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Slither
We're often told tales of the underworlds to feed the darkest corners of our nightmares. We tuck them away with the sunlight and laugh away the fear our minds created. But the daylight offers no relief for Zari. She's hidden her waking nightmare as nothing more than a damaged past. The venom of her secrets consumes her, as well as those she cares for most. Emmett, the love of her life and the only one with a past dark enough to respect her space, becomes a pawn in the war against the demonic force which is her bloodright. Can Zari overpower those out to get her to feed on the innocent? Can she save Emmett from the evil of Slither?
- GenresHorror
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2015
5 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Valarie Savage Kinney
17 books68 followersValarie Savage Kinney is a writer, fiber artist, and Renaissance festival junkie with a wicked caffeine addiction. She resides in Michigan with her husband, grown children, two slightly hysterical dogs, and eight (yes, eight) guinea pigs. She is the author of Slither, Heckled, Consumption and The Secrets of Windy Springs Series. She puts the “I” in weird.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 29, 2015
I'll start with what I did like about this story...I liked the fact that the paranormal aspect was something totally different from werewolves or vampires although they are my favorite to read about. The mythology that was presented about the origins of the snake creature were interesting but I would have liked more...especially since this was a standalone novel. The opening was interesting and drew my attention but as the story continued my attention wasn't held firmly with the NEED to consume every word like it was law.
I will say the book was very well edited and I didn't see one error. And although described as horror/paranormal I felt not an ounce of fear and I'm a horror fan. Nothing gets me going like a good scare. Maybe horror on paper doesn't translate as well as horror on film.
I did get confused a bit...I thought their were two sisters when their was only one, a grandmother, and parents.
Zari and Emmett's abuse seems to tie them together but you can also see the love they have.
Some introduction of characters seemed to have no real purpose...I say that only because once the event was over we didn't hear anything else about them. I would have thought we would since she played a part in a certain scene, so I figured the MC would have at least tried to stay in touch with her. But the main problem was that I really didn't care about the characters. Whether they lived or died.
The concept of this book was what drew me to want to read it however the execution from the idea to the end result didn't hold my interest nearly as much as I would have liked. It's a good story and if you find yourself wanting to read something different I say go for it. To give a bit of perspective it's a good book to pick up for an in between book. I enjoyed it for what it was but it's not a reread for me.
Would I read another book from this author? Yes, if I came across one that peeked my interest.
Would I pre order or auto buy? Not at the moment.
Great job Ms. Kinney I will casually be on the look out of what you may come up with next in the paranormal genre.
I will say the book was very well edited and I didn't see one error. And although described as horror/paranormal I felt not an ounce of fear and I'm a horror fan. Nothing gets me going like a good scare. Maybe horror on paper doesn't translate as well as horror on film.
I did get confused a bit...I thought their were two sisters when their was only one, a grandmother, and parents.
Zari and Emmett's abuse seems to tie them together but you can also see the love they have.
Some introduction of characters seemed to have no real purpose...I say that only because once the event was over we didn't hear anything else about them. I would have thought we would since she played a part in a certain scene, so I figured the MC would have at least tried to stay in touch with her. But the main problem was that I really didn't care about the characters. Whether they lived or died.
The concept of this book was what drew me to want to read it however the execution from the idea to the end result didn't hold my interest nearly as much as I would have liked. It's a good story and if you find yourself wanting to read something different I say go for it. To give a bit of perspective it's a good book to pick up for an in between book. I enjoyed it for what it was but it's not a reread for me.
Would I read another book from this author? Yes, if I came across one that peeked my interest.
Would I pre order or auto buy? Not at the moment.
Great job Ms. Kinney I will casually be on the look out of what you may come up with next in the paranormal genre.
October 27, 2015
Well, we all know I love my horror, cutting my teeth on horror comics and classic films to diving in head first with authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz. For me, crafting a great horror story is about the unknown, creating characters we care about, as well as characters we despise, and creating a sense of confusion and deflecting from a predictable course through a believable but engaging plot line with many sub-plots.. A combination of these will create a great read, which Valarie Kinney has done in SLITHER.
I loved the main characters, Zari and Emmett. They were wonderfully flawed and each was dealing with their own demons. These were people I would like to know, despite being very different from me. The villains were truly dark and twisted individuals, giving any great horror author’s creations a run for their money. The supporting casts were also fully fleshed individuals who enhanced the read, adding to the plot.
My only issue is that I wish there had been more interaction with the villains. I wish we had been given more information about their history, were there any more of them, etc. I think that would have been really cool, as this is such an original concept and mythology (and again, you all know I love good mythology), but this is my minor issue. Overall, this was a great read and I would definitely recommend it to any and all horror Fans.
I loved the main characters, Zari and Emmett. They were wonderfully flawed and each was dealing with their own demons. These were people I would like to know, despite being very different from me. The villains were truly dark and twisted individuals, giving any great horror author’s creations a run for their money. The supporting casts were also fully fleshed individuals who enhanced the read, adding to the plot.
My only issue is that I wish there had been more interaction with the villains. I wish we had been given more information about their history, were there any more of them, etc. I think that would have been really cool, as this is such an original concept and mythology (and again, you all know I love good mythology), but this is my minor issue. Overall, this was a great read and I would definitely recommend it to any and all horror Fans.
July 18, 2017
Everyone should read Slither By Valarie Savage Kinney!!
one of the most Amazing books i have read!
Entirely engrossing from the start,
Slither gets inside You ,
wraps itself around You
*I could not put it down!!* on the edge of my seat doesn't even begin to cover it!!
with each chapter the story deepens, The characters become a part of You, and Their struggle becomes Your own... each new twist and turn adds a depth You couldn't begin to imagine, Slither has wound its way around and into my heart, and it will Forever have a place!!
Terrifyingly Awesome, i don't want to give anymore away,
Seriously go and read it, You will know exactly what i mean!!
one of the most Amazing books i have read!
Entirely engrossing from the start,
Slither gets inside You ,
wraps itself around You
*I could not put it down!!* on the edge of my seat doesn't even begin to cover it!!
with each chapter the story deepens, The characters become a part of You, and Their struggle becomes Your own... each new twist and turn adds a depth You couldn't begin to imagine, Slither has wound its way around and into my heart, and it will Forever have a place!!
Terrifyingly Awesome, i don't want to give anymore away,
Seriously go and read it, You will know exactly what i mean!!
December 10, 2015
This was a unique view into the world of the supernatural. Although, I think a bit more back story about the choices the family made long ago might be useful. This is not an erotic novel, so those expecting that anything supernatural must include lots of adult scenes will be surprised. Slither is well organized, the characters are well thought out, and the story is well told with a few plot twists along the way. It is quite interesting and a good read that goes quickly but still leaves you feeling as though you've truly read a book instead of just a short story.
February 23, 2016
I was given this book by HorrornNovelReviews.com in exchange for an honest review.
Zari Uadjit. Beautiful Snake Goddess. That’s the name of our heroine, Zari. Why is she called that, you ask. It’s because she’s comes from a family whose every member has a snake inside of them that slithers out of their mouths to feed on whichever unfortunate they catch.
Zari wants no part of this. She doesn’t have a forked tongue like they do, so feels she has a chance at a normal life. She ran in the middle of the night and left her family far behind, found Emmett and married him. He’s the love of her life and she loves her life with him. He’s an English professor. She makes quilts by hand which she sells at the local market. In their spare time, they fix up their home and make love. Emmett has his own scars. Literal scars from a violent childhood at the hands of his mother’s boyfriend. Zari knows about Emmett’s abusive childhood, after all, she’s seen the scars. She just doesn’t know how to tell him about her own childhood. That she ran away from a family of snake people and that now she feels them getting closer. They come to her in her dreams and her nightmares are bleeding into daymares.
The past has a long reach. Zari’s family has decided that she is going to join the family business, no matter who they have to punish or how in order to get her to come back.
Zari and Emmett found each other and, so far, they’ve managed to wind a cocoon around themselves and keep each other safe. Until they’re in the middle of the most ferocious tornado that ever hit their little town. She gets seriously hurt during the storm and he accompanies her to the hospital. In a coma caused by her supernatural family, she feels Emmett is still with her. Until her family manages to twist his heart inside his body. Zari is terrified when she can no longer feel him and she promises her family anything if they will only keep him safe. You know the old saying: “Be careful what you wish for, you might get it”.
If you have a snake phobia it might be hard for you to read this book. They slither up out of the throats of the snake people and down the throats of whoever they find. That’s how the snake people get their nourishment.
It’s a fascinating story and hard to put down. Ms Kinney is such an accomplished author that we don’t know if love or evil will triumph until the last chapter. This is a book that’s worth your time.
Zari Uadjit. Beautiful Snake Goddess. That’s the name of our heroine, Zari. Why is she called that, you ask. It’s because she’s comes from a family whose every member has a snake inside of them that slithers out of their mouths to feed on whichever unfortunate they catch.
Zari wants no part of this. She doesn’t have a forked tongue like they do, so feels she has a chance at a normal life. She ran in the middle of the night and left her family far behind, found Emmett and married him. He’s the love of her life and she loves her life with him. He’s an English professor. She makes quilts by hand which she sells at the local market. In their spare time, they fix up their home and make love. Emmett has his own scars. Literal scars from a violent childhood at the hands of his mother’s boyfriend. Zari knows about Emmett’s abusive childhood, after all, she’s seen the scars. She just doesn’t know how to tell him about her own childhood. That she ran away from a family of snake people and that now she feels them getting closer. They come to her in her dreams and her nightmares are bleeding into daymares.
The past has a long reach. Zari’s family has decided that she is going to join the family business, no matter who they have to punish or how in order to get her to come back.
Zari and Emmett found each other and, so far, they’ve managed to wind a cocoon around themselves and keep each other safe. Until they’re in the middle of the most ferocious tornado that ever hit their little town. She gets seriously hurt during the storm and he accompanies her to the hospital. In a coma caused by her supernatural family, she feels Emmett is still with her. Until her family manages to twist his heart inside his body. Zari is terrified when she can no longer feel him and she promises her family anything if they will only keep him safe. You know the old saying: “Be careful what you wish for, you might get it”.
If you have a snake phobia it might be hard for you to read this book. They slither up out of the throats of the snake people and down the throats of whoever they find. That’s how the snake people get their nourishment.
It’s a fascinating story and hard to put down. Ms Kinney is such an accomplished author that we don’t know if love or evil will triumph until the last chapter. This is a book that’s worth your time.
October 13, 2015
Delightfully twisted!
To say this story was good would be an understatement. , this is a fantastic story l; an immense emotional rollercoaster ride. This is truly a must read.
Valerie Kinney takes the reader through a small part of a couple's life, a couple who seem to have been created especially for one another. They've suffered incredible abuse throughout their childhoods that has left them bruised and scared but not broken. Together they find they're stronger than they imagine when they find out they are going to have a child.
Sari has kept her family's dark past from Emmet, a past that has come back to haunt her and her family. Zari's ruthless evil family threatens when the child is born they will come for the child and take Sari's life. They consider this Zari's repercussion for running from the family when she was younger instead of taking her rightful place with the Slither. After all, Victor Webster started, "Everything we do, even the slightest thing we do, can have a ripple effect and repercussion that emanate. If you throw a pebble into the water on one side of the ocean, it can create a tidal wave on the other side." Now, the family will take the baby to fill Zari's place, whether she likes it or not--or at least they think. However, when Emmet finds out about all of this, he has no intention of letting Zari's twisted family touch his wife or child.
This is a well written, delightfully twisted story that is a definite winner.
To say this story was good would be an understatement. , this is a fantastic story l; an immense emotional rollercoaster ride. This is truly a must read.
Valerie Kinney takes the reader through a small part of a couple's life, a couple who seem to have been created especially for one another. They've suffered incredible abuse throughout their childhoods that has left them bruised and scared but not broken. Together they find they're stronger than they imagine when they find out they are going to have a child.
Sari has kept her family's dark past from Emmet, a past that has come back to haunt her and her family. Zari's ruthless evil family threatens when the child is born they will come for the child and take Sari's life. They consider this Zari's repercussion for running from the family when she was younger instead of taking her rightful place with the Slither. After all, Victor Webster started, "Everything we do, even the slightest thing we do, can have a ripple effect and repercussion that emanate. If you throw a pebble into the water on one side of the ocean, it can create a tidal wave on the other side." Now, the family will take the baby to fill Zari's place, whether she likes it or not--or at least they think. However, when Emmet finds out about all of this, he has no intention of letting Zari's twisted family touch his wife or child.
This is a well written, delightfully twisted story that is a definite winner.
February 21, 2016
The way I would describe this book is a very unique story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I really enjoyed this book, it's not a storyline that I usually read. In fact I don't normally read paranormal, I do love horror which this is kind of a mixture of to me. I never knew what was going to happen next. Our main characters were Zari and Emmett. A normal married couple just trying to have a normal marriage, or so it seems. Zari is hiding something big about her family, how will Emmett react when he finds out???? What is Zari's big secret???
I loved Zari and Emmett together, they seemed so perfect together. I could really feel the love between them. I really didn't think this book would make me emotional but parts of the book I just wanted to jump in the book and hug Emmett or Zari and just tell them everything was going to be fine. They are both broken characters and both their past are so sad.
From the first page I was drawn in and I had to find out what would happen next. I loved the suspense with the element of horror. What made me give this 5 stars besides the intriguing storyline was that these 2 characters that were so unbelievably broken healed each other. This wasn't just a horror story to me, it was also about overcoming your past. Valarie is an amazing storyteller and this will not be the last book I'll read by her.
I loved Zari and Emmett together, they seemed so perfect together. I could really feel the love between them. I really didn't think this book would make me emotional but parts of the book I just wanted to jump in the book and hug Emmett or Zari and just tell them everything was going to be fine. They are both broken characters and both their past are so sad.
From the first page I was drawn in and I had to find out what would happen next. I loved the suspense with the element of horror. What made me give this 5 stars besides the intriguing storyline was that these 2 characters that were so unbelievably broken healed each other. This wasn't just a horror story to me, it was also about overcoming your past. Valarie is an amazing storyteller and this will not be the last book I'll read by her.
February 24, 2016
The way I would describe this book is a very unique story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I really enjoyed this book, it's not a storyline that I usually read. In fact, I don't normally read paranormal, I do love horror which this is kind of a mixture of to me. I never knew what was going to happen next. Our main characters were Zari and Emmett. A normal married couple just trying to have a normal marriage, or so it seems. Zari is hiding something big about her family, how will Emmett react when he finds out???? What is Zari's big secret???
I loved Zari and Emmett together, they seemed so perfect together. I could really feel the love between them. I really didn't think this book would make me emotional but parts of the book I just wanted to jump in the book and hug Emmett or Zari and just tell them everything was going to be fine. They are both broken characters and both their past are so sad.
From the first page I was drawn in and I had to find out what would happen next. I loved the suspense with the element of horror. What made me give this 5 stars besides the intriguing storyline was that these 2 characters that were so unbelievably broken healed each other. This wasn't just a horror story to me, it was also about overcoming your past. Valarie is an amazing storyteller and this will not be the last book I'll read by her.
I loved Zari and Emmett together, they seemed so perfect together. I could really feel the love between them. I really didn't think this book would make me emotional but parts of the book I just wanted to jump in the book and hug Emmett or Zari and just tell them everything was going to be fine. They are both broken characters and both their past are so sad.
From the first page I was drawn in and I had to find out what would happen next. I loved the suspense with the element of horror. What made me give this 5 stars besides the intriguing storyline was that these 2 characters that were so unbelievably broken healed each other. This wasn't just a horror story to me, it was also about overcoming your past. Valarie is an amazing storyteller and this will not be the last book I'll read by her.
January 22, 2016
I'm not going to lie. This book freaked me out a little bit. I am not fond of snakes. They're on the list of creepy crawlies that I don't like so the thought of a snake hanging out in your body waiting to come out and do some bad stuff is a lot to take in. Especially the idea behind it being some strange snake god who is in control of it and requires being fed...people's insides. That's right. It goes down their mouth and eats their insides. Disgusting right? But it makes for one interesting horror type story. There's your love interest between Emmett and Zari. Zari is our main character and I have to say that she is a strong and brave character, but so is Emmett. Both have had to suffer huge injustices because of their families and got away from it. Well, Zari thought she did until her family showed back up and because she doesn't want to pledge her allegiance to Slither, they want to take her baby when it's born. This book was pretty crazy messed up but it was an intriguing read and I would give a good 4 stars!
May 22, 2016
Much more than a horror story...
A fascinating story that kept me on the edge of my seat and was impossible to put down.
The well thought out and unique plot twisted it's way through this well-written book.
The main characters were well-fleshed out, each had their own flaws and abusive pasts to deal with, but worked wonderfully together to help and heal each other.
The villains were dark and menacing characters and easy to hate.
A fascinating story that kept me on the edge of my seat and was impossible to put down.
The well thought out and unique plot twisted it's way through this well-written book.
The main characters were well-fleshed out, each had their own flaws and abusive pasts to deal with, but worked wonderfully together to help and heal each other.
The villains were dark and menacing characters and easy to hate.
August 21, 2016
The excitement that came when this book arrived only became greater as I started the book. The story inside will keep you wanting to find out what will happen next. A little slow to start, but once you are in you can't escape. Even my love of snakes was tested. A great book and one I recommend adding to your reading lists.
February 22, 2016
This book is really good. I am so glad that I had the chance to meet Valarie she is an amazing person. I can not wait to read her other books. She is just all out amazing. Thank you Valarie for giving me the chance to read this book.
February 15, 2016
An 'edge of your seat' well written horror story!
June 26, 2017
3.5 Stars
This is truly a unique paranormal story. The author does a wonderful job bringing to life this new form of a paranormal story.
There were surprises in this story as well as a few edge of my seat scenes. The characters were well developed and very likable. The story was nicely paced and kept my full attention throughout the story.
I do wish there was to the story as to how the family became the way they were. It was explained in the book but, for me, more story around that part would have been really interesting.
This is my first book by this author and I am definitely interested in reading more!
This is truly a unique paranormal story. The author does a wonderful job bringing to life this new form of a paranormal story.
There were surprises in this story as well as a few edge of my seat scenes. The characters were well developed and very likable. The story was nicely paced and kept my full attention throughout the story.
I do wish there was to the story as to how the family became the way they were. It was explained in the book but, for me, more story around that part would have been really interesting.
This is my first book by this author and I am definitely interested in reading more!
August 31, 2018
Love!
I loved this book. It's one of those that you can't put down because you can't wait to read what happens next. A page turner!
I loved this book. It's one of those that you can't put down because you can't wait to read what happens next. A page turner!
November 11, 2019
This was an engrossing story. Part romance, part horror, it was certainly an entertaining read with relatable characters and a captivating, original plot.
April 5, 2016
Zari and Emmet, such a beautiful couple, have love for each other like every wants, everyone adores. But of course, not everything is as it seems. Neither had the best of starts to life until they found each other, it made them stronger as a couple. Or did it?
They are thrown a few curve-balls that they handle greatly, but will Zari telling the truth about her past really make their world better, their relationship stronger? Does it hell!!
Zari, not your normal girl next door. Although she might look normal, it's what's inside her that truly separates her from the norm. And I don't mean the baby, although what will that look like when it’s born??
And poor Emmet, drop dead gorgeous Professor, adored silently by many, even Jessa, Zari's best mate. He holds his own dark past beneath and on the skin of his back, weighing him down and out for the count. After he faces what he's been through with his junkie mother and her abusive boyfriend, he's all too weak to deal with Zari and her past, let alone the future with them and their ever growing child.
I can categorically say that this book is a 5 star.
I don't normally give 100% on books unless called for it. There are always minors and in many ways major discrepancies with the writing as well as the plot/ storyline deterioration. Sometimes things are not consistent, and it's easy to do.
However, not in this case.
Valerie's style, scholarly, and story layouts flow and compliment the nature of the story being told; it makes it feel all the more real. You get involved, and she keeps you involved, holding you at every corner. There's no over abundance of love, danger and filler. It is healthy and I found I learned quite a bit from this story in a number of ways. I felt this books was a lovely add to my collection, one in which I'm excited to re-read or continue the story.
I would hope Zari and Emmet would have a lot more happier times in the next instalment, but something tells me this I was only the beginning for what's install for them two.
They are thrown a few curve-balls that they handle greatly, but will Zari telling the truth about her past really make their world better, their relationship stronger? Does it hell!!
Zari, not your normal girl next door. Although she might look normal, it's what's inside her that truly separates her from the norm. And I don't mean the baby, although what will that look like when it’s born??
And poor Emmet, drop dead gorgeous Professor, adored silently by many, even Jessa, Zari's best mate. He holds his own dark past beneath and on the skin of his back, weighing him down and out for the count. After he faces what he's been through with his junkie mother and her abusive boyfriend, he's all too weak to deal with Zari and her past, let alone the future with them and their ever growing child.
I can categorically say that this book is a 5 star.
I don't normally give 100% on books unless called for it. There are always minors and in many ways major discrepancies with the writing as well as the plot/ storyline deterioration. Sometimes things are not consistent, and it's easy to do.
However, not in this case.
Valerie's style, scholarly, and story layouts flow and compliment the nature of the story being told; it makes it feel all the more real. You get involved, and she keeps you involved, holding you at every corner. There's no over abundance of love, danger and filler. It is healthy and I found I learned quite a bit from this story in a number of ways. I felt this books was a lovely add to my collection, one in which I'm excited to re-read or continue the story.
I would hope Zari and Emmet would have a lot more happier times in the next instalment, but something tells me this I was only the beginning for what's install for them two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews