Scars Beneath a Serpent's Scales

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.

©2026 Nicole Platania

A Book Like Never Before!

This book is the most perfect concoction of fantasy, celestial magic, slow burn romance (with a dash of spice) and murder mystery! Have never read a book like this yet, it was truly a masterpiece and a book I’d highly recommend!!

Almost Had It...

The story: a solid, interesting premise. but it never fully hits the mark. the world isn't fully fleshed out, the magic seems pointless, and even though for a big chunk of the book nothing much happens, there's still holes or things that don't truly make sense.

the audio: the female reader did a good job, but the male reader sounds much older for a 32 year old. it felt like the characters dad reading and repeatedly pulled me from the story.

Hoped for more

It was hard to follow while working I feel like you really needed to pay attention it didn't feel like it had a good flow, the spice seemed like it was just thrown on there which felt odd bc I thought the build up to it was going well. The magic was kind of put on the back burner even though it was a major point in the whole thing. I had to go back and listen to chapters again multiple times so I just don't think it was a good one for me. clearly people really enjoyed it I just don't think it's a good one to listen to unless you give it your full attention. The female narrator was great, but the choice of male narrator didn't fit well. The male narrator is an incredible narrator it just felt disjointed that he was the MMC in this book.

Yearning

Good narration, good banter and yearning. Overall murder mystery and good set up for next one.