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Grant Coleman Adventures #3

The Curse of the Viper King

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Paleontologist Grant Coleman and environmentalist Janaina Silva, lost in the Amazon rain forest, discover an isolated logging camp, and the chance to hitch a ride back to civilization.

But the workers uncover a fossil of a giant snake, almost fifteen meters long. Grant is thrilled, but the superstitious workers believe they have let loose a demon.

That night, the world begins to unravel. A mysterious creature attacks the camp, kills several men, and sinks the only boat that can get them home. Soon Grant and the others are in a battle against colossal spiders and a descendant of that great fossilized snake.

The key to survival might lie in the lost pyramid of the Aztec Viper King, hidden deep in the rain forest. But they need to get there alive, and one member of the crew has an agenda that doesn’t include Grant and Janaina ever getting home.

Will anyone survive the curse of the Viper King?

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2018

226 people are currently reading
81 people want to read

About the author

Russell James

48 books216 followers
Russell R. James was raised on Long Island, New York and spent too much time watching Chiller, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and Dark Shadows, despite his parents’ warnings. Bookshelves full of Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe didn’t make things better. He graduated from Cornell University and the University of Central Florida.

After a tour flying helicopters with the U.S. Army, he now spins twisted tales best read in daylight.

His wife reads what he writes, rolls her eyes, and says “There is something seriously wrong with you.”

He has published the novels DARK INSPIRATION, SACRIFICE, BLACK MAGIC and DARK VENGEANCE, the compilations OUT OF TIME and TALES FROM BEYOND, as well as numerous short stories. He founded the Minnows Literary Group.

He and his wife share their home in sunny Florida with two cats.

Drop by the website to kill some time with some short stories.

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5 stars
172 (44%)
4 stars
143 (36%)
3 stars
64 (16%)
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6 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Steve Stred.
Author 88 books671 followers
October 23, 2018
*** Edited as Review is now live on Kendall Reviews!***

This was my first time reading Russell James, and to be up front and honest, I was confused right off the hop. Why? Turns out this is actually book three in a trilogy. As I started to read it, I felt like maybe my Kindle was messing up and had actually caused me to start half way through. Now, I imagine that fans of Mr. James would have known this going in. Me, not a clue! So to set the record straight – you do not need to have read any of the two previous novels to read this one. This is the rare gem that stands on its own while simultaneously furthering a series. I will add, though, that I think it would be beneficial to have read the first two. The Curse of the Viper King references Book 1 (Cavern of the Damned) and Book 2 (Monsters in the Clouds) a few times, giving you a brief rundown of what adventures the Main Character paleontologist Grant Coleman has gotten himself in to prior.

The Curse of the Viper King was a really fun, adventure book. I wouldn’t put this anywhere near the horror spectrum (unless of course you consider a movie like Anaconda horror). But never the less, this was such a story driven tale, that I found myself engrossed in what was happening and moving with the characters seamlessly. The downfall, I think, for not reading book two, was that I didn’t get to see Grant and the Female Main Character here, activist Janaina strike up their original rapport. Because of this, some of the interaction between the two, at times, bordered on annoying. I chalked this up to not starting the journey with them in book two, and would suspect that if someone had already read book two they would be chuckling at a lot of their banter. Throughout the book Mr. James ensures that what the characters do to try and survive is realistic and they use what is available to them. One major kudo’s for this book, and the author, is that the “final battle” if you will, is a fully formed series of events. This is not a book where you realize that the conclusion will happen in less than five pages. No, the conclusion occurs over four chapters and because of that, the book feels completely fleshed out.

Overall, this is a fantastic creature feature that brought me back to my youth. The days when snakes could grow to thirty feet, spiders can be as big as SUV’s, and the jungle is hiding untold riches, just waiting for someone to stumble upon it.

After reading this book, which I loved, I wouldn’t see myself personally going back and reading book 1 and 2, simply because I know Grant lives at the end of each. The end of this book loosely alludes to a possible fourth book, and if Russell James does decide to write that book, sign me up. I look forward to looking into his other releases as well.
Profile Image for Sandra.
736 reviews7 followers
May 1, 2025
*SIGH*
Well, that is the first massive let down in the series, and I'm really sad about it.

Grant himself was great, like always, a snarky snitch full of sarcasm. It was wonderful. I love him so much.

But that was it in this book :/
One of the biggest problems were, no big surprise, because I anticipated it, Janaina and her stupid environmental indigenous theme. I mean, I already knew her from book 2, and was surprised, that she wasn't THAT annoying - maybe because they were searching for dinosaurs. But here, god damn ey. I really don't need the whole moralizing undertone (it wasnt under, it was much in your face) in a trash horror, where I want monsters and gore *eyeroll*. The ending was the cherry on top, it was so shit.

But that wasn't the only thing, that annoyed me.
The author thought that changing the POV between 5 chars would be a great idea - it wasn't.
I'm pretty sure book 1 and 2 only had Grants POV, which makes sense, because he's the MC. So the change up was really meh. It took all the tension away, because u pretty fast know what the monsters are, or what the motivations are. Yes there was a plottwist at the end, that surprised me, but otherwise :/ the changing POVs were meh too.

And the ending was just fucking lame ... so yeah.
At least Janaina is now gone i guess, because Grant going back home. So thanks for that.
Profile Image for Catherine Cavendish.
Author 41 books424 followers
October 2, 2018
Paleontologist Grant Coleman is back. After battling prehistoric creatures in Cavern of the Damned and Monsters in the Clouds, our modern day Indiana Jones, along with environmentalist Janaina Silva, is lost in the Amazon jungle and, once their boat develops a leak, forced to proceed on foot in a desperate attempt to find their way back to civilisation. They come across a logging camp - exactly the sort of people Janaina hates most for the damage their are doing to the environment. Soon though, that is the least of their worries as they discover that centuries earlier, someone has built a wall - a fragrant one decked with orchids. But is it to keep something in - or keep something out? And why the orchids? All too soon they find out and are faced with a race against time to escape the terrifying, monstrous creatures that are hell bent on killing. A strange and mysterious pyramid could hold some answers but entering that brings a whole new set of dangers. 'Curse of the Viper King' is fast paced, thrilling adventure reminding me of Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and Conan Doyle's Lost World. It's the sort of story you can lose yourself in completely and is a brilliant successor to the previous two in this series. Looking forward to more adventures with Coleman and Silva
Profile Image for chucklesthescot.
3,000 reviews134 followers
January 5, 2020
This is the third book in the Grant Coleman series and directly follows on from events in book two so I strongly suggest reading Monsters In The Clouds before starting on this one. The first book Cavern of the Damned is a stand-alone adventure and is not connected to the next two books in any vital way.

Grant and Janaina have managed to find a canoe to get them further down the river and to help. However when the canoe starts to sink, they are forced to ask for help at a logging company site, where Janaina has to hide her identity, having had environmental run-ins with the company. The man in charge agrees to take them down the river with the logs in a few days but an attack on the camp by unknown creatures leaves people dead and the workers in a state of superstitious panic, blaming the incident on the release of a demon while cutting the trees down. Grant and Janaina decide to go looking for two missing workers and instead find a walled compound, previously built by an ancient tribe...to keep the deadly monsters trapped inside. Now human greed has releases the monsters.

There are two main plots in this story. The first follows Grant and Janaina as they try to get out of the Amazon but stumble across another monster adventure. The walled city houses the giant serpant who was a servant of an Aztec King, and his enemies were determined to keep that and the giant guardian spiders trapped within. But a greedy man determined to plunder the treasures within the pyramid temple has broken down the walls of the city and unleashed the monsters and the second plot follows the theft plotline, though both are nicely mixed into one overall story. It has a bit about the Aztecs and it doesn't take Grant long to work out that the spiders on the ancient stone tablets are what are killing the workers-but how can you fight mutant spiders? The other worrying aspect of what he reads is the big ancient snake.

I think this might have been my favourite story of the three. I may be terrified of spiders in reality but I like a good story about ancient mutant spiders running around the journey and killing people! The spiders were horrific but it was a fun adventure as the men group together to try and kill a few that are running around. But they make the mistake of taking a stand inside the walled city and barricading themselves in to stop the spiders in the forest attacking them, unaware that the rest of the spiders are actually living inside the city walls, leading to a lot of trouble. Grant and Janaina become more invested in finding the man that caused the whole mess and track him to the pyramid-where they discover that the giant snake is very much alive and very hungry.

It's actually hard to say much more about the story without giving everything away. It is a creature feature book but I like the little bits of ancient mythology and the issues that Janaina has with illegal logging in the Amazon and the damage that it causes. The main characters continue to entertain with misunderstandings of Grant's warped humour at times, and also an insight into the ordinary workers who end up as pawns in the battle between big business and the environmentalists, while all they want to do is provide a better life for their families. It was a pretty quick read by my standards and a fun addition to the series. The story is completed but it hints that there could be a future adventure to come-if the author decides to write it!
Profile Image for Jennifer Michelle.
159 reviews9 followers
May 13, 2024
Truly a great read from start to finish. A little disappointing where the spiders and snake never met BUT that didn’t make or break the book.

Very quick paced, kept my interest from start to finish, plot twists throughout the book, the anticipation build up, the characters and their storylines, and the way it ended. A must read.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,395 reviews8 followers
January 18, 2024
Their trip home takes a bad turn

After surviving their expedition on the cloud plateau, Grant and Janaina head down the river to go home. Due to a leaky canoe, they end up at an illegal logging camp waiting for a ride down river. Another exciting adventure in the series, I can't seem to stop reading! On to the next one!
383 reviews3 followers
February 22, 2024
Dr Grant!

Enjoying this series. Short stories that are cool and fun with a good hero that is believable even if incredibly lucky. I was disappointed he didn’t end up with the girl though. And after he vowed to never leave college again first thing back … he does lol.
Profile Image for Stuart West.
Author 35 books39 followers
November 29, 2018
Curse of the Viper King is James' third book in the adventures of Professor Grant Coleman, a remarkably likable, sarcastic, out-of-shape, pseudo-reluctant hero type. In all three books, James pits the good professor against giant beasties and bugs. This is my favorite of the trilogy. The tale involves a forced trip (taking place directly after the second book) to the Amazon rain forest, where Coleman goes up against evil humans, giant spiders, and one particularly large snake. It all comes to a head during the last whiplash, remarkably suspenseful third of the book, featuring several of James' excellent thrilling set pieces. Part horror, part Indiana Jones, all done up with good humor and never dull, the entire trilogy is highly recommended. Here's hoping for more Coleman adventures.
Profile Image for Angela Crawford.
387 reviews23 followers
November 14, 2018
What do you get when you combine Indiana Jones with creatures straight out of a nightmare? The Curse of the Viper King! Grant and Janaina are back and still trying to escape the jungle in the third part of this epic series. This time the adventure takes them to a lost pyramid of an evil Aztec king. Will our intrepid heroes make it out alive? This book was pure adrenalin fueled fun, I can't wait until the next adventure!
770 reviews
October 28, 2018
Wow

I didn't want to put it down. An adventure in the outback of the amazon. If spiders and snakes bother you skip this one. But i loved it. I am going to try to read the first book.
Profile Image for Donna Fitzpatrick.
74 reviews
November 18, 2018
Grant Coleman is back! This is the 3rd of the prehistoric monsters adventure books written by James, and they each get better and better. Note that you do not have to read these in any particular order, each book can stand alone. But I highly suggest you read them all. They are entertaining, fast reads full of action and suspense loaded with B-movie monsters and well-written characters. I recommend EVERY book by this author!
301 reviews2 followers
December 25, 2019
Great

Great characters. The interplay between the characters is excellent. This story was a fun read. Truly enjoyable. The action scenes interspersed with sarcasm were quite entertaining.
Profile Image for Carlos.
50 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2019
Last of a trilogy

Nonstop action, sympathetic characters, with a light touch of humor. Start in Cavern of the Damned, dust yourself off, fly to Monsters in the Clouds (great monsters!) and finally tumble into this one. Doesn’t let up, doesn’t disappoint.
133 reviews2 followers
July 19, 2024
So fun

I have fallen in love with these stories. I adore Dr Grant, THREE DEGREES. Lots of action. Good character and plot development. Just fun to read. The outcomes are pretty good, and he's not dead yet!n I recommend!
48 reviews
May 25, 2022
Exciting

The book is very good. A true adventure. This author keeps the story very exciting. Has quite the imagination and brings it all together. Was a little worried about the PC activist character at first but she ended up being quite funny and a perfect companion to Grant. I love this authors imagination for the monsters in his books. Thinks outside the box. Was a tad bit disappointed in the ending but could understand his thinking. Good job and will look for the next adventure with Dr Grant Coleman.
1,219 reviews11 followers
October 19, 2024
Spiders and snake

This is the third book in the Grant Coleman series. Taking up where the second one left off we get to see Grant face off with some pretty nasty giant spiders, one giant snake and two very bad guys. What I enjoy in these stories is the way the story moves along. There is a certain tongue in cheek way the main character goes through his adventures facing off with animals that should be long dead. The pacing is fast and you just know things aren't going to go as planned. There is a subplot of tomb robbing to deal with in this one also. So if you like monster stories with a bit of humor in them, try this one on for size .
835 reviews4 followers
May 9, 2019
4 Stars

Picks up where Monster in the Clouds left off. Grant and Janaina come across a lumber camp while trying to make their way back to civilization. They hope to catch a boat ride back to civilization. But the camp botanist has his own agenda and Grant and Janiana get caught in the middle of it.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,861 reviews68 followers
May 28, 2019
The Curse of the Viper King - a review by Rosemary Kenny

The Amazon rain forest is a dark and dangerous place to those who enter it with nefarious intent - but not nearly as dangerous as the cannibal headhunters and other two-legged intruders (unless you count the giant spiders, the slow-acting infection spread by a green spider bite and other multi-limbed predators), that await the unwary adventurer in in its heart of darkness, that is!

If you love stories of bravery and derring-do, or overcoming the odds in a non-stop action thriller, Russell James' The Curse of the Viper King will make a great addition to your archeological-action-thriller bookshelf. Don't delay - grab your copy soon - and tell all your friends not to miss it either!
73 reviews
April 24, 2024
Another great adventure, I loved that this adventure continues straight after the last book, no rest for our protagonist!

Out of the pan and straight into the fire!

Heading to book four...
Profile Image for Terry and dog.
1,009 reviews35 followers
April 20, 2023
sssSSplendid
I gobble up these Grant Coleman stories as soon as they come out, they are so fun. This time our poor intrepid hero battles in a jungle (yuck) and it's a big snake (double yuck). So cool. I feel bad for Russell James because as soon as I finish one story I want to read another, and I think it takes a bit of time to think up, research and write new adventures. No pressure, but keep writing Mr. James.
Profile Image for Trevor.
1,444 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2020
Having escaped the plateau, Grant Coleman and Janaina Silva are heading downstream in a canoe to safety. Unfortunately, they are side tracked and end up facing a new danger, in the form of giant spiders and snake. Good adventure story, the main characters bounce off each other and make this an enjoyable story.
268 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2022
Grant steps in it again, this time in the amazon with spiders and snakes. but as usual he comes out smelling like an orchid. great fast moving adventure book.
Profile Image for Cheryl Lee.
203 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2022
Awesome Finish

Wow an awesome second chapter for Monsters in the Clouds. I was bewildered when it ended before Coleman and Janaina made it out of the Amazon. Glad that the author made another book to continue their adventures and get them safely onto their way home. Nice ending to Marcos as well!
Profile Image for Sudasha.
644 reviews17 followers
December 12, 2021
Russell James does it again! I honestly don't know how I never heard about this series before, but I'm speeding through it! Grant is fast becoming one of my favourite ever protagonists. Fourth book, here I come...
Profile Image for Phil Matthews.
509 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2019
Okay

Author didn't do proper research on Aztecs. They weren't anywhere near South America let alone the Amazon. The lost civilization of the Amazon isn't well understood.
50 reviews2 followers
April 11, 2025
easy to read

Fast paced adventures of Grant continue. This time, however, with a few surprises and exciting plot twists. This did NOT end as I was expecting, which is great.
Profile Image for Tyler.
284 reviews2 followers
September 11, 2025
Still sarcastic and ill-timed as ever, I think Coleman is growing on me.

3.4 🌟
Profile Image for Stephen.
1,240 reviews8 followers
March 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. After surviving a Lost World event in the Amazon jungle our characters are making their way back to civilization when they come across a logging camp. All is not as it should be and soon they are battling giant spiders and the guardians of an ancient Aztec king...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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