Indie Next List Top Ten§§Named one of the Most Anticipated YA Books of 2016 by Paste Magazine and Popcrush.com§§' The Serpent King gripped me in its coils and kept me turning pages late into the night. A triumph of love and dignity.' - Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss §§' The Serpent King is a book you won't be able to resist or forget. The Southern boy in me savored every syllable and the reader in me fell in love with every page.' - John Corey Whaley, National Book Award finalist and Printz Award-winning author of When Things Come Back §§'The novel follows the three friends as they navigate their senior year of high school, through poverty, struggles, conflicts of faith, and trying to figure out a way to survive in this town. Despite dealing with so many difficult, dark obstacles, their powerful bonds of friendship keep alive a hope for the future.' - Bustle.com§§'[T]his sepia-toned portrait of small-town life serves as a moving testament to love, loyalty, faith, and reaching through the darkness to find light and hope.' - Publishers Weekly, Starred§§'Pens would run dry if readers were to underline extraordinary sentences-the kind that are so true, or funny, or beautiful that they clamp hearts. . . . [An] extraordinary YA debut.' - Shelf Awareness, Starred§§'Characters, incidents, dialogue, the poverty of the rural South, enduring friendship, a desperate clinging to strange faiths, fear of the unknown, and an awareness of the courage it takes to survive, let alone thrive, are among this fine novel's strengths. Zentner writes with understanding and grace-a new voice to savor.' - Kirkus Reviews, Starred§§'The third-person narration manages to convey distinct flavor for each deeply personal and introspective storyline, so each character emerges as an authentic individual, flawed yet lovable, and readers will find themselves drawn by the heartstrings into their complex lives.' - The Bulletin, Starred§§'Thorough characterization and artful prose allow readers to intimately experience the highs and lows of these three friends. . . . Recommended for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell.' - School Library Journal §§'A musician himself, Zentner transitions to prose easily in his debut, pulling in complex issues that range from struggles with faith to abuse to grief. . . . A promising new voice in YA.' - Booklist §§From the Hardcover edition.