Please don’t let my four-star review scare you off from trying this book. Not only was the world-building unique, it was very well-written, hard to put down and very interesting. I love when I find a new author in urban fantasy which is my favorite genre, and I think this author definitely fits the bill of an author to recommend. My only holdbacks were that I had hard time connecting with a couple of the characters and sometimes had a hard time understanding the mechanics of the cards. However, neither one of these two things were a huge detriment to my enjoyment with the other elements of the book. I always mostly judge what I read on if I would want to read the next book, and I definitely do want to find out what’s going to happen next. And, to see if I can get a handle on the cards! Highly recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy of the e-book which I reviewed voluntarily.

The Serpent is the first installment in a brand new series by author Sarah Fine called The Immortal Dealers. The series is set in a contemporary world where protagonist Ernestine "Ernie" Terwilliger is just a woman trying to get by while working as a Hospital Clerk for a local hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. She also takes care of her eccentric, harebrained, pagan, hippie mother who operates Terwilliger Antiquities. Ernie has been taking care of her mother since her father disappeared 20 years ago.

During a night out with her best friends, Dia and Jules, Ernie meets a strange man who gives Jules a dire warning with what appears to be tarot cards. The next day, a man named Gabe Carrig, who she met at the same bar, shows up at her mother's shop asking about anything unusual that Mara Terwilliger may have received recently. It appears that Mara knows more than she is saying, but remains steadfast in her determination to protect her daughter, even going as far as telling her to travel and get away from town for awhile.

Trouble reappears its ugly head once again in the form of Duncan, the guy with the cards who gave Jules a dire warning, who threatens Ernie's mother demanding a certain object he desperately wants. Duncan is the worst kind of trouble, and has brought along what appears to be a diamondback snake with him! In order to help her mother, Ernie decides to steal part of his deck of tarot cards and run for it. She doesn't get very far before she is transported to Ireland where she once again meets Gabe.

Gabe, like Duncan, also appears to be holding Tarot Cards that are able to do the most wondrous things imaginable. Without meaning to, Ernie has found herself in a world where she is now and forever part of a group known as Immortal Dealers. In this world, you become a Dealer by taking a full deck of 54 cards from someone else, or being made one by an immortal called the Forger. Ernie's issue is that unless she gets the whole deck soon, there will be dire consequences. Ernie has to work with Gabe and other Dealers in order to take away Duncan's deck of cards, and the diamondback snake that appears to be connected to the deck.

Alright, so I was impressed by this story. I am always looking for something new and different and I found it! I loved the idea of Tarot Cards that have different uses like transport, escape, translate, capture, shield, deceive and others. While other authors have used Tarot Cards before, this is a new and very cool way to make them even better than ordinary cards. Dealers have the ability to change the course of human history, and there are many examples given by the author and secondary characters who ally with Gabe and Ernie to defeat their nemesis.

Gabe is the brooding, handsome Irishmen who seems to be carrying the world on his shoulders, but manages to keep his cool when it comes to helping a rookie Dealer learn about her new calling. There is a hint of romance between Gabe and Ernie, but nothing so overt that it takes over the story or the action, or the suspense, or the mystery, or the betrayal that happens in this story. I have been hearing how Urban Fantasy is a dying breed. Well, I disagree. With authors like Sarah Fine around and creating well thought out stories like The Serpent, the future still looks pretty good to me.

What a fabulous start to a new series! I haven't read a book by Sarah Fine in a while, but this book reminded me why I love her writing and characters so much. I found myself easily sinking into The Serpent.

Sarah Fine is such a fantastic author at coming up with unique and fresh concepts. This new book in The Immortal Dealers series is no different. The Dealers in question refer to powerful and immortal beings who have determined the course of history through a deck of magical cards, each deck represented by an animal a la Patronus from the Harry Potter series. The heroine, Ernie, finds herself thrust into this world of Dealers when she unwittingly steals the cards from a narcissistic Dealer with nefarious goals. With the aid of a charming Dealer, Gabe, Ernie learns to navigate this world and go on a treacherous journey to save her mother. Does that not sound so interesting? I can always count on Sarah Fine to build up the world in her books in a way that's effortless to take in. In The Serpent, the world is gradually introduced making it very easy for readers to understand the full scope of it. It was magical and intriguing. And oh my goodness, did I love the plot. With an urban fantasy book, I always hope for action and twists and turns. The Serpent delivered on all counts! I enjoyed every minute of this ride.

