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A review by courtknee_bee
The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner
1.0
1 star
Honestly, the only reason I slogged my way through [b:The Serpent King|22752127|The Serpent King|Jeff Zentner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1435673762l/22752127._SY75_.jpg|42298618] is because I got it as part of OwlCrate, a book-of-the-month plus book goodies subscription box. And if you factor out the goodies that I got in the box (which were cute and fun, but also nothing I'd buy on my own), then this is one of the more expensive books I own at $35. I was sure as hell going to finish a $35 book, even if it was unenjoyable. And it was.
To preface this review, I'll also admit that I probably wouldn't have picked this book up on my own based on the description. I've lost interest in contemporary books (especially YA) that aren't mysteries, thrillers or have some element of magical realism, so take my criticism with a grain of salt if contemporaries are your thing.
The Serpent King chronicles senior year of a group of three misfits - Dill (who's really the main character in this book), Lydia and Travis. Dill is hated in his small town because he's the son of an incarcerated preacher who ran a signs church where snake handling and poison drinking were practiced. Travis is an outcast because he's a rabid fan of a Game of Thrones-esque fantasy series and carries a staff everywhere. Lydia is unpopular because... actually, I don't know why. She's also an internet-famous fashion blogger which somehow equates to uncool in her small town, but that reads so unrealistic to me. My 17-year-old sister and her friends would kill to be internet famous, so I don't understand how that doesn't earn her cred at school. But whatever. As Lydia applies to NYU and Travis meets a fellow fan outline, Dill deals with the guilt of what his father did and his fear that all his friends are leaving him.
Almost all the characters are so unlikable in this novel, and it made it really hard to connect with. Lydia, in particular, was so insensitive to how disadvantaged her friends are that I just couldn't root for her. #CheckYoPrivilege. Dill was so angsty, and while I completely understood why (his life sucks), I just got bored of the negativity. The only likable character was Travis, who was really just a plot device for the author. Major spoiler:
Because I was so bored with this book, I found myself irritated with the smallest offenses that wouldn't bother me in a good book. For example, I found myself so irritated with how many times the characters "raised a finger." Everyone was always raising a finger to silence someone, or make a point, etc. A silly irritation, but if you pay attention you'll notice it, too.
I really can't recommend this one, but if you want to read it you can have my copy for free. :) As a side note, I'm thinking OwlCrate just isn't for me. There have been some nice boxes in the past I would love to receive, but it really does vary month to month. Might as well save that $35 and get 2 books I'll be more inclined to enjoy.
Honestly, the only reason I slogged my way through [b:The Serpent King|22752127|The Serpent King|Jeff Zentner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1435673762l/22752127._SY75_.jpg|42298618] is because I got it as part of OwlCrate, a book-of-the-month plus book goodies subscription box. And if you factor out the goodies that I got in the box (which were cute and fun, but also nothing I'd buy on my own), then this is one of the more expensive books I own at $35. I was sure as hell going to finish a $35 book, even if it was unenjoyable. And it was.
To preface this review, I'll also admit that I probably wouldn't have picked this book up on my own based on the description. I've lost interest in contemporary books (especially YA) that aren't mysteries, thrillers or have some element of magical realism, so take my criticism with a grain of salt if contemporaries are your thing.
The Serpent King chronicles senior year of a group of three misfits - Dill (who's really the main character in this book), Lydia and Travis. Dill is hated in his small town because he's the son of an incarcerated preacher who ran a signs church where snake handling and poison drinking were practiced. Travis is an outcast because he's a rabid fan of a Game of Thrones-esque fantasy series and carries a staff everywhere. Lydia is unpopular because... actually, I don't know why. She's also an internet-famous fashion blogger which somehow equates to uncool in her small town, but that reads so unrealistic to me. My 17-year-old sister and her friends would kill to be internet famous, so I don't understand how that doesn't earn her cred at school. But whatever. As Lydia applies to NYU and Travis meets a fellow fan outline, Dill deals with the guilt of what his father did and his fear that all his friends are leaving him.
Almost all the characters are so unlikable in this novel, and it made it really hard to connect with. Lydia, in particular, was so insensitive to how disadvantaged her friends are that I just couldn't root for her. #CheckYoPrivilege. Dill was so angsty, and while I completely understood why (his life sucks), I just got bored of the negativity. The only likable character was Travis, who was really just a plot device for the author. Major spoiler:
Spoiler
the only reason Travis existed was so that he could die and push Dill and Lydia together. And that's just bad writing. Character death as a means to make another character grow is lazy writing when the character who died was so underdeveloped. Travis' murder felt like a cheap tactic to get the reader sad and explain why Dill could finally grow as a person. Boo.Because I was so bored with this book, I found myself irritated with the smallest offenses that wouldn't bother me in a good book. For example, I found myself so irritated with how many times the characters "raised a finger." Everyone was always raising a finger to silence someone, or make a point, etc. A silly irritation, but if you pay attention you'll notice it, too.
I really can't recommend this one, but if you want to read it you can have my copy for free. :) As a side note, I'm thinking OwlCrate just isn't for me. There have been some nice boxes in the past I would love to receive, but it really does vary month to month. Might as well save that $35 and get 2 books I'll be more inclined to enjoy.