Serpent

By: Kathryn Le Veque

Narrated by: Brad Wills

Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

1283 A.D. - Edward I is in the midst of his campaign to tame the Welsh, but rising from the chaos is a Welsh knight known as the Serpent. Bhrodi ap Gaerwen de Shera is a warrior of tremendous range and power. Descended from the kings of Anglesey on his mother's side and the earls of Coventry on his father's, Bhrodi is in the unique position of having Welsh royalty and English nobility. Edward knows he must make an alliance with de Shera. With that in mind, Edward calls upon the mightiest warrior of the north, the legendary William de Wolfe, to pledge one of his daughters to de Shera. William is honored by the king's calling; he pledges his youngest daughter, Lady Penelope Adalira de Wolfe, to be the Serpent's bride. But the Lady Penelope is no ordinary woman; raised by knights, she has been trained by the best and, in spite of her mother's protests, she fights like a knight. Exquisitely beautiful with dark hair and hazel eyes, she is an unearthly beauty and a fine legacy for the mighty de Wolfe. But Penelope has no desire to be a bartered bride and she resists the king's directive, but her reluctance is futile. Join Bhrodi and Penelope as they journey through a world where the greed of men breeds great hatred yet great valor. When Bhrodi is injured in a skirmish, Penelope steps in for her husband to lead the Serpent's men against the hated English and realizes she must face her own father on the battlefield. Will Penelope survive The Wolfe? Or will The Serpent's strike become her very own, conquering those she loves?

©2014 Kathryn Le Veque (P)2015 Kathryn Le Veque

Intriguing

If you could sum up Serpent in three words, what would they be?

Unique, unexpected, entertaining.

What other book might you compare Serpent to and why?

None, that I can think of.

Which character – as performed by Brad Wills – was your favorite?

Lady Penelope Adalira de Wolfe, youngest daughter of the legendary William de Wolfe.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Serpent kept my interest all the way through.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Wonderful story!

This was a wonderful story. It took a brilliant mind to write this tale and the best narrator in the business to put my heart in palpitations. The emotions were so powerful, it can grab a strong man by the throat and shake the tears and happiness right out of him. I loved, loved it! What a great pair....Kathryn and Brad Wills.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Favorite Le Veque book!

I have so many Le Veque books and I always come back to this one. I love that they are "looking back" into history. This story makes me laugh and cry. I also love Brad Wills, he makes the characters sound so genuine.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Amazing Serpent

What did you love best about Serpent?

This book has taken my breath away it was an emotional journey from beginning to end. This is one book I really did not want to end. Bhrodi de Shera, a royal Welsh Warlord, and a king in his own right; a man who loves his country. Our heroine is Penelope de Wolfe one of the “Wolfe’s children” or better known as the Wolfepack! Both were such amazing characters. The King has decreed one of The Wolf’s children will wed the Welsh Warlord, better known as the Serpent. They call him the Serpent, and rightly so, because his strike is deadly as sin. Penelope de Wolfe is chosen to be the Warlord’s wife, but she has so much of her mother and father in her, she does not like what she must do. Penelope will do her duty while she preserving her families honor and not damaging their legacy along the way. The Wolfe has allowed her to train with her brothers, as a knight. She is a knight and the daughter of the legendary English knight, Sir William de Wolfe. Their story was a journey filled with laughter, intrigue, mystery, love, hope and admiration. It’s a fascinating tale with two strong characters you will love and rout for until throughout the story!

Have you listened to any of Brad Wills’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Brad Willis is the best narrator to bring the story to life. His voice brings out such powerful emotions and grabs the story and you don’t want to stop listening and you definitely do not want the story to end. The narration was superb. The Welsh accents and women's voices were so well done. The first appearance of the Serpent and the scene was so well painted and narrated it gave me goosebumps I could just imagine looking up and seeing the head of the serpent!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Should have been five stars all the way!

Would you try another book from Kathryn Le Veque and/or Brad Wills?

I am always avidly waiting for Kathryn le Veque's audio books.
Always great medieval tales, made greater by the family names running through to connect each story.
I have listened to Brad Wills narrating some of these stories and enjoyed them but, in this case, that would be the worst attempt at a Welsh accent EVER.
It sounds Scottish/Irish,,,,,,,,,,,not remotely Welsh and, for someone who IS Welsh, it is quite painful to listen to..Having said that the story is great as is usual for this talented Author..

What was one of the most memorable moments of Serpent?

The first appearance of the Serpent.The scene was so well painted.......makes you almost look up to see the head!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Brad Wills?

Except for the Welsh accent, Brad was fine............maybe Brian J Gill?

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Never Wanted It To End!

I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't stop listening. The story, characters and evolving plot had me riveted. Penelope and Bhrodi are married to create a peace alliance but their marriage becomes so much more than that. In addition to an arranged marriage, throw in Penny's De Wolf family, an invading English army, an entertaining mad uncle and an ancient mythical beast and you'll find yourself whisked away to medieval Wales and a book that you can't put down.

Kathryn Le Veque is a fairly new author for me but I have to say that any book I've read or listened has grabbed me from the beginning. Although I would like to savor and enjoy her books, at the same time I can't read fast enough to see how the story plays out.

I would highly recommend any of her books but I particularly enjoyed The Serpent.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Outstanding story! Great love story and history.

I really love this book. I read the first and had to get the second. I was not disappointed. Great love story and the author researched the Welsh history in depth. Would listen to it again. and again. You will not be disappointed listen to this story. The narrator and the story will keeps you wanting more. GREAT JOB!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Just plain ole' Awesome!

What made the experience of listening to Serpent the most enjoyable?

I love love the story!!! And the action, battle-strategy is awesome! It evenly balances the romance of the characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jordan - she's smart & has all the answers & just loves & accepts her family as they are.

What about Brad Wills’s performance did you like?

He did a great job with all the different English, Welsh & Scots accents!!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!!! I've listened to it twice now!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful! Brad Wills did an amazing job

I was a little concerned about this book...a Serpent! However, Kathryn Le Veque and Brad Wills decided me, and I am very glad. The story is excellent--getting to renew acquaintance with characters from previous books...only much older.
The narration was superb. The Welsh accents and women's voices were so well done.
I enjoyed every minute!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Wonderful!

Great story, excellent competant narrative, A lot of twists and turns. . .Don't miss this one!

Compelling listening

I carried this audio book around with me in a handbag whilst I did jobs in my home.

Don't waste a credit!

I stuck with this story because I thought it would get better and to be honest it was very hard to do so! The Welsh accents were beyond terrible! Seriously bad! The h and h were mediocre - I expected Penelope to be a very strong fighting character and she was pathetic character with an annoying accent and Bhrodi had no appeal whatsoever and didn't help that his accent was unrecognisable and terrible to listen too! Sorry but not a book I would recommend!

0 of 1 people found this review helpful