The Serpent's Secret

The Serpent's Secret

book

2018

WISE
92%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Percy Jackson meets Bengali folklore in a story where the 'weird' stories your parents told you turn out to be terrifyingly true.

Amazon4.7
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

If your kid is stuck in a Rick Riordan loop and needs a fresh door to walk through, this is it. It’s got all the snark and 'chosen one' vibes but swaps the usual Greek gods for Bengali folklore that’s way more interesting than another retelling of Zeus being a bad dad.

It’s fast, it’s funny, and it doesn’t talk down to kids. The writing is snappy enough to keep even reluctant readers moving. It’s a solid win for any middle-schooler’s bookshelf.

Age Fit

Ideal for 8 to 12-year-olds. It hits that middle-grade sweet spot where the action is high-stakes but the protagonist's voice remains grounded and funny.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

The story centers on a daughter’s quest to save her parents, emphasizing family loyalty and the discovery that the 'embarrassing' things about her heritage are actually her greatest strengths.

Imaginative
95

Sayantani DasGupta builds a vivid 'Kingdom Beyond' rooted in Bengali folklore, featuring flying horses, talking birds, and interdimensional travel that feels entirely fresh compared to standard Western fantasy.

Safe
92

As a middle-grade novel, the violence is strictly in the 'fantasy adventure' category—fighting demons and monsters. There is some gross-out humor (snot, etc.), but nothing truly dark or inappropriate for the target age.

Enriching
90

Excellent cultural representation. It introduces kids to Indian/Bengali mythology and terminology without feeling like a textbook, fostering empathy and a broader worldview through high-speed entertainment.

Parent Info

Why It Might Be Great

  • It’s a perfect 'bridge' book for kids who have finished Rick Riordan’s series and need something with that same snarky, fast-paced energy.
  • The 'own voices' representation of Bengali culture and mythology is authentic and adds a layer of depth many fantasy books lack.
  • Kiranmala is a fantastic lead—funny, relatable, and skeptical of her own 'chosen one' status.

What to Watch For

  • There are some 'gross-out' moments involving snot and demons that might make more sensitive kids go 'ew,' but it’s mostly played for laughs.
  • The fantasy peril is real—parents being kidnapped and demons attacking—though the tone stays light enough that it isn't traumatizing.

Conversation Starters

  • "If you found out today that you were actually royalty from another dimension, would you be excited or just annoyed that you had to go on a quest?"
  • "Which of the Bengali monsters or creatures in the book did you think was the weirdest or coolest?"
  • "Kiranmala starts out thinking her parents' stories are just 'weird.' Have I ever told you a story that sounded too crazy to be true?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic