense, stressful finale that does reward readers. If you find the first half a bit slow, I highly recommend pushing through; this is one of those series that truly takes off once the foundation is laid. 1. The Serpent and the Wolf ⭐ 3.5 2. The Wicked and the Damned ⭐ 5 ["

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January 15, 2026 Verified Purchase