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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
This is one of those books that stays with you long after you've finished reading it. Wonderful story and stellar writing. Loved it.
This book left me with that feeling you only get when you’ve finished something great. I couldn’t put it down, but also wanted to savor it! The narrative of each person felt authentic and different. I was so invested in each character, I felt like I was living their life with them! Wonderful, wonderful read!
This is a marvelous first novel by Zetner! I can’t wait to read what else he writes!
This is a marvelous first novel by Zetner! I can’t wait to read what else he writes!
I felt so many emotions throughout the story. It felt so real.
I think this is now one of my all time favorite books. It has really important messages and really transported me back in to being a teen!
I think this is now one of my all time favorite books. It has really important messages and really transported me back in to being a teen!
A sweet coming of age story. Couldn't help but keep rooting for Dill.
What does it mean when you really really REALLY want to connect with a book but no matter how hard you try, you just can't? Was there anything about this book that I hated? Nope! Did I dislike the characters? Not at all. Was it slow moving or boring? Not in the slightest! So, why oh why did I not enjoy this book that much? I literally have no idea. I felt really removed from the book, so maybe it was because I just am in a completely different life space than the characters? I"m not quite sure though. Maybe I need to meditate of this more before being able to form my opinion completely because I'm super confused as to why I didn't like this that much.
4.25/5 stars
"And if you’re going to live, you might as well do painful, brave, and beautiful things."
This book is one of those that breaks your heart a hundred times over, then somehow bandages it up every time. It’s one that aches, but between the cracks you see the beauty.
The Serpent King follows three friends - Dill, Lydia, and Travis - who live in a dirt-poor town in Tennessee, outcasts in their school. But they are all three very different. Dill: the son of the Serpent King, the minister of a church known for its dangerous snakehandling practices, and the man who was just recently put in jail for watching child pornography. Lydia: born into a rich family, with great fashion sense and a thriving blog to prove it - her ticket out of this small, suffocating town. And Travis: abused by his alcoholic father, seeking his escape through the lens of his favorite fantasy book series. As their senior year of high school begins to close and they start to look towards their futures, they all see something different, and their paths threaten to diverge. As they fight their own battles and lean on each other, they have to discover what to let go of, and what to hold on to.
This book is beautiful. I usually shy away from books that will make me sad - I prefer happy endings, you know? But because it was my book club’s pick for the month, I decided to try. About a fourth of it is all I read before the meeting date, to be honest, and it took me some time to pick it back up - like I said, I knew it would be sad.
But I’m so glad I did. Yes, there was uncontrollable sobbing. Yes, my heart broke so many times. Yes, I grieved for these kids, who believe so little of their own futures. But this isn’t just a sad story.
It’s a story of hope. It’s a story of moving on. It’s a story of relying on the people you trust when you’re afraid. It’s a story of loyalty to those who trust you, being the one who makes them promise to stay, even when they want to surrender. It’s a story of believing in yourself and your future, in the least cliche way. It’s a story of getting back up even if you can’t bear the thought of going on, of continuing to breathe.
As a rising senior in high school terrified of the prospect of the future, this book meant worlds to me. As a citizen of Tennessee, it gave me new eyes for my classmates. As a Christian, it gave me insight on views that exist so close and I didn’t even realize it, ones that disgust me and sadden me because they aren’t really the Gospel at all. But even more so, it impacted me as a human. It gave me a vision of what it means to be a friend, what it means to be fearless, and what it means to lose, live, and let go.
I truly cherish this book, y’all. It’s one that sticks with you forever ❤❤
If you enjoyed this review, you can follow me here on Goodreads and on Twitter/Instagram @ashton_reads. Love you guys!
"And if you’re going to live, you might as well do painful, brave, and beautiful things."
This book is one of those that breaks your heart a hundred times over, then somehow bandages it up every time. It’s one that aches, but between the cracks you see the beauty.
The Serpent King follows three friends - Dill, Lydia, and Travis - who live in a dirt-poor town in Tennessee, outcasts in their school. But they are all three very different. Dill: the son of the Serpent King, the minister of a church known for its dangerous snakehandling practices, and the man who was just recently put in jail for watching child pornography. Lydia: born into a rich family, with great fashion sense and a thriving blog to prove it - her ticket out of this small, suffocating town. And Travis: abused by his alcoholic father, seeking his escape through the lens of his favorite fantasy book series. As their senior year of high school begins to close and they start to look towards their futures, they all see something different, and their paths threaten to diverge. As they fight their own battles and lean on each other, they have to discover what to let go of, and what to hold on to.
This book is beautiful. I usually shy away from books that will make me sad - I prefer happy endings, you know? But because it was my book club’s pick for the month, I decided to try. About a fourth of it is all I read before the meeting date, to be honest, and it took me some time to pick it back up - like I said, I knew it would be sad.
But I’m so glad I did. Yes, there was uncontrollable sobbing. Yes, my heart broke so many times. Yes, I grieved for these kids, who believe so little of their own futures. But this isn’t just a sad story.
It’s a story of hope. It’s a story of moving on. It’s a story of relying on the people you trust when you’re afraid. It’s a story of loyalty to those who trust you, being the one who makes them promise to stay, even when they want to surrender. It’s a story of believing in yourself and your future, in the least cliche way. It’s a story of getting back up even if you can’t bear the thought of going on, of continuing to breathe.
As a rising senior in high school terrified of the prospect of the future, this book meant worlds to me. As a citizen of Tennessee, it gave me new eyes for my classmates. As a Christian, it gave me insight on views that exist so close and I didn’t even realize it, ones that disgust me and sadden me because they aren’t really the Gospel at all. But even more so, it impacted me as a human. It gave me a vision of what it means to be a friend, what it means to be fearless, and what it means to lose, live, and let go.
I truly cherish this book, y’all. It’s one that sticks with you forever ❤❤
If you enjoyed this review, you can follow me here on Goodreads and on Twitter/Instagram @ashton_reads. Love you guys!
dark
emotional
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry
Minor: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Pedophilia
I really enjoyed this book! It was different from what I usually read, but the story and characters were refreshing and well-developed.