White Serpent, Black Dragon

Eve of Redemption #2

by Joe Jackson, Adam Wayne (Illustrations)

An underworld serial killer prowls the streets. The head of a criminal guild arrives demanding the help of the Order.

Things had been quiet since the incident on Tsalbrin, but veteran terra-dracon demonhunter Karian Vanador recognized the calm before the storm all too well. When one of the Order's most prominent mortal enemies arrives on campus demanding help with an underworld threat, Kari knows there has to be a connection to the incident on Tsalbrin. Harried by a deadly foe, Kari must call upon friends old and new to track down an assassin leaving a trail of bodies in her wake.

Along the way she must figure out: are the killings just the act of a depraved demon, or an ingenious plot to shatter the barriers between Citaria and the underworld?

"White Serpent, Black Dragon" is the second volume in the Eve of Redemption series.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook

393 pages, Paperback

Published December 26, 2015

About the author

As an avid fan of fantasy, I try to combine shades of some of my favorite authors' writing - Tad Williams, Raymond E. Feist, and RA Salvatore, among others - into my own world. The result is a world of rich descriptions, complex politics, and heart-racing combat.

I started writing Sci-Fi short stories in fifth grade after seeing the movie "Aliens" in the theater. After getting into Dungeons & Dragons with friends as a teenager, my interests moved to Epic Fantasy, but still rooted in a Sci-Fi alien world. The Eve of Redemption series represents the culmination of years of world-building and back-story development, much of it through epic AD&D campaigns, that takes familiar epic fantasy and brings it to an alien world.

I live in Rhode Island with my wife and two daughters. When I'm not chasing the rascals around the yard or counting beans for the boss, I'm usually imagining the next turn on the long road that the Eve of Redemption series brings.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

White Serpent, Black Dragon (Eve of Redemption #2) by Joe Jackson takes the epic fantasy adventure to new bonds! The first book was awesome and book two is just as great. Now our gal has mated and has a baby but this doesn't stop her from performing her duties. Off on new deadly adventures and mysteries full of danger and magic. Each page is filled with excitement, tension, action, wonder, and fantasy beyond the norm. Love the griffons! Great follow up book.

[Alexandra Engellmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I opened the book, I realized that I’d missed these characters. And the way it started promised epic action and mystery, once again.
After a short introduction about what Kari’s been doing in between the two books, we find her facing yet another dangerous job. She’s the only one who can catch a mysterious serial killer, and leaving three years of administrative work in her past, Kari sets out on a task of forming a new team and solving the mystery behind the killings. For the reader, this leads to a deeper character development, new sides of the lore being revealed, and new interesting characters being introduced to us. The quest-like storyline is very strong here, and all the while the feeling of playing a multi-dimensional RPG game doesn’t leave you, giving a special kind of excitement that I have to see yet in some other series.
Aside from the final action scenes, there were a few more that I especially enjoyed and would like to mention. When I was reading about Kari’s dreams, I could practically feel this terror of a nightmare mixed with your deepest fear. The author did a great job describing the disturbing realism and dreamlike atmosphere of a nightmare at the same time.
Another favorite part was about the griffons, of course, and the way they were introduced – but I won’t give away any details about them. Really, just the lore alone in this series deserves the 5 stars. I also have to mention that this book felt more dynamic, and the action scenes were particularly well done, developing in totally unpredictable ways.
Overall, a very solid second book that broadens the series’ potential even more than the first!

*I received an ARC from the author for an honest review

[Tony Duxbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luckily, I read the first in the series and knew what to expect. I wasn't disappointed. New demons and creatures. A murder hunt turns into confrontations with old and new enemies. Kari the demon hunter is in the thick of it and the plots all seem to revolve around her. More twists and turns than a corkscrew! The mystery deepens. As with the first book, this is a story to get your teeth into. Kari is my number one heroine. Great stuff. What I particularly liked is that this book has the same high standard as the first. I would recommend this for any sword & sorcery fan that is looking for something intriguing and different

[Joe Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Note: This is a review by an independent Readers' Favorite reviewer and is not from the author**

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

Lady Karian Vanador, Sword of Heavens, by Zalkar’s Grace is a top ranked demon hunter in the fascinating world of White Serpent, Black Dragon by Joe Jackson. In this second volume of the Eve of Redemption series, Kari has been resurrected and is back in Citaria after the Apocalypse, performing administrative duties to be home with her husband and young son. A surprise visit from a despised nobleman, though, draws Kari into declaring a Blood Oath and she embarks on a new adventure to find and destroy a murderer in a faraway land. After first finding Eli, a mercenary who worked for the former Avatar of Vengeance of the Demonhunter Order, to find out some important information, Kari turns to two young Paladins and their Master for help.

The hunt for this murderer turns out to be a complicated task. As new clues turn up, it is apparent that there is much more going on – a potential power play in the Demon World – that involves all sorts of demons, underworld kings, werewolves, different races and religious groups. With secrets and surprises popping up all over, Kari and Eli have to depend on each other, and Kari’s strength in her belief in Zalkar, to try to keep up with the intricately woven plot being controlled by some as yet unknown agent. The question is whether they have all the players accounted for, and what the big surprise is that awaits them as they think they have reached the end.

Joe Jackson has created a marvelous world inhabited by countless races and mixed breeds capable of any number of powers and abilities in White Serpent, Black Dragon: Eve of Redemption Book 2. Jackson admits to drawing heavily from Dungeons and Dragons world building and initially I found it difficult to get into the novel because of the variety of characters and backstories, but his Appendices provide great information and the quality of the writing and flow of the action quickly grabbed my interest. The book is well written with fantastic characters, a twisting plot, plenty of intrigue and even a bit of romance. Reading Salvation’s Dawn first would probably allow for an easier and more enjoyable read, but White Serpent, Black Dragon is certainly worth the effort for fans of the epic fantasy genre.

[Russ Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent tale in a world of many races from human to demon and mixes. Naturally Kari overcomes but entertaining.

[Cori Dyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.



I have also read book number one. I have really enjoyed reading Joe Jackson's work. His writing is excellent, and at times, reminds me a little of Ursula K. LeGuinn in his descriptions of people and places. In this novel, he introduces some new characters, one of which is Eli, or Elias, a half-corlyps. Eli is a most interesting character that hooked me from the beginning. I'm not sure which I enjoyed more, getting to know Eli or the main story line. Eli is that interesting of a character.



I enjoyed the pace of the novel, the unexpected twists, and the way the story kept you guessing throughout. The author knows what readers want in a story and he delivers. The ending is a surprise, yet inevitable. I love how Jackson ends each novel thus far in the series. He ties up several loose ends neatly, leaves several open, then leaves the reader with a question, a burning question. Jackson respects the reader in every way and dares not leave the reader on a cliff-hanger, but instead with a single, burning question. I love that and it certainly keeps me coming back for me.

I was so enthralled with Eli, that I forgot to mention Kari, the main character of course. She is a real, believable, dynamic character. Jackson continues the journey started in book one to bring her to life in the pages of book number two. Eli helps the reader to get to know Kari better, in his own way, and Kari's character is further developed.

I love so many things about his writing, but one of my favorites, other than he sometimes reminds me of LeGuinn, is his three-dimensional characters. He is quite talented in taking ink on a page and creating a believable character. Kari is not just any character, but she is someone who has suffered abuse at the hands of her father and has continued on despite that abuse. She used the pain and injustice from the abuse and turned it into a passion for helping other vulnerable people. This fits nicely in the redemptive theme of his overall series. As a psychiatrist who helps wounded people heal from similar scars, his portrayal of flashbacks, shame, self-doubt, courage in the face of fear is all spot on. He has captured the heart and soul of a wounded person who chooses not to be a victim. Kari could well serve as a role model for anyone dealing with any type of trauma. I applaud Jackson for creating such an inspirational character, and for doing such a good job too.

Okay, so I could go on and on about what I love about this book. Clearly I am a fan of Joe's writing, but his writing can stand up with some of the best writing in the genre in terms of theme, plot, eloquence, structure, story, etc. If you love fantasy, love reading a well-written story, and love believable characters, then this novel and series is for you. Enjoy.

[E.P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sword-and-sorcery subgenre of fantasy isn't one of my favorites--okay, it's one of my least favorite. But I was pleasantly surprised to find a lot to like in this sword-and-sorcery-type novel.

This is the second book in a series chronicling the adventures of Kari, a dragon-like demonhunter who, after dying and being resurrected (presumably in the first book, which I haven't read), has settled down to an administrative position in her demonhunting order so that she can live with her husband and small child. However, an assassin/serial killer is on the loose, and Kari ends up going after her and chasing her to another city before confronting her.

Quick-paced action alternates with backstory; this (the constant jumping from adventure to adventure) is the aspect of sword-and-sorcery and the picaresque novel more generally that I don't much care for, since I have a hard time following it, but obviously that's more my problem than anyone else's, so I leave it up to the individual reader to decide whether this is for them or not. What I very much did appreciate about this particular book was the inclusion not only of a female main character, but of multiple female secondary characters. Kari herself is basically a modern career woman (trying to decide whether to take a desk job or a field assignment and how that will affect her family; trying to decide whether or not to have a second child) who happens to be a nonhuman demonhunter; the effect is unusual but charming, and its makes the book stand out because of it. Furthermore, rather than just being the token female in an otherwise all-male cast, Kari works with a number of other female characters, so that there are multiple scenes in which Kari interacts with other female characters, good and bad. This might not seem like a big deal, but, sadly, it IS, and major props to the book and the author for passing the Bechdel test with flying colors. Fans of the demon-hunting, swordfighting subgenre of fantasy who are looking for something featuring kick-ass female characters will find a lot to enjoy here.

[Shanlynn Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Jackson really outdid himself in this story, and I’m not ashamed to say, I was really impressed! Picking up from the first book in the series, we are updated on what Kari has been up to and soon find out about some murders taking place.

The world-building is, like in the first book, very thorough and immersive. There are many different species (sub-species?) as well, and I will admit, sometimes those get a little confusing to keep track of, but overall the author did a great job of making sure you know the abilities of each character. I thought Eli was a very interesting character and added a lot to the story, would, in fact, say I thought him even more interesting than the main character. I’m not saying this is a good or bad thing, just saying he was that vibrant.

All in all Mr. Jackson really nailed it with this book. It’s not the kind of story I would typically get into, and I will say I found it a little ‘game-y’ as the overall feel of the book is almost like reading through a video game scenario at times, but all that aside, I still found it to be a good read and it kept me interested and entertained. And, after all, isn’t that what books are for?

[Angeline Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always a little concerned when I read a book from a series when I haven’t read the first, however I was pleased to find that with White Serpent, Black Dragon it worked well as a stand-alone novel. I was immediately drawn into the tale when in the prologue we’re introduced to a crime scene where the eleventh person has been murdered and evidence indicates that a vampire may be responsible.
The book is set in the fantasy world of Citaria and I loved the main character Kari, in fact there is nothing I love more than a kick ass heroin and I found I really cared for and understood her as she juggled her career of demon hunting with her family. After a few years of admin work she ends up with the task of building a team to hunt the serial killer. The book keeps a good pace throughout and the author describes the places in a way which means you can picture them clearly.
This book was an enjoyable read and I would certainly recommend it to any fantasy lovers.

I received a free electronic copy of this book for a non reciprocal review

[Lana Axe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantasy style thriller that hooked my attention quickly and held it. Being book two of a series, I was concerned about not having read book one, but I didn’t need to be. There was plenty of information in this installment to get me up to speed so I wasn’t lost or confused. I have to say, the backstory was brilliant, and this is a fully developed fantasy world. I instantly liked main character Kari. She is tough and spirited, but she’s still able to be vulnerable and flawed. She’s a fantasy heroine, but she’s still relatable. I like that in a character.

The high fantasy style is well written, keeping it true to the genre. It gets a little dark at times, with demons and such, but it doesn’t get weighed down. The action keeps the plot moving at a fast click, and I felt like I was along for the ride. I always enjoy being drawn into the story and feeling like I’m a part of it. Well done.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Lisa Marie Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the second book in a series, White Serpent, Black Dragon makes a good stand alone fantasy thriller with a strong heroine, which I liked. I found the first part of the book a little slow because of essential backstory and the descriptions of the races involved but this helped because I had not read the first instalment. Joe Jackson soon gets you up to speed with characters and past history then it picks up the pace and becomes a fast paced thriller and dark epic fantasy full of demons, half-demons, demon hunters, gods and plenty of action. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre. The world building skills and character descriptions are very good and the plot has interesting twists and turns to keep the mind active.

[Joshua Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story to be interesting, though coming into a series with the middle book, when it's a very detailed world had me a bit confused at first. That being said, It's a very enjoyable read. A well thought out world with good characters, excellent action. I also found no real issues with formatting, grammar, or pacing. I think the only thing I wish I had done was read the first book before this one, as I got a bit lost on some of the races and gods vs demons, vs half demons etc.
Do not let you distance yourself from the series however, I plan on going back and reading the first book now, to give myself a better grounding!

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great. The characters were interesting and story line still keeps me reading more. I loved all the twists and turns the story took. I enjoyed all the actions and I could picture it in my mind thanks to the author's story telling abilities. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[Johan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, really enjoyed this book. It really made me realise how much I enjoy this series.

This book was just as good as the first one in the series and that means that I'll keep an eye on this series as more books come to light

Karian is an awesome character to follow with and she is brilliantly imagined and written. Love it

Peace out

[Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Improves Upon The First Book In Every Aspect

*White Serpent, Black Dragon* is the second book in the *Eve of Redemption* series by Joe Jackson. In it, demonhunter Karian Vanador continues her crusade against demons in the name of justice, while trying her best to protect the world and those around her. The second novel is a solid continuation of this ongoing series. The pacing is also improved, and overall the book has all the hallmarks of a satisfying and evocative high-fantasy.

Now, after the introduction, let's start with the

STORY

The plot of *White Serpent, Black Dragon* is a different beast than the one in Salvation's Dawn. Here's the gist of it: A series of murders terrorize the city of Barcon, and foul forces are suspect to be behind the chaos (again!), while it isn't immediately apparent what the perpetrator's exact motives are. Kari, the main character from the first novel, is sent to investigate after an unusual request for aid, and from there on things only get more tangled and bizarre.

While the overall "save the world" motif is still the plot's notable feature (which will probably hold true for the rest of the series), the main story arc presents a much more darker and varied narrative. It has more depth and twists, and while the unfolding events have a more localized impact than the war crisis on Tsalbrin, they still feel important and sweeping. The tension also feels higher and more head-on, which keeps the reader turning the pages so they find out what happens next. The main mystery also makes a stronger impact when finally revealed, and the twists at the end of the novel feel greater, and even a tad unexpected.

So, the story's much better. What about the

CHARACTERS

Karian Vandor, the amazing and well-written heroine of the series, is again at the forefront of the story. Her stern, yet compassionate nature again made me instantly like her, and the personality development she undergoes in this novel serves to make her even more believable. Alas, the Silver Blades aren't around this time to accompany Kari on her adventure, though most of them get brief roles at the beginning. However, their place is taken by a host of new characters, and all of them are clearly defined and recognizable. Each of the new cast brings to the table their own secrets, fears, and personality quirks. Given their variety, the new characters are in some ways a merrier bunch than the old gang, since the Silver Blades have some overlapping traits between them, being siblings. However, both the new and old characters have their appeal, and one can be sure there is the distinct possibility of them being thrown all together in some future installment, or at least mixed-and-matched in different combinations.

Sherman and Katarina, the human paladin twins make an exception, returning to the cast with accordingly greater roles. Some other episodic characters make a cameo again, while Lord Kaelin Black, who is previously only mentioned as the ruler of Barcon, takes center stage as a (somewhat) pivotal element of the story. I'll say no more, since we'll go into spoiler territory.

Mentioning spoilers, there was one category that was marring the previous book and it was the

TECHNICAL PRESENTATION

Regarding the structure and writing style, the novel is completely on par quality-wise. The focus is entirely upon the characters and the ongoing action. While some may argue this is because most of the heavy-lifting worldbuilding is done in the previous installment, they won't be entirely right; there are several new locations which are detailed with much more brevity, without losing any substance in the process. What I'm saying here is, the cleaner style is as much a result of a more refined writing as it is from less things to explain to the reader. As such, coupled with the deeper story, reading is a more engaging and entertaining experience.

And for those of you who miss or didn't remember the pertaining details about Citaria or its natives, the Appendix is featured again at the end of the book, available for perusal at one's leisure.

CONCLUSION

*White Serpent, Black Dragon* is a much more trim and sleek experience. The overall length isn't much shorter but the substance has greater value and more noticeable impact. It is a fine continuation for a fantasy series, laying many hooks which ensure future books will have plenty to tell about the next adventures of Kari and her family, friends, and allies.

For those who have an appetite for high fantasy epics, I give you my recommendation; for now, all signs point that The Eve of Redemption series will suitably deliver on its grand name.

[Remy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first sequel of Joe Jackson’s Eve of Redemption series opens with a marshal surveying a crime scene, with many possibilities of the killer such as being a rir, half-demon, vampire, or woman. The main chapters open with Kari, the female protagonist of the last book, married to Grakin and having a son colloquially called Little Gray. Kari’s work largely consists of dealing with the belongings of the previous Avatar of the Demonhunter Order, Jason Bosimar, who lost his life in the Apocalypse. Kaelin Black, the Earl of Southwick County, reports on a killer in his city.

Many of Kari’s in-laws are on assignment elsewhere in the book’s world, with Little Gray mentioning a “Fuzzy Man” in his room that plays some role later on. Kari wants to leave to investigate the murder, and while Grakin is reluctant to let her, he leaves the decision up to her, and she goes. Some suspect that Lord Black is lying about the murders, given the position of the corpses, and Kari has business with Elias Sorivar, or Eli for short, who nearly finds himself victim of the aforementioned killer, which could possibly be a succubus or half of one.

Transportation via griffon plays some role in the book’s events, with Kari and Eli flying to the Great Marsh to meet the lizardfolk czarikk. Kari meets old acquaintances at a certain renamed inn, and hears rumors about possible zombies which necromancers are raising. She ultimately gets the name of the killer, or one of them, Emmalikas, or Emma for short, another mystery playing part in the novel being whether Lord Black and another suspect, BlackWing, being separate or the same individual. The aforementioned succubus also ultimately gets a name, Turillia, and is somehow antagonistic with Emma.

Werewolves, or rather humans that can shapeshift into wolves, have their own part to play in the sequel, with some action towards the very end that amounts to a satisfying story very much on par with its predecessor, with the ending indicating more to come. Some reminders as to the species description and colors of the characters within the main text would have been welcome, however, with clarification of the different races mentioned throughout the story only occurring after the main text and preview of the series’ next entry. Even so, fans of fantasy will likely enjoy this yarn.

[Gil T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Continuation of Karian Vanador’s story

White Serpent, Black Dragon continues Karian Vanador’s story. It is a few years later, Kari and Grakin are mated and have a son. She is training students to become demon hunters. There is something going on in the family home even though Grakin’s mother has put protections on the house. Their son keeps seeing the fuzzy man and the chair is moved to the middle of the room.

A lord from a somewhat nearby town asks for help with a serial killer. Kari thinks it may be the black dragon that she encountered in her previous life. While staying overnight, Lord Black is attacked by assassins. The order doesn’t trust Lord Black since he seems to be related crime within his city. Kari decides to not bring the Silver Blades as part of her team because she is worried about them getting attacked. She asks for help from the humans from the first book, Katrina and Sherman who are working with another lord, who also agrees to help where he can. As she is doing some research and follow-up, she meets Eli, who worked with the previous head demon hunter. Some of the previous head demon hunter’s acts were questionable or seem to be.

The story has many twists including someone being possessed which I won’t go into, so you can enjoy the story as it unfolds.

[Erin Groppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackson has brought us another page turner set in Citaria. We catch up with Kari approximately three years after the conclusion of Salvation’s Dawn. She and Grakin have had a son and Kari has been biding her time performing administrative duties for the Demonhunter Order. One of her tasks has been to sift through the belongings and writings left behind by one of the previous heads of the order. Her goal is to find ways to combat the ever present demon threat from underworld. Unfortunately, her work only generates more questions than answers and she struggles with the conflicting desires to stay home with her family or continue her adventuring battling the forces of darkness. Kari is jolted out of her quiet existence when an assassin who has been wreaking havoc in Barcon comes to Darkwind and gravely injures a close family friend. Kari swears a blood oath to bring this assassin to justice. As she pursues her quarry Kari meets some new companions and faces new challenges. We also learn a little more about what makes Kari so special, possibly the reason she was resurrected and about some of the underworld demon kings who are trying to manipulate events in Citaria. All in all White Serpent, Black Dragon is another excellent tale from a talented storyteller.

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again I find that Joe Jackson's writing wraps me up in a spell he weaves around me with words, plot, and characters. I simply loved this book.
In this tale, we follow the demon hunter Karian, as she's beseeched by the authorities to apprehend a serial killer, that's also possibly a demon. She accepts the challenge, and sets about discovering who and/or what's been plaguing the city. In doing so, Kari discovers that the mystery goes much, much deeper than a single demon! As she unravels the snarls, she finds a second demon, and a possible demon possession... Kari and her team have to work fast to stop not only the killings, but to exorcise the second demon without destroying the victim!
So get the audio book, and let yourself be wrapped up in the magic spell, too!
Chelsea Stephens narration was spot-on the money! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her!

[Lisa Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only the second book into the series and it's great. The action, intrigue and excitement keep on coming. It's fast paced. Kari has taken a step back for the last three years. She has a desk job that still keeps her in the Demonhunter Order but now has a child. Well the desk job is about to end as she is again on the hunt searching for a serial killer It's takes her away to another city. Working out who the killer is with help from old characters from book 1 and new characters she meets on the way plus some of Kari's history before her resurrection keeps the book interesting. And has a fresh feeling to it. Pointing out again prejudice that some characters have to endure is a sad reality in these stories.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I will preface by saying that I listened to the audiobook version of the book. As I said in my review of Book 1, the narrator is phenomenal. She brings the book to life and highlights the excellent writing. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the plot of this book. I did not enjoy it as much as the first book because there were just too many attempts at creating surprise that some of them felt forced unnecessarily. Overall, though, the series continues to hold my interest, and I am loving how the characters and the world interact.

[BobA707 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:Well written, interesting characters, interesting premise, a lot to like but may be a bit overlong and while the plot was good it didn't really excite. I will pause before continuing this series

Plotline: Drawn out, not too exciting

Premise: Really interesting premise, plenty of history and huge , rich universe

Writing: Descriptive, engaging, but the book could have been more concentrated

Ending: All a bit too predictable, same as book 2 really

Pace: Never a dull moment!

[Jeffrey A. Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense

Great saga story line that keeps moving with intrigue and subterfuge. Can not wait to further read more of the saga.

[Arnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

[Aelvana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A serial killer is stalking the streets of Barcon, and the Order has been approached for help by none other than Kaelin Black, Barcon's infamous Earl. Since the killings might be demonic in origin, Karian goes to investigate. But nothing about this case is simple. What is going on with the Lord Black? Is he innocent, as he claims, of the long list of crimes everyone suspects of him? What has the Order--and its last Avatar of Vengeance--been doing behind everyone's backs?
And what do the demons stand to gain from this killing spree?

Set three years after the end of the first book, this one finds Karian in a much different place. Now married and a mother, she's taken on a more administrative job to allow her to fulfill those roles more effectively. But a complicated problem calls for a high-ranking hunter, and it doesn't take long for Karian to get back to her original job.

This, like the first book, isn't as black-and-white as things first appear. Karian has to reevaluate her own beliefs often, and her initial disdain of the previous Avatar of Vengeance's underhand methods comes against the fact that the real world isn't nearly as simple as she thought. The mystery has a number of surprising twists, too, and it will take more than just Karian to untangle it.

I liked the fact that Kari's healing from her childhood abuse is an ongoing thing. One piece that worried me about the first book's resolution to that was that it felt like a one-and-done event, when she's had years of trauma. Thankfully, that was more of a turning point than a total healing. Kari still struggles, but she's moved past the place where it owns her. I also liked that she finds unexpected common ground in this with someone else, and how it helps the both of them to be able to support each other.

I also like that we're getting introduced to more people outside the Order. And I REALLY like that there are so many different kinds of people, animals, and monsters that show up.... gnolls, werewolves, griffons, to name a few of my favorites. Or, as Eli puts it:

“So we’ve got assassins, demons, necromancers, and werewolves all involved here,” Eli said. He and Kari were headed toward the graveyard to see if they could find any other clues about whether the necromancer might be mixed up with the succubus. “Now we just need a vampire to show up, and we’ll have a nice little miniature apocalypse.”

All in all, this is a great continuation of an excellent first book. Start with Salvation's Dawn, but definitely read this one next! I rate this book Highly Recommended.

See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....

[Valicity Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blessed enough to receive a copy of the first book for review and I really enjoyed it so when the author approached me for a review on the second book, I saw that as an offer I couldn’t refuse. Granted, it took me a while to clear my reviewing schedule but I was so excited when I finally had the opportunity to sit down with a copy of the promising continuation of an already thrilling series.

So much of this book is like the first, the action, the mystery, the beautiful world, but most of all, the feeling of that high-fantasy, epic adventure. I think I mentioned in my first review that this book felt like something from a world class video game, that definitely hasn’t changed. Kari is still the wickedly gifted demonhunter from the first book and this time the characterization goes even further.

I liked the setup of this book. We are given a brief introduction with a few key events detailed, including what our protagonist has been up to. I really appreciated this because, as a frequent book reviewer, I read SO many novels between the first and second book in this series so I definitely needed a refreshing.

Basically, in this book, there are mysterious murders taking place that Kari sets out to solve. Sounds simple enough but this demonhunter is faced with many great troubles. What I liked most about her development in this story was the dreams that she had. This really introduced a deeper layer of character to Kari while demonstrating the true talent behind author, Jackson.

I definitely enjoyed seeing Kari taken to a new level in this series but I also can’t ignore the wonderful new additions to the cast. Jackson truly surprised me with every twist in this story but I will always appreciate his attention to detail when describing physical appearances to be masterful.
I know exactly how everyone and everything looks. That is my favorite thing about both of these books, they are spectacularly written and detailed. Jackson’s talent and creativity truly does not disappoint in this adventurous series.

I would most definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves action, adventure, and high fantasy. This has a very strong female lead and will ignite your imagination with its wonderful characters, beautiful setting, and wildly creative plotline. If you like battles and characters who are challenged—maybe even beyond their limits—then this is the book for you.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Scott Spotson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series I have read from the author. The first was Salvation’s Dawn.

I think I realize, upon the second time around, just how intense the dungeons and dragons mindset is. Once again, there is a very heavy dose of world-building, where characters speak of battles fought, and of very particular powers of each species, wondering how such powers adapt and change when in combination with other powers or against certain species. This second time around, I’m afraid I’ll have to confess I am probably not among the target readers for this book. I love epic fantasy, but this series by this author certainly notches dungeons and dragons folklore up to a stratospheric level.

How is the story? I liked the premise better than Salvation’s Dawn, which seemed to make the case for preventative warfare and had a reluctant villain who didn’t emerge until he was hunted down. Here, at the outset was a murder mystery, a whodunnit, if you will. However, two things seemed to get in the way of the story-telling; one, the volume of discussion and strategizing by the heroes of the story, trying to think three steps ahead and with more world-building thrown in; and two, some bizarre hair-splitting obsessions by the heroes that are surprisingly vital to the resolution of the story (i.e. Are two villains with similar names one and the same being, are they possessed by a spirit? Is a extraordinarily skilled busybody warrior, who is always drawn to popping up along with the mystery, a friend or foe? Is the heroine in fact the key to a powerful myth, or does the key lie somewhere else?)

For dungeons and dragons dedicated fans who would love to debate the distinction between a serilis-rir and a serilian-rir, I am certain this story would delight them.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

White Serpent, Black Dragon by Joe Jackson is an epic fantasy novel with an almost overwhelming cast of characters, human, other races, demons and gods. The acknowledgements mention that the world of the story is based on the world of Advanced Demons & Dragons. It’s not something I’m familiar with so I tended to gloss over a lot of the detail while reading. I think someone conversant with the game would probably enjoy the story more.

Having said that, I did enjoy the read. The lead character and heroine, Kari, is a likeable demon-hunter and her emotional growth is well painted. (It is a pleasure to read an epic fantasy with a female lead) As is often the case with epic fantasy, she travels for most of the story with a nicely drawn companion called Eli.

The story itself starts out as a straight-forward quest to find and kill a murderous succubus. It quickly becomes a quest for information as it becomes apparent that the presence of the succubus in this part of the world is a portent of a much larger problem.

The story is well structured, and fairly evenly paced. Joe writes well, though in a removed sort of way so I didn’t ever feel really close to Kari. In places there’s large chunks of back-story and description that I tend to skip, but I enjoyed the dialogue, particularly as the friendship between Kari and Eli develops.

I found the fight scenes a little clumsy, but the description of setting and characters are beautifully done.

I think this story, and the series, will appeal especially to readers who enjoy epic fantasy series such as Forgotten Realms and The Riftwar Cycle. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could.

[L.W. Tichy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Jackson weaved a truly absorbing tale that takes hold of you in the first few pages and does not let go. Getting to dive back into Kari’s world was amazing, I loved seeing her growth in this novel, and particularly loved the struggle she had between her family and the career/ lifestyle she has devoted two lifetimes to. Jordan portrayed it with a balance and poignancy that truly draws you into her internal battle. Kari is a fantastic Heroine whose characteristics, struggles, failures, and triumphs are balanced and realistic creating a tough as nails heroine who never loses her deep and caring heart. You cannot help but relate to her (even if she isn’t human). Jackson introduced several new characters in this book that you fall in love with just as much as his characters from the first book. I did miss not having the whole group from the first story in this one, but in a fantasy epic of this size that just isn’t always possible, and quite frankly the author quickly pulls you into the new characters so you care about them just as much. The plot of this book was fascinating and kept me guessing the whole way, which I love. Jackson, while a little too detailed for my preference, really pulls his readers into this fascinating world he has created, and weaves a brilliant and original storyline that I couldn’t put down. This is a fantastic read that I highly recommend and cannot wait for the next in the series.

[L.W. Tichy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read, Will Not Disappoint!

I loved this book! Jackson weaved a truly absorbing tale that takes hold of you in the first few pages and does not let go. Getting to dive back into Kari’s world was amazing, I loved seeing her growth in this novel, and particularly loved the struggle she had between her family and the career/ lifestyle she has devoted two lifetimes to. Jordan portrayed it with a balance and poignancy that truly draws you into her internal battle. Kari is a fantastic Heroine whose characteristics, struggles, failures, and triumphs are balanced and realistic creating a tough as nails heroine who never loses her deep and caring heart. You cannot help but relate to her (even if she isn’t human). Jackson introduced several new characters in this book that you fall in love with just as much as his characters from the first book. I did miss not having the whole group from the first story in this one, but in a fantasy epic of this size that just isn’t always possible, and quite frankly the author quickly pulls you into the new characters so you care about them just as much. The plot of this book was fascinating and kept me guessing the whole way, which I love. Jackson, while a little too detailed for my preference, really pulls his readers into this fascinating world he has created, and weaves a brilliant and original storyline that I couldn’t put down. This is a fantastic read that I highly recommend and cannot wait for the next in the series.