The Serpent King Audiobook By Jeff Zentner cover art

The Serpent King

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The Serpent King

By: Jeff Zentner
Narrated by: Michael Crouch, Ariadne Meyers, Ethan Sawyer
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About this listen

Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award for Young Adult winner

Morris Award winner

Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award nominee

Green Mountain Book Award nominee

Louisiana Young Reader's Choice Award nominee

Oklahoma Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award nominee

Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Book Award nominee

Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award nominee

Dill has had to wrestle with vipers his whole life—at home, as the only son of a Pentecostal minister who urges him to handle poisonous rattlesnakes, and at school, where he faces down bullies who target him for his father’s extreme faith and very public fall from grace.

He and his fellow outcast friends must try to make it through their senior year of high school without letting the small-town culture destroy their creative spirits and sense of self. Graduation will lead to new beginnings for Lydia, whose edgy fashion blog is her ticket out of their rural Tennessee town. And Travis is content where he is thanks to his obsession with an epic book series and the fangirl turning his reality into real-life fantasy.

Their diverging paths could mean the end of their friendship. But not before Dill confronts his dark legacy to attempt to find a way into the light of a future worth living.

Includes the song “Birds Fly South”, performed by the author and Elin Palmer.

©2016 Jeff Zentner (P)2016 Listening Library
Coming of Age Difficult Situations Family & Relationships Friendship Literature & Fiction Romance Heartfelt Tearjerking
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Critic reviews

"A book you won't be able to resist or forget. The Southern boy in me savored every syllable and the reader in me fell in love with every page."–John Corey Whaley, National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner

"A triumph of love and dignity."–Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author

"Move over, John Green; Zentner is coming for you."–The New York Public Library

What listeners say about The Serpent King

Highly rated for:

Engaging Characters Powerful Storytelling Compelling Coming-of-age Story Stunning Performances Earnest Delivery
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Southern Honesty

This is the story about three young people who find a family in each other, at one of the most pivotal times of life. It is also a story about believing that we are all born with a gift. We can either chose to bravely accept it, or fearfully ignore it. It is a story about respecting the life that was given to you, and not being afraid to live it.

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Fantastic

This is a well crafted story with emotional twists and entertaining turns. Zentner and The Serpent King portray relevant trials of high school seniors and beautifies life's fleeting moments.

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profoundly moving.

Has the whole roller coaster of emotions, wonderful voice actors. Story is rich, real, and raw.

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Cry much?

It only took me a few days to read this one, Every other chapter had me in tears, such a great story.

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Sweetly raw

Great story that dives into high school, emotions, fears, loss, parents, friendships, and more. Zentner is a wonderful story writer who makes his audience believe him: believe he knows what he is talking about and that the words and feelings are true. We are not the whispers behind our backs. Those whispers do not define us.

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Just wow

This book was absolutely amazing. It had me in tears. I felt so connected to these characters. Definitely read this book!

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A modern, perfect coming of age story

Zentner perfectly encapsulates the experience of growing up in the South and wanting to escape small town life for something greater. His characters are realistically rendered and heart-wrenchingly relatable. Recommended for the misfit in all of us!

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Wonderful!

I loved the major characters of the book, and especially Dill and Lydia. The book was very well-written, and these characters and this story now have a special place in my heart. This book will truly be appreciated by teens aged 15 or 16 through adult.

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A Good Read

Growing up in a strict Baptist church, I can understand some of the restrictions placed upon you as a young person. Although, I never heard of a church making their congregation handle serpents, there were some things that were placed upon our lives as a sign of “The Holy Spirit” dwelling in us.

Thankfully, I’m still a believer, but I have found that there is freedom in Christ.

This book is about three different lives trying to make it in a cruel world. I felt for these characters, everyone of them. I cried and I laughed. I got angry at the judgmental people.

I will think about this book for a long time. It makes me want to be a better person, friend, Christian, and mom.

You will find yourself rooting for these characters.

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Gripping coming-of-age story

I loved this story and these characters, and the prose was beautiful (need to find a quotes list!). One of my new favorites, that I'm sure I'll re-visit from time to time. I need to make people I know read this book so I can discuss it with someone! Highly recommended for anyone with a book club.

The narrators were all wonderful, they made every page come alive. The combination of a great story and great narration had me both crying (sobbing) and laughing out loud.

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