Audio Review: Serpent's Kiss by Thea Harrison

Serpent's Kiss

Elder Races, #3
Thea Harrison

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Tantor Media
Narrator: Sophie Eastlake
Date of Publication: October 4, 2011
Abridged or Unabridged: Unabridged
Length of Production: 13 hrs and 14 mins

Available at the following retailers:
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In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, a Queen on the brink of sanity has no one to rely on except the Wyr warrior whose conviction is every bit as strong as his passion…

In order to save his friend's life, Wyr sentinel Rune Ainissesthai made a bargain with Vampyre Queen Carling—without knowing what she would ask from him in return. But when Rune attempts to make good on his debt, he finds a woman on the edge.

Recently, Carling's Power has become erratic, forcing her followers to flee in fear. Despite the danger, Rune is drawn to the ailing Queen and decides to help her find a cure for the serpent's kiss—the vampyric disease that's killing her.

With their desire for each other escalating just as quickly as Carling's instability spirals out of control, the sentinel and the Queen will have to rely on each other if they have any hope of surviving the serpent's kiss…

Serpent's Kiss picks up shortly after the close of Storm's Heart. Rune had bargained with Carling for Tiago's life and now has to pay the piper. He begins this book, by going about doing all the things that need to be done to set up for an extended leave of absence. To be honest, it was a bit boring. It's not till Rune actually makes it to Carling's island and the two start interacting that things pick up and get interesting.

Carling had come across in the previous book as a bit cruel, not intentionally, but due to withdrawing from the human race. Here we find out why. Her ailment is fascinating, and from the hints dropped, I was quickly postulating theories and scenarios as to what could happen.  I did have some discomfort during some scenes that became pivotal to the story line continuity. I hate to be spoilery - but time travel and messing with events and personal histories squick me out a bit. I had to suspend belief a bit to make it work in my head, without making me grumpy.

Overall, I did enjoy the story. We got to see old friends, meet new creatures and fill in more of history of the world Ms. Harrison has created. This book didn't do it for me as much as the previous two, but it was still worth 3 stars.