Reviews

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

maggienoodles's review

dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

emmzxiee_07's review against another edition

5.0

Such a masterpiece. Being brave and bold doesn't necessarily mean that you want to stop somebody's plan for you. It is a choice to let yourself push out of your comfort zone and explore and be free.

Jeff Zentner is truly a remarkable author. I should've finished this book before. I am captivated by his work and splendid character building.

Definitely worth giving a 5-star rating.

avalith's review against another edition

4.0

A compelling and heartbreaking novel about the struggles of growing up in the bible belt, I REALLY enjoyed this book. All three of the main characters were very likeable and realistically drawn. I particularly enjoyed Lydia's sense of humor and the ways in which she approached the small-mindedness of the community she lived in.

As someone who grew up in an- albeit far, far less extreme- small town religious atmosphere I found I could really sympathize with the pressures and demoralization that the characters faced.

An excellent novel about being who you are, despite where you're from. Highly recommended.

gigawattember's review against another edition

3.0

It was a good book but wasn't what I was expecting.

cass_10e's review

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

drizzleandhurricanebooks's review against another edition

4.0

A really great debut, realistic characters, a heartbreaking yet very hopeful story about taking control of your own life, making your own choices and, yeah, I cried.
Full review coming soon on Drizzle & Hurricane Books

kimbongiorno's review against another edition

5.0

The title and the summary made me think this book would focus on Dill and his snake-wrangling father, but it was so much more than that. The story is told in alternating voices of three best friends as they begin their senior year: one knowing she is OUTTA THERE, one being OK with staying exactly where he is because he has his stories to escape into, and one not feeling like he can or is deserving of going anywhere but right where his father's crimes put him. I felt so many things while I read this: understand the whys behind their choices, the thought NONONONONO, the love the friends have for one another, frustration at how people are how they are even if it's not fair/right. It took some turns I did not expect, and I want to read whatever Jeff writes next.

jonezeemcgee's review against another edition

5.0

4.75

Beautifully written. Powerfully moving. Characters I felt I knew. An atmosphere so real I could taste it, smell it and feel it suck me under. I have to say, I go into reading YA expecting to be entertained, and sometimes slightly moved, but rare is the moment when a YA book like this can touch me so deeply. It isn't a knock against YA, it is just I am a jaded, and nihilistic old ass adult. LOL. In any case, I can't wait to read more of Zetner's writing.

PS. This is heading to my favorites shelf.

cjrivers's review against another edition

3.0

This is a very well-written book with an interesting twist on the "small town teen coming-of-age story." The chapters went back and forth between characters, although the voice of each chapter was indistinguishable from the others. I would have enjoyed more of each character's personality shining through in their chapters. Overall, a great book for teens to read, especially those who think they are stuck in their hometown with no real future post-high school. Not the most relatable book for a 30-something woman to read, but I always appreciate reading about issues my students most likely face.

ellakostka's review against another edition

5.0

that shit hurted