Serpentine

Determined to survive, an orphaned Esther must fight a rising new order in a broken America.

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Author: Christy Dietz

Publisher: Emerald House Group (Ambassador International)

Genre: Dystopian

Length: 288 pages

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ABOUT:

Determined to survive, an orphaned Esther must fight a rising new order in a broken America. This new order, the Federation of Acceptance, enforces directives that jeopardize human rights and beliefs. Esther must decide where she stands as she faces disappearing teachers, murdered classmates, and a traitorous ex-flame. Haunted by the mistakes of her parents’ past, Esther is forced to make decisions that will affect the lives of everyone around her.

On the run from the Federation in an endless quest for truth, Esther must rise up to lead a resistance of people willing to lose it all for what matters most—their God, their freedom, and an everlasting hope.

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Positive Elements:

The author is unafraid to stand up for truth and speak out against sexual depravity and wokeness.

Negative Elements:

There is a joke about talking dirty; the title of a song with questionably sexual lyrics is mentioned.

Faith/Religious/Spiritual Elements:

The Bible is quoted on multiple occasions; characters pray; there is a Mark of the Beast allegory; God is discussed; a character mentions salvation; seeking God’s forgiveness is mentioned.

Violence:

It is mentioned many parents die at the hands of the Federation; a child is taken; belongings are stolen; it is indicated characters are murdered; intended executions are implied; buildings are burned; the Holocaust and other historical atrocities are mentioned; characters are murdered, attacked, and beaten; characters have to kill in self defense; religious genocide is planned.

Other:

The books addresses sexual perversity from a Biblical perspective; a character steals to survive; characters kiss; characters drink spiked punch and a joke about alcohol is made; zombies and the return of prostitution are mentioned; a kid is humiliated for standing for his faith.

Rating:

A solid 4 Stars

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Conclusion:

First, I want to thank the author for being so unafraid in addressing sexual perversity. Serpentine makes clear naturally born women are women and naturally born men are men. There is no “changing” gender garbage, and anything promoting sexual evil is against the Bible. Thank you, Ms. Dietz. You have my utmost admiration and appreciation for your unflinching stance. In a time where people are afraid of offending others by speaking the truth, you meet this disgusting sin head-on.

Serpentine is a good, quick-paced, action-filled book full of faith and the fight for truth. The writing style is unique and clever, as is the way the reader is taken back-and-forth between past and present.

My few complaints/concerns are the dirty talking comment, the song, and the alcohol (which is brief and only in one chapter, but still there). Those were unnecessary and threw me off. However, those are my only complaints, and are certainly nothing which should dissuade you from reading this book.

The plot: As aforementioned, this book is action-filled and quick-paced. Never once does it lag. I found it quite interesting how, instead of the characters surviving in a world/land already far beyond its initial destruction, we witness the downfall of society as it occurs. This aspect gave me the chills, for this could easily be the U.S. in five to ten years. The books ends with what could be a cliffhangar. I’m uncertain if we’ll receive a Book Two, since there’s no indication Serpentine is in a series, but I really hope we do. I want to know what happens.

The characters: I liked Esther, I really did. Her character arc is well-written and she is a strong female lead. She just wasn’t my favorite. Finnick (love the name) has a lot of potential and I’d really like to see a second book where he grows even more (totally not hinting, Ms. Dietz–well, maybe I am). I liked the relationship between him and Es. The bikers, though we did not see much of them, were great. I’ve seen similar groups ride through town, and I can attest to their hardened appearance–and I can totally see nasty soldiers leaving them alone because they look like they’ll beat the stuffing from you. And Solomon–my favorite (which is also why my heart is broken). Such a good mentor to Esther and Finnick.

Ms. Dietz does quite well writing evil. I got legit chills during multiple scenes and I actually checked my heart rate more than once because she’s just so good at it. Ms. Dietz also does well illustrating how silence, apathy, and fear can be just as destructive as a bad leader. This book is a good reminder on the importance of fighting for faith and truth and never backing down, even when we’re called politically incorrect, homophobic, and culturally insensitive. Even if dystopian is not your preferred genre, I recommend you read Serpentine.

Congratulations, Ms. Dietz, for delivering a whopper of a stunningly chilling debut!

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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