Customer Reviews

The Silver Serpent

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

 

 

First of all, it is only fair that you should know I'm a very biased reader. I'm very hesitant to try new authors, and I'm more apt to re-read rather then make a new perchase.

With that said, I am very glad that I was able to pick up an advanced copy of The Silver Serpent.

The back cover description gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect, but at the same time there is one thing that I didn't take from it; That even as male reader who usually sticks to books with a male protaganists, I can still relate to a female Hero.

The story begins with Shanis, a young strong-willed woman, that is trying to find her place in the world. Actually, maybe it would be better to say she is fighting to make a place for herself in a world that has already chosen who she should be. The silver serpent at its core is the classic tale of an epic quest.

Before you run away screaming in terror at the prospect of another fantasy story with a quest, let me explain. This story is about people, just like anyone else, that are trying to figure things out about themselves and the world around them. As the story is told the characters begin to take shape and grow into new and complex individuals, and through all the trials and tribulations they learn who they really are. That, for me at least, was the central idea of The Silver Serpent.

The story is told with a very quick pace, the fight scenes are enjoyable, there were several surpises thrown in there, and all in all it was a fun book which I very much enjoyed reading.

In a land where magic is dying and nations teeter on the verge of war, three young people are preoccupied with their own concerns. Shanis is a tomboy who wants to be a soldier. Hierm is an unappreciated second son who wants to escape his father's expectations. Bookish Oskar wants to see the places he's heard of in stories and read about in books. They all believe their dreams have come true, but they soon learn that a greater evil lurks beyond the mountains, and they find themselves on a quest for the Silver Serpent- a mysterious talisman that can save their land.

There is plenty to like in this story: plot twists abound, the lands and cultures are intriguing, and Debord adds a layer of mystery to the story. The characters are searching for the Silver Serpent, but they don't know what it is what it does, much less where to find it. The sai-kurs, an order of sorcerers/ambassadors operate with their own agenda that is not revealed in this, the first volume of The Absent Gods.

The plot focuses on two competing factions who are on identical quests, yet completely unaware of one another. The best part of this story, though, is the characters. No character is totally good or bad. The characters who annoy you at first tend to grow on you, and the ones that seem great at the outset have their own warts. All of the main characters grow and change over the course of the book. The most memorable is Prince Lerryn, a truly complex "flawed hero."

Debord offers hints of an expansive world replete with a variety of unique cultures and political motivations, but we are introduced to only a small corner of this world. Magic exists, but plays a minimal role, as we are told that magic has been dwindling for some time. Many colorful secondary characters are introduced, but the reader gets the feeling that this first book in the series only scratches the surface of what promises to be an expansive series. Debord has cited Robert Jordan as his biggest influence, which makes one wonder if he will spin his web as wide as Jordan did, as the groundwork appears to have been lain for an epic of great breadth if he chooses to go in that direction.

The negative for many will be the fact that this story is a "quest" story like so many that have come before. The characters begin in the small, rural village and embark upon a journey to find the talisman that will save the world. Of course, the story is unique, but if you don't like the traditional quest story, you'll have a hard time enjoying this book.

The Silver Serpent is a gripping epic fantasy in the tradition of Robert Jordan, Raymond Feist and David Eddings. If you are looking for a fresh, new voice in the traditional form, I highly recommend this first installment of what promises to be a memorable series.

I'd give this one 3 and 1/2 stars.
I'm a sucker for "road trip fantasy" stories, and this one drew me in. I liked the characters, the world building, and thought that the action moved along at a good pace. I was definitely left wanting more, and I will read the next one whenever it comes out.
My only complaint was the ending. The writing style changed and it was disconcerting. Several "what the-" moments. Luckily it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book, as usually happens when I dislike an ending. Probably because I was more confused than angry at it.

As a voracious fantasy reader, it's hard these days to find a new series to get excited about. So, as you can imagine, I'm giddy to share a new discovery. I found "The Silver Serpent" a truly enjoyable and entertaining read. It's definitely David Debord's first novel and has weaknesses, but it's fun and your love of the characters sneaks up on you. The heroine, Shanis Malan, seems, at first, to be the typical fantasy heroine trapped by her society's expectations of a woman's role. As the story progresses, you realize that this girl is no victim and full of flaws. It is within her struggle to control her own identity, as well as her temper, that you begin to really care for this girl and her companions.

Debord approaches the classic, questing, epic fantasy novel with a sense of humor and an optimistic voice grounded by realistic characters and intriguing implications about the greater context of the world, which hooked me completely. His presentation of the world initially is fuzzy and nebulous, but as the characters move out of a small village and step into this world's legends (ala Eddings or Jordan), you've found solid footing within his world. The fight scenes are well done with impressive clarity and brevity. The prose is straightforward, but engaging. Though the characters are flawed, your affection grows fast. Its ending seemed disjointed, vaguely described, and abrupt, but it leaves you wanting more. As book one of "The Absent Gods" series, I thought it provided a great foundation. I'm just happy to have found a new series that's right out of the gate. Now I have something to look forward to again within fantasy.

A good quest saga. Interesting Characters and a story that moves along a a good clip.
I enjoyed it, and will buy the rest of the series.

This was a very good story. Typical fantasy adventure. Great characters too.
I did not like stumbling over words that were obvious mistakes do to spell check I think. Also when the scene shifts to one of the many other story lines there are no breaks in the page to warn you that you just shifted out of one and into the other. Other than these minor complaints I loved it and will buy the second in this series.

I fell in love with the main characters in this book almost from the get-go. Each has her or his own problems, and things seem to keep going wrong for every one of them. Their struggles, strengths and weaknesses, and humor reallycome through. The world seems to grow larger as the characters broaden their knowledge and experiences, and the author gives us two competing "quest" groups to follow. The ending reminds me a of some of the old school fantasy stories, with almost a mythological bent.

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. There was a female heroine, romance, mystery and fast paced action.

I enjoyed this book.

It seems like the book went really quickly and I barely got to know anyone. This can be a good sign though, a sign of an epic fantasy with a Plan. I do wish I had waited until there were more books released, because I can't wait to find out what happens, and learn more about the characters.

This book reminded me a little of Eon: Dragoneye Reborn in that the main character is a female who bucks the trend, and also there are a lot of exciting sword fights.

The book features a prophecy - but it is not an omnipresent prophecy that drives all the action. Instead, it is more like a myth that everyone has heard about, and that the main characters have taken to heart as a quest they have to puzzle through.

There are a few times when things seem to happen for no reason other than to advance the plot. Notably, the section where: they stop in some random village, but then it turns out the village is a Key Site mentioned in the prophecy, so they kill a monster that was threatening the villagers, and in return the villagers give them some Key Gifts that turn out to unlock the path to the quest item. That section of the book seems to rush just as fast as my run-on sentence did, left me feeling like the whole episode was just to move things along.

However, on the whole, the character development is fine and the pacing is quick but not too hurried. There is a lot of action, and the characters seem deeper than what is revealed in this first book. Looking forward to Book 2.

Note: Kindle version has poor editing - quite a few typos. Not sure whether the print version has them or not.

Silver Serpent is a great read- fast-paced and full of colorful characters getting their quest on. If you enjoyed David Edding's early work in the Belgariad this is more than a great addition to your fave books...