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The Goddess of Serpents and Survivors
"Goddess, cloaked in serpents, answer the prayers of the abused, and take us where no one can follow..." Queen Nyra of Saeris has built something the world was never meant to see—a hidden sanctuary for those condemned by the Purity Laws, concealed beneath a kingdom renowned for its impossible peace. Protecting it has cost her everything. When the powerful vampire king, Aurelian Deagonhart, offers marriage in exchange for an alliance, Nyra has no choice but to accept. To safeguard her people and keep her secrets buried, she'll endure whatever is necessary. After all, she's survived a husband before. Aurelian never wanted a bride. He came seeking answers. Nyra has accomplished what he has spent years trying—and failing—to achieve, and he's determined to uncover how. But the closer he gets to the enigmatic queen, the more she challenges everything he believes. Attraction grows alongside suspicion, and each discovery draws him deeper into a web of secrets he may not be prepared to unravel. Because if Nyra's truth is exposed, her sanctuary will be destroyed. And if Aurelian is wrong about her, everything he's built could come crashing down with it.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2026
About the author
Gabrielle Eismann
1 book2 followersGabrielle Eismann is a trauma therapist, psychology professor, and dark romance author with an anxious attachment to fictional morally gray men who are walking red flags.
Her therapist brain has several concerns.
When she's not overanalyzing her life choices (or those of her fictional boyfriends), she enjoys writing stories about love, survival, enthusiastic consent, and reclaiming your power through questionable decisions and a healthy dose of stoner humor.
Her therapist brain has several concerns.
When she's not overanalyzing her life choices (or those of her fictional boyfriends), she enjoys writing stories about love, survival, enthusiastic consent, and reclaiming your power through questionable decisions and a healthy dose of stoner humor.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a story about healing. Healing yourself and offering a safe space for others to heal, too. A space to feel safe and comfortable. A space to finally let go of everything holding you back. This isn’t an easy journey. It is a road filled with obstacles and lurking dangers. And still, it is a road that, once taken, offers deliverance at its end. It offers the most powerful gift of all: the power to be yourself and be confident in that.
The Goddess of Serpents and Survivors is a dark romance with fantasy elements. But it is so much more than that. It is a story about understanding. A story about consent and choice. This is a love story built on trust, one that is not given, but earned. Gabrielle did a beautiful job of showing each step of their journey, each moment leading to the fulfillment of their vows to one another. Vows are mere words, but it’s the actions that make them real.
This isn’t a typical romantasy, and I’m glad it isn’t. This is something more, something deeper, and something worth experiencing.
The Goddess of Serpents and Survivors is a dark romance with fantasy elements. But it is so much more than that. It is a story about understanding. A story about consent and choice. This is a love story built on trust, one that is not given, but earned. Gabrielle did a beautiful job of showing each step of their journey, each moment leading to the fulfillment of their vows to one another. Vows are mere words, but it’s the actions that make them real.
This isn’t a typical romantasy, and I’m glad it isn’t. This is something more, something deeper, and something worth experiencing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC from the author.
I give the book 3,5/5 stars.
The book wasn’t bad, but it didn’t read very smoothly, in my opinion.
At certain moments, the story was worth 5 stars, and at other times I thought it was only worth 2 stars and wanted to skip passages because it didn’t flow well.
The story did build up nicely, but I often felt like the same emotions and elements were repeating themselves.
I don’t have a problem with certain themes, but here, the way they dealt with everything sometimes came across as a bit cringeworthy.
Both the female lead and the male lead have each endured severe trauma and help each other move forward without putting each other down.
You can feel the romantic story developing between them, but it’s a shame that their traumas dampen it.
I give the book 3,5/5 stars.
The book wasn’t bad, but it didn’t read very smoothly, in my opinion.
At certain moments, the story was worth 5 stars, and at other times I thought it was only worth 2 stars and wanted to skip passages because it didn’t flow well.
The story did build up nicely, but I often felt like the same emotions and elements were repeating themselves.
I don’t have a problem with certain themes, but here, the way they dealt with everything sometimes came across as a bit cringeworthy.
Both the female lead and the male lead have each endured severe trauma and help each other move forward without putting each other down.
You can feel the romantic story developing between them, but it’s a shame that their traumas dampen it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book but I am leaving this review voluntarily and this review is wholly my own.
I felt like I was all over the place with this book. Sometimes it was 5 stars and sometimes it was 3 stars. This book is mostly about trauma and consent and taking back your body and control. That’s first and foremost. The fantasy elements are secondary in my opinion. I think the fantasy elements are 3 stars for me because they are barely there. It’s like there is this whole new world and magic system right under the surface but you barely get to know anything about it. There isnt much action. Most of the book is the two main characters talking in a room. But I think if you can just put that to the side and understand it’s not really the main purpose of the book, there is a beautiful story between two people and how they help each other heal. Looking at the book from that perspective makes it stronger in my opinion.
I felt like I was all over the place with this book. Sometimes it was 5 stars and sometimes it was 3 stars. This book is mostly about trauma and consent and taking back your body and control. That’s first and foremost. The fantasy elements are secondary in my opinion. I think the fantasy elements are 3 stars for me because they are barely there. It’s like there is this whole new world and magic system right under the surface but you barely get to know anything about it. There isnt much action. Most of the book is the two main characters talking in a room. But I think if you can just put that to the side and understand it’s not really the main purpose of the book, there is a beautiful story between two people and how they help each other heal. Looking at the book from that perspective makes it stronger in my opinion.
Read
October 20, 2026Thankyou to the author for the ARC.
The goddess of serpents and survivors is a debut, standalone, consent driven dark romance by Gabrielle Eismann. Thankyou author for considering me to arc read the book.
First, the character art, just wow. It is literally so pretty! Aurie and nyra look so pretty, also the banter between them? They are both so preety, adorable and understanding.
This romance is dark, he’s a vampire, she’s a goddess of her own empire, okay, but half of the story was not understood by me, my brain decided to log off, and only keep the necessary details or maybe less than that, but I will come back to re read this again because the story is good. Aurie is so devoted and reverent, and patient, it is something fresh to see because dark romance is mostly filled with dark, unapologetic heroes, meanwhile my aurie was the sweetest vampire alive.
I loved their love story, it was a pleasant read. The main element of this book was consent and it was done beautifully. Consent driven heroes in a dark romance book are my new empire now. I need more or them. But i also don’t mind the opposite of Aurelian. A vampire, a dark romance and a goddess who speaks what she wants, we love that.
Nyra is so sweet, sassy, and adorable in her own way, she treats Aurelian like a doll sometimes, so pretty, asking him if she touches his claws, would he purr, what would he do? Ah, the domestic moments between them were so cute and swoony. I loved that.
I would come back to re read this book again. Thankyou Gabrielle for letting me read an ARC copy, i’n leaving an honest review voluntarily.
The goddess of serpents and survivors is a debut, standalone, consent driven dark romance by Gabrielle Eismann. Thankyou author for considering me to arc read the book.
First, the character art, just wow. It is literally so pretty! Aurie and nyra look so pretty, also the banter between them? They are both so preety, adorable and understanding.
This romance is dark, he’s a vampire, she’s a goddess of her own empire, okay, but half of the story was not understood by me, my brain decided to log off, and only keep the necessary details or maybe less than that, but I will come back to re read this again because the story is good. Aurie is so devoted and reverent, and patient, it is something fresh to see because dark romance is mostly filled with dark, unapologetic heroes, meanwhile my aurie was the sweetest vampire alive.
I loved their love story, it was a pleasant read. The main element of this book was consent and it was done beautifully. Consent driven heroes in a dark romance book are my new empire now. I need more or them. But i also don’t mind the opposite of Aurelian. A vampire, a dark romance and a goddess who speaks what she wants, we love that.
Nyra is so sweet, sassy, and adorable in her own way, she treats Aurelian like a doll sometimes, so pretty, asking him if she touches his claws, would he purr, what would he do? Ah, the domestic moments between them were so cute and swoony. I loved that.
I would come back to re read this book again. Thankyou Gabrielle for letting me read an ARC copy, i’n leaving an honest review voluntarily.
Did Not Finish
October 16, 2026I received an advanced reading copy from the author and my review is my own honest opinion. Thank you for this opportunity.
Unfortunately this book is not for me so I won't finish.
It's the inner monologue style, dialogue some of their interactions, and the way the consent concept (the main plot of the book) is carried out by the FMC very early on. It just isn't a book for me.
One small thing to be aware of, if it matters to you, both MCs are bi/don't care about gender and have been in quite serious sexual (and possibly emotional, that was vague) relationships with others for years. Prior to their political marriage to each other.
They seem very attracted to each other and it probably won't matter to their love story but for some it might be important how it is queer normative with the MCs themselves, not just side characters.
Unfortunately this book is not for me so I won't finish.
It's the inner monologue style, dialogue some of their interactions, and the way the consent concept (the main plot of the book) is carried out by the FMC very early on. It just isn't a book for me.
One small thing to be aware of, if it matters to you, both MCs are bi/don't care about gender and have been in quite serious sexual (and possibly emotional, that was vague) relationships with others for years. Prior to their political marriage to each other.
They seem very attracted to each other and it probably won't matter to their love story but for some it might be important how it is queer normative with the MCs themselves, not just side characters.
October 21, 2026
Sadly, this book wasn't the right fit for me. I found it difficult to connect with the plot and characters, and ultimately decided to DNF. That said, this is purely a matter of personal preference and not a reflection of the author's skill or effort. I'm sure many readers will enjoy what this story has to offer.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the absolute pleasure to read this book when it was in it's early stages, and it has everything. Genuinely believable badass female main character. Political intrigue. Vampires. A grumpy/sunshine side plot. Gabrielle has done an excellent job of balancing romance with heightened stakes while addressing trauma and survivorship with the poise and competence of a trained therapist.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews