The Serpent's Curse is a gripping tale that combines elements of mystery, adventure, and supernatural elements. It follows the journey of a young archaeologist named Amelia as she sets out to uncover the truth behind an ancient curse that has plagued her family for generations. Amelia's search takes her to remote and dangerous locations across the globe, where she encounters a series of puzzles and obstacles that she must solve in order to break the curse. Along the way, she unravels the dark secrets of her family's past and discovers the hidden powers that the curse holds. The curse itself is linked to an ancient artifact known as the Serpent's Eye, said to possess unimaginable power. As Amelia delves deeper into her family's history, she learns that the curse was placed on her ancestors centuries ago by a vengeful sorcerer who sought to control the Serpent's Eye for his own sinister purposes.
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Villainous Jack Grew appears in every time, making it clear that his particular brand of fear-based, White male power grab and later formal governance is as powerful a threat in fantasy as in reality. She s a seasoned thief who has no reservations about using her affinity for time to give her an edge, and she s trained her whole life for one mission travel back to 1902 New York, steal the ancient Book of Mysteries , and use its power to destroy the Brink and free the Mageus from the Order s control.
As Amelia delves deeper into her family's history, she learns that the curse was placed on her ancestors centuries ago by a vengeful sorcerer who sought to control the Serpent's Eye for his own sinister purposes. Throughout her journey, Amelia encounters various characters who aid or hinder her progress. Some are allies who possess important knowledge or skills, while others are enemies seeking to exploit the curse for their own gain.
THE SERPENT'S CURSE
In 1904, A-list protagonists Esta and Harte continue their cross-country quest to gather the stones to stop threats both mythical and corporeal. Back in 1902 New York City, B-list protagonist Viola—and to a lesser extent Jianyu and Cela—continues to work against two opposing threats: Nibsy Lorcan and the Order. As in The Devil’s Thief (2018), this weighty tome jumps between timelines (as do some characters) and multiple close third-person perspectives, often reiterating information from different perspectives. Villainous Jack Grew appears in every time, making it clear that his particular brand of fear-based, White male power grab (and later formal governance) is as powerful a threat in fantasy as in reality. After a long buildup, much is resolved: Harte makes peace with his troubled childhood; Esta and Harte confess their feelings; the many secondary characters get to experience adventure and dip a toe into romantic entanglement; and one major threat is managed. Ambitious and complex plotting, complete with plenty of ruminations on power and hatred, make for compelling reading—but only for readers patient enough to push through the glacial pacing, which picks up toward the end only to leave some plates still spinning, waiting for resolution in the presumable fourth volume.
Bloated. (map, author's note) (Historical fantasy. 12-adult)
Pub Date: April 13, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4814-9448-9
Page Count: 768
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Feb. 4, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2021
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She forms unexpected alliances and faces numerous challenges along the way, constantly testing her strength and resolve. As the story unfolds, Amelia not only battles the external obstacles but also grapples with her own inner demons and fears. She must confront her doubts and insecurities, ultimately finding the courage to embrace her destiny and face the powerful sorcerer in a final showdown. The Serpent's Curse is a thrilling and suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. It explores themes of destiny, courage, and the power of family ties. With its blend of adventure, mystery, and supernatural elements, it offers a captivating reading experience that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series..
Reviews for "The Serpent's Curse: A Haunting Legacy of the Past"
1. Jennifer - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "The Serpent's Curse" as I had heard so many great things about it, but unfortunately, I was disappointed. The plot felt very predictable and lacked originality. The characters were flat and didn't seem to have any depth. The writing style was also quite dull, and I found it difficult to stay engaged in the story. Overall, I was quite disappointed and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 2/5 - I'm a big fan of mystery novels, so I was excited to dive into "The Serpent's Curse." However, I found the storyline to be quite weak. The twists were not particularly surprising, and the resolution of the mystery was underwhelming. Additionally, the pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest halfway through the book. The characters were also one-dimensional and lacked complexity. Overall, I was disappointed with "The Serpent's Curse" and wouldn't recommend it to fellow mystery enthusiasts.
3. Sarah - 3/5 - "The Serpent's Curse" had potential, but it fell short for me. While I appreciated the historical aspect of the story and the overall concept, I found the execution to be lacking. The writing style felt forced at times, and the dialogue was unrealistic and awkward. The pacing was inconsistent, with certain parts dragging on unnecessarily while others were rushed through. Additionally, some of the character actions and choices felt contrived and unrealistic. Overall, it was an okay read, but I expected more from it.
4. Alex - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Serpent's Curse," but it failed to live up to its potential. The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow, with too many unnecessary subplots that distracted from the main story. The writing style was also heavy-handed and lacked finesse. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their journey. Overall, I found "The Serpent's Curse" to be a disappointing read that didn't deliver on its promises.