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Serpent Kings Saga #1
Serpent Kings Saga
*INCLUDES SERPENT KINGS, WRAITH DANCER & SHADOW WALKER* SERPENT Specially trained as a wraith dancer assassin, Gwen prepares for a life dispensing justice in the name of her dragon gods when she successfully repels an attack by the Resistance upon Belial’s temple. Suddenly catapulted to a position of status, Gwen is chosen to assassinate Ezekiah, the prophet of the Resistance. But when she’s captured, Gwen is shown the dark side of the dragons and their utopian society and the unsuspected kindness of the man she was meant to kill. She desires to remain faithful to the Serpent Kings, but her doubts are growing, and her time with Ezekiah has awakened feelings within her she never thought to have. Once peaceful Animals are growing fierce, and zombie-like Death Walkers are attacking entire towns as prophecies long held as mere myth come to fulfillment. In Gwen’s absence, a great miracle makes this wraith dancer a costly liability to the dragons, and she cannot be allowed to live any longer. WRAITH In Gwen’s absence, a great miracle makes this wraith dancer a costly liability to the dragons, and she cannot be allowed to live any longer. But now they have to get her back from her captors. But the Serpent Kings aren't the only ones seeking this Wraith Dancer. When the Serpent Kings are driven back to Mount Doom, Gwen is captured by Varen and his rebels. To ensure her safe release, Ezekiah agrees to lead a demolition team into the mountain to bring it down upon the dragons. But the Serpent Kings are not easily slain. In their ensuing fury they destroy the city of Babale and enslave their faithful worshippers, creating a fearless army of death walkers to cleanse the kingdom once and for all. Meahwhile, Ezekiah is sent to a city across the sea, called Haven, where he must enter the ancient Temple of Elithias and accept the fate that awaits him there. However, the dragons mean to stop him, bringing all of their resources to bear. If he fails, all of humanity will become deathly slaves to the dragons. But one lone Wraith Dancer stands in the gap willing to risk everything to see him succeed. SHADOW Five hundred years have now passed since Ezekiah assumed control of Haven and the kingdom beyond the sea as the regent of Elithias. Most believe that the Serpent Kings were all destroyed in the battle with Ezekiah long ago. However, one young women with vengeance in her heart has been following a mysterious voice that speaks to her in dreams. This entity desires a vessel that can be used to free it from its prison and unleash its power upon the kingdom. Time is short and the coming of Elithias may finally be at hand, but will anyone survive to witness it? Praise for Fallen (Descendants Saga) Amazon "Admittedly, I am not a big reader but I wanted to start. I picked this book up and could not put it down! The story sucked me in and at the end of the book I was left wanting to know what happens next. I can't wait for the second book in the series to come out!" "From the start, James Somers made it hard to put the book down, with twists and turns to leave you spinning. It was a great read and I look forward to the next installment." Praise for "The Realm Shift Trilogy" "The Realm Shift's intrigue is second only to its action!" -- Wayne Thomas Batson, author, The Berinfell Prophecies and The Door Within Trilogy. "The Realm Shift doesn't just draw you in, it sucks you in! The story is full of mystery, adventure, danger and inspiration. I highly recommend it!" -- Brian Tubbs, Pastor, Sligo Baptist Church. "The Realm Shift is written in a grand mythic type of storytelling reminiscent of Tolkien's Lord of the Ring Trilogy.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2011
13 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
James Somers
42 books39 followersJames Somers is the author of more than a dozen Sci-fi and Fantasy novels available on Kindle including: The Serpent Kings, Percival Strange, Perdition's Gate, and The Realm Shift Trilogy. He has also written several Bible studies for Kindle including: "What's So Great About Salvation?" and "What Does it Mean to be Born Again?"
Upcoming novels include sequels to The Serpent Kings, Percival Strange, and A World Within; as well as a brand new Fantasy entitled, Fallen.
In addition to writing, James serves as the Pastor of Ozone Baptist Church in Rockwood, Tennessee and also works in Knoxville as a Surgical Technologist. He is married and have five children.
Upcoming novels include sequels to The Serpent Kings, Percival Strange, and A World Within; as well as a brand new Fantasy entitled, Fallen.
In addition to writing, James serves as the Pastor of Ozone Baptist Church in Rockwood, Tennessee and also works in Knoxville as a Surgical Technologist. He is married and have five children.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 7, 2011
As usual, James has built The Serpent Kings with some fascinating ideas. The story is a take on the Millennial Kingdom and how good and evil will battle before the King returns. I liked the death walkers the most, and enjoyed the inclusion of dragons. The main character is what is called a "wraith dancer," which is a cool idea. Wraith Dancers are women assassins chosen to defend and kill with Gifts of Transcendence which allow them to do such things as make pin-point assaults that can kill with a touch, and increase their agility and senses in battle. The idea of cities lain to waste so that technology has devolved was also interesting, and one of my favorite collection of scenes shows them visiting these ancient cities - now wastelands because of how fragile they are not having been kept up.
The reason why I gave this 2 out of 5 stars is because I was often uninterested in the character's plight and felt many scenes could have been cut. Originally I gave it 3 stars, but the truth is I didn't enjoy reading it. I think he has some great ideas, but the pacing needs polishing. The first 30 percent of the book could use major compaction. All the set up to show that Gwen has doubts about her service to the Serpent Kings might have been shown on her way to meet the dragon Belial. That would have been a great opening scene. If it started there I would have been much more enthusiastic about going forward. There is action in the first 30%, but it seems only for action sake, not because it was necessary for setting up the story. In studying the philosophy of including a twist in every scene, I really noticed the scenes in this book that just...ended. Putting a twist on the end of scenes really pushes a reader forward, and the places where this lacked in James' book made it easy to put the book down. A good editor's touch could make this book great, but as it stands I just see too much that could be taken out without much consequence.
