Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Séverin and his team members might have successfully thwarted the Fallen House, but victory came at a terrible cost — one that still haunts all of them. Desperate to make amends, Séverin pursues a dangerous lead to find a long lost artifact rumored to grant its possessor the power of God.

Their hunt lures them far from Paris, and into the icy heart of Russia where crystalline ice animals stalk forgotten mansions, broken goddesses carry deadly secrets, and a string of unsolved murders makes the crew question whether an ancient myth is a myth after all.

As hidden secrets come to the light and the ghosts of the past catch up to them, the crew will discover new dimensions of themselves. But what they find out may lead them down paths they never imagined.

A tale of love and betrayal as the crew risks their lives for one last job. 

Review:

This series has so many elements that I just adore.  It's set in the Gilded Age in Paris, there is magic, a group of misfits who become friends, and (at it's core) a heist.  Gilded Wolves, the first in the series, was fun, had an complex world of magic, and an exciting story.  The Silvered Serpents continues the adventure.  But this time, we get a more in-depth look at several of the supporting characters.  This was a highly entertaining page-turner!

What I Liked:

Recap:

One of the unfortunate aspects of reading a sequel is that I often can't remember who the characters are, or what happened in the first book.  The Silvered Serpents solves this problem by subtly recapping important events from the first book.  I really appreciated this as a reader. 

Characters:

While the first book was all about world-building, the second book is more character driven.  We really get to know Enrique and Zofia, and see why they are such valued members of the group.

Enrique, a young Filipino man in Paris, has a lot of bravado.  But this masks a deep unease as he navigates European society.  He is keenly aware of how he is treated by most people.  This affects his self-esteem and makes him question his worth to the group, and it's leader, Séverin.  He is also the book's conscience, noticing how the Europeans conquer and pillage from other cultures. 

Zofia is another character who we learn more about in this book.  While not saying it outright, Zofia exhibits characteristics of Autism and anxiety.  Zofia has very particular habits such as needing food to be bland (and not touching on the plate), and she soothes herself by counting objects.  She knows she is different and that her friends do small things to accommodate her.  While she uéderstands this is done out of love, she also doesn't want to be a burden.

Romances:

The love/hate relationship between Laila and Séverin is even more intense in this book.  While they are drawn to each other, they have many misunderstandings, which lead to intense anger.  I think both of them are confused by their feelings.  How can you be so attracted to someone who hurts you so much?

The relationship between Enrique and Hypnos is also complex and touching.  It's heartbreaking to see how Enrique wants a real relationship with Hypnos.  But the object of his affections just can't take Enrique seriously.  If this were a book set in modern times, Laila would be telling Enrique, "He's just not into you"!

Story:

The story is, again, filled with adventure, and puzzles.  It was a lot of fun to follow the gang as they look for The Divine Lyrics, which could be the key to saving Laila.  I really liked all the clues and puzzles they must sort through to find their prize. 

Who else is looking for The Divine Lyrics?  What will Séverin (or anyone) do with the prize once they get it?  Who can they trust?  So many questions...   I liked that most of these questions are answered.  Even though there was a cliff-hanger, the main plot points were resolved.  This makes for a satisfying ending, while leaving the reader eager for the next novel in the series.

Rating: 

Release Date:  September 22, 2020

Author:  Roshani Chokshi

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length:  416 pages

Source:  Netgalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  An entertaining sequel to The Gilded Wolves.  I highly recommend this book.