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Serpent's Kiss (Rogue Angel)
by Alex Archer
Modern day pirates, Archeology, and ancient
curses unearthed
As the tenth book in the Rogue Angel series, Serpent's Kiss combines action and
suspense with ancient curses and myth brought into the modern world
through archeology. Easily read as a stand alone, this action-packed
read is both entertaining and one that sparks the imagination with
curiosity about ancient cultures.
In India in 509 BC, a man's love for a woman leads to a daring plan of
escape, to take her from a secret village. Carrying with him a book in
snakeskin leather and jewels, Sahadeva escapes only to find worse
trouble. Today, Annja Creed joins the archeological dig of Professor
Rai on the southern coast of India to investigate a burial pit of the
Shakti, a culture known for human sacrifices. When a tsunami hits, the
sea opens up the secrets of the past, as ancient relics emerge from the
ocean's depths. Nagas, figures with one part human and one part snake
that have been hidden for centuries, indeed millenia, now come to the
surface. Pirates, the most ruthless pirates now doing business in the
waters around India, have turned their aim on Annja Creed's find. Can
Annja discover the archeological significance of these relics before
the thieves can stop her? Will an ancient curse, the curse of the
nagas, follow all those who touch or hunt for these relics? A relic
with writing in a language unknown to the world's linguistic experts
tantalizes with its hint of a lost culture. What strange mix of legend
and reality will archeology unearth? What is the relationship between
natural phenomena and science and ancient myths and cultures?
This author's writing is breathtaking. Fine details create an aura, a
level of suspense and myth, that make this read intriguing from start
to finish. From the snakeskin leather in the prologue to knowledge of
skin diving and linguistics, this novel is written with a firm
underpinning of detailed research. Never heavy or pedantic --- these
details just seems to flow from his pen (or keys) as part of the story,
creating layer and layer of intrigue as ancient myth encounters current
day events. Characterization gives Serpent's
Kiss both humor and depth. The antics of the college students on
the dig leave the reader laughing. Annja Creed is magnificent ---
intelligent, dynamic, sassy and downright funny at times. The father
and son relationship between the pirate Rajiv and his son Goraksh is
emotionally moving as well as suspenseful. From the very prologue, the
reader feels invested in the characters, wanting to know their
histories and future.
From previous books in the series, the reader learns that Annja Creed
discovered the last remnant of Joan of Arc's sword. Now re-assembled
and available to her through destiny and willing its appearance from
another dimension, Annja Creed can do battle with the most fierce
opponents. Working for a television show, Chasing History's Monsters
Annja makes a living to support her archeological digs while coming
head to head with producer Doug Morrell and his need to sell
television. Does Doug ever have a new twist, humorous in its baseness,
in this Rogue Angel! As an archeologist, Annja Creed leads the reader
into ancient worlds through her hunt to unearth relics. Her respect for
her discipline creates a richness in her character that combines
intelligence with an ethical code.
As Serpent's Kiss explores an
ancient myth of sea legends and snake legends, the author's exquisite
use of imagery draws past and present together, creating new twists as
legends become reality in modern times. Myth and legend mix with
history and even science. Ancient curses, archeology and science finely
interwoven together lead to a stunning ending! Serpent's Kiss fascinates the
imagination long after the last word is read.
Publisher: Gold Eagle (January 2008)
Series: Rogue Angel
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Merrimon Book Reviews
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