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    Serpent's Kiss
    Serpent's Kiss
    Serpent's Kiss
    Audiobook13 hours

    Serpent's Kiss

    Written by Thea Harrison

    Narrated by Sophie Eastlake

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    In order to save his friend's life, Wyr sentinel Rune Ainissesthai made a bargain with Vampyre Queen Carling-without knowing what she would ask from him in return. But when Rune attempts to make good on his debt, he finds a woman on the edge.

    Recently, Carling's power has become erratic, forcing her followers to flee in fear. Despite the danger, Rune is drawn to the ailing Queen and decides to help her find a cure for the serpent's kiss-the vampyric disease that's killing her.

    With their desire for each other escalating just as quickly as Carling's instability spirals out of control, the sentinel and the Queen will have to rely on each other if they have any hope of surviving the serpent's kiss.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateOct 4, 2011
    ISBN9781452673660
    Serpent's Kiss

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    Reviews for Serpent's Kiss

    4/5

    175 ratings17 reviews

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    • 1/5
      Awful book. The only book The Harrison has ever written that’s worth reading is her first one in the elder series the name of which o forget. The rest of the books have rather idiotic plot lines, underdeveloped characters, subpar world building, very poor pacing and generally boring. I do not recommend At All.
    • 5/5
      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 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.
    • 4/5
      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 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.
    • 4/5
      I fell in love with Carling in Storm's Heart. She is fierce, a great queen, and a nice person (well at least as far as you can tell in that book). I loved how Thea Harrison wrote this book, I loved getting to read more about Carling and how Rune and her fell in love. I loved him even more every time he saw her in her blackouts (trying to spare details here, sorry).

      I can't imagine all the things Carling went through to get to where she was at this point in the book but the ending! GAH! I was in shock and it was pretty well done but I had to go back and read it again to make sure I understood what happened.

      Overall, the book started kind of slow but kicked off hard about a quarter of the way through. You will not be able to close the book without loving Rune, you just can't. Try it and see.
    • 3/5
      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 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.

    • 4/5
      I have no idea why I don't already have a review of this here. I read it when it was first released and really enjoyed it. While Dragon Bound and Oracle's Moon are my favorites of the series so far, this comes in close behind them. I really liked both Carling and Rune.

      I love that Harrison has gone outside the box with this series. I really want to live in her world.
    • 5/5
      This was a great read, and enjoyed it way more than the 2nd book. Hanging out for the 4th now!!!
    • 3/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      Listening to audiobook.

      I love Rune.
    • 4/5
      It was very good but for a bit of the book I was just waiting for something to happen. I saw the "answer" if that is what it is way before even the middle of the book so was waiting for it. And then it was interesting as it proceeded to the answer, especially at about the 1/2 way point. But then everything came to a close way too fast. Everything is discovered, traitors are found, alliances are broken, etc... all at the same moment, way too fast after the slow start.

      Really liked it overall but would have liked a more steady pacing.
    • 4/5
      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 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.
    • 4/5
      This series just gets better and better. The book was jam packed with emotion and mystery
    • 4/5
      The third book in the series, this one was rather sad. Carling is a very old vampire, and she is starting to fade. Rune owes her a favor since she helped save Tiago (previous book). When Rune arrives, he finds a lonely woman who is losing time and he must help her. I thought this was beautifully told. I enjoyed the interaction of the two characters.
    • 4/5
      Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Vampires and gryphons changing their past to save their future. Fun and easy read. Opening Sentence: “I am a bad woman, of course,” said Carling Severan, the Vampyre Sorceress, in an absent tone of voice. The Review: I must warn you, this is a romance story. Yes, it includes sexy scenes and undying love sentiments. And yes, there is a happy ending. Stop now if that’s not your thing. If you are still with me, I think that you’re going to enjoy this book for what it is, lovely and memorable. The story is not so much a fighting one, as in books past, but more of a journey. This is a story of two unlikely people, and I use the term “people” loosely, falling in love and overcoming the obstacles between them. Well yeah, most good love stories have this basic plot line, but Serpent’s Kiss adds just enough of a twist to leave the reader happy to come along for the ride. In the third installment of The Elder Races series, we follow Rune, the Lord of the Wyr’s First and one of four gryphons on Earth, and his fulfillment of a favor for the beautiful and powerful vampire Councilor, Carling. The favor is for Carling saving Tiago’s life in the last book, Storm’s Heart. Rune is obligated by a magical pact to do whatever Carling chooses. He is strong, smart, easy-going, and considered the “rock-star” in the Wyr community. He is also loyal and gladly goes to Carling with a light heart, even with him not knowing if he will return to his life in New York anytime in the next millennium, while he fulfills his obligation. Carling is dying and her Power is so erratic that she is secluded on a magical island for the safety of herself and others. She doesn’t have a cure for her disease, vampirism, and is resigned to the fact. Rune arrives and challenges her to fight for her life; “do not go gentle into that good night” (Dylan Thomas people, go read some poetry). He stirs in Carling feelings that she hasn’t experienced in a long time and it helps her get out of her funk. These two are so fun together, arguing and rediscovering things that only new couples ever seem to do. Carling, with the help of Rune, learns to find delight in things that she gave up long ago, and that includes sex. As Rune would say, “booyha.” Though they are not my favorite couple to come out of The Elder Races series, they certainly pack a punch. Rune ends up traveling into Carling’s past every time she has one of her episodes, when her Power flares without her control and she fades away. Not literally fading, but she does get lost in her own mind. By changing her past, being in it for one thing, they both start to unravel the mystery of her “illness.” Can Carling find a way to live, now that she has something to live for? Can Rune take hold of the gift he is given or will he turn it away like so many other times in his long life? Will the other beings of Power allow them to remain together or will they be killed? Can the other leaders of the supernatural community take on Carling if she does lose control of her powers? Can they take that chance? A character we get to learn more about in Serpent’s Kiss is Khalil, the Djinn. He was first introduced in the last book. Khalil is a very old and powerful Djinn and he owes two more favors to Carling. We get to learn how she was able to obtain such a rare and powerful gift and Khalil gets to show off more of his personality. He does so enjoy taunting Wyr’s that are going through the mating frenzy. I can’t wait for his book, Oracle’s Moon. I truly enjoyed the background of Carling’s Egyptian beginnings. I think it’s cute that she believes Rune is a god the first time she sees him, but refuses to acknowledge it in the future. She can’t afford to inflate his ego anymore than it already is! I appreciate their story being a true journey, both emotionally and physically, through the past and into the future. Even Dragos and Pia, from the first book, make an appearance. Read this book and fall in love with the series all over again. Notable Scene: The Djinn crossed his arms and raised a sleek black brow, looking so supercilious Rune started across the room toward him. Suddenly Carling was there in front of him, impeding his path. She slapped her hands against his chest. He kept plowing forward, pushing against her strength, and her bare feet slid across the carpet. She said between her teeth, “I do not know why we are indulging in a fit of psychosis right now, but so help me, I will throw your crackbrained ass out the window if you don’t stop right there.” The Djinn stared at them both. He smiled. He said, “I have seen this behavior in Wyr before.” Glaring at him over Carling’s head, Rune spat words like they were bullets. “I want to know why you gave away three favors. And what Carling did for you.” “Do you?” said the Djinn in a languorous drawl as he opened his diamond eyes wide. “Or you’ll do what?” The Elder Races Series: 1. Dragon Bound 2. Storm’s Heart 3. Serpent’s Kiss 3.5 True Colors 4. Oracle’s Moon FTC Advisory: Berkley Sensation provided me with a copy of Serpent’s Kiss. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. I only get paid in hugs and kisses from my little boys.
    • 4/5
      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 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.
    • 4/5
      Carling, a very powerful Vampyre, has been fading. She has periods of blanking out, causing interruptions in her power. This is a sign with vampires of coming death. Carling has spent much time trying to find a cure, but unsuccessful, as accepted her fate. She has pushed all emotions and connections away.In the previous book Rune, a Wyr grypon, made a bargain with Carling to save a friend's life. Now he travels to her to make good on that bargain. Their first meeting is intense and Carling finds she does not like the emotions he brings forth in her. She tries to push him away, but after he finds out about her fate, he won't budge. He decides to help her not die. Rune uses humor, kindness, and ruthlessness to bring out Carling's emotions, and to stop her from just giving up.I really loved the build up, both of their feelings for each other and of finding a cure for Carling. The fadings and how Rune becomes involved with them was very unique. Unfortunately, I found the ending very jolting and sudden once they think they have found a way to save Carling. The climax was too vague and didn't satisfy the build up.Overall, though, another winner by Harrison.
    • 4/5
      This was way more fun than the last book in the series, especially when you start to figure out what's really going on (for me, about page 120). Then it becomes horrifying, fascinating and wonderful.The first half does drag in places, but I'm glad I pushed through to the end -- the finish is strong enough that I'm unexpectedly impatient for the next book.Quotes that cracked me up: Rhoswen: "You are the most wonderful person in the world." "That is very sweet of you." Carling kissed the other woman's forehead... "But those are rather disturbing words. If you believe that of someone such as I, you must acquire more discernment."... Carling slammed her fist into the wood as she walked past and said, "Shut up." The whispering stopped abruptly. Well, now that was just too much to pass up without comment. [Rune] didn't even try. He said, "What's in the wardrobe?" She glanced at him. "Books that don't behave."... After Carling asks Rune for one of his gryphon feathers: He craned his neck to give her a skeptical look. "And give you something of mine you can spell during one of your shit fits?" She looked at him with wide eyes. "I would never use a gift to spell someone." His incredible lion-colored eyes narrowed. The gryphon said, "I think your pants are on fire."