The Serpent's Shadow

Great book and a very fun read with a lot of cultural nuancesI hadn’t read any of the Elemental Masters series prior. I am glad I finally got to them. I have always loved the Valdemar books, and this series looks to be just as enjoyable.I don’t usually care for historical fiction as much, and even though this is set in post-Victorian days, it has enough new world additions in it that you forget it’s a supposed historical dramatization. Adding the various magiks make it even more unique and fun to read about.I liked the primary character of Maya Witherspoon. Having the story start with her already in England from her native India, and having already completed her studying and licensing for her medical degree was a great way to handle introducing her. Her chosen family and her choice of patients were also inspired. I can only hope that in the real times that this story relates, there would have been one or more such as these characters for the masses of London and the world to rely on, even without the added benefit of elemental magic.The differences of English and Indian magic was well explained. That there is a little overlap but also so many differences as well, allowed for some good conflict of the two sides. I would like to see Maya return in a future novel studying some of her native Indian origins and magical possibilities. It would be interesting if she finds a way to merge the types into a better use that benefits all involved.Finishing her Aunt with Kali Durgas eyes being closed and thus turning from her disciple was a great twist. I would have liked to have had it shown exactly when the statue closed its eyes. If it was done from the beginning when the artist created it, I would have thought the priestess would notice such a thing. Of course the only way the other gods using their animal counterparts could have entered her temple would have been if Kali Durga had allowed it. Was it just the priestess’s actions of finally trying to kill or trap Maya that caused her God to turn away or was it from something earlier.Overall, just a fun read in a great new series (at least for me). I look forward to the future stories with Ms Lackey’s Elemental Masters. Great way to spend a day reading.