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The Serpent Prince of Hades
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.
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.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2026
24 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
January 24, 2026
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 🏆
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 🏆
Review of advance copy received from Author
“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
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
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
February 25, 2026
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.
January 7, 2026
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.
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.
January 21, 2026
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
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
March 2, 2026
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!
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!
February 15, 2026
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
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
February 24, 2026
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.
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.
January 14, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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 🤷♀️
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 🤷♀️
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
February 18, 2026
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!
Thank you Riley for this eARC!
February 24, 2026
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.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2026
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! 🥳
🔥 🐍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! 🥳
January 6, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ so good, still processing. Review posted closer to release date!
Read
January 31, 2026Riley and your cliffhangers!!!!!!
Read
January 10, 2026It was good
January 16, 2026
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!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⚠️‼️⛔️This author made a post about my review on social media and had her entire fan base bully me because she didn’t like my review, just a warning to all.⛔️‼️⚠️
While I did not enjoy this book, I did still recommend it to others and told others to not just take my review for what it is and that not every book is for everyone. I tried to make my review respectful, yet honest and to back up my feelings I included examples. I’m sorry that not everyone agrees with it, but that is going to happen. And nobody deserves to be bullied by an entire fan base because the author didn’t like their review. The whole point of a review site is to have multiple different opinions and tons of people did enjoy this. I did not. And I NEVER said I hated the author or her work. But she is a mean girl and a bully.
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First I’d like to thank the author for gifting me this eARC and all opinions in this review are my own, ****even if they are not liked by everyone ****
Ok this is a really hard review for me to write however at this point I feel I should have trusted my gut on the first book.
I will say I do really like the story, and I love the magic system. When everyone is battling it’s really cool because everyone has different magic and I really really enjoy that.
The rest of the book though I’m just going to have to say isn’t for me. It took 11 days of reading for me to finish an 8 hour book. And it has been my only focus on reading so that’s already a sign and by the time I got to the last 20% or so I just started skimming to finish.
My reasons for these decisions to not continue this series after this book are as follows:
-After 2 books I still have no connection with the characters. I still feel like I just don’t know them that well. I think there is a lot that is left up to assumption/interpretation about these characters and I just don’t feel like I’ve really gotten to know them.
•For example Aethra the FMC her and Seth finally do the deed and she has always seemed sweet, conservative, easily blushes, but they mess around one time and it is all but closed door then all of a sudden she’s telling him “I just want your dick” like whoah little lady I’m all for that, but it felt misplaced coming from her, like when did she all of a sudden become vulgar?
•She also told Seth she loved him and now she is “his forever” and then the next chapter it is back to Eleos and talking about his feelings for her and goes on to continue showing her having feelings for him as well, like literally just when I think that she is over that and it started describing their friendship, and seemed like he was letting her go, now all of a sudden, as soon as Aethra and Seth commit to each other and are in love Eleos is suddenly still pining over her. I just don’t get it, why are they still being shown to have feelings for each other?
•There are also times where I feel like the characters themselves aren’t even connecting, I feel like there’s a lot of communication sometimes, but no real communication.
-I felt like sometimes when I was reading that there was just no organization. I felt like I was confused half the time. I love books with multiple POVs but the writing was inconsistent and there were several times that I really just had no idea who was talking, even after rereading the same pages multiple times I couldn’t figure it out sometimes.
•Sometimes it will be one persons chapter but there will be conversations with 3 or more characters at once and after each time it says who’s talking, but every once in a while it doesn’t say who was talking afterward, so I assume it’s the character who’s chapter it is, but then the next sentence talking afterward will say “I said”, so I just don’t know. Also sometimes in one paragraph it will switch who’s talking between 2 people and we’re just supposed to know.
•With the inconsistencies for example there was a time when Eleos hurt his arm and like half the book it babied his arm, like he couldn’t fight or do all kinds of things because of his arm. Which is fine, I actually enjoy that it wasn’t just forgotten about that he was injured without magic to heal. My issue is where Aethra had her wrist twisted and snapped and after a couple of chapters it’s never mentioned again, and later on she literally has her skin ripped apart from her magic, there is so much detail about how traumatic this was and she is wrapped head to toe in bandages, she is told to stay in bed, she can’t barely talk, but then it says 2 days later she’s up walking around and even moving quickly and Seth comes up behind her and like has her pinned against the wall and all of a sudden they’re doing the deed again. This is so inconsistent to me with Eleos and his arm. She was literally ripped apart and covered in bandages but now she can just walk around and be hooking up with Seth.
-I do love when things come full circle at the end of a book, like that is one of my favorites, but in this case I feel like it’s taken too far. I felt like the plot got lost in the details too often in this book, and sometimes I just didn’t even know what the goal was anymore. And the constant guessing, mixed with confusion honestly just became very tedious.
-I’m still confused by a lot. I really just think some things we are expected to know. Maybe there’s just a lot of lore out there that I haven’t read, this story is inspired by Greek mythology, so there is a big chance that I’m just not following because while I love Greek mythology I have not read too many stories in great detail. So I really could just be missing things that tie the story together.
•At one point the characters are talking about Seth and the group asks him why his father never had an heir before now (being Seth) and he says that his father never wanted and heir and perhaps he was a mistake and then a few chapters later it talks about how his father has had daughters with all the maidens like he has probably hundreds of sisters out there. So like, can his father choose to have a male or female child? Are only males considered heirs? I’m confused still by this.
•There’s another time where they’re talking about how they don’t have much time and then a few paragraphs later it’s like “The servants tasked with dressing and grooming me had lasted a month” like what? Y’all are in a rush and in the middle of planning to start a war and all of a sudden a month has passed on dressing and grooming? And nobody else has accomplished anything? Why the rush and then tell us a month was just wasted basically?
*****I am really trying not to be negative about this artwork with my review, but my feelings and point do have to be included for honesty. I just really struggled with this book and I felt this way with the first one as well, I just thought it was me, however I still feel this way with the second book so it’s just really not for me.
Just because this is not for me does not mean it is a bad book, it is truly a really great story, I just struggled with it and I couldn’t get a flow with it. But I know that others do connect with the characters and they truly love this story. Not every book will connect with everyone, what a boring world to live in if they did, so by no means am I saying it’s not a good read or that anyone else shouldn’t read this series because I think a lot of people will find joy in these books!*****
While I did not enjoy this book, I did still recommend it to others and told others to not just take my review for what it is and that not every book is for everyone. I tried to make my review respectful, yet honest and to back up my feelings I included examples. I’m sorry that not everyone agrees with it, but that is going to happen. And nobody deserves to be bullied by an entire fan base because the author didn’t like their review. The whole point of a review site is to have multiple different opinions and tons of people did enjoy this. I did not. And I NEVER said I hated the author or her work. But she is a mean girl and a bully.
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First I’d like to thank the author for gifting me this eARC and all opinions in this review are my own, ****even if they are not liked by everyone ****
Ok this is a really hard review for me to write however at this point I feel I should have trusted my gut on the first book.
I will say I do really like the story, and I love the magic system. When everyone is battling it’s really cool because everyone has different magic and I really really enjoy that.
The rest of the book though I’m just going to have to say isn’t for me. It took 11 days of reading for me to finish an 8 hour book. And it has been my only focus on reading so that’s already a sign and by the time I got to the last 20% or so I just started skimming to finish.
My reasons for these decisions to not continue this series after this book are as follows:
-After 2 books I still have no connection with the characters. I still feel like I just don’t know them that well. I think there is a lot that is left up to assumption/interpretation about these characters and I just don’t feel like I’ve really gotten to know them.
•For example Aethra the FMC her and Seth finally do the deed and she has always seemed sweet, conservative, easily blushes, but they mess around one time and it is all but closed door then all of a sudden she’s telling him “I just want your dick” like whoah little lady I’m all for that, but it felt misplaced coming from her, like when did she all of a sudden become vulgar?
•She also told Seth she loved him and now she is “his forever” and then the next chapter it is back to Eleos and talking about his feelings for her and goes on to continue showing her having feelings for him as well, like literally just when I think that she is over that and it started describing their friendship, and seemed like he was letting her go, now all of a sudden, as soon as Aethra and Seth commit to each other and are in love Eleos is suddenly still pining over her. I just don’t get it, why are they still being shown to have feelings for each other?
•There are also times where I feel like the characters themselves aren’t even connecting, I feel like there’s a lot of communication sometimes, but no real communication.
-I felt like sometimes when I was reading that there was just no organization. I felt like I was confused half the time. I love books with multiple POVs but the writing was inconsistent and there were several times that I really just had no idea who was talking, even after rereading the same pages multiple times I couldn’t figure it out sometimes.
