Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House #31)

Book Description

Jack and Annie are off on another mythical mission at the request of Merlin the magician. Luckily, they have a young sorcerer, Teddy, to help them. From underwater caves to a Spider Queen, from mystical selkies to a magical sword, this is a Magic Tree House adventure kids won’t want to miss!

Customer Reviews:

Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House #31).......2007-08-29

I am trying to get my son to want to read and this book was very successful at getting him to want to continue reading to see what's going to happen next.

Action-packed but creepy.......2007-06-13

I love the Magic Tree House books, and Summer of the Sea Serpent is a very cool Merlin Mission, but it is very mysterious and creepy. In one part, they went into a cave where the Spider Queen who lives inside it, the drawing looks creepy because the spider has about 13 eyes! And some other parts are mysterious, too. I really appreciate Mary Pope Osborne's great fantasy books, but this not exactly the best nor the worst. If you are a fan of the Magic Tree House series, check it out in the library, but don't buy it. Still, I love Magic Tree House.

Summer of the Sea Serpent.......2007-01-06

You just got to keep up with the kids . If you have the collection the book is great as always. My kids really enjoy them.

Summer of the Sea Serpent.......2006-11-03

Summer of the Sea Serpent
By Mary Pope Osborne

The book I'm reading is called Summer of the Sea Serpent. In the book, Jack and Annie go to Camelot. They meet an old friend, Teddy. He is a boy sorcerer who turned himself into a dog by accident, and Jack and Annie free him. He enjoys going on adventures with Jack and Annie. Teddy respects his magic, but needs some work on his rhyming. He turned Jack and Annie into ravens during last mission by accident, and had the idea to turn them into seals this mission. Do you think Teddy is a good sorcerer?

Brian, 9
Cunniff School
Watertown, MA

At it again.......2006-08-30

Jack and Annie continue in this wonderful series. We read these books, and listen to them on audio tape and cd - acceptable for the whole family without being boring for the grownups

Average customer rating:

You don't see kids' boks like this too often.
One of Bill Peet's best stories
The saving Sea Serpent
The likable Sea serpent
Endearing and unpredictable

Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent
Bill Peet
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0395313899

Book Description

A shark accuses Cyrus of cowardice because he won't sink any ships. The kindly sea serpent almost succumbs to peer pressure, but learns at last to be himself.

Customer Reviews:

You don't see kids' boks like this too often........2006-04-08

I've read elsewhere that this book is about resisting peer pressure. That sub-story is over in the first few pages and really does little but set the scene. What this story is really about is courage, self-sacrifice, and the protection of innocent life against a world that often is far too dangerous. Many adults could benefit from giving this a read and taking it to heart, and yet it's not preachy or over the heads of the children it is targetted towards. Add to this the absolutely gorgeous colored-pencil artwork (Bill Peet worked for Disney for a while; his character designs give the original 101 Dalmations and the Sword in the Stone much of their charm) and some truly memorable characters, and you have my favorite children's book, ever.

One of Bill Peet's best stories.......2005-11-05

This charming story is certain to bring a smile to your face. I love it even more than my son does. The drawings are delightfully done. Bill Peet is one of the very rare children's book authors who are able to produce both an excellent story and great pictures. All of his books are good, but some are better than others; Cyrus is one of his best.

The saving Sea Serpent.......2003-03-14

Title: Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent
Author: Bill Peet
Favorite Characters: Cyrus, Caption

Cyrus is board and wants to find something to do. A shark told him to go wreck a ship and when Cyrus follows a ship out to see, he ends up saving it! First, he blew the ship out of the doldrums. Than he kept it floating trough a storm and after that, he saved the ship from pirates!
Cyrus than noticed that the ships sails were torn off because of the pirates. The people would be stranded at sea for ever if he didn't do something. He was clever enough to figure out what to do. You should figure out what he did your self by reading this book.
...

The likable Sea serpent.......2003-03-14

Title: Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent
Author: Bill Peet
Favorite Characters: Cyrus, Caption

Cyrus is board and wants to find something to do. A shark told him to go wreck a ship and when Cyrus follows a ship out to see, he ends up saving it! First, he blew the ship out of the doldrums. Than he kept it floating trough a storm and after that, he saved the ship from pirates!
Cyrus than noticed that the ships sails were torn off because of the pirates. The people would be stranded at sea for ever if he didnýt do something. He was clever enough to figure out what to do. You should figure out what he did your self by reading this book.

Endearing and unpredictable.......2002-11-18

Once again, Bill Peet has captivated his audience with yet another unique and imaginative tale! As with every one of his books, Cyrus the Sea Serpeant is a delight to read and presents a lesson in creature kindness, no matter what shape or size. Through adversity and prejudice, a determined Cyrus proves to be an unlikely hero. Certain to bring a smile to all faces and a pure joy to read!

Average customer rating:

The best book ever!
First Grader's Review

Sepron The Sea Serpent (Beast Quest)
Adam Blade
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0439906547

Book Description

Floods. Starvation. Fear. This is what awaits the people of Avantia's coast if Tom and Elenna cannot stop Sepron the Sea Serpent. The huge and terrifying beast lurks in eerie waters. All the fish have fled and no boats dare to pass. Tom and Elenna meet a mysterious stranger who may hold the key for tracking down the monster. But as they set off in a rickety rowboat, Tom can't help but wonder if they'll succeed so easily this time. . . .

Customer Reviews:

The best book ever!.......2007-09-26

This book is a great book for kids who like monsters, because it's about a monster who tries to take over the sea and land with a whole lot of floods.

I really like this book and I think you would too.

First Grader's Review.......2007-06-11

I liked Sepron the Sea Serpant because I really like monsters, especially this one. The series is about six monsters that are under an evil spell. There is a boy and a girl with a horse and a wolf on a quest to save the world from evil.

The Serpent's Tongue: Prose, Poetry, and Art of the New Mexican Pueblos

Average customer rating:

The Serpent's Tongue: Prose, Poetry, and Art of the New Mexican Pueblos
Paula Gunn Allen , Willa Cather , Frank Hamilton Cushing , Tony Hillerman , Oliver La Farge , Oliver Littlebird , Barry Lopez , Leslie Marmon Silko , Simon J. Ortiz , Joe S. Sando , Rina Swentzell , and Frank Waters
Manufacturer: Dutton Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0525455140

Book Description

This peerless compendium, voted best nonfiction book of the year by the Mountains and Plains Booksellers' Association, pays tribute to one of North America's most enduring cultures, offering a rich sampling of works by noted Pueblo and non-native scholars, writers, and artists. Carefully selected from an exhaustive catalog of sources, the more than one hundred text selections include works of prose, poetry, autobiography, and historical narrative. Seventy-five unusual illustrations--from a rare drawing by D. H. Lawrence to striking portraits by photographer Edward S. Curtis and the brilliantly colorful paintings of Pablita Velarde and Helen Hardin--illuminate life in the pueblos, recording ceremonies, symbols, and spaces.

Lavishly designed in five colors, this eminently readable volume offers a story and mood for everyone and an authentic introduction to the cultural legacy of the ancient peoples of the Southwest. Fully annotated with bibliography, source notes, maps, and biographical entries, and with an inviting thematic organization for the casual reader, this beautiful book will find a permanent place in homes, libraries, and collections across the country.

Contributors include:

Paula Gunn Allen
Willa Cather
Frank Hamilton Cushing
Tony Hillerman
Oliver la Farge
Harold Littlebird
Barry Lopez
Simon J. Ortiz
Joe S. Sando.

Average customer rating:

Perfect for teens who want a blend of fantasy and mystery.
Light and frothy
Wonderful Supernatural Mystery
Wonderful Adventure
A YOUNG GIRL WITH AN UNUSUAL NAME AND A MYSTERIOUS ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ADVENTURE

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos
R. L. LaFevers
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Dragon's Keep

ASIN: 0618756388

Book Description

Theodosia Throckmorton has her hands full at the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in London. Her father may be head curator, but it is Theo—and only Theo—who is able to see all the black magic and ancient curses that still cling to the artifacts in the museum. When Theo’s mother returns from her latest archaeological dig bearing the Heart of Egypt—a legendary amulet belonging to an ancient tomb—Theo learns that it comes inscribed with a curse so black and vile that it threatens to crumble the British Empire from within and start a war too terrible to imagine. Intent on returning the malevolent artifact to its rightful place, Theo devises a daring plan to put things right. But even with the help of her younger brother, a wily street urchin, and the secret society known as the Brotherhood of the Chosen Keepers, it won’t be easy . . . she quickly finds herself pursued down dark alleys, across an ocean, through the bustling crowds of Cairo, and straight into the heart of an ancient mystery. Theo will have to call upon everything she’s ever learned in order to prevent the rising chaos from destroying her country—and herself!

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for teens who want a blend of fantasy and mystery........2007-09-06

Theodosia has her hands full at the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in London: while her father is head curator, it's only Theo who can see all the black magic and curses that cling to the museum's holdings - and she's sneaking around using forgotten Egyptian magic to protect her father and her world from sinister forces. When her mother brings a new find into the museum with a terrible curse attached, Theo is faced with defending more than just her family in this fine fantasy story of courage and independence, perfect for teens who want a blend of fantasy and mystery.

Light and frothy.......2007-08-17

A spunky heroine, ancient curses, and a plot to rule the world...what's not to like? Just think "Indiana Jones" with a preteen heroine.

The plot is nonstop; any action not related to the plot, like the family's Christmas holidays, happens off-stage, and is passed over with a half-page description and an airy " I think it was the best Christmas ever!" but young fans of thrilling action probably won't mind. Other reviewers have noted the cardboard cut-out characters and the lack of atmosphere. Germans are bad, Theodosia's parents are absent-minded academics, and the pickpocket has a heart of gold. Readers looking for subtle characterization or character development should look elsewhere. The lack of any explanation for the heroine's magical abilities was annoying.

Wonderful Supernatural Mystery.......2007-08-12

Theodosia Throckmorton is your typical 11 year old living in London in 1906. Except that her parents run the Museum of Legends and Antiquities, and Theo seems to be the only one who can detect the multitude of black magic and curses attached to the artifacts that they are constantly bringing back with them. Nothing however has prepared this intrepid 'tween for the menacing group calling themselves the Serpents of Chaos, whose sole aim is world domination. This book sucked me in from the very first page. Theo is a fantastically drawn character, who while shows on the outside a remarkable confidence and self assuredness, masks on the inside a deep seated insecurity, particularly in regards to her parents feelings toward her. The secondary characters are also well written. I especially loved Theo's comrades in arms, her brother Henry and the street urchin Will. There are a few little glitches as a previous reviewer mentioned especially with Theo's speech which goes from a charming Edwardian dialect to something more like modern english. Still, this isn't enough to detract from the charm of the story. The ending leaves no doubt that there will be a sequel and I for one cannot wait to read the further adventures of this remarkable young lady.

Wonderful Adventure .......2007-08-06

Some kids don't like historical fiction, and my daughter is one of those. Ever since she had to read Treasure Island in school she steers well away from any book that takes place in a bygone era. It's sad, really. I read this book and thought, this is the one that will change things. I love the voice of the narrator, which the SLJ review says is inconsistent. I think it's great. It makes historical fiction easily readable, and may, someday, lead to my daughter stretching herself to real historical fiction.

Things to love about this book - the voice, the thrilling action scenes in Egypt, the quirky cast of characters, the cursed cat (I have one, too - a complete psycho!), and how Theodosia grows to see her family in a more accurate light (especially her annoying little brother, I have one of those, too).

Enjoy this imaginative and fun story, and let's all hope for more Theodosia.

A YOUNG GIRL WITH AN UNUSUAL NAME AND A MYSTERIOUS ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ADVENTURE.......2007-07-10

Should I be embarrassed that I am a 50-ish woman who took one little skim of this book and got all the way hooked, snuck it from my son, and read it cover to cover? WOW! I am the kind of person who has 5 or 6 books started all over the house; who reads snippets wherever I sit down. Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos grabbed my imagination and took me on a mystical and suspenseful adventure, full of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, swirling curses and lively heiroglyphs. I met Theodosia's cute but pesky little brother Henry, and a heroic pickpocketing street urchin, Sticky Will, among many others. One of my favorites was Isis, the hapless kitty that became the recepticle for some dark curses Theodosia tried to remove from one of the ancient vases. I could go on and on about how much fun this story was to read, but I'd better not give any more away. I won't tell you that it was on Theodosia's shoulders to save the whole country of England, or that she had to find a way to go to Egypt and visit some tombs for herself. A real feat for an 11 year old girl. I just CAN'T tell you how she managed to get there, or how scary the dark tunnels to the tombs were. You just need to read it for yourself! If there was anything I would change about this book, it would only be to make the story longer. I hope R.L.LaFevers decides to make this only the first of Theodosia's many adventures.

Average customer rating:

Great Book
Great For Edventurerous People

The Feathered Serpent
Scott O'Dell
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

The Captive
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Alexandra

ASIN: 0395308518

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2000-05-23

This book has suspence. It askes questions about a humna's basic morals.

Great For Edventurerous People.......2000-05-23

It was kick Booty! I loved it, thumbs up!

Under the Serpent Sea (Secrets of Droon, 12)

Average customer rating:

Secrets of Droon, 12 through 15 plus Special Edition, Book 1
An Underwater Story
Droon is back again!
Great installment in SUPER series for kids!!!
Most Secret

Under the Serpent Sea (Secrets of Droon, 12)
Tony Abbott
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 043920786X

Book Description

In the dramatic culmination of a mystery that¹s built up over the last four books, Eric, Julie, and Neal discover the source of Keeah¹s power‹and one of the great secrets of Droon. The kids travel to the underwater kingdom of Demither, the mermaid witch who controls the elements with the Red Eye of Dawn. It¹s up to them to hide the Eye safely away from the clutches of Lord Sparr!

Customer Reviews:

Secrets of Droon, 12 through 15 plus Special Edition, Book 1.......2007-06-02

Got it quickly and at a good price.

An Underwater Story.......2004-06-09

This book takes place in a magical land called Droon. The three friends, Eric, Julie and Neal are on their 12th adventure in Droon, seeking Demether, the underwater queen of the ocean. She has a red jewel she stole from Lord Spar, called the red eye of dawn. This jewel has a spirit in it which is making her yellow. This book has inspired me, and I would think many other people, to make up their own stories, to think about their own adventures in other worlds. I did not think this book was the best book I had ever read, because it really did not have that much action.

Droon is back again!.......2002-03-02

This was the best of all the Droon books. It reveals all the secrets of Droon. And the main character (the seawitch Demeteier) is a woman. I've been reading Droon books since I was 6 years old. And they get better every time.

Great installment in SUPER series for kids!!!.......2001-07-08

My son (now 5) and I were pleased (and relieved, and ecstatic) to finally have the opportunity to read (and thoroughly enjoy) the most recent installment in Tony Abbott's wonderful fantasy series, the Secrets of Droon. Granted, we've now read all twelve, and we've found they continue to improve (in addition to getting longer, which also makes it seem like you're getting more for your money). Here, the cast of characters remains basically the same, with the action and heroics evenly shared by the girls (intrepid Julie and the junior wizard, princess Keeah) and the boys (thoughtful Eric and the ever-hungry, but frequently unlucky, Neal). In "Under the Serpent Sea," we again confront the fearsome sea witch Demither and unlock further secrets of the elusive, shape-shifting Queen Relna. The young protagnists, as always, benefit from the faithful guardianship and mentoring of the the Wizard Gaelen. If all of this sounds daunting, then don't hesitate to start at the beginning of the series, because the author constantly rewards readers as the books progress. Over the last few years, all of our friends' kids (from 5 to 12, boys and girls) have also become hooked on Droon. So what are you waiting for? Open the basement door, and head on down the hidden staircase....

Most Secret.......2001-05-02

I have all the droon books but this is the best. In it princess Keeah, and her friends Eric, Neal, and Julie go to the under water home of Demither the witch. I think you should read it because it is such a good book.

The Serpent Slayer: and Other Stories of Strong Women

Average customer rating:

Slaying misconceptions one tale at a time
What makes a strong woman?
the best of the best in female-oriented folk tale collections
If I were still a girl...
Girls Rock!

The Serpent Slayer: and Other Stories of Strong Women
Katrin Tchana
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0316387010

Amazon.com

Nothing is more satisfying than watching a valiant hero conquer a dragon, outwit a thief, or destroy a monstrous cannibal--unless it's seeing an intrepid heroine accomplish all these brave feats! In this remarkable anthology by the mother-daughter team of Trina Schart Hyman and Katrin Tchana, 18 stories showcase the courage, cleverness, and integrity of women who dare to go beyond their traditional roles and stand up for themselves and their people. Gleaned from fairy tales from around the world and retold by Tchana to make them "more vivid and vital to her audience," the stories include the tale of Li Chi, a 14-year-old girl who refuses to let a greedy sorcerer continue to sacrifice young girls to a horrible serpent. Clever Marcela is so cunning, she manages to outsmart a king--and fall in love while she's at it. Then there's Amarjit, the barber's wife, who, fed up with her handsome husband's laziness, manages to take matters in her own hands and create fabulous wealth from nothing. Caldecott Award-winner Trina Schart Hyman (Saint George and the Dragon) paints spectacular illustrations, worthy of their esteemed role in capturing both the noble and the grotesque. (Ages 7 to 11) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Nothing is more satisfying than watching a valiant hero conquer adragon, outwit a thief, or destroy a monstrous cannibal--unless it's seeing anintrepid heroine accomplish all these brave feats! In this remarkableanthology by the mother-daughter team of Trina Schart Hyman and Katrin Tchana,18 stories showcase the courage, cleverness, and integrity of women who dare togo beyond their traditional roles and stand up for themselves and their people.Gleaned from fairy tales from around the world and retold by Tchana to make them"more vivid and vital to her audience," the stories include the tale of Li Chi,a 14-year-old girl who refuses to let a greedy sorcerer continue to sacrificeyoung girls to a horrible serpent. Clever Marcela is so cunning, she manages tooutsmart a king--and fall in love while she's at it. Then there's Amarjit, thebarber's wife, who, fed up with her handsome husband's laziness, manages to takematters in her own hands and create fabulous wealth from nothing. CaldecottAward-winner Trina Schart Hyman (Saint George and the Dragon)paints spectacular illustrations, worthy of their esteemed role in capturingboth the noble and the grotesque. (Ages 7 to 11) --Emilie Coulter

Customer Reviews:

Slaying misconceptions one tale at a time.......2007-05-24

This book of tales is full of strong images of clever women making these tales fun and lively. The stories are not only for girls but have plenty of dragons, pirates and devils to stimulate every child's imagination.

What makes a strong woman?.......2007-04-21

I was very intrigued by this book because of the fact that my class this year is full of boys with only four girls in all. The testosterone gets a little thick at times, so I have been seeking out books with girls as the central character. This had so many five stars; I went ahead and purchased it from a used book seller here on Amazon for about 5 dollars. I am so glad I didn't pay full price. As a fairy tale fan and a Trina Schart Hyman fan, I was very disappointed by these illustrations. They don't hold a candle to her earlier work.

I guess what really bothered me was the story about the Sun-Girl and the Dragon-Prince. It's kind of a combination of Snow White and Rapunzel, with a wicked stepmother and the Sun-Girl traveling restlessly. I could not for the life of me understand why this story exemplified what a strong woman was. Sun-Girl's stepmother pushed her into the river and she got swept down stream. She meets up with a hunter who sleeps all day and lives only during the night and, of course, conceives his child. Oh, did I forget to mention that she was married to the Dragon-Prince when she made that decision? Yeah, it only gets better from there. She begs the Sun's mother to allow her baby's father to come out into the sunlight. (He's been cursed, you see) It reeked of the Maury show. When the Dragon Prince found Sun Girl, she simply turned to the hunter and HANDED OFF HER CHILD! She left her infant son to be with a man! How is that being a strong woman? I don't mind her "extra-curricular" baby-making activities but her abandoning a child was more than I could take. A strong woman, in my opinion, would forge ahead and find happiness with all her choices, not just shove a child aside and chalk him up as a mistake.

I realize that this is only my opinion and please feel free to disregard it but I would have loved to have this information before I flushed my cash. I didn't mind the sexual implications or the disembowelment of dragons that appeared in the other stories, but this bothered me enough to resell the book. That is not a lesson I want to teach any girl.

the best of the best in female-oriented folk tale collections.......2006-08-22

In recent years, many collections of "empowered female" fairy tales have sprung up. This book simply happens to be one of the best. There are not many tales, but they are well-chosen, and the versions selected for publication are enjoyable to read. Stories from Africa, Asia, and Armenia (among the many locales) are every bit as accessible to the young American reader as more familiar English and Scottish tales. Hyman's illustrations are, as always, powerful, colorful, evocative, and fascinating--and the editorial comments are exceptionally good. This is a storybook with pictures, but it is very well researched, and the brief explanations of the chosen texts are scholarly, appropriate, and well-documented.

The reading level and subject matter make it appropriate for girls around 10-14; most stories would read aloud well to younger children, but there is no censoring here, and parents who feel squeamish about the verbally graphic dismemberment of a dragon or unwed/extramarital pregnancies would do well to proof their selections. That said, sex and violence are by no means a focus of the collection, nor are they emphasized in illustration. Children flipping through the pictures will not find anything objectionable. Girls who enjoy the novels of Patricia C. Wrede and Robin McKinley will find themselves at home; those new to folk collections will be hooked. If only they were all this good.

Highly recommended.

If I were still a girl..........2002-06-23

I would not care for this book. That is why I only gave it four stars. After reading the first story, I think if you have a daughter who is sensitive and does not care for violence you should look elsewhere for a book for her. My son really enjoys it though, which is good as I bought it for him. The illustrations are beautiful as they should be in a children's book and the stories, though short, are able to develop character better than most modern children's books do.

Girls Rock!.......2001-12-07

In this day and age, young girls are bombarded with not-so positive images of midriffs, barbies, and some rather unwholesome popstars. The "Serpent Slayer" offers a refreshing change of perspecitve. This book is a collection of tales from around the world, retold in an up to date, easy to understand and yet beautifully written format. The stories are specifically about strong, clever women. The illustrations are excellent and the main characters are uncompromising. The tales have classic fairy tale plots; dragons, thieves, mythical gods, and lions (oh my!). At only a couple pages each, a story can be read aloud in a reasonable amount of time, making them perfect for bedtime. Although I recommend this specifically for girls, I am sure children of any gender and age would be equally enthralled. I know I was! Buy this book! We need more like it.

Spy High Mission Three: The Serpent Scenario (Spy High)

Average customer rating:

The most fantastic and adventurous book ever!!!!!
Misson Three...worth 5 stars...
Serpent Scenario Review
Spy High Mission Three: The Serpent Scenario

Spy High Mission Three: The Serpent Scenario (Spy High)
AJ Butcher
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: B000FDFWC8

Customer Reviews:

The most fantastic and adventurous book ever!!!!!.......2006-05-03

I think this is one of the best books I have ever read. It is jam packed with adventure and had me wanting to read the next one. I was really suprised when someone died, because I was hoping they would be able to get revenge on Talon. I felt really sorry for Jake. Even though they just started going out, I could tell that he loved her more than anything in the world. I think it is sad that he lost her so quickly. They would have made a great couple. All in all I really love this book and would recommend it to any one who likes action filled books.

Misson Three...worth 5 stars..........2006-01-01

Installment three of Spy High takes us into the past of Jennifer Chen. We see what this young girl had to live with and what she is fighting for. This book is great because it turns out to be much darker than the first two. Also, it doesn't deal with international terrorism like the last. It deals with gangs and drugs, an issue that is more close to home and many more will be in contact with. Though, it does involve international politics with a country that will be encountered in Series Two. As teens read this, many will get their first insight to the effects of drugs and other controled substances as well as what the world looks like with no hope or desires left. Though many may say it;s not the best one of the series, Mission Three: Serpent Senerio is probably the most important not just for Jennifer Chen, but for all who read it.

Serpent Scenario Review.......2005-01-11

Why hasn't Spy High: Mission 3 The Serpent Scenario won a Newberry Medal award yet? The book is an engrossing tale of espionage packed with kung-fu action: this book is as absorbing as a match between world championship fighters! In constant battles, Bond Team deals blow after blow to its enemies. Yet the continuous combat never breaks the smooth flow of the author's plot and language. The story moves forward quickly as Jennifer Chen, a member of Bond Team at Spy High, attempts to avenge her family's murder. It swiftly continues when she dies and Bond Team vows to avenge her death. The author also always manages to maintain a suspenseful mood, but the story is particularly suspenseful when Jen must battle Talon, her arch rival and the murderer of her family. The author also includes descriptive poetic language that is sure to leave any reader feeling as if he is living the experience firsthand. For example, when describing Undertown, Los Angeles, the area where Jen grew up, the author writes: "[The moon] hung low in the night sky, as if it hardly had the strength to keep itself from falling, and it had the sickly paleness of an invalid." (pg. 3). Anyone who likes spy books must read The Serpent Scenario; it's bound to satisfy even the most fastidious reader. I give Spy High: Mission 3 The Serpent Scenario a perfect 5 out of 5.

Spy High Mission Three: The Serpent Scenario.......2004-09-19

A teammate of Bond team, Jennifer Chen, has always hated a gang called the Serpents, especially their leader Talon, since they killed her family. She decides to leave Spy High, the school for spies, to kill Talon. Talon ends up killing her. Jake, her teammate, who was in love with her seeks revenge, and Bond team decides to help. When they are trying to kill Talon they get involved with another evil gang, the Wallachians who capture them. The Wallachians produce a harmful drug called Drac which makes you crave for blood. Will Bond team be able to kill Talon, escape from the Wallachians, and get rid of Drac?
I thought the book was really good because it had a lot of adventure and almost nonstop fighting and planning. The flow of the book was fast and smooth with detail. The book kept you wondering what does this have to do with this and you find out later in the book. I liked that this book had a lot of moral lessons and the characters had interesting personalities. Of the first three Spy High books, this one ranks as the second best after Spy High Mission One, but it was a close second.
Rating: 9
MY Flamingnet Book Reviews www.flamingnet.com

Average customer rating:

Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick
This guy is good!
Darker Parker......
Excellent read
Where serpents lie

Where Serpents Lie
T. Jefferson Parker
Manufacturer: Hyperion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Psychological & Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0786862874

Amazon.com

What novelist T. Jefferson Parker does so well in Where Serpents Lie (and in such previous high-octane outings as Laguna Heat and Pacific Beat) is to bind his characters tightly to the territory in which they live and die--the mostly scorched and urbanized but occasionally still pristine turf of Southern California's Orange County. When he's not running the Crimes Against Youth unit at the Orange County Sheriff's Department, Terry Naughton sits in a cave in Laguna Canyon, drinking tequila, smoking cigars, and trying to understand the twisted mind of a particularly vicious child molester called The Horridus. The serpents of the title are real, as is the terror Parker manages to evoke with the intense power of his writing. "I knew that there was no way that Lauren would ever have her childhood replaced with a better one," Naughton says about a 9- year-old girl sold for sex by her parents. "Lauren had the resigned eyes and the aura of passive invincibility found in nearly all children who have escaped to the last place they can go--to the private, silent cave of their own selves."

Book Description

Do you dare to look Where Serpents Lie?

He takes them from their beds at night and releases them unharmed within a day--dressed like little angels with a piece of snakeskin tucked into the folds of their gowns as a memento. They are blindfolded and gagged throughout the ordeal, so they cannot describe their captor--nor do they know what happened while they were in his care. (Thank God.)

Terry Naughton, head of Orange County's Crimes Against Youth unit, faces the challenge of a lifetime when children are being kidnapped but released--and the people of Southern California are terrified for their safety. The cops don't know what the criminal wants--but they do know that his brand of psychotic behavior always escalates in scale. Will the next child never come back?

Customer Reviews:

Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.......2006-11-26

A previous reviewer wrote, "Please don't waste your time or money on this one."

Re the latter, I use the local library exclusively for my books. Re the former, It was not a waste of time. It was a good read as were several other of Parker's books. Not a disappoint at all, not even close.

This guy is good!.......2006-08-01

I had earlier stumbled across another novel by Parker--"The Fallen"--about a detective who had synesthesia, the ability to see peoples' voices as colored shapes. I was intrigued by the premise of that story and how well written it was, so I picked up "Where Serpents Lie". Parker's protagonist in this story is Terry Naughton, who not only has to contend with the monstrous but memorable villain, Horridus, but also cope with his inner demons. Parker is an elegant writer who can really turn a phrase. This is a mesmerizing, gripping tale, replete with vivid imagery.

Darker Parker.............2004-04-07

I first discovered T. Jefferson Parker in Silent Joe, a carefully crafted and intriguing story with a twist. Joe, a sweet man with a damaged face, is one of Parker's great heroes. Naughton, in Where Serpents Lie, is another. He's a self-acknowledged flawed character who lives with regret and sorrow and deception while struggling to do his job as head of the Crimes Against Youth division of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. I liked him immensely, perhaps because he is flawed enough to be real. The crimes against children which he investigates make your hair stand on end, partly because you know they really happen. But Parker appears to have done his research and presents the cases and circumstances with compassion while creating a villain who is both monstrous and yet sympathetic. This is an exciting if long read, maybe a trifle overwritten. The novel contains one glaring error that no other reviewer has commented on, so I will. After Naughton sees photos of himself that he knows are doctored, he goes to a friend and asks the friend to doctor some photos himself, of a woman bathing a child, a woman and child who have never actually met. Apparently, Naughton means to use this doctored photo as proof that the photos which resulted in his suspension from CAY were also doctored. As readers we get on board with this idea and wait to see what happens. But we wait in vain, for this entire plot line and the requested doctored photo is never heard of again. The photo never materializes and the friend is never again mentioned. It's an editor's job to catch these things so I blame him or her more than Parker himself for this big ooops. Other than that, Serpent is another winner in the Parker ouevre. I put Parker in the company of Dennis Lehane, James W. Hall, and Carl Hiassen--all gifted writers and good storytellers.

Excellent read.......2003-08-27

This was my first experience with this author, and I would recommend this book to everyone. It took me a full 2 weeks to finish, because I found myself not so engrossed in the story through the middle of the book. The final chapters of the book though kept me wanting to find out more. There were plot twists that were unforseeable, to me anyway. I was stupified a couple of times. The characters in this story were believable, although not memorable. Donna Mason, the main character's "mistress" was too supportive, it made me wonder if there was something she was hiding. Come on, no one is that nice!
Over all I give this book a thumbs up and will put it on my to-read-again list.

Where serpents lie.......2003-04-02

This is the 2nd book I read from this author and it was pretty much wat I expected. A terrific read. This book is about a child molestor who call's himself The Horridus. The whole book is a cat and mouse game between The Horridus and CAY (crimes agains youth) unit. I like the way this book is written and how Jefferson Parker writes. The environment and the places are described well so you can really get into the book and relax now and then. 5 stars.

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