Bittersweet in the Hollow and now Lies on the Serpent's Tongue is an extremely underrated series. Everyone should be talking about and reading this. Bittersweet in the Hollow was a favorite read of 2024, so I had high hopes for Serpent's Tongue. It is not often that the follow-up is as good as the first. But, it was here! Lies on the Serpent's tongue brings you back with your favorite characters and sisters, yet with a fresh perspective of Rowan. Once again Pearsall creates an original, whimsical, and captivating story. This was easily five stars and Pearsall is now a must read author for me. I will be putting this series into as many of my student's hands as possible.

I really enjoyed the book, though Bittersweet into the hollow felt a smidge more fleshed out. I am a sucker for a rural Appalachia setting, and this book delivered in spades. If you enjoyed Bittersweet in the Hollow, you will enjoy the follow up of Lies on the Serpent's Tongue.

I've always felt that too few writers and filmmakers fully grasped the responsibility of starting a series. A sequel can be a great return to a previously enjoyed world and adding depth to a fantastic story, or it can mean ruining the reputation of the whole series with rushed storytelling or bad artistic choices. The stakes are high, and that's even if a creative doesn't up the promises they're making to their audience with a cliffhanger.

Kate Pearsall's debut, Bittersweet in the Hollow, was a solid and satisfying novel. With Lies on the Serpent's Tongue, Pearsall delivers a strong second installment in what I hope will be at least a quartet of enchanting stories.

Rowan has always been the most hot-headed James sister, but the events of the past summer has pushed that quality past even the boundaries she's comfortable with. At Gran's suggestion (or insistence), Rowan takes a volunteer position to help ready the nearby forest for fire season. The cabin where she stays is rustic, to say the least, but other than that, she finds the gig much less of a punishment than she anticipated. But strange things are going on in the forest, too: magpies and adders in the woods, thousands of miles away from their native habitats, and threatening voices in the woods. Probably from the ginseng poachers the forest rangers keep trying to thwart. And then there's the badly beaten hiker—or poacher—without identification or, for that matter, shoes. 

Strange things are happening in town, too. People's memories are disappearing, like they're losing whole chunks of themselves. Rowan's ability to sniff out a lie, a gift that's always been reliable, may be on the fritz. But nothing's quite as strange as the mysterious reappearance of Hadrian Fitch, whose strange presence on the James farm over the last year was only matched by his sudden vanishing. But helping Hadrian also means learning more about all the odd things Rowan's noticed lately, as well as a chance to help Gran find her sister, so Rowan agrees. She finds her answers, all right, but also more trouble than she bargained for.

Serpents is more companion novel than a direct sequel; reading Serpents without or before Bittersweet will give some spoilers to Linden's story, but there's enough explanation for novices to the world of Caball Hollow. Rowan's sister Linden, the center of Bittersweet, sits quietly in the back seat for this one, but Rowan has more than enough personality and story to carry this book on her own. Pearsall has managed to craft her voice that is distinct from Linden's while similar enough to make the two girls, and books, close siblings. And while Linden was thoughtful and sweet, Rowan's brawler tendencies make her a lot of fun in the driver's seat.

She's the sister who says what you wish you had the guts to say, and do what you wish you weren't too chicken to do. But Pearsall lets her experience natural consequences for that kind of liberty, which can be refreshing in a sea of YA main characters who often see plenty of injustice but very few earned consequences. The very grown-up drama she finds herself brushing up against with ginseng poachers and a too-thin barrier between our world and the supernatural one is nothing that can be solved by a single teenager, though not for lack of trying. And while Rowan's protective nature covers her family like a hug that might be just a little too tight, it also makes it hard for her to find her own identity. She does a lot of growing up in these pages, and I was rooting for her all the way.

I was both hopeful and a little wary at a sequel to Bittersweet, since I felt it had been so self contained. But Serpents is more than a bonus story set in the same world. Rather, it's further exploration of a world that goes beyond one character, and I might have liked it even better than the first book—even if it made me a little less hungry. There are still two more sisters in the James family, and I hope Pearsall can let us get to know and love the others just like Rowan and Linden.

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue is book two in the Bittersweet in the Hollow by Kate Pearsall.
I loved book one Bittersweet in the Hollow and was super excited to jump into the second story. Which guys it did not disappoint.
I absolutely loved this. An incredible read. It’s filled with magical realism, deep characters, engaging visualization and fantastic storytelling.
This story grips you from the very first page and doesn't let go.
A phenomenally dark and enthralling YA story.

Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this ARC Copy!

I was so excited to come back to this world after reading Bittersweet in the Hollow and I was not disappointed at all. I loved the first book in this series but this one absolutely did me in. I love this world, I love the James Family and I desperately hope all of the sisters get their own book and then maybe we even get a prequel because I never want to leave this world.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for the ERC! All opinions are my own.*

I was absolutely buzzing to get an advanced copy for this since I absolutely devoured book one! The sophomore slump definitely does not exist here. The atmosphere carried straight through from the first book, and I was immediately re-immersed back into the Hollow. I also noticed a bit of an uptick in nostalgic Appalachian notes to this one. Things from my own childhood I hadn't thought of in years were brought back to my memory. It made the book feel so much more immersive. That's exactly what Kate's writing does the best, if you're asking me.

Rowan's POV was well-developed, in my opinion. I loved getting to know her better. This book felt more tense, like the stakes were higher. It felt darker and more amped-up than the first, in all the best ways. There's no punches held.

Everyone who's heard me talk about this one has heard me say: "Since I already gave book one a 5/5, this one has to be a 6." My only hope is that we get books three and four for the last two sisters!

This is book two, or a companion novel, in the Bittersweet in the Hollow series. I didn’t read book number one (I just jumped in without realizing it was book 2 🤷🏼‍♀️. It’s very me), and I had no trouble whatsoever keeping up or understanding the plot. In fact, I loved this story. I can’t wait to read the first book.

I love that the James women are wonderfully relatable, except for the fact that they can work magic. It just makes the magic in the book seem so real, like these types of things happen every. Rowen was especially relatable, in my opinion. I loved going on this mysterious journey with her.

I honestly wasn’t Hadrians’ biggest fan, but the guy grew on me! By the end of the book, I was absolutely smitten! And not to give anything away, but his question about that particular phrase that he says to her at the end of the book (iykyk), I was simply swooning. I want more!

One of my favorite things about this book is that the nature, the animals, the woods, all of it is like a character all of its own. It just gave the story so much personality!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Young Readers for the eARC.

I have mixed feelings on how to review Lies on the Serpent's Tongue. The books premise was very interesting to me and I wanted to really love it, but found that maybe I Was just not the right audience for it.

DARK FOLKLORE-VIBES, MAGIC AND A GREAT MYSTERY, WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE?

❤️ Such an enthralling mystery with twists and turns I couldn't foresee
❤️ Rowan is a great character, I loved how headstrong, stubborn, protective and not willing to take any crap she is
❤️ If you're looking for dark, almost creepy folklore vibes/ambience, then look no further!
❤️ The magic and the folklore of this world is so engaging and well made

'Lies on the Serpent's Tongue' by Kate Pearsall is billed as a companion title to 'Bittersweet in the Hollow.'

Though I had the latter on my TBR list, I never quite got around to checking it out, but the set-up for book two sounded even more interesting to me.

Unfortunately, 'bittersweet' is a good choice of words for my feelings on this story.

The tale has plenty of great concepts and interesting possibilities, but they're just not executed that well. Pearsall has a tendency to sort of just cough up those pieces in what appears to be some random location, though we all know that's not the case, and often with little or no development.

To be honest, I found the writing to be a bit unpolished. While the author is capable of lovely lines.. her elegant sentences cannot make up for the fact she doesn't seem to have a solid understanding of how to tie them together. The result is sort of a jittery mess, sort of like someone's second or third attempt at dancing if they had only ever seen what it looked like beforehand.

Character development is also weak and with that.. insubtantial connections between those characters that are clearly supposed to have deep bonds and shared purpose. From familial attachments to love interests, it's all very bland.

Time spent dwelling on overly detailed magical concoctions only makes that all worse. While I love to be able to visualize scenes as much as anyone, there's a point where too much focus is being wasted on them.. and that was the case here.

I really think I could have enjoyed this story with a lot more fine-tuning. I certainly could have liked the main character much more and fallen for Hadrian, they just didn't get the development they deserved.

Hopefully, when Pearsall gets a few more books behind her, a lot of those things will smooth out.. because I do see potential in her.

I actually can't even express how much I love this series!

The characters that Kate has created feel so real and loveable.

I was so intrigued to see how this book would follow on from Bittersweet in the Hollow and I'm happy to say that it didn't disappoint! Both the writing and plot felt like a continuation of the first book. It flowed so well. I'm really hoping there will be a book for each of the sisters because I absolutely love the James family and I'm not ready to give them up anytime soon.

As a nature girly, I was so excited that this book was mainly set in the forest. It just gave such cosy yet spooky vibes. I loved it. It was so nice to get to see more of Rowan and see her really come into her own. The romance subplot was EVERYTHING I had hoped for. In fact, I didn't even know that I wanted it until the start of the book, but once it clicked in my brain I would have been devastated if they didn't develop a romantic relationship.

I will say that I definitely preferred the mystery in the first book to this one. That's not to say that this one wasn't good because I had a great time, I think I just preferred the first one.

I 100% recommend this series. I think this will be a series that I constantly tell everyone about because I really love it so far. I'm crossing all of my fingers that there will be more books in the series because I NEED them.

Kate Pearsall has such a way with words. The opening paragraphs were so poetic and beautiful that I was sucked into the story immediately. The main character, Rowan, can detect foul smells from the mouths of those who are telling a lie. Throughout the book, I wondered to myself if I would like her gift, and no. No, I wouldn’t. The smells even ruin her enjoyment of a great meal, and I would be livid. Don’t mess with my food! 🤪

This genre is my jam. Appalachia with magical gifts, along with mystery and a touch of horror. It makes for some great reading.

Now, while it says that this is a companion to the book “Bittersweet in the Hollow”, I encourage you to read the first book, because you do get spoilers almost right away.

I look forward to more by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the eARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kate Pearsall for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Lies on the Serpent's Tongue coming out January 7, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I didn’t realize this was the second book in the series. I haven’t read any books by this author, but I really enjoy YA mysteries. I thought this was an interesting plot. I think the characters didn’t really do it for me though. I’ve read a lot of books like this. I think something was missing for me. I would check out other books by this author though.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam for providing the eARC!

When I requested this book months ago, I didn't realize it was the second in a series. After reading it, I had to go back and catch up with the first book, which I also enjoyed. Lies on the Serpent's Tongue continues the story of Rowan and Hadrian, whose interactions in the first book left me wondering about Rowan's repeated mentions of lying. While this was addressed in the first book, I found that the romance between the two didn't feel necessary in the second book.

There’s a lot happening in Caball Hollow, and frankly, I didn't feel much chemistry between Rowan and Hadrian. Their banter was fairly average. However, the mystery and thriller elements were definitely the highlights for me. I appreciated that these took up the majority of the story—about 80-90% of the plot, which was exactly what I was hoping for. That said, I did find some of the descriptions a bit excessive, though I usually feel that way in most books unless it's a high fantasy.

The romance felt rushed, so I won’t dwell on that, but I will say that the pacing of the mystery was a bit slow for my taste. Even so, the twists were truly unexpected, and I’m definitely intrigued to see what happens next. I’m eager to find out what’s in store after the surprising return of a certain character. Thanks again for the eARC, and happy release day!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance reader copy of LIES ON THE SERPENT’S TONGUE.

From the opening pages, this novel grabs your attention immediately. The more I read the wider my eyes grew with each new revelation. Right away there’s a sense of a small Southern town between the dialogue and town meetings, plus Rowan’s way of seeing things with her special gift—being able to taste a lie. Only, something strange is happening in town: animals that shouldn’t even be on the continent, people losing memories, a missing family book. Between the romance, supernatural elements, and mysteries that keep the tension growing, readers will be up late into the night just to finish this novel to figure out exactly what’s coming next.

After reading the first book in this series I was really looking forward to this one. I liked the relationship between Rowan and Hadrian. The only issue I have with this series is the pacing. Sometimes it feels like too many things are happening to quickly. I'll definitely be continuing with the next book.

Have you ever wanted to read a love-hate trope but with magic, mystery and old God's and folklore come to life? Then welcome to Caball Hollow's newest mystery, where truth and lies are as closely linked as love and hate are. But beware, you will not be coming up for air once you start this one!

Rowan James has always had the talent to smell lies, whether they are white lies, big lies or little half-truths. The real truth she has found is that everyone lies, especially Hadrien Fitch. But things are disappearing in Caball Hollow, including memories, and the only way to solve what is happening and fix it is to work together.

This story was so rich in folklore, mystery and plot! There are so many interweaving parts and it is packed full of action and emotion. While Rowan is not my favorite character, I loved how her character arced and seeing into her anger and bitterness. If you loved the first in this series you have to pick this one up.

The only reason that you may not want to read this one is if you do not appreciate hard to love main characters. Rowan takes awhile to warm up to, you learn a lot about her and how she processes her emotions throughout the story and really learn how amazing she is at the core. But it does take awhile to see beyond her anger.

This story was so rich, even more so than the first novel. I loved how much it built off of the world built in the first book, while still being a complete standalone story by itself. I found myself even more enthralled with this world and these characters as I read my way through this book and I cannot wait to see what happens next or to reread and see any little things that I missed! Anyone that loves mystery and magic and plot needs to read this series! It has become one of my favorites.

I liked the first book, Bittersweet in the Hollow, but I DEVOURED this. Rowan James is a much more stern and stubborn person than her younger sibling, and she's the one that takes charge and runs into trouble. Rowan takes everything personally and thinks she has to be the one to solve every problem...and there are big problems.

Hadrian Fitch is back and needs Rowan's help, the Bone Tree is dying and Caball Hollow is losing it's path to the Otherworld, and there's perfectly normal humans up to bad and selfish things.

Rowan is also sort of cursed with being beautiful, and only being seen for that instead of who she is as a person. It's made her harsh, and put up walls. Rowan doesn't trust easily, if at all.

Not only does she fight to save Caball Hollow, the Bone Tree, and even the Otherworld, she also realizes she's willing to fight for herself and what she wants.

I CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE IN THIS WORLD. These books are so satisfying and moody.

Here is my review for lies in the serpents tongue. I enjoyed this book and I gave it 4 stars. I had to read the first book because I didn’t know this was a series but it’s was ok because it was also very good

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 STARS

Genre: YA Magical Realism

If you like Wilder Girls & House of Hollow, you will enjoy this one. It is the sequel to Bittersweet in the Hollow but I think you would be ok reading it as a standalone because they explain a little about what happens in the first book.
It is very atmospheric, set in the mountains in an isolated town. Small items begin to disappear, memories vanish, and a neighbor is found dead. Poachers are suspected, but it seems that it could be other worldly.

The main female character has the ability to smell if someone is lying. She is reunited with a character from the first book to help solve the mystery. There is a dash of romance but it’s not the focus at all.

I actually liked it a little more than the first book and enjoyed the dark atmosphere of the book.

Thank you Penguin Teen for the ARC!