Customer Reviews

Children of the Serpent Gate: Book 3 of The Tears of Artamon

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thought that this book was an excellent conclusion to the series. In particular, I liked Ash's use of Gavril, Eugene, and Enguerrand. Gavril and his demon continue to pull at one another, and to affect one another's minds. In the end, both are changed, but neither in the standard fantasy cliche way. Eugene's frustrating status as a likeable antagonist matures into true heroism. I don't want to give away Enguerrand's role, but I was very pleased with the way Ms. Ash dealt with the Heavenly Warriors and their place in the struggle.

In this book, and Prisoner of the Iron Tower, I was a little disappointed that there was not more involvement of Clan Arkhel. I felt like the first book of the series really suggested that the clan was going to play a major part (beyond the spirit singers' powers) in the unfolding events, but that never really happened. I don't think the story as it stands suffers from this, but it'd be nice if we hadn't be teased.

I definitely recommend this series to anyone who is interested in a slightly off-base look at traditional fantasy, vampire myths, or demons.

I have to say, I am sad it's over. Sarah Ash has given me many hours of good reading and I cherished them all. This book I found a little different than the previous two in that things were moving along at a standard pace and the next thing you know; bam, bam, bam, it's over. It seemed like she just decided it was time to finish it, so she did. Don't get me wrong I loved it, but I felt like she left a few things out. Sarah hasn't really kept any secrets in the books and when she did they were eventually revealed. Not the case with this book unfortunately. Perhaps I missed it, but I want to know what happened with Kaspar Linnaius. Heck, I'd like to see a book about nothing but him. I hope Sarah continues to write quality material like she has, if she does..... I'll read em'. I would suggest putting an extra fifty pages in to finish the book and give us the imagery and story we love and honestly for reading the two previous books...deserve.

In the last installment of Sarah Ash's "Tears of Artamon" trilogy all those pesky loose ends involving Gavril, Eugene, Karila, Kiukiu and our many other friends come to a close. The question regarding the fate of New Rossiya is answered...sort of. And our hunger to know our friends' fates is sated...in a way.

The first two books of this series had a pleasing pace and structure to them, but this last book feels rushed, as if Mrs. Ash was told three-quarters of the way through her writing that her deadline was approaching. The reader at times will believe there are portions of the book best left out entirely, bearing no relevence to the grand scheme of things until the end. Do we really need multiple pages to be introduced to Aude's kitten? Certain episodes that could have been introduced in a few sentences instead take up space best left to exciting action. The time jumps through the chapters--indicated by double spaced lines--in the same character's point of view seem awkward and jilted, greatly hampering the flow of the novel. Then, suddenly the reader is hurled through the last fifty pages or so of the book, flung through so much action and "loose thread tying" the reader is not satisfied. I found myself at the last page asking, "That's it? Where's the rest?"

So, I give this book four stars. Otherwise, faithful readers of Mrs. Ash's trilogy will find this final installment full of action, romance, and strange creatures winging through the night air.

The book worked as the culmination of the trilogy. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. I am glad I discovered this author (purely by accident.)

This is the third and final volume of the Tears of Artamon (after Lord of Snow and Shadows and Prisoner of the Ironsea Tower).

After being set free by Eugene on Ty Nagar, new daemons are now looking for their hosts among the descendants of Artamon. Their aim is to open the Serpent Gate with the sacrifice of innocent children, to let their lord Nagazdiel invade the World. Realizing everything is getting out of his hands, Eugene has no choice but to ask Gavril for help: their Drakhaouls must unite against their brothers' dire intentions.

At the same time, pious Enguerrand of Francia has stolen the rubies and is claiming now the throne of New Rossiya. He and his Guerriers have launched an inquisition against all forms of magic, and are raiding Smarna and Tielen in search of heretics, to burn them at the stake.

And so Kaspar Linnaius is captured. But Kiukiu needs the Magus's skills to restore her. Indeed, she has stayed too long in the Ways Beyond trying to help the wraith-children and has lost almost all her life force. She is now as frail and fragile as an old woman and will die soon, and mostly she doesn't want Gavril to see her like that.

Meanwhile Astasia, who has fled to Francia with her brother Andrei, is starting to regret her move.

Again, I missed the immersion I experienced in the first volume. There are many characters and twice as many plot lines, some of which are left dangling at the end of the series (if the character has not been killed yet), and the perpetual chase goes on. However, I very much enjoyed seeing Gavril and Khezef's relationship deepen, and witnessing Eugene's evolution over time, surprisingly becoming more human with the daemon in him.

Reading this novel was a bit like saying goodbye to old friends, as the characters had grown on me during the three books. In this instalment Emperor Eugene discovers that his quest for the powers of the Drakhoul has come at a much higher price than he ever anticipated and that he is not the only one now host to one of the deamons.

Kiukiu goes on a quest into the Khitri plains to regain her youth and Gavril agrees to rescue Kaspar Linnaius from the flames in Francia. This book successfully brings all the story threads from the previous books to a conclusion, though not necessarily a happy-ever-after situation for all the characters involved, but it also leaves some new threads untied, enough for another story in the same world in the future. In the end I'd have to say I'm glad I stuck with this series with its unusual fantasy combination of European influenced countries as its background.

The Emperor Eugene is Drakhaoul (daemon) possessed a situation he wanted to happen so that he would have all the power of his most bitter enemy Gavril Nagarian who is also possessed by a daemon. He tries to keep the daemon in check for when it is in control someone dies because it needs to drink human blood. Now that the King Enguerrand of Francia has the five Tears of Artamon, he lays claim to the entire Rossiyan Empire, but Eugene is not about to give up his throne without a fight.

He offers Gavril and his men pardons if they recover the most powerful magus in the world Kaspar Linnaius from a Francian jail. Gavril rescues the mage in his dragon form and take him to the home of his lover Kirkiu, However the magus behaves like a senile old man. Kirkiu is now an old woman after traveling too long in the Realm of Shadows. She and Kaspar must bathe in the Jade River to recover her youth and his mind providing that the Guardian grants them these gifts. Eugene must battle Enguerrand's forces if he wants to keep his throne and then he must join forces with Gavril to make sure the serpent gate doesn't open and let the most powerful daemon of all out. If they fail, hell will come to the mortal plane.

Book Three of the Tears of Artamon series ties up all the loose ends, explains the origins of the daemons and gives the reader a chance to see two mortal enemies work together for the good of the realm. Sword and Sorcery fans, high fantasy enthusiasts and readers who want to be enthralled in the tradition of Mercedes Lackey and Robin Hobb will find CHILDREN OF THE SERPENT GATE a memorable reading experience.

Harriet Klausner

A good conclusion to this excellent fantasy trilogy.

Well written and easy to read, I found this book had just about everything one could ask for in a good (bordering on great) fantasy story; that being love, deceit, unexpected twists and turns, creatures and people with special talents and of course a liberal dose of magic sprinkled through out the entire novel.

The Pros:
a.)There was substantial character development through out the entire series, and not just the main characters. The good guys had some faults and the bad guys usually had a few redeeming traits.
b.)Multiple, complex and convoluted story lines; just when things seem to be leveling out something else happens to reshape the scheme of things

The Cons:
a.)I found it easy to get a little confused at times because of the number of twists and turns that occurred, especially in the third book.
b.)Kuikui...I found that Kuikui's trips to the nether world to save children a bit too frequent and repetitious; even more annoying was the fact that she had to be rescued herself on several occasion by others.
c.)And last, I took one star off the rating because, as one of the others reviewers noted, the later third of this book seemed really rushed; so many loose ends and major battles hurriedly finished off in the last 25 or so pages. Maybe the author was getting tired (or had publishing deadlines) and just wanted to finished.

A good finale for this trilogy; it is an extremely interesting and complex fantasy adventure. Recommended!
4 Stars.

Children of the Serpent Gate is a rollicking tale of dragons, dastardly deeds, magic and love. Sarah Ash did an excellent job weaving fantastical creatures, colorful characters, and incredible adventures into one volume of great entertainment.

Children of the Serpent Gate (2005) is the third Fantasy novel in the Tears of Artamon trilogy, following Prisoner of the Iron Tower. In the previous volume, Gavril Nagarian once more became possessed by a daemon and escaped his prison. Emperor Eugene traveled with Magus Linnaius to Ty Nagar, where he became possessed by another daemon. Astasia fled from Mirom with her daemon possessed brother Andrei. Kiukiu barely escaped from the Realm of Shadows. And the Francian fleet sailed to invade Tielen.

In this novel, Kiukiu finds herself an old woman from her extended stay in the Shadow Realm. She learns that Gavril is still alive, despite Linnaius's declarations, but she cannot bear his gaze; she is OLD. When she falls asleep from Malusha's draught, Gavril questions her grandmother about Linnaius's elixir of youth.

Later, Gavril finds himself holding a dead woman in his arms. Once again, Khezef has taken blood from a young gullible girl. Gavril abhors the practice, yet does nothing to dissociate himself from the daemon.

Pavel Velamir is taken as a spy by Iovan Kirneli, but Minister Vashteli saves him for the information he holds. She puts him to work as her interpreter and he is also told to listen to the private conversations of the Francians. Then Pavel sees Raisa Kirneli wearing a mourning dress.

Kaspar Linnaius wakes aboard ship. Using his air magery, he raises a storm to free him from the ship, but Celestine binds his magic with a spell. Later, Linnaius is delivered to the Commanderie, tried for his practice of heretical and forbidden arts, and convicted of these crimes. He is sentenced to burning at the stake.

The Emperor Eugene checks his appearance in the mirror before his meeting with the Francian ambassador. Since he has been possessed by the daemon Belberith, the scars and proud flesh have vanished. When the ambassador arrives, Eugene demands the return of the Tears of Artamon. The ambassador refuses and Eugene dismisses him. Apparently diplomacy isn't working, so the Tears will have to be retrieved in another way.

Tielen Captain Nils Lindgren learns that an unusually large number of pilgrims have gone to the Monastery of Saint Sergius. He asks Sosia whether a festival in honor the saint is being held at this time, but she replies in the negative. Lindgren approaches Bogatyr Askold with a request that the Drakhaon's druzhina investigate this anomaly and detain anyone acting suspiciously. Askold insists that his men be armed and Lindgren agrees.

Doctor Frieda Hildegarde has been sent by the Emperor to the Monastery of Saint Sergius to research the lives of Artamon's sons. She finds a puzzling reference to the sons being possessed by daemons and becoming puppets to their demonic masters. Also, Artamon had ordered the archimandrite Sergius to send these daemons back to the Realm of Shadows even if his sons must perish.

The Empress Astasia enters the chateau at Belle Garde with her brother Andrei. Andrei is possessed by the daemon Adramelech, but is being manipulated by Queen Alienor, the Francian King's mother. As Astasia is attempting to escape, Andrei leads the guards who stop her.

In this story, daemons possess King Enguerrand of Francia, Prince Oskar, Gavril, Andrei and Eugene. Now all five once more have human hosts. Is the end of the world soon to come?

Recommended for Sarah Ash fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of daemonic possession, political intrigue and selfless love.

-Arthur W. Jordin