The Serpent Prince of Hades

The Veil of Elpis #2

by Riley Knight

Beneath the white city, a song of dread hums.

No one has set foot on Duath Nun’s shores in centuries. Isolated from the world, its people guard a dangerous secret - and protect the entrance to the Empty with their lives.

Seth never meant to fall in love again. Never intended to return home. Failing both, he's faced with his worst nightmare - a fate worse than death awaits Aethra.

Deep within the capital of Hades, the Acheron stirs, but its guarded by an enemy they cannot defeat. Gods walk the land - and they hunger for the magic Aethra possesses.

Though memories of the past torment him, Seth must pick up their pieces if he wants to save his team. For if he fails to conquer his demons - he’ll lose Aethra forever.

Throne of Glass meets the Infernal Devices in this devastating, swoon-worthy epic romantasy inspired by Greek Mythology.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Enemies To Lovers, Ebooks, Morally Grey, Found Family

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy 5 ⭐️ rating again for the lovely Riley Knight!

This book was amazing! I did not believe that an ending could be better than book one but I stand corrected. The ending has me begging for the next one! I am beyond grateful that I had book two ready when I had finished book one thanks to Riley’s generosity by giving me an ARC copy.

This world, the characters and their animal sidekicks have me wanting more as soon as it’s finished. I LOVE the banter and the way these characters have emotions that knows no limits. Their loyalty to each other has caused all emotions to come out of me when reading this book.

This book has left me with more questions than answers and I NEED book three!

If you love any of the following this series is for you;
-touch her and 💀
-witty banter
-a stubborn FMC
-he fell first
-found family
-one bed troupes
-mythological creatures
-magic powers
-spicy romance 🌶️

Now all I NEED is book three and hopefully some physical copies to add as my book trophies 🏆

[natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“death awaited us, but i wanted so badly for us to live. to find happiness, together, when all this was over. our strange little band.“

the love i have for this world and these characters knows no bounds. the serpent prince of hades is a truly gripping, powerful fantasy centered around love, grief, and hope. it’s a perfect blend of action and violence, political intrigue and religious rebellion, and heart achingly impactful relationships.

where this book truly shines is in the well thought out world building and the growth and depth of our main cast of characters. riley effortlessly weaves well known mythology with her own unique twists on magic and fantasy to create something new. her characters are fully thought out, diverse, and easy to get emotionally invested in. you’re left grieving with them, laughing with them, and hoping beyond all hope that they’ll survive the dismal circumstances they’re in.

now that i’ve written eloquently let me just SHFIIFIEEIEJWNSNXJXWISIXJCNDNEE THIS BOOK MAKES ME WANT TO BLOW UP OR EAT DRY WALL OR WAG MY TAIL.

seraphim? mommy please please one chance.
seth? GODS ABOVE PLEASE.
aethra? i’m going to smooch.
percy? i’m going to give u a lollipop.
eleos? i’m building you a 20 story library.
phaedrus? i can fix you.

as always thank you to riley for the arc opportunity <3

[Sister Samhain · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to uncover in The Seperant Prince of Hades, but not before we dive into a provided recap of what happened in Sage of Hope and Ruin. After being deceived by Seth, as he believed she would be safest, Aethra ends up back in the hands of Phaedrus. Unlike the previous book, the chapters are read from the view points of Seth, Eleos, and Aethra, providing us a much deeper understanding of our beloved heros. As their tales of chaos unfold we are thrust into a world of endless adventures filled with sword fights, magic, foreign lands with mythical creatures, and as always love and loss. This epic series will not disappoint, leaving you reading for hours.

Thank you to Author Riley Knight for not only sharing your beautiful gift of writing, but for giving me an opportunity to give an ARC review. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Veil of Elpis series thus far, and hightly encourage everyone to read as well.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. As always, wonderful world building. The description pulls me in every time. This was so very well written. This is the type of fantasy that you let yourself fall into the world and enjoy being there for a while. This was so intriguing and wonderful. I enjoyed the characters and everything else about this book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC read
Book two absolutely pulled me right back into this world. I genuinely devoured this one. Between fighting mythical creatures in an unknown land, secrets slowly coming to light, and trials, it kept me hooked the entire time.
One of my favorite things about this story is how the magic presents itself; it feels natural, immersive, and deeply tied to the characters rather than just there for spectacle. The character backstories are also really well fleshed out, which made the found family dynamics hit even harder.
At the midpoint, it did feel like the story drifted a bit from the original goal, and I found myself briefly wondering where things were heading. That said, everything eventually comes together in a way that made it feel intentional by the end.
And that ending? Devastating. Truly. I was a little confused by how one of the later chapters ended on a cliffhanger, but it clearly feels like something that will be expanded on in book three and I NEED answers.

[Joanna HL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second book in the series and honestly… I loved it even more than the first. I really enjoyed book one, but this one just stepped everything up. The world felt bigger and more developed, and the characters got so much deeper and more interesting.

I completely fell for Seth in this book. He’s such a loveable rogue, all bravado and big feelings, and I couldn’t get enough of him. I loved the multiple POVs and the whole ragtag team on a dangerous journey vibe. The banter between the characters was so good too, I actually laughed out loud a few times. The friendships really came into their own here, and the adventure felt genuinely perilous.
The slow burn romance that started in book one finally heats up, and the spice... YUM!

The writing is super descriptive and immersive, with loads of magic and much more backstory for each character. The danger keeps building the entire time and you can just feel something coming… and then that ending. The cliffhanger was BRUTAL. Amazing, but brutal. I hadn’t really read romantasy properly before this series, but I’m fully hooked now and desperately need the next book

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC READ:

4.5 ⭐️ This is such a fun fantasy series! This is the second book in the series and it starts off strong and remains strong throughout the entire book! I was in it from the first page to the last!

This series is so unique:

✨Empty spreading - destroying life
✨Rag tag outcast/criminal group with fun dynamics
✨ Awesome world building - blood used in magic system, epic creatures, with a Greek mythology vibe built in.
✨ Deception
✨political - fighting for throne/true ruler
✨slowwwww burn with a bit of a love triangle
✨ multiple POVs
✨ the ending - ooooo the ending will get you!! Cliffhanger!

Honestly, in my opinion the second book just took off! The first book was good but the second book just allowed this series to blossom. So much potential in this world and I have no idea what to expect! Very excited for the third book! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this arc!

[TheOutsidersDen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I want to thank Riley Knight for picking me for this ARC read.

So this is book 2 to “Sage of Hope and Ruin,” if you haven’t read that book. PLEASE!! Like what are you waiting for!!!??? The Serpent Prince of Hades picks up right where SOHAR and when I tell you I SPRINTED to this ARC read I sprinted. My fingers have never worked fast enough on my phone 😂

Just when I thought I knew where this story would be heading I couldn’t have been more surprised. I’m not going to spoil anything but I will say this I felt like I was constantly waiting for the pen to drop and when it finally did I was unable to recuperate. My jaw was to the floor!!!

The tension between Seth and Aethra had me desperate for them to figure it out! I was rooting for Seth all while being mad at him which I’m sure is how Aethra felt.

At the same time I was fawning over Eleos and Aethra’s relationship. How it blossomed in SOHAR only grew more endearing in SPOH. Their relationship is just on another level. A platonic love that is so rare it’s beautiful. 🥹🥹

We get more of Seraphim and Percy in this story and my love for them grew all the more. Seraphim’s big sister attitude brought warmth to my heart. Her protectiveness and wisdom was just chefs kiss. Then there’s Percy. Yall! I think he has to be my favorite character. If I was the Oracle I’d of fallen for him too.

This story had me giddy, angry, anxious and swooning. If you’re a lover of Greek mythology, found family, obstacles at every turn, hope, love, friendship and an absolutely binge-able read, then please don’t waste no time.

The Serpent Prince of Hades is available 2/24/26

[Chantal Segreto · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one pulled me in so fast. The tension was constant and I was fully invested from start to finish.

I loved the way the Greek mythology was woven through the story. It added that darker, epic feel without overwhelming everything else. It felt immersive and atmospheric in the best way.

The chemistry was slow, simmering and packed with angst. Exactly how I like it. There were moments that had me holding my breath and others that just hit perfectly.

It didn’t emotionally wreck me which is why it’s a solid 4 instead of 5, but I’m definitely continuing this series.

If you love intense vibes, mythology threaded through the story and that delicious slow burn tension… you’ll enjoy this one.

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC read:

The Serpant Prince of Hades…WOW just WOW! Book one left on a cliffhanger and the pacing in book two keeps going and the levels of betrayal and things revealed are astonishing. Riley hits another book out of the park and my damn jaw is on the floor still.

The magic systems and world building is beautifully done and explained in great detail. The characters interactions and tense situations had me on my dang seat. Usually, I can predict what’s going to happen and Riley had me questioning my sanity lol. Twists, turns and surprising betrayals. All the trauma and devastation, bring tissues.

Riley, I will forever read your books, you have a magical way with words and I love how you envision your worlds and characters! I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Easily 5 stars 🌟

[Sarah Minton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen, I’m sending Riley my therapy bills because that ending!? Idk if my heart can take much more 😭

Serpent Prince of Hades follows Aethra and The Gang as they continue their quest of saving the world from The Empty. Except this time, there’s MORE! Literally more of everything; more magic, lore, world-building; more SPICE🥵, more twists, more banter, and maybe more betrayals or something, (idk I’m just an ARC reader so what do I know 😛)
But listen, if you liked Sage of Hope & Ruin, then you’ll LOVE Serpent Prince of Hades.

[Lil Paige Ternah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC read.

5/5 ⭐
7/5 📜
1/5 🌶️
5/5 Yearning


LOVED LOVED LOVED this! I usually struggle with fantasy in general but this was compelling enough to keep me from sleep and adult responsibilities. It's rare that I actually like all of the characters and that none of them are useless. Also, when I want blood magic, this is what I want - very creative powers in this universe.

I was choked when all my annotations disappeared but I guess that just means I have to re-read it 🤷‍♀️

[Chelsea Oliva · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the first book, I was really excited to start this ARC read. I was really into the book early on, however I found myself struggling to continue to read through the middle. The end of the book picked up and I got back into it. I do enjoy the overall plot, but this second book was just harder for me to love. I was happy to finally see some spicy scenes and I just wish they were more drawn out or maybe I'm just as invested in the couple.

[Tiffany M Mattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series amps up the adventure exponentially. Full of twists and turns, you think you've got it all figured out only to realize how quickly you don't. This one definitely kept me on my toes. I loved all the surprises that popped up as well, except for that ending. Book 3 can't get here soon enough because that cliffhanger has me reeling.

[shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I loved getting to know these characters even more, they truly are a little family. A huge amount happens in this book, and I found it almost too fast paced. I would’ve loved to see a few more mundane moments between our ragtag team but all together a great story. The cliffhanger was brutal lol.
Thank you Riley for this eARC!

[Nessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap if you loved book one this book will leave you wanting more and so many good ways. There is even more secret identities, mystical powers at play and so much more. I kept having to reread chapters to make sure I was actually reading it correctly. My mind was blown so many times. I absolutely love watching Seth, Athena and Eleos’s relationship grow and bloom to be where they are. I cannot wait to read book 3.


I did have the amazing opportunity to read this book as an ARC reader. And this review is my 100% honest view of the book.

[Taylen · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

🔥 🐍The Serpent Prince of Hades (book 2) by Riley Knight🔥🐍

Book two starts off right after the crushing cliffhanger Riley left us off on in book 1. Riley continues the creative world building as they explore the isolated, secretive place of Duath Nun. The character growth continues to develop as you learn more about each of their pasts; as well as they come into their own magic. There is more heartbreak and a devastating betrayal to leave us impatiently waiting until the next installment comes out later this year 😉 (thankfully). More secrets are revealed and new magic awakens as they try to prevent the end of the world as they know it. They battle the King and his army as they attempt to maintain their control of the Archeron and Duath Nun. The spice is taken up a level with even more yearning and angst.

As a new author, this series is just SO good 👏🏻 I love this fantasy world. I love Eleos and Seth as complete opposites who can’t decide if they hate each other or want to be best friends. I love Percy who provides all the entertainment and you never know quite what he’s going to say. I love the fierce FMCs in the book. They are all so strong willed, badass, tough, and loyal. I love the friendships and banter that is chefs kiss 💋! I love the magic and world that you get immersed in. I love the spice, yearning, and angst that my heart beats for.

4.5⭐️

Don’t miss reading this series. The Serpent Prince of Hades is being released 2/24/26! 🥳

[Chloe Shilaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ so good, still processing. Review posted closer to release date!

[Ember Bolen]

Riley and your cliffhangers!!!!!!

[Rue · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy from the Author

This was a painful read, along with book 1. But I came across this book as an ARC reader and got the chance to sign up to do this. But I unfortunately had to dnf in a way.

At 40% I stopped reading full sentences and read only the dialogue. And by 61% I was too tired of that, and essentially dnf’d it. I did skim read till the end and skip a few chapters (which is what I did with book 1) and still got the concept of the book without reading all the details.

It ends on a cliff hanger, which if I was enjoying the book, would encourage me to look forward to book 3, but this is a no from me. It just seemed to progress so slowly, and the FMC was betrayed by the man she was falling in love with, and I hoped that she would stay away, but she ends up getting with him anyways.
The book is split into 3 povs, and every time it was in the 3rd character’s pov I would forget whose pov it was in. I didn’t understand the purpose of their pov, but I guess since they could read minds, it was helpful to know what other characters were thinking, without their povs.

Something that still never made sense to me was what the characters ages were. Other than surface level descriptions I thought they were all the same age, and turns out 2 of them are at least 20 years old than everyone else. Then there is a guy who is 50 years older, but thanks to magic he is young. The FMC gains new powers and so does the love interest, and that plot point made no sense. Yet even though there wasn’t much description of the characters and their growth, there wasn’t still so many words in that book, and yet the details were not explained. That’s what contributed to the slow pace for me.

The spice: I think only saw two scenes. It was an incredibly slow burn, but I didn’t read them in detail, so I would say it’s a 2 chilli book.

This was essentially a second chance romance and I don’t like those, and didn’t realise that was a part of the book. The love interest didn’t grovel enough for me, he just wallowed in self-pity and showed up to save the FMC when needed.

The book definitely needed some more detail thought through in the timeline of the book, and establishing some level of decent control on description, there were some chapters that only have 1-3 lines of dialogue.

I value the experience of being an ARC reader, but I won’t be reading book 3

[Lizzy Bettinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to read the ARC of this and Riley did not disappoint!! I was a little skeptical of this one but the last couple of chapters had me pulled in!! I do feel like there was a lot cramped into this book that was a lot of potential world and story building and at times go slightly confused but overall it was great!! I cannot wait for the next one!!

[Leeanna Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Riley Knight for an ARC copy of this book.!
Hands up if you like a broody, morally-questionable prince of the underworld 🙋‍♀️.
Delicious tension, and that “I shouldn’t want him but I absolutely do” energy. Sinful chemistry. Laced with just enough dark and seductive vibes to keep you hooked.

[Yusmerith Caguao Bertolino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first ARC read and it was the an easy 5 star read! I really enjoyed the character development in this second book, I specially love their little "family" bond and how much they care and look out for each other. We really got to learn more about out MMC and why he's the way he is. The spice definitely picked up in this book and it did not disappoint! Even though so much happened in this book, I do feel like there are still mysteries to be solved and I cannot wait to read the next book and get answers to all of my questions............... especially after that cliffhanger..... WHY!!!

[♡FaYe♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was good

[KMart Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to start by praising the recap at the beginning, because more authors should be doing that. It made slipping back into this world feel effortless instead of disorienting, and I appreciated it more than I can say.

The world itself continues to expand in interesting ways, blending familiar mythology with new twists. This book continues to prove that while the world-building and plot are strong, the real heart of this series is its characters. I am fully, completely, and emotionally invested in this cast. Eleos, in particular, has my whole heart. There’s so much mystery and quiet darkness layered into him, but his devotion to his friends (and to Aethra especially) is such a tender, grounding force. Their bond is one of my favorite parts of the story. I genuinely don’t know whether I want it to stay a deep, platonic connection or grow into something more romantic. On one hand, meaningful male/female friendship without romance is rare and valuable. On the other… the idea of an ace partner loving a woman deeply in a romantasy is even rarer, and I would love to see that. I’ll be happy either way, but I definitely have feelings about it. I honestly think I'm the only person rooting for this, but I'm still going to!

Percy also stood out for me in a big way. His chronic illness and the way it shapes how he understands Aethra adds so much emotional texture to their dynamic. He trusts her and GETS her in a way that feels genuine, and I loved how naturally that understanding developed. Honestly, all of these characters feel real and thoughtfully written. I could happily just read about them sitting around talking and still be engaged.

Aethra and Seth grow a lot in this installment, too. Seth is no longer just the broody rogue archetype. He’s stepping into something heavier and more responsible, and it suits him. Watching him wrestle with his past while trying to hold his group together gave him more depth than he had before, and I really appreciated that shift.

My only real quibble is a personal one: I slightly miss when these characters felt like nobodies standing up against power. Now that several are revealed to be fairly important figures, some of that scrappy underdog energy is lost. That’s probably me being picky, though; it’s not a flaw so much as a tonal shift. The ending is shocking and upsetting in exactly the way this story likes to be, and I’m absolutely desperate to know what happens next. That said, it did feel a little rushed for shock value. I wasn’t angry about it, but it did register as more of a gut punch than a fully organic turn. Still, it did its job: I’m hooked.

Overall, this book deepened my attachment to this world and its characters. It balances mythology, political tension, emotional grief, and fragile hope in a way that really works. If you’re here for character-driven fantasy with complicated bonds and aching loyalty, this series continues to deliver.

Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Ashes And Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not think it was possible to love these characters any more than I already did in Sage of Hope and Ruin, but Riley decided to take that challenge and say, “watch me”! This book is such a fantastic read and quickly reminded me of how much I love this story. The story picks up where the first book left off and is mostly centered around my very own Seth Daddy! My initial reaction when I finished was how sad I was that I finished and a one-sided conversation about how Riley could do this to me yet again!

I found this book more fast paced than the first, while the first book spent a lot of time setting the stage this one really let the plot take over. The action in this book is great and resulted in a few moments where breathing ceased as I wondered what was going to happen. There are so many twists and turns, betrayals, heart stopping moments and the phenomenal banter is back and better than ever. Laughing, screaming, squeals of joy all occurred as I read this book.

Aethra is still figuring some things out. She is strong, stubborn and has no problem making Seth work for her forgiveness. However, I love that even as she gets stronger, we still see those moments of self-doubt creep in. Her feelings that she is not enough have not been instantly healed, I think she is a beautiful depiction that things that have been struggled with for so long do not get better suddenly.

Percy will always hold a special place for me. I loved every time he appeared on the page because I knew it was going to be an enjoyable time and/or tug at the heart strings. One of my favorite parts of this book is Eleos. In the first book we were shown the more reserved and almost soft side of Eleos with hints of Eleos in the past. Now, we get to see the more ruthless side of Eleos. His darkness makes a few appearances in this book against enemies and allies (sorry Seth but he wasn’t wrong) alike. We also see a shift in his character with his positive outlook beginning to wane in the midst all that has happened and everything that is to come.

Seth Daddy! I have loved this man from the very beginning and now I am undoubtedly obsessed! There is so much Seth in this book, and I could not get enough. We are given insights into his past, his family and why he has become the person he is. The chemistry and developing relationship between him and Aethra are fantastic. I love the development we see in his character as he tries to navigate the present and the role he will have to step into, as well as the healing journey we witness when he cannot run from his past anymore.

Serpent Prince of Hades is a wonderful addition to this series, and I honestly enjoyed this book more than the first, and I still believe the first book is something special. The pacing is quick making for an enjoyable and effortless read that is ridiculously hard to put down. I cannot wait (seriously so impatient) to see what happens and immerse myself in this world again.

[ReviewsByNic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Serpent Prince of Hades by Riley Knight
5 out of 5 stars
ARC

Thank you, Riley, for this early copy. All parts of this review are of my own honest opinion 💚

I am so excited to say that this is yet another great book of Riley's. I got to experience this book firstly by beta reading, and I knew then that this book is an AMAZING sequel to Sage of Hope and Ruin.

The world-building is so well thought out and written. If you are one that can visualize what you read in your head, you will no doubt be deeply immersed into the Veil of Elpis world 💜

I also love the multiple POVs here. Having thoughts and events in the view of Aethra, Seth, and Eleos adds so much depth and gives us as readers so many feelings that we wouldn't otherwise get with just one. And let me tell you, I was feeling EVERYTHING. I couldn’t tell you how many times I cried or cheered because honestly, it was a constant ride that didn’t seem to end 😅 If I had to pick one character that made me feel the most, I would make a biased decision and choose Eleos. Without giving much away, Eleos, who has been our hopeful beacon, has been hit pretty hard mentally (and physically, iykyk). I admit that I cried the most with him. I bet if you looked at my heart, it would be severely fractured 😭

Before I get more carried away 😂, I want to talk about something else. Each character has soooo much growth in book two... it is literally one of my favorite things to watch happen. This growth is what gets you even more emotionally invested in the characters. It makes you feel their sadness, pain, and hope so that when the ending comes, you feel two things.... betrayal and disbelief. It will make you demand more as you try deciding between crying or screaming; perhaps you decide to do both (like me).

Because I can't fit pages and pages of text on here, I want to end with this. The Serpent Prince of Hades by Riley Knight is an absolutely beautiful piece of art. I purposely chose to read this book at the end of January to make sure I ended the month on a good note with something I knew I would love. So I mean it when I say that the Veil of Elpis series is perfect if you are looking for a romantasy 💜

[Tiffany Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I am absolutely in love with the world created in this series. Sage of Hope and Ruin already had a lot of intriguing world building, but we got even more in this book. I cannot wait to see what else we learn in the next book.

Aethra and Seth are frustrating with the slow burn and attempting to not fall for each other or not wanting admitting they do care just so they don’t get hurt, but they are so freaking adorable. When they finally gave in I was ecstatic.😍😍 We got to learn so much more about Seth and I was definitely surprised and it made me love his character even more. He was so adorable with Aethra and I just wanted to have more of them together. I love all the main characters Percy, Eleos and Seraphim. I also quickly enjoyed the addition of Cerys. I want to continue to learn more about each of the characters past and how they got their powers. Riley did so good with also writing the bad characters from the beginning I wanted them to be gone.🤬

I loved the multiple POVs throughout the book. I loved seeing parts from Aethra, Seth and Eleos. I would love if we would get a chapter or 2 from Percy or Seraphim's POV. The last 10-15 chapters went by so fast as they were shorter and kept changing POV's. It was good suspense building until the end even though it frustrated me every time the chapters ended on a mini cliff hanger until we got back to that character. 🫠

I am still shocked by a few things that happened and I could not believe I read them right.🤯🤯 I have so many questions and I really want to know more about the Elpis Maidens and the powers they get. I over all just cannot wait for book 3 because I am needing the answers and to find out what happens next. The ending again ended on a cliffhanger and for that alone it is making me NEED book 3 right this second. I am attempting to patiently wait for book 3 (but I am already impatient👀)

I have absolutely loved and enjoyed both the books in the series so far and cannot wait to read what will happen next in The Veil of Elpis series!!

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Serpent Prince of Hades by Riley Knight picks up exactly where Sage of Hope and Ruin left off, and from the very first page it pulls you right back into the world of Veil of Elpis like you never left.

One of my favorite things about this installment is the expanded world building. We get to explore Duath Nun, and it is every bit as rich and intentional as the Merchant Isles. The Merchant Isles gave me strong Greek vibes, while Duath Nun feels steeped in something reminiscent of Ancient Egypt. Whether that was intentional or not, the contrast between the regions works beautifully and makes the world feel vast, layered, and alive.

The D&D-inspired vibes from book one continue here, though they’re a bit more subtle this time around. Instead of leaning heavily into the adventuring feel, this book balances quest progression with deeper character exploration. We learn more about our original crew, their motivations, their fractures, and their bonds, while also being introduced to new characters who seamlessly join the journey.

The pacing is once again excellent. There’s plenty of action to keep the story moving, but it’s thoughtfully broken up with quieter moments that let both the characters and the reader breathe. The sarcasm and banter that made the first book so fun are still very much present, with most of the cast maintaining that delightful love-hate dynamic that makes every interaction spark.

What truly sets this book apart from the first, though, is the heartbreak. Where Sage of Hope and Ruin only hinted at emotional devastation, The Serpent Prince of Hades leans into it. Prepare yourself. And then prepare yourself again. The ending alone is enough to make you want to scream into the void.

I had been on a lucky streak of avoiding cliffhangers lately, and this book absolutely shattered that peace. I will now be waiting, very impatiently, for the next installment.

If you loved the first book, this one deepens everything you thought you knew, about the world, the characters, and the cost of hope.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from the wonderful Riley Knight under no obligation.

When I read a book in under 24 hours (considering I slept for 8 hours and went to work for 9) you know it has to be good, and my gods Riley Knight has given us a gift with this volume. Before I started I spent a few days rereading The Sage of Hope and Ruin to make sure the story was fresh, and I am so glad I did. There is a recap at the beginning of this book but The Serpent Prince of Hades kicks off right where we left our intrepid adventurers. The two books flow into each other almost seamlessly, so I do recommend doing the same.

Abandoned by Seth, Aethra has been kidnapped and is heading off towards what is likely certain doom. The Empty is coming for the Merchant Isles, and what may be the smallest sliver of salvation hopefully lays ahead. To get there, though, Aethra must navigate who is friend and who is foe and face trials with some new (and maybe unlikely) allies.

We are introduced to a whole new land, new customs, and new gods - or beings that at least believe themselves to be so. This book is not only a tale of adventure, but also of the cost of immortality and power both to ourselves and others. What we thought was darkness in the Merchant Isles becomes dusk like in the face of Duath Nun and it's army of villains. Overcoming the odds seems impossible, but isn't impossible what heroes do best? Even if they are a rag tag collection of thieves, assassins, conmen and a hastily put together rebellion?

Danger is coming from all directions in this second instalment, and not just the ones you assume. The twists and turns kept me engaged, the love story blooming (or should I say love stories, wink wink) is really touching and full of depth, and the character development left me wanting to hug too many fictional people.

I can only hope that the third volume of The Veil of Elpis appears, descending like a Pegasus from the skies, soon.