Nox Winters and the Stygian Serpent

Nox Winters Chronicles #2

by Rochelle Hassan

The second book in a rich, eerie middle grade fantasy duology full of magic, monsters, and miles and miles of untamed forest, from Rochelle Hassan, author of The Prince of Nowhere. Perfect for fans of Over the Garden Wall and Serafina and the Black Cloak.

After Nox’s narrow escape from the Nightwood last fall, he had no intention of ever returning. It doesn’t matter that he’s a Keeper of Night, destined to guard and rule over the forest. He never wanted the title or the power; it wasn’t his choice, so as far as he’s concerned, it’s not his problem.

But when an old friend comes to Nox for help, he can’t refuse. He agrees to go back to the Nightwood one more time, a decision that sends him on a harrowing journey into the mountains at the edge of the forest. There, he and his friends fall prey to a trickster deity of good fortune, whose games they must win if they want to survive. But victory may require Nox to do the one thing he swore he wouldn’t—accept his magical inheritance and the responsibility that comes with it.

Nox might be ready to put the Nightwood behind him. But the Nightwood isn’t ready to let him go.

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2025

About the author

Rochelle Hassan is an author of middle grade and young adult fiction, including The Prince of Nowhere, The Buried and the Bound, and Nox Winters and the Midnight Wolf. She lives in New York.

Reviews

[Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun middle grade adventure complete with dark woods, unlikely heroes, and cyclopses. I hadn't read the first in the series, which wasn't necessarily needed for this book, the author did a good job of orienting me to the space. However, it may have endeared the characters to me more. The book did feel a bit long, but kept me engaged in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an audio eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully heartfelt, fast-paced read, I was glad to return to the creepy and mysterious world of the Nightwoods with Nox and co.! I love how we got to see Nox, Noah, and Thea each face their conflicting feelings about their first run though the Nightwoods and getting to spend more time with the settlement’s inhabitants was a treat too. The trials set by this book’s antagonist were interesting as well. The only thing that confused me was this book’s title as, even though there was a large snake character, he was hardly the main focus.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that Nox learns more about the Nightwood and his duties as a Keeper. Rochelle Hassan did a great job introducing all of the new characters and helping Nox navigate his new world. I look forward to reading the next book in the series when it has been written and published.

Jacob McNatt did a great job narrating this story and I hope they continue to narrate the series.