The Lady of Serpents

My title got a little silly there toward the end, sorry about that! But this was a great second book in the series, as we watch Aleric the Falconer desperately try to set right the terrible events that were set in motion when he foolishly took the Nahhashim staff and went seeking Alienora, the woman he loved as a mortal and with whom he had a child. Unknown to him, she had already been taken over by the Myrryd Shadows and she had him captured and thrown into the Well - from which he himself had brought up a vampyre when he was a child - while taking the staff for herself. As Aleric is forced to fight in the games put on for the amusement for Baroness Enora and her people, he searches for a way to make his escape so he can stop the destruction of the world. He has an unlikely ally in Calyx, the changeling child of Mere Morwenna he knew as a youngster. She tells him that he must get back not only the Nahhashim staff, but also the Gorgon mask stolen by Pythia before she fled, in order to do a ritual to stop the unmaking of the world. Richly imagined, multi-layered and beautifully written, this second volume of the Vampyricon is everything anyone could ever want in a medieval vampyre novel. Of course, since this is a ground-breaking for a new genre, one really doesn't know what to expect, which makes it a good thing that a master storyteller like Doug Clegg is responsible for creating this new world. A definite must-have for anyone who enjoys gothic tales, vampyres, and/or tales of medieval fiction.

I got this book for my sister at christmas and she loves this book series.

THE LADY OF SERPENTS is filled with much more history and a rich tapestry of characters new and old. The prose is very verbose and I loved it. The story moves a bit slower than THE PRIEST OF BLOOD but I think this book was used as a small stepping stone to the big conclusion coming in QUEEN OF WOLVES. Stick with THE VAMYRICON and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

There's nothing so skin-prickling as a horror novel that presents the horrors in lyrical, elegant prose. Too often, that approach comes off as flat and unconvincing. Lady of the Serpents is one of the exceptions. Mr. Clegg's prose and vivid descriptions of this shadowy world of bat-wings and swords is memorable and exciting. This second book in the Vampyricon series showcases a very original take on vampires, blending elements of Roger Zelazny and Anne Rice, but creating a unique entry in the modern horror genre. The characters are compelling and complex, the plot multi-layered, presenting a shadow version of human history. Highly recommended.

When Aleric the Falconer was converted into a Vampyre many of his peers believed he was the hero who would lead them to the Promised Land as the savior ready to battle the likes of Enora the sorcerer and her minions. However, Aleric failed at his destiny when Enora captures him like she has done to so many other Vampyres. Humiliated and demeaned, he must survive by entertaining his captor by fighting in her arena; refusal means a horrific death. Aleric knows his race is losing hope so he must find a means to escape his incarceration. If he manages that impossible task, Aleric concludes her cannot defeat the sorcerer or the power behind her reign, an unknown alchemist' he needs to obtain help from to destroy Enora. He knows the only individual who can provide that, his enemy who seduced him into becoming an undead, Pythia, the Lady of Serpents. LADY OF SERPENTS is a fascinating Vampyricon tale starring a wonderful unsure hero struggling with the need to overcome his latest round of mistakes in order to achieve what most believes is his destiny. In many ways Enora is the more fascinating character with her evil use of prisoners as slaves, "entertainers", and cannon fodder, but will admires the filled with doubts Aleric still trying against all odds. Fans of vampire epics will appreciate this enjoyable fantasy while seeking out the Aleric's previous tale THE PRIEST'S BLOOD. Harriet Klausner