The Serpent King
Dill, Lydia, and Travis are best friends living in rural Tennessee. Dill's father, a snakehandling minister, is now in prison, and Dill is left with his bitter mother. He dreams of getting out of the small town, just as Lydia, his ambitious friend, makes plans to do so. Travis is content where he is, but has an abusive father. The friendship between the three is genuinely written, Dill and each of his friends traversing the final year of school before their lives change forever. Lydia's ambition is sometimes hurtful and selfish. Dill's strained relationship with his religious parents seems to stunt the amazing potential he has. Travis is beginning to find happiness in a series of fantasy books and a girl who shares his interests. There's tension and tragedy in wondering what this year will bring each of the charismatic characters, whose friendship is the best part of this book. For anyone who seeks books about friendship and the south.