Snakehaven #01 - Doom of the Dark Delta

Author James Reasoner is mostly known for his western contributions in the Stagecoach Station, Longarm, Trailsman, and Wind River series titles. But, Reasoner has a sincere fondness for the pulps, evident with his blog reviews and commentary on the subject through social media. It is that admiration for the genre that prompted him to author a pulpy sword-and-sorcery series titled Snakehaven. As of this writing there are three installments – Doom of the Dark Delta, Fear on the Fever Coast, and Lair of the Serpent Queen. These are one-buck ebooks that weigh in at one-hundred pages give or take a font size. 

In Doom of the Dark Delta, readers learn that series hero Jorras Trevayle is from the land of Albrionne. His father is Lord Amaril and he has two brothers, both of which serve in a loyal and honorable way. Trevayle, being the brave-hearted iron-fisted hero, served as a soldier. On a mission to quell an uprising, Trevayle was betrayed by a superior officer and sent back to his land in chains. Lord Amaril, apparently torn on the matter, buried Trevayle in work – which is where this novella begins. 

Trevayle began a journey down the Gulf of Matoxia to have a contract signed by a plantation owner specializing in giant snakes. These enormous serpents are called Nloka Maccumba. His ship was taken over by pirates and Trevayle washes ashore on an island unknown to him. Immediately a naked woman burst from the swamp as warriors chase her. Trevayle, unarmed, joins the woman in running from these armed combatants. 

Later, he learns that this woman is the daughter of the plantation owner he was to originally meet. Trevayle is then thrust into a battle with a ruler named Ostrizahl as well as the giant serpents, savage troops, and even the woman's own allies. On this island Trevayle has no alliances, no allegiance, and often no weapons. Outnumbered, he must fight to survive this grisly ordeal. 

Through chases, sword fights, prison escapes, and damsel-in-distress rescues, Doom of the Dark Delta is a pulp-inspired sword-and-sorcery tale that is brimming over with nonstop action. With the shorter page length, Reasoner puts his skills to the test with quick character development that matches the fast-paced narrative. I'm imagining this is just as fun for the author as it is for the reader. Doom of the Dark Delta is just fantastic and highly recommended for anyone that loves a great men's adventure. Get it HERE.