| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 01 Mar 2005 : 21:43:31
Now that Amazon has finally realized this novel has been out for two weeks, I should be getting Viper's Kiss : House of Serpents, Book II by Lisa Smedman delivered today. Has anyone else started reading this novel? Any thoughts/comments? |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| BARDOBARBAROS |
Posted - 19 Jun 2008 : 08:28:05
I own the book but i have not yet read it beacause i'm far behind this release..(i try to read the FR books in chronological order).. but from the title of this trilogy is one of my favorites |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 18 Jun 2008 : 18:35:03
Just got through the...."joining" scene....
T M I  But I am sure most found it fascinating! |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 18 Jun 2008 : 15:30:44
80 pages in and I this as much if not more than the first! I am so glad I decided to fill out the older books I was missing while waiting for 4e to settle out.
Lisa is easily one of my favorite FR writers, I hated to have to put this book down and go to work! |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 15 Jun 2007 : 23:24:35
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
And kudos to Lisa for writing Helmites that seemed like Helmites, and not slighly less evil Banites. Its good to see Helm being revered a bit more in regions where he is suppose to be more popular.
I agree with you on that. I'm actually reluctant to read the Moonshae novels partly because they supposedly make Helm look bad. :-/ |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 15 Jun 2007 : 00:52:28
I know what you are saying. Sometimes books almost seem to obviously dance around things like this, and that makes the ommission much more obvious. I found it interesting as well . . . but yeah, a little disturbing too. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 15 Jun 2007 : 00:48:59
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Oh, and the revelation about male yuan-ti I shared with my wife, and the particular turn of phrase used to describe the anatomical realities of the yuan-ti made my wife swear off of romance novels.
I know some scribes found this particular part of the novel, a little disturbing, but I actually found it to be quite interesting -- from a strictly anatomical-study perspective. It's not every day that we learn about such intimate aspects of a non-human's physical structure. Such descriptions, while indeed rare, usually add a whole new level of depth to the overall "world" portrayed in the novel.
|
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 22:13:59
Finished this book up (finally) and I really liked this book. I agree with some of my fellow scribes that this book was actually stronger than the first book, but then I don't think that Arvin would have been the character he was in this book without the developments of the last book.
Arvin does seem a bit more wary and a little less "adrift" in this book. While I liked him in the first book, Arvin seemed like much of the first book "happened" to him, and he seemed a bit more proactive and quicker to act in this book.
Oh, and the revelation about male yuan-ti I shared with my wife, and the particular turn of phrase used to describe the anatomical realities of the yuan-ti made my wife swear off of romance novels.
Karell was an interesting character as well, and I liked Arvin being in the position of falling for a yuan-ti woman after being deathly afraid of one for the whole series so far.
And kudos to Lisa for writing Helmites that seemed like Helmites, and not slighly less evil Banites. Its good to see Helm being revered a bit more in regions where he is suppose to be more popular.
After seeing Arvin becoming a little more of a "good guy" on his own, rather than because he has to be, its interesting to see how he has kind of gone from, "I have to take care of me and my friend," to "I would like to do some good where I can," to "I don't care about anything except fixing the chaos that keeps tearing everything I care for or love away from me." It makes me look forward to how the character develops in the next book. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 06 Mar 2006 : 14:18:51
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
quote:
Originally posted by Lisa Smedman
Hello all,
Glad to read your comments on my book! Book 3 in the trilogy (Vanity's Brood) is just at the wrapping-up stage; just a few tidy ups to go before I turn the manuscript over to WOTC. It's fun reading what you'd like to see happen (re Karell) in that novel. Sorry, but I won't spoil the surprise by telling you here if you're right or not. :-) Suffice to say that Arvin will at long last stop being everybody's punching bag and will get to kick some serious ass himself... but he's NOT going to have an easy time of it!
Lisa
and according to Amazon it will be out on Tuesday
It's already out and in my hands. |
| Beezy |
Posted - 06 Mar 2006 : 01:00:41
Indeed. The seventh of every month seems to be the release date for our beloved novels. I will be finishing up The Promise of the Witch king tonight in order to have a clear schedule for Vanity's Brood two days hence |
| Dargoth |
Posted - 05 Mar 2006 : 22:25:52
quote:
Originally posted by Lisa Smedman
Hello all,
Glad to read your comments on my book! Book 3 in the trilogy (Vanity's Brood) is just at the wrapping-up stage; just a few tidy ups to go before I turn the manuscript over to WOTC. It's fun reading what you'd like to see happen (re Karell) in that novel. Sorry, but I won't spoil the surprise by telling you here if you're right or not. :-) Suffice to say that Arvin will at long last stop being everybody's punching bag and will get to kick some serious ass himself... but he's NOT going to have an easy time of it!
Lisa
and according to Amazon it will be out on Tuesday |
| Beezy |
Posted - 05 Mar 2006 : 22:03:18
quote:
Originally posted by darkcrow
I've just finished Viper's Kiss and I'm very pleased. I thought Venom's Taste was a great book but I think Viper's Kiss was definitly better. I too like the advancment Arvin has made from a rouge to a mind mage. I've noitced that after reading Lisa's other novels that she's a sucker for romance. I like that. Tell me, who else can describe a human mating ball better than Lisa. I alot of people thought that stuff was too weird for thier liking but I thought it was great. It kind off reminded me of an indepented film I,ve seen. Any way back to Viper's Kiss, The end was definitly a tear jerker, but alot of times, when you don't see a character ackually "die", they most likly didn't, but who can survive a trip to the abyss besides Elminster (and Wulfgar). I hope that Lisa can find some way to bring back Karell in the third book but I just don't see how. I'll just have to wait to read the last book to find out.
That about somes up all of my thoughts as well. I really enjoyed Venom's taste and was suprised that Viper's Kiss was even better. I finished this novel in record time, it was one of those novels that you can't set down for very long. I can't wait to see what happens between Zelia and Arvin in the third novel now that she knows he is alive.
Also the cover art of Viper's Kiss was amazing, one of the better covers I have seen.
|
| Sarephim |
Posted - 04 Mar 2006 : 00:55:31
This was IMO a very good book. I must congradualte Lisa on her skilled handling of the plot developement while at the same time maturing the characters. The ending was very good... abit very depressing and sad. |
| darkcrow |
Posted - 05 Feb 2006 : 17:42:25
I've just finished Viper's Kiss and I'm very pleased. I thought Venom's Taste was a great book but I think Viper's Kiss was definitly better. I too like the advancment Arvin has made from a rouge to a mind mage. I've noitced that after reading Lisa's other novels that she's a sucker for romance. I like that. Tell me, who else can describe a human mating ball better than Lisa. I alot of people thought that stuff was too weird for thier liking but I thought it was great. It kind off reminded me of an indepented film I,ve seen. Any way back to Viper's Kiss, The end was definitly a tear jerker, but alot of times, when you don't see a character ackually "die", they most likly didn't, but who can survive a trip to the abyss besides Elminster (and Wulfgar). I hope that Lisa can find some way to bring back Karell in the third book but I just don't see how. I'll just have to wait to read the last book to find out. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 03 Apr 2005 : 20:59:30
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
To avoid Big Al's wrath, I'll not mention the book or the genre... But at one point during the book, they were trying to capture "Professor McGuffin's prototype" from the enemy forces. 
That's a pretty clever way to describe a tired old plotline.
It wasn't really a plotline, as much as it was a set-up for more combat... But it was a clever way of doing it. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 03 Apr 2005 : 20:05:32
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Or endless combat scenes where the bad creatures are eventually dispatched and the protagonist only receives minor wounds.
That, too, doesn't do much for me (and I think we both have a certain character in mind here).
quote:
It seems this trilogy more than other recent publications has had a bad history with these back cover spoilers.
I've noticed that too--how unforunate.
quote:
Suffice to say that Arvin will at long last stop being everybody's punching bag and will get to kick some serious ass himself... but he's NOT going to have an easy time of it!
FINALLY! He certainly deserves it after all he's been through. ;)
quote:
To avoid Big Al's wrath, I'll not mention the book or the genre... But at one point during the book, they were trying to capture "Professor McGuffin's prototype" from the enemy forces.
That's a pretty clever way to describe a tired old plotline.
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 03 Apr 2005 : 16:33:46
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I think it would be a shame if that was the case. I'd rather read about important, mature themes than yet more storylines about capturing the magic item McGuffin.
To avoid Big Al's wrath, I'll not mention the book or the genre... But at one point during the book, they were trying to capture "Professor McGuffin's prototype" from the enemy forces. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 03 Apr 2005 : 08:59:58
quote:
Originally posted by Lisa Smedman
Hello all,
Suffice to say that Arvin will at long last stop being everybody's punching bag and will get to kick some serious ass himself...
Wonderful to hear!  |
| Lisa Smedman |
Posted - 03 Apr 2005 : 07:30:33
Hello all,
Glad to read your comments on my book! Book 3 in the trilogy (Vanity's Brood) is just at the wrapping-up stage; just a few tidy ups to go before I turn the manuscript over to WOTC. It's fun reading what you'd like to see happen (re Karell) in that novel. Sorry, but I won't spoil the surprise by telling you here if you're right or not. :-) Suffice to say that Arvin will at long last stop being everybody's punching bag and will get to kick some serious ass himself... but he's NOT going to have an easy time of it!
Lisa |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 03 Apr 2005 : 06:37:38
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I think it would be a shame if that was the case. I'd rather read about important, mature themes than yet more storylines about capturing the magic item McGuffin.
Or endless combat scenes where the bad creatures are eventually dispatched and the protagonist only receives minor wounds.
quote:
Thanks. :) And whomever put the spoilers on the back cover and front blurb should be ashamed. I don't think they had to spoil the story to help the book sell.
It seems this trilogy more than other recent publications has had a bad history with these back cover spoilers. I wish there was a way to find out more on how/why this happened. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 03 Apr 2005 : 05:51:56
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I have to agree with Sirius Black
I wish more people would start their posts with this line.
quote:
And a great deal of thanks to whoever in WOTC allowed her to address these themes. I am a bit curious if anything hit the editorial floor because it was deemed "too mature."
I think it would be a shame if that was the case. I'd rather read about important, mature themes than yet more storylines about capturing the magic item McGuffin.
quote:
That is a perfect comparison. I'd love to learn who is responsible for WOTC's back covers.
Thanks. :) And whomever put the spoilers on the back cover and front blurb should be ashamed. I don't think they had to spoil the story to help the book sell. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 02 Apr 2005 : 18:45:37
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I have to agree with Sirius Black
I wish more people would start their posts with this line.
Nope, not gonna happen. After all, I seem to recall something else you said...
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Regardless, I'm happy in my deluded state
  |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 02 Apr 2005 : 17:32:07
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I have to agree with Sirius Black
I wish more people would start their posts with this line.
quote:
I applaud Lisa Smedman for her authorial bravery in handling mature topics (sex, pregnancy, even abortion),
And a great deal of thanks to whoever in WOTC allowed her to address these themes. I am a bit curious if anything hit the editorial floor because it was deemed "too mature."
quote:
These examples show how marketing is often put before story, the same way movie trailers often give away the plot when it is supposed to be a surprise. 
That is a perfect comparison. I'd love to learn who is responsible for WOTC's back covers. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 02 Apr 2005 : 07:08:30
I just finished this book, and I absolutely loved it. I have to agree with Sirius Black that Viper's Kiss probably was better than the first book, and the first book was itself very well written and hard to beat. I applaud Lisa Smedman for her authorial bravery in handling mature topics (sex, pregnancy, even abortion), and at the same time writing a fast-paced book that was interesting the entire time. Viper's Kiss was a welcome antidote for me, having recently finished the slow moving, 500 page monstrosity that is Eragon.
Like several others here, I am also annoyed at both the back cover and the front excerpt for spoiling important plot details. As some have said, the back cover spoils that Karell is a yuan-ti, which really wouldn't be that obvious by how the character was written--you aren't supposed to know Karell is a yuan-ti until about the middle of the book. Also, the little excerpt spoils the plot detail about Glisena being pregnant with the love-child of Dmetrio Extamios, which we aren't supposed to learn until about one-third of the way through the book. These examples show how marketing is often put before story, the same way movie trailers often give away the plot when it is supposed to be a surprise. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 16:07:07
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
Ya know, it's only just clicked, Sirius I assumed the previous talk of 'V' was loose and just based on the Yuan-ti inclusion....but I see what you mean now...the pregnancy
Any props there goes to Dargoth. He was the first to mention the series that showed the power of the Singer. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 09:32:05
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Doesn't it remind you of that wonderful miniseries from the 80's called V?
<SNIP>
SB wonders if anyone will get that 80s reference
Ya know, it's only just clicked, Sirius I assumed the previous talk of 'V' was loose and just based on the Yuan-ti inclusion....but I see what you mean now...the pregnancy
|
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 18:00:05
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
I'm reading it at the moment. I'm around half way through and must say i'm quite enjoying it.
Doesn't it remind you of that wonderful miniseries from the 80's called V?
Sorry, couldn't help it.
quote:
The start of the novel on the river journey was quite well done, I had a good image of the whole scene and felt it was well written.
I agree. A good many novels take a few pages to grab my attention. This tome accomplished that task right away.
quote:
I quote like the feel of the yuan-ti being the outsiders this time, whereas is Venom's Taste it was the other way around.
I was surprised she moved locations for this novel. I thought for sure the series would remain in Hlondeth. I'm glad I was wrong as I enjoyed the change in location. Plus, it makes Arvin's return to his "home" city even more tension filled come the third novel.
quote:
Anyway, i'll leave my further comments until after i've finished the novel. So far, so good 
Hurry on back now, you hear
SB wonders if anyone will get that 80s reference |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 16:53:52
I'm reading it at the moment. I'm around half way through and must say i'm quite enjoying it.
The start of the novel on the river journey was quite well done, I had a good image of the whole scene and felt it was well written. The intigue and plot started to get deeper as well once Arvin had spoken to the baron and done his initial investigation. A good part of the book which added extra plot depth.
I quote like the feel of the yuan-ti being the outsiders this time, whereas is Venom's Taste it was the other way around.
Anyway, i'll leave my further comments until after i've finished the novel. So far, so good |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 16:42:06
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
Ahem 
Now, about this Viper's Kiss....
What about it?
::bashes Wooly around the head with a copy of Viper's Kiss::
THAT Wooly! |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 16:35:32
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
What about it?
Yes, anyone else finish reading it lately? |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 11:21:21
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
Ahem
Now, about this Viper's Kiss....
What about it? |
