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ahpotts's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
ranniewhitlock's review
4.0
Can’t believe this is the only Jeff Zentner book I hadn’t read - this is definitely my favorite besides Rayne And Delilah’s Midnite Matinee, which you can’t directly compare to this because the tones are so different.
I love how Jeff Zentner, throughout all his books, handles things like small Southern towns, as well as faith, with lots of nuance. He notes the good and the bad, and the struggles that people have between those extremes. The Serpent King really leans into that tension, and I was impressed at how it all played out.
I really liked these characters. Even Lydia, who made me grimace because she could be super rude was at least consistently rude and not just when it could serve as cutesy dialogue. I could see both the strength and weakness of her personality, and rooted for her even when she was annoying.
Also! The romance felt natural! And developed!
I’ll miss these characters, and I’m looking forward to reading Zentner’s upcoming novel.
I love how Jeff Zentner, throughout all his books, handles things like small Southern towns, as well as faith, with lots of nuance. He notes the good and the bad, and the struggles that people have between those extremes. The Serpent King really leans into that tension, and I was impressed at how it all played out.
I really liked these characters. Even Lydia, who made me grimace because she could be super rude was at least consistently rude and not just when it could serve as cutesy dialogue. I could see both the strength and weakness of her personality, and rooted for her even when she was annoying.
Also! The romance felt natural! And developed!
I’ll miss these characters, and I’m looking forward to reading Zentner’s upcoming novel.
hailey03's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kpjt_books's review
4.0
Lovely read. A coming of age story steeped in the South with characters real enough you expect them to walk out of the pages.
lexslittlecorner's review against another edition
4.0
I walked into this book not knowing or expecting much, and if I'd been wearing any socks it would have blown them off.
Set in Southern America in the bible belt, I certainly had a few reservations about reading this book but I quickly learned this is not a religious preachy story. It's a story about how despite the differences that people believe should that stop you following what will make you happy?
Alternating between 3 characters POV's as they enter their final year of high school in a small town, we start with our main protagonist Dillard Early. With his father of the same name, a Preacher having been jailed for his sins, Dill struggles with small town life after his fathers convictions. Dill struggles to find out who he is and what he wants to do with his life. With both his mother and father convincing him that he is responsible for his fathers circumstances and that he owes it to the family to leave school and work to pay off the family's debt. Dill doesn't know what he wants, but he knows the end of school means one of his best friends leaving for college and leaving him behind to stack shelves at the supermarket.
Enter best friend #1, Lydia a fashion obsessed blogger looking for her ticket out of this town. She dreams big and believes anyone can achieve their dreams. If you want something badly enough put the work in and you'll get it, is her motto. She tries to show Dill and Travis that they don't have to be stuck doing what their parents did, high school - dead end job - family - issues - depression. Lydia will do anything for her friends and wants to see them happy. Everyone needs a Lydia in their life. Essentially she's Dill and Travis' personal cheerleader.
And then there's Travis best friend #2, the odd ball of a trio of oddballs dressing all in black with his dragon necklace and staff. He surrounds himself in the fantasy world of his favourite book series 'Bloodfall', spending his time in forums discussing plot theories and the upcoming final book release all in an effort to escape his shitty life with his shitty dad.
The Serpent King is a surprising story of how three people all from the same town but all with different family lives want nothing more than a better life, whatever that may be.
Set in Southern America in the bible belt, I certainly had a few reservations about reading this book but I quickly learned this is not a religious preachy story. It's a story about how despite the differences that people believe should that stop you following what will make you happy?
Alternating between 3 characters POV's as they enter their final year of high school in a small town, we start with our main protagonist Dillard Early. With his father of the same name, a Preacher having been jailed for his sins, Dill struggles with small town life after his fathers convictions. Dill struggles to find out who he is and what he wants to do with his life. With both his mother and father convincing him that he is responsible for his fathers circumstances and that he owes it to the family to leave school and work to pay off the family's debt. Dill doesn't know what he wants, but he knows the end of school means one of his best friends leaving for college and leaving him behind to stack shelves at the supermarket.
Enter best friend #1, Lydia a fashion obsessed blogger looking for her ticket out of this town. She dreams big and believes anyone can achieve their dreams. If you want something badly enough put the work in and you'll get it, is her motto. She tries to show Dill and Travis that they don't have to be stuck doing what their parents did, high school - dead end job - family - issues - depression. Lydia will do anything for her friends and wants to see them happy. Everyone needs a Lydia in their life. Essentially she's Dill and Travis' personal cheerleader.
And then there's Travis best friend #2, the odd ball of a trio of oddballs dressing all in black with his dragon necklace and staff. He surrounds himself in the fantasy world of his favourite book series 'Bloodfall', spending his time in forums discussing plot theories and the upcoming final book release all in an effort to escape his shitty life with his shitty dad.
The Serpent King is a surprising story of how three people all from the same town but all with different family lives want nothing more than a better life, whatever that may be.
caveatlectors's review
5.0
I was recommended this as an audiobook from a dear friend. What she didn’t mention to me was that I was going to bawl my eyes out for over a hour. This is my first book by this author and I also didn’t know what it was about. I didn’t read the synopsis so when I found out it’s based in TN I enjoyed it even more because it involved places I’ve visited or wanted to visit. Living in KY means the audiobook also brought out my country accent which I wasn’t raised with.
.
It has been quite away since a book has made me hurt and bawl. I enjoyed every second of this, the world I was set into, the friendships, the dilemmas, and giggles it brought out of me. If you’re looking for a good cry, this will do it. It also brings you into a world that I’ve never heard of any other author writing about, the world of priests/preachers handling snakes are part of religious reasoning.
.
It has been quite away since a book has made me hurt and bawl. I enjoyed every second of this, the world I was set into, the friendships, the dilemmas, and giggles it brought out of me. If you’re looking for a good cry, this will do it. It also brings you into a world that I’ve never heard of any other author writing about, the world of priests/preachers handling snakes are part of religious reasoning.
mmardybum's review
i thought it wouldnt get to me, but it did. and then it all went downhill with the romance bullshit thingy.
jolierice99's review
5.0
Oh my god, had pretty low expectations for this book, but it was SO GOOD. I just blew through it, and couldn't put it down. But watch out, I also ugly tired for like 20 minutes, so there's that. But totally worth the read, it was heart-wrenching and fantastic, I loved it so much.