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DarkGlass Mountain #1
The Serpent Bride
Sara Douglass has won legions of fans around the world for her epic tales of sorcery, forbidden love, and heart-pounding action. Now, with the DarkGlass Mountain saga, she reveals her biggest adventure yet.
Rescued from unspeakable horror, Ishbel Brunelle has devoted her life to a Serpent cult that reads the future in the entrails of its human sacrifices. But the Serpent has larger plans for Ishbel than merely being archpriestess, plans that call for a dangerous royal marriage balancing on the edge between treachery and devotion, and an eerie, eldritch warning: Prepare for the Lord of Elcho Falling . . .
And there are other dangers. For while Tencendor is gone, even its fall cannot destroy the Icarii. As the Tyrant of Isembaard reaches for glory, both StarDrifter SunSoar and his son, Axis, are pulled into the deadly dance of intrigue and sorcery. The DarkGlass Mountain—once known as the Threshold—is waiting, and as the Dark God Kanubai rises from his prison in exile, no one will escape unscathed.
640 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Sara Douglass
66 books996 followersDouglass was born in Penola, South Australia. She attended Annesley College, in Wayville, a suburb of Adelaide. She studied for her BA while working as a Registered Nurse, and later completed her PhD in early modern English History. She became a lecturer in medieval history at La Trobe University, Bendigo. While there she completed her first novel, BattleAxe, which launched her as a popular fantasy author in Australia, and later as an international success.
Until the mid-2000s, Douglass hosted a bulletin board on her website, with the aim of encouraging creative thinking and constructive criticism of others' work. She maintained an online blog about the restoration project of her house and garden entitled Notes from Nonsuch in Tasmania.
In 2008, Douglass was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She underwent treatment, but in late 2010 the cancer returned. She died on 27 September 2011, aged 54.
She also wrote under her real name Sara Warneke.
Until the mid-2000s, Douglass hosted a bulletin board on her website, with the aim of encouraging creative thinking and constructive criticism of others' work. She maintained an online blog about the restoration project of her house and garden entitled Notes from Nonsuch in Tasmania.
In 2008, Douglass was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She underwent treatment, but in late 2010 the cancer returned. She died on 27 September 2011, aged 54.
She also wrote under her real name Sara Warneke.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
November 16, 2008
A quick note. Do not read this book if you have not read all six books of The Wayfarer Redemption as well as the stand alone novels Threshold and Beyond the Hanging Wall. It will make little sense otherwise.
I'm not sure if four stars is what I actually want to give this book. Three and a half might better describe my feelings about it. And yet, somehow, I also want to give it five. I'm so torn because I really did enjoy the book, I couldn't put it down, but something was a little off in the writing.
I think what bothered me about it is that (especially in the beginning) it feels as though Douglass is so wrapped up in tying together myriad plots, people, and events that the development of new characters suffers. Another thing that suffers is the behavior of characters I already knew and loved from the six books of The Wayfarer Redemption. I was horrified to hear an Icarii say "what's up," and irked that so many characters were using the phrase "what the f--k." It wasn't the swearing that bothered me, it was the fact that it was very often out of character.
There were also occasional moments when the narrative itself just wasn't up to what I consider to be Douglass standards. Point of view shifted erratically in places, and occasionally the foreshadowing was a bit too heavy. I'm willing to blame this (and the above about characters acting out of character) on the new publisher and, most likely, new editor.
Okay, but the story itself. Loved it. It is a testament to Douglass' talent that she was able to seamlessly pull together plots and people from The Wayfarer Redemption, Threshold, and Beyond the Hanging Wall. She introduces intriguing new characters and brings back beloved (or hated) old ones (and I will love her forever if my favorite SunSoar appears again). In all, this was a delightful book. If you've read Wayfarer Redemption then you understand what I mean when I say that Crusader broke my heart, and that this book brings back a hint of the magic and beauty of the most enchanting fantasy realm I have ever known.
I'm not sure if four stars is what I actually want to give this book. Three and a half might better describe my feelings about it. And yet, somehow, I also want to give it five. I'm so torn because I really did enjoy the book, I couldn't put it down, but something was a little off in the writing.
I think what bothered me about it is that (especially in the beginning) it feels as though Douglass is so wrapped up in tying together myriad plots, people, and events that the development of new characters suffers. Another thing that suffers is the behavior of characters I already knew and loved from the six books of The Wayfarer Redemption. I was horrified to hear an Icarii say "what's up," and irked that so many characters were using the phrase "what the f--k." It wasn't the swearing that bothered me, it was the fact that it was very often out of character.
There were also occasional moments when the narrative itself just wasn't up to what I consider to be Douglass standards. Point of view shifted erratically in places, and occasionally the foreshadowing was a bit too heavy. I'm willing to blame this (and the above about characters acting out of character) on the new publisher and, most likely, new editor.
Okay, but the story itself. Loved it. It is a testament to Douglass' talent that she was able to seamlessly pull together plots and people from The Wayfarer Redemption, Threshold, and Beyond the Hanging Wall. She introduces intriguing new characters and brings back beloved (or hated) old ones (and I will love her forever if my favorite SunSoar appears again). In all, this was a delightful book. If you've read Wayfarer Redemption then you understand what I mean when I say that Crusader broke my heart, and that this book brings back a hint of the magic and beauty of the most enchanting fantasy realm I have ever known.
January 19, 2014
♦ The Story: The book starts out with a short creation legend followed by a very dark beginning to the story. Almost immediately you begin to sympathize in horror with a trapped 8 year old girl who is barricaded in a house with her dead relatives. The only survivor of a plague that killed not only parents and siblings but aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents; the town outside waiting for her to die so they can burn the house down. From the very first page, you are emotionally hooked into this tale.
♦ My Thoughts: I remember clearly the day Sara Douglass announced to her many fans that she had advanced ovarian cancer. I clung to hope for several years but sadly I ended up heartbroken when she lost that fight. But omg what a legacy! There are very few writers that can hook you this hard starting with the first paragraph. And you will stay hooked. Right up to the very last word.
I do want to note that having previous knowledge of this world does add flavor to the tale. I might have been able to get by without it, but I am glad I did not have to. Having a basic knowledge of past history definitely helps.
♦ What I Liked: The characters are vivid, varied, relatable and flawed. You love them or you hate them, then you turn the page and reverse your opinion. The detailed worldbuilding comes in as a close second with varied landscapes, multiple races and plenty of magic. But there is one thing that blew my mind. One thing that made me go WOW! when I closed the book and proceeded to sit here in stunned disbelief for about 30 minutes.
In 704 pages there is an unbelievable amount of story. So much that I have been lost for days trying to figure out how to accurately relate how massively epic this book is. There are stories, inside of larger stories, all wrapped up in mythology and loaded with superb character development. No character ends up unchanged. Very few turn out to be what or who you thought they were. And I swear I don't think there is a single storyline that went anywhere near where I thought it was going. Ultimately, there just aren't enough adjectives to express how impressed I am with this book.
♦ What I didn't like: There was only one person whose motivation bothered me. Not going to tell you who because that would be a major spoiler, but one character just felt off to me. This person gets dragged into the conflict, without any possibility of consent, and just accepts this with no fuss. Trust me when I say that the circumstances of this person's insertion were extreme and yet they just shrugged it off and decided to go with the flow. It nagged at me and still does but in light of how well all of the other characters are written, I am willing to let it slide, kinda like the character did.
♦ Conclusion: Romance, intrigue, betrayal, war, mystery, and more switchbacks than a steep mountainside. You will really need to be on your toes with this book because nothing is static, staid or dependable. Everything is subject to change (and does) at a moment's notice. This is not a light read. It is a true multifaceted, detailed, dark, complex story that exemplifies the very definition of Epic Fantasy.
Originally posted @ Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
♦ My Thoughts: I remember clearly the day Sara Douglass announced to her many fans that she had advanced ovarian cancer. I clung to hope for several years but sadly I ended up heartbroken when she lost that fight. But omg what a legacy! There are very few writers that can hook you this hard starting with the first paragraph. And you will stay hooked. Right up to the very last word.
I do want to note that having previous knowledge of this world does add flavor to the tale. I might have been able to get by without it, but I am glad I did not have to. Having a basic knowledge of past history definitely helps.
