The Dog and the Serpent

by MA Asterios and Lillian Asterios

Within the world of Caelus lies the divided, Elven city of Belshalara, a city on the brink of revolution. A city saturated in sex, violence, and corruption. At the heart of this corruption is the Flesh Quarter, ruled by Marquis Lillandyr Shadowglade. The Flesh Quarter is also rife with illicit drugs supplied by Kia Sin'del, boss of the criminal element. Lillandyr, in order to obtain a tome of illegal and forbidden magic, makes a deal with a long time friend. She must fetch a war god's idol from the dangerous Hidden Quarter, the underground city below Belshalara. She sends Kia Sin'del and the pirate Captain, Anryn Stormcrow to retrieve it while she remains in the city to herald in the Feast of Saint Baellith, patron god of her Quarter. The Feast Day quickly approaches and all within the city of Belshalara are preparing for the great celebration. It is a day where the Lady Shadowglade makes a sacrifice of herself and publically lays with a man the oracle of her god chooses. Her longtime colleague and friend, Meriweather Osterious intends on being that man. Through dark magic and manipulations of the gods themselves, Merris Osterious contrives a way for his name to be called. Meanwhile, Anryn Stormcrow and Kia Sin’del fight for their lives in the Underground as they try to escape with the idol. As the Feast draws to a close, events are set into motion that forever changes the city and the world itself.

500 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2013

Reviews

[Calypso Illusion (Jessie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the authors are actually personal friends of mine, the story is gripping and one series I keep going back to and I never stop with just the first. The first one I've only read at least four times over but I have found new things every time I read it. The second one is just as phenomenal (if not better)! Highly recommend this series!

[Frank Scozzari · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE DOG AND THE SERPANT creates a believable alter-world that pulled me in and had me reading late into the night. It's one of the best dark fantasy books I've read in recent years. Gods, drug lords, pirates, magic and mystery permeate the futuristic city of Belshalara. Amid it all is egoistic Lillandyr Shadowglade, ruler of the Flesh Quarter—that's right, this city has a flesh quarter that puts Las Vegas to shame.

A superbly imaginative plot and colorful characters (such as Merris Osterious, Anryn Stormcrow and Kia Sin’del) drive this story forward to a thrilling crescendo, marked by the celebrated Feast of Saint Baellith.

Authors Meriweather and Lillian Asterios have truly created some magic with this tale. It's a fantastic start to a book series which left me eager to read book number two, 'The Moth and the Crow.'

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, highly imaginative and creative with a cavalcade of fascinating characters this was an absorbing read. The 4* rating is purely the case of "it is me, not the book" - I knew that this was a dark fantasy, but I found it a bit too dark for me. Other wise - a very interesting read.