James provided a free copy for review under the promise that I read the whole book and provide an honest review.
The reason why I gave this 2 out of 5 stars is because I was often uninterested in the character's plight and felt many scenes could have been cut. Originally I gave it 3 stars, but the truth is I didn't enjoy reading it. I think he has some great ideas, but the pacing needs polishing. The first 30 percent of the book could use major compaction. All the set up to show that Gwen has doubts about her service to the Serpent Kings might have been shown on her way to meet the dragon Belial. That would have been a great opening scene. If it started there I would have been much more enthusiastic about going forward. There is action in the first 30%, but it seems only for action sake, not because it was necessary for setting up the story. In studying the philosophy of including a twist in every scene, I really noticed the scenes in this book that just...ended. Putting a twist on the end of scenes really pushes a reader forward, and the places where this lacked in James' book made it easy to put the book down. A good editor's touch could make this book great, but as it stands I just see too much that could be taken out without much consequence.
James provided a free copy for review under the promise that I read the whole book and provide an honest review.
November 15, 2012
c2011. Okaaayyy. Not for me! There was every kind of spec-fic in this book ranging from death dealing kick ass heroines to zombies to evil dragons! There was such a mish mash of ideas going on - first swords aka mediaeval then a bit of steam punk all whilst trying to get a Christian message through at the same time. I found the writing to be quite juvenile ie explaining what a fuse was early on in the book so I guess I am not the target market. Unable to recommend.
March 14, 2021
SPOILER-FREE review
This series was a really pleasant surprise, as I went into reading it without any knowledge of the author or the subject matter (didn’t even read the blog!). Dragging me quickly into the story and generating excellent empathy with the conflicted main character, Somers drives the action and surprises in a whirlwind flow that never seems forced or contrived.
The story builds well, growing from the simple idea of a question of one’s own position and self-worth, into a fantastic twist that is fresh and exciting whilst steeped in the depth of human theology. The clever development of the overarching characters allows you to accept the regular twists as if you had seen them coming but I would challenge anyone setting out on page one to anticipate where the finale would be placed!
Really excellent writing but far more impressive in its story-telling, I would recommend this for any fantasy enthusiast.
This series was a really pleasant surprise, as I went into reading it without any knowledge of the author or the subject matter (didn’t even read the blog!). Dragging me quickly into the story and generating excellent empathy with the conflicted main character, Somers drives the action and surprises in a whirlwind flow that never seems forced or contrived.
The story builds well, growing from the simple idea of a question of one’s own position and self-worth, into a fantastic twist that is fresh and exciting whilst steeped in the depth of human theology. The clever development of the overarching characters allows you to accept the regular twists as if you had seen them coming but I would challenge anyone setting out on page one to anticipate where the finale would be placed!
Really excellent writing but far more impressive in its story-telling, I would recommend this for any fantasy enthusiast.
September 23, 2017
Great book!
I love this book as always like your other books. I really think that if you love what God has done to people like James Somers to inspire them to write books like this one, then I see no reason why people wouldn't want to read this book and others like this one. I truly think that it would be hard not to read James Somers books!
Thank you Sir, and don't stop writing.
I love this book as always like your other books. I really think that if you love what God has done to people like James Somers to inspire them to write books like this one, then I see no reason why people wouldn't want to read this book and others like this one. I truly think that it would be hard not to read James Somers books!
Thank you Sir, and don't stop writing.
June 10, 2017
You know what this book lost me exactly where a certain female Character was brought back to life specifically to bear children and serve as a housewife as if it was the true purpose of her existence.
Screw this book entirely.
Screw this book entirely.
May 28, 2011
Has decent potential but I doubt this author can take where it needs to go. Great to have a Christian story in fantasy though. I do plan to keep reading this series because it's so cheap on kindle. I would recommend reading it.
June 7, 2013
Good stuff, seems to be a cover mix-up even though each book spells out its title. The Serpent Kings is a fantastic Christian Fantasy adventure, at least 3 books long. It has old elements and brand new fantasy types! Great plotting, excellent characters, a page turning adventure.
August 26, 2015
I thought the Serpent Kings was a fairly interesting book with quite a few stacked multiple plots weaved within but there was quite a bit that really left me wanting ... just wanting. There is just too much I think the author was trying to depict all at once in the same story to fit it all in.
February 14, 2012
It's enjoyable, but ends entirely too soon. There was potential, but the conclusion (in the 2nd book) was sudden. And expected. That said, I still enjoyed the ride
July 4, 2012
Not what I was expecting, but I am looking forward to reading the second book. Its just the kind of book where you have to know the ending.
August 27, 2012
Interesting enough for me to want to read the next one. I can't say I couln't put it down but there was certainly enough there to hold my interest.
April 25, 2013
I couldn't put this book down! A must read for action lovers. Its kung fu warrior meets religion. I love the struggle to find out where the good side really is. Awesome!
May 13, 2014
Excellent
I wasn't going to read this book at first. I decided to give it a try. Excellent storyline and a must-read.
I wasn't going to read this book at first. I decided to give it a try. Excellent storyline and a must-read.
September 14, 2014
Started off a little slow,but got then got moving and exciting well. Good store of faith,family,adventure. Like how he brought a future world into play with this story.
March 10, 2021
Una joven que pretende asesinar a un personaje, pero las cosas no salen como lo planeado. Valdría la pena releerla y entender bien su mensaje.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews