Rating: 
Summary: a low 4 stars, but a nice read
Review: This book is just slightly under the quality of Fire Rose which is set in the same 'world'. But it is not as good as the Magics *** series although it is better than Brightly Burning. The setting and concepts of Serpents Shadow and Fire Rose as retellings of classic faerie tales is nice but there were some inconsistances between the two books (two firemasters in the same house?!). It is a very nice read, light fantasy with a touch of romance, but over all this book just does not have the impact or punch of Misty's truly great books. Read it, especially if you like Misty's work. But if you are just starting to read Misty's stuff start with the Heralds of Valdemar: Magics Pawn/Promise/Price or Arrows of the Queen/Flight/Fall series - they are the best work she has done.my ratings: 1-don't bother, 2-get it from the library only, 3-read it, 4-buy it, read it, 5- a must read, BUY IT!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointment
Review: For all its ostensible modernity, this novel disappoints. The feminism -- such as it is -- is anachronistic and quite surface -- we are beaten over the head with it in exposition, rather than shown it through description. Maya's attitude doesn't ring true for a woman of the time and background provided. (Her theories are fine, it's the way they're given to us. People who are really under opression are never that consistently confident, as least not inside. It's nearly impossible to avoid internalizing some of the views of the oppressive society, particularly if one has never known a significantly different alternative; as India at the time embraced some of the same shameful attitudes toward women as the West did, and as it was under British control at the time, it does not count as a "significantly different" alternative in this respect. Some internal self-doubt, and the overcoming of it, would have made Maya much more convincing, sympathetic, and endearing -- at the very least, it would have given her some levels.) Furthermore, the novel pretty thoroughly betrays its feminism anyway, underscoring instead of combating the notion that Woman must be protected, instructed, and rescued by Man. It makes all the preceding quasi-feminist rhetoric ring extremely false. (Or to be kinder, I can say that the modern tone of the first section of the novel does not jibe well with the following events -- if you're gonna be anachronistic, stick with it all the way through.) I now know that this book is meant to be somewhat based on the story "Snow White," and so I could forgive the fairy-tale treatment, but I choose not to. The portrayal of Hindu culture is rather superficial as well; however, I enjoy the minor characters very much, particularly the clinic patients. The clinic itself was an excellent idea and setting, and used well, I think. (I don't know how the English will feel about the representation of their various accents, though.) I remain a firm Lackey fan, but this one will not be remaining in my collection.
Rating: 
Summary: Misty writes the best books!!!
Review: ok, this is like a sequel to "The Fire Rose". This review will only be for those of you fans out there who have read "The Fire Rose." This one takes place in London, not California, but the main character - Maya Witherspoon - is going through hardships, as was Rose Cameron. Maya is half-Brahmin, half-English. Her mother had immense magical power, as did Maya's aunt (her mother's sister). However, Maya never learned to use this power that got passed to her. She moved to London after her parents had died, and started a medical practice for "women's troubles". Maya's aunt was a worshiper of Kali Durga, the Hindu goddess of destruction. She, too, moved to England, and began killing those Englishmen who had killed in India. The Elemental Masters of London tried to stop the murders, but they had no Earth masters and were not willing to go to Maya, as she was a woman, though she had extremely powerful Earth magic. One of the Water masters went and taught her, and helped her learn to heal and stop her aunt. Pretty much like The Fire Rose, very cool. Misty continues to amaze with her spellbinding tales and masterful wordplay. Definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time!!!
Rating:
Summary: a wonderful read
Review: I found Mercedes Lackey's "The Serpent's Shadow" to be a really fun read. The best way to encapsulate this novel is to describe is as Dr. Bramwell (a PBS Masterpiece Theatre series about a female doctor in the early 1900s) meets Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The characters were all well developed and portrayed, and the whole plot premise, while it is an old one, and much used, came alive in a new and fresh manner under Ms Lackey's skilled hands. I read this novel in one go -- I just couldn't put this novel down. And while I'm quite a science fantasy fan, what I really liked about "The Serpent's Shadow" was the bits that dwelt with Maya's struggle to be a good doctor in the face of gender and racial prejudice. I think that Ms Lackey handled this theme very well, and very realistically. I also liked the subplot involving the Exeter Lodge, and their fastidious and rigid attitudes about 'aliens' -- i.e. women & foreigners. The frustration that Peter Cook, the Water Master, felt at the stubborn prejudices of the older and more aristocratic members, and their short sighted views on how to deal with the threat that Shrivani posed, was masterly portrayed. I'd also like to counter what a previous reviewer wrote about Ms Lackey and her negative depiction of Hinduism. I don't think that she did this at all. In all cultures and religions, there is good and evil. Ms Lackey depicted both aspects of this in this novel. The thing is the wicked stepmother in this novel is an Indian woman who is a practioner of one of the more destructive forms of Hinduism. And what I saw was how hate and the thirst for absolute power can pervert an individual's soul, in this case Shrivani's soul, rather than a indictmnet about the entire religion. And anyway it was Eastern forces that defeated Shrivani in the end, not Western one. So that you could sat that everything balanced out in the end. "The Serpent's Shadow" is an excellent read and well worth recommending.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting mix of European and Indian magic
Review: Quite a departure from the Valdemar, urban fantasy, and Bard's tales Lackey usually writes. I was hesitant to read this one at first, not having an interest in Indian mythology. But I'm glad I did, and I'm looking forward to a sequel. I enjoy books about strong and unconvential women who seek to overcome their flaws and learn from life's experiences, and this is an excellent example of such a character.
Rating:
Summary: More like this, please
Review: I enjoyed The Fire Rose, and when I found out The Serpent's Shadow returned to that alternate history, I immediately ordered it. The editorial review says this is the fourth in a series of reimagined fairy tales. Assuming The Fire Rose is one of them, what are the other two? I don't have anything to add about the book itself. As another reviewer said, if you liked The Fire Rose, you'll like this one. I hope she writes more books set in this world.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing follow-up
Review: Having enjoyed Mercedes Lackey's books for years I immediately picked this one up. While it was certainly entertaining and interesting it was not as good as a number of her past efforts including the Fire Rose, which it seems to follow. Although the story starts off well by the last few chapters events seem contrived and hasty. The final confrontation definitely lacks something. I say wait for it in paperback.
Rating:
Summary: More Mercedes Magic
Review: I almost didn't pick up this book... but I was very glad that I did so. I had enjoyed reading _The Fire Rose_ which contained two themes that I enjoy, alternative history and magic. In this book, Lackey again returns to the same magical system but on the other side of the water (in more ways than one). I found the characters both believable and engaging. I read the book in one sitting and wanted more. I reread the book within a week (after reading _The Fire Rose_ again!). I shall be haunting the website until there is anotherm book set in this alternative universe. I have already recommended this book to friends... an excellant read!
Rating:
Summary: Misty's books are getting better again!
Review: Finally, a well written book by Mercedes Lackey! After reading 'Beyond World's End', I was appalled, so when I saw that something new was about to come out, I wasn't all that enthused about it, but this book returns to some of her better days. It wasn't quite up to the standard of the Valdemar books, but it was as good as or better than her other novels. I liked the way this book pulled in the world from the Fire Rose, dealing with Elementals and Magick. Her characters were mostly well fleshed out, although at some points I wanted some more details. The final battle was slightly rushed, and it left me disappointed in the way it was ended. She handled the prejudices against women and half-breeds well, and clearly showed how those battles made her characters stronger. I didn't really enjoy the animals after about the fifth chapter because that situation started getting old. All in all, this was a good book, but if you didn't like the Fire Rose, you probably won't like this one.
Rating:
Summary: Yes I did like it!!!
Review: I haven't written a review before, but seeing all the negative reviews preceeding condeming this book I felt I had to contribute. I have been reading and re-reading and loaning and giving out Ms. Lackeys books for years and I was thrilled to see two brand new hardcovers on the shelves on my last trip to the bookstore. I enjoyed this story very much. I was happy to see the continuation of the Elemental magick. Yes the ending was a bit rushed...but that could just as easily have been because I read faster towards the end so I could see what happened. I appreciate Ms. Lackey for writing strong independant women, no matter what the setting. I would recommend this for a wonderful escape from this reality.
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