Scars Beneath a Serpent’s Scales ALC Review

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Scars Beneath a Serpent's Scales (The Fatesworn Saga, #1) by Nicole Platania
Narrator: Annalee Scott, Xander Stone
Series: The Fatesworn Saga #1
Published by Stars Inked Press Inc., Tantor Media on March 26, 2026
Length: 19 hours and 4 minutes
Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy & Magic
Pages: 570
Format: ALC
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads

What is inevitable?
Emmeline DeLeoste has always talked to the stars. As a member of a fortune-telling warrior clan, her exceptional magic allows her to read the Fates, earning her a prestigious Academy job. But it has also cost her everyone she loves.
Roremar Silventa has more responsibilities than any man should. Combined with his Reckless reputation haunting his every step, it’s left him burdened in more ways than one.
When women start disappearing from the drug-infested Isle of Lyra, Emmeline and Roremar are tasked with finding the culprit due to their unique skillsets. In return, each is offered the one thing they can’t refuse. There’s only one problem: the pair couldn’t be more different.
Amid mounting threats from the Fates, and with a murderer creeping closer, Emmeline and Roremar strike up an alliance only to realize that, despite their differences, or perhaps because of them, they may understand each other in a way no one else can. Can they unveil fated pasts and catch a killer before they lose their lives–or their hearts?
Everyone on Lyra has a secret, and some things may be inevitable after all.
Scars Beneath a Serpent’s Scales is the first book in an Adult Romantic Fantasy series full of celestial magic, murder mystery, and sizzling, star crossed love. It is recommended for fans of Chloe C. Peñaranda, Sarah A. Parker, and Kayla Edwards.

 Julie’s Review:

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for a the ALC chance to experience Scars Beneath a Serpent’s Scales (The Fatesworn Saga) on audiobook.

This book is told in alternating POV between Roremar “Reckless” and Emmeline the fate-reader aka “Huntress” (yes I love these nicknames) and the audio is dual style between two narrators. I really enjoyed the female voice narration as she does male voices very well. The male voice narration was great for the male lead, but I didn’t love his female voices. Overall this was a good audiobook to enjoy this story, but I think would have been much better in a duet style rather than alternating chapters.

This book is a slow sloooow burn murder mystery fantasy. The magic system is celestial magic and interesting take on the patron fates and humans tied to a specific fate. And these fate ties have a lot of impact on their humans. The fate reading is done in riddles, and the meanings of the riddles are not easily determined. I suppose that’s not much different than tarot readings though. On top of the fate riddles, all the characters are keeping so many secrets. So it unravels very slowly.

Emmeline and Roremar are paired to investigate a series of murders and as they unravel the clues and the tension between them grows, the stakes get higher. We do have the typical trope of each thinking the other is safer/better off without them. “You will be her ruin.” But these reluctant allies eventually can’t deny their feelings. Then there’s this spicy scene with a no touching no kissing rule… followed by some beautiful shared words. Sooo much yearning and yet still pushing each other away.

But again I say it is slowwww. The trope list even says torturously slow. It’s not lying. It’s not just the romance that is slow, but the story takes a while to get going as more women are disappearing and being discovered unalived with a strange tattoo, and the investigation is not moving quickly. This is a long book (almost 600 pages) and I get a bit (or quite a bit) bored when books feel the need to meander and take their time to get somewhere exciting. This is not a book I could read quickly and for hours at a time as it isn’t fast-action packed for the most part, but it did hold my attention in shorter sittings.

I did really like the writing style. It is lyrical and elegant which pairs well with the celestial magic. I also enjoyed the main characters being actual adults (late 20s/early 30s).

Then we get to the last part and the twists and gut wrenching turn of events left me gasping. Finally unmasking who the actual killer was… well that was a painful revelation. And that reveal at the end? Oh girl that was a bombshell! I wish the pacing in the first half of the book was more like the second half.

Tropes/Microtropes:

• Murder mystery
• Allies to lovers
• Forced to work together
• Slow burn
• Celestial magic
• Star crossed & prophesied lovers
• She’s an academy instructor
• He’s the reckless warrior instructing her
• He falls first
• Forehead kisses
• There’s only one seat in the row boat
• “We couldn’t be more different”
• Banter
• Absolute heartbreak
• Antagonistic nicknames that become soft nicknames
• SLUTTY RINGS AND TATTOOS
• “I’ll keep you safe”

 

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