• CROWN OF SERPENTS review from Italy-based Bruno Gazzo's - click following link: PIETRE-STONES REVIEW OF FREEMASONRY
• CROWN OF SERPENTS is a compelling novel deeply rooted in the history of the Six Nations Iroquois. It takes place in contemporary times with fully developed characters and a powerful narrative; its author is well versed in the complexity of modern Iroquois life. Far more than a simple mystery the book follows the path of Tony Hillerman's Navajo based novels by providing the reader with remarkable insights into the culture and traditions of the most influential Native nation east of the Mississippi.
- Doug George-Kanentiio, editor, columnist and author from the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation
• CROWN OF SERPENTS is a bombshell of a book! Starring Jake Tununda, special forces officer turned field historian, it is a suspenseful mystery and high-fueled adventure all wrapped in one. The action never stops as the hero attempts to foil a corrupt, power-seeking Indian casino owner from obtaining an ancient Iroquois relic that would make him invincible. Precise maps and historic manuscripts help lend credence to a compelling scavenger hunt that burns across the reservations of Western New York. If a major studio hