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Snake & Crown #2
Queen of War and Ruin
Not yet published
Expected 18 Sep 26The second book in the Snake & Crown series releases fall 2026!
421 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 18, 2026
About the author
Meredith Hart
22 books151 followersRaised by wolves in the mountains of Colorado, Meredith Hart traveled the world to seek her fortune, fell in love with a half-elf ranger, and now lives in a cabin deep in the Maine woods where she writes steamy fantasy romance with snarky, reluctant heroes and the warrior women who love them.
She also writes mythology-inspired paranormal romance under the pen name Samantha MacLeod, and she has occasionally been known to pen a poem or two. Sometimes they even make it into her books.
She also writes mythology-inspired paranormal romance under the pen name Samantha MacLeod, and she has occasionally been known to pen a poem or two. Sometimes they even make it into her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
2am....2 frickin am is how late I stayed up to binge this book because I couldn't put it down and I HAD to know how it was going to end...I can't recall the last book I did that with but it's been a really long time!
Where to even start, what a fantastic 2nd book (2 is not an intentional theme here) for the Snake and Crown series.
**If you don't want spoilers stop here, and just go buy the book, it's great, you won't regret it**
"And she looks like she's considering punching me."
Queen of War and Ruin continues the story of Lilas and Zarek as they flee from Malrik and the kingdom of Vsenrog. They've arrived in, what remains of, the kingdom of Dungal... and meet Prince Zarek... the real Prince Zarek, who is totally cool living life off of anyone's radar and married to a woman he loves, no politics allowed. Zarek and Lilias both are working through their experiences in the mountain; Lilias with having taken a life, and Zarek with what came out of that mountain and magic being an actual thing (cue spirit fingers). And of course they're both still trying to figure out their feelings for one another (be patient). Deciding the best course of action is to return to the Marion hunting lodge and Lilias's brother Elrick, they set off after their brief reprieve in Dungal.
"It's hard to argue with you when you keep taking your clothes off." "Then don't augue." (Insert some level 5 spicy scenes here, very 'clutch your pearls' worthy). Upon arriving at the hunting lodge, it is soon revealed that Elrick has fallen in love with, and married Anura, but has the audacity to suggest Lilias and Zarek annul their marriage so that she could marry Prince Laurance of Ethiria and thus secure an alliance with them...hypocritical much??
They do all venture to Ethiria where things just go from weird, to bad, to so much worse than they could have dreamt. Zarek ends up as a prisoner/unwilling pet of the elf from the mountain, Varitan, who is adamant that Zarek can wield magic of his own and has plans to exploit that fact. Lilias has been gifted to Blayne, and he expects her to be the dutiful wife, while all she is focused on is getting Zarek back and how is she to do that while under house arrest?
The plot is thicker, the stakes are higher, the banter is on point, and the passion is an uncontrolled inferno.
Queen of War and Ruin was a 5 star read, and my only disappointment is that I couldn't jump right into book 3, because the need to continue this story is a mighty need!
Where to even start, what a fantastic 2nd book (2 is not an intentional theme here) for the Snake and Crown series.
**If you don't want spoilers stop here, and just go buy the book, it's great, you won't regret it**
"And she looks like she's considering punching me."
Queen of War and Ruin continues the story of Lilas and Zarek as they flee from Malrik and the kingdom of Vsenrog. They've arrived in, what remains of, the kingdom of Dungal... and meet Prince Zarek... the real Prince Zarek, who is totally cool living life off of anyone's radar and married to a woman he loves, no politics allowed. Zarek and Lilias both are working through their experiences in the mountain; Lilias with having taken a life, and Zarek with what came out of that mountain and magic being an actual thing (cue spirit fingers). And of course they're both still trying to figure out their feelings for one another (be patient). Deciding the best course of action is to return to the Marion hunting lodge and Lilias's brother Elrick, they set off after their brief reprieve in Dungal.
"It's hard to argue with you when you keep taking your clothes off." "Then don't augue." (Insert some level 5 spicy scenes here, very 'clutch your pearls' worthy). Upon arriving at the hunting lodge, it is soon revealed that Elrick has fallen in love with, and married Anura, but has the audacity to suggest Lilias and Zarek annul their marriage so that she could marry Prince Laurance of Ethiria and thus secure an alliance with them...hypocritical much??
They do all venture to Ethiria where things just go from weird, to bad, to so much worse than they could have dreamt. Zarek ends up as a prisoner/unwilling pet of the elf from the mountain, Varitan, who is adamant that Zarek can wield magic of his own and has plans to exploit that fact. Lilias has been gifted to Blayne, and he expects her to be the dutiful wife, while all she is focused on is getting Zarek back and how is she to do that while under house arrest?
The plot is thicker, the stakes are higher, the banter is on point, and the passion is an uncontrolled inferno.
Queen of War and Ruin was a 5 star read, and my only disappointment is that I couldn't jump right into book 3, because the need to continue this story is a mighty need!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A solid four. The plot has its hooks in me and I want to know what happens next, which is most of what a middle book has to do.
Two things kept it off a five, and by the end I realised they were the same thing.
The first is repeated phrasing. There is an intimate scene where near enough the same sentence turns up twice a few hundred words apart, and it pulled me clean out of the book. Once you notice a phrase you cannot un-notice it. I spent the rest of that scene watching for it rather than reading.
The second is that Hart does not quite trust her reader. Characters keep reminding each other what happened in Detec, and where else they have been, and what it meant. I read that half a book ago. I remember. And the reminders land hardest in the intimate scenes, which is the worst possible place to stop and explain something.
That is the connection. Repeating a phrase and recapping a scene are the same move: handing the reader something they are already holding. Book one did not do it and I did not once feel managed.
I missed the banter too. Book one had a rhythm to its dialogue that I loved and said so at the time. There is more talking in this one and less play in it, and the difference is that a lot of the talking is there to explain rather than to spark. A shame rather than a failure.
What I liked, and there is plenty. The magic is the best new thing in the book, and Varitan is the best new character by a distance. Properly unsettling, and Hart is smarter about him than I expected her to be. I came out of it curious about Lisal, and about whether we are ever going to meet a dragon, because the book keeps pointing at those mountains and not going there. That is a hook and I have taken it.
And it ends on a happy note. After the way book one left me, I appreciated that more than I thought I would.
A solid four. The plot has its hooks in me and I want to know what happens next, which is most of what a middle book has to do.
Two things kept it off a five, and by the end I realised they were the same thing.
The first is repeated phrasing. There is an intimate scene where near enough the same sentence turns up twice a few hundred words apart, and it pulled me clean out of the book. Once you notice a phrase you cannot un-notice it. I spent the rest of that scene watching for it rather than reading.
The second is that Hart does not quite trust her reader. Characters keep reminding each other what happened in Detec, and where else they have been, and what it meant. I read that half a book ago. I remember. And the reminders land hardest in the intimate scenes, which is the worst possible place to stop and explain something.
That is the connection. Repeating a phrase and recapping a scene are the same move: handing the reader something they are already holding. Book one did not do it and I did not once feel managed.
I missed the banter too. Book one had a rhythm to its dialogue that I loved and said so at the time. There is more talking in this one and less play in it, and the difference is that a lot of the talking is there to explain rather than to spark. A shame rather than a failure.
What I liked, and there is plenty. The magic is the best new thing in the book, and Varitan is the best new character by a distance. Properly unsettling, and Hart is smarter about him than I expected her to be. I came out of it curious about Lisal, and about whether we are ever going to meet a dragon, because the book keeps pointing at those mountains and not going there. That is a hook and I have taken it.
And it ends on a happy note. After the way book one left me, I appreciated that more than I thought I would.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book made my anxiety SPIKE. Seriously. There were several pages where I was reading through my fingers while trying to cover my eyes because I was genuinely terrified of what was coming next.
I absolutely loved Bride of Ash & Dust, so I was incredibly excited to get back into this world. And somehow, Lilias and Zarek still could NOT catch a break. One mishap after another. Couldn't the author just give these two a little bit of time where things weren't completely falling apart around them?!?!
Needless to say, I loved this book just as much as the first one, even if it did cause me some mild anxiety issues.
This book picks up exactly where Bride of Ash & Dust left us, with Lilias and Zarek returning to Dungal. Unfortunately, this is probably the calmest part of the entire story because they don't get to stay there for long.
From there, the story focuses on their attempts to find allies to help them stand against Vsenrog and the weapon of mass destruction its king has gotten his hands on.
If you're looking for a fantasy packed with nonstop action, this probably isn't that book. There is action, but it doesn't take up most of the story. Instead, the focus is really on Lilias and Zarek, their feelings for one another, and their attempts to come to terms with the absolutely horrific lives they've both had to live.
And I loved that.
Their relationship continues to be one of my favorite parts of this story, especially as they navigate everything being thrown at them while trying to deal with their own pasts.
And that ENDING. My heart.
There is still so much more to this story, and I can absolutely see the possibility of exploring even more of this world going forward, but that ending felt PERFECT for this book.
Now I just need the next one because apparently I enjoy voluntarily increasing my anxiety levels through fantasy books.
5 stars, obviously. I cannot wait to see where this story goes next!
I absolutely loved Bride of Ash & Dust, so I was incredibly excited to get back into this world. And somehow, Lilias and Zarek still could NOT catch a break. One mishap after another. Couldn't the author just give these two a little bit of time where things weren't completely falling apart around them?!?!
Needless to say, I loved this book just as much as the first one, even if it did cause me some mild anxiety issues.
This book picks up exactly where Bride of Ash & Dust left us, with Lilias and Zarek returning to Dungal. Unfortunately, this is probably the calmest part of the entire story because they don't get to stay there for long.
From there, the story focuses on their attempts to find allies to help them stand against Vsenrog and the weapon of mass destruction its king has gotten his hands on.
If you're looking for a fantasy packed with nonstop action, this probably isn't that book. There is action, but it doesn't take up most of the story. Instead, the focus is really on Lilias and Zarek, their feelings for one another, and their attempts to come to terms with the absolutely horrific lives they've both had to live.
And I loved that.
Their relationship continues to be one of my favorite parts of this story, especially as they navigate everything being thrown at them while trying to deal with their own pasts.
And that ENDING. My heart.
There is still so much more to this story, and I can absolutely see the possibility of exploring even more of this world going forward, but that ending felt PERFECT for this book.
Now I just need the next one because apparently I enjoy voluntarily increasing my anxiety levels through fantasy books.
5 stars, obviously. I cannot wait to see where this story goes next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thought the first book was fun, but oh my goodness this one was even better! Despite Lilias and Zarek being absolute imbeciles about each other for pretty much the entire book (like, c'mon, guys), the action was non-stop, the plot developed in such a fun way, and the supporting characters were *chef's kiss.* Oh, and the possibility of Rowan, my favorite mmc of all time, making an appearance has me squealing with excitement.
Obviously I don't love that Varitan is in this series because the dude is F'd up, but damn does he make a good villain. Along with Malrik (who is obviously just a pawn in the grand scheme of things), it's quite the villain power duo. The inclusion of more magic in this book was super fun. It was kind of a mixture of the Killers of the Towers series mixed with the Fallen Hearts series, which I wasn't expecting. I can't wait to see where it goes 👀.
The side characters were amazing. The dynamics between Zarek and Lilias's family/friends, Petrys and Gerard, and Lilias and Blayne were great. I felt like we heard a lot about Prince Laurance in the first book, and getting to meet him in this one was amazing. He lived up to expectations and more, and unfortunately was a little too reminiscient of a current world leader...
This book was paced incredibly well, and there was never a dull moment. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, and while I am so grateful for the ARC in exchange for my honest review, I'm cursing myself for reading it before the third book is out because now I have to wait 😭.
Meredith, I hope you never tire of writing books in this incredible world you've created, because they have become absolutely favorites and I love each and every one!
Obviously I don't love that Varitan is in this series because the dude is F'd up, but damn does he make a good villain. Along with Malrik (who is obviously just a pawn in the grand scheme of things), it's quite the villain power duo. The inclusion of more magic in this book was super fun. It was kind of a mixture of the Killers of the Towers series mixed with the Fallen Hearts series, which I wasn't expecting. I can't wait to see where it goes 👀.
The side characters were amazing. The dynamics between Zarek and Lilias's family/friends, Petrys and Gerard, and Lilias and Blayne were great. I felt like we heard a lot about Prince Laurance in the first book, and getting to meet him in this one was amazing. He lived up to expectations and more, and unfortunately was a little too reminiscient of a current world leader...
This book was paced incredibly well, and there was never a dull moment. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, and while I am so grateful for the ARC in exchange for my honest review, I'm cursing myself for reading it before the third book is out because now I have to wait 😭.
Meredith, I hope you never tire of writing books in this incredible world you've created, because they have become absolutely favorites and I love each and every one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so happy to read the sequel to Bride of Ash and Dust, I appreciated the cliff hanger from the first book because at least Lilias and Zarek were together but I had so many questions!!! The sequel picked up right where we left off and I appreciated the answers we get to at least some of my questions right away. The story is pretty fast paced although I need a map because I feel like Zarek and Lilias ended up going in circles in this book between trying to find Prince Elrick and to try to form alliances.
Lilias was very strong and determined in this book, she didn't cower to anyone and she knew how to play the game. I appreciated how she has come into her own in this series and how she is fighting back! Zarek of course is always working to protect Lilias and make sure she is safe. I appreciated that their relationship had ups and downs considering what has been revealed but I do wish they just talked more. Communication does finally occur and they cement their love but sometimes I wanted to shake them!! I loved that through it all, they wanted to protect each other and did love each other.
i also love seeing the different side of Zarek, his is not always the snake, he also has his moments where he breaks down and while he is uncomfortable doing it in front of Lilias, I love that she supported him and loved him no matter what. I appreciated the side characters both big and small as they made the story come to life and I loved the banter between characters to provide some lightness and humor between the doom and gloom 🤣
I still have so many questions as we are learning more about the magic in this world but it has me hooked and I want more!!! I am so excited for the nest book, it is going to be hard to wait!
Lilias was very strong and determined in this book, she didn't cower to anyone and she knew how to play the game. I appreciated how she has come into her own in this series and how she is fighting back! Zarek of course is always working to protect Lilias and make sure she is safe. I appreciated that their relationship had ups and downs considering what has been revealed but I do wish they just talked more. Communication does finally occur and they cement their love but sometimes I wanted to shake them!! I loved that through it all, they wanted to protect each other and did love each other.
i also love seeing the different side of Zarek, his is not always the snake, he also has his moments where he breaks down and while he is uncomfortable doing it in front of Lilias, I love that she supported him and loved him no matter what. I appreciated the side characters both big and small as they made the story come to life and I loved the banter between characters to provide some lightness and humor between the doom and gloom 🤣
I still have so many questions as we are learning more about the magic in this world but it has me hooked and I want more!!! I am so excited for the nest book, it is going to be hard to wait!
September 1, 2026
With the truth unveiled and everything seeming to want to pull them apart, can Lilias and Zarek find a way to keep their marriage, and still save the rest of the kingdoms from destruction?
You jump right back into the story with the pair barely making it out alive of their last encounter and recovering together at the real prince Zareks house. Now that the truth is out there, he urges Lilias to do what’s best for herself and her people and divorce him if she wants but after slowly forming a bond, they each care for each other and neither seems to want to let this marriage go. They must now travel in secret to reunite with her brother and see what they can do to stop King Malriks plans of taking over all the kingdoms, but sometimes even the best made plans don’t work out and with enemies closing in around them, they must learn to lean on each other and speak on how they really feel to survive.
I really enjoyed the dual POV nature of this book and seeing inside both characters heads about how they felt and slowly admitting to themselves that they love the other character. There was lots of close calls, last second escapes and even a capture that all had me flipping to the next page to learn the fate of these characters! I love the protective and sassy guard that’s there to help keep Lilias safe and how he gives crap to Zarek, and also of course the fact that both of their siblings push them to see their true feelings and go after what they want if that’s what they want. There was a few more reveals and the kingdom at the brink of war at the end that has me already ready for the next book! Overall my rating 4.4/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
You jump right back into the story with the pair barely making it out alive of their last encounter and recovering together at the real prince Zareks house. Now that the truth is out there, he urges Lilias to do what’s best for herself and her people and divorce him if she wants but after slowly forming a bond, they each care for each other and neither seems to want to let this marriage go. They must now travel in secret to reunite with her brother and see what they can do to stop King Malriks plans of taking over all the kingdoms, but sometimes even the best made plans don’t work out and with enemies closing in around them, they must learn to lean on each other and speak on how they really feel to survive.
I really enjoyed the dual POV nature of this book and seeing inside both characters heads about how they felt and slowly admitting to themselves that they love the other character. There was lots of close calls, last second escapes and even a capture that all had me flipping to the next page to learn the fate of these characters! I love the protective and sassy guard that’s there to help keep Lilias safe and how he gives crap to Zarek, and also of course the fact that both of their siblings push them to see their true feelings and go after what they want if that’s what they want. There was a few more reveals and the kingdom at the brink of war at the end that has me already ready for the next book! Overall my rating 4.4/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A fabulous continuation to the series
After recovering from their ordeal in the Dragon Mines, Lilias and Zarek must find a way to stop Malrik from destroying other kingdoms with his secret weapon. Their only hope is to reach Prince Elrick and form alliances with other countries. Their journey is full of betrayals, unexpected discoveries and magic.
This book is even better than the first one. Zarek and Lilias' relationship has many ups and downs but even in the hardest times it was obvious that they were perfect for each other. Sometimes they weren't sure if the other still cared about their relationship, yet they still wanted to protect each other. I loved the yearning and banter.
Lilias is much more confident and stronger than she was in the first book. She doesn't allow anybody to tell her what to do. She is brave and clever. She finally stood up for herself and made decisions about her future.
We were able to learn more about Zarek and his past. In the first book he was strong and confident most of the time. In this book we were able to see his insecurities and weaknesses.
The world building and writing were atmospheric and immersive. The magic was interesting. We got a glimpse of some mythical creatures and I'm looking forward to learn more about Zarek's abilities. The plot was engaging and I was hooked from the start. The plot twists were great.
Overall, this was an amazing read. Another masterpiece from Meredith Hart. If you love intrigue, yearning and great characters, this is a must read for you. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Many thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
After recovering from their ordeal in the Dragon Mines, Lilias and Zarek must find a way to stop Malrik from destroying other kingdoms with his secret weapon. Their only hope is to reach Prince Elrick and form alliances with other countries. Their journey is full of betrayals, unexpected discoveries and magic.
This book is even better than the first one. Zarek and Lilias' relationship has many ups and downs but even in the hardest times it was obvious that they were perfect for each other. Sometimes they weren't sure if the other still cared about their relationship, yet they still wanted to protect each other. I loved the yearning and banter.
Lilias is much more confident and stronger than she was in the first book. She doesn't allow anybody to tell her what to do. She is brave and clever. She finally stood up for herself and made decisions about her future.
We were able to learn more about Zarek and his past. In the first book he was strong and confident most of the time. In this book we were able to see his insecurities and weaknesses.
The world building and writing were atmospheric and immersive. The magic was interesting. We got a glimpse of some mythical creatures and I'm looking forward to learn more about Zarek's abilities. The plot was engaging and I was hooked from the start. The plot twists were great.
Overall, this was an amazing read. Another masterpiece from Meredith Hart. If you love intrigue, yearning and great characters, this is a must read for you. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Many thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of an ARC received from author
I enjoyed this book, but have to admit... I didn't love it quite as much as Bride of Ash and Dust. And the biggest reason for that was definitely the miscommunication between the main characters, Lilias and Zarek.
There were moments when I wanted to grab them both by the shoulders and yell “JUST TALK IT OUT!”
It became a little frustrating after a while, especially because you could clearly see how much they cared about each other.
That said, Zarek's story really touched me. We already knew from book one that he isn't the real prince of Vsenrog, but his real story was heartbreaking in a way I wasn't expecting and I really enjoyed getting to see this more vulnerable side of him.
I also really loved was how this book shows that even the strongest MMC's can break. They're not always unshakable and they can struggle mentally, fall apart and even reach a point where they just need someone to hold them together. I thought that was portrayed really well.
And of course... the gods...
Meredith clearly loves bringing gods into her stories. I love that she uses these “old gods” rather than the ones we're all familiar with. And seeing them return throughout the stories I've read from her so far is something I really enjoy.
And that ending?!
I'm pretty sure this story isn't finished yet, so now I'm curious to see where Meredith takes it next.
I enjoyed this book, but have to admit... I didn't love it quite as much as Bride of Ash and Dust. And the biggest reason for that was definitely the miscommunication between the main characters, Lilias and Zarek.
There were moments when I wanted to grab them both by the shoulders and yell “JUST TALK IT OUT!”
It became a little frustrating after a while, especially because you could clearly see how much they cared about each other.
That said, Zarek's story really touched me. We already knew from book one that he isn't the real prince of Vsenrog, but his real story was heartbreaking in a way I wasn't expecting and I really enjoyed getting to see this more vulnerable side of him.
I also really loved was how this book shows that even the strongest MMC's can break. They're not always unshakable and they can struggle mentally, fall apart and even reach a point where they just need someone to hold them together. I thought that was portrayed really well.
And of course... the gods...
Meredith clearly loves bringing gods into her stories. I love that she uses these “old gods” rather than the ones we're all familiar with. And seeing them return throughout the stories I've read from her so far is something I really enjoy.
And that ending?!
I'm pretty sure this story isn't finished yet, so now I'm curious to see where Meredith takes it next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: Queen of War and Ruin by Meredith Hart
Four stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of Bride of Ash and Dust, and even more lucky to receive an ARC of Queen of War and Ruin! I am happy to report that this series does not suffer from the "second book slump" (and I am a notorious DNFer of sequels that fall flat).
What I Enjoyed:
⭐️There was excellent development of the secondary characters in this second novel; Petrys, Anura, Gerard, and Elrick were all excellent supporting characters that added depth to the story.
⭐️Lilias and Zarek's relationship progressed well, and did not suffer from the catastrophic miscommunication trope that seems to be quite popular these days. Yes, there was some mild miscommunication, but the relationship was well fleshed out and kept me captivated the entire book.
⭐️The elemental magic aspect was especially intriguing, and I am very interested to see how this particular storyline develops.
Overall, a fantastic sequel to A Bride of Ash and Dust! The author has done a wonderful job of crafting another fantastic novel in this series, and I am excited for the next one!
Four stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of Bride of Ash and Dust, and even more lucky to receive an ARC of Queen of War and Ruin! I am happy to report that this series does not suffer from the "second book slump" (and I am a notorious DNFer of sequels that fall flat).
What I Enjoyed:
⭐️There was excellent development of the secondary characters in this second novel; Petrys, Anura, Gerard, and Elrick were all excellent supporting characters that added depth to the story.
⭐️Lilias and Zarek's relationship progressed well, and did not suffer from the catastrophic miscommunication trope that seems to be quite popular these days. Yes, there was some mild miscommunication, but the relationship was well fleshed out and kept me captivated the entire book.
⭐️The elemental magic aspect was especially intriguing, and I am very interested to see how this particular storyline develops.
Overall, a fantastic sequel to A Bride of Ash and Dust! The author has done a wonderful job of crafting another fantastic novel in this series, and I am excited for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
It took me a minute to remember what happened in book one, so I was walking into this one a little blindly at first. 😂 But once I got back into the world, I remembered exactly why I loved these characters.
Book one gave us all that delicious tension and slow burn… and book two said, yeah, we’re done waiting. 😂 The tension has officially paid off and these two waste absolutely NO time. And honestly? I loved that for them.
What I didn’t love quite as much was the miscommunication. There were definitely a few moments where I was like, please just TALK TO EACH OTHER.
I also think some parts could’ve used a little more development. There were moments I really wanted to dive deeper into, and at one point a few days pass where we basically have no idea what happened during them. I wanted more!
Also… apparently I was under the impression this was a duology? So imagine my surprise when I realized we are NOT done here. 😂
Overall, I still enjoyed it. The romance absolutely romanced, the payoff from that book one tension was worth it, and now I guess I’m waiting for another book I didn’t know I’d be waiting for. 🙃
Book one gave us all that delicious tension and slow burn… and book two said, yeah, we’re done waiting. 😂 The tension has officially paid off and these two waste absolutely NO time. And honestly? I loved that for them.
What I didn’t love quite as much was the miscommunication. There were definitely a few moments where I was like, please just TALK TO EACH OTHER.
I also think some parts could’ve used a little more development. There were moments I really wanted to dive deeper into, and at one point a few days pass where we basically have no idea what happened during them. I wanted more!
Also… apparently I was under the impression this was a duology? So imagine my surprise when I realized we are NOT done here. 😂
Overall, I still enjoyed it. The romance absolutely romanced, the payoff from that book one tension was worth it, and now I guess I’m waiting for another book I didn’t know I’d be waiting for. 🙃
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book picks up right after that ending in book 1. Zarek and Lilias are in hiding, while recovering and deciding what to do next. The plot here is just as fast paced as book 1, but with a few extra twists that lead to everyone running around a few different kingdoms and magic becoming a thing. The slow burn and tension between Zarek and Lilias continued to slow burn, but we do get some pay off. They are also not the same as they were in book 1. They have both definitely grown as characters and we get to see different sides of them. Zarek is also now the king of emotional yearning. So much desperate yearning, I loved it. There were some points where due to miscommunication and/or misunderstandings, I wanted to bang Zarek and Lilias' heads together though and lock them in a room, so they would have no choice but to actually stop and have a conversation. Petrys is my new favorite character, somewhat related to this as to why, but I did love all the side characters who were not evil. As always with this authors writing, the banter continued to banter perfectly as well. Overall, I had a good time with this book and I can't wait to see what happens in the next one.
August 29, 2026
⭐⭐½
I enjoyed Queen of War and Ruin overall. It was an easy, engaging read and there was plenty happening throughout to keep me turning the pages.
Lilias and Zarek were definitely the highlight for me. I enjoyed their relationship and found myself invested in what they were going through, particularly as they worked through everything surrounding their marriage, the war and the many secrets being uncovered. Their miscommunication got a bit too old too fast though.
I did find some of the politics and wider world-building a little difficult to follow at times. There is a lot going on with the different kingdoms, alliances, magic and history, and I sometimes felt like I needed a little more clarity around how everything fitted together.
The pacing worked well for me and I never found myself struggling to get through it. There was plenty of action, drama and emotional moments without the story feeling like a chore.
The ending definitely leaves things open for the next book and there are questions I’m curious to have answered. I’m not quite at the point of immediately needing book three, though, so I’ll have to see how I feel when the time comes.
I enjoyed Queen of War and Ruin overall. It was an easy, engaging read and there was plenty happening throughout to keep me turning the pages.
Lilias and Zarek were definitely the highlight for me. I enjoyed their relationship and found myself invested in what they were going through, particularly as they worked through everything surrounding their marriage, the war and the many secrets being uncovered. Their miscommunication got a bit too old too fast though.
I did find some of the politics and wider world-building a little difficult to follow at times. There is a lot going on with the different kingdoms, alliances, magic and history, and I sometimes felt like I needed a little more clarity around how everything fitted together.
The pacing worked well for me and I never found myself struggling to get through it. There was plenty of action, drama and emotional moments without the story feeling like a chore.
The ending definitely leaves things open for the next book and there are questions I’m curious to have answered. I’m not quite at the point of immediately needing book three, though, so I’ll have to see how I feel when the time comes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Meredith Hart, NetGalley & Vestal Valley Press for the ARC of Queen of War and Ruin.
Queen of War and Ruin was a strong follow-up to Bride of Ash and Dust. I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance between Lilias and Zarek, especially as their relationship continues to evolve under much higher stakes. The romantic tension is still there, but the characters themselves also feel increasingly complex as more of their secrets and motivations come to light. The expanding political intrigue and higher stakes of the war kept the story engaging and gave the plot plenty of momentum.
That said, the pacing could feel a little uneven at times, and there are a lot of moving pieces with the various factions, secrets, and motivations. The expanding world-building also gets a bit dense, while the slow-burn relationship occasionally had me wanting to yell at these two to just talk to each other already. 😂
Overall, I really enjoyed this installment and thought it expanded on what worked in the first book while raising the stakes. A solid 4-star read, and I'm definitely invested in seeing where Lilias and Zarek's story goes next.
4⭐
Queen of War and Ruin was a strong follow-up to Bride of Ash and Dust. I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance between Lilias and Zarek, especially as their relationship continues to evolve under much higher stakes. The romantic tension is still there, but the characters themselves also feel increasingly complex as more of their secrets and motivations come to light. The expanding political intrigue and higher stakes of the war kept the story engaging and gave the plot plenty of momentum.
That said, the pacing could feel a little uneven at times, and there are a lot of moving pieces with the various factions, secrets, and motivations. The expanding world-building also gets a bit dense, while the slow-burn relationship occasionally had me wanting to yell at these two to just talk to each other already. 😂
Overall, I really enjoyed this installment and thought it expanded on what worked in the first book while raising the stakes. A solid 4-star read, and I'm definitely invested in seeing where Lilias and Zarek's story goes next.
4⭐
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars
Queen of War and Ruin was a solid continuation of the series, especially when it came to the plot and overall momentum. With Marion fallen, war closing in, and the stakes continuing to rise, there was plenty happening to keep me invested. I really enjoyed the larger conflict and the sense that the characters were constantly being pushed into more dangerous situations—the story rarely felt stagnant, and I was genuinely curious to see how everything would play out.
Where this lost me a bit was the relationship between Lilias and Zarek. I enjoy tension and complicated relationships, but the amount of miscommunication between them became increasingly frustrating as the book went on. There were several points where it felt like an honest conversation could have resolved a lot of their conflict, and eventually that started to overshadow some of my enjoyment of the romance. Overall, though, the strong plot, escalating stakes, and steady momentum kept this an entertaining read, and I’m still interested to see where the series goes next.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. My review is independent and my own.
Queen of War and Ruin was a solid continuation of the series, especially when it came to the plot and overall momentum. With Marion fallen, war closing in, and the stakes continuing to rise, there was plenty happening to keep me invested. I really enjoyed the larger conflict and the sense that the characters were constantly being pushed into more dangerous situations—the story rarely felt stagnant, and I was genuinely curious to see how everything would play out.
Where this lost me a bit was the relationship between Lilias and Zarek. I enjoy tension and complicated relationships, but the amount of miscommunication between them became increasingly frustrating as the book went on. There were several points where it felt like an honest conversation could have resolved a lot of their conflict, and eventually that started to overshadow some of my enjoyment of the romance. Overall, though, the strong plot, escalating stakes, and steady momentum kept this an entertaining read, and I’m still interested to see where the series goes next.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. My review is independent and my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Her kingdom is gone. Her war is just beginning.
Queen of War and Ruin is the second book by Meredith Hart in the fabulous Snake & Crown series. This story pics up exactly where Bride of Ash and Dust left us with the cliffhanger..the pacing is exciting and intriguing throughout! I absolutely devoured it in one day!
Lilas and Zarek’s relationship continued to progress, with only minor hiccups of misunderstandings caused by self doubt. The development between the two is astonishing! The yearning, spice and banter – chefs kiss! The dual POV is fantastic, allowing you to see the story through both main characters and keeps you captivated the entire book! The secondary characters: Petrys, Gerard, Elrick, and Anura are excellent supporting characters that added depth, snarky commentary, and found family to the astonishing storyline.
The elemental magic aspect was especially intriguing and left the door open for so much more. The characters, magic, and promise of whats next has me waiting not so patiently for the next book!
Queen of War and Ruin is the second book by Meredith Hart in the fabulous Snake & Crown series. This story pics up exactly where Bride of Ash and Dust left us with the cliffhanger..the pacing is exciting and intriguing throughout! I absolutely devoured it in one day!
Lilas and Zarek’s relationship continued to progress, with only minor hiccups of misunderstandings caused by self doubt. The development between the two is astonishing! The yearning, spice and banter – chefs kiss! The dual POV is fantastic, allowing you to see the story through both main characters and keeps you captivated the entire book! The secondary characters: Petrys, Gerard, Elrick, and Anura are excellent supporting characters that added depth, snarky commentary, and found family to the astonishing storyline.
The elemental magic aspect was especially intriguing and left the door open for so much more. The characters, magic, and promise of whats next has me waiting not so patiently for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Queen of War and Ruin from the author and I am OBSESSED! I thought Bride of Ash and Dust was fun, but this took it to another level. The whole time I may have been screaming for ‘Zarek’ and Lilias to just sit and talk to each other, but their connection is just a *chefs kiss*. Think more supppperrrrr slow burn rather than a miscommunication though. I am also so glad we got to see a little more of side characters like Petrys, Elrick, Gerard, and Anura. These characters are all so complex as more secrets and motivations are shared, making the stakes of the plot higher and leaving more and more invested.
For some reason I thought this series was also only a duology, so I am more than ecstatic to learn that we are not done with these characters journeys. This one doesn’t leave off on a full cliff hanger too (more like a ledge that if I fell from, I may only break a leg or two). Still PLENTY of questions left unanswered though I am eager to keep reading.
For some reason I thought this series was also only a duology, so I am more than ecstatic to learn that we are not done with these characters journeys. This one doesn’t leave off on a full cliff hanger too (more like a ledge that if I fell from, I may only break a leg or two). Still PLENTY of questions left unanswered though I am eager to keep reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thoroughly enjoyed being back with Lilias and Zarek and applaud the author for giving us dual points of view because it really helped to open up the story. Oh Zarek my heart hurt so much for him as he's frankly being used nearly all his life. Lilias has lost so much and sadly because of untruths and misunderstanding is still hesitant to fully trust Zarek . If honest at times I wanted to bash their heads together but hey ho angst and thwarted passion does make a page turning story. Ironically there is an innocence to their romance that leaves me happily kicking my feet.
The couple need allies as the power hungry King is determined to conquer other kingdoms and Lilias is about to be sold like a brood mare by her well selfish brother. Wait, what ? Haha fear not because she has a backbone and it's a beautiful thing baby ! We know that Zarek released an Elf previously and sadly that does come back to haunt him . There's a lot more to discover concerning the magic as this series progresses and oo did someone mention Dragons ? I think it's obvious I'm pretty unimpressed by Elrick although I still love Petrys oh and Gerard did make me smile ! If you hated the ending of the first book then I think that this one will give you hope.
My thanks to the author for this copy
The couple need allies as the power hungry King is determined to conquer other kingdoms and Lilias is about to be sold like a brood mare by her well selfish brother. Wait, what ? Haha fear not because she has a backbone and it's a beautiful thing baby ! We know that Zarek released an Elf previously and sadly that does come back to haunt him . There's a lot more to discover concerning the magic as this series progresses and oo did someone mention Dragons ? I think it's obvious I'm pretty unimpressed by Elrick although I still love Petrys oh and Gerard did make me smile ! If you hated the ending of the first book then I think that this one will give you hope.
My thanks to the author for this copy
Review of advance copy received from Author
Now that Marion has fallen, which Kingdom will be next?
This book starts right after the last one finished off. We’re back with our princess, Lillias, and the king’s assassin, Zarek. Once again, they’re running for their lives. That seems to be an ongoing theme in this series, people running for their lives away from Vsenrog and it’s evil king. However, in this book of the series, we have a few new characters we learn more about, like Zarek’s brother, Petrys, and the king’s weapon, but I’ll let you learn about him on your own instead of spoiling the surprise. Meredith Hart truly has a wonderful talent for telling a tale. Again, the writing is excellent, the plot is even better than in the first story, and the emotions are running even higher. I laughed, I cried, I even yelled out loud and scared my fur babies. I cannot recommend this highly enough!
I received a free advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
This book starts right after the last one finished off. We’re back with our princess, Lillias, and the king’s assassin, Zarek. Once again, they’re running for their lives. That seems to be an ongoing theme in this series, people running for their lives away from Vsenrog and it’s evil king. However, in this book of the series, we have a few new characters we learn more about, like Zarek’s brother, Petrys, and the king’s weapon, but I’ll let you learn about him on your own instead of spoiling the surprise. Meredith Hart truly has a wonderful talent for telling a tale. Again, the writing is excellent, the plot is even better than in the first story, and the emotions are running even higher. I laughed, I cried, I even yelled out loud and scared my fur babies. I cannot recommend this highly enough!
I received a free advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read this book in like 5 hours. It was so good lol
I still love Zarek and Lilias. Even if they do have such a huge miscommunication issue! Just talk to each other and resolve things lol
Although, I do understand why they do have issues. One thinks the other would be better off without them, and the other thinks the first doesn’t truly want to be with them.
So many twists in this story. I really would love to know more about Dungal and the Vederill Pass. There has got to be some big things happening there.
The magic!? I can’t wait to see where this goes.
The scene in the woods with 2 certain characters made me giggle and I knew it was gonna happen. No one argues like that without some kind of feelings lol
The ending was so lovely.
I still need to know the characters name that hasn’t been revealed!!!
Big thank you to Meredith for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this book.
I still love Zarek and Lilias. Even if they do have such a huge miscommunication issue! Just talk to each other and resolve things lol
Although, I do understand why they do have issues. One thinks the other would be better off without them, and the other thinks the first doesn’t truly want to be with them.
So many twists in this story. I really would love to know more about Dungal and the Vederill Pass. There has got to be some big things happening there.
The magic!? I can’t wait to see where this goes.
The scene in the woods with 2 certain characters made me giggle and I knew it was gonna happen. No one argues like that without some kind of feelings lol
The ending was so lovely.
I still need to know the characters name that hasn’t been revealed!!!
Big thank you to Meredith for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Queen of War and Ruin makes for such a strong follow up to Bride of Ash and Dust, sidestepping that dreaded second book slump entirely! The secondary characters, Petrys, Anura, Gerard, and Elrick, bring real depth this time around, and Lilias and Zarek's relationship keeps developing naturally without leaning on frustrating miscommunication tropes. The dual POV structure worked beautifully, getting both perspectives added such a rich layer to their evolving dynamic as fugitives navigating a fallen kingdom, a looming war, and Zarek's dangerous unlocking abilities. The elemental magic thread stood out as especially intriguing, and I'm eager to see where it goes next. Watching their careful emotional distance finally break down amid all the danger made for a captivating read, one that held my attention from start to finish.
Queen of War and Ruin makes for such a strong follow up to Bride of Ash and Dust, sidestepping that dreaded second book slump entirely! The secondary characters, Petrys, Anura, Gerard, and Elrick, bring real depth this time around, and Lilias and Zarek's relationship keeps developing naturally without leaning on frustrating miscommunication tropes. The dual POV structure worked beautifully, getting both perspectives added such a rich layer to their evolving dynamic as fugitives navigating a fallen kingdom, a looming war, and Zarek's dangerous unlocking abilities. The elemental magic thread stood out as especially intriguing, and I'm eager to see where it goes next. Watching their careful emotional distance finally break down amid all the danger made for a captivating read, one that held my attention from start to finish.
Review of advance copy received from Author
We are back to the story with Lilias and Zarek. I appreciated the dual POV chapters, which offered insights into both characters' perspectives. I like multiple viewpoints in a book.
Unfortunately, the story fell flat for me. I was really hoping it would delve deeper into the relationships. I didn't feel like I got involved in the story and was just watching from afar. The action took quite awhile to happen and I found myself wanting to skim parts to find action. I also found myself not looking at what chapter I was in, because the words gave a hint as to what happens in it. I didn't want to know beforehand. It didn't hold my attention like the first book.
Thank you Meredith and Netgalley for the arc. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Unfortunately, the story fell flat for me. I was really hoping it would delve deeper into the relationships. I didn't feel like I got involved in the story and was just watching from afar. The action took quite awhile to happen and I found myself wanting to skim parts to find action. I also found myself not looking at what chapter I was in, because the words gave a hint as to what happens in it. I didn't want to know beforehand. It didn't hold my attention like the first book.
Thank you Meredith and Netgalley for the arc. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Queen of War and Ruin was an amazing sequel to Bride of Ash and Dust.
Lilias is such an amazing character. She is such a baddie. If I would have been born into royalty she is the type of princess I would strive to be. The miscommunication between her and Zarek was frustrating at first but very much worth it.
The side characters are amazing. I hope someday they get their stories told in their own books. I would happily read them all.
The plot this story has is very original. At least I have never read anything like it. The tropes are the same but it definitely took me somewhere I’ve never been before. I can’t wait for the story to continue.
Thank you NetGalley and and Vesta Valley Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review before the September 18th publication date.
Lilias is such an amazing character. She is such a baddie. If I would have been born into royalty she is the type of princess I would strive to be. The miscommunication between her and Zarek was frustrating at first but very much worth it.
The side characters are amazing. I hope someday they get their stories told in their own books. I would happily read them all.
The plot this story has is very original. At least I have never read anything like it. The tropes are the same but it definitely took me somewhere I’ve never been before. I can’t wait for the story to continue.
Thank you NetGalley and and Vesta Valley Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review before the September 18th publication date.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a fantastic sequel to Bride of Ash and Dust! Thanks to Meredith Hart for letting me read this one early 🤩
I was so excited to get back into this world with these characters! Lilias and Zarek have my heart. I absolutely devoured this book and WOW the spice really heated up in this book 🥵🔥— the slow burn payoff was very worth it.
The story picks up right where the first book left off, and the pacing is exciting the entire time! It’s full of adventure, magic, ROMANCE, yearning, and some really great character development for our main characters. I still love how this book is dual-POV, and it’s easy to tell whose chapter it is even without the headings.
There’s so many ways this story could progress from here… I can’t wait to see where it goes!
I was so excited to get back into this world with these characters! Lilias and Zarek have my heart. I absolutely devoured this book and WOW the spice really heated up in this book 🥵🔥— the slow burn payoff was very worth it.
The story picks up right where the first book left off, and the pacing is exciting the entire time! It’s full of adventure, magic, ROMANCE, yearning, and some really great character development for our main characters. I still love how this book is dual-POV, and it’s easy to tell whose chapter it is even without the headings.
There’s so many ways this story could progress from here… I can’t wait to see where it goes!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book Review: Queen of War and Ruin 4.5 stars
Thank you for the chance to read and review!
This is book 2 in the series and picks up where book one left off. This sequel adds more romance, drama, and new stakes to this already fast paced story! I really enjoy this series, Zarek and Lillas are so in love with one another but both are reluctant to admit it. Lillas grew so much from book one and she is turning into a character who speaks her mind and fights for the ones she loves. The pacing is good and the story is flushed out nicely. This leaves off on a cliff hanger once again and I am looking forward to how this series will conclude!
Thank you for the chance to read and review!
This is book 2 in the series and picks up where book one left off. This sequel adds more romance, drama, and new stakes to this already fast paced story! I really enjoy this series, Zarek and Lillas are so in love with one another but both are reluctant to admit it. Lillas grew so much from book one and she is turning into a character who speaks her mind and fights for the ones she loves. The pacing is good and the story is flushed out nicely. This leaves off on a cliff hanger once again and I am looking forward to how this series will conclude!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Meredith Hart’s Snake and Crown series Part 2 is Queen of War and Ruin and continues what was begun in Bride of Ash and Dust, which left us on a cliffhanger! (Thank you for the warning, MH!) Meredith is expert at lightening the drama with banter, but poor Zarek! He really takes a beating in these stories, physically and emotionally. He was desperate and confused a lot as well as self sacrificing. And yet he remains sweetly devoted. The slow burn between himself and Lilias was sexy but excruciating and kept me invested. This world is linked to her last Tower series, which I also recommend! I read an ARC and am happy to offer this honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After recovering from their ordeal in the Dragon Mines, Lilias and Zarek must find a way to stop Malrik from destroying other kingdoms with his secret weapon. We got a glimpse of some mythical creatures and I'm looking forward to learn more about Zarek's abilities.
The plot was engaging and I was hooked from the start. The plot twists were great.
Overall, This has lots of scheming and political drama and secrets and the chaos of an arranged marriage.
This was such a good read. I loved the writing style and the characters she created.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
⭐⭐⭐.5
The plot was engaging and I was hooked from the start. The plot twists were great.
Overall, This has lots of scheming and political drama and secrets and the chaos of an arranged marriage.
This was such a good read. I loved the writing style and the characters she created.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
⭐⭐⭐.5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I requested this book before realizing it was number 2, so I read the first one immediately before this and was hooked from the start! I finished them both in days. The world building and dual POV really brought this story to life. The slow burn and tension between Zarek and Lilias were perfect but my heart breaks for Zarek and how worthless he feels after years of being used by others.
The magic elements are interesting, and there's obviously still so much to come from this story. The twists and turns kept me captivated throughout, and I cannot wait to read more of their story.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC
The magic elements are interesting, and there's obviously still so much to come from this story. The twists and turns kept me captivated throughout, and I cannot wait to read more of their story.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I LOVED this book from start to finish. The first one left off on a cliffhanger, so of course I was on the edge of my seat. I went through every emotion on this wild ride, and was so excited getting to the end! I cannot WAIT for the next one, especially as now it seems a war is inevitable. I loved the comedic timing moments, especially from Petrys. I feel bad that Zarek got so much sass from everyone (but he was truly a chaotic trainwreck some of the time). I really enjoyed the whole experience, definitely could not put this one down!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this as much if not more than the first book. That’s saying a lot! Zarek and Lilias have everything going against their love including themselves. Who knew that putting your lover’s happiness before your own can be exactly the wrong thing when you’re both doing it. Meredith Hart did a masterful job helping them to answer the simple question of what do you want? The mystery of Zarek’s parentage adds excitement and suspense. I don’t want to give anything away but the surprises are awesome! I received an ARC and this is my honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75/5
I didn't enjoy this sequel quite as much as the previous book in this series. But I still really liked it!
I don't want to say too much more because I don't want to spoil book one, but know that I think a lot of romantasy readers will really like this series. I would definitely recommend.
This has lots of scheming and political drama and secrets and the chaos of an arranged marriage. I sped through this series so fast!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I didn't enjoy this sequel quite as much as the previous book in this series. But I still really liked it!
I don't want to say too much more because I don't want to spoil book one, but know that I think a lot of romantasy readers will really like this series. I would definitely recommend.
This has lots of scheming and political drama and secrets and the chaos of an arranged marriage. I sped through this series so fast!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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