•Sometimes it will be one persons chapter but there will be conversations with 3 or more characters at once and after each time it says who’s talking, but every once in a while it doesn’t say who was talking afterward, so I assume it’s the character who’s chapter it is, but then the next sentence talking afterward will say “I said”, so I just don’t know. Also sometimes in one paragraph it will switch who’s talking between 2 people and we’re just supposed to know.
•With the inconsistencies for example there was a time when Eleos hurt his arm and like half the book it babied his arm, like he couldn’t fight or do all kinds of things because of his arm. Which is fine, I actually enjoy that it wasn’t just forgotten about that he was injured without magic to heal. My issue is where Aethra had her wrist twisted and snapped and after a couple of chapters it’s never mentioned again, and later on she literally has her skin ripped apart from her magic, there is so much detail about how traumatic this was and she is wrapped head to toe in bandages, she is told to stay in bed, she can’t barely talk, but then it says 2 days later she’s up walking around and even moving quickly and Seth comes up behind her and like has her pinned against the wall and all of a sudden they’re doing the deed again. This is so inconsistent to me with Eleos and his arm. She was literally ripped apart and covered in bandages but now she can just walk around and be hooking up with Seth.
-I do love when things come full circle at the end of a book, like that is one of my favorites, but in this case I feel like it’s taken too far. I felt like the plot got lost in the details too often in this book, and sometimes I just didn’t even know what the goal was anymore. And the constant guessing, mixed with confusion honestly just became very tedious.
-I’m still confused by a lot. I really just think some things we are expected to know. Maybe there’s just a lot of lore out there that I haven’t read, this story is inspired by Greek mythology, so there is a big chance that I’m just not following because while I love Greek mythology I have not read too many stories in great detail. So I really could just be missing things that tie the story together.
•At one point the characters are talking about Seth and the group asks him why his father never had an heir before now (being Seth) and he says that his father never wanted and heir and perhaps he was a mistake and then a few chapters later it talks about how his father has had daughters with all the maidens like he has probably hundreds of sisters out there. So like, can his father choose to have a male or female child? Are only males considered heirs? I’m confused still by this.
•There’s another time where they’re talking about how they don’t have much time and then a few paragraphs later it’s like “The servants tasked with dressing and grooming me had lasted a month” like what? Y’all are in a rush and in the middle of planning to start a war and all of a sudden a month has passed on dressing and grooming? And nobody else has accomplished anything? Why the rush and then tell us a month was just wasted basically?
*****I am really trying not to be negative about this artwork with my review, but my feelings and point do have to be included for honesty. I just really struggled with this book and I felt this way with the first one as well, I just thought it was me, however I still feel this way with the second book so it’s just really not for me.
Just because this is not for me does not mean it is a bad book, it is truly a really great story, I just struggled with it and I couldn’t get a flow with it. But I know that others do connect with the characters and they truly love this story. Not every book will connect with everyone, what a boring world to live in if they did, so by no means am I saying it’s not a good read or that anyone else shouldn’t read this series because I think a lot of people will find joy in these books!*****
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
February 27, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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 💜
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 💜
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!!
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!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
February 23, 2026
✨Thank you so much to Riley Knight and her whole team for this ARC and the opportunity to read and review it✨
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Betrayal/Forgiveness
Slow Burn
Found family
One Bed
Evil ruler/Corrupt government
Unique Magic system
Touch her and 💀
He falls first
Yearning/Tension
Witty Banter
LGBTQIA+ Rep
I enjoyed book one, but this one blew it out of the water for me. Unlike book 1 we had the POV of three of the characters; Eleos, Seth and Aethra. I couldn’t get enough of the characters and was so happy I got more backstories for all of them. This elaboration made them all more complex for me. I was rooting for Percy, felt more connected to Seraphim, felt bad for Eleos and of course Seth and Aethra’s dynamic was EVERYTHING! Aethra did get back with the crew a bit quicker than I was expecting. But, I was happy that she was back with her little band of misfits because the found family in these books is one of the reasons I’m loving them so much.
Aethra is strong in a different way than the usual FMCs. There wasn’t a cliche training montage and she can suddenly fight, but she is smart and scrappy. Her heart, intelligence, and mental fortitude is what makes her a strong character. Riley Knight always kills me with her endings. If that last sentence is true I’m going to have a breakdown. Why did you do this to me Riley?!
Aethra - We see immense growth from Aethra. Not only with magic, but forgiveness, relationships, and self worth. The whole journey is clouded by her looming sadness because she knows that their mission will most likely lead to her death, yet her mental strength is enviable.
Seth - We get Seth’s backstory, family, history, and royalty. This gives us a reason for his actions. Becomes who he was meant to be, a prince who defends his people and learns to love again. He will burn the world down for his love.
Eleos- El is one of the most complex characters in the group. He is fighting his past self and running away from previous actions. He is extremely cunning, but has the biggest heart under his mostly flat exterior. He is fighting for his friends and trying to save everyone - his father, Percy, and Aethra He is the only one with actual hope for the mission.
“Death awaited us, but I wanted so badly to live. To find happiness, together, when all this was over. Our strange little band.”
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Betrayal/Forgiveness
Slow Burn
Found family
One Bed
Evil ruler/Corrupt government
Unique Magic system
Touch her and 💀
He falls first
Yearning/Tension
Witty Banter
LGBTQIA+ Rep
I enjoyed book one, but this one blew it out of the water for me. Unlike book 1 we had the POV of three of the characters; Eleos, Seth and Aethra. I couldn’t get enough of the characters and was so happy I got more backstories for all of them. This elaboration made them all more complex for me. I was rooting for Percy, felt more connected to Seraphim, felt bad for Eleos and of course Seth and Aethra’s dynamic was EVERYTHING! Aethra did get back with the crew a bit quicker than I was expecting. But, I was happy that she was back with her little band of misfits because the found family in these books is one of the reasons I’m loving them so much.
Aethra is strong in a different way than the usual FMCs. There wasn’t a cliche training montage and she can suddenly fight, but she is smart and scrappy. Her heart, intelligence, and mental fortitude is what makes her a strong character. Riley Knight always kills me with her endings. If that last sentence is true I’m going to have a breakdown. Why did you do this to me Riley?!
Aethra - We see immense growth from Aethra. Not only with magic, but forgiveness, relationships, and self worth. The whole journey is clouded by her looming sadness because she knows that their mission will most likely lead to her death, yet her mental strength is enviable.
Seth - We get Seth’s backstory, family, history, and royalty. This gives us a reason for his actions. Becomes who he was meant to be, a prince who defends his people and learns to love again. He will burn the world down for his love.
Eleos- El is one of the most complex characters in the group. He is fighting his past self and running away from previous actions. He is extremely cunning, but has the biggest heart under his mostly flat exterior. He is fighting for his friends and trying to save everyone - his father, Percy, and Aethra He is the only one with actual hope for the mission.
“Death awaited us, but I wanted so badly to live. To find happiness, together, when all this was over. Our strange little band.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have been so lucky to be an ARC reader for the Serpent Prince of Hades, and I can promise you, it’s even better than the first installment in the trilogy (sage of hope and ruin), you are going to want to read this book (and probably not put it down). I’m going to do my best to review without spoilers.
SoHaR ended on such a cliffhanger (Why, Seth, Why?) and that suspense takes you right into SPoH. The team have an uphill battle in front of them, internally and externally, the odds are really stacked up. Expect new enemies, new allies and a few new tricks, less emotional constipation, and that all add up together for a gripping read (I finished it in 2 days, I’m a fast reader though, and off work until tomorrow).
This installment is firmly into romantasy, whereas I felt SoHaR more boardered the fantasy/romantasy line. We see decisions and demons which complicate relationships, and we get to see our team figure these out on the way. There is so much more world building, especially involving the lore and character history. You really feel like you’ve fallen into another world. Seth is just perfection, think touch her and die, but not in an overbearing way which is refreshing. Honestly though, I love all of our team, they’re a fabulous mix. If I could borrow Persey for a day or two to address my wardrobe, it would be much appreciated 😅
In terms of spice, this book definitely has a few spicy scenes, which are really beautifully written, and no words that leave you cringing. They aren’t the spiciest I’ve read (my view is probably a bit skewed there though), they are open door, but nobody’s guts are getting rearranged in HD.
Chapter notes:
41 almost had me 😭😲🤩
46: one of my all time favourite lines 🥰
47: the cliffhanger puts the last cliffhanger to shame
Honestly, can I just fall into their world for real please…
SoHaR ended on such a cliffhanger (Why, Seth, Why?) and that suspense takes you right into SPoH. The team have an uphill battle in front of them, internally and externally, the odds are really stacked up. Expect new enemies, new allies and a few new tricks, less emotional constipation, and that all add up together for a gripping read (I finished it in 2 days, I’m a fast reader though, and off work until tomorrow).
This installment is firmly into romantasy, whereas I felt SoHaR more boardered the fantasy/romantasy line. We see decisions and demons which complicate relationships, and we get to see our team figure these out on the way. There is so much more world building, especially involving the lore and character history. You really feel like you’ve fallen into another world. Seth is just perfection, think touch her and die, but not in an overbearing way which is refreshing. Honestly though, I love all of our team, they’re a fabulous mix. If I could borrow Persey for a day or two to address my wardrobe, it would be much appreciated 😅
In terms of spice, this book definitely has a few spicy scenes, which are really beautifully written, and no words that leave you cringing. They aren’t the spiciest I’ve read (my view is probably a bit skewed there though), they are open door, but nobody’s guts are getting rearranged in HD.
Chapter notes:
41 almost had me 😭😲🤩
46: one of my all time favourite lines 🥰
47: the cliffhanger puts the last cliffhanger to shame
Honestly, can I just fall into their world for real please…
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Serpent Prince of Hades (The Veil of Elpis #2) by Riley Knight
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
* Epic Romantasy
* Greek Mythology Reimagined
* Enemies to Lovers
* Found Family
* Chosen One
* Fated Mates
* Slow Burn
* Dark Magic
The Serpent Prince of Hades is a stunning, high-stakes sequel that elevates the Veil of Elpis series to breathtaking new heights! Picking up where Sage of Hope and Ruin left off, the story plunges us deeper into a world where gods walk the land and ancient magic is a dangerous commodity. The atmosphere is brilliantly dark, shifting from the isolated shores of Duath Nun to the heart of Hades' capital, where the Acheron stirs with a dread that feels visceral. Riley Knight has crafted a "swoon-worthy" epic that fans of Throne of Glass and The Infernal Devices will absolutely devour.
The character development in this installment is truly masterful. Seth is a standout protagonist, grappling with a haunting past and a desperate need to save his team while facing his worst nightmare: a fate worse than death for Aethra. Their chemistry is electric, built on a foundation of mutual survival and a love that Seth never intended to feel again. Watching them navigate a world where gods hunger for Aethra’s unique magic adds a layer of constant, heart-pounding tension that kept me turning pages long into the night.
Scheduled for a 2026 release, this book perfectly balances the gritty reality of war with the tender, evolving bonds of its "found family" cast. The world-building remains immersive and inventive, blending traditional Greek mythology with a fresh, dark fantasy twist. With high stakes, emotional depth, and a "burn down the world" romance, The Serpent Prince of Hades is a devastatingly beautiful must-read for any romantasy lover!
10/10 Would recommend this book to all family and friends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
* Epic Romantasy
* Greek Mythology Reimagined
* Enemies to Lovers
* Found Family
* Chosen One
* Fated Mates
* Slow Burn
* Dark Magic
The Serpent Prince of Hades is a stunning, high-stakes sequel that elevates the Veil of Elpis series to breathtaking new heights! Picking up where Sage of Hope and Ruin left off, the story plunges us deeper into a world where gods walk the land and ancient magic is a dangerous commodity. The atmosphere is brilliantly dark, shifting from the isolated shores of Duath Nun to the heart of Hades' capital, where the Acheron stirs with a dread that feels visceral. Riley Knight has crafted a "swoon-worthy" epic that fans of Throne of Glass and The Infernal Devices will absolutely devour.
The character development in this installment is truly masterful. Seth is a standout protagonist, grappling with a haunting past and a desperate need to save his team while facing his worst nightmare: a fate worse than death for Aethra. Their chemistry is electric, built on a foundation of mutual survival and a love that Seth never intended to feel again. Watching them navigate a world where gods hunger for Aethra’s unique magic adds a layer of constant, heart-pounding tension that kept me turning pages long into the night.
Scheduled for a 2026 release, this book perfectly balances the gritty reality of war with the tender, evolving bonds of its "found family" cast. The world-building remains immersive and inventive, blending traditional Greek mythology with a fresh, dark fantasy twist. With high stakes, emotional depth, and a "burn down the world" romance, The Serpent Prince of Hades is a devastatingly beautiful must-read for any romantasy lover!
10/10 Would recommend this book to all family and friends.
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