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The Serpent's Quest
How long have the stars been the same?
Longer than weary eyes may count.
Tonight, a wanderer burns on the surface of Khusu’s pool, and soon all other lights will seem pale.
How many ages have rolled since the gods have seen a sail from the world beyond? The rising sun shall rob them of their isolation.
My time is coming. They called me fool, but none have known my pain. The pattern shifts; neither man nor god may know its final weaving.
What some call madness, I call vision. I have seen,
and now one comes – haunted, driven before the winds of a fate he dare not face.
I have called the Serpent from his prison.
A man of war, seeking peace, yet disease and ruin will follow in his wake. What he bears will cast a shadow to drown the distant lights of Tel Aphos and make the gods who dwell there remember fear.
All that remains is to find the one to serve me when the general falls. Is that you Hetephes? Are you to be my handmaiden or will you choose your false father? So many others have failed.
You are restless in your narrow bed. Do you sense me watching?
Do you dream?
Should not the God of Visions and Crossroads know?
It is selfish not to share. It matters not!
The ships are here, the star returns, and no novice’s dream could encompass what is to come…
If you want to know that, you must share The Serpent’s Quest.
Longer than weary eyes may count.
Tonight, a wanderer burns on the surface of Khusu’s pool, and soon all other lights will seem pale.
How many ages have rolled since the gods have seen a sail from the world beyond? The rising sun shall rob them of their isolation.
My time is coming. They called me fool, but none have known my pain. The pattern shifts; neither man nor god may know its final weaving.
What some call madness, I call vision. I have seen,
and now one comes – haunted, driven before the winds of a fate he dare not face.
I have called the Serpent from his prison.
A man of war, seeking peace, yet disease and ruin will follow in his wake. What he bears will cast a shadow to drown the distant lights of Tel Aphos and make the gods who dwell there remember fear.
All that remains is to find the one to serve me when the general falls. Is that you Hetephes? Are you to be my handmaiden or will you choose your false father? So many others have failed.
You are restless in your narrow bed. Do you sense me watching?
Do you dream?
Should not the God of Visions and Crossroads know?
It is selfish not to share. It matters not!
The ships are here, the star returns, and no novice’s dream could encompass what is to come…
If you want to know that, you must share The Serpent’s Quest.
- GenresFantasy
447 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2024
2 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Nerine Dorman
70 books238 followersNerine Dorman is a South African author and editor of science fiction and fantasy currently living in Cape Town, with short fiction published in numerous anthologies. She is a contributor to the Locus Award-winning Afro-Centered Futurism in Our Speculative Fiction edited by Eugen Bacon (Bloomsbury, 2024). Her novel Sing down the Stars won Gold for the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature in 2019 and The Percy Fitzpatrick Award for Children's and Youth Literature in 2021. Her YA fantasy novella, Dragon Forged, was a finalist in the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature in 2017, and she is the curator of the South African Horrorfest Bloody Parchment event and short story competition. Her short story “On the Other Side of the Sea” (Omenana, 2017) was shortlisted for a 2018 Nommo award. Her novella The Firebird won a Nommo for “Best Novella” in 2019. In addition, she is a founding member of the SFF authors’ co-operative Skolion.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 2, 2024
Read as a SPFBOX semi-finalist as part of team Fantasy Book Critic.
7/10
Set in a richly imagined Ancient Egypt flavoured world, The Serpent’s Quest is a slightly unhinged action fantasy adventure filled with fearsome women, capricious meddling gods, diabolical pirates, scary mummies, and a dangerously high dose of snark and sarcasm; this is epic sword, sandals & sorcery fantasy like you have not quite seen before!
Well, Dorman and Bennett sure know how to open a book with one hell of a strong hook. Through the eyes of a broken barbarian general and a disgraced half-divine priestess, we are sucked straight into a wild quest across foreign lands, wide seas and down dark catacombs for a corruptive magical artefact to save their plane of existence from certain doom; Kelbrin and Hetephes might have wildly opposing personalities and clashing (hidden) personal motivations, but when you are both trapped in the schemes of a snarky, mad god, what else can you do but try to work together?
Even though this story hits the ground running and doesn’t give a lot of moments to breathe and recuperate, I was personally immediately immersed because of the rich atmosphere, alluring intrigue, and distinct cultural world building. The dual POV storytelling and the travelling aspect of The Serpent’s Quest allow for this rich world to unfold in such an organic way, and I especially enjoyed the realistic representation of all the culture clashing, foreign diseases, language barriers, and opposing religious/magical beliefs and practices. Moreover, I loved the unique execution of the gods walking among us trope here, which added such a riveting level of unpredictability to this narrative.
And it’s not only the world that is so vibrant, but the characters as well. Look, I can’t sit here and pretend that the characters in The Serpent’s Quest are extremely complex or show a lot of emotional depth, but I think they somehow get away with that because of their incredibly strong, distinct voices and dangerously sharp tongues. Not to mention, the side characters absolutely get their time to shine, and I loved all the unlikely character dynamics, hysterical banter and razor-sharp dialogue. Especially the mad god Rahash and Kelbrin’s prickly, angry, sword wielding second-in-command Elan really stole the show for me, and they both had me cackling out loud way more often than I’d like to admit.
Though, as much as I enjoyed getting swept up in all the craziness that unfolds throughout this increasingly wild adventure, I did personally feel like it got a bit too hectic for my personal tastes. The pacing felt a bit rocky to me, not only because I felt much more invested in Hetephes’ crisis of identity and faith than anything going on with Kelbrin, but also because the chapters felt jarringly long for such a fast-paced and action-oriented story. Moreover, while the world building is extremely solid and immersive, I did feel like some of the magic and in-world terms/practices/beliefs remained a bit too elusive for a bit too long, which ultimately made some solutions and escapes feel a bit unbelievably convenient.
That said, I think it is extremely obvious how much fun Dorman & Bennett had with pouring all of their favourite fantasy elements into this story and turning familiar tropes on their heads, which ultimately gave it an irresistible charm that somehow made me forgive a few of my quibbles. For me, the sheer levels of dramatic irony and effortlessly funny sarcasm and banter kept me engaged despite the lack of a deeper emotional investment, and sometimes that is all you need from a fun rollicking adventure.
Whether you are craving some epic fantasy, non-western fantasy, quest fantasy, nautical fantasy, heist fantasy, comedic fantasy, sword & sorcery fantasy or even some horror fantasy, this wild adventure can offer it all. And with this only being the start of a 5-book epic journey, I am already eager to see what kind of mad fun Dorman & Bennett have up their sleeves for the next instalments. If you have been looking for a fresh and subversive take on a D&D-flavoured fantasy quest that is charmingly chaotic and darkly funny, then you simply have to try out The Serpent’s Quest.
7/10
Set in a richly imagined Ancient Egypt flavoured world, The Serpent’s Quest is a slightly unhinged action fantasy adventure filled with fearsome women, capricious meddling gods, diabolical pirates, scary mummies, and a dangerously high dose of snark and sarcasm; this is epic sword, sandals & sorcery fantasy like you have not quite seen before!
Well, Dorman and Bennett sure know how to open a book with one hell of a strong hook. Through the eyes of a broken barbarian general and a disgraced half-divine priestess, we are sucked straight into a wild quest across foreign lands, wide seas and down dark catacombs for a corruptive magical artefact to save their plane of existence from certain doom; Kelbrin and Hetephes might have wildly opposing personalities and clashing (hidden) personal motivations, but when you are both trapped in the schemes of a snarky, mad god, what else can you do but try to work together?
Even though this story hits the ground running and doesn’t give a lot of moments to breathe and recuperate, I was personally immediately immersed because of the rich atmosphere, alluring intrigue, and distinct cultural world building. The dual POV storytelling and the travelling aspect of The Serpent’s Quest allow for this rich world to unfold in such an organic way, and I especially enjoyed the realistic representation of all the culture clashing, foreign diseases, language barriers, and opposing religious/magical beliefs and practices. Moreover, I loved the unique execution of the gods walking among us trope here, which added such a riveting level of unpredictability to this narrative.
And it’s not only the world that is so vibrant, but the characters as well. Look, I can’t sit here and pretend that the characters in The Serpent’s Quest are extremely complex or show a lot of emotional depth, but I think they somehow get away with that because of their incredibly strong, distinct voices and dangerously sharp tongues. Not to mention, the side characters absolutely get their time to shine, and I loved all the unlikely character dynamics, hysterical banter and razor-sharp dialogue. Especially the mad god Rahash and Kelbrin’s prickly, angry, sword wielding second-in-command Elan really stole the show for me, and they both had me cackling out loud way more often than I’d like to admit.
Though, as much as I enjoyed getting swept up in all the craziness that unfolds throughout this increasingly wild adventure, I did personally feel like it got a bit too hectic for my personal tastes. The pacing felt a bit rocky to me, not only because I felt much more invested in Hetephes’ crisis of identity and faith than anything going on with Kelbrin, but also because the chapters felt jarringly long for such a fast-paced and action-oriented story. Moreover, while the world building is extremely solid and immersive, I did feel like some of the magic and in-world terms/practices/beliefs remained a bit too elusive for a bit too long, which ultimately made some solutions and escapes feel a bit unbelievably convenient.
That said, I think it is extremely obvious how much fun Dorman & Bennett had with pouring all of their favourite fantasy elements into this story and turning familiar tropes on their heads, which ultimately gave it an irresistible charm that somehow made me forgive a few of my quibbles. For me, the sheer levels of dramatic irony and effortlessly funny sarcasm and banter kept me engaged despite the lack of a deeper emotional investment, and sometimes that is all you need from a fun rollicking adventure.
Whether you are craving some epic fantasy, non-western fantasy, quest fantasy, nautical fantasy, heist fantasy, comedic fantasy, sword & sorcery fantasy or even some horror fantasy, this wild adventure can offer it all. And with this only being the start of a 5-book epic journey, I am already eager to see what kind of mad fun Dorman & Bennett have up their sleeves for the next instalments. If you have been looking for a fresh and subversive take on a D&D-flavoured fantasy quest that is charmingly chaotic and darkly funny, then you simply have to try out The Serpent’s Quest.
Want to read
June 11, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBOX contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A heroic general, betrayed by his pupil and imprisoned for years, is visited by an apparition in motley who appears in his water bowl and tells him of a means of escape in this gritty sword and sorcery.
The conceit of this novel leads for me. It starts at precisely the pivotal moment when the course of our MC’s life changes, and that moment is full of wonder and the promise of action.
He has a choice to make: rot and die, or escape, steal a powerful relic from his pupil turned emperor, and flee to a distant land from which he may eventually defeat his enemies.
By the end of the pages I’ve read, this choice is set, made, and the novel leaps into action. Who is this strange spirit, I wonder, and how and why has he come to our miserable general here and now.
It’s a beginning full of engaging questions that I look forward to our story exploring. As with the beginning of Hamlet, I’m left wondering whether this spirit means well or harm. We’ll have to see.
The voices of our characters don’t feel terribly distinct in their prolonged dialogue, but their talk helps to establish the circumstances of our MC and some of the steaks for the world at large, including hints of weird demon magic.
I do think the narration could have established the circumstances of this opening and it’s MC more clearly. I feel I have to read a page and then look back and sum up to get my bearings. Some in-world references are obscure. But once the action starts, the prose works well.
This opening is invitingly strange, active, and feels like it’s set in a thought-out world of personal totems that bestow power. I’m engaged by the problems the story sets before our MC. Big things are already happening. I’m in.
A heroic general, betrayed by his pupil and imprisoned for years, is visited by an apparition in motley who appears in his water bowl and tells him of a means of escape in this gritty sword and sorcery.
The conceit of this novel leads for me. It starts at precisely the pivotal moment when the course of our MC’s life changes, and that moment is full of wonder and the promise of action.
He has a choice to make: rot and die, or escape, steal a powerful relic from his pupil turned emperor, and flee to a distant land from which he may eventually defeat his enemies.
By the end of the pages I’ve read, this choice is set, made, and the novel leaps into action. Who is this strange spirit, I wonder, and how and why has he come to our miserable general here and now.
It’s a beginning full of engaging questions that I look forward to our story exploring. As with the beginning of Hamlet, I’m left wondering whether this spirit means well or harm. We’ll have to see.
The voices of our characters don’t feel terribly distinct in their prolonged dialogue, but their talk helps to establish the circumstances of our MC and some of the steaks for the world at large, including hints of weird demon magic.
I do think the narration could have established the circumstances of this opening and it’s MC more clearly. I feel I have to read a page and then look back and sum up to get my bearings. Some in-world references are obscure. But once the action starts, the prose works well.
This opening is invitingly strange, active, and feels like it’s set in a thought-out world of personal totems that bestow power. I’m engaged by the problems the story sets before our MC. Big things are already happening. I’m in.
May 30, 2024
Swords, sandals and sorcery, plus gods, demons, pirates, spirits, demons and even a helping of mammoths. What is not to love? Nerine Dorman and Toby Bennet have created a fascinating world that is crying out to be explored further. The clash of cultures that sets up book 1 is intriguing and begs some back story, in fact everything and everybody begs for back story. I was hooked by the main characters, who, I am pleased to say, each have their good and bad traits, so one finds oneself both liking and disliking them, which for me speaks of good characterisation. Despite this not being my favoured genre, I loved this first foray into The Ilwan Isles and am eagerly awaiting book 2. Recommended!
May 20, 2024
I truly enjoyed this book. I bought it in kindle format and got completely immersed.
As someone who likes epic fantasy sagas, this was right up my alley.
The story starts out with a medium to slow pace and then stuff happens. Quickly. And it doesn’t stop. You end up feeling sorry for the protagonists because even when they get a break, they don’t.
The co-option of a protagonist from another culture and the handling of their communication problems and development is beautifully handled and I really loved the development and explanation of power/magic in this book.
The way Toby and Nerine have made the gods to walk among us is sublime.
I heartily recommend reading this book!!!
The only downside is that book 2 isn’t yet available, but I will re-read this when I get my mits on book 2!
As someone who likes epic fantasy sagas, this was right up my alley.
The story starts out with a medium to slow pace and then stuff happens. Quickly. And it doesn’t stop. You end up feeling sorry for the protagonists because even when they get a break, they don’t.
The co-option of a protagonist from another culture and the handling of their communication problems and development is beautifully handled and I really loved the development and explanation of power/magic in this book.
The way Toby and Nerine have made the gods to walk among us is sublime.
I heartily recommend reading this book!!!
The only downside is that book 2 isn’t yet available, but I will re-read this when I get my mits on book 2!
December 17, 2024
"The Serpent's Quest" by Toby Bennett and Nerine Dorman was one of the 2024 Semifinalists for the Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off book awards. I decided to read the preview (about 30%) of each Semifinalist to help me decide on my 2025 TBR!
This one is definitely on the list now. The prose is outstanding, the characters interesting, and the world colorful and different. The story follows Kelbrin, a demerited general and experienced warrior wasting away in a cell. His legacy: a pupil turned tyrant, a kingdom broken. In this preview, I saw enough to know that I will cheer for Kelbrin and his faithful, and that I need to know how this veteran man reclaims his honor.
I will be returning with a full review next year!
This one is definitely on the list now. The prose is outstanding, the characters interesting, and the world colorful and different. The story follows Kelbrin, a demerited general and experienced warrior wasting away in a cell. His legacy: a pupil turned tyrant, a kingdom broken. In this preview, I saw enough to know that I will cheer for Kelbrin and his faithful, and that I need to know how this veteran man reclaims his honor.
I will be returning with a full review next year!
May 15, 2024
Ah, how I've missed reading a proper swords and sorcery novel! The Serpent's Quest has foreign lands to be discovered, strange gods to be dealt with, creepy abandoned tombs haunted by shades and traps to be plundered, pirates, macabre magic, demons from beyond, and nail-biting battles.
Kelbrin was the fearsome general who overthrew a nation of necromancers to forge an empire. Betrayed by the king he put in place, he is now in a dank dungeon trying not to die. When a cunning spirit offers him a way out, he seizes it, and also the corrupting magical artefact his betrayer stole from the ruins of those twisted necromancers they fought so hard to destroy. With a band of those who still believe in him, he flees across the sea seeking allies...and to warn them of what is coming.
Kelbrin was the fearsome general who overthrew a nation of necromancers to forge an empire. Betrayed by the king he put in place, he is now in a dank dungeon trying not to die. When a cunning spirit offers him a way out, he seizes it, and also the corrupting magical artefact his betrayer stole from the ruins of those twisted necromancers they fought so hard to destroy. With a band of those who still believe in him, he flees across the sea seeking allies...and to warn them of what is coming.
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August 17, 2024rtc
Read
May 7, 2024I can't rate this book, since I wrote it, but I can totally tell you that it's one of the best things I've worked on since pickled fish. It's got disgraced priestesses, mad gods, barbarian generals, dragons, mummies, and high adventure.
September 7, 2025
Harkening back to the good old days of fantasy, where stakes were kingdom-wide and characters were tough as nails, this book packs a huge punch.
i admire the authors for their character creation, as Kelbrin and Hetephes carried the entire adventure on their backs with helps from few others.
Each plot beat was action packed, and we encountered new dangers at every turn that did not at any point feel random or contrived. They felt at home in this one-wrong-move-and-you're-dead kind of world we lived in.
The prose was also GREAT! I loved its richness and interiority; a nice contrast to modern day kvetching on paper that's overtaken the fantasy genre of late.
A must-read for all those who want to delve into a world not their own.
i admire the authors for their character creation, as Kelbrin and Hetephes carried the entire adventure on their backs with helps from few others.
Each plot beat was action packed, and we encountered new dangers at every turn that did not at any point feel random or contrived. They felt at home in this one-wrong-move-and-you're-dead kind of world we lived in.
The prose was also GREAT! I loved its richness and interiority; a nice contrast to modern day kvetching on paper that's overtaken the fantasy genre of late.
A must-read for all those who want to delve into a world not their own.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews