Serpent Tide

Wesley Mackey #1

by K.L. Fogg, David L. Walker (Narrator)

Wesley Vandergrift wonders why he isn't like the other boys in his coastal South Carolina town. It's not easy being the son of an eccentric billionaire mother. His life consists of big secrets in a big mansion and only one friend. Overprotected and insulated from the rest of the world, Wesley yearns for the kind of exciting outdoor adventures he sees on "The Snake Stalker"-his favorite TV program, starring the charming Jack Mackey.Now through a twist of fate, Wesley meets someone who knows his hero Jack Mackey-a real-live relative. And soon Wesley finds himself in more of an adventure than he bargained for. Dare to take the plunge with Wesley on an exciting journey of shipwrecks, venomous snakes, and kidnappers. The legendary curse of the Serpent Tide will forever change Wesley's life-and, perhaps, yours.

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 2, 2006

About the author

K.L. Fogg is a former television news anchor, reporter, and talk-show host. She received her bachelor's degree in communications from Brigham Young University, and studied for her master's in journalism at the University of Missouri, where she worked for NBC 8. She is married and has three children.

Reviews

[Danae Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm surprised this book hasn't become as popular as it should have. Written by a Mormon author, it's an exciting story that you'll fall in love with immediately. The whole story is very well written with amazing totally believable characters. I recommend this to everyone, seriously.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars - English Ebook

I love this series. It is an adventure that is full of interesting characters. Every time things seem to be calm, something else happens again.

Wesley is son of Imogene Vandergrift a billionaire. He is not allowed to anything that is dangerous, have any pets, do shores. His best friend is Amanda. Wesley is really smart. He is a teenager. His favorite show is Snake stalker.

Amanda is a few months older than Wesley. Her mother Maria has worked Imogene almost her full life. Amanda is a tomboy. She goes to public school. Whenever Imogene is not around her and Wesley get into a lot of troubles.

Imogene Vandergrift is a rich self centered woman. She has been a widow for years. She will do anything she wants nothing will get in her way.

Wesley puts some things together and figured out that he was not really Imogene's son. That he has a father, aunt & grandparents. The adventures begin and trouble starts.

Now through a twist of fate, Wesley meets someone who knows his hero Jack Mackey-a real-live relative. And soon Wesley finds himself in more of an adventure than he bargained for.

Dare to take the plunge with Wesley on an exciting journey of shipwrecks, venomous snakes, and kidnappers. The legendary curse of the Serpent Tide will forever change Wesley's life-and, perhaps, yours.
The pacing is a fast pace one adventure after another adventure.

Serpent Tide is first book of three that tells the story of Wesley Mackey.

[Book2Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book. Wesley has some advantages as he lives with his mother in a mansion, but his mother keeps a close rein on him. His only playmate is a servant's daughter, and they sometimes have to sneak around to have fun.

But there is something that doesn't fit. When Wesley finds a clue to what that is, an adventure begins and affects the people around him and everyone connected to him. Be prepared for lots of cliffhangers and turns. Be prepared to be astonished at the ending (no peeks aloud).

Highly recommended for YA or those soon to be. Adults will love it too.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to admit that I was pretty shocked to see that the average rating for this book was so high. Maybe those were kids' ratings. I hate to be this harsh, but this book is actually on my list of the top worst 10 books I've ever read. I read it for a book club, so I had to finish it. While reading it, I found myself constantly rolling my eyes and saying "Oh please!", then turning to my husband to tell him just how dumb it was. It flat out struck me as written by a random person who read Harry Potter and said, "Well, I can do that." It was unoriginal, right down to the characters, one of which was a blatant copy of the Crocodile Hunter. And what about the "romance" where things tragically end with one of a set of twins, but luckily, there is another identical twin available? Does no one see how that might be a little wierd for everyone involved? Incidentally, when I went to the book club after reading this book, I was ready to speak my mind until I realized the author was actually sitting right there in the group! Luckily, I hadn't said anything. I just sat back and let the discussion confirm what I had concluded: the book was inspired by Harry Potter, written by a first-time author who one day just decided to create a novel, the Australian WAS copied from the Crocodile Hunter, etc. She also admitted that she was asked to add in certain LDS references in order to get a publisher. I am glad that, apparently, this has been a good read for a lot of people. It makes me feel less guilty for my own opinion. I have no desire, though, to read any more in this series.

[Maddie Jackson]

Soooo I felt like reading something different one night. I've read this book before like twice and I LOVE this book series. I read the whole book again in one night because it's a good series. HIGHLEY recommend if you like clean action and adventure.

[D-lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this Book!!!!
I want to read another! I hope she makes this a series!
I liked the adventure and the characters and the suspense and the creativity and the unexpected ending!
I did foresee some spots of the plot but others were a huge surprise!!! The main character was fun and easy to get to know and really feel a kin to. In the middle of the story you sorta stop getting everything from him and his eyes and jump to the adults (ages 34-37) point of view and their story and a bit of James Bond type adventure (which isn't realistic but very fun!) and since I am an adult I liked that part too. Though I could probably guess my little sister might think that part was dumb.

OKAY S.B. Read this book and tell me what you think since you are 12 and the the kids in this story are your age!

I liked so much I plan to buy my own copy and I hope K.L. Fogg makes another adventure as delightful and exciting as this one with these fun characters!

Okay I wrote above and since then.... I now know she has written 2 others for a 3 part series YEA!!!
Now I will have to make a book request at my library!
This book I got through library loan from Idaho about 3 states away from me! I am so glad I did get to read it! Loved it!!!!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marissa LOVED this series and wants me to read it SO BAD. So, needless to say - I'm excited!

I really, really liked this. I only gave it four stars, because I didn't think it was QUITE up there with Fablehaven. I will definitely be finishing the series, though. The author must be LDS, because many of the characters in the book are Mormon - so prayer and values are very much so included in the characters' lives - and I really loved that. There are also some very funny parts. Lots of adventure, mystery, and a love story to boot - quite entertaining!

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was torn between giving it one star or two. One and a half would have been perfect. I could see how older elementary school age and junior high kids might like this, but as an adult, no way. This was the most cliched book ever. Of course, the baby doesn't drown at the beginning. Of course, he is found by a rich woman that only wants him so she can keep her fortune. Of course, the babies dad fell in love with twins and conviently when one twin dies he can then marry the other. Of course, the baby/boy father turns out to be the star of his favorite nature show. Jack is such a rip-off of Steve Irwin. Couldn't Fogg have come up with some original characters? The beautiful identical twin doctor. The scheming rich woman. The Steve Irwin-esqe father. The boy who instantly is convinced that Jack is his father because they both like snakes. Not only was this novel a copy of other novels, but it could have been easily shortened by at least 100 pages.

[Jenn Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

We actually listened to this audio book as a family on the way to Vegas last weekend. I was so pleasantly surprised I'm recommending everyone check it out from the library for their next road trip. It kept mine and Ross' attention well. Each of us was excited to hear what would happen next. Yesterday Connor quoted from the story and we all laughed. If you're looking for a family friendly adventure story that everyone will love, get this!

I've not read it, so perhaps what I loved was the voices of the reader, because he was good. Plus, I had never heard of it, so I was just pleased that it kept our attention and made the trip enjoyable.

I guess we'll be listening to the next books in the series soon.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serpent Tide it one of the BEST BOOKS THAT I HAVE EVER READ!!! I finished it really, really fast, because it was sooooo good that I couldn't stop!!! I would spend hours reading this book because of how good it was!!! I strongly advise you to read it, you will love this book, unless you hate exciting books!!! THIS BOOK ROCKS!!!

[Keira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I began reading it after several students recommended it to me and after receiving an advanced copy of the sequel in preparation for her to visit our school. I couldn't put it down. I thought that it was a well done realistic adventure.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was fun. I really liked Wesley as a character. Somehow I was expecting this to be a fantasy (maybe in part because of the cover), but it wasn't. It was a good story that kept me up way too late last night to finish.

[Rosaliefullmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very fun book with creative twists and suspenseful turns. It was written by an LDS author, and though it is not considered LDS fiction, a couple of the characters are Mormon, so there is some church talk in it. All in all I thought it was a great book.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

We listened to this one on a road trip. It was a great story and the narrator was AMAZING! Recommended it to a friend with four kids, age ranging from 2-10 and they all loved listening to it on their road trip to Disneyland. Great family fun!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i LOVED this book, we listened to it on cd when we went to disneyland, and i seriously absolutly LOVE this book. one of the main charachters has an amazing accent, which made it a MILLION times better to listen to on cd.

[Cami Checketts · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sons and I loved this series. It was really cute.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book I liked it because it was a mystery, adventure, and romance all in one.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version with my kids and husband and we all loved it. It kept us awake and wishing the road trip was just a little longer. The narrator, David Walker, is exceptional.

[Kyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first, this review is going to be somewhat biased. I haven't read this book since I was a teenager, so it's been a few years. While I barely remember most of it, I remember loving it immensely when it came out. This was my favorite book for years, and while I've only read it the one time, I still have incredibly fond memories of this book from when I was younger.

From what I can remember, this book is a fun little adventure that never fails to peak your interest. While it is a fairly long book, the story never gets dull and always has a fun new thing to add to it. The atmosphere changed a few times throughout, but each atmosphere was unique and fun in its own way.

I definitely recommend this book for young adult readers. I still hope I can find the time to go back and reread it again to relive the fun.

[Hannah]

This book was really interesting and one of my favorite books as a kid. It is about a young boy who lives in a nice house with a crazy mom. He lives for adventure and soon finds out that he has a connection with his favorite tv star. He goes to an adventure-like camp and meets a new family in which he has deep connections too. This is a great book for older elementary students or young middle school students. I highly recommend as it is clean and a good story!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never get tired of this book. Now on to book 2!

I love the suspense and humor the most. I would recommend this book to young and old. I'd say 11 and up. It's fun and somehow the author makes the unbelievable seem perfectly logical. It's full of great messages too.
I love this book.

[Rachel Maloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely written for littler kids, I would say about fifth of sixth graders. The story is still really good. If you want an easier read I would definitely recommend this book. The writing is good

[Amberlynn Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a really great book. It really kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to keep reading. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes more adventure and action type books. Also, it is a great book if you like a little romance and mystery.

[Carrie Gallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favorites. If you're looking for a good book for ages 10 and up, this book is for you! The plot is engaging, and I fell in love with the characters. Overall I 100% reccomend this book. You will not regret reading it!

[Megan Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. Perfect combination of action/adventure, romance, and mystery. Jack Mackey is one of my favorite characters of all time. I also love that the author included her faith (LDS) in the book, probably mostly because I share that faith, but it also guaranteed a clean read.

[Bree Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a page turner! I loved it!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't remember liking this book very much when I read it over 10 years ago.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good break from finals!

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I recently reread it and I still think it is just as amazing as it was when I was 12. It's got something for everyone, snakes, mystery, action... I highly recommend this book.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute and fun story. I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a great job. I'm off to listen to the next book.