Serpent Never Sleeps

September 1, 1987
This latest historical novel by the award-winning author transports readers from a lavish 17th century English castle across the Atlantic to a shipwreck off Bermuda and finally to the struggling early settlement at Jamestown. As always, O'Dell writes seamlessly about historical settings. His young protagonist, a castle maid, Serena Lynn, follows nobleman Anthony Foxcroft to the New World; when he is killed, she hopes to return to England before deciding that her life is in America. A stream of dramatic action makes this story mostly compelling to read, but Pocahontas, appearing long after her famous encounter with Captain Smith, befriends Serena too late to provide a strong climax to the tale. Despite this, the novel provides a spinning sense of immediacy with underplayed but key events: the arrival of King James's English translation of the Bible in Jamestown; the near-constant debate of settlers as to whether to face a hazardous journey back to England or the bleak-looking future in the New World. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 10-up.

September 1, 1987
Gr 6-9 -Serena Lynn is in love with Anthony Foxcroft, son of the wealthy English countess for whom she works. When Anthony accidentally kills a servant, he must leave the country, and Serena joins him on a boat sailing for Jamestown. The blend of romantic notions and fierce determination allows her to survive Anthony's incarceration aboard ship, a life-threatening sea journey, a shipwreck on Bermuda, Anthony's drowning death, and the early days of harsh life in Jamestown. But without Anthony the new world holds no appeal. In an effort to return to England, Serena volunteers to aid in luring Pocahontas back to Jamestown. The mission begins a special friendship between the two young women and a new and happier life for Serena. Although Serena appears to be a fictional character, other characters and events are historically factual. O'Dell creates a vividly detailed picture of the time period, including the many political power struggles. However, the picture, stretching from England to Bermuda to Jamestown, is very much a panorama. There are so many events and characters portrayed that it will be difficult for readers to feel any sense of involvement with or understanding of the characters. Even Serena's motivations aren't fully examined. It is never clear why she is so taken with the self-absorbed Anthony or why she feels such an affinity for Pocahontas. Despite the lack of focus and the emotional texture found in O'Dell's earlier works, this book is worth reading for the fascinating story and would be a fine supplement to a colonial history lesson. Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, Wis.