The Viper and The Rose

by J.D. Semmes

To reveal my future, I must uncover the past

To Do List:
-Master my powers
-Resist my feelings for the arrogant Fae-hole
-Catch the serial killer targeting witches
-Fulfill the deal with the Dark Fae
-Live to talk about it...

Twenty-four years after their mothers’ unsolved murders, homicide detective and witch Calista Adams sets out with her two adopted sisters to uncover the truth. Lacking leads, the women are compelled to strike a high-stakes bargain with a powerful entity from the mystical Fae Realm.
When Killian, a captivatingly familiar Fae comes into her life, Calista fights to resist their growing attraction. She reluctantly puts her trust in him and his allies for protection and magical training. They join forces with her and her sisters to hunt down a witch-targeting serial killer and prepare them to face the terrifying challenge ahead—holding up their end of the bargain.
Will Killian turn out to be her dream come true or a beautiful nightmare...
Can Calista unlock and master her latent powers, discover the truth, catch a serial killer, safeguard her sisters, and survive the perilous bargain?
Or will she ultimately share her mother’s fate...

Murder-Magic-Mayhem
All in a day’s work

The Viper and the Rose is a romantasy novel that follows an enemies-to-lovers story set across both today’s modern world and the Fae Realm. It features a steamy slow-burn romance, fated mates, witty dialogue, strong female leads, magic, mystery, crime-solving, found family, plot twists, and betrayal. The perfect blend of romance and adventure will leave readers wanting more.
Perfect for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Quicksilver, How Does It Feel, and Powerless

394 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Keri M]

Such a good read! The ending was filled with so much action, I was locked in!!!!! Loved the sisters, still undecided on the MMC lol.

[Courtney Reed]

A captivating story that will leave you wanting more!!

The Viper and the Rose by J.D. Semmes did not disappoint! It was, by far, one of the most fascinating Romantasy stories I have ever read. I normally elude romance novels, however this captivating story had me reading for hours! I generally read mystery books and this amazing story has both! As three witches delve into the mystery of their mother’s murders, they learn that the powers they hold within are stronger and more important than they could have ever imagined. I loved how they use their powers to help solve cases in the Mortal Realm and, in turn, learn their places in the Fae Realm. I loved all of the characters’ uniqueness and the plot twists throughout the story. I am so ready for the next book to come out because I have so many questions that need answers!

A HUGE thank you to J.D. Semmes for allowing me to be an ARC reader. I had been amazing thus far! 6/5 ⭐️ for me!

[Shannon Katariana]

Immerse yourself in this wonderful journey into the realm of Stellaris. Where you have the Seelie and Unseelie kingdoms. You start your journey in the mortal realm following Calista with her two sisters, Hazel and Eve. Along the way, you meet some dark fae-holes and go on adventures.

It took me a few chapters to fully immerse myself into this book but once I was in. I was hooked. Between the drama, found family, drop dead gorgeous fae boys, slow burn, murder mystery and the land of Stellaris.

Plot - ❤️‍🔥. Like I mentioned, it did take me a few chapters to be hooked but once it did!!!! I couldn’t let it go!

Characters - ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥. Strong FMCs (all f male characters). Each one grew into their role. The main MMC …. No comment.

❤️‍🔥 - Definitely has slow burn, banter and comes together and WOW. Spice does not disappoint.

Tropes : Mentioned above.
Banter. Slow burn. Found family. Strong FMC.
Not mentioned above:
Fated mates.

Please check your trigger warnings prior to reading this book.

[Josie Velasco]

I stayed up way too late reading The Viper and the Rose by J.D. Semmes and I REGRET NOTHING 🫠📖

In this world J.D. created I was introduced to Calista Adams: a homicide detective, witch, protective sister, and absolute queen under pressure. Her mother was murdered and 24 years later it is still unsolved. Calista and her adopted sisters (Everleigh an Hazel) have reached their limits and are done waiting for answers. This book had me in a chokehold from page one and did NOT let go. When the investigation goes cold, they make a very dangerous deal with the Dark Fae to find out what happened and who killed their mother. Did I tell you this plot moved fast and it kept me locked in.

And Killian!!—ohmgosh, this delicious arrogant, infuriating, handsome AF Fae (yes, an elite Fae-hole). The tension between him and Calista? LOL! OMG! IMMACULATE. Watching Calista fight her attraction while training her magic, hunting a serial killer targeting witches, and trying to keep her sisters alive had me SO STRESSED in the best way.

What I loved most is how strong Calista is without being perfect. She’s smart, determined, , and fiercely loyal. She also has so many emotional layers to her that I just loved her. She questions everything, adapts fast, and refuses to be a pawn—even when dealing with powerful Fae and impossible bargains. Her growth feels earned, and her love for her sisters!? I have sisters and so for me this was Everything.

This book has:
✨ enemies-to-lovers
✨ steamy slow-burn romantasy
✨ fated mates
✨ murder mystery + crime-solving
✨ magic, betrayal, found family
✨ modern world + Fae Realm crossover

Basically Gang: this book has it all murder, magic, and mayhem all in one fabulous addictive read. This is definitely my BEST read so far this year.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars. No hesitation.
I’m a die-hard fan of J.D.’s now and she had me in ALL my emotions. The emotional damage was real! I couldn’t put it down, I’m still thinking about it, and I NEED the next book immediately.

[Jaimie]

This book hooked me in from the beginning and kept me hooked! This is the authors debut novel, and I was so glad I got an early copy to read!

I love nothing more than a strong FMC, and let me tell you, Calista has that down! So do her sisters! The story is the perfect blend of today's modern world and the Fae realm. Calista, who is a homicide detective, and her sisters, who both work for the WDCPD as well, decide that it's time to uncover the truth and solve their mother's murders from 24 years prior. Getting into this gets them into multiple conundrums and they end up compelled to strike a deal with a powerful fae. In comes Killian, who is very familiar to Calista and she has to fight to resist the attraction and connection between the two of them.

We see an awesome journey that is full of emotions and suspense between all of the sisters and their new fae friends as well. There's great banter, great world building, slow burn, enemies to lovers, spice, fae, witches, magic, betrayal, mystery, and crime solving. Seriously the perfect blend of romance and adventure that kept me turning pages.

The ending was a twist I did not expect, left me with a lot of questions and made me want to throw my Kindle a couple of times, but that is ok! I cannot wait for the next book!

[Morgie]

4.5 stars🌟🌟

It took me a minute to get into this book but once I did I was hooked!! I love that we get to see both the human realm and the fae realm in this story. You get some modern elements such as technology, bars, and funny pop culture references thrown in with the fantasy elements. The fae realm gives everything one could want with magic, prophecy, and fantasy animals (including one really cute Chimera). The detail when describing the characters and the scenery is so good and you cannot help but picture what is happening in your head. I loved the characters and their relationships with one another. Found family plays a large role in this story and Calista and her sisters are so fun to read about and follow their journey. This story is full of twists and turns. Some of them I was able to see coming but others caught me completely off guard. For example, THE ENDING!! I cannot wait to see what comes next in this story!! I have so many questions now. Talk about a cliffhanger😭

[Cailee]

5⭐️ does not do this book justice, it was 6⭐️ for me! I just finished reading The Viper and The Rose and cannot even find the words for how good this story was. I was hooked from the beginning and devoured this book in less than 24hrs. The FMC Calista is fierce and powerful, combine her with her sisters Eve and Hazel and she is unstoppable. Their love for one another is a strength in its own. The world building and character depth were complete and detailed, creative and beautifully designed. I don’t like to give spoilers in reviews but the plot twists (yes plural) at the end left me speechless. I did not see them coming and it is genuinely what took this book to 6⭐️ level. I cannot wait to read the next book Rise of the Viper Queen. Thank you to J.D Semmes for this ARC I am happy to volunteer my honest review.

[Christine Fancher]

With strong elements of family, betrayal, loyalty, and a decent fantasy foundation, The Viper and the Rose has a lot going for it. While it didn’t fully hit the mark for me, it’s still an enjoyable read that ended on a high note.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the other realm and could imagine it in my mind well. I also appreciated that the romance and spice were not the center focus of the story, and the spice did not overtake everything, only really having a couple scenes.
The sisters seemed very young and almost naive at times, which made some of their choices and conversations frustrating. There were also some repetitive statements/word choices that I noticed. I think the book itself was a bit longer than necessary, some things being drawn out.
Overall though, I really liked the final battle scene the most of all and the fantasy side of it more than the mystery/thriller portion.

[Serena Buss]

5⭐ 3 🌶️
Wow! I think I'm in shock at how this book ended... Now I have so many questions that need answers!
The Viper and the Rose is a captivating, slow burn romantasy with a shocking cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more! I love Calista and Killian's story! I love that they got a second chance at love and how their circumstances brought them back together!
This book is beautifully written and grabs your attention from the start! I was definitely sucked into these worlds and could see each of these scenes being played out. I could feel all the emotions along with the characters. I really had fun reading this book! I can't wait for the next book!
Thank you J.D. Semmes for including me as an ARC reader!

[Tammy Shaw]

Spoiler alert….I loved this book. The story is about 3 “sisters” who each loss their moms 20+years ago and their murders we’re never solved and they want to know who killed and why their moms were killed. Calista, the oldest of the 3 girls had vivid dreams as a transfer but the dreams stopped when she turned 18. The girls were raised by an Aunt. When they start looking into their mothers’ deaths they end up drawing the attention of the Fae. Calista finds out her dreams are real and Killian is her mate. This story was very intense with the action in the Unseelie realm. I loved it. Can’t wait for the next book.

[Bumblebeekisses2 LeahB]

The Viper and the Rose reads like it came from a seasoned author, with layered storytelling, strong character development, and a confident narrative voice.

I loved the main characters their banter added so much personality, the chemistry was intense, and the emotional moments carried real weight. The romance builds slowly, but when it hits, it hits, delivering both heat and heartbreak in equal measure.

The mystery and magic kept the story moving, the twists felt purposeful, and the cliffhanger ending was both devastating and brilliant. This is the kind of book that gives you everything… and then dares you not to immediately want more. I need book two yesterday

[St3phAmongBooks]

nope not 5 stars 10! Damn this book was so GOOD!!! it took me longer to get to not because of the book but holidays and work but damn I couldn't put it down once I picked it up!!! 3 badass witches, sexy Fae men, action god it was amazing. the bickering between Calista and Killian at first had me giggling! y'all NEED to read this when it releases FEBRUARY 3RD! trust me you won't be disappointed! Bravo J.D. Semmes Bravo you did the damn thing👏🏻

[Heather Greer]

Oh my!!! This was this authors debut novel and it was AMAZING! It had everything that I truly love. It has a slow burn, enemies to lovers, fae’s, vampires, witches, magic, betrayal, secrets and world building. It had me hooked from the first chapter and left me wanting more at the end! It had me feeling like I was in their worlds/realms and right in all the battles they had to endure. I’m so glad to be on this journey with Killian and Calista. I cannot wait for the next book.

[Ashlee King]

This book got me good. This was a mystery book for me. When you get three sisters whose mothers all died on the same night with an Entity either trying to help or killed their mothers on that one night. Mind you the 3 sisters all got in police field but in different areas. This book will keep you on your toes for sure. But it just wasn’t my style.

[Christina Odom]

This book, where do I even start. If you want a badass FMC, found family, best friends that are like sisters and a love that surpasses time and space, well you’ve found it in this book. Heads up, the twists and turns in this story will keep your head on a swivel and your heart in your throat. I can’t wait until book 2!!

[Alyssa Crane]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Viper and the Rose is a gripping, beautifully crafted story that had me hooked from the very beginning. The constant twists and turns kept me fully captivated, always eager to see what would happen next. It weaves every reveal so seamlessly that it feels like each piece falls perfectly into place. The characters are rich, layered, and unforgettable, and the tension between them adds even more depth to the plot. This book kept me turning pages late into the night—an absolute must-read!

[Karen Wheat]

The book was very interesting I loved the plot. I loved the sisters badass attitudes. They were fun. I didn't like the way it ended at all he hurt her more than once. I would not give him another chance. I thought it was really funny her calling him a "fae-hole" all the time.

[Lauren Garkow]

Omg this was so good!! The tension between the FMC and MMC! The "I knew it moments" and still getting completely shocked in the end. But omg the ending!? No no, I wasn't ready...and I am begging for the next part so I can know what happens!

[Kristen Downie Rose]

I've really enjoyed reading this, and I'm going to snatch up the next book when written! It definitely isn't a straight forward kind of story, which I enjoy, and there are a lot of questions left at the end. I'm a little torn on understanding a particular betrayal (without giving spoilers), but that may be answered moving forward.

[Ashley Camren]

ARC Review:

As always, I seem to be late to my deadline. However, that has nothing to do with this book. The Viper and the Rose by J.D. Semme was absolutely awesome! It had me laughing from almost the very beginning. I absolutely loved the FMC and her sisters. It is the absolute best when the FMC is a badass with grit, but also humor and still wants love. The story has all the makings of an awesome fantasy with witches, fae, vampires, and all sorts of other creatures. There is action, romance, humor, heartbreak, confusion, lost love found, and so many other surprises. Some of it was kind of predictable, but some took me by surprise. Either way, I loved it! I have a love / hate relationship with cliffies, but I am so excited for book 2 whenever it comes out! I hope we get a release date soon! I’ll have that sucker (no pun intended) preordered as soon as I can get my grubby little hands on it.

[Charlotte]

I really enjoyed reading The Viper and the Rose. The story pulled me in right from the beginning with its mix of magic, mystery, and danger. Calista Adams is a strong and determined character, and I loved watching her grow while trying to master her powers and uncover the truth behind her mother’s murder. The chemistry between Calista and Killian adds tension and intrigue to the story, making the enemies to lovers dynamic very engaging. The combination of witches, the Fae Realm, and a serial killer investigation kept the plot exciting and unpredictable. If you enjoy romantasy with strong characters, magic, and suspense, this book is definitely worth reading.

[Renee Oquinn]

story was great a mix of modern and fae realm. it follows 3 sisters who work in law enforcement while on a case of a murder they find themselves caught up in a far prophecy and realize they are the intended target. they reluctantly team up with with a group of far intent on overthrowing the current ruler. this book is full of drama slow burn, witty banter, magic and of course a cliffhanger lol can't wait to see how the story continues in the next book

[Elizabeth Stegman]

I need book 2, like yesterday. Following Calista and her sisters story and their search for their mother's killer opens them up to a whole new world. They find strength, their true powers, and a few fae-holes who are helping them.
The story is great and kept me wondering what was going to happen next and I enjoyed every second of reading this book. Highly recommend.

[Vickie]

J.D. Semmes takes you on a wild ride through the Mortal Realm and the Fae Realm.. The twists and turns she puts you through are worth it. 3 witches who are "sisters" decide it's time to solve their mothers' murders. You've got witches, Unseelie Princes, Seelie Princes, Vampires, High Priestess and Kings making appearances. Callie, our FMC, is a detective in the Mortal Realm. Her two sisters also work in law enforcement. Their powers together help them solve cases. Their newest case is one where witches are being killed. Enter Killian, our MMC, and his "brothers." Are they there to help, or are they the killers themselves. Are they ALL more then they seem?? This story grips you from the beginning and takes you on a ride you won't soon forget. You will definitely end up wanting more.

[Alyssa Denfeld]

10/10 highly recommend. Gives crescent city vibes with the mix of modern and fae world. The mystery was spot on and the spice was that much just right. I am curious to know more about the stellaarious

[Whitney Carter]

The book is amazing! I really enjoyed reading it. I love the title of the book! I love all the banter between the characters. Love how descriptive the scenes and places are. It’s easy to envision what it all looks like. I love all the pop culture references as well. I do hope that continues in the next book. I have not read many books yet that involve romance and fantasy. After reading this book, all I can say is I am excited to continue to dive into this kind of world. After reading book one, I did not want to stop and wish I had the next book. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Matthew Mason]

I read this as an arc and it was a FANTASTIC read - the characters, the plot, the spice, the romance, the freaking battle, the world-building, the mix of modern setting with the fae realm/fantasy setting we see some of, everything was AMAZING!

Also, the language used is FANTASTIC - "fae-holes" for example is such a perfect way to describe the fae males most of the time, and Cali's colorful language in general is just *chef's kiss* absolute perfection.

The plot was soooo freaking good, and the way it built the suspense, the way the girls grew and came into their powers, the romance, the SPICE that's at least 6/5 peppers, the freaking twist/cliffhanger, ALL of it. Absolutely LOVE the characters - and the fun drama and all with the guys, etc.

Literally CANNOT recommend this book enough and I NEED book 2 already like yesterday! lol - 6/5 at least, 100000% worth picking up in any format - and DEFINITELY hoping we get a gorgeous SE hardcover with all the fancy extras at some point down the line!

[Güera]

I am grateful to have won this book through BookTok. The cover caught my eye the moment I saw it, and since I don’t own many romantasy books, receiving this was a wonderful surprise. Thank you!

As a mood reader, I struggled to stay engaged during the first 10 pages or so, but the story quickly took me by surprise. I found myself bringing this book along to appointments and on long car rides because I wanted to keep reading.

Overall, this was an entertaining read. However, I do think the book could have been shortened a bit. While I enjoy a slow-burn romance, there were certain sections that felt drawn out and made it harder for me to stay fully engaged. That may be partly due to my mood-reading habits, but some scenes seemed longer than necessary.

That said, I would highly recommend this book to romantasy lovers. The plot was enjoyable, and the banter between Killian and Calista kept me entertained throughout the story.

[Mybookish.odyssey]

ARC REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blurb:
The Viper and the Rose is a romantasy novel that follows an enemies-to-lovers story set across both today’s modern world and the Fae Realm.

Review:
What a page turner!!!! I wasn’t able to put it down until I was done!
I love Calista character, as well as the bond between the sisters
Calista, Eve and Hazel; are strong resilient woman. The descriptive writing style, easily transported, my imagination into the Fae realm.
This book brings you magic, witches, fae, adventure, mystery, slow burn , fate mates and vampires. .
There is also a cliffhanger ending…which I did not see it coming !
I will say this 5 ⭐️ read should definitely be on your TBR.
Thank you J.D. Semmes for the opportunity to read this advance reader copy.

[Shannon]

This book is amazing! Fantastic Characters and Great Story Line. I can't wait to read the next one!