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Celestial Battle #1
Dark Serpent
The First Book in Bestselling Author Kylie Chan's Thrilling Celestial Battle Trilogy
When the ancestry of Xuan Wu's fiancee, Emma, is revealed, it threatens the harmony of the whole Celestial realm. The demons are gathering, powerful alliances are being made and stone Shen are under threat. However, Xuan Wu is distracted--he must save Emma from the Demon King and give her the elixir of immortality, but at what cost?
When the ancestry of Xuan Wu's fiancee, Emma, is revealed, it threatens the harmony of the whole Celestial realm. The demons are gathering, powerful alliances are being made and stone Shen are under threat. However, Xuan Wu is distracted--he must save Emma from the Demon King and give her the elixir of immortality, but at what cost?
560 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2013
72 people are currently reading
941 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Chan
26 books592 followersKylie doesn't participate in the Goodreads network. You can find her fanpage on Facebook or visit her website at www.kyliechan.com.
Kylie Chan married a Hong Kong national in a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony in Eastern China, lived in Australia for ten years, then moved to Hong Kong for ten years and during that time learnt a great deal about Chinese culture and came to appreciate the customs and way of life.
In 2003 she closed down her successful IT consultancy company in Hong Kong and moved back to Australia. She decided to use her knowledge of Chinese mythology, culture, and martial arts to weave a story that would appeal to a wide audience.
Since returning to Australia, Kylie has studied Kung Fu (Wing Chun and Southern Chow Clan styles) as well as Tai Chi and is now a senior belt in both forms. She has also made an intensive study of Buddhist and Taoist philosophy and has brought all of these together into her storytelling.
Kylie is a mother of two who lives in Queensland's Gold Coast. She is the best-selling author of the Dark Heavens and Journey to Wudang trilogies, which tell the story of Emma, an ordinary Australian woman thrown into the world of Chinese Gods, martial arts, and magic. Emma must deal with a bewildering variety of Chinese mythological creatures from dragons to the Monkey King as she learns martial arts from her employer John Chen, who is really the God of Martial Arts, Xuan Wu.
Kylie Chan married a Hong Kong national in a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony in Eastern China, lived in Australia for ten years, then moved to Hong Kong for ten years and during that time learnt a great deal about Chinese culture and came to appreciate the customs and way of life.
In 2003 she closed down her successful IT consultancy company in Hong Kong and moved back to Australia. She decided to use her knowledge of Chinese mythology, culture, and martial arts to weave a story that would appeal to a wide audience.
Since returning to Australia, Kylie has studied Kung Fu (Wing Chun and Southern Chow Clan styles) as well as Tai Chi and is now a senior belt in both forms. She has also made an intensive study of Buddhist and Taoist philosophy and has brought all of these together into her storytelling.
Kylie is a mother of two who lives in Queensland's Gold Coast. She is the best-selling author of the Dark Heavens and Journey to Wudang trilogies, which tell the story of Emma, an ordinary Australian woman thrown into the world of Chinese Gods, martial arts, and magic. Emma must deal with a bewildering variety of Chinese mythological creatures from dragons to the Monkey King as she learns martial arts from her employer John Chen, who is really the God of Martial Arts, Xuan Wu.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
April 30, 2014
After so many books and so many years of Emma and John fighting the same things repeatedly, I find that it is time for me to bid adieu to this series. I would have liked to have read about Simone fully grown and reaching her fullest immortality and potential, but this series has become a bit too complicated and redundant for me at this time. I find that when I am looking forward to finishing the book quickly and skimming most of it) rather than wanting to eke it out page by page, slowly like sipping a very fine wine, then my heart is just not into it. I found it too easy to let other things distract me from this book - like mopping my floors.
So many people are brought back into this novel - mostly from the past books and if you have not had time to re-read the other books or do not possess a photographic or extraordinary memory, you may become as frustrated with this book as I did. This book is 560 pages long with what feels like 200 characters making an appearance or maybe even more. I tried to research it, but couldn't find the data.
There is an obvious war getting ready to hit full steam...what we have seen so far is just teasers to what is really going to happen. There is so much heartbreak in this book that at times I nearly didn't know how to cope. Nevertheless, much like a Mary-Sue character, Emma and John always find a way to get around things. So many senseless deaths.
The scenes between John and Emma are stilted and don't ring true to me -even Simone and Leo seemed more like cardboard caricatures instead of `real people'.
