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Jack Serpent: The Scriver
Book One of an exciting dark fantasy series, Jack Serpent: The Scriver introduces readers to a brooding anti-hero who explores the origins of myths and legends.
Created by monsters to be destroyed by men.
Jack Serpent is the only person to have survived the Scriver Trials. With that, he became a lore keeper for the origin of monsters, a spy, and hybrid soldier able to withstand crushing magic. Ever since a coven of Strygan murdered his family, he’s set out to discover and record what plagues the continents. It’s the sort of highly valuable knowledge that could change wars and divide kingdoms.
In the dark places of Ocrana, an uprising of Strygan has begun. They use stolen magic to take over the realms. No one knows how to effectively kill the monsters summoned by Strygan, let alone the High Stryga herself. The military general only knows how to kill with bullets and fire, but he’ll need more to challenge the encroaching threat. He’ll need a Scriver’s help. Jack is recruited to kill the High Stryga before she tips the balance of magic and takes the throne. To locate and destroy the High Stryga within a swamp poisoned with corrupted magic, Jack must reluctantly accept the help of others. As a man accustomed to working alone, cooperating with the ragtag group of soldiers, an old nemesis, and a tracker might prove more challenging than the monsters themselves.
When Jack finds more than a kindred spirit in the feisty tracker, he will have to choose between the mission and saving lives. There’s more to the Strygan than they understand. Jack discovers a secret in his past that will either lead to a Stryga on the throne and the enslavement of humans, or the unraveling of his mind.
Sometimes knowledge is worth dying for.
Created by monsters to be destroyed by men.
Jack Serpent is the only person to have survived the Scriver Trials. With that, he became a lore keeper for the origin of monsters, a spy, and hybrid soldier able to withstand crushing magic. Ever since a coven of Strygan murdered his family, he’s set out to discover and record what plagues the continents. It’s the sort of highly valuable knowledge that could change wars and divide kingdoms.
In the dark places of Ocrana, an uprising of Strygan has begun. They use stolen magic to take over the realms. No one knows how to effectively kill the monsters summoned by Strygan, let alone the High Stryga herself. The military general only knows how to kill with bullets and fire, but he’ll need more to challenge the encroaching threat. He’ll need a Scriver’s help. Jack is recruited to kill the High Stryga before she tips the balance of magic and takes the throne. To locate and destroy the High Stryga within a swamp poisoned with corrupted magic, Jack must reluctantly accept the help of others. As a man accustomed to working alone, cooperating with the ragtag group of soldiers, an old nemesis, and a tracker might prove more challenging than the monsters themselves.
When Jack finds more than a kindred spirit in the feisty tracker, he will have to choose between the mission and saving lives. There’s more to the Strygan than they understand. Jack discovers a secret in his past that will either lead to a Stryga on the throne and the enslavement of humans, or the unraveling of his mind.
Sometimes knowledge is worth dying for.
- GenresFantasy
400 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2025
5 people are currently reading
4339 people want to read
About the author
E.A. Field
6 books45 followersEmily lives in the Midwest where she struggles to escape the humid summers every year. While there are no official credentials to list for why she’s an expert on fantasy worlds, she has gotten lost in so many, she assumes that experience will speak for itself. She is the author of paranormal thriller IRL: In Real Life in which cursed zombies are hunted by an ancient archeological society and two gamers. She’s also written a short story that is a spin-off of IRL in Through the Aftermath anthology. She loves to blend genres with science fiction and fantasy being her favorites. She’s an avid cosplayer, animal rescuer, reader, and baker.
Please visit her at http://emilyafield.com
*Blue Moon is written under pen name Anne Bourne*
Please visit her at http://emilyafield.com
*Blue Moon is written under pen name Anne Bourne*
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 6, 2025
Jack Serpent
by E.A. Field
The Scriver Archives #1
Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Rising Action Publishing
Ages: 16+
Jack Serpent is one of the few who survived the Scriver Trials, but now is the last of these hybrid soldiers who is able to use magic. Alone, he continues searching for the monsters, and with trial and error, finds their weaknesses to destroy them, recording his findings for others.
The Strygan, powerful users of the magic they steal, are gathering. Ordered by the King, Jack sets out with four soldiers into the poisoned swamp to find and kill the High Stryga before she can gather enough followers.
Aylla, a young woman hiding in the woods with two wolves she raised from cubs, crosses paths with Jack in the city, then again in the woods as she heads towards her cabin. The lieutenant/captain(?) in charge of Jack's group, a rival from their younger years, then orders the woman to accompany them since she knows Jack, the woods, and has tamed two wolves.
I liked this story! It started right off with detailed descriptions and backstory of a Strygan, mixed with the action of tracking the monster, nicely including Jack's and the world's backstory, so both aspects complemented each other.
There's a wide range of monsters, though they need more frequent descriptions. It seemed as if they were only detailed upon first meeting/talking about said monster, and after that, it was one word descriptions... "'green' blood"; though some monsters were more deeply described than others.
This also applies to the characters: for me, the MCs have generic faces and hair. Yeah, upon first meeting, and sprinkled here and there were tidbits, but those descriptors need more depth so they make an impression!
The minor characters were typical, but the world, monsters, and the Scriver Trials/competitors are really interesting, but they need more history. Jack and Aylla both stood out as strong, well-developed characters.
Because of the violence, this book isn't suitable for readers under sixteen, but the romance is kept behind closed doors.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series!
4 Stars
by E.A. Field
The Scriver Archives #1
Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Rising Action Publishing
Ages: 16+
Jack Serpent is one of the few who survived the Scriver Trials, but now is the last of these hybrid soldiers who is able to use magic. Alone, he continues searching for the monsters, and with trial and error, finds their weaknesses to destroy them, recording his findings for others.
The Strygan, powerful users of the magic they steal, are gathering. Ordered by the King, Jack sets out with four soldiers into the poisoned swamp to find and kill the High Stryga before she can gather enough followers.
Aylla, a young woman hiding in the woods with two wolves she raised from cubs, crosses paths with Jack in the city, then again in the woods as she heads towards her cabin. The lieutenant/captain(?) in charge of Jack's group, a rival from their younger years, then orders the woman to accompany them since she knows Jack, the woods, and has tamed two wolves.
I liked this story! It started right off with detailed descriptions and backstory of a Strygan, mixed with the action of tracking the monster, nicely including Jack's and the world's backstory, so both aspects complemented each other.
There's a wide range of monsters, though they need more frequent descriptions. It seemed as if they were only detailed upon first meeting/talking about said monster, and after that, it was one word descriptions... "'green' blood"; though some monsters were more deeply described than others.
This also applies to the characters: for me, the MCs have generic faces and hair. Yeah, upon first meeting, and sprinkled here and there were tidbits, but those descriptors need more depth so they make an impression!
The minor characters were typical, but the world, monsters, and the Scriver Trials/competitors are really interesting, but they need more history. Jack and Aylla both stood out as strong, well-developed characters.
Because of the violence, this book isn't suitable for readers under sixteen, but the romance is kept behind closed doors.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series!
4 Stars
May 21, 2025
*Thank you to Rising Action and E. A. Field for an arc of Jack. I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. *
As someone who adores intricate dark fantasy, I was pretty excited about this book and it did not disappoint.
Jack Serpent follows a brooding anti-hero who explores the origins of myths and legends, which at first I worried might fall flat, but I was surprised at how Field managed to write the book in a way that maintained the focus on myths and legends while simultaneously managing to create its own unique fantasy world that wasn’t hard to follow or fall into.
I didn’t feel like I got to know the main characters as well as I might have expected, yet well enough that I got invested in what might happen to them - and I’m sure Field has a plan to give us more character building on them in the follow up. Still, I wasn’t bored for a single page, and the way the plot were building up alongside the stakes has me eagerly waiting for the sequel and whatever she might write next.
As someone who adores intricate dark fantasy, I was pretty excited about this book and it did not disappoint.
Jack Serpent follows a brooding anti-hero who explores the origins of myths and legends, which at first I worried might fall flat, but I was surprised at how Field managed to write the book in a way that maintained the focus on myths and legends while simultaneously managing to create its own unique fantasy world that wasn’t hard to follow or fall into.
I didn’t feel like I got to know the main characters as well as I might have expected, yet well enough that I got invested in what might happen to them - and I’m sure Field has a plan to give us more character building on them in the follow up. Still, I wasn’t bored for a single page, and the way the plot were building up alongside the stakes has me eagerly waiting for the sequel and whatever she might write next.
February 28, 2025
If Jack Serpent: The Scriver wasn’t an ARC, I would have DNFed it at 20%. Finishing this book felt like a test of perseverance.
The story and world have clear influences from The Witcher—a brooding monster hunter, a dark and gritty world, and a deep well of lore. However, Jack Serpent drowns the reader in endless lore dumps. The first 50 pages feel like the author was determined to unload every piece of worldbuilding in one go, leaving little room for organic immersion. The writing often falls into heavy telling rather than showing, making the world feel more like an encyclopaedia entry than a living, breathing place.
Jack himself, positioned as an anti-hero, unfortunately, leans more toward just being bland. His brooding nature lacks depth, and rather than feeling like a compelling protagonist, he comes across as lifeless. The writing doesn’t help—there were moments when my eyes simply glazed over, overwhelmed by information being dumped at the most inopportune times. Adding to this, each chapter begins with an excerpt from the Scriver Archives, which only serves to introduce more disjointed details that contribute little to the already exhausting worldbuilding.
The romance subplot? Forced and unconvincing. It lacked chemistry and felt more like a checkbox on a fantasy novel to-do list rather than something that naturally developed.
And on a more personal note—naming Jack’s hunter-mentor Alaric was a bold choice, considering The Vampire Diaries has already burned that name into pop culture. I couldn’t unsee that Alaric every time the name popped up (who is also a monster hunter, teacher and ).
Overall, this book had potential, but the execution left much to be desired. A stronger balance between worldbuilding and storytelling, a more engaging protagonist, and more natural pacing would have significantly improved the experience. As it stands, Jack Serpent: The Scriver is a dense, tedious read that lacks the spark needed to bring its world and characters to life.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
The story and world have clear influences from The Witcher—a brooding monster hunter, a dark and gritty world, and a deep well of lore. However, Jack Serpent drowns the reader in endless lore dumps. The first 50 pages feel like the author was determined to unload every piece of worldbuilding in one go, leaving little room for organic immersion. The writing often falls into heavy telling rather than showing, making the world feel more like an encyclopaedia entry than a living, breathing place.
Jack himself, positioned as an anti-hero, unfortunately, leans more toward just being bland. His brooding nature lacks depth, and rather than feeling like a compelling protagonist, he comes across as lifeless. The writing doesn’t help—there were moments when my eyes simply glazed over, overwhelmed by information being dumped at the most inopportune times. Adding to this, each chapter begins with an excerpt from the Scriver Archives, which only serves to introduce more disjointed details that contribute little to the already exhausting worldbuilding.
The romance subplot? Forced and unconvincing. It lacked chemistry and felt more like a checkbox on a fantasy novel to-do list rather than something that naturally developed.
And on a more personal note—naming Jack’s hunter-mentor Alaric was a bold choice, considering The Vampire Diaries has already burned that name into pop culture. I couldn’t unsee that Alaric every time the name popped up (who is also a monster hunter, teacher and ).
Overall, this book had potential, but the execution left much to be desired. A stronger balance between worldbuilding and storytelling, a more engaging protagonist, and more natural pacing would have significantly improved the experience. As it stands, Jack Serpent: The Scriver is a dense, tedious read that lacks the spark needed to bring its world and characters to life.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
May 27, 2025
Perfect for fans of the Dark Fantasy genre or even those looking to try it.
In a world where only humans were able to adapt and transform magic. Would you explore the origins of monsters to preserve life and knowledge?
This book is well-paced, with strong world-building and very cool descriptions of the geography, characters, and the monsters they fight.
The creative magic system is very reminiscent of The Witcher series, but it holds its own. The magic extends to weapons, guns, vials, and runes. Our main character, Jack Serpent, is the last one of his kind, and he wields magic better than others.
“Jack hadn’t stayed alive this long without maintaining some deep-seated mistrust of all beings.”
This dark fantasy is the first in The Scriver Archives series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co. for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Jack Serpent by E.A. Field.
In a world where only humans were able to adapt and transform magic. Would you explore the origins of monsters to preserve life and knowledge?
This book is well-paced, with strong world-building and very cool descriptions of the geography, characters, and the monsters they fight.
The creative magic system is very reminiscent of The Witcher series, but it holds its own. The magic extends to weapons, guns, vials, and runes. Our main character, Jack Serpent, is the last one of his kind, and he wields magic better than others.
“Jack hadn’t stayed alive this long without maintaining some deep-seated mistrust of all beings.”
This dark fantasy is the first in The Scriver Archives series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co. for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Jack Serpent by E.A. Field.
June 12, 2025
I went to the authors' signing at a Barnes and Noble near me and I automatically loved her and her crew! almost as much as I loved the book. I, personally, could not put it down. its definitely a slow burn romance and also a found family (which i absolutely love). warning, though... theres quite a few grammar/spelling errors (at least in my copy). loved, loved & loved though!
May 1, 2025
Wow! What an amazing series ! If you love monsters, dark fantasy and a brooding male- you will eat this up!
I absolutely loved the world building and all the lore put into it.
Jack is a witty, sarcastic MC who is a magnet for all sorts of trouble and trials which keeps the book super entertaining. I loved how fast paced it was and there was not a moment of boredom. I am so looking forward to the next book! This was a wonderful addition to my library
I absolutely loved the world building and all the lore put into it.
Jack is a witty, sarcastic MC who is a magnet for all sorts of trouble and trials which keeps the book super entertaining. I loved how fast paced it was and there was not a moment of boredom. I am so looking forward to the next book! This was a wonderful addition to my library
June 18, 2025
I’m going to start by saying that I am not a fantasy reader, so many of the fantasy elements of the book were completely lost on me. However, even I found it very hard to stop the audiobook as I just wanted to keep reading to know what happens next!
