The second in an ambitious 13-book series of stand-alone-yet-connected novels by Niswander, this is an ... entertaining fantasy/horror tale. Set in present-day Arizona, and including almost all of the Native American shamans who joined together in The Charm to defeat a wind demon, this story also tells of the unleashing of an ancient menace, in this case a 25,000 year-old serpent referred to only as "She." Deep under Casa Malpais, an actual ceremonial complex built by the Mogollon people (A.D. 800-1400), the serpent queen takes control of the archaeologists and diggers above her lair, and sends out thousands of poisonous snakes into Phoenix and Springerville to bring human beings into submission. A Native American god, Yig, the Scaled One and Father-of-All-Serpents, decides to help the Shamans bring his "daughter" under control. The Gathering (along with herpetologist Dr. Jeremy Myers) finally puts "She" back into a near-permanent hibernation ... any work that shows such deep respect for another culture can be enjoyed for that reason alone." (Mar.)

     The Serpent Slayers is a hardcover release scheduled for March. Put a note on your calendar. This is the second novel in a projected series of thirteen novels. The first in the cycle is The Charm--an important story of the gathering of medicine men and (in once case) woman, from twelve Southwestern Native American tribes . . . This time around, the foes are mutated rattlesnakes, the mother-of-all-snakes, and her father, The Father. The Serpent Slayers is faster and better than The Charm . . . (he) hit the ground running this time . . . the fact that the Serpent Slayers is horror, as opposed to the fantasy of The Charm, adds interesting spice to the mix, and scotches any taking for granted of the novel's course. The fact that the next book (The Hound Hunters) in the series is promised to be science fictional and the series is promoted to be multi-genre is a huge commitment. We know that Niswander has the skills and talent to handle fantasy and horror. We know that he is excellent with characterization and stomach-churningly effective with horror and violence. The remaining question is, can he, over the course of a thirteen novel cycle, provide sufficient variety of plot to allow the succeeding books to be as exciting and readable as are The Charm and The Serpent Slayers? I'm betting he can. There's no sophomore slump here. Four stars on this one.

     In some sense similar to his well-reviewed supernatural thriller THE CHARM, Niswander's plot once again pits humans against a force seemingly unstoppable and certain to devastate, if not end, human society. The enemy is deadly rattlesnakes, swarms of them, suddenly released into Arizona's peaceful, somewhat quirky society by disturbance of the earth, and "led" by the Father of Snakes, a giant god-snake which must be appeased if peace between snakes and humans is to be restored. Naturally, Hopi shamans, with their understanding of snakes based on the famous Snake Dance, and shamans from the other major Native American groups in Arizona form a central part of the conclusion. Good descriptions of the Arizona setting, interesting comments on Arizona politics and "culture," and good dialog plus interesting characters make this an enjoyable read. Niswander's aim is entertainment, but he is respectful of native cultures and conveys concern for nature and society too.

LDV

     The massive Father-Of-All-Serpents, killer rattlesnakes and the medicine people of 12 Native American tribes isn't enough action for "The Serpent Slayers." Adam Niswander throws in a 25,000 year old giant mind-controlling snake as well. The second Southwestern thriller is Niswander's second book in the Shaman Cycle, following The Charm. In that one, the Gathering conquered an ancient wind demon. As "The Serpent Slayers" begins, the 12 are gathering for a reunion. They don't yet realize they'll be given another world-threatening task. Rattlers, usually passive, begin working in groups and chasing people, killing several. This happens after an earthquake, which we learn has disturbed the sleep of the giant snake, who has been frozen under the earth. She has never seen the two-legs before, but uses their eyes above the ground to learn of their world, then control it. What this snake can do is creepy and makes for exciting reading. I was glad to catch up on the friends I made through "The Charm," and I look forward to Niswander's third book, "The Hound Hunters." "The Serpent Slayers" premiered at The World Horror Convention in Phoenix. It's $21.95 in hardcover from Integra Press.

     The second novel in the Shaman Cycle series, The Serpent Slayers, is about a snake creature who comes back to life, after being frozen at the wrong time. Modern man is not ready for a creature that can control all snakes telepathically. This creature is unfrozen through an earthquake, but still the shamans must again conquer it, with a little help from the whites and from their gods. The same tribes are having a reunion, a year after the First Gathering, to honor those of that ceremony, with one change. A new character is introduced, Geraldo Vasquez, a Zuni Priest, who provides the conflict. He does not want to be at the honoring, does not believe in snakes being controlled, does not trust anything modern, and does not like, nor put any faith in, the white culture. He, through observation and the learning of his fellow priests or shamans, accepts the modern world and the worth of whites and science. The character of the snake hunter/killer, Jake Roberts, is well-drawn out and makes the reader feel he knows him and does not like him. How he gets his come-uppance from the Snake god, for killing snakes, is both deserved and gruesome. A white is again needed to be the thirteenth tribe, and a herpetologist, Dr. Jeremy Myers, is selected due to his knowledge of snakes and science. Again, each shaman is called upon to be tested and to use their individual knowledge to win. White man's science is also needed to completely reassure that the evil does not return. The author gave me one bit player I can really admire. A secretary of a real estate school in Scottsdale, Rhonda Wainwright. Instead of just standing there and screaming as victims are wont to do, she jumps up on her desk to escape the snakes, then figures out how to get out of her office without getting bit. My kind of gal. This series is recommended to anyone wanting to know more of the Southwest Native American's beliefs, and anyone looking for a satisfying thriller of a read. An A for Mr. Niswander's Shaman Cycle series. Looking forward to the third of the series, The Hound Hunters.