Children of the Serpent Gate

Love the entire trilogy but I love how the last book brought everything and everyone together. There were twists and turns and I am super disappointed that it's over. Plus side, the ending was satisfying!

Children of the Serpent Gate is a rollicking tale of dragons, dastardly deeds, magic and love. Sarah Ash did an excellent job weaving fantastical creatures, colorful characters, and incredible adventures into one volume of great entertainment.

I have to say, I am sad it's over. Sarah Ash has given me many hours of good reading and I cherished them all. This book I found a little different than the previous two in that things were moving along at a standard pace and the next thing you know; bam, bam, bam, it's over. It seemed like she just decided it was time to finish it, so she did. Don't get me wrong I loved it, but I felt like she left a few things out. Sarah hasn't really kept any secrets in the books and when she did they were eventually revealed. Not the case with this book unfortunately. Perhaps I missed it, but I want to know what happened with Kaspar Linnaius. Heck, I'd like to see a book about nothing but him. I hope Sarah continues to write quality material like she has, if she does..... I'll read em'. I would suggest putting an extra fifty pages in to finish the book and give us the imagery and story we love and honestly for reading the two previous books...deserve.

I thought that this book was an excellent conclusion to the series. In particular, I liked Ash's use of Gavril, Eugene, and Enguerrand. Gavril and his demon continue to pull at one another, and to affect one another's minds. In the end, both are changed, but neither in the standard fantasy cliche way. Eugene's frustrating status as a likeable antagonist matures into true heroism. I don't want to give away Enguerrand's role, but I was very pleased with the way Ms. Ash dealt with the Heavenly Warriors and their place in the struggle. In this book, and Prisoner of the Iron Tower, I was a little disappointed that there was not more involvement of Clan Arkhel. I felt like the first book of the series really suggested that the clan was going to play a major part (beyond the spirit singers' powers) in the unfolding events, but that never really happened. I don't think the story as it stands suffers from this, but it'd be nice if we hadn't be teased. I definitely recommend this series to anyone who is interested in a slightly off-base look at traditional fantasy, vampire myths, or demons.

In the last installment of Sarah Ash's "Tears of Artamon" trilogy all those pesky loose ends involving Gavril, Eugene, Karila, Kiukiu and our many other friends come to a close. The question regarding the fate of New Rossiya is answered...sort of. And our hunger to know our friends' fates is sated...in a way. The first two books of this series had a pleasing pace and structure to them, but this last book feels rushed, as if Mrs. Ash was told three-quarters of the way through her writing that her deadline was approaching. The reader at times will believe there are portions of the book best left out entirely, bearing no relevence to the grand scheme of things until the end. Do we really need multiple pages to be introduced to Aude's kitten? Certain episodes that could have been introduced in a few sentences instead take up space best left to exciting action. The time jumps through the chapters--indicated by double spaced lines--in the same character's point of view seem awkward and jilted, greatly hampering the flow of the novel. Then, suddenly the reader is hurled through the last fifty pages or so of the book, flung through so much action and "loose thread tying" the reader is not satisfied. I found myself at the last page asking, "That's it? Where's the rest?" So, I give this book four stars. Otherwise, faithful readers of Mrs. Ash's trilogy will find this final installment full of action, romance, and strange creatures winging through the night air.

The Emperor Eugene is Drakhaoul (daemon) possessed a situation he wanted to happen so that he would have all the power of his most bitter enemy Gavril Nagarian who is also possessed by a daemon. He tries to keep the daemon in check for when it is in control someone dies because it needs to drink human blood. Now that the King Enguerrand of Francia has the five Tears of Artamon, he lays claim to the entire Rossiyan Empire, but Eugene is not about to give up his throne without a fight. He offers Gavril and his men pardons if they recover the most powerful magus in the world Kaspar Linnaius from a Francian jail. Gavril rescues the mage in his dragon form and take him to the home of his lover Kirkiu, However the magus behaves like a senile old man. Kirkiu is now an old woman after traveling too long in the Realm of Shadows. She and Kaspar must bathe in the Jade River to recover her youth and his mind providing that the Guardian grants them these gifts. Eugene must battle Enguerrand's forces if he wants to keep his throne and then he must join forces with Gavril to make sure the serpent gate doesn't open and let the most powerful daemon of all out. If they fail, hell will come to the mortal plane. Book Three of the Tears of Artamon series ties up all the loose ends, explains the origins of the daemons and gives the reader a chance to see two mortal enemies work together for the good of the realm. Sword and Sorcery fans, high fantasy enthusiasts and readers who want to be enthralled in the tradition of Mercedes Lackey and Robin Hobb will find CHILDREN OF THE SERPENT GATE a memorable reading experience. Harriet Klausner