Yes, I know that this is Fantasy Fiction -but even books in this genre have to be entertaining and somewhat believable -I found this book to be neither
So many people are brought back into this novel - mostly from the past books and if you have not had time to re-read the other books or do not possess a photographic or extraordinary memory, you may become as frustrated with this book as I did. This book is 560 pages long with what feels like 200 characters making an appearance or maybe even more. I tried to research it, but couldn't find the data.
There is an obvious war getting ready to hit full steam...what we have seen so far is just teasers to what is really going to happen. There is so much heartbreak in this book that at times I nearly didn't know how to cope. Nevertheless, much like a Mary-Sue character, Emma and John always find a way to get around things. So many senseless deaths.
The scenes between John and Emma are stilted and don't ring true to me -even Simone and Leo seemed more like cardboard caricatures instead of `real people'.
Yes, I know that this is Fantasy Fiction -but even books in this genre have to be entertaining and somewhat believable -I found this book to be neither
June 25, 2020
Notes:
Well, that's disappointing. There are several of spelling errors and etc that should have been caught by an editor/readers.
The take on the "western heavens" is very weird. The take on Christianity is also very weird.
The deal with the Demon King not okay with women being raped is crap. At this point of the story, that doesn't hold any credibility.
Plot progression was typical in being utterly obvious but it was not balanced by the characters being more interesting. This one felt like a bullet point presentation of what has to happen. That's too bad. It only had a few flourishes that were fun. Like John being a hippy. The explanation about how he wasn't able to have black jeans was ridiculous. Basically, the "why" ____ happens are losing coherence or any credibility.
Well, that's disappointing. There are several of spelling errors and etc that should have been caught by an editor/readers.
The take on the "western heavens" is very weird. The take on Christianity is also very weird.
The deal with the Demon King not okay with women being raped is crap. At this point of the story, that doesn't hold any credibility.
Plot progression was typical in being utterly obvious but it was not balanced by the characters being more interesting. This one felt like a bullet point presentation of what has to happen. That's too bad. It only had a few flourishes that were fun. Like John being a hippy. The explanation about how he wasn't able to have black jeans was ridiculous. Basically, the "why" ____ happens are losing coherence or any credibility.
August 5, 2016
UPD: Re-read 2 years later wasn't as bad, but I will leave the original review as it is.
Review:
I honestly think this series is losing its steam, and it makes me quite upset.
Kylie Chan writes in trilogies, but don't get confused, - this is a 3rd trilogy in the same series about the same characters. Why can't it be the same series book #7, I wonder? Anyway, first three books were brilliant, absolutely brilliant. With the second three I was suffering from withdrawal from the first three and I read them in one go. Good but not as good as the beginning. Dark Serpent was read after a long wait and I was struggling all the way through.
It's pointless to try to explain what's going on to someone who hasn't read Kylie Chan before, but if you read even one book you know the schematics of the plot, because in a nutshell nothing bloody changes!
John is still missing parts of himself and is not to his full strength. Emma is still human Mary Sue. Their love conquers all. Demon King wants to rule the world. He attacks, they defend. He hides new laboratories, they find them eventually and destroy them. Emma is always in danger, and one or the other keeps getting kidnapped and saved. It goes on and on and on...
Dark Serpent unfortunately got buried under the minute details. Under all the descriptions of who visits whom and who does what research, the personal interactions between the characters I fell in love with became perfunctory. John, Emma, Leo and Simone - they were going through the motions but I wasn't feeling it.
To be fair, second half of the book picked up and became livelier with Celtic Heavens and Western mythology in the mix, but I still don't think I'll be reading more books in this series. In my opinion, it should have ended by book #6 at the latest.
Review:
I honestly think this series is losing its steam, and it makes me quite upset.
Kylie Chan writes in trilogies, but don't get confused, - this is a 3rd trilogy in the same series about the same characters. Why can't it be the same series book #7, I wonder? Anyway, first three books were brilliant, absolutely brilliant. With the second three I was suffering from withdrawal from the first three and I read them in one go. Good but not as good as the beginning. Dark Serpent was read after a long wait and I was struggling all the way through.
It's pointless to try to explain what's going on to someone who hasn't read Kylie Chan before, but if you read even one book you know the schematics of the plot, because in a nutshell nothing bloody changes!
John is still missing parts of himself and is not to his full strength. Emma is still human Mary Sue. Their love conquers all. Demon King wants to rule the world. He attacks, they defend. He hides new laboratories, they find them eventually and destroy them. Emma is always in danger, and one or the other keeps getting kidnapped and saved. It goes on and on and on...
