I have to say, Embrace the Serpent by Sunya Mara grabbed my attention fast. The SWANA-inspired world was interesting. Saphira’s jewelsmith skills were cool. Her dangerous marriage to the Serpent King made me want to read more. YA romantic fantasy fans will enjoy the exciting tension and special magic. Romance is the top seller in YA, with 218 mentions. Fantasy is almost as popular.
Key Takeaways
Embrace the Serpent gives a new YA fantasy story. It has a detailed SWANA-inspired world. The magic system is special and uses Saphira’s jewelsmith skills.
The story looks at big ideas like power and freedom. It also shows hard choices through Saphira’s exciting journey. Her relationship with the Serpent King is complicated.
People who like slow-building romance will enjoy this book. Thoughtful fantasy fans will like the mix of magic and feelings. The cultural details make readers want to keep reading.
Embrace the Serpent by Sunya Mara: Story
Saphira and the Serpent King
I have a confession: I stayed up way too late reading Embrace the Serpent by Sunya Mara. Saphira, the main character, pulled me in right away. She works as a jewelsmith, which means she can shape and create magical gems. Her life changes when she’s forced to marry the Serpent King—a ruler who is both mysterious and dangerous. I felt her fear and her stubborn hope on every page.
Saphira’s jewelsmith skills aren’t just for show. They play a big part in the story and help her survive in a world where everyone wants something from her.
The Serpent King isn’t your usual villain. He’s got secrets, and I found myself wanting to know what he hides behind his cold mask.
Their relationship is full of tension. I kept wondering if Saphira would find a way to escape or if she’d end up trusting him.
The SWANA-inspired setting adds so much flavor. I could almost taste the spices and see the glittering palaces. The story isn’t just about magic and romance. It’s about kingdoms fighting for riches and control. Saphira gets caught in the middle, and I felt her struggle with every twist.
Power and Freedom
This book doesn’t just talk about magic. It digs deep into what it means to have control over your own life. Saphira wants freedom, but everyone around her tries to take it away. The Serpent King holds all the cards, but even he seems trapped by his own rules.
Note: The story explores two big ideas: who gets to make choices, and who has to follow orders. Saphira’s fight for freedom feels real because she faces tough decisions. Sometimes, she has to pick between her own safety and helping others.
Here’s a quick look at how the book handles these themes:
Theme | What It Means in the Story | How It Shows Up |
|---|---|---|
Freedom | Saphira wants to choose her own path. She risks everything to break free from the Serpent King’s control. | She sneaks, bargains, and stands up for herself, even when it’s scary. |
Power | The Serpent King uses his magic and his throne to keep others in line. Saphira learns that real strength comes from standing up for what’s right. | Their battles aren’t just with swords—they’re about who gets to decide what happens next. |
I have to give props to Sunya Mara for making me think about my own choices. The story shows that freedom isn’t just about running away. Sometimes, it means facing your fears and speaking up, even when your voice shakes.
Embrace the Serpent by Sunya Mara left me thinking about what I would do in Saphira’s place. Would I fight for my own freedom, or would I give in to someone else’s rules? The book doesn’t give easy answers, and that’s what made it so gripping.
Characters
Saphira’s Journey
I’ll be honest, Saphira’s journey had me hooked from the start. She doesn’t just sit around waiting for things to happen. She grows up fast—sometimes in ways that left me gasping. Here’s what stood out to me:
Saphira matures in just a few months. That’s wild! Most dragons take years, but she’s different.
At first, she’s super emotional. I saw her get jealous, crack jokes, and even pout when she felt left out.
Her talks with Brom really change her. She goes from acting on feelings to giving smart advice. She becomes the wise friend everyone needs.
Saphira’s strength is jaw-dropping. She lifts a horse across a river like it’s nothing.
Her bond with Eragon isn’t just about fighting together. They tease each other, argue, and share secrets. It feels real, like siblings who sometimes drive each other crazy.
Saphira’s growth isn’t just about getting stronger. She learns to trust, forgive, and stand up for herself. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast in this story reminded me of putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Each character fits into the bigger picture, helping the story make sense. Some characters set the stage, like the corners of a puzzle, giving Saphira a place to start. Others add layers, making things more interesting and sometimes more complicated.
I noticed how their actions and words shaped Saphira’s choices. The story feels like a network, where every character matters. Their relationships and conflicts help the plot move forward and keep things fresh. I loved how the cast didn’t just fill space—they made the story richer and more connected.
World
SWANA Influences
I love when a book takes me somewhere new. This story feels like a trip to a place full of color, heat, and spice. The SWANA-inspired setting stands out right away. I could almost smell the cardamom and rosewater in the air. The palaces glitter with gold and jewels. The markets buzz with life.
The food, clothes, and traditions all feel real.
I noticed how the author uses small details, like the way people greet each other or the music at a festival.
The world feels lived-in, not just a backdrop for the plot.
I found myself wishing I could walk those streets or taste the sweets Saphira describes. The setting adds so much to the story. It makes every scene richer and more exciting.
Magic System
The magic in this book grabbed my attention. Saphira’s jewelsmith skills are more than just a cool trick. She shapes gems that hold real power. Each gem has a purpose, and the rules for using them feel clear. I never got lost or confused about how magic worked.
What really surprised me? The story uses a mix of facts and feelings to show how magic affects everyone. The author looks at the cost of magic, not just the fun parts. I saw how people had to think about money, energy, and even water when they used magic. The book even shows how different groups—like farmers or experts—see magic in their own way.
I liked how the story doesn’t pretend magic is easy. There are trade-offs and tough choices. Sometimes, the characters have to work together to figure out what’s right.
This magic system made the story feel real. It left me thinking about what I would do if I had that kind of power.
Strengths
Romance
I’ll be honest, I’m a sucker for a slow-burn romance that keeps me guessing. This book had me rooting for Saphira and the Serpent King from the start. Their relationship isn’t just about stolen glances or dramatic declarations.
It’s about trust, secrets, and the kind of tension that made me stay up way too late flipping pages. I felt every awkward silence and every spark between them.
The romance here reminded me of other favorites like The Last Legacy and This Woven Kingdom, where forbidden love and complicated feelings pull you in.
I noticed how the story weaves romance into the bigger plot, never letting it take over but always making it matter.
The slow build made every moment count. I found myself holding my breath, waiting for the next twist.
If you love stories where romance feels risky and real, this one delivers.
Themes
What really stuck with me were the big questions the story asks. Saphira’s fight for freedom and the struggle with who gets to make choices hit hard. The book doesn’t shy away from showing how power can change people or how hard it is to do the right thing.
Theme | Description | Example from Literature |
|---|---|---|
Shows how having control can twist people and situations. | The Power by Naomi Alderman: Power flips the world order. | |
Freedom and Oppression | Focuses on breaking free from control, both personal and political. | The Handmaid’s Tale: Women fight for their own choices. |
Good vs. Evil | Explores what makes someone a hero or a villain. | The Stand: Characters battle their own morals. |
I have to give props to the author for making these themes feel real and urgent. I finished the book thinking about my own choices and what I’d risk for freedom.
Weaknesses
Pacing
I’ll be honest, I lost track of time a few nights because I just had to see what happened next. But sometimes, the story slowed down so much that I found myself checking how many pages were left in the chapter.
The action scenes felt pulse-pounding, but then the plot would hit a wall with long stretches of planning or inner thoughts. I wanted to yell, “Just get to the good stuff!”
Some chapters moved fast, then others dragged with too much talking or waiting.
I noticed the tension dipped in the middle. My excitement faded a bit before the story picked up again.
The romance and magic scenes kept me hooked, but the slower parts made me wish for more surprises.
If you like a steady pace, you might get a little impatient here. I had to push through a few slow patches, but the payoff was worth it.
World-Building
The setting felt rich and colorful, but sometimes the details piled up so high that I lost sight of the characters. I get that building a magical world takes work, but too much focus on rules and history made the story feel heavy.
Critics like M. John Harrison say that when authors try to explain every little thing, it can squash the fun and leave less room for imagination.
I caught myself skimming some descriptions because they felt more like a textbook than a story.
The world sometimes felt too perfect, like a watch that never breaks. That made it harder to see the messy, real parts of Saphira’s journey.
I wanted more moments where the world’s magic surprised me, not just followed a set of rules.
To be fair, the world-building never fully drowned out the characters, but I did wish for a little more chaos and a little less order.
YA Fantasy Comparison
What Sets It Apart
I’ve read a lot of YA fantasy, but Embrace the Serpent by Sunya Mara stands out for a few reasons. Most YA fantasies stick to familiar settings, but this one takes me somewhere new. The SWANA-inspired world feels fresh and full of life. I could almost smell the spices and hear the music in the background.
The first-person POV puts me right inside Saphira’s head. I felt her fear, hope, and stubbornness up close. That made every twist hit harder.
The magic system is different. Saphira’s jewelsmith skills aren’t just a gimmick. Each gem has a purpose, and the rules make sense. I never felt lost or confused.
The romance is slow-burn and risky. It reminded me of books like The Wrath & the Dawn, but with its own flavor.
I’ll be honest, I couldn’t put it down some nights. The mix of culture, magic, and romance kept me turning pages long after I should have been asleep.
Ideal Readers
If you love fantasy with a romantic twist, this book is for you. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Once Upon a Broken Heart or The Wrath & the Dawn. The story has shape-shifting, mysterious characters, and a heroine who fights for her freedom.
Best for older teens and adults who want more than just action—they want emotion and tough choices.
The sweepstakes for the book is open to US residents aged 18 and older, so it’s clear the target audience isn’t just younger teens.
If you like stories that blend magic, romance, and a unique setting, you’ll probably enjoy this one.
To be fair, Embrace the Serpent by Sunya Mara doesn’t give you all the answers. It makes you think about what you’d do in Saphira’s place. That’s what I loved most.
When I finished Embrace the Serpent by Sunya Mara, I felt happy but also wanted more. The special jewelsmithing magic was really cool. The romance made me smile, and the story had a lot of feelings. I think people who like romantic fantasy would enjoy this book. It’s also great for fans of SWANA-inspired stories or anyone who likes new kinds of magic.
Dionysus Review Rating: 7/10
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Embrace the Serpent a standalone or part of a series?
I read it as a standalone. I haven’t seen any news about a sequel yet. If I find out more, I’ll update this section.
Does the book have any content warnings?
I didn’t spot anything too graphic. The story has tense moments and some emotional scenes, but nothing that made me want to stop reading.
Will I like this if I’m not into romance?
You might! The romance is important, but the magic, world, and Saphira’s fight for freedom kept me interested even when the love story slowed down.
