Embrace the Serpent

Gr 8 Up–A romantic fantasy that follows Saphira, an 18-year-old who ran away from being a palace ward years ago. She does her best to hide as an apprentice to Galen, a jewelsmith who takes credit for Saphira’s work. This setup works well until Galen offends the court and Lady Incarnadine sets a task that Saphira will not be able to complete. She runs to Rane, who makes a deal with her—become the Serpent King’s jewelsmith and be given freedom. This plan does not go accordingly, and Saphira finds herself in more trouble than ever before. While this is a fine read, it does not bring anything new to YA fantasy. Saphira fits the familiar mold of a tough orphan with hidden magic, but she lacks the depth or originality to stand out. The story moves at a slow pace, with many repetitive chase sequences, and the big reveal is predictable for experienced fantasy readers. The villains of the story do not stand out; a golem character named Grimney steals the show in many scenes.