The audiobook narrator made some… interesting…vocal choices for the book, but it was still an enjoyable listening experience.
The audiobook narrator made some… interesting…vocal choices for the book, but it was still an enjoyable listening experience.
April 6, 2025
As a longtime fantasy fan, I was very excited to get into a story that fit the genre while also exploring the origins of myths and legends many of us know — and for the most part, I think this book succeeds in putting forth some intriguing ideas while also building its own unique fantasy world combining magic and technology. It takes the classic "monster hunter" vibe and puts a new twist on it (a.k.a. seeking monsters for the sake of knowledge) through the main character Jack, a smart but sarcastic loner whom trouble always seems to find even when he's not looking for it. There's plenty of action in the story and you'll never find yourself bored, though sometimes I wish it could stop to breathe for long enough for us to delve a little bit deeper into some of the other characters, including Jack's love interest Aylla. That said, it's a highly enjoyable addition to the dark fantasy genre with plenty of fresh ideas and attitude, and I very much look forward to a follow-up!
April 20, 2025
LOVED this high fantasy thriller!!
—World building and the magic system are phenomenal.
—Back story for each character and motivations are well done.
—Stakes were high and had me turning the pages.
—Fight scenes were plentiful and creative with creepy creatures and magic.
—Budding romance is intriguing.
—And the set up is great for another book.
—The writing flows extremely well and the plot is exciting.
Can’t wait to see what happens next with Jack, Allya, Dean+1, Alaric, Narim, and the impending war!
—World building and the magic system are phenomenal.
—Back story for each character and motivations are well done.
—Stakes were high and had me turning the pages.
—Fight scenes were plentiful and creative with creepy creatures and magic.
—Budding romance is intriguing.
—And the set up is great for another book.
—The writing flows extremely well and the plot is exciting.
Can’t wait to see what happens next with Jack, Allya, Dean+1, Alaric, Narim, and the impending war!
March 31, 2025
For my first dark fantasy book, I freakin loved this book!!! The world building and MONSTERS were so cool! The universe was super unique. I love detailed descriptions and I could easily picture everything that was described! Can’t wait to see what happens next!
February 12, 2025
Spoiler free review: If you are a fan of "the Witcher" series, then this will be right up your alley! Very interesting magic system as well!
April 21, 2025
Wow, what a great new series! I felt this was a fast-paced, thrilling fantasy that truly stuck to the tagline: Created by monsters to be destroyed by men. Jack Serpent is a hero you want to root for through all the ups and downs of the trials, personal life tests, and discovering some pretty big betrayals.
Thanks to Rising Action, Netgalley, and E.A. Field for an ARC.
Thanks to Rising Action, Netgalley, and E.A. Field for an ARC.
June 3, 2025
I don’t know if it’s the mood I’m in recently or what, but the fantasy books I’ve been reading recently have ATE. Jack Serpent: The Scriver feels a lot like very classic fantasy with monsters and a heroes journey, kind of reminding me of the Witcher. Aylla was also a baddie (solely because she raised wolves, she could not get any cooler). I really liked the characters, the vibe, and the action especially with the monsters, and I’m absolutely continuing this series because it was a fun ride.
March 2, 2025
2.5 stars
While I find the plot promising and the world interesting, I couldn't really connect to the characters, which made it hard to get through, it didn't flow well.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC, this was my honest opinion
While I find the plot promising and the world interesting, I couldn't really connect to the characters, which made it hard to get through, it didn't flow well.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC, this was my honest opinion
June 7, 2025
This was a great read! the lore, the monsters, the fighting, the love interest!! I was invested the whole time!
July 9, 2025
Okay honestly this was great!! It had a dark and gritty vibe to its fantasy, and I was along for the ride for all of it! I enjoyed the world building - it was very much like old gritty fairytale meets monsters meets intriguing characters!
The banter was bantering, and Jack’s sarcasm cast him as the perfect broody MMC! Lately I’ve been searching for books with heavier lore and unique plot, and this book certainly delivered! I loved all of the creatures (THE WOLVES!!) and the mystery of the witches and their culty followers!
Definitely pick this book up if you have a chance and enjoy a good gritty fantasy! I’m looking forward to more!!
The banter was bantering, and Jack’s sarcasm cast him as the perfect broody MMC! Lately I’ve been searching for books with heavier lore and unique plot, and this book certainly delivered! I loved all of the creatures (THE WOLVES!!) and the mystery of the witches and their culty followers!
Definitely pick this book up if you have a chance and enjoy a good gritty fantasy! I’m looking forward to more!!
July 8, 2025
I’m going to try to explain it without making it too hard to follow my train of thoughts. Bear with me to make that review understandable and easy to digest for everyone.
First of I never really go for a book where the MC is ONLY a man, there is an other POV for Aylla but compare to the amount of chapters of Jack’s POV it’s very small. And it was really great, it was fun to see the POV of a brooding, headstrong and obnoxious character. Yes there is a bit of slow moment where we go back and forth between the actual plot line and the back story of Jack. IT IS VERY MUCH INSPIRED FROM THE WITCHER. I prefer to put that there now in big letters so no one is surprise in the book. But the author made it still fun and clever enough that you still can picture Jack without picturing the Witcher (I mean Henry Cavill could play anyone but you get what Im trying to explain here)
I like the plot and the magic system very much, it was again very much inspired by the Witcher but with a bit of a twist (guns are a thing in here.)
Not going to lie the emotional depth of the characters are not deep, the author gives you the bare minimum on either of the ‘MC’ and let you deal with it.
On the opposite the world building is great I mean very well explained and sometimes detailed, which make you feel immersed in the book. And that’s a plus.
My few issues with that book (that’s where it’s going to be trickier for me to explain) the author made me feel wanting more a few times and not in the good way. More like you are craving a cheat meal (burger and fries for me follow up by ice cream) and before you are even done with it someone snatch the all lot and run away with it. I’m just being dramatic but that felt so freaking frustrating. And it happens a few times during the actions (without spoiling too much I hope) someone is not in a good shape and might be possessed and end up not making it. Well the two main characters just moves on very very fast (okay Jack is a jackass and loner but come on Aylla.)
That happens as well not only during the actions but during conversations that seems where meant to bring something to the characters growth and development but cut short for the actions. I felt like the author jungled a bit too much and gambled a bit to find the right amount of plot and characters growth and it left me frustrated few times.
The ending was better even if we got a bit lost in the pacing of the book, the main plot line slow down for the action but quickly pick up pace for the conclusion of the first book.
The romance was NOT the main plot I will say 80% plot and 20% romance, it was okay nothing crazy I was more invested in the plot tbh. I will continue the series and see if book two as or better than the first
First of I never really go for a book where the MC is ONLY a man, there is an other POV for Aylla but compare to the amount of chapters of Jack’s POV it’s very small. And it was really great, it was fun to see the POV of a brooding, headstrong and obnoxious character. Yes there is a bit of slow moment where we go back and forth between the actual plot line and the back story of Jack. IT IS VERY MUCH INSPIRED FROM THE WITCHER. I prefer to put that there now in big letters so no one is surprise in the book. But the author made it still fun and clever enough that you still can picture Jack without picturing the Witcher (I mean Henry Cavill could play anyone but you get what Im trying to explain here)
I like the plot and the magic system very much, it was again very much inspired by the Witcher but with a bit of a twist (guns are a thing in here.)
Not going to lie the emotional depth of the characters are not deep, the author gives you the bare minimum on either of the ‘MC’ and let you deal with it.
On the opposite the world building is great I mean very well explained and sometimes detailed, which make you feel immersed in the book. And that’s a plus.
My few issues with that book (that’s where it’s going to be trickier for me to explain) the author made me feel wanting more a few times and not in the good way. More like you are craving a cheat meal (burger and fries for me follow up by ice cream) and before you are even done with it someone snatch the all lot and run away with it. I’m just being dramatic but that felt so freaking frustrating. And it happens a few times during the actions (without spoiling too much I hope) someone is not in a good shape and might be possessed and end up not making it. Well the two main characters just moves on very very fast (okay Jack is a jackass and loner but come on Aylla.)
That happens as well not only during the actions but during conversations that seems where meant to bring something to the characters growth and development but cut short for the actions. I felt like the author jungled a bit too much and gambled a bit to find the right amount of plot and characters growth and it left me frustrated few times.
The ending was better even if we got a bit lost in the pacing of the book, the main plot line slow down for the action but quickly pick up pace for the conclusion of the first book.
The romance was NOT the main plot I will say 80% plot and 20% romance, it was okay nothing crazy I was more invested in the plot tbh. I will continue the series and see if book two as or better than the first
March 5, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for this arc!
I enjoyed this book! I didn't necessarily devour it, but I thoroughly enjoyed the world, the story, the characters, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
Let's start with the characters. I can see how Jack comes across as a somewhat shallow character, BUT I think that's the point! He has spent so much of his life serving other's purposes that he never got to flesh out a personality of his own, but I think with Aylla, we are going to see his personality shine a bit more, especially with all the craziness that I assume will ensue in the next book and the decisions he will have to make.
I liked Aylla as a character, though I don't feel like I got to know her suuuper well. A lot of Jack and Aylla's character rely heavily on their tragic backstory rather than their internal thoughts in the moment (which is what usually helps me really get a character). I don't find this too off putting, it's just the vibe of the book and I can appreciate that. I do think they went over their tragic backstories a bit too many times (like they talked about it or brought it up at least a handful of times EACH and I feel those conversations could have been used to learn new things about the characters rather than rehash what we already know).
As for the story line/world: I thought the world was super fun and I feel like I was thoroughly immersed in every location. I think the story line was interesting and set up a second book SO well because I will definitely be reading it when it comes out (I gotta know what happens next!). I did think it was quite gory (and a bit horrific at times!), so if you aren't into that, you may want to skip.
There were a few scenes that I felt like had no purpose or were way too drawn out. Pretty much every scene with Narim felt a bit unnecessary since they typically rehashed the same conversations or we got to see that Narim is a sucky human being without actually adding anything else to the story (like I got it the first few times - he sucks!). That's really my only huge complaint.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Aylla's story progresses, what will happen politically with Jack and the kingdom, and how their story together will progress throughout it all!
I enjoyed this book! I didn't necessarily devour it, but I thoroughly enjoyed the world, the story, the characters, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
Let's start with the characters. I can see how Jack comes across as a somewhat shallow character, BUT I think that's the point! He has spent so much of his life serving other's purposes that he never got to flesh out a personality of his own, but I think with Aylla, we are going to see his personality shine a bit more, especially with all the craziness that I assume will ensue in the next book and the decisions he will have to make.
I liked Aylla as a character, though I don't feel like I got to know her suuuper well. A lot of Jack and Aylla's character rely heavily on their tragic backstory rather than their internal thoughts in the moment (which is what usually helps me really get a character). I don't find this too off putting, it's just the vibe of the book and I can appreciate that. I do think they went over their tragic backstories a bit too many times (like they talked about it or brought it up at least a handful of times EACH and I feel those conversations could have been used to learn new things about the characters rather than rehash what we already know).
As for the story line/world: I thought the world was super fun and I feel like I was thoroughly immersed in every location. I think the story line was interesting and set up a second book SO well because I will definitely be reading it when it comes out (I gotta know what happens next!). I did think it was quite gory (and a bit horrific at times!), so if you aren't into that, you may want to skip.
There were a few scenes that I felt like had no purpose or were way too drawn out. Pretty much every scene with Narim felt a bit unnecessary since they typically rehashed the same conversations or we got to see that Narim is a sucky human being without actually adding anything else to the story (like I got it the first few times - he sucks!). That's really my only huge complaint.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Aylla's story progresses, what will happen politically with Jack and the kingdom, and how their story together will progress throughout it all!
May 13, 2025
What If the Weapon Thinks for Itself?
This book got under my skin, starting like a monster-hunting adventure reminiscent of The Witcher, but quickly turned into something far more unsettling and personal. Jack Serpent isn’t just chasing creatures; he’s chasing answers, haunted by a past that leaks into every decision he makes. The swamps of Ocrana are beautifully grim, filled with poison, half-whispered magic, and monsters that feel like nightmares pulled straight from the edges of old stories. But what really hit me was how much of the danger came from people in power. It is not just about the beasts in the dark. Kings and covens treat human lives like pieces on a board, and Jack finds himself stuck in the middle, trying to decide whether he is a weapon or something else entirely.
What makes this story stand out amongst other books of this nature is how it balances sharp action with quiet, emotional moments. Jack’s connection with Aylla, a lone tracker with wolves at her side, feels natural and steady. Their bond builds slowly but becomes one of the book's strongest parts. The pace is intense and rarely lets up, which can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it reflects Jack’s inner spiral as secrets about his past rise to the surface. The monsters are terrifying, but it is the choices Jack faces, the cost of knowledge, and the weight of power that truly linger. By the end, you can't help but start to question who the real monsters are.
If you like dark fantasy that pushes past surface-level fights and digs into grief, power, and identity, this is one to pick up. The story doesn't wrap everything up, leaving a few questions unanswered (which I'm sure is set up for the next book), but it sticks the emotional landing. I will be thinking about that last scene for a long time.
*ARC was provided by Rising Action Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book got under my skin, starting like a monster-hunting adventure reminiscent of The Witcher, but quickly turned into something far more unsettling and personal. Jack Serpent isn’t just chasing creatures; he’s chasing answers, haunted by a past that leaks into every decision he makes. The swamps of Ocrana are beautifully grim, filled with poison, half-whispered magic, and monsters that feel like nightmares pulled straight from the edges of old stories. But what really hit me was how much of the danger came from people in power. It is not just about the beasts in the dark. Kings and covens treat human lives like pieces on a board, and Jack finds himself stuck in the middle, trying to decide whether he is a weapon or something else entirely.
What makes this story stand out amongst other books of this nature is how it balances sharp action with quiet, emotional moments. Jack’s connection with Aylla, a lone tracker with wolves at her side, feels natural and steady. Their bond builds slowly but becomes one of the book's strongest parts. The pace is intense and rarely lets up, which can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it reflects Jack’s inner spiral as secrets about his past rise to the surface. The monsters are terrifying, but it is the choices Jack faces, the cost of knowledge, and the weight of power that truly linger. By the end, you can't help but start to question who the real monsters are.
If you like dark fantasy that pushes past surface-level fights and digs into grief, power, and identity, this is one to pick up. The story doesn't wrap everything up, leaving a few questions unanswered (which I'm sure is set up for the next book), but it sticks the emotional landing. I will be thinking about that last scene for a long time.
*ARC was provided by Rising Action Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2025
Jack Serpent: The Scriver is an intense and thrilling start to what promises to be a dark fantasy series that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Jack Serpent, our brooding anti-hero, is a character you can’t help but be intrigued by. Raised by monsters and bent on avenging the murder of his family, Jack is a lore keeper, soldier, and spy, all rolled into one. His mission to uncover the origins of monsters is both personal and crucial—knowledge that could shift the balance of power across continents.
The pacing of the book is excellent, and it hits all the right notes of suspense and action without dragging. The world-building is strong, with vivid descriptions of the geography, characters, and monsters that make this world feel immersive and real. The magic system is unique and creative, with magic extending to weapons, vials, runes, and even guns. It’s got that Witcher-like vibe, but it holds its own and adds an interesting layer to the story.
Jack’s abilities, especially his hybrid nature and his resilience against magic, make him a compelling protagonist to follow. His struggle to uncover the truth while wrestling with his own demons adds a lot of depth to the story. The stakes are high, and the lore surrounding the world’s monsters and magic is fascinating.
That said, while the story has great potential, I felt a little more depth could have been added to some of the side characters and world-building details. Still, it’s a solid, well-paced beginning to the series, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where this dark, gritty world goes next!
The pacing of the book is excellent, and it hits all the right notes of suspense and action without dragging. The world-building is strong, with vivid descriptions of the geography, characters, and monsters that make this world feel immersive and real. The magic system is unique and creative, with magic extending to weapons, vials, runes, and even guns. It’s got that Witcher-like vibe, but it holds its own and adds an interesting layer to the story.
Jack’s abilities, especially his hybrid nature and his resilience against magic, make him a compelling protagonist to follow. His struggle to uncover the truth while wrestling with his own demons adds a lot of depth to the story. The stakes are high, and the lore surrounding the world’s monsters and magic is fascinating.
That said, while the story has great potential, I felt a little more depth could have been added to some of the side characters and world-building details. Still, it’s a solid, well-paced beginning to the series, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where this dark, gritty world goes next!
June 20, 2025
Jack Serpent the Strygan Destroyer becomes the Legend of Scriver after he burns a town full of Strygan, a creature which stole magic to take over the realms and summoned monsters to achieve their wicked goals. He was free of politics, but it changed as the King himself appointed him to kill the High Stryga. The fate of the world is in his palms.
Jack Serpent is a monster hunter based combined with fantasy RPG game vibes. Hmm, it feels like the Final Fantasy games, actually. The world building and system of magic-weapons is very unique. A rare magical creature is found here and I love it! The more I read the story, I feel like reading an adventurer's diary.
Sometimes, I need to hold my breath during reading time because there are so many actions and combat fighting is going on. Almost every combat-fighting I was like, “Ummm, is character A going to make it?” or “Is character B will survive?” something like that. That’s proof that this story has a tension which can squish us up hahaha
Since world building and how the magic works is very unique, I think this story needs a glossary to help readers understand more about how it works, especially about the magical creature which the author made by herself. Also, I find some sudden change of POV, and it needs the name of the person before the chapter starts. Anyway, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one.
Jack Serpent is a monster hunter based combined with fantasy RPG game vibes. Hmm, it feels like the Final Fantasy games, actually. The world building and system of magic-weapons is very unique. A rare magical creature is found here and I love it! The more I read the story, I feel like reading an adventurer's diary.
Sometimes, I need to hold my breath during reading time because there are so many actions and combat fighting is going on. Almost every combat-fighting I was like, “Ummm, is character A going to make it?” or “Is character B will survive?” something like that. That’s proof that this story has a tension which can squish us up hahaha
Since world building and how the magic works is very unique, I think this story needs a glossary to help readers understand more about how it works, especially about the magical creature which the author made by herself. Also, I find some sudden change of POV, and it needs the name of the person before the chapter starts. Anyway, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one.
May 30, 2025
Thank you to Rising Action Publishing and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Jack Serpent follows mains characters Jack and Aylla, both young adults living in a world wrought by complicated, dark magic. Jack is a Scriver – a kind of magically endowed monster hunter that roams the lands killing magical beings that terrorize humans. Aylla is a young woman of previously hidden magical means living in the forest with her two domesticated wolves.
The plot of the novel clearly takes inspiration from the Witcher series, with its monster hunting, potion taking, and magical being tropes. MMC Jack attempts to take after Geralt, with the purple eyes and brooding, guarded nature, but ultimately, he comes across flat and confused. The majority of the secondary characters seem to be wooden plot devices, multiple of whom are killed off after making no impact on the story at all.
The prose is complicated and lacking line edits. The author repeatedly info-dumps massive swathes of world building or character background that seemingly has no relevance and is often difficult to remember or contradicted later in the novel. While the seed of an interesting, fast-paced action fantasy novel is there, the story and writing style needs a lot more work.
Jack Serpent follows mains characters Jack and Aylla, both young adults living in a world wrought by complicated, dark magic. Jack is a Scriver – a kind of magically endowed monster hunter that roams the lands killing magical beings that terrorize humans. Aylla is a young woman of previously hidden magical means living in the forest with her two domesticated wolves.
The plot of the novel clearly takes inspiration from the Witcher series, with its monster hunting, potion taking, and magical being tropes. MMC Jack attempts to take after Geralt, with the purple eyes and brooding, guarded nature, but ultimately, he comes across flat and confused. The majority of the secondary characters seem to be wooden plot devices, multiple of whom are killed off after making no impact on the story at all.
The prose is complicated and lacking line edits. The author repeatedly info-dumps massive swathes of world building or character background that seemingly has no relevance and is often difficult to remember or contradicted later in the novel. While the seed of an interesting, fast-paced action fantasy novel is there, the story and writing style needs a lot more work.
May 26, 2025
I had to DNF around 22%. I really wanted to keep going, but the story was so tedious, and nothing exciting was happening. I need some action from the beginning, or I will get bored and stop reading. This book also has the Witcher vibes. The main character reminded me a lot of Geralt. His weapons, his eyes, his training, his manners. It just screams Witcher.
The Scriver Archives at the beginning of every chapter was intriguing. It was the only part I really liked.
So sadly, this book isn't for me. I might give it another go in the future.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.
Release date: May 27th.
The Scriver Archives at the beginning of every chapter was intriguing. It was the only part I really liked.
So sadly, this book isn't for me. I might give it another go in the future.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.
Release date: May 27th.
May 23, 2025
This is more of a 3.5 stars for me.
The book has rich world building (think Brandon Sanderson) and well-written strong female main characters, but I feel like the plot at times was hard to follow. The beginning is a bit dense, as the universe is explained, and the story can get a bit muddled with all the flashbacks. Jack (the MMC) is a brooding hero, who can sometimes feel a bit flat, but overall the story was engaging. The story ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
The book has rich world building (think Brandon Sanderson) and well-written strong female main characters, but I feel like the plot at times was hard to follow. The beginning is a bit dense, as the universe is explained, and the story can get a bit muddled with all the flashbacks. Jack (the MMC) is a brooding hero, who can sometimes feel a bit flat, but overall the story was engaging. The story ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
June 11, 2025
The book is so immersive and immediately draws you in with thorough descriptions and thoughtful explanations of different aspects of the world. I found the idea of Scrivers, and the trials to become a Scriver, super interesting and honestly wanted more backstory on it all. I would totally read a prequel about the trials! The FMC was presented as a really strong, well-written character but sometimes the MMC was boring to follow, and the romance subplot honestly felt a little forced (where was the chemistry?!). Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!
December 29, 2025
Jack Serpent is an excellent series starter for readers who love a competent but damaged protagonist and a world where knowledge is as dangerous as a blade. E.A. Field excels at creating a "vibe"—one that is foggy, dangerous, and deeply immersive.
Key takeaway: Read this if you want a monster-hunting adventure with high-stakes magic and a touch of romance; skip it if you're looking for a lighthearted "cozy" fantasy. The romance is behind closed doors but due to the violence, I'd suggest 16+.
Key takeaway: Read this if you want a monster-hunting adventure with high-stakes magic and a touch of romance; skip it if you're looking for a lighthearted "cozy" fantasy. The romance is behind closed doors but due to the violence, I'd suggest 16+.
January 30, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am impatiently awaiting the next one! Highly recommend if you enjoy dungeons and dragons, and/or the Witcher! I am tempted to reread it because I don’t know what to do with myself now.
June 4, 2025
Really fun adventure in dark fantasy. I’m a big fan of the Witcher books and this was an exciting and gritty adventure. Recommend!
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