Serpent's Kiss

Whoever comes up for the covers of these books should be shot on sight, I swear. Despite having read the first two books in this series, I put off reading this one for ages because the cover makes it look like the kind of bodice-ripping love affair a bored housewife would devour (not that there's anything wrong with being a housewife, mind you).

I was wrong. The characters are complex and multifaceted, and while there's a love story front and center, the book focuses more heavily on the concept of immortality and its damaging psychological effects. Rune, a Wyr who can shift into a gryphon, is immortal, but surprisingly doesn't spend too much time dwelling on that fact. Carling, meanwhile, was born mortal, but has since become an show more intensely powerful vampire who clawed her way to the top. Interestingly, Carling is the one struggling with an increasing detachment from the rest of the world--when we meet her, she lives in almost complete isolation, with only a dog and a close servant for company. Most vampires die when they reach the age of 700 from a mysterious disease, and Carling is beginning to exhibit symptoms.

The book suggests that, because Carling was born mortal, she may not be psychologically equipped to deal with immortality, an idea that usually gets glossed over in modern-day vampire stories (choosing instead to focus on the romantic angle of things) so I was pleased to see it brought up here.

Of course, Carling does eventually get pulled out of her depression by Rune (like anyone expected otherwise?) but the ending, while hopeful, isn't happily-ever-after. Carling and Rune may have found the cause of her disease, but it's left pretty open-ended, a conclusion I didn't have a problem with. Considering how long both of them have been alive, I think a Disney ending would have been out of place. Regardless of whether or not Carling and Rune cure her disease, the novel dealt with the emotional growth of Carling, which I think was the main focus.

I was really happy with the book, but get the feeling this series is being marketed as a romance. It's a tricky label for this novel in particular, since it lacks the conclusive, riding-off-into-the-sunset vibe that most romance novels seem to produce. show less

We are thrust back into the world of the Elder Races, pretty much right where we left off in Storm’s Heart. Rune made a promise to the Vampyre Queen Carling that he would owe her a favor and she has called to collect. Favors in this world are not like every day favors you and I would normally think of. It is a debt that if not paid has serious consequences and you have to do anything the person you are in debt to asks of you. Rune is not really looking forward to finding out what Carling wants him to do, but knows his time to repay the Vampyre Queen has come.

Now that we are onto the third book in this series, I have come to depend on quite a few things, but most of all I know that when I pick up one of Thea’s books I am not going to show more be able to put it down until I finish it. I started and finished Serpent’s Kiss all in one day and soaked in every delicious minute of it. While we are in the same world, this book does differ from the other two in the fact that there is no real “evil force” chasing them at every turn. There are some people that come to be their enemies as the story progresses, but for a good chunk of the book it is just Rune and Carling searching for a cure for her impending death. This did not detract from the story at all; it just took these characters on a different type of journey. It was an inner struggle for both of them, more so for Carling because she was the facing her own death and Rune finds her she might as well be dead because of her outlook on life. She has accepted her death and is no longer fighting it, she feels there is nothing left to live for and has pretty much given up. She puts on a good show for the outside world, but on the inside she is already dead. From the first moment Rune laid eyes on her in Storm’s Heart he has been fascinated by her and if she is not going to fight for her life, he is going to do the fighting for her.

The main symptom Carling exhibits are what she has called “episodes.” She just blacks out from the present world and cannot be reached. When she does this, there is also a power rift around her and as a result she has been told to live out the remainder of her days on an island on the outskirts of San Francisco, where she cannot harm others. With Carling’s “episodes” taking her out of the present and into the past Thea explored the topic of time travel. It was fascinating to see Rune and Carling try to piece together what was actually happening to her when she zoned out and Thea described the transitions beautifully. It was a concept that I did not anticipate in this novel, but it blended well with the overall plot and has added a new mystery for the vampyres in this world to think about.

I also enjoyed how well Thea developed Rune and Carling as individuals as well as the relationship they shared. Since they were not constantly on the run, they were able to stay in one place for a longer amount of time and explore their feelings for each other fully. It did take a while for Rune to coax Carling to not only give into her feelings, but figure out what they were again. She has lived so long and accepted her death so fully that she had shut out all emotions. It takes her time to register what desire is and why Rune invokes this emotion from her. Rune beings to light a fire under her to not only fight for her life, but fight for their relationship and what they could be together.

Thea also weaves the overall story of the Elder world books together seamlessly. One story flows right into the next another part of this world is slowly unveiled to us. Characters’ lives overlap constantly and by introducing the couple that will be featured in the next book in previous installments we get to know all of them on a deeper level. For example, Dragos and his sentinels still play a role in Serpent’s Kiss and we receive little updates on what all of them have been up to as time passes. We also met, Grace who is the oracle for the Elder races and we have seen Khalil, a Djinn, from when Carling called on him for favors in the past. These two are the center of Thea’s next book, Oracle’s Moon, which is due out next year. I have no idea how their lives are going to intertwine, but we did get a sneak peak at it in this book and it just makes me more excited for the next one. Grace is a firecracker and I am sure she is going to give Khalil a hard time.

The only real concern I have now is for Dragos. His sentinels are not exactly sticking around since they are finding their mates and I am not sure where that is going to leave him. There were also many issues that were left up in the air and I am curious to see how the decisions Rune and Carling ultimately make are going to affect the Elder race as a whole. The book does not end in with a cliffhanger by any means, but there are still so many questions swimming through my head and I am eager to see where Thea will take us in this world next.

Overall, these books are just hands down fantastic! I know when I pick these up I am going to be taking away on an amazing adventure and love every minute. Thea has created an engaging world with rich mythology, interesting plot lines and characters that are unforgettable. These books keep getting better with each installment and I always look forward to reading them. show less

Ugh. So much fun. This one is about a Vampyre and a shape-shifting Gryphon (the old time-y spellings are awesomely silly, right?), and they love each other and then the end is so goddamned anticlimactic I was actually stunned. I mean, look, these books follow a formula that works because plot doesn't generally matter with writing this funny (funny on purpose; I'm not laughing at the writer's expense), but you can't build up to a huge thing and then resolve it in a page and a half.

And now I'm gonna go read the next one. It's about a Djinn and The Oracle. WHAT.

Serpent's Kiss
4.5 Stars

Synopsis
Carling Severen, Queen of the Vampyres, is dying. Drawn to the ailing Queen by a promise, Wyr Sentinel, Rune Ainissesthai, finds himself unable to resist the growing passion between them and is willing to sacrifice everything to find a cure for her illness known only as the Serpent's Kiss.

Review
Unlike the previous installments - Dragon Bound and Storm's Heart, the focus here is on the romance rather than the action. While some readers may find the lack of chills and thrills disappointing, the strength of Rune and Carling's relationship is what makes this book a worthwhile read.

Rune and Carling are simply amazing together and their scenes intense, passionate and satisfying. Rune is gorgeous, ruthless and show more fiercely protective. Once he decides to save Carling, nothing, not even death, will stand in his way, and his growling and purring are just an added bonus.

Carling really intrigued me in Storm's Heart and she does not disappoint. Her seemingly detached and cold facade conceals an immensely powerful woman with a brilliant mind and a soft heart. Even though her abilities are becoming unstable due to her affliction, she never loses her strength of will or sense of self (of course, it is her love for Rune that helps her overcome the obstacles that she faces).

Unfortunately, the plot is on the weak side. It moves along too slowly, the climax completely fizzles and the conclusion is somewhat open ended and unresolved. Nevertheless, there are enough compelling elements to keep you interested.

Harrison's world building is excellent and her incorporation of Greek and Egyptian mythology very well done. Moreover, the time travel aspects are also intriguing. The idea of time being similar to folds in paper is interesting and one of the more logical explanations I've encountered. Even though it is a little confusing and convoluted, the actual trips into the past are compelling and add an additional layer to Rune and Carling's brilliant connection.

All in all, a wonderful romance and the glimpse into Khalil and Grace's story is very tantalizing. show less

I came to this read a little bit dutifully. I wasn't especially interested in reading about Carling and Rune as a pairing but I knew I had to get through it to continue on with the series. Sometimes it is really nice to be wrong about a book.

I really enjoyed this story, so much more than i expected, which really shouldn’t surprise me since I have liked ever I have read by Thea Harrison so far. Even the Rune/Carling pairing grew on me and I loved the way their story unwound. I part listened to this and part reads a physical copy and both mediums kept me enthralled all the way to the end. The only weird thing for me was that at the beginning it was Carling who read as immensely old with Rune being younger even though in fact that is show more completely the opposite way round and once I got my head around that it made the whole story flow into place much easier.

I also liked the way it set up the premise for the next book Oracle moon and can’t wait to continue with the series. show less

This was a good book and I really liked Carling. She was going through some personal stuff, but she didn't become a wishy-washy character. She remained a strong character. Rune was pretty great as well.

One of my friends made the comment, that these guys seem pretty modern for having been Y years old. They came into being before time was for humanity, but they seem so hip to these contemporary times. I really felt this sentiment in this book the most; and it may have put me off a bit.

I think my problem with this series is... what's the point? What is the arc of the stories? Does there have to be? Not really, but I guess I just don't understand if there is a connecting storyline that I should be looking for. Or is this just a bunch of show more books only connected in that it's in the same world and the characters know each other.

Another issue I'm having with these books, is that there is no background for how these beings came to be. It was really interesting to learn a little of how Vampyres, Medusas and the Oracles came to be. It was nice to get some understanding of how these different beings are somewhat related. But there is no real depth for this world. It's not becoming this world I can feel, in my opinion.

It's a good read, but I'm just not feeling the connection to this world and it's characters. I will read the next book, as it looks to be a fun read; but there are limitations that may stop me from continuing on in the future. show less

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:
www.allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com

Thea Harrison's Elder Races novels are my current addiction, I no sooner put down one than I'm anxiously anticipating the next. SERPENT'S KISS is a bright spot in an already wonderful series, and I'll be able to fill some of the months before ORACLE'S MOON comes out in March by mulling over this magic and these characters.

The world building in SERPENT'S KISS is ambitious, delving into the mythology of gryphons and vampires, the history of Carling's origins, and the politics of her present day position. Harrison writes enough explanation and detail to make reading along with Rune and Carling interesting, without getting bogged down in inconsistencies or show more procedure. I was so fascinated with how the mystery was unfolding, I almost lost sight of the main characters themselves. Details about Rune's personality or Carling's history that seemed inconsequential at the start come together at the close to make this an even more satisfying story.

I am continually impressed with the attention Harrison lavishes on her character's relationships, going beyond destiny or chemistry to write pairings that compliment and strengthen one another. Rather than writing generically appealing characters, Rune and Carling are another Elder Races couple that have some quirks and rough spots that happen to fit just right with each other. What better balance for one of nature's most playful and mutable beings than the cool, capable steadfastness of a woman who has survived for millennia?

It is still frustrating to see glimpses of beloved past characters without getting to spend much time with them, but luckily, Harrison always gives readers a peak at the next relationship on the horizon. Based on the introductory chapter included at the close of SERPENT'S KISS, ORACLE'S MOON promises to be a thoroughly entertaining blend of human practicality butting heads with another charming, if arrogant, magical being.

Sexual Content: Several sex scenes. show less