♦ What I Liked: The characters are vivid, varied, relatable and flawed. You love them or you hate them, then you turn the page and reverse your opinion. The detailed worldbuilding comes in as a close second with varied landscapes, multiple races and plenty of magic. But there is one thing that blew my mind. One thing that made me go WOW! when I closed the book and proceeded to sit here in stunned disbelief for about 30 minutes.
In 704 pages there is an unbelievable amount of story. So much that I have been lost for days trying to figure out how to accurately relate how massively epic this book is. There are stories, inside of larger stories, all wrapped up in mythology and loaded with superb character development. No character ends up unchanged. Very few turn out to be what or who you thought they were. And I swear I don't think there is a single storyline that went anywhere near where I thought it was going. Ultimately, there just aren't enough adjectives to express how impressed I am with this book.
♦ What I didn't like: There was only one person whose motivation bothered me. Not going to tell you who because that would be a major spoiler, but one character just felt off to me. This person gets dragged into the conflict, without any possibility of consent, and just accepts this with no fuss. Trust me when I say that the circumstances of this person's insertion were extreme and yet they just shrugged it off and decided to go with the flow. It nagged at me and still does but in light of how well all of the other characters are written, I am willing to let it slide, kinda like the character did.
♦ Conclusion: Romance, intrigue, betrayal, war, mystery, and more switchbacks than a steep mountainside. You will really need to be on your toes with this book because nothing is static, staid or dependable. Everything is subject to change (and does) at a moment's notice. This is not a light read. It is a true multifaceted, detailed, dark, complex story that exemplifies the very definition of Epic Fantasy.
Originally posted @ Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
June 12, 2022
This was not at all what I expected, not in a good way and I'm not sure if I will continue the series or any books by this author. It was long and rambling and while I hoped for some good solid character and world building I was disappointed on both fronts. It was unexpectedly brutal (TW: sexual assault, murder of a child, etc) and the magic seems random.
At least she delivered on her promise of forbidden love
At least she delivered on her promise of forbidden love
September 26, 2023
This series is actually a spin-off of The Wayfarer Redemption series (which, if you didn’t know by now, is my favorite Adult series), and this is the second time I’ve read it. I read the entire Wayfarer Redemption series for the third time a couple of months ago, and I’ve been having slight withdrawal ever since. It felt so good to dive back into the world!
It’s a totally different timeline and different setting than the original, but it’s in the same world, and there are a few familiar faces. I was thrilled to see StarDrifter again – I forgot he was in this! – and Axis as well. I love the little tie-ins here and there, and how Tencedor is briefly mentioned.
The best thing about reading this again was that I’d forgotten much of what happens. Things were familiar as I was reading, but I didn’t really see much of it coming. Some things were still a surprise!
This review was originally posted on Novel Heartbeat. To see a breakdown of my assessment, please visit the full review here.
February 18, 2008
Sara Douglass books always start off interesting, but by about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way in, I've always lost interest. Yet I keep trying. Why is that?
For fantasy fans, another good premise. The Great Serpent commands its high priestess to marry a king to save the world. She does. Then she gets kidnapped (while pregnant) and taken to a neighboring (somewhat unfriendly) kingdom as a price for its ruler, only to discover that the king is actually a god that she has encountered before. She marries the godking because she thinks her former husband hates her. Evil still manages to get free of its prison, and now we have to wait for Book 2.
I hope I've learned my lesson this time and remember to leave Book 2 on the shelf when I see it.
For fantasy fans, another good premise. The Great Serpent commands its high priestess to marry a king to save the world. She does. Then she gets kidnapped (while pregnant) and taken to a neighboring (somewhat unfriendly) kingdom as a price for its ruler, only to discover that the king is actually a god that she has encountered before. She marries the godking because she thinks her former husband hates her. Evil still manages to get free of its prison, and now we have to wait for Book 2.
I hope I've learned my lesson this time and remember to leave Book 2 on the shelf when I see it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2012
I haven't written a scathing review for some time and unfortunately Douglas is in line for major carthasis,
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Sara Douglas novels, I tend to really like the worlds built and the epic situations she creates, but not like where she goes with them. And its the journey not the destination that makes a good book anyway.
