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The Wild Rites Saga #4
The Serpent Priest
Betrayed, bereft, and beaten — but not broken.
Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood, destined to command the magic of all shapechanging races. She’s been to Hell and back and she’ll never be the same, but she’s rebuilding her life — and her sanity — with the help of some totally unexpected allies. If only she knew how to heal the one person whose soul is bound to hers forever.
But that’s soon to be the least of her problems, because there’s a war coming, and the only one who knows how to stop it is Alexi, the Serpent Priest.
He’s also the one who caused it.
With her friends scattered and their fates unknown, Emma is on the run and searching for answers in far-flung places. She will risk everything to save the people she loves — even if it might mean losing her humanity somewhere along the way.
Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood, destined to command the magic of all shapechanging races. She’s been to Hell and back and she’ll never be the same, but she’s rebuilding her life — and her sanity — with the help of some totally unexpected allies. If only she knew how to heal the one person whose soul is bound to hers forever.
But that’s soon to be the least of her problems, because there’s a war coming, and the only one who knows how to stop it is Alexi, the Serpent Priest.
He’s also the one who caused it.
With her friends scattered and their fates unknown, Emma is on the run and searching for answers in far-flung places. She will risk everything to save the people she loves — even if it might mean losing her humanity somewhere along the way.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2016
84 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Anna McIlwraith
9 books165 followersAnna McIlwraith is the author of the urban fantasy series Caller of the Blood and the upcoming paranormal romance series Wayward Heart. She’s addicted to the mysterious power of using words to walk between worlds, and there’s nowhere she’d rather be than travelling the dusty roads and dark kingdoms of the worlds of her books. Sadly, one can visit those territories but never stay, which is the only reason Anna gets any reading of her own done.
When not reading or writing, Anna spends the rest of her free time in this dimension arguing with her cats and preparing for the zombie apocalypse. She lives near the sea in Victoria, Australia, where the weather is only slightly less hellish, but the wildlife is a lot less deadly.
When not reading or writing, Anna spends the rest of her free time in this dimension arguing with her cats and preparing for the zombie apocalypse. She lives near the sea in Victoria, Australia, where the weather is only slightly less hellish, but the wildlife is a lot less deadly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 12, 2018
This book is AMAZING!!!!!!
I don't actually have words, apart from the fact this has become one of my favourite series'.
Everything about it is amazing. How has this not got more ratings?! It is genuinely one of the best UF I have read.
I don't actually have words, apart from the fact this has become one of my favourite series'.
Everything about it is amazing. How has this not got more ratings?! It is genuinely one of the best UF I have read.
November 16, 2019
Not perfect but damn good, like the others in the series. This is so hard to put down, and the next book is the last. There's supposed to be more coming but it looks like the author has been saying that since 2016 and there aren't new updates, so double eek. At least she doesn't really end on cliffhangers. :( This book brings in her allies briefly - I actually like Seshua now quite a bit, love The Wolf Alpha and Jackal King -- they all get brief scenes. A character come backs, we get a weird change with another, and a sad loss. Emma finds out some dark twists on the prophecy and bizarre but exciting physical changes. Fern is a pain at first but that dies down fast - I have always loved their bond, it's epic, and we get a cool twist from another merge where we almost get "super spider" in a few scenes. Full review to come. Going back to reading, the fifth book *sniffs*
February 26, 2022
Love this series!
I really love this series and all the characters. Seriously though, what is up with Telly? I get she's mad at him for leaving and not being there when she needed him. He has a habit of not being where she needs him. But she has always been rather brusque when dealing with him. That I don't quite understand...
Anyway, yay Alexi. Surprise, Red Sun... didn't see that one coming. Fern, still not sure why he is my least favorite, but there it is. Seshua I think will happen eventually. Gotta say though, I love Ivan. And Ricky wasn't left in the sidelines for once, no thanks to Emma. Glad he got to help Alexi and Seshua. Anton, meh..whatever. who am I forgetting? Glad we got to catch up with the Egypt and Russia crews.
Yeah, so...I hear this series got left hanging too. Why?!?! It is really good! Hopefully the author is okay. Maybe she will give us another book soon.
Okay, gonna go read the next one. ;-)
I really love this series and all the characters. Seriously though, what is up with Telly? I get she's mad at him for leaving and not being there when she needed him. He has a habit of not being where she needs him. But she has always been rather brusque when dealing with him. That I don't quite understand...
Anyway, yay Alexi. Surprise, Red Sun... didn't see that one coming. Fern, still not sure why he is my least favorite, but there it is. Seshua I think will happen eventually. Gotta say though, I love Ivan. And Ricky wasn't left in the sidelines for once, no thanks to Emma. Glad he got to help Alexi and Seshua. Anton, meh..whatever. who am I forgetting? Glad we got to catch up with the Egypt and Russia crews.
Yeah, so...I hear this series got left hanging too. Why?!?! It is really good! Hopefully the author is okay. Maybe she will give us another book soon.
Okay, gonna go read the next one. ;-)
December 26, 2019
The serpent priest is mine, just so you know... 💚💚💚💚😍😍😍😍😚😚😚😚
September 25, 2016
So with a name like the serpent priest and given the ending of the last book you would think this one will have lots of Alexei and Emma together right? Well no. Alexei is absent for most of the book and Emma spends most of her time developing a relationship with Red. And sundry others. While I still enjoying the overall story and I am so over the revolving men. I really like jag guard Leah and her interaction with Emma. I was also deeply unhappy about what happens with Sefu.
March 24, 2018
Fern, oh Fern!
Still LOVING this series :)
Still LOVING this series :)
May 13, 2020
Long and somewhat confusing
3.5 this one was a bit longer in terms of getting to where we needed to go. There was also a lot of splitting up and events happening to others off page. There is an ambush that happens and we don’t really get to see how it went down in real time. Another issue I had with this book was the foreshadowing at the end of each damn chapter. “Little did we know...”, “That would all change”, “It wasn’t going to work” things like that. The previous 3 books did not suffer this affliction at all. I’m not sure why the author thought it was needed in this book. Of course things are going to happen. Of course they weren’t going to know.
I liked this adventure, I did, but it didn’t make much sense. Everyone knows more about going on than Emma does. She goes with the flow which is nice but I kind of want information from them about the things she’s kept in the dark about.
I did like this book because we got some new members with bonds to Emma. I like how the harem is starting to form, though idk who all will be in it.
I did not like how everyone was split up doing their own things. What was the point of introducing some of these characters if they aren’t going to remain in the book very long...I’m looking at you Zach.
This book also had several more typos than the previous books as well. And some of the events just didn’t make too much sense. Like them going in search of the Brotherhood, but not being wary when they find them. Telling this Brotherhood all they want to know, and not guarding the information. I do find a lot of things that happen to be somewhat impractical. Like relying on Red Sun’s Traveling after they had issues with his powers coming into play when they went to the Jackal palace.
Overall I did enjoy the book but man there’s a lot of stuff going on. Most of the action though starts at the 80% mark and most of the book is mundane things and event after event. I still don’t know where this will all end up though.
3.5 this one was a bit longer in terms of getting to where we needed to go. There was also a lot of splitting up and events happening to others off page. There is an ambush that happens and we don’t really get to see how it went down in real time. Another issue I had with this book was the foreshadowing at the end of each damn chapter. “Little did we know...”, “That would all change”, “It wasn’t going to work” things like that. The previous 3 books did not suffer this affliction at all. I’m not sure why the author thought it was needed in this book. Of course things are going to happen. Of course they weren’t going to know.
I liked this adventure, I did, but it didn’t make much sense. Everyone knows more about going on than Emma does. She goes with the flow which is nice but I kind of want information from them about the things she’s kept in the dark about.
I did like this book because we got some new members with bonds to Emma. I like how the harem is starting to form, though idk who all will be in it.
I did not like how everyone was split up doing their own things. What was the point of introducing some of these characters if they aren’t going to remain in the book very long...I’m looking at you Zach.
This book also had several more typos than the previous books as well. And some of the events just didn’t make too much sense. Like them going in search of the Brotherhood, but not being wary when they find them. Telling this Brotherhood all they want to know, and not guarding the information. I do find a lot of things that happen to be somewhat impractical. Like relying on Red Sun’s Traveling after they had issues with his powers coming into play when they went to the Jackal palace.
Overall I did enjoy the book but man there’s a lot of stuff going on. Most of the action though starts at the 80% mark and most of the book is mundane things and event after event. I still don’t know where this will all end up though.
February 11, 2020
Wow
I loved this book. I really like Emma, she is confident and bad@ss and witty and smart and fierce and loyal! The story is amazing. I live where it is going. I can't wait for the next one. Team Alexi and Fern....
I loved this book. I really like Emma, she is confident and bad@ss and witty and smart and fierce and loyal! The story is amazing. I live where it is going. I can't wait for the next one. Team Alexi and Fern....
March 24, 2019
This felt really long, then I realized it’s over 400 pages and figured that’s probably why. Still good, but too much time away from my favorite guys ;)
March 7, 2016
Another great book in this amazing series. The books in this series always keeping the reader on their toes. Never knowing what's going to happen next, and the twists and turns are just so well done that the reader can't even guess them before they happen. I would say these books are so good because of the characters, and gosh all those lovable men around Emma, how can she stop herself from loving them? I look forward to seeing the next installments in the series, Ms. McIlwraith has got a fan in me.
January 1, 2017
Finally
I'm so glad that Alexi has finally owned up to his feelings. Emma has just going along on these adventures with no real idea of what is going on. I'm surprised that her cAlling of the blood has even been addressed. This is book 4 and we are finally getting a little more info. Telly comes back and things are not what he was expecting. I often wonder what Emma is going to do with all of these emotions. I also wonder if the author is going to start addressing major storylines.
I'm so glad that Alexi has finally owned up to his feelings. Emma has just going along on these adventures with no real idea of what is going on. I'm surprised that her cAlling of the blood has even been addressed. This is book 4 and we are finally getting a little more info. Telly comes back and things are not what he was expecting. I often wonder what Emma is going to do with all of these emotions. I also wonder if the author is going to start addressing major storylines.
April 29, 2017
Loved this book and wanted this to be the one where the h would finally get her man. But no, it i another HFN, frustrating half finished conversations, lots of angst for the h, and lots of action and gore. Love it but get a bad feeling about the h ever being truly happy.
January 12, 2020
This one started out really tragic, then it got just simple bad. The first scenes with Alexi feel as geniune as a Brazil soap opera. That whole relationship feels forced.
The book starts getting interesting from the middle (just like the other ones), Emma figths more, she is more badass, I can see how her character gets built up over the book in the series, and that is kind of masterful, that's why I stayed with it.
Fern and Red play a big part in this one, and we get to add a wolf to the party as well.
The very end feels forced again, but it's not as bad as the beginning. We start to get to know the characters little better, and that can balance the negative aspects. #TeamFern
The book starts getting interesting from the middle (just like the other ones), Emma figths more, she is more badass, I can see how her character gets built up over the book in the series, and that is kind of masterful, that's why I stayed with it.
Fern and Red play a big part in this one, and we get to add a wolf to the party as well.
The very end feels forced again, but it's not as bad as the beginning. We start to get to know the characters little better, and that can balance the negative aspects. #TeamFern
November 13, 2024
Omg!!! So many emotions with this book honestly I’ve been waiting for the last 2 books for that one moment to happen and it didn’t disappoint. Red Sun and Alexi have my heart and soul I love them. The only small issue I have is the repetition sometimes.
So it all kicks off In This one and the ranch is splintered we catch up with pretty much every character and it’s a whirlwind of emotion.
So it all kicks off In This one and the ranch is splintered we catch up with pretty much every character and it’s a whirlwind of emotion.
May 8, 2017
Just keeps getting better!
Sometimes series like this fizzle a bit, and it feels like the action is there just for the sake of another book. But this series is getting better book by book!
Sometimes series like this fizzle a bit, and it feels like the action is there just for the sake of another book. But this series is getting better book by book!
May 7, 2018
O.M.G.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you haven't read this series yet, you do not know what you are missing. I can't say anymore because I just might give out spoilers.
I highly recommend this series!
I highly recommend this series!
March 21, 2017
Fangtastic!!
Action packed, fast paced riveting story line. The authors done a great job pushing the story forward. The characters are really well developed and make you stand up and cheer for them. Emma is a great well rounded character still trying to figure out all that she is capable of, but knowing that protecting the ones she cares about is the most important thing. Can't wait to read more.
Action packed, fast paced riveting story line. The authors done a great job pushing the story forward. The characters are really well developed and make you stand up and cheer for them. Emma is a great well rounded character still trying to figure out all that she is capable of, but knowing that protecting the ones she cares about is the most important thing. Can't wait to read more.
September 28, 2016
I was really hoping Emma was going to end up with Telly but I have come to realize that things don't always work out the way I think they should lol. Just downloaded book 5. I can't wait to see what happens next.
March 3, 2017
You can find more reviews Mademoisellesnow Blog
Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood and her destiny means that she will unite all shapechanging races together. Emma has been to hell and back and she’ll never be the same again. But with everything that’s happened to her so far she’s beginning to rebuild her life together slowly with her group of protectors and friends. The Serpent Priesthood has moved against Alexi and the Jaguar Kingdom in order to get to Emma. In order to keep Emma safe her friends and protectors have scattered and their fates unknown. This time Emma is willing to risk everything to save her friends and family.
I’m so glad that Alexi finally owned up to his feelings for Emma, it was getting a little ridiculous seeing their interactions back and forth. But I’m still waiting for Emma to own up to her feelings for Red as well. He’s been a huge rock for her this entire time since Telly left and she hasn’t really made a move on him. This book is a wild ride just like the rest of the series and you really just don’t know what Emma and her gang would be doing next. It really keeps the readers on their toes. This is one of those books that each new book in this series just gets better and more pieces of the puzzle reveals itself. And Telly is finally back since he disappeared so abruptly. I loved that Emma was a strong female lead, even though a lot of the times she’s way out of her own depth she still does things her way and isn’t just the damsel in distress. I would highly recommend this series and start from the first book otherwise you’d be so lost.
Emma Chase is the Caller of the Blood and her destiny means that she will unite all shapechanging races together. Emma has been to hell and back and she’ll never be the same again. But with everything that’s happened to her so far she’s beginning to rebuild her life together slowly with her group of protectors and friends. The Serpent Priesthood has moved against Alexi and the Jaguar Kingdom in order to get to Emma. In order to keep Emma safe her friends and protectors have scattered and their fates unknown. This time Emma is willing to risk everything to save her friends and family.
I’m so glad that Alexi finally owned up to his feelings for Emma, it was getting a little ridiculous seeing their interactions back and forth. But I’m still waiting for Emma to own up to her feelings for Red as well. He’s been a huge rock for her this entire time since Telly left and she hasn’t really made a move on him. This book is a wild ride just like the rest of the series and you really just don’t know what Emma and her gang would be doing next. It really keeps the readers on their toes. This is one of those books that each new book in this series just gets better and more pieces of the puzzle reveals itself. And Telly is finally back since he disappeared so abruptly. I loved that Emma was a strong female lead, even though a lot of the times she’s way out of her own depth she still does things her way and isn’t just the damsel in distress. I would highly recommend this series and start from the first book otherwise you’d be so lost.
December 29, 2022
Holy...Wow!!
Oh my sweet baby Jesus!.... WOW! Emma has had one hell of a wild ride (sometimes literally) here in book 3! We find out so many CRAZY and kinda awesome/terrible things in 'The Serpent Priest' that I'm having a crazy time wrapping my head all around it.
We see Emma, Fern, Red, Alexi, & Seshua, and all of our other favorite characters have some hellacious times and kick some serious a$$. The story was very interesting especially as we learn more behind the 'Caller of the Blood' prophecy.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SERIES! I do NOT think you'll be disappointed!
Oh my sweet baby Jesus!.... WOW! Emma has had one hell of a wild ride (sometimes literally) here in book 3! We find out so many CRAZY and kinda awesome/terrible things in 'The Serpent Priest' that I'm having a crazy time wrapping my head all around it.
We see Emma, Fern, Red, Alexi, & Seshua, and all of our other favorite characters have some hellacious times and kick some serious a$$. The story was very interesting especially as we learn more behind the 'Caller of the Blood' prophecy.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SERIES! I do NOT think you'll be disappointed!
June 29, 2016
It has me hooked
As I approached 90% of the book I started getting anxious that the book was about to end and there wasn't another one out. It has been awhile since I've found a new series that makes me want to read them all in a few days. I also appreciate how the author wraps the story up and doesn't leave us with a huge cliffhanger. The book ended with the potential for many more books but without a cliffhanger.
As I approached 90% of the book I started getting anxious that the book was about to end and there wasn't another one out. It has been awhile since I've found a new series that makes me want to read them all in a few days. I also appreciate how the author wraps the story up and doesn't leave us with a huge cliffhanger. The book ended with the potential for many more books but without a cliffhanger.
September 30, 2016
Love this story it brings it together n open other storylines
Love love will follow this series for sure. Read all four in a marathon obsession, now waiting for the next book. Can't cone fast enough
Love love will follow this series for sure. Read all four in a marathon obsession, now waiting for the next book. Can't cone fast enough
June 24, 2016
Absolutely great
I have enjoyed every one of the books of her series. I started with the first and couldn't put them down until I had read them all. I can't wait for the next r.
I have enjoyed every one of the books of her series. I started with the first and couldn't put them down until I had read them all. I can't wait for the next r.
September 16, 2016
Loved it!
This series just keeps getting better with every book! I read them one after the other non stop, except to sleep! Lol! Excellent stories!
This series just keeps getting better with every book! I read them one after the other non stop, except to sleep! Lol! Excellent stories!
September 29, 2016
Wow
Okay, this one blew me away. So much happened story wise and there is so much more to find out.... can't wait for the next book!
Okay, this one blew me away. So much happened story wise and there is so much more to find out.... can't wait for the next book!
December 29, 2016
*beware* If you are not into the "many loves" type of romance then this series is not for you.
January 6, 2017
oh wow. goodie. say no more
February 3, 2017
Loved it!!
Just go get the entire series, you won't be disappointed!! This is a series you won't be able to stop reading!
Just go get the entire series, you won't be disappointed!! This is a series you won't be able to stop reading!
June 9, 2017
Love this series
I gave it five stars because I don't want to stop reading about my characters. Yes, I feel like I know them and care for them. I feel sad each time one of them is hurt or dies. Thank you for this seducing story I don't want to end.
I gave it five stars because I don't want to stop reading about my characters. Yes, I feel like I know them and care for them. I feel sad each time one of them is hurt or dies. Thank you for this seducing story I don't want to end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews