KOBRA

by Cris G. Wells

Centurion Davina Lachlan has never failed a mission... until now.

Bound in chains and at the mercy of the very captain she swore to outsmart, she's forced to recount every treacherous step of their treasure hunt and the looming betrayal that chased them through it all. In between trap-ridden ancient pyramids and perilous ordeals on the tallest of mountains, Captain Zephyr Kentar demands every single one of her secrets and he will settle for nothing less.

With the reality of her imminent demise hanging over her head, Davina must face that the truths she uncovered have the power to unravel her every belief, and that very captain she hates might be the only one who can give her the clarity she desperately needs.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Slow Burn, Forced Proximity, Mystery

403 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 18, 2026

Reviews

[Elodie R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a 3stars, but should have been a 4stars 🙈
I reaaaally wanted to love this book because the story itself has so much potential and oh my ✨the artwork✨ totally had me.

However there were too many shifts in both the timeline and the narrator, and truly that didn’t work for me.
I often struggled to understand when and what was happening, and had to go back to check who was narrating and in what timeline things were happening; so that made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story or the romance.
Because I spent so much time trying to piece everything together, I couldn't connect with the characters as deeply as I wanted.

That being said in my mind this book would be a great movie 😁
Some fast facts about Kobra you may find yourself liking :
🐍Strong world building
🫆Mystery investigation
😏Enemies-to-lovers to enemies to lovers…..
🌸Feminine rage
✨He falls first and hard
🔥They’re like fire together

Thank you so much for this opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own, so please be kind.

[Elisa Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all! Plenty of mystery, adventure, and a romance filled with tension between the main characters. I loved it!

The idea behind this story is very original and has a lot of potential. The pace of the book is well balanced, done through time jumps which were easy to follow and I really enjoyed, and I found myself intrigued by the story and wanting to continue reading to know what was happening next.

The end was the perfect setup for the next book, can’t wait to read it!

I received an ARC copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

[Joanna Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun adventure for sure! It gave Indiana Jones meets The Mummy meets Tomb Raider vibes, and I was completely here for it. The exploration of ancient pyramids, deadly booby traps, hidden chambers, and lost treasure made this such an exciting read. The mystery and treasure hunt elements kept me hooked, and I loved trying to piece everything together alongside the characters.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the magic system. It’s unlike anything I’ve read before. Magic comes from tattoos created with the sap of a tree, and the abilities they grant depend on where the tattoos are placed on the body. It was such a creative concept.

I also really enjoyed the relationship between Davina and Zypher. The tension, slow-building yearning, and dual POV made their dynamic even more believable. Their chemistry kept me invested just as much as the adventure did.

My only real criticism was the frequent time jumps. While I understood what they were trying to accomplish, they sometimes felt unnecessary and occasionally disrupted the pacing, pulling me out of the story while I reoriented myself.

But that ending… I genuinely did not see it coming! It completely caught me off guard and left me wanting to know what happens next. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel when it’s released.

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.

[Krista Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting, Indiana jones style adventure filled with exploring remote locations and a bit of romance mixed in!

You follow two main characters, the FMC who’s spent her life trying to live up to the expectations put on her by the leader of her organization, carrying out dangerous missions, and an MMC who is the general of another nation that she must work with to find more sap. This world runs off this sap found in a rare tree that lead to the collapse of modern society when countries tried to hog their share of it, as it allows people to gain special abilities depending on the location and shape inked onto their skin with it, and most people abandoned modern technology and societal organization because of it. The FMC is tasked with finding a supply of this sap that was hidden by the now dead professor who had been working with it in a remote nation, before a rebel group can get it that would rather spread it out to all people and not just elites.

I really liked the jumping not only between the FMC and MMC POVs but also at the start of the book being in current time and it being set up to jump through the whole hunting process as reflections back in time. There was plenty of life threatening danger, decoding of hidden messages within the professors work, traps set within the places they were exploring and even just nature working against them that had me on the edge of my seat. Of course there was also this build up of attraction between these two people on opposite sides that comes to a head but also leads to an even bigger reveal and betrayal and with a chaotic ending, I can’t wait to find out what happens next! My rating 4.2/5!

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!

[Suzanne Delgado · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Thank you Nerdfam for the Advance Reader Copy**

The twists and turns in this cross between The Mummy, Romancing the Stone, and All the President’s Men were deliciously infuriating. It’s a little bit treasure hunt, a little bit criminal investigation, and a little bit flirty romance. I found myself second guessing all the character’s motives and who the real ‘bad guy’ was.

This is a dual POV between the two main characters and the story is told through flashbacks and present day, so it leads right up to the moment of ‘now’.

Davina and Zephyr have this will they, won’t they relationship that kept me guessing and second guessing if they were for real or just playing each other.

The universe has a unique magic system driven by sap that is inked into the magic wielder’s skin to create different powers based on the person’s affinity and placement of the tattoo.

And the ending was unexpected and left me wanted more! 3.5

[Sharon Mowery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for this ARC read!!

I’m not going to lie—the beginning of this book was a struggle. It was slow, and it took me a while to really get invested. I kept waiting for something to click.

Then Zephyr and Davina really started getting under each other’s skin… and I was eating up every second of it.

The banter, the tension, and all the enemies-to-lovers angst had me completely invested. From that point on, I couldn’t put it down.

This story also jumps between the past and the present, which usually makes me nervous because that format can get confusing fast. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case here. I loved that it felt more like Zephyr and Davina were taking turns telling their side of what happened rather than constantly yanking me back and forth through the timeline. It made the flashbacks feel natural and added so much depth to both characters.

I also really enjoyed the little twist at the end. I had pretty much figured it out before the reveal, but that didn’t take away from it at all. Instead, it felt satisfying to watch everything click into place and see how all the pieces came together.

And then… that ending. 🤯 It left me completely speechless. Talk about a cliffhanger! Now I’m over here impatiently waiting for book two because I need to know what happens next.

If the slow beginning has you questioning whether to keep going, I’d say stick with it. Once the story finds its footing, it’s absolutely worth the ride—and just be prepared to immediately want the sequel

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine if Lara Croft was more grumpy and met Alex West/Terry Sheridan for the first time again in Tomb Raider, except it focused more on the mystery and journey of finding the “treasure” vs the action aspect. That’s the physical tension and the pacing you can expect in Kobra with Davina and Zephyr. You know the entire time that betrayal is coming, it’s written from the very first chapters, the characters admit to it - it’s the elephant in the room. However, there’s another layer of betrayal that’s laced into the fabric of the story that I didn’t see coming until the end. A great read! Normally I’m not a fan of authors delivering background information to me via first person, but it was interesting learning about the fall of society due to the power that the sap inflicts on humans when applied to the skin like a tattoo. It almost made the story take on a post apocalyptic tone with them still reigning in from the crazy obsession of this discovery and what it did to their world. You’re going to get so frustrated with these two characters, you’ll want to smack them silly and force them to forget their mission so they can just accept the beautiful chemistry…I can’t wait to see what these enemies to lovers to enemies do next in the coming sequel!

[Ashton V · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Full review to come

[Stephanie Chiocchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Cris and The NerdFam for this eARC!

3.5 rounded up maybe? This had so much potential. The story is unique. The magic system is dictated by tattoo and trees - anything related to the mind is illegal. Rival territories are teaming up to figure out a detective case with plans to stab each other in the back.
We go back and forth between past and present - which apparently people found confusing but it really wasn’t hard to follow. There were plot points that I genuinely was shocked by.
The romance seemed very one sided. Like in love vs lust right from the start. I do like both of our main characters, I just wish there was a little more (of what, I don’t even know.)
I will probably read book 2 just because that ending was a big “oh shit” moment.

[Brittany Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Thank you to Chris G. Wells, NetGalley and NerdFam for the opportunity to read an ARC of Kobra!

Kobra was an entertaining read that kept me curious to see where the story would go. The premise was intriguing, and there were several small twists that kept me engaged throughout. The pacing picked up as the story progressed, making it easy to keep turning the pages, and thank goodness for that.

While I enjoyed the overall story, I found myself wanting a bit more depth in some of the characters and a stronger emotional connection to their journeys. I wasn’t really feeling it most of the time.
There were moments that felt a little rushed, and I would have loved to spend more time with certain plot points before moving on. Then there were moments where we read three or five paragraphs about the color of sand and furnishings in the immediate area. Those found me skimming quite a bit.

I liked the FMC but found myself not connecting to her much. She had an ongoing inner dialogue about her companion she was sent to Kobra with, and how they once had a fling.
So the multitude of times she brought it up felt more like she was trying to convince herself she didn’t like him anymore.. which was weird because it felt like it was over, but just the constant bringing it back up made me wonder if it was supposed to be a foreshadowing of something happening with them later on.

I liked the MMC more, and enjoyed his chapters but easily guessed his plot twist towards the end, even though the author didn’t give us much about him. He was very much just the brooding captain that tagged along and then suddenly there’s romance. We hear her thoughts about him being hot, that’s about all of her depth, then his chapters we hear his admiration of her which felt more believable. Still, the flirty moments didn’t feel long lived enough to establish attraction that eventually could lead to more.

There’s a lot of back and forth between timelines, her interrogation and living her retelling of events.
I thought the interrogation bits were fine, but there was so much “I’m betrayed, she has snuck around so much behind my back and is hiding so much I don’t even know” from MMC’s internal dialogue— which didn’t feel validated because we never see her do anything betraying at all (even though she’s in her head like yea I’m caught, I betrayed him) so you think you just gotta keep reading to find out — and then later his internal dialogue turns into “it’s sad she was actually always a few steps behind me, I’m gonna betray her”.
So as I read the last half of the book, the first half just felt misplaced, nonsensical and disingenuous.

There were especially a few times in the first half where I was reading the last few paragraphs of a “Now” chapter, interrogating Davina, and the author was trying to lead up to some big reveal, the characters are making snarky comments or pressing a certain line of questioning or whatever, you’re thinking oh boy plot twist or big reveal, and then it just… jumps back to the past.
And you think you’re gonna see something big unfold but… where’s the reveal? Nothing shocking happens.
Then when we go back to the next “Now” chapter they’ve moved on like nothing happened.

Let me also take a minute to say it took me a good couple of chapters to understand and wrap my head around the fact that this world is based on tree sap being tattooed onto people and giving them power… tree sap. The different placements on the body giving different powers— that was interesting.
However, even once I got used to the idea, the main character’s phrases evoking the sap like one would a god.. such as “sap, you gotta be kidding me,” or “oh for the love of sap,” or even exasperatedly yelling “this sapdamned…” whatever,
felt super stupid to read let alone imagine saying aloud.
I could’ve done without all that terminology— which she seemed to be the only character even using. 🤔

The final plot twist is the only thing that would have me picking up book 2, that last hook was the most interesting thing in the story. It really felt like this was a good “first half” of a book. It felt like a lot of filler in between events. I might have preferred to cut the filler stuff, have where the book ended be the climax like 2/3rds through the book, then finish the book as a standalone instead of a book 2, or however many we’re going see from this.

Overall, though, this was a solid read with a good bit of action. If you enjoy stories with mystery and twists, a slow burn, then Kobra is worth checking out.

[Escapades In Prose · Rating 4 out of 5]

NGL, it’s taken me days to figure out how to rate and review this book. So, let me break it down in categories:

World Building/Magic: 5/5 ⭐️

Character development and relationships to each other: 4.5/5 ⭐️

Prose (how it’s actually written): 3/5 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️

Cliffhanger: 10/💀

Okay. Here’s the truth. I really like the world and the story. The tattoo magic is really creative. The world is really interesting. The characters are really clear.

My issue is it takes a really long time to get going, and the internal dialogue is overwhelming. I can hear the writer talking during a conversation rather than the character’s voices. Not every statement needs a page of memories and internal dialogue to build the story. Let the characters talk. I kept getting lost in the conversation and having to back track.

You can hear the writer’s voice especially during the bits with the interrogation. Davina (FMC) is describing the events leading up to her capture. But the way she’s describing them is not how someone would speak in normal terms. She’s using phrases such as:

“…when I felt the press of steel against my lower back, followed by a male voice hissing in my ear to give him my pouch… A woman appeared from a dark, narrow alley up ahead. She was carrying a blade sister to the one I suspected was pressed over my kidney.”

This reads like a world building line, not something a character would say out loud to her captor she hates.

The last 10 or 15 chapters pick up and are really good. You don’t. Have as much drag and the story picks up really well. I blew through the end of it! It’s a brilliant world and magic. The twist at the end is *Chefs Kiss* BRILLIANT. And hang on for the Cliffhanger. It’s a doozy 👀

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really, REALLY wanted to love this book. While it had promise, so much of it just fell short for me.

The good:

-Lots of action kept the story moving, and I found it to be very cinematic.
-The characters were all believable as agents and soldiers. They FELT a lot of emotions, but rarely outwardly indulged in displaying them–particularly when it would affect the mission.
-The tension between operatives of rival nations was well done. No insta-lust/love.

The not-so-good:
-The time skips, while not difficult to follow, did often feel unnecessary. Instead of a clever literary device to build tension or suspense, they instead often interrupted the narrative pacing, acting like a record skip and forcing you out of the flow of the story.

-There was an excess of “telling” rather than “showing” writing. This is, in my opinion, a product of inexperience and I think the writer will get better as the books continue.

-Along those lines, the book suffers a bit from purple prose and wordiness at inappropriate times. It would sometimes get lost in detailed descriptions and inner thoughts in the middle of dialog, breaking it up in such a way that I’d have to turn back a page to remember what was being spoken about.

Overall, while I feel that this book would benefit from some constructive beta reading and good edits, it was entertaining and has potential. While it was described as Indiana Jones/Mummy/Lara Croft-adjacent, I think it would be more appropriate to compare it to Fourth Wing or Throne of Glass in mood. If you are fans of that work, you will likely enjoy this and the sequels as well.

Thank you so much to Nerd Fam for providing me with a copy. All opinions are my own.

[Marie Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC reader (Advanced Reader Copy) review for ‘Kobra’ by Cris G Wells 3.5 stars.
I was lucky enough to be selected as an ARC reader for this interesting book, which is released 18th August 2026.
The story follows Davina a Centurion who has abilities from the ink based magic system the author has created. Sap is intricately drawn onto individuals in specific ways to create abilities.
Davina is forced to work with a rival captain to embark on a treasure hunt of an enormous stash of Sap. Since it seems to be running out, this stash could change the course of power through Kobra.
The story goes from present day to flashbacks to recount the tale of Davina’s mistake. You know the outcome from the very beginning however it doesn’t stop you from being shocked and surprised throughout.
The book has elements of Tomb Raider, Indiana
Jones, with puzzles and an epic treasure hunt. I found at times I was wondering why the traps hadn’t been set off previously.
There is dual POV so we hear from Davina and Zeph. I much preferred Davina’s POV and found Zeph difficult to like at times.
I enjoyed the story however I found the rivals to enemies trope not to my taste. I didn’t find I was rooting for them and felt quite protective of Davina around Zeph.
The overall story and world building was really interesting and the author had a great way with words and description.
This is book one of a series and the ending really grabbed me and I’m looking forward to the next one.

100% rivals to enemies
100% loved the magic system and world building

Some quotes:

He held me like I was both the finest treasure he’d ever touched, and a weapon pressed to his throat.

For the first time in my life, I failed. I lost.

[Spencer Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, this book is absolutely worth picking up.

Kobra is packed with adventure, dangerous expeditions, ancient mysteries, and enough betrayal to rival the emotional whiplash of Fourth Wing. The magic system was one of my favorite parts. The idea of magical marks being inked with sap was so unique, and discovering that both main characters are capable of carrying more than one mark completely changed the stakes. Every new revelation threw another wrench into the journey, and I loved never quite knowing what was coming next.

The worldbuilding and nonstop adventure kept me hooked, but the romance didn’t land quite as well for me. I struggled with Davina’s reaction after learning Zephyr’s secret because I didn’t feel like their relationship had developed enough to justify the intensity of her anger. I wanted a little more emotional buildup before that moment.

And then… that ending.

What. The. Hell?!

The Supreme Jerkface (yes, I know that’s not his actual title, but that’s what he’s called in my head now) reveals a forbidden ability, and I was instantly equal parts furious and desperate for the next book. That twist completely changed the game, and now I need to know what kind of chaos it’s going to unleash.

Overall, this was a fun, action-packed fantasy with a creative magic system, high-stakes adventure, shocking betrayals, and an ending that will leave you immediately wanting the sequel.

[Booked & Dreaming · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐4.5-star review:
First off, I want to say a huge thank you to the author and The Nerd Family for providing this awesome ARC!
The thing that really hooked me in this book right from the start was the magic system. I found it so intriguing that the characters' abilities are tied to different tattoos on their bodies, created with this special ink. It’s a cool concept that sets the stage for their entire economic, political, and military structure.
Another thing I loved was the writing style. The way the story alternates between past and present, along with the shifting perspectives, really kept me engaged. I felt like I was on an exciting adventure the whole time! The mix of romance and mystery gives it that Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider vibe, which I absolutely adored. There’s always something mysterious to unravel, and the chemistry between the main characters—Davina and Zephyr—is fantastic. They both have their secrets and opposing goals, but their tension and the slow-burn romance kept me turning the pages.
Overall, I had such a great time reading this book, and I can't wait for the next one! If you're looking for something mysterious, adventurous, and filled with slow-burning romance, I highly recommend diving into this story!

[Maaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NerdFam for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

**

What an intriguing story, full of action and adventure. If you like Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones, Relic Hunter, etc, this book is definitely something to check out. I loved it.

The artwork is gorgeous, and we are given plenty of it throughout the book 🤩 I wish I could flip back and forth to the reference materials as I continued reading, as I had questions about the sap and abilities, and I think there are plenty of hints in those reference materials.

I'm actually enjoying the time jumps. I do struggle with them at times, but here it works. It's almost like a movie as we go back and forth through the interrogation and the way things are revealed in those "past" moments. Zephyr also intrigues me, and I hope we get more chapters from his POV, since while the majority of the story is from Davina's sdie, his chapters provide great insight and more questions as well.

I'm loving the forced proximity in many of the chapters, and as Davina and Zephyr find themselves alone, it creates a wonderful tension and crackling of energy. I also like that it isn't easy to tell just who is who, and it creates another wonderful layer to the overall mystery. There were plenty of times when I went back and forth with who was on the good side and who was not. And still I was so surprised when things started unraveling for real.

This is a duology, so it'll take a little bit of time to fully resolve everything (got to love those cliffhangers), but we are left in such a juicy moment that I almost can't wait. I need to know what happens next!

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kobra by Cris G. Wells is perfect for readers who love a treasure hunt between rival nations with a badass FMC, forced proximity, and tattoo-based magic. If you are a fan of The Mummy (1999) and Indiana Jones with a splash of romance (rivals to lovers to enemies?...) then this book is for you.

The main reason I gave this book 4 stars was the way it was written. Kobra starts where the conflict arises, and through the storytelling of Davina and Zephyr, you learn how they ended up where they did. It kept me hooked the whole time. You switch between the past and present, with Davina and Zephyr jumping on each other's narrative to prove the other wrong. Knowing how it ended, it would be interesting to see more of it from Zephyr’s POV and especially his back story.

There are four main characters on this treasure hunt: Davina Lachlan, Armand Bleuombre, Zephyr Kentar and Kwabena Yaa. I enjoyed watching the relationship among all four parties grow. The relationship between Davina and Armand was refreshing. It was nice to see them go from colleagues to genuine friends, considering their history together. I hope that in the next book, we get more of their friendship. The chemistry between Davina and Zephyr was off the charts. I felt like they bounced off each other really well, and both could hold their own.

Another thing that I found quite unique was the tattoo-based magic system. Not the tattoos themselves, but how this world utilised each power to improve everyday life. The fact that people aren’t born with it but that it comes from a tree's sap was interesting to read about, especially about the divide it has caused.

The last thing I want to say is: arghhhhhh, that was a messed-up ending. Warning: it does end on a cliffhanger that will make you want to rip your hair out and scream. I can’t wait for the second book to see where the story goes.

[Tara White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I'm always a fan of an epic quest, and this story delivered with an adventure that kept me turning the pages. It gave me major *Indiana Jones* vibes with its thrilling journey, ancient mysteries, and nonstop sense of discovery. The characters were unique and memorable, and I especially loved the banter and flirtation between Centurion Davina Lachlan and Captain Zephyr Kentar. Their chemistry added just the right amount of romance without overshadowing the adventure, and since it's fade-to-black, the focus stays on the story itself. I also loved the dual timeline, with Davina recounting the events of their journey while the story shifts between the past and present, adding intrigue and making me eager to uncover what really happened. Historical fantasy is one of my favorite subgenres because it always feels like such a unique reading experience, and this book completely immersed me in its world. If you enjoy adventurous historical fantasy with epic quests, witty banter, a slow-building romance, and just a hint of spice, I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR!

[Libby Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted Advance Reader Copy! 🐍

All of the following opinions are my own.

This book felt like an adventure movie! The use of time jumps/flashbacks and the expedition style plot line made this a fast paced and fun read. The journey the two main characters go on is reminiscent of Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider. We get to explore catacombs and pyramids and a lot more!

I found the magic system to be really interesting and unique. Sap ink tattoos grant characters unusual abilities, at least for those lucky enough to get them 😉 This story is told from dual POV and our two main characters are enemies -> reluctant allies -> lovers with some exciting back and forth in between! Davina and Zephyr are both powerful, intelligent, driven and stubborn characters who keep fighting over who gets the last word and the upper hand until the very end 🤭

Overall, the pacing of this book kept my attention, especially the last 15 chapters things really heat up. This book ends on a shocking cliffhanger that’s left me eager to read the next one!🫣

#kobra #thenerdfam

[Amara F]

*I was given this book as an eArc but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*

Thank you to the Nerd family for gifting me an arc of this book. Not sure how I feel about it though. I was under the impression of it being Indiana Jones and tomb raider feeling/vibes however the very first chapter, there’s an apparition. There’s a magic system and it felt almost dystopian. That just totally threw me off. I had certain expectations based off the description of the book so I think when I went to read it and it was different then I thought, it took me out of the story. I might have liked the story more if I wasn’t automatically taken out of the story when I first dived into it.

The story is alright. I like the premise. The duel timeline as mentioned from others is hard to keep track of.

2.5-3 stars. I most likely would not have picked up this book if I knew more about the story. I wanted more of an Indiana jones vibe but it was more magical and new world for my liking.

[Nicola Reynoldson (nics_timetoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I would like to thank the author and the Nerdfam for gifting me this fantastic ARC.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kobra completely exceeded my expectations and is easily one of my favourite reads of the year. If you love the adventure and puzzle-solving of National Treasure mixed with the action, danger, and ancient ruins of Tomb Raider, then you need to pick this up.

Davina is sent into enemy territory to help locate a legendary well of Sap, hidden by the very doctor who first discovered that when Sap is inked onto a person’s skin, it grants incredible powers. Her reluctant partner is Zephyr, her enemy in every sense of the word, and watching them navigate their uneasy alliance while trying to stay one step ahead of danger was absolutely captivating.

The adventure is relentless. From trap filled pyramids to treacherous mountain climbs, every chapter had me completely hooked. Cris G. Wells has created a fascinating world with just the right balance of action, mystery, and lore, and I loved uncovering each new piece of the puzzle alongside the characters.

Some people will find the changes it timeline disruptive but for me it made the hunt more interesting and it meant that in a world of instant gratification this book was written to savour.

The twists were brilliant, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the story took another unexpected turn. That ending completely blindsided me in the best possible way and now I’m counting down the days until I can get my hands on the final book in the duology.

This was my first book by Cris G. Wells, and it definitely won’t be my last. Discovering a new author who can keep me this invested is always exciting, and Kobra delivered everything I wanted: adventure, tension, clever mysteries, unforgettable characters, and a finale that left me desperate for more.

An absolute five-star read that I can’t recommend highly enough

[Karla Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was a fantastic read! It had me captivated right away. It sorta gives Indian Jones vibes. It follows Davina Lachlan who is tasked to locate the hidden sap that is already scarce but provides special abilities that can differ depending on the location and shape it's tattooed. She must team up with another nations captain to locate it before a group of rebels find it and destroy it.

What was really interesting in how this story was written is it takes place a month prior and present time. So it jumps back and forth working towards connecting the story together. It also switches POV between Zephyr (MMC) and Davina (FMC).

This story had adventure, mystery and enemies to lovers. The story was extremely unique and it completely set up book two and I cannot wait until it comes out. This was a 5 star read! One of my top reads of the year! Thank you so much to Cris G Wells for allowing me on the arc team for this.

[Sheree · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapter of Kobra left me slightly confused, but I was quickly drawn into the way the story unfolded.

The dual timeline gradually reveals the events of the characters’ search for a hidden stockpile of sap, with the retelling slowly leading towards their current situation. I enjoyed piecing everything together as new details and secrets were uncovered.

The magic system was especially unique, with sap inked into people but only taking if they are compatible. I also enjoyed the tension between Davina and Zephyr. I would have liked to see their relationship develop further, but I’m sure there will be more of this in the next book.

The final chapter delivered twist after twist, completely shifting what I thought I knew and leaving me desperate to find out what happens next.

I’d recommend Kobra to fantasy readers who enjoy dual timelines, distinctive magic systems, slow-building tension, and stories filled with secrets and unexpected turns.

[Agostina S.L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It’s just as good as true hero. I love the characters and their badassery. I really like the fact that they are equally strong in their on ways and respect that about each other. The story is different than others romantasies I read, but original and amazing all the same. I love books with strong characters and an amazing world and this is it. The world building and descriptions are great. There is a bit of back and forth in timelines which normally confuses me but it’s really well done and even if you don’t read at the start of the chapter where it says the timeline you are on, it’s still really easy to know just on the context alone.
Recommend this book 10/10 if you are looking fore an original and amazing romantasy

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for my ARC!

Kobra dumps you in the middle of the action with Davina who is wounded trying to hide while on a mission to find sap. This 1930’s adventure story sucked me in and Davina is no damsel in distress.

This has dual timelines and dual POVs, which I liked the idea of, but it became difficult for me to follow and keep track of what was going on. Multiple times I was confused while reading. I didn’t really feel the chemistry between Zephyr and Davina either because I felt like it was one-sided.

I hope with the second book their relationship developes more and the storyline is not as confusing to follow.

I would give this book a chance if you’re looking for a fun summer read.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read this early (thank you to the Nerd Fam!)

This was an incredibly original story. I’ve never seen sap-based tattoo magic before. Paired with The Mummy (1990) and Tomb Raider vibes we had a lot of fun mystery and treasure hunting elements to follow.

I found myself having a hard time staying present in the story as it is told in time jumps which had me losing momentum while I was reading and sometimes made the action feel disjointed. This might have been a me thing but I had a hard time process it though others might not have that problem!

There is one heck of a twist and cliffhanger at the end that I greatly enjoyed and had me flipping past the epilogue hoping for more!

[Tessa De Wit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for an early copy of this book!

I found this story to be so adventurous and unique! It had almost an Indiana Jones feel to it, as the characters search for "treasure". The fmc and mmc are rivals/enemies to... well, that is yet to be determined! All I know is that there is some really good tension between the two of them!

I thought the way this story was written was different and interesting. It is a dual timeline, in which the fmc is being interrogated in the present, and it jumps backwards in time as she's answering questions (telling her side of the story). It took me a few chapters to get the hang of how the story was being told, but once I got it, I really enjoyed it!

I will definitely continue this series! 4.25 stars

[Keona Mistisshen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I even begin with this review?? 😅

This book has me HOOKED from the get go. Our first impression of our FMC is she’s on the run, wounded, and then taken capture. Again—instantly hooked. I was even happier to learn it was dual POV!!

I loved how the author flipped from past to present so seamlessly, I wasn’t once taken out of the book (I literally finished this in 5 hours) I know this one’s not even out yet but I NEED the second book, especially after that ending. The romance and the betrayal, the warring feeling our FMC was going through was written so well!!

Thank you for the author for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review ❤️ I can’t wait for the next one

[Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐
ARC Note: Thank you to Nerd Fam for this gifted eARC and reader community!

For fans of Indiana Jones, Jasad Heir, & Throne of Glass -
FMC Davina is a force to be reckoned with...
And MMC Zephyr? He’s wrecking her...

The first thing you notice when starting Kobra is the amazing in-universe documents... It’s a beautiful opening that leaves you with an eagerness to dive in and find out what it all means. From page 1, we know that their adventuring ends with Davina in a trap. But how did she get in this predicament? Follow two POVs and flashbacks to find out what happened in Kobra...

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had so much potential. I loved the Tomb Raised vibes, the magic system and rebellion, the treasure hunt aspect. It should have easily been a 4 star read at least for me.

Unfortunately, the narrative pacing and voice were all over the place. The scenes in the past were actually fantastic. But during the present scenes, they diverged widely. It’s almost like the dialogue was originally written as narrative and then some quotation marks were slapped on it? It drove me crazy.

I really think this could be improved by a strong edit.