The ride wouldn't have been entertaining had it not been for the stellar cast. Ernie, the heroine, was an instant favorite. Her sass and humor infused a lightness to the story. She was a great character who was easy to root for. I particularly enjoyed her bravery and her willingness to do go to extreme lengths to support her mother. Ernie was complex, and as the book progressed, we got to see a ton of growth and maturity in her character as she learned more about her family history as well as herself. Gabe, the Dealer, who decides to give her a helping hand, was just the perfect partner for her. He was mysterious, but also very easy-going. I definitely had a soft spot for the guy. There was a slow-burn type of romance between the two and I can't wait for more! The animal associated with Ernie's stolen deck, the serpent, was also an entertaining character in itself. She was as sassy as Ernie and their bond took a while to grow but it was so worth the wait. The rest of the secondary cast was just as colorful as the main character - I always do love reading books about rag-tag groups.

I haven't been this excited for a new series in a while and I'm so glad that I read The Serpent. There are tons more to learn about this world and these characters - I can't wait! Imaginative, thrilling and humorous, The Serpent is a must-read for fans of urban fantasy.

Loved this book, I've never read anything quite like it before and that is something you can't say a lot these days. The flow was good, characters very believable, can't wait for the next book in the series

3.5 stars- this was such an interesting version of urban fantasy! So I really loved the magic system of this world... it is based on tarot cards that bond to a person's soul, basically, making them both immortal and bound to the decks' maker. I thought the story took this cool premise and made a lot of out of it. My only hesitancy is that I think having so many cards with so many abilities is a little overwhelming to keep track of and "powers up" the users a little too much. For me, this undercut the dramatic tension at times. That said, this book was a lot of fun and I'll be continuing on in the series. I'm also definitely into the love arc happening, so stay tuned for that.

BTW, I think this series is going to be on Kindle Unlimited, so if you have that, I'd add this to your wishlist.

The unfortunately named Ernie Terwilliger has a fairly mundane clerical job at a hospital. She hasn’t taken a vacation in years for fear of leaving her eccentric mother alone too long. Her main form of recreation is training and competing with her Spartan race team. (For anyone else who didn’t know this was a thing, think distance race meets obstacle course.)

One day when Ernie goes to check on her mother at the antique shop she owns, she finds her being harassed by a large, intimidating man armed only with a deck of cards. When she confronts the man, Ernie ends up with a handful of his cards. And then she ends up in Scotland! She’s rescued by Gabe who introduces her to the world of the Immortal Dealers, in which she’s accidentally immersed herself.

Fine’s collectible card game-inspired magic system is something I haven’t seen in a book before. There are fifty four cards featuring actions like Conceal, Reveal and Shelter, as well as objects and people, which can be combined to affect the real world. (For example, Reveal + Enemy to dispel an opponent’s camouflage.) This card-based magic leads to some really unusual action scenes which are lots of fun.

Each deck of cards also has an animal spirit – we meet the diamondback, the kestrel and the spider early on – that can manifest in the real world. It also becomes the Dealer’s call sign. Bonding with that spirit is a little bit like a shifter mastering their inner beast, though the animal lives within the cards, not the Dealer. Ernie has to accept and respect the magic in order to bond with the deck. And, oh yeah, if she doesn’t succeed she’ll die.

I liked the fact that she didn’t become a magical prodigy overnight, but had to learn the rules of the game as she went along. I also appreciated the fact that there’s a non-magical reason for Ernie’s athletic abilities – her Spartan race training – even though she does seem to talk about it far too often.


The Dealers themselves are interesting characters. They’re all mercenaries who can be enemies or allies depending on the situation. Even Gabe isn’t squarely in the friend column at first. (He reminds me of Derek in the Soul Charmer series.) Ernie and Gabe have a kind of romance of convenience which I wanted not to like, but I thought it worked.

There’s a pretty big hanging plot thread involving Ernie’s father that looks like it will be addressed in book two, which is out in October. I’m looking forward to seeing where Fine goes with this unique world.

3.5 stars

Sarah Fine has created an urban fantasy book that moves as fast as its name. She builds a complete world for the reader that involves decks of magical cards controlled by the Immortal Dealers, people who have been given these cards by a myserious character know as The Forger.
We fall into this world alongside Ernestine “Ernie” Terwilliger, a young woman for whom life is a little hard as she tries to support her eccentric mother, a dealer of antiquities, Ernie is concerned her mother's mental health is failing but little does she know that her mother's problems are about to be far worse than leaving the stove on. When Ernie stumbles into an ugly situation where one of these Immortal Dealers is threatening her mother, she steals some of his deck and the adventure truly begins. She needs to claim all his deck or the consequences will be dire.
This book holds your attention from beginning to end as Ernie tries to work out who her allies are on this adventure. There is a nicely placed potential love interest, Gabe, who comes with a hot bod and a fantastic Irish accent - what's not to love about that. Of course, there is a snake, hence the title of the book, which is something that Ernie must come to terms with. Snakes are not her favourite creatures in the world but this snake could literally the life or death of her - worth overcoming fear if survival means making friends with the critter.
I really liked in particular what the cards could do and how the magic could be combined. This was the really intriguing part of the story and we got to learn as Ernie learned about them. It was really cool that she did things that no one else had thought of - a bit of an innovative rebel. I'm greatly looking forward to reading the next book - bring on October.

Sarah Fine is known for creating unusual premises for almost all of her books and series. She is someone you can count on for a bit of the different and sometimes, in some case, even a bit of the dark.

Which is why whenever I see she has something new out, I'm all over it.

Her latest is definitely in the realm of different and new. Something that will suck you in with it's interesting storyline and complex game of cards, mystery, and danger.

And while this was captivating in premises, it sadly lacked any real character connection for me. I found that while I was intrigued by the weird and original world she had created in Dealers and cards, I sadly cared little for the characters or felt anything for them. But it was okay because the world certainly kept me turning the pages wanting to see what direction the author was going to take with it all and by the end, I was left wanting to read the second book.

Overall a daring new series with an exciting new premises that I think those looking for something original and unique will enjoy.

I really like the Serpent, it totally captured my interest. Great UF series starter with a completely different kind of immortals and a cool magic system and just a touch of romance. Thank goodness book two is out in October.

I really enjoyed the premise and the way magic operates in this world. Quite a fun story to read, good action and characters. The protagonist develops nicely as does the plot. Creative and fun, will definitely read the others.

Ernestine “Ernie” Terwilliger has cared for her eccentric mother ever since her father left when she was a child. When mysterious strangers, both with a strange deck of cards, turn up at her mother’s antique shop Ernie is dragged into a world she knows nothing about. When her mother is threatened by one of the men, she grabs a fistful of cards from the abuser and runs for her life.
When the only person who can offer her help is the other mystery man Gabe, Ernie doesn’t know whether to trust him. When Gabe saves her life, she builds a shaky alliance with him to battle the dangerous and unstable Duncan.
The author injects a breath of fresh air into the urban fantasy genre with a unique concept. Immortal dealers who each own a deck of tarot-like-cards that when wielded can raise empires and shape the world’s destiny.
I loved the unique word-building in this book. It does take a while for Ernie to grow on the reader, she can come across as whiny at times. The romance could have done with expansion. It comes somewhat out of nowhere without much build-up. These are just minor flaws in an otherwise gripping read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more reviews please visit my blog:
http://www.wonderfullyweird88.com/

I LOVE Urban Fantasy genre. Most of my currently on-going series has been around for a while, and as much as I love them -- because why else I still wait for each new release? -- I'm always up to find new exciting series to look forward to. When I saw The Serpent on Netgalley, I was curious. The blurb says things about cards and supernatural Immortal Dealers. It definitely doesn't sound like the usual supernatural creatures to me. So I asked for an advance copy.

Boy, I was in for the ride!!

The Serpent feels definitely refreshing for me. There are Immortal Dealers who have been playing cards that determine the course of history and humanity ... basically what keeps the world turning. Ernestine “Ernie” Terwilliger is 'pushed' into this world when she undeliberately steals the cards of another Dealer, and then realizing she has to fight for her life as well as her mother. Ernie needs to learn the rules fast. And I found myself learning about everything alongside her. I thought it was an exciting book! I imagine the author must be having fun creating the names of the cards, the animals representing the deck, the results of combining the cards ... it IS imaginative ^^.

I loved Ernie enough ... I loved how she took care of her mother. I loved that she was using humor to defuse stress. I loved that she apparently had trust issues *lol*. In fact, I agreed with Ernie. I mean Gabe -- the love interest, another Dealer -- DID want to take the Marks from Ernie in the beginning. So Ernie had all the rights not immediately trust him. Plus Gabe took his time to explain everything to her. I was frustrated when Gabe seemed to still keep secrets from Ernie. Come on, Gabe, it isn't like Ernie knowingly willing to become a Dealer! Jeez.

Another thing I liked from this book was the "group" sense to it. In order to beat the big bad villain, Gabe asked help from some allies. Oftentimes in Urban Fantasy, the hero and heroine find themselves two against the world. Here, I had the fun time reading several Dealers fighting against the bad guys. Yes, they fought among themselves too -- apparently Dealers prefer to work alone -- but I hoped that the allies would always return to be 'part of the fight' in the next books.

So yes, I have another series to follow!! Cannot wait for book #2 coming in October.

I LOVED this book. Read it over 2 days. Such an original concept for a paranormal book and I have read many. I loved the concept of the deck of cards, the ‘spirit animal’ and dueling. The heroine was also perfect though the many CrossFit references that help her through tough situations got to be a bit annoying. I did find her to be tough, snarky, resourceful and interesting. She rose to the occasion and conquered it. I also enjoyed Gabe who was a perfect protector in imperfect wrapping. The ancillary characters were interesting and I have a feeling we will see more of them in future books which I would definitely read. I look forward to the rest of this series.

In this new Urban Fantasy series from Sarah Fine, Ernestine “Ernie” Terwilliger gets thrown abruptly into a paranormal world when a strange man with a snake tattoo and odd deck of cards threatens her eccentric, emotionally fragile mother whom has Ernie has taken care of for years. Ernie grabs some of the peculiar cards in a confrontation and falls down the rabbit hole to a realm of Immortal Dealers whose powers can change the world. She tangles with the most sinister and malevolent of the Dealers needing the aide of another one, Gabe Carrig. He is a handsome Irishmen who seems to be the most honest and caring of this strange collection of people. Ernie has to learn on the job how to handle the cards she has while trying to get the rest of the deck and, most importantly, the avatar who guides them. Other Dealers who want to bring down the one known as Diamonback have their own issues and difficulty working as a cohesive team.

Ms. Fine has fashioned an interesting world where the fate of the mankind may rest on a young woman’s ability to learn magic skills while under much duress. This story is quite fast paced as Ernie is thrown into the fire constantly scrambling to barely keep ahead of the Diamondback Dealer, who will stop at nothing and use anyone to get his cards back. Much of her family history is revealed that unknown to Ernie previously, connects to this strange and confusing world. There is a hint of potential romance, but this being UF, that takes a back seat. Many possible scenarios are set in motion as some major issues are yet to be resolved.

Life as an Immortal Dealer for Ernie is filled with infinite possibilities as well as dangerous escapades. This story is a creative and a fresh take on a magical world. It will appeal to readers who like a lot of action, adventure, and a fast-paced tale that keeps the tension high.

I often feel like the Urban Fantasy genre has pretty much been exploited by now. Not that it bothers me much - a trope or myth can be told in so many different ways that, done right, it will still be exciting to read about it even for the hundredth time.

Still, I do appreciate when from time to time, authors come up with something completely new, as Sarah Fine did here.
This was such a fresh, unique concept and I absolutely loved it. Immortal dealers who each possess a deck of cards which they use to control and wirld their supernatural powers. Spirit animals that bond with that deck and its owner and will fight on their side. Can't say I've ever read anything like it.

In addition to an amazing premise, Sarah Fine also spoils us with some great charactes. While reading the first few chapters, I didn't think I would end up liking Ernie. Well, I did. Actually, I loved her. She was sarcastic, strong-willed and pretty bad-ass, exactly my type of UF heroine.
And don't even get me started on Gabe. Oh my God, Gabe. I'm in lust. An Irish charmer, easy-going on the outside but with a giant chip on his shoulder, too.
A dysfunctional posse of allies, enemies and a fantastic villain. Wacky family and friends.

This was extremely fast-paced, action-laden yet still easy to read and follow despite all the foreign world building.
Fine has done a mighty fine job here.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Who knew a partial deck of cards would have Ernestine Terwilliger caught up in a battle for her life among supernatural card sharks known as the Immortal Dealers. No, this isn’t a tale of gambling in Vegas because Ernie will be gambling for her life and the lives of those she loves and no one has told her the rules.

Sarah Fine’s THE SERPENT is fresh, fast and furious fun as one quirky heroine finds herself caught up in a world where the deck is stacked against her, and her eccentric mother and absent father knew all about it. Can she trust Gabe, another Immortal Dealer to have her back or is it every Dealer for him/herself?

Quirky fun, magical cards and a villain who wants his cards back…Ernie must navigate a world where just having a poker face isn’t going to cut it. The cards have power, but first she must make friends with the deck. A completely new take on the supernatural, the groundwork has been laid for what looks to be a fun new series. Sarah Fine’s latest is sure to be another great, light escape-from-reality series.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from 47North!

Series: The Immortal Dealers - Book 1
Publisher: 47North (July 24, 2018)
Publication Date: July 24, 2018
Genre: Fantasy | Action & Adventure
Number of Pages: 316 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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Love Sarah Fine series and this one is no exception. I am blown away by the world she created in this one. Loved the deck/cards and the combinations used to do what they needed/wanted to do. The cast of characters was many and varied. Loved Gabe and Ernie! I can't wait to see what she does in the next book.

I read what I like, and this is one of the most innovative urban fantasy magic that I have read in a long time. A deck of cards that create magic, and can create different magic when combined. Defensive, nourishment, etc. Fascinating multiple uses. Slow build romance, and a lot of mystery to be solved. Allies and enemies, and a delicious twist of betrayal and revelations. Highly recommend this first book in the series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

I've enjoyed Fine's novels in the past, mainly her retelling series and this was a good novel as well. It was interesting to read a well-done paranormal novel.

Some books you know you're going to love, just after having read the first sentence! That was the case with "The Serpent", which was an excellent read, and an excellent first book in The Immortal Dealers' series.

I love urban fantasy and was quite peeved to see, some years ago, the genre withering, absorbed by the bitlitt one (vampire, sex, blood, and... more sex). So I'm always very pleased and excited to begin a good new series, inventive and clever, where sex and dominant kinds of relationship aren't the fundamentals of the story. 

I found only one weak point book in the book: the romance which, if sincere and credible, without instalove or heavy inappropriate sighs and sexe stuff, didn't touch me very much. As its development is discrete during the book, I didn't mind it at all but it could maybe have been for complex? (for one point, I believe that a romance between a young person and one who looks young but is very old should be nearly impossible, and treated as such by the author. But then, it's not a romance book and the two protagonists are loveable).

I could have read it in one sitting if I've had the time! The main character is endearing and, very importantly for a fantasy story, keeps her priorities straight. She never conveniently forgets what would be crucial for a person in her situation in real life. This fact is no detail for me and made for a very satisfying read.

The magic is very cool! The main idea is brilliant and original (it was for me anyway) with precise rules cleverly used for a maximum of interest and unexpected development. I loved that magic was not to be learned in books but by practicing it, using one's instinct and creativity. The animals' part in the magic was great too, quite fun and surprising, and Ernie's relationship with err... not a fluffy bunny was just great! (yes; better than the one with the love interest, now you mention it ^-^)

The end of the book ends nicely, opening for a second book I'll be happy to read!