Customer Reviews

The Serpent Never Sleeps: A Novel of Jamestown and Pocahontas

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

 

 

from the author of "The Island of Blue Dolphins." I found "The Serpent Never Sleeps" to be a rather weak novel with a sketchy plot and poor charcter development. Nothing in the book seems to be developed! Characters come and go for no reason such as Serena's brother who disappears after a couple of pages. Other characters are never developed such as Emma Swinton. Is she the accused murderer and why does she want Humility so badly? We are never told! Also Anthony Foxcroft was such a weak character that his death carries no emotional impact. The main character, Serena, does things for no rational reason. Why did she learn the Indian language? Why does she believe that only she can save Jamestown? Why she does these things is never explained- she just does them. The result is a novel with a plot that is paper thin and very sketchy. "The Serpent Never Sleeps" is not one of O'Dell's finer works.

Scott O'Dell was a great writer of historical novels for young readers. "Island of the Blue Dolphins" is still one of my favorites from childhood. I recently picked up "The Serpent Never Sleeps" to see what he did with colonial Virginia, and I was somewhat disappointed. In a historical novel, there is really no place for magic that works; Serena's magic ring just jarred my sense of disbelief something fierce. If it had been an all-out fantasy, I would have enjoyed it more. But the journey to Virginia is told with real gusto, as is their shipwreck in the Bahamas. The arrival in Jamestown is fraught with danger and the threat of starvation, and only Serena (who knows Pocahontas) can save them. A decent adventure, just not O'Dell's best.

I found this book mildly interesting, and for me that's a waste of time. I read books that will give me a wild, deep, thoughtful, or sensitive ride. This book did none of that. I appreciated the part where Serena threw away her magical ring, realising it was wrong to be at peace knowing SHE would be safe, while her poor companions could die. I read a different edition of the book, I don't know if it had the same illustrations, but I read a hardcover edition and there was a picture of Pocahontas for the second section that make her look UGLY, contradicting the amazing beauty the book talks about. The romance that developed between Serena and Thomas was rather undeveloped. I appreciated the insight about John Rolfe being torn because Pocahontas wasn't a believer, but I wish he had waited until she was.
The other thing was, WHEN DID SERENA GET MARRIED? I read kinda fast at the end b/c I was bored, but i caught Tom asking her and she said no, then later on, she says she'd never seen a man so happy, referring to John Rolfe when he married Pocahontas, except her Tom. ....

A historically accurate account of the experiences involved in travelling to the New World. Serena Lynn, an upper class English woman, gets caught up in rescuing the failing Jamestown colony. The novel revels interesting historical information. For example, King James I of England did not support the growing of tobacco in the New World. He had an aversion to the smell of tobacco. Revisit history as you follow the romance between Serena and Anthony Foxcroft. See how Serna learns to survive the harsh journey to America, the death of Anthony, and the re-establishment of Jamestown.

The Serpent Never Sleeps is a historical fiction book by the famous Scott O'Dell, author of Island of Blue Dolphins. It tells the story of a girl who arrives at Jamestown during the starving time. She helps in the plot to capture Pocahontas and keep her for ransom. My favorite part is when the Mattaponi Indians try to smoke Pocahontus out of the English house. I recommend this book because it tells a side of Jamestown you never knew.

Historically accurate, set in 1609 Jamestown, 17 year old Serena is the main character. The story involves adventure and romance, and Serena is part of the party sent to plead for help from the Indian Princess, Pocahontas.

Very boring, easy to get lost, too many characters you only get to know like 3 well

The Serpent Never Sleeps is about a girl named Serena Lynn and her voyage to Jamestown. On her way to Jamestown she gets shipwrecked on Bermuda. Many settlers want to stay on Bermuda. Serena Lynn makes it to Jamestown and starts to look for Pocahontas, and she finds Pocahontas! A young man named Tom Barlow asks Serena Lynn to marry him. She says yes! I recommend this book to everyone.

This book is an excellent review of a Jamestown life and how hard it was for Serena to live her life, always in danger. This book has romance suspense and much more!

The Serpent Never Sleeps is a great book about a woman named Serena Lynn who has to Virginia and struggles to survive. If you like stories about midievil kings and the settlements in Virginia, this book is for you. The characters are so thorough that they seem to come to life. Also the book is thoroughly detailed.