Serena
Free Book Clubs Review

Free Book Clubs Review: Serena

Both Pemberton and Serena were warned upon the eve of their first meeting that each was a formidable opponent in matters of the opposite sex. As it turns out they become a perfect match for each other in every way.

When Pemberton returns to his logging camp in the mountains of North Carolina after months of being absent, he brings with him the mysterious and not easily intimidated Serena. She quickly claims her place as his wife and his equal, from the moment when she steps foot on the platform and encourages her husband to kill a man in a proposed duel. She then returns the knife to the daughter, hunched over and crying by her father's lifeless body, who is carrying Pemeberton's illegitimate child.

The Pemberton Lumber Company prospers steadily under the efficient and watchful eye of Serena. She and Pemberton have an intense relationship with one goal - to belong only to each other and not let anyone stand in the way of their dreams.

The wrench in the plan is that Pemberton begins to lose sight of their goal as his son, Jacob, grows from baby to small child before his eyes. Serena senses this and the wrath that she brings upon the camp becomes the thing that will cause the demise of every man involved.

Free Book Clubs Review: Serena Opinion

This is a very unsettling book with great potential for discussion. Serena is one of the few female main characters that I just hated from beginning to end. But this is not because Rash does his job poorly. In fact, my extreme dislike of Serena was all his doing.

She is a woman with no morals, ruthless to the core. It's scary to read about human nature at it's worst. Serena's one goal is to propel herself closer to her dreams, stepping on whomever might get in her way. And there are plenty of very innocent characters who do just that. The fate they meet with is unjust and only serves to make her a more detestable character.

Even during the times that she is vulnerable, which are sparse, I felt no pity or love for her. I actually felt satisfied that she got a little bit of what she deserved from time to time. It's hard to even talk about the other characters as they all fall so deeply into her shadow. I did like Pemberton but thought he was, at best, a spineless wimp when it came to Serena.

The more time I spent thinking about the story after it was over, the angrier I got that such a woman existed, even in a fictional world. Rash certainly does the job of writing a character that will produce a strong reaction in the reader! There is great potential for discussion here because there are quite certainly people out there who will feel the opposite about Serena's character. I can imagine a very heated book club discussion over this one!

Free Book Clubs Review: Serena Discussion Questions

1. Do you like Serena? Why or why not?
2. Does Pemberton turn a blind eye to Serena's actions because he loves her or because he agrees that she is doing what is necessary?
3. Is Serena just a smart businesswoman or is there something otherworldly about her capabilities?

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