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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
A powerful, poignant little novel about the power of friendship and the strength of independence. Emotionally rich, narratively gratifying, and profoundly genuine at every turn of the page, Zentner doesn't hit a false note. I will never forget these characters. Keep a box of tissues near you while you read.
Sad, funny, inspiring and beautifully written! I grew to love all three of the main characters quickly and went on the rollercoaster of emotions Jeff Zentner supplies with this story. I only wish that he had done an epilogue that maybe went like 4 or 5 years into the future so that I knew how well they turned out.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not going to give a true review because I had to finish the book for class, with that being said had it not being for class the book probably would've been marked 'dnf'.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Violence, Religious bigotry
Maybe I’m just at an angsty time in my life, but these YA novels are totally speaking to me. I didn’t want to stop reading this book. It really drew me in and I fell in love with Dill, Travis, and Lydia. I loved that we got a glimpse at people on both sides of the tracks, and that each character got an arc of their own. I laughed and cried and cheered with them.
Some people seem turned off by the “broad characterization of Christianity” in the novel, but I felt like it was actually pretty nuanced. Not all Christians are radicals, but Dill’s parents just happen to be that way; and his reaction I think has a lot to say about the goodness of religion. So that wasn’t an issue for me. In fact it added to the overall feel of the book that I loved.
Some people seem turned off by the “broad characterization of Christianity” in the novel, but I felt like it was actually pretty nuanced. Not all Christians are radicals, but Dill’s parents just happen to be that way; and his reaction I think has a lot to say about the goodness of religion. So that wasn’t an issue for me. In fact it added to the overall feel of the book that I loved.
emotional
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
THE SENIOR YEAR PROJECT BOOK #9
The Serpent King
What a disappointment.
1. The plot went nowhere
2. How everyone bowed down to Lydia was annoying
3.Killing of Travis was such a hack
I skimmed through the last 25% because it got on my nerves so much
The Serpent King
What a disappointment.
1. The plot went nowhere
2. How everyone bowed down to Lydia was annoying
3.
I skimmed through the last 25% because it got on my nerves so much
This book was the definition of an "it was OK" book for me. It was just absolute meh. It didn't move me, it didn't inspire me, it didn't grip me, and nothing jumped out at me. I didn't connect with the characters, and I honestly only felt something toward Travis, since he was the biggest outcast, even among his group of friends. I don't have much to say about this book other than that I won't really recommend it to anyone. To further make my point, it took me 3 weeks to finish this book—that's how NOT into it I was!
When I picked up this book I expected a fantasy or something like The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. Instead, I got an amazingly realistic book about a trio of friends in a small town in Tennessee. I got the chance to get to know these three characters and care about all of them. I got to read as each of them pushed one another to be their best selves.
I thought, based on the title, that this would be a fantastical tale. I thought, based on the narrators, that this would be a lot like The Raven Cycle. I'm glad I was wrong. I had issues with the narrator for The Raven Cycle, but these narrators for The Serpent King were amazing. They immersed you in the world of Tennessee but didn't over do it. They sounded just like the teens they were meant to be portraying. I definitely recommend this audiobook. The southern lilt was a pleasure to listen to. I live in Texas so I get enough of that from my grandparents, but it was still a nice listen.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to get to know the son of a imprisoned creepy preacher man, the bulky teen boy obsessed with books instead of football, and the nerdy teen girl who wants to get out of her hick town and thrive in the big city. If you want to get to really know these characters who have a few tropes but shine brightly, then read this book. If you want a tale of friendship, love, hope, difficulty, and so much more, then read this book.
I haven't written a longish review like this in a while but I couldn't help myself. I loved this book and I'm so glad I decided to pick it up. Zentner dives into issues of family, identity, and a whole lot more. He does an amazing job of making you care for these characters. I could see this book becoming a movie one day. I'd love to see these teens portrayed on the big screen. This is an incredible story.
I thought, based on the title, that this would be a fantastical tale. I thought, based on the narrators, that this would be a lot like The Raven Cycle. I'm glad I was wrong. I had issues with the narrator for The Raven Cycle, but these narrators for The Serpent King were amazing. They immersed you in the world of Tennessee but didn't over do it. They sounded just like the teens they were meant to be portraying. I definitely recommend this audiobook. The southern lilt was a pleasure to listen to. I live in Texas so I get enough of that from my grandparents, but it was still a nice listen.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to get to know the son of a imprisoned creepy preacher man, the bulky teen boy obsessed with books instead of football, and the nerdy teen girl who wants to get out of her hick town and thrive in the big city. If you want to get to really know these characters who have a few tropes but shine brightly, then read this book. If you want a tale of friendship, love, hope, difficulty, and so much more, then read this book.
I haven't written a longish review like this in a while but I couldn't help myself. I loved this book and I'm so glad I decided to pick it up. Zentner dives into issues of family, identity, and a whole lot more. He does an amazing job of making you care for these characters. I could see this book becoming a movie one day. I'd love to see these teens portrayed on the big screen. This is an incredible story.
Jeff Zentner's debut novel is a gut punch of magnificent proportions. Dill's backstory is something that I've never read before in a YA novel. The son of an imprisoned signs (revivalist snake handling, poison drinking brand of Christianity) minister is dealing with the aftermath of his father being caught with inappropriate material on his computer. Everyone in Forrestville already thought Dill was a weirdo, now everyone thinks he's a perv too. the only people who have his back are his friend Lydia, who is laying plans to leave Tennessee to pursue fashion in New York, and his friend Travis, a kid obsessed with a fantasy series that seems to be based on the Song of Ice and Fire series.
There are many tragedies that befall these three and somehow, Dill makes it through the hardships by finding his roots in music (his band Dearly shows up in Zentner's other novels) and the love of his friends.
There are many tragedies that befall these three and somehow, Dill makes it through the hardships by finding his roots in music (his band Dearly shows up in Zentner's other novels) and the love of his friends.
Finished reading: January 5th 2017
“Writing is something that you can learn only by doing. To become a writer, you need an imagination, which you clearly have. You need to read books, which you clearly do. And you need to write, which you don't yet do, but should.”
I've lost count of the times The Serpent King has been recommended to be ever since it was published last year, and I still don't know why it took me this long to finally pick it up. When I first heard about this novel by Jeff Zentner, I had actually somehow mistaken it for a fantasy story (probably because of the title)... But it is actually a very powerful contemporary fiction read I sure wish I would have read sooner. I can definitely understand why so many people seem to love The Serpent King now! This novel is without doubt exceptionally well written with an intriguing plot and well developed, interesting and highly likeable main characters. I loved all three friends, but especially Lydia and Travis stood out for me. As for the plot, I was a little worried about the amount of religious talk included when I first started it, but that soon went to the background. Beautifully written, realistic and basically an emotional rollercoaster... Warning: The Serpent King will mess with your heart, so make sure to have your tissues ready! It doesn't happen often that a book is able to make me laugh and cry at the same time, and I'm sure this story is going to stay with me for a long time. More than recommended for fans of the genre!
When I first heard about this book, I guessed wrong it was going to be fantasy novel. And I'm actually sort of glad it isn't, because The Serpent King is without doubt a very powerful, original and well developed contemporary fiction read. Even though the start was a bit slow, I loved the prose and the character development right from the beginning. It was really easy to connect to the main characters and the things that happen to them will have a huge impact on you as a reader. The Serpent King is basically a well written emotional rollercoaster; make sure to keep your box of tissues at hand!
I hated the first half of this book. I couldn't relate to the characters or the lifestyle at all. Then, in an instant, everything changed. Tears streamed down my face as the sympathy oozed out of my pores. What poor, beautiful, wonderful children. The end was exactly as it should have been.
Unfortunately, I still found it hard to understand the simple life. But for a book touted to appreciate the simple life, we don't see our characters making these kinds of revelations. Instead, the author's note suggests that this book is meant to encourage those small-town kids with big city ambitions.
Also, can I point out that Dillard's parents are some of the most despicable people I have ever read about? They want their son to drop out of high school. They blame him for his father's imprisonment and accuse him of sexual deviancy. They curse him for having college aspirations (and deny evolution). They burden him with their debt. I just don't understand how extremist people like this can possibly exist. They were almost comical in their Bible-thumping sincerity. Really, does the glorious American South actually have people like the Earlys? We are allowed to learn about the universe, and still maintain faith.
Travis's father is also a horrendous man, but at least he got his just desserts. You know he feels guilt and remorse. And we thankfully get to see his world crumble around him.
All I can say is: Thank goodness for Lydia's parents. You saved three children from underachieving and unfulfilled dreams. You gave them hope, love, and support. You pushed them until they finally got where they wanted to be.
I still find it hard to grasp that a substantial portion of Americans live this way, even today. Places where dinosaur computers are coveted. Places where people don't have access to Youtube because of school internet firewalls (and no internet elsewhere). Places where people don't even dare DREAM about top Ivy League schools or recording at professional sound studios. Places where people go up in arms about $123.
I am a university student with all the luxuries in the world to set me up for success. I come from the heart of a major metropolitan city. While not the optimal target market for this book, I still gained a sense of appreciation for the people who still live in this sort of forgotten town.
Unfortunately, I still found it hard to understand the simple life. But for a book touted to appreciate the simple life, we don't see our characters making these kinds of revelations. Instead, the author's note suggests that this book is meant to encourage those small-town kids with big city ambitions.
Also, can I point out that Dillard's parents are some of the most despicable people I have ever read about? They want their son to drop out of high school. They blame him for his father's imprisonment and accuse him of sexual deviancy. They curse him for having college aspirations (and deny evolution). They burden him with their debt. I just don't understand how extremist people like this can possibly exist. They were almost comical in their Bible-thumping sincerity. Really, does the glorious American South actually have people like the Earlys? We are allowed to learn about the universe, and still maintain faith.
Travis's father is also a horrendous man, but at least he got his just desserts. You know he feels guilt and remorse. And we thankfully get to see his world crumble around him.
All I can say is: Thank goodness for Lydia's parents. You saved three children from underachieving and unfulfilled dreams. You gave them hope, love, and support. You pushed them until they finally got where they wanted to be.
I still find it hard to grasp that a substantial portion of Americans live this way, even today. Places where dinosaur computers are coveted. Places where people don't have access to Youtube because of school internet firewalls (and no internet elsewhere). Places where people don't even dare DREAM about top Ivy League schools or recording at professional sound studios. Places where people go up in arms about $123.
I am a university student with all the luxuries in the world to set me up for success. I come from the heart of a major metropolitan city. While not the optimal target market for this book, I still gained a sense of appreciation for the people who still live in this sort of forgotten town.