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The Serpent's Shadow Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Serpent's Shadow


Maya Witherspoon is an indian sorcerer struggling to control her burgeoning powers, while working as a doctor in Edwardian London. Her father's murderers have followed here and are attempting to murder her. Her best hope is to learn to use her magic to protect herself, under the instruction of Peter Scott, a handsome ship's captain and master of elemental water magic. As they struggle to thwart the murderous plot, they also fall in love.
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The review of this Book prepared by Emily Veinglory




The main character, Maya, leaves her homeland in India after the death of her parents. While she does not know for sure, she suspects that foul play was involved. In London, her refuge, she becomes a charity doctor and falls in with the women's sufferage movement. She soon discovers that she has an aunt who killed her parents and wants to kill her. She has an ally in a retired sea captain, who teaches her the proper use of her magical skills. This book is a subtle new take on the story of Snow White.
The review of this Book prepared by Brittney Anglin





Mercedes Lackey
Daw, Feb 2001, 24.95, 352 pp.
ISBN: 0886779154

    When the sun never set on Britannia, many disgruntled natives living in India turn to the dark side by worshipping the evil Goddess Kali-Purga. Most of the followers joined the deadly thugee cult, a group that used force to obtain their demands. Shivani is a high priestess who loathes the English. She uses her powers to kill her sister who had the audacity to marry a British doctor and to make matters worse, she had a daughter with the foreigner.

    When Shivani murders her father, Maya flees India for the relative safety of London where she tends to the medical needs of the poor. Shivani follows her to London, planning to cause mass chaos, trepidation, and death in order to force the infidel English from her country. Shivani also plans to kill Maya, but that proves difficult as she is closely guarded and has own powers.

    THE SERPENT'S SHADOW is a beautiful fantasy tale that leaves the audience believing in a happily ever after. Mercedes Lackey's latest novel will please romance fans as well. This adult fairy tale is brilliantly crafted just as the previous tale in this series, THE SUMMER RISE is. A secondary character deserves his story be told in a future edition. Recapture the innocence and pleasures of youth with this fabulous novel.

Harriet Klausner

The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner



Chapter Analysis of The Serpent's Shadow

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 20%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 20%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 40%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 20% FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   fantasy world/fantasy past Coming of age    -   Yes Youngster becomes    -   a powerful magician Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers    -   Yes magical powers:    -   magical powers (general) Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character

Identity:    -   Female Profession/status:    -   doctor Age:    -   20's-30's If magical mental powers:    -   healing

Setting

Earth setting:    -   20th century    -   19th century    -   during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times Takes place on Earth?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment How much dialogue?    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like The Serpent's Shadow

Mercedes Lackey Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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