Dark Serpent unfortunately got buried under the minute details. Under all the descriptions of who visits whom and who does what research, the personal interactions between the characters I fell in love with became perfunctory. John, Emma, Leo and Simone - they were going through the motions but I wasn't feeling it.
To be fair, second half of the book picked up and became livelier with Celtic Heavens and Western mythology in the mix, but I still don't think I'll be reading more books in this series. In my opinion, it should have ended by book #6 at the latest.
April 28, 2016
"Religion doesn't lead to deaths... It's the cruel people who twist the teachings into something cruel and poisonous... Seems to happen all the time, humans twist meaning to suit their own agendas..." #favouritequote
Oh the feels!!! What a fantastic first instalment for the final Celestial Battle trilogy.. You go through a roller coaster of emotion in an action packed story.. Although there was a bit of time since I read the last trilogy, this book was just so easy to immerse myself in.. Loved the interesting turn it took with mythology and backstory.. Really looking forward to the next instalment and the grand finale!!!
Oh the feels!!! What a fantastic first instalment for the final Celestial Battle trilogy.. You go through a roller coaster of emotion in an action packed story.. Although there was a bit of time since I read the last trilogy, this book was just so easy to immerse myself in.. Loved the interesting turn it took with mythology and backstory.. Really looking forward to the next instalment and the grand finale!!!
May 8, 2013
I Love this series and Get seriously depressed when I finish one and have to wait over a year until the next one is released!
Also I'm so glad that we know what Emma is now because that was getting dragged out so long, I was so tired of her asking everyone she met if they knew what she was.
Also I'm so glad that we know what Emma is now because that was getting dragged out so long, I was so tired of her asking everyone she met if they knew what she was.
Read
July 3, 2020Super silly now. But pretty quick to read, so I’ll keep at it.
November 16, 2013
Sent to Wales to investigate what's happening in the Western Celestial Plane, Emma begins to discover more about her past, only to find she's not at all welcome in her ancestral homeland.
John is determined to keep Emma safe and fulfil the prophecy to find, raise and marry her, but the Demon King has other plans, and a definite advantage.
When I first picked up this book, I was pleased to see it was the first in a trilogy, assuming that I wouldn't need any back-story to get into it. I was wrong - it seems like it directly follows a previous series. There's a whole world of celestial mythology and sentient PDA stones which didn't make much sense at all to me, leaving the first third of the book a bit of a muddle.
Then the plot started to take over, but it seemed rather convoluted at first with aspects that made no sense to me and didn't seem to fit the overall story arc, but presumably would to people who've read the prior books. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the last half of the book - it was well written and well paced, although several of the characters seemed a bit similar to me at times.
If you've read previous books in this series, and enjoyed them, then this is probably a welcome read, but I'd definitely not recommend this book as an introduction to the series!
prk.
Disclaimer: Whilst I read this as a judge for the 2013 Aurealis Awards, this review is my personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging co-ordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
John is determined to keep Emma safe and fulfil the prophecy to find, raise and marry her, but the Demon King has other plans, and a definite advantage.
When I first picked up this book, I was pleased to see it was the first in a trilogy, assuming that I wouldn't need any back-story to get into it. I was wrong - it seems like it directly follows a previous series. There's a whole world of celestial mythology and sentient PDA stones which didn't make much sense at all to me, leaving the first third of the book a bit of a muddle.
Then the plot started to take over, but it seemed rather convoluted at first with aspects that made no sense to me and didn't seem to fit the overall story arc, but presumably would to people who've read the prior books. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the last half of the book - it was well written and well paced, although several of the characters seemed a bit similar to me at times.
If you've read previous books in this series, and enjoyed them, then this is probably a welcome read, but I'd definitely not recommend this book as an introduction to the series!
prk.
Disclaimer: Whilst I read this as a judge for the 2013 Aurealis Awards, this review is my personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging co-ordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
November 28, 2015
Love this series. Love Kylie Chan hope there is a new book soon.
October 3, 2018
3.5 stars. The 1st in a new trilogy, the 7th in the whole series. Again, I really enjoyed Kylie Chan's world and the Chinese Mythology throughout this. I have really learnt a lot through her books.
This book was simple, yet effective. It was good to finally learn Emma's true heritage, and the back story behind it. And, it is wonderful to see how much progress each book makes. It didn't drag at all, to the point that I thought that there might have been TOO much action to it.
However, in saying that, I didn't find myself enjoying it as much as the past two trilogies. I still enjoyed it, and I laughed at John's ignorance to the mortal world at times, and the characters are all loveable. What I think was missing was the Tiger's humour. It would have added just that little bit more to it if he was in this book more.
I look forward to reading the next two books in this series when they are released, though.
This book was simple, yet effective. It was good to finally learn Emma's true heritage, and the back story behind it. And, it is wonderful to see how much progress each book makes. It didn't drag at all, to the point that I thought that there might have been TOO much action to it.
However, in saying that, I didn't find myself enjoying it as much as the past two trilogies. I still enjoyed it, and I laughed at John's ignorance to the mortal world at times, and the characters are all loveable. What I think was missing was the Tiger's humour. It would have added just that little bit more to it if he was in this book more.
I look forward to reading the next two books in this series when they are released, though.
September 10, 2018
The writing has picked up so much with this book. The main characters aren't all powerful and wrapping up any problems within a chapter, but rather having actual problems and not always a solution. The characters themselves are more 3-dimensional in the way they react to each other and the situations they are in. There are a lot of dark themes in this book too.
I did enjoy reading the previous 6 books in the series, even though my boyfriend and I often tease the whole "we don't need words" thing, but if anyone doesn't want to read the first 6 books you could pick up from here. I actually started reading this one first by accident, I only got 25 pages in but was managing to pick up the story well enough. I'd recommend reading the series in its entirity though
I did enjoy reading the previous 6 books in the series, even though my boyfriend and I often tease the whole "we don't need words" thing, but if anyone doesn't want to read the first 6 books you could pick up from here. I actually started reading this one first by accident, I only got 25 pages in but was managing to pick up the story well enough. I'd recommend reading the series in its entirity though
June 27, 2017
Volume seven of the series and it doesn't get tired. Chan seems to be very adept at adding new storylines to the story and I am intrigued about where she goes with writing her next book - will it be book ten of Emma's story or a new book altogether? Emma and John have survived many catastrophes and still struggle with the future. All the pieces are there, but hurdles ahead. As Emma appears to be a Western serpent by descent, she is an intriguing element. Most gratifying.
July 9, 2023
I reread the whole series when I bought these books. I found a lot of the same items throughout the series, the rehashing over and over the same items. Although they definitely were spelling and grammar mistakes that should’ve been caught by the editor. All in all the book itself wasn’t terribly written but it could have been better. The characters didn’t get much chance to grow, but it was an enjoyable read.
December 24, 2023
Ok so this is my first K. Chan book. It's listed as 1st in a series so I figured it would be an acceptable place to taste this author. Overall there was not enough information to understand this tale. I'm assuming that IF you've read K. Chan's earlier series it's fine.
This tale, from what I could follow, is about Chinese gods (maybe) and others that have snake 🐍 forms. A loved one is kidnapped, good vs evil, be kind to the earth, pregnancies can be good or bad.
This tale, from what I could follow, is about Chinese gods (maybe) and others that have snake 🐍 forms. A loved one is kidnapped, good vs evil, be kind to the earth, pregnancies can be good or bad.
January 18, 2018
A bit rushed, but otherwise good
It has been a while since I read the other trilogies. In the meantime, me-Emma went through.. similar things book-Emma did. So, I was able to empathize with the characters as I always have been able to, but it seems like it was a bit rushed to get there.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
It has been a while since I read the other trilogies. In the meantime, me-Emma went through.. similar things book-Emma did. So, I was able to empathize with the characters as I always have been able to, but it seems like it was a bit rushed to get there.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
December 28, 2019
I absolutely LOVED this series. I read and re-read all nine books: for me, this is the most accurate way to know how much do I like a book: do I feel like reading it again? How soon?
All nine of these books were definitely the most I re-read - and thoroughly enjoyed each time anew - during the past year.
And that places them at the top, for me.
All nine of these books were definitely the most I re-read - and thoroughly enjoyed each time anew - during the past year.
And that places them at the top, for me.
September 3, 2017
What a whirlwind story! Honestly, I can't even believe that it has been almost 7 months since I've discovered this series!!!! Almost done with it, too. Part of me is ready for the conclusion, but the other part doesn't want to let go. Will start the next book soon.
January 30, 2019
Things are complicated. A trip to the West to uncover information does not go as planned. Things get more complicated. (I think need a second read to absorb and comprehend all that is learned and experienced.)
February 17, 2019
Better written than the last book in the series as it was clearer and less confused. All are exciting reads with great characters. Emma goes through hell again, literally but survives.
July 31, 2019
Always a good story
December 29, 2022
Excellent. Love the world building and plot and characters.
Read
May 2, 2023I give up. I finally concede defeat on this series.
May 24, 2013
Major spoilers abound: Well, I'll finish the series, as I've read and mostly enjoyed the previous six books, but I did NOT Like the Xuan Wu the amazing pheromone machine in this book, I didn't like that Emma was so much damsel-in-distressy.
I didn't like that Simone is suddenly jealous of Michael's fiancee in a wheelchair.
It was interesting to see the situation at the start with Emma demoted on the Celestial Plane with the clear pre-knowledge of the Jade Emperor that she would fall into the Demon King's hands (and almost got raped - like all those manipulations of her body
and mind in the previous books hadn't been enough of a trauma) :P.
I HATED that Kitty Wong/the Demon King got retroactively supposedly sympathetic because s/he became a demon because of what happened to her as a woman and to her child. And why would I believe her to have a hang-up about Emma being actively physically raped considering what she's been doing to her body for months in the way of bioengineering?
And then Emma's former brother-in-law doesn't just loose his wife who has fallen for one of the Tiger's sons in the last book, no, he has to die - on and accidentally, her sisters kids got raped by the demons (remember that?) for being related to Emma and they both have PTSD of course, and one of them loses it (... doesn't he even die, or something, I already pushed that far away).
And then Xuan Wu gets TOLD where Emma is the first time (supposedly he was to find her), then he actually does find her when she's lost on the western god plane - and MAN are all the western gods and their former followers MAJOR assholes (on and especially the Western Trinity - you know: God, Jesus and Holy Ghost - who usurped the Western Celestial plane through a war? WTF? Which the other gods let them win? Although they had built super-soldiers, who then got bioengineered to only enjoy killing by the DRUIDS??), only the Chinese celestials and their allies (like Uluru, the grandmother of rocks) are any good at balance.
I find that interpretation as blatantly exploitative in its own way as the Chinese people being saved by Australian woman bit of the past - but at least that Australian woman (Emma) totally embraced everything Chinese, without making the Westerners come across as demons... oh right - you know Louise? That one girlfriend that Emma had kept from her beginnings of working for Xuan Wu as Simone's nanny? The one who had become a wife of the Tiger? Well, she got killed in the last attack of the demons, too.
Plus: I like Xuan Wu being in action again, but the books really shine best when they centre on Emma (after all Xuan Wu was mostly incommunicado for the first six books) AND him working together, with lots of Simone and Black Lion included.
Simone is majorly sidelined, as is the Black Lion in this one.
Finally: It was clearly telegraphed that Kitty Wong let Emma's body out of her hands because she got what she wanted (WHY would Emma believe ANYTHING that Wong told her, especially as she didn't clearly tell her the child was dead), which is Xuan Wu's and Emma's child. I expect that to show up fully grown in the last book of this trilogy and be pitted against its parents and Simone. You read it here first!
I didn't like that Simone is suddenly jealous of Michael's fiancee in a wheelchair.
It was interesting to see the situation at the start with Emma demoted on the Celestial Plane with the clear pre-knowledge of the Jade Emperor that she would fall into the Demon King's hands (and almost got raped - like all those manipulations of her body
and mind in the previous books hadn't been enough of a trauma) :P.
I HATED that Kitty Wong/the Demon King got retroactively supposedly sympathetic because s/he became a demon because of what happened to her as a woman and to her child. And why would I believe her to have a hang-up about Emma being actively physically raped considering what she's been doing to her body for months in the way of bioengineering?
And then Emma's former brother-in-law doesn't just loose his wife who has fallen for one of the Tiger's sons in the last book, no, he has to die - on and accidentally, her sisters kids got raped by the demons (remember that?) for being related to Emma and they both have PTSD of course, and one of them loses it (... doesn't he even die, or something, I already pushed that far away).
And then Xuan Wu gets TOLD where Emma is the first time (supposedly he was to find her), then he actually does find her when she's lost on the western god plane - and MAN are all the western gods and their former followers MAJOR assholes (on and especially the Western Trinity - you know: God, Jesus and Holy Ghost - who usurped the Western Celestial plane through a war? WTF? Which the other gods let them win? Although they had built super-soldiers, who then got bioengineered to only enjoy killing by the DRUIDS??), only the Chinese celestials and their allies (like Uluru, the grandmother of rocks) are any good at balance.
I find that interpretation as blatantly exploitative in its own way as the Chinese people being saved by Australian woman bit of the past - but at least that Australian woman (Emma) totally embraced everything Chinese, without making the Westerners come across as demons... oh right - you know Louise? That one girlfriend that Emma had kept from her beginnings of working for Xuan Wu as Simone's nanny? The one who had become a wife of the Tiger? Well, she got killed in the last attack of the demons, too.
Plus: I like Xuan Wu being in action again, but the books really shine best when they centre on Emma (after all Xuan Wu was mostly incommunicado for the first six books) AND him working together, with lots of Simone and Black Lion included.
Simone is majorly sidelined, as is the Black Lion in this one.
Finally: It was clearly telegraphed that Kitty Wong let Emma's body out of her hands because she got what she wanted (WHY would Emma believe ANYTHING that Wong told her, especially as she didn't clearly tell her the child was dead), which is Xuan Wu's and Emma's child. I expect that to show up fully grown in the last book of this trilogy and be pitted against its parents and Simone. You read it here first!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2013
Dark Serpent is the eighth novel by Australian author, Kylie Chan, and is the first book in the Celestial Battle Trilogy. It follows on immediately from the last book of the Journey to Wudang Trilogy, Heaven to Wudang. Xuan Wu’s Snake is still captive in the Demon King’s grasp, and numerous efforts are made to free it. But then an edict from the Jade Emperor sends John and Emma, along with their Welsh visitors, Brian and Tom O’Breen, to Britain to investigate what is happening in the Western Celestial Plane. Emma finds other descendants of her ancestors, but soon also realises she is not only most unwelcome at Holyhead, but also in great danger. Emma and John discovers Emma’s true nature and how she came to be that way, as well as learning of the plans that the Demon King and his Western counterpart have for the Eastern Celestial Plane. Countless sentient Stones are missing and the Grandmother (Uluru) makes an appearance. The number of times that Emma is captured and freed will just about have the reader’s mind spinning; add to that the number of times John dies and visits Court Ten, and some dizziness is bound to result. Chan is not afraid to kill off characters, including one from the first book of the Dark Heavens Trilogy. This instalment has plenty of Celtic mythology as well as a bit of Greek and Roman input; an interesting take on the Christian religions; fearful new (and sometimes virtually undetectable) variants of demons; input from the Blue Dragon and the Red Phoenix; a celestial version of GPS; pregnancy, miscarriage and hysterectomy; plenty of battles and deaths; and a unicorn-like qilin. This novel is narrated in part by Emma (first person) and part by John (third person), and while Chan states the reader could start with this one, there is virtually no recap, so without having read previous novels in the series, the reader would be quite lost. Chan does include a very handy list of characters at the end, and it is to be hoped this will also be done for the next two books, tentatively titled Demon Child and Black Jade. This one has plenty of action, some humour and a bit of heartache, making it a cracking good read that will have fans eager for the next instalment.
November 4, 2014
The Dark Lord has promised to find Emma, raise her, and marry her. But before they can do that, the Jade Emperor has banned her from acting in a official capacity and tasked the two of them to venture to the West to determine the fate of the occidental shen. What they will discover leads not only to Emma's origins, but to the ultimate scheme of the nefarious Demon King.
Much like the beginning of her last trilogy Earth to Hell,Kylie Chan throws you in the deep end without much more than a cursory warning that you're reading the seventh book in an ongoing series, not the first one. If you have met a character before this volume, you are expected to know who they are. Fortunately, Chan does opt to include an index of characters in the back, which was helpful as it's been two years since I read the last one.
In general I did enjoy the volume, but Emma's part remains more passive than I'd like to see. At times, Emma's portions seem merely an opportunity to cut away and give the other characters time to change their scene. Also, the ending feels like there should be an additional beat with a stunning revelation that never comes. Maybe it's simply my imagination, but it feels like there should be one more element at the end of this story and it never comes.
Still, I'll definitely read the next volume and continue to recommend the series to others.
Much like the beginning of her last trilogy Earth to Hell,Kylie Chan throws you in the deep end without much more than a cursory warning that you're reading the seventh book in an ongoing series, not the first one. If you have met a character before this volume, you are expected to know who they are. Fortunately, Chan does opt to include an index of characters in the back, which was helpful as it's been two years since I read the last one.
In general I did enjoy the volume, but Emma's part remains more passive than I'd like to see. At times, Emma's portions seem merely an opportunity to cut away and give the other characters time to change their scene. Also, the ending feels like there should be an additional beat with a stunning revelation that never comes. Maybe it's simply my imagination, but it feels like there should be one more element at the end of this story and it never comes.
Still, I'll definitely read the next volume and continue to recommend the series to others.
July 1, 2013
I picked up this book when I was in the CBD earlier in the day. I started reading it when I got home and didn't put it down until I had finished it, 5 hours later!
The book is a refreshing change from much of the popular fiction of today; it doesn't try to do too much. Chan delivers something genuine, something which kept me hooked from the first page until the last.
Sure the character voice isn't all that it could be, and the language used is not even close to the literary standards set by visionaries such as Fitzgerald and Atwood (who's works I've been enjoying immensely these past few weeks), but it would be absurd to even try to compare Chan to these authors.
What Chan does is get back down to basics; she delivers a coherent, engaging plot driven by a cast of likable characters, and mixes in a fair share of joy, sadness, humour and most of all action.
My advice to readers is thus seemingly counter-intuitive: don't read into this book too much. It might not be a literary masterpiece, and it might not be a cutting edge exploration of the human condition. It is, however, pure entertainment.
And really, that's all you can ask from a genuinely good book such as this one.
The book is a refreshing change from much of the popular fiction of today; it doesn't try to do too much. Chan delivers something genuine, something which kept me hooked from the first page until the last.
Sure the character voice isn't all that it could be, and the language used is not even close to the literary standards set by visionaries such as Fitzgerald and Atwood (who's works I've been enjoying immensely these past few weeks), but it would be absurd to even try to compare Chan to these authors.
What Chan does is get back down to basics; she delivers a coherent, engaging plot driven by a cast of likable characters, and mixes in a fair share of joy, sadness, humour and most of all action.
My advice to readers is thus seemingly counter-intuitive: don't read into this book too much. It might not be a literary masterpiece, and it might not be a cutting edge exploration of the human condition. It is, however, pure entertainment.
And really, that's all you can ask from a genuinely good book such as this one.
September 17, 2013
Dark Serpent, by Kylie Chan, is the first book in the final trilogy about Emma and Lord Xuan Wu. Xuan Wu is the Chinese good of darkness and martial arts, and he has promised to marry Emma. They both possess incredible fighting capabilities, and they must use these to defend Earth and Heaven from evil demon plots. But in this book, Xuan Wu and Emma are separated, and they must find each other in the Western Heavens, far from Xuan Wu's center of power, the Easter Heavens. This story also has two narration points, instead of one (like the 6 previous books), which it makes it much better.
I believe that this book was about separation, "finding" yourself and helping others. A huge part of this story is Xuan Wu finding/helping Emma out of danger, and Emma discovering more about her serpent nature/Xuan Wu's Godly nature. A lot of destruction happens in this book, and evil is another big theme. This story's plot is much more complex than the others, which makes it better and more interesting. Plus, it has two narration perspectives. The perspective of Xuan Wu is called Zhenwu, his Japanese name, and I believe something will happen in Japan, but later in the trilogy.
I believe that this book was about separation, "finding" yourself and helping others. A huge part of this story is Xuan Wu finding/helping Emma out of danger, and Emma discovering more about her serpent nature/Xuan Wu's Godly nature. A lot of destruction happens in this book, and evil is another big theme. This story's plot is much more complex than the others, which makes it better and more interesting. Plus, it has two narration perspectives. The perspective of Xuan Wu is called Zhenwu, his Japanese name, and I believe something will happen in Japan, but later in the trilogy.
June 5, 2013
I must admit I was annoyed about this book. It was meant to be the conclusion to the series and now it is to be a Trilogy so I was a tad annoyed that the series was not going to end sooner rather than later.
This is a series that really has polarized my reading friends. You either like Kylie Chan's writing style or it annoys you.
Fotunately for me I enjoy the whole demon thing and it doesnt remind me of the Twilight crfaze at all.
I also love dragons and wanted to see a bit more in this book.
The love story continued with the roller coaster ride we're locked into, the war beween Heaven and Hell is just hotting up so to speak and one takes the hint that things will get a whole lot worse before getting better.
It was a smooth read for me, didnt drag and I was keen to get on with the next sitting.
I would be careful who I recommend it to and you would have needed to have read the rest of her books so you would be a fan anyway. There were many familiar characters that just popped up that would be confusing without prior knowledge.
I enjoyed it and look forward to the next two.
This is a series that really has polarized my reading friends. You either like Kylie Chan's writing style or it annoys you.
Fotunately for me I enjoy the whole demon thing and it doesnt remind me of the Twilight crfaze at all.
I also love dragons and wanted to see a bit more in this book.
The love story continued with the roller coaster ride we're locked into, the war beween Heaven and Hell is just hotting up so to speak and one takes the hint that things will get a whole lot worse before getting better.
It was a smooth read for me, didnt drag and I was keen to get on with the next sitting.
I would be careful who I recommend it to and you would have needed to have read the rest of her books so you would be a fan anyway. There were many familiar characters that just popped up that would be confusing without prior knowledge.
I enjoyed it and look forward to the next two.
October 17, 2016
1st reread- 17/10/16
I honestly felt I was more upset over Emma's and Johns baby's death then they were. I mean I know the baby isn't dead the author made that very obvious to the reader but the parents genuinely think the baby is dead and I just wanted a more real reaction. I also for once wanted some vulnerability from Emma and maybe some brokenness? Okay not nice to wish that on a character but hell she just lost a baby be broken for a while! I also admire her strength of will but sometimes you just have to let go. I also understand they are reptiles in nature therefore more coldblooded and that excuse has always worked for me for other deaths but this was too personal to rely on that fact as they are also human/shen and it's time they reacted like it instead of moving past this particular death so easily. I actually really love this book I just wanted a better more real reaction about the miscarriage, as it's something that I believe is one of the worst things that can happen to a person.
I honestly felt I was more upset over Emma's and Johns baby's death then they were. I mean I know the baby isn't dead the author made that very obvious to the reader but the parents genuinely think the baby is dead and I just wanted a more real reaction. I also for once wanted some vulnerability from Emma and maybe some brokenness? Okay not nice to wish that on a character but hell she just lost a baby be broken for a while! I also admire her strength of will but sometimes you just have to let go. I also understand they are reptiles in nature therefore more coldblooded and that excuse has always worked for me for other deaths but this was too personal to rely on that fact as they are also human/shen and it's time they reacted like it instead of moving past this particular death so easily. I actually really love this book I just wanted a better more real reaction about the miscarriage, as it's something that I believe is one of the worst things that can happen to a person.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2018
This is my first read through of the first instalment of the Celestial Battle trilogy. And oh. My. Fucking. God.
I knew from the get go that Dark Serpent was going to destroy me in some way. The tell? FUCKING TWO POVS! That’s right folks - two point of views (Emma and John). I just knew that Kylie had something special planned for us all.
I immensely enjoyed this instalment. We got a beautiful mix of the Chinese mythological cast we’ve come to know and love, with a dash of new folklore, and the final puzzle pieces sinking into place. Not to mention:
I NOW KNOW WHAT EMMA IS!!!!!
Am I happy about this big mystery reveal? Kinda. I was hoping it was something super epic. I guess in a way, it kind of is but at the same time (kind of a let down?). I honestly believe there is more to this than that simple explanation given to us. (I wonder what Emma is gonna be like once she’s Raised?).
My heart broke for Emma and John. . . CAN THESE TWO JUST CATCH A BREAK ALREADY?!?!??!?
Also, daaaaaamn. The Demon King’s tragic backstory reveal.
I knew from the get go that Dark Serpent was going to destroy me in some way. The tell? FUCKING TWO POVS! That’s right folks - two point of views (Emma and John). I just knew that Kylie had something special planned for us all.
I immensely enjoyed this instalment. We got a beautiful mix of the Chinese mythological cast we’ve come to know and love, with a dash of new folklore, and the final puzzle pieces sinking into place. Not to mention:
I NOW KNOW WHAT EMMA IS!!!!!
Am I happy about this big mystery reveal? Kinda. I was hoping it was something super epic. I guess in a way, it kind of is but at the same time (kind of a let down?). I honestly believe there is more to this than that simple explanation given to us. (I wonder what Emma is gonna be like once she’s Raised?).
My heart broke for Emma and John. . . CAN THESE TWO JUST CATCH A BREAK ALREADY?!?!??!?
Also, daaaaaamn. The Demon King’s tragic backstory reveal.
July 13, 2013
I started reading and it was almost the same storyline with changes to the characters acting parts ... skipped and nothing was new...
only one redeeming thing is actually only my imagination..
No body cares: Demon copies, talking stones - Grandmother adding one star on her own... Emma's heritage(yawn), demon armies, JE manipulating everyone to get what he wants and then there is John.. an all powerful god who has a split personality and never can find his other half... not really godlike is it?
only one redeeming thing is actually only my imagination..
No body cares: Demon copies, talking stones - Grandmother adding one star on her own... Emma's heritage(yawn), demon armies, JE manipulating everyone to get what he wants and then there is John.. an all powerful god who has a split personality and never can find his other half... not really godlike is it?
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