There isn't much to do in Forrestville, Tennessee, but Dillard Early seems content with that. The problem is what he's known for- being the son of the snake worshipping preacher who went to jail for being in possession of child pornography, and the grandson of the mad "Serpent King". Dill makes it through each day with his two best friends, Lydia and Travis. Lydia's ticket out of town is her popular edgy fashion blog, but Travis is with Dill on staying in town, although for his own unfortunate reasons. Dill feels lost with pressure about his future, knowing what he wants to pursue in life but also what his very religious mother wants him to do. When tragedy rocks his world and the pieces have to be picked up, will he finally see what he's always known or will he fall prey to the darkness that, according to the snakes, seems to run in his veins? 
 I was attracted to this book immediately because of the setting. I live in a small town just outside of Nashville, TN, and so I really connected with the rural, southern setting of this book. Knowing this is Jeff Zentner's first book, I am EXTREMELY impressed. It was well-written, heartbreaking, and a vivid portrayal of what it's like to be a teenager dealing with change and loss, unsure of what to do or where they fit in the world. 
 I really enjoyed having all three friends take turns narrating the book. It gives the reader a taste of how each character's life was different, making it easier to understand each of the friends' particular struggles. Each viewpoint was honest and eye-opening, making the reader aware that each character was dealing with their own internal wars, and it was humbling in a way to know that that was going on in their own time and then to see them acting as if everything was fine in another character's POV. 
 **SPOILERS AHEAD** 
 The one thing that really irked me in this book was Travis' death. While I understand it was a plot device and the real catalyst for Dill's eventual moral recognition, I thought that it was unnecessary. Just when things were going good for him and he had direction, his life was stolen from them. I guess there is some brutal honesty in that, though, knowing that the little flame of life can be snuffed out at any moment. Never in a million years did I see that coming. I imagined the book going in a very different direction, but really that is just a compliment to Zentner. I understand the death, I appreciate the reasoning for it. I'm just said it had to happen, but seriously impressed by the utter twist of it. 
 **END OF SPOILERS** 
 The Serpent King is a tour de force, truly. I can't wait to read more from Jeff Zentner!!