Nest of Serpents (Wereworld)

From Booklist The latest episode in this hack-’em-and-stack-’em epic once again advances multiple story lines “awash,” as the author puts it in one scene, “with beer, blood, and body parts.” The scattered allies of young Drew Ferran, werewolf and royal heir, continue their efforts to resist both foreign invaders and indigenous, cannibal Wyldlings. Notable both for its violence and for a cast in which the major players belong to families of shape-changing “therianthropes”—from panthers and bears to rats, crows, and a huge evil serpent whose gruesome slaughter constitutes the climax—the series continues apace. Grades 5-7, --John Peters Praise for the Wereworld series by Curtis Jobling: Rise of the Wolf “Jobling’s debut initiates a sure-to-be-long series of Wereworld tales, pure fantasy adventure with plenty of horror in the mix…this will find broad appeal among lovers of adventure fantasy, especially those mourning the end of John Flanagan's Ranger’s Apprentice.”— Kirkus Reviews “[A] rousingly gory heroic fantasy…there are plenty of brutal fights for action lovers, and the quest has some stirring moments. Give this series opener to fans of Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series.”— Booklist “In this thrilling middle-grade debut, first in the Wereworld series, British author/illustrator Jobling (the designer of the Bob the Builder TV series) creates a memorable new setting in which were-creatures rule…a thoroughly enjoyable adventure that makes particularly inventive use of its shape-shifter elements and mythology.”— Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Even reluctant readers should enjoy Wereworld as the first in a new series…as a fantasy world it is superior to Eragon, and pure fun.”— The Times (London)“The nail-biting pace and plot turns will keep the reader wondering exactly how Drew will resolve it all…there is enough romantic heat, girl power, and vulnerable tough guys to guarantee interest from the Twilight crowd.”— BCCB “This first book in the series hits all the bases for a fairy tale with fangs…this will be a popular book, particularly for the young sword and sorcery fan contingent.”— Library Media Connections “Assured and lively enough to captivate with its strong world building and approachable language…will draw followers to the sequel like Drew to a damsel in distress.”— VOYA “Can he write it? xa0Yes, he can!...a good mix of the traditional pre-industrial society with shape-shifters, and looks like it could be the start of a very fun ride.”—Geek Dad on Wired.com Rage of Lions “Give Jobling a… hand for crafting a sequel that’s even more lurid and action packed than the opener.”— Kirkus Reviews “Game of Thrones for the tween set...”— School Library Journal Shadow of the Hawk “Plotlines and were-creatures proliferate …there’s enough spilled blood and shape changing here to appease the most demanding fans of either.”— Booklist Curtis Jobling is the author of the Wereworld series, which includes Rise of the Wolf , which was shortlisted for the 2011 Waterstone's Prize, Rage of Lions , and Shadow of the Hawk . He is also the designer of the worldwide hit children's television show Bob the Builder, and the author/illustrator of numerous children's books. He lives with his family in Cheshire, England. Read more