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The Serpent of Eridor
Attacked by an assassin, and positive that the next attempt will be fatal, 14-year-old Alex Weston seizes the slim chance of survival, choosing to abandon ship in a tropical typhoon. Subsequently shipwrecked onto the island of Eridor with his hamster Skoodle, Alex unwittingly crosses the barrier into a world of enchantment. He soon discovers that his beloved pet is not just a hamster, but rather a funny, opinionated, reluctant hero who regularly takes advice from his dead uncle.
While on the island, they befriend a brilliant, ebullient monkey, a warrior bear and a sarcastic snake. Possessing no magic abilities himself, Alex is armed only with bravery, loyalty, sheer cussedness and wit as he fights to save his life and his friends. He must also wrestle with the suspicion that a few ounces of added rodent doesn't make him the strongest fighting unit on the island. On his journey, Alex is pursued by murderous crocodiles, engulfed by a man-eating mud swamp and attacked by vengeful wizards. But all that feels like a warm-up in comparison to his final challenge...
The Serpent of Eridor is an adventure thriller threaded with humour that will appeal to children aged eight-twelve. Vivid, graphic and containing both the wonderful and the weird, it is a fast-paced story full of twists and turns.
Inspired by authors such as C. S. Lewis and Anthony Horowitz, author Alison is fascinated by the genre of fantasy and enjoys weaving wild and bizarre aspects into her adventure series, including the sequel Alchemy.
While on the island, they befriend a brilliant, ebullient monkey, a warrior bear and a sarcastic snake. Possessing no magic abilities himself, Alex is armed only with bravery, loyalty, sheer cussedness and wit as he fights to save his life and his friends. He must also wrestle with the suspicion that a few ounces of added rodent doesn't make him the strongest fighting unit on the island. On his journey, Alex is pursued by murderous crocodiles, engulfed by a man-eating mud swamp and attacked by vengeful wizards. But all that feels like a warm-up in comparison to his final challenge...
The Serpent of Eridor is an adventure thriller threaded with humour that will appeal to children aged eight-twelve. Vivid, graphic and containing both the wonderful and the weird, it is a fast-paced story full of twists and turns.
Inspired by authors such as C. S. Lewis and Anthony Horowitz, author Alison is fascinated by the genre of fantasy and enjoys weaving wild and bizarre aspects into her adventure series, including the sequel Alchemy.
272 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2014
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 13, 2015
Alex’s parents are missing and they have sent him a message that he needs to meet a person on an island who can help. Leaving behind his nasty Aunty, packing his hamster Skoodle, Alex’s begins the journey. Travelling by boat to find the man who can help, Alex is attacked by an assassin. In the middle of a typhoon, Alex takes off in a lifeboat to avoid his attacker and finds himself of an island where the animals can speak. The hamster, the monkey, the bear, the snake and Alex are off on adventure to return a jewel.
This Gardiner’s first novel and is a solid effort. The world that she has created is vibrant and believable. The characters are well fleshed out and have their own strengths and weakness.
Where the novel did not work for me was in the telling of the story. There needed to be a less is more approach as at times too much information is provided and it does not drive the story forward. The tour of the Magician’s home went on and could have been culled down. The ending was disappointing as a row after row of character seemed to line up and confess. What this did was made the ending come across as rushed and trying to tidy and set up the next story.
Gardiner has a wonderful imagination and has created a fascinating world. Some additional trimming and tightening of the novel would help it along.
This Gardiner’s first novel and is a solid effort. The world that she has created is vibrant and believable. The characters are well fleshed out and have their own strengths and weakness.
Where the novel did not work for me was in the telling of the story. There needed to be a less is more approach as at times too much information is provided and it does not drive the story forward. The tour of the Magician’s home went on and could have been culled down. The ending was disappointing as a row after row of character seemed to line up and confess. What this did was made the ending come across as rushed and trying to tidy and set up the next story.
Gardiner has a wonderful imagination and has created a fascinating world. Some additional trimming and tightening of the novel would help it along.
March 29, 2015
Talking animals and magic are featured in this YA-leaning story about a boy looking for his parents and having to escape danger over and over. Turns into a quest story numerous times. The best part is the characters, mostly the talking animals, each of which has its own distinct personality; it reminded me of Alan Dean Foster’s Spellsinger, without the music. The plot of course features multiple dangers and just as many ways out of them, most of them convenient. An entertaining read, but nothing more.
January 28, 2021
Book started off slow but got a lot better as I read it. Not one that I would read the next book in the series though
January 3, 2015
The ending was really poor, let it down big time! Did enjoy the adventure in the middle of the book, which was very strong!
March 18, 2015
Good magical adventure story.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews