Nox Winters and the Stygian Serpent: Book 2 - An Eerie Middle Grade Fantasy Where a Keeper Faces Trickster Gods

Nox Winters Chronicles #2

by Rochelle Hassan

The second book in a rich, eerie middle grade fantasy duology full of magic, monsters, and miles and miles of untamed forest, from Rochelle Hassan, author of The Prince of Nowhere. Perfect for fans of Over the Garden Wall and Serafina and the Black Cloak.

After Nox’s narrow escape from the Nightwood last fall, he had no intention of ever returning. It doesn’t matter that he’s a Keeper of Night, destined to guard and rule over the forest. He never wanted the title or the power; it wasn’t his choice, so as far as he’s concerned, it’s not his problem.

But when an old friend comes to Nox for help, he can’t refuse. He agrees to go back to the Nightwood one more time, a decision that sends him on a harrowing journey into the mountains at the edge of the forest. There, he and his friends fall prey to a trickster deity of good fortune, whose games they must win if they want to survive. But victory may require Nox to do the one thing he swore he wouldn’t—accept his magical inheritance and the responsibility that comes with it.

Nox might be ready to put the Nightwood behind him. But the Nightwood isn’t ready to let him go.

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2025

About the author

Rochelle Hassan is an author of middle grade and young adult fiction, including The Prince of Nowhere, The Buried and the Bound, and Nox Winters and the Midnight Wolf. She lives in New York.

Reviews

[Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun middle grade adventure complete with dark woods, unlikely heroes, and cyclopses. I hadn't read the first in the series, which wasn't necessarily needed for this book, the author did a good job of orienting me to the space. However, it may have endeared the characters to me more. The book did feel a bit long, but kept me engaged in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an audio eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nox and his friends continue their Greek myth influenced adventures, no longer novices, but still learning their new skills and how to work as a team. Thankfully Nox isn't as angry and cranky in this book, so it is a more pleasant read than book 1. Some strange things are happening in the Nightwood. Dead animals are walking into Nox's town and he's trying to ignore the pull to the forest. But when he finds out that his friends in the Nightwood Settlement are in danger, Nox allows Noah and Thea to persuade him to return. Members of the Settlement have disappeared, including Violet's mother, so the young friends go to find them. Danger awaits in many forms, including an encounter with a group of Cyclops and Herculean-like tasks, on their journey to save those they care about. The reader still needs to suspend reality as 13-year olds act like older teenagers and have the wisdom and skill of adults, but that is norm for most books geared for mid-grade readers. One plus in this installment is that the characters are learning from their mistakes - and like Myte, the Wayfinder states, "Learning is important." Hopefully this trend continues for Nox and his friends.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully heartfelt, fast-paced read, I was glad to return to the creepy and mysterious world of the Nightwoods with Nox and co.! I love how we got to see Nox, Noah, and Thea each face their conflicting feelings about their first run though the Nightwoods and getting to spend more time with the settlement’s inhabitants was a treat too. The trials set by this book’s antagonist were interesting as well. The only thing that confused me was this book’s title as, even though there was a large snake character, he was hardly the main focus.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that Nox learns more about the Nightwood and his duties as a Keeper. Rochelle Hassan did a great job introducing all of the new characters and helping Nox navigate his new world. I look forward to reading the next book in the series when it has been written and published.

Jacob McNatt did a great job narrating this story and I hope they continue to narrate the series.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5