Douglas Clegg, Lady of Serpents

Lady of Serpents

Douglas Clegg

Ace, Sep 2006, $23.95

ISBN: 0441014380

When Aleric the Falconer was converted into a Vampyre many of his peers believed he was the hero who would lead them to the Promised Land as the savior ready to battle the likes of Enora the sorcerer and her minions. However, Aleric failed at his destiny when Enora captures him like she has done to so many other Vampyres. Humiliated and demeaned, he must survive by entertaining his captor by fighting in her arena; refusal means a horrific death.

Aleric knows his race is losing hope so he must find a means to escape his incarceration. If he manages that impossible task, Aleric concludes her cannot defeat the sorcerer or the power behind her reign, an unknown alchemist' he needs to obtain help from to destroy Enora. He knows the only individual who can provide that, his enemy who seduced him into becoming an undead, Pythia, the Lady of Serpents.

LADY OF SERPENTS is a fascinating Vampyricon tale starring a wonderful unsure hero struggling with the need to overcome his latest round of mistakes in order to achieve what most believes is his destiny. In many ways Enora is the more fascinating character with her evil use of prisoners as slaves, "entertainers", and cannon fodder, but will admires the filled with doubts Aleric still trying against all odds. Fans of vampire epics will appreciate this enjoyable fantasy while seeking out the Aleric's previous tale THE PRIEST'S BLOOD.

Harriet Klausner