However with Serpent's bride I was neither satisfied with the setup, end or anything inbetween. The beginning plot is little more developed than a Mils and Boon - arranged marriage, midnight liasons, ritual sacrifice (Ok not the last one,) and doesn't get much better.
In previous novels Douglas does a fantasic job of creating epic world ending senarious. In The Serpent Bride Douglas can little more than conjure up a dark being in a pit somewhere, that might get out at some point - cos thats never been done before. The characters are boring, even Axis and Stardrifter, who seem to have been dredged back from the dead because Douglas can't create anymore likeable characters and the prose is sheer agony.
In fact let me devote an entire paragraph to the prose. Aside from the anachronisms, drop-dead lines like "Its edges were so indistinct as to be indistinguishable" we have regular use of parenthesis (which I'm pretty sure is a no-no in fiction writing) and scenes so sparse and flightly one almost questions whether they happened at all.
Lacking any fresh inspiration Douglas resurrects the skraelings which seems as threatening as ghost puppies, and could they talk in the previous books?
Anyway even considering that I needed to release some negative energy writing this review, the fact still remains that Serpent Bride does not live up to earlier Douglas novels, even to the point of considering not continuing with the series - and I usually even read series I hate if just to give them nasty reviews!
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Sara Douglas novels, I tend to really like the worlds built and the epic situations she creates, but not like where she goes with them. And its the journey not the destination that makes a good book anyway.
However with Serpent's bride I was neither satisfied with the setup, end or anything inbetween. The beginning plot is little more developed than a Mils and Boon - arranged marriage, midnight liasons, ritual sacrifice (Ok not the last one,) and doesn't get much better.
In previous novels Douglas does a fantasic job of creating epic world ending senarious. In The Serpent Bride Douglas can little more than conjure up a dark being in a pit somewhere, that might get out at some point - cos thats never been done before. The characters are boring, even Axis and Stardrifter, who seem to have been dredged back from the dead because Douglas can't create anymore likeable characters and the prose is sheer agony.
In fact let me devote an entire paragraph to the prose. Aside from the anachronisms, drop-dead lines like "Its edges were so indistinct as to be indistinguishable" we have regular use of parenthesis (which I'm pretty sure is a no-no in fiction writing) and scenes so sparse and flightly one almost questions whether they happened at all.
Lacking any fresh inspiration Douglas resurrects the skraelings which seems as threatening as ghost puppies, and could they talk in the previous books?
Anyway even considering that I needed to release some negative energy writing this review, the fact still remains that Serpent Bride does not live up to earlier Douglas novels, even to the point of considering not continuing with the series - and I usually even read series I hate if just to give them nasty reviews!
April 20, 2012
Well having read the Twisted Citadel (Book 2) first by accident, it was a very different experience reading this first book than it might have been otherwise. I was hooked the whole way through, knowing where people would end up but desperate to know how on earth they got there.
It was a morbid sort of fascination, as book two begins in a rather dark place, thus book one was inevitably spiralling towards disaster, and yet the ride was thrilling and I actually finished this monster of a book in two days.
Upon reflection, I have concluded that I rather like this trilogy and I am looking forward to the final book. I strongly recommend reading the books in the correct order, however. There are many intertwining paths that are richly rewarding if understood - and horribly confusing if you come in part way through.
All in all, Sara Douglass has written the beginnings of an epic, sprawling fantasy masterpiece with the Serpent Bride, and despite its intimidating size, it is a good read. I highly recommend it.
It was a morbid sort of fascination, as book two begins in a rather dark place, thus book one was inevitably spiralling towards disaster, and yet the ride was thrilling and I actually finished this monster of a book in two days.
Upon reflection, I have concluded that I rather like this trilogy and I am looking forward to the final book. I strongly recommend reading the books in the correct order, however. There are many intertwining paths that are richly rewarding if understood - and horribly confusing if you come in part way through.
All in all, Sara Douglass has written the beginnings of an epic, sprawling fantasy masterpiece with the Serpent Bride, and despite its intimidating size, it is a good read. I highly recommend it.
June 20, 2011
I have decided that 'Fantasy' is quickly becoming one of my favorite Genre's. Mind you, as of late I have been changing my reading palate as often as I change my underwear, so this may not be saying much.
This was such a cool story, leaving you with a cliffhanger so that whether you end the book loving it or hating it, you will feel the urge to read the next, regardless.
Having said that however, if you are considering taking on this series, (Which is NOT an overtly 'light' read)~ May I suggest you research her past series as they were interlocked with this one. Not so much so I felt lost, but there were definate WTF moments, that I found myself wishing for clarity, that I most assuredly would have achieved if only I read her past books first.
Whateve, you Read and Learn, I guess....
Off to order the rest of this crazy Aussie author's imaginative worlds.
April 8, 2018
So how did I get this book? Well I went into a book store and they had a sale. In order to get the sale I needed three books. So I found two books I’ve been wanting for a while and when it came to number three, I was stumped as I could not decide out of the thousands of choices I had. So eventually I started thinking about what authors I have really liked in the past and Sara Douglas comes to mind. She was the only authors I read, who translated the mediocre medieval fantasy genre into something exciting for me. And I loved her Wayfarer Redemption series (until the story derailed a bit). So why not see what else she wrote? And she appeared to have written a dozen other things. And out of the selection I chose one called “The Serpent Bride.”
So what is the Serpent Bride? Well the story focuses on an arch priestess of an order called the Coil. Her name is Ishbel and she took refuge there after her family all suddenly died in the plague. The mountains where she grew up are called the Serpent’s Nest. There she learned the arts of sacrificing people in order to read the future, look into people’s past, and most of all, communicate with the great serpent god that all of the Coil worship. But one day, the Serpent God commands her to leave her isolated home to a central kingdom to marry king Maxell. She hates the idea of it. All of it. But she remains loyal to the serpent and does it. He marries her immediately despite the out lash from other royal folks as to how she is associated with the outlands and the coil. Even with in a week of Ishbel's marriage she becomes pregnant and the great serpent reassures her everything is going to plan.
Soon after murder start to trail Ishbel where ever she goes. Convinced that she is innocent, Maxell and Ishbel make run to somewhere safe. That is until she is kidnapped in the dead of night from Maxell. The kidnappers are from the south, who are researching the dark glass mountain. The dark glass mountain is a temple that builds itself up over time, but underneath the base is the great god of chaos. And the god of chaos has its fair share of followers and haters. The followers have the intentions of using Ishbel as a sacrifice to awaken it. Maxell is meanwhile journeying to the south to get his wife back. There’s also a number of side stories to but those aren’t important.
So well start with the good. Sara Douglas is a phenomenal writer and the tale here is detailed and highly imaginative. Her characters and world are very well developed.
And the bad? We’ll start with a simple need to know detail for any reader. This does take place in the same world as the Wayfarer Redemption and does little to introduce those facts. So if you haven’t read her other books, and you don’t know about the Icari, the Sunsoars, or whatever terms, you better start looking things up on Wiki, because you’ll be confused. Another thing was in the six novel series of the Wayfarer Redemption, it focused on Axis. So I was glad that this took place hundreds of years after those books and Axis has passed on. It seemed fresh with her new characters. But Douglas must love this guy, because she wrote him back in by having a warlock bring him back from the dead to crowbar him back in the story. I think that was a little ridiculous. Also the book is not all that exciting. The sacrifice and rumors of war only fulfill themselves in the last seventy pages of the eight hundred page book and the majority of the book focuses on drama. It’s a drama with little chemistry and is very soapy. Basically the story focuses on three intertwining love triangles, where no one knows where their hearts lie. Oh and by the end of the book there are three pregnancies which complicate things much more than ever. By the end it’s just so soapy and heavy, it ridiculous. Why the hell does no one Douglas’s book know nothing about birth control or just a little self control in general? Sheesh. It’s a little ridiculous.
Overall, it’s interesting. You’ll be engage on the edge of your seat to see what will happen next in the beginning. And then you’ll find out nothing happens. It just kind of feels like a broken promise more than anything else. So unless the over the top, over done love triangle is you’re your thing. Then by all means read it. For the rest of us, it just held so much more potential and feels like a broken promise.
1 ½ smoothie out of four.
Overall rating: A Dull Tale That Had Epic Potential
May 1, 2017
About five years have passed since the fall of Tencendor to the Time-Keeper Demons and the conclusion of Douglass's previous (and second) trilogy, Wayfarer Redemption. But rest of the largely unexplored world continues. King Maximillian of Escator has been offered a bride from Ishbel, a woman who comes from the Serpent's Nest, a curious cult with macabre practices. Meanwhile the Tyrant of Isembaard is beginning to put into an action that will ruin the kingdoms to the north, including Maximillian's. Powerful forces are at play which results in the return from the world beyond of Douglass's premier hero, Axis Sunsoar and even, his father, Stardrifter. There's a lot that is happening in this novel and like many of Douglass's works, she keeps the story going; it's not like other epic fantasies where you can go hundreds of pages without anything happening. In this first of the trilogy, the world is turned upside down again and we get to enjoy seeing a different side of Axis--a more human one not seen since BattleAxe, the first book in the entire series. What I like even more about this book is that Douglass interweaves her two single novels (Beyond the Hanging Wall and Threshold) as integral parts of this story. One does not have to have read them to fully understand as she does create opportunities for readers to get filled in, but it certainly helps. Finally, it's also becomes a recurring (and insider joke for those who have read the previous trilogies), about the havoc that always comes in the path of people (particularly, women) who associate with the Sunsoars; in many ways, this feels like Douglass's wink to avid fans and their critiques. If you're looking for an enjoyable and active epic fantasy, Douglass is definitely the read to go with.
November 21, 2014
Interesting set up - a girl's family and most of her village dies in a plague. The remaining villagers won't let one survivor out of a plague house, so Ishabelle is forced to stay inside with the rotting corpses. Who start speaking to her. Yikes. The little girl is rescued and brought to the Serpent Cult's mountain, where she eventually becomes the (chaste) Arch-Priestess.
Then she has a vision that she has to go marry some barbarian king. Ishabelle is horrified, but ready to do her duty.
The fully dressed Barbarian King on the cover hears that he's going to marry an heiress from the Serpent lands, and heads off with some friends to meet her along her journey. They he runs ahead to meet her alone. To spy on her, actually, while she's in her bath. And we-the-reader are supposed to be all proud of his cleverness. Well, when he - later in the book - accuses her of *spoiler spoiler spoiler*, I for one am hardly surprised.
The half-naked king with the big gold necklace on the cover has magic. He pulls an advisor from the mists of time, because everyone in his own time is a pack of rich folks too self-satisfied to think clearly.
Who is the marrying ArchPriestess Ishabelle going to actually marry? One? Both? Neither?
And where is the real threat coming from?
There is a full cast of interesting people, traitorous advisors to both kings, backstabbing allies, tricksy enemies sowing discord, societies who don't care about the upcoming war because they have their own pleasures to take care of, and bored assassins.
Fun book, if disturbing at times.
Then she has a vision that she has to go marry some barbarian king. Ishabelle is horrified, but ready to do her duty.
The fully dressed Barbarian King on the cover hears that he's going to marry an heiress from the Serpent lands, and heads off with some friends to meet her along her journey. They he runs ahead to meet her alone. To spy on her, actually, while she's in her bath. And we-the-reader are supposed to be all proud of his cleverness. Well, when he - later in the book - accuses her of *spoiler spoiler spoiler*, I for one am hardly surprised.
The half-naked king with the big gold necklace on the cover has magic. He pulls an advisor from the mists of time, because everyone in his own time is a pack of rich folks too self-satisfied to think clearly.
Who is the marrying ArchPriestess Ishabelle going to actually marry? One? Both? Neither?
And where is the real threat coming from?
There is a full cast of interesting people, traitorous advisors to both kings, backstabbing allies, tricksy enemies sowing discord, societies who don't care about the upcoming war because they have their own pleasures to take care of, and bored assassins.
Fun book, if disturbing at times.
February 20, 2017
I was very skeptical of this book after reading Crusader when she literally crushed one of the most beautiful fantasy worlds I've known. I also wasn't sure how she was going to pull so many different worlds into one but my doubts were put to rest! This book brought back the joy and magic I experienced reading the Axis Trilogy. It was really fun to be reunited with some of my favorite characters and see how they've developed in the time since I left them. I would definitely recommend this book to any fan of Sara Douglass however it is very important to have read the Wayfarer series as well as Threshold and Beyond the Hanging Wall as it draws strongly from all three stories. I only hope the following books live up to the expectations this book has set.
August 24, 2012
If you have been reading the Wayfarer Redemption series from the start, you will love the seventh book and become intrigued about the series all over again.
Much like the destiny that was always meant for Axis & Faraday in the original Axis Trilogy, the characters introduced in The Serpent Bride (Book 7 of the Wayfarer Redemption/Book 1 of the Dark Glass Mountain trilogy) find themselves being pushed into lives they do not want and do not understand. However, their destinies are written and throughout this story, that becomes very apparent, particularly for Ishbel and Maximillian.
Full of passion both of anger and love, The Serpent Bride takes you a journey of hell, hope, hopelessness, horror and intrigue.
Much like the destiny that was always meant for Axis & Faraday in the original Axis Trilogy, the characters introduced in The Serpent Bride (Book 7 of the Wayfarer Redemption/Book 1 of the Dark Glass Mountain trilogy) find themselves being pushed into lives they do not want and do not understand. However, their destinies are written and throughout this story, that becomes very apparent, particularly for Ishbel and Maximillian.
Full of passion both of anger and love, The Serpent Bride takes you a journey of hell, hope, hopelessness, horror and intrigue.
October 8, 2009
I love the book and can't wait for the third one to come out. In the beginning of the book I found myself not like Ishbel at all and in various places throughout the story I was wishing I could shake some sense into her. In the end though, Ishbel has become one of the characters I enjoy reading about the most and I can't wait to see how the story ends for her. A nice book to read, I would suggest reading the Axis/Starman series first before starting in the Darkglass Mountain series, but that's not a requirement. There is a lot of drama, but what book of Sara Douglass' doesn't? If you enjoy the drama, magick, and romance to some extents, then this book is definitely a good read.
November 18, 2010
It wasn't until I was well into this book that I reaslized I'd read the earlier works that refer to this universe and its characters...The Wayfarer Redemption, first of six. The Icarii are the most enjoyable fantasy race. Winged sexy men...LOL...who return to this new series, their homeland having sunk into the sea in the first round.
Fast reading without a great deal of prose or poetry but an enjoyable adventure anyway. Star crossed lovers seem to be a constant elements along with "THE GREAT EVIL" that looms over all.
Fast reading without a great deal of prose or poetry but an enjoyable adventure anyway. Star crossed lovers seem to be a constant elements along with "THE GREAT EVIL" that looms over all.
February 18, 2008
Okay, I am hooked on Sara Douglass. This book was a great read - Evil gods being pulled back to life to what you know is going to be a bad ending, unrequited love, intrigue, betrayal, and a loss of conversation resulting in hurt feelings.
The opening part of the book tells of a time of plague that hits a house in the village. The town folk nail the doors and windows shut in order to save themselves - but a child is still alive within the house. They listen to her screams - she's not sick, but they still won't let her come out. And that starts the tale of Ishbel.
It's a must-read book!
The opening part of the book tells of a time of plague that hits a house in the village. The town folk nail the doors and windows shut in order to save themselves - but a child is still alive within the house. They listen to her screams - she's not sick, but they still won't let her come out. And that starts the tale of Ishbel.
It's a must-read book!
September 11, 2010
Another fantastic read from Sara Douglass. Her imagination and flair for writing page-turners just gets better and better. I particularly liked this book as it draws together characters and plots from not only her major Axis series, but two of her stand-alone novels, Threshold and Beyond the Hanging Wall which are fabulous in themselves. It's wonderful to be able to explore the richness and variety of the characters and lands from those books again and to follow what happens when they encounter the Sunsoar family.
Can't wait to read the next two in this series.
Can't wait to read the next two in this series.
August 4, 2012
In comparison to its six predecessors (those which were labeled as a part of The Wayfarer Redemption series), Sara Douglass has learned from some of her past mistakes. Although the journey through th previous novels were filled with action, magic and a highly involved lore/mythos, she would at times forget to tell the story and harp on repeating details to make sure the reader was paying attention. You'll find none of that here. Because it is a continuation of the intial two story arcs, start with Wayfarer Redemption and work your way up.
September 3, 2013
I read all three in this trilogy (plus the prequel "Beneath the Hanging Wall") in 2 days. I loved them. I wish I had read the other Wayfarer books first, because this series gives all of that away--and in a way that I probably won't be able to go back and read the others. But I adored this series. I loved the characters and while Ms. Douglass gives all her characters lots of time, she seems to be in love with Axis...
December 14, 2021
Excellent trilogy!
This trilogy continues in the same world as Wayfarer Redemption with the same races and a few same characters.
A book called Beyond the Hanging Wall and another called Threshold are listed as stand alone but are actually more like prequels to Darkglass Mountain trilogy.
I loved these books. Anytime more are written in this series I will be right there reading them.
Don't let my (or anyone else) opinion sway you. Pick up the pick and always try it for yourself.
This trilogy continues in the same world as Wayfarer Redemption with the same races and a few same characters.
A book called Beyond the Hanging Wall and another called Threshold are listed as stand alone but are actually more like prequels to Darkglass Mountain trilogy.
I loved these books. Anytime more are written in this series I will be right there reading them.
Don't let my (or anyone else) opinion sway you. Pick up the pick and always try it for yourself.
November 17, 2016
I read this series a few years ago when I had a lot of stuff going on so I decided to sit back down and read the series once more. I do not regret picking this book back up again, in fact I am really glad I did. It is practically like reading it for the first time.
Though I will say I fully remembered Ravenna and my feelings for her have not changed in the slightest. She is truly my least favorite character ever.
Though I will say I fully remembered Ravenna and my feelings for her have not changed in the slightest. She is truly my least favorite character ever.
January 17, 2008
I LOVED this book and am desperately waiting for the next book in the series. I won't say much because it would spoilt it for anyone who has not read the following (in order)
The Axis Trilogy
1. Battle Axe
2. Enchanter
3. Star Man
The Wayfare Redemption
1. Sinner
2. Pilgrim
3. Crusader
As well as,
Threshold, and
Beyond the Hanging Wall.
The Axis Trilogy
1. Battle Axe
2. Enchanter
3. Star Man
The Wayfare Redemption
1. Sinner
2. Pilgrim
3. Crusader
As well as,
Threshold, and
Beyond the Hanging Wall.
September 16, 2008
Finally! Another good book by Sara Douglass. She writes some of my favorites and some of the most droll. I don't understand how one writer can vary so much in my affections. She's brought some of her best-loved characters back for this series and the magic and mystique of her writing came with them. I can't wait for the next book.
July 1, 2015
Ms. Douglass does it again. Armies of millions, kings riding four abreast; the innermost secrets of an abandoned little girl, the loves and lies of a social butterfly - or wasp, maybe. You can read all this, and so much more in a sweeping storyline told through the lives of the individuals involved.
March 15, 2015
finished this a while back, have already finished the 2nd one and have the third ready to go. this one took a little while to get going or make sense it didn't help I'd missed some intervening books since the Axel series. by the end I just want it to keep going as per usual with Sara Douglas novel, just hoping the finale loves up to the hype.
October 11, 2017
Took me a little while to finish it because I haven't had much reading time. Amazing fantasy novel with everything in it: love, betrayal, cruelty, humility, and good versus evil. Of course being the first of a series the story is just getting started so I will be hunting the next because the end left me excited and crying from which the circumstances of the ending.
October 5, 2008
I really enjoyed getting back to the setting and some of the characters from the Starman books. This offered new characters with their own foibles and problems that Sara Douglass is so good at creating. I can't wait to read the next book.
January 16, 2009
I really enjoyed the plot in this story, but the characters themselves get a bit soap-opera-ish at times. Still, I've got the next book coming from the library. It's a definite page-turner at points, and that's enough to go ahead and try the second one.
April 16, 2010
I didn't read any of the reviews for this book, otherwise I would have read the other two series first. The beginning was slow but it definetely picked up speed toward the end. Not to bad for my first read of Sara Douglass but now I have to go get the Axis series before I can move on.
July 28, 2011
Enjoyed this book, and a return to the world and characters I knew from the BattleAxe books. I've seen some bad reviews of the next book so I'm a little apprehensive, but so far the series is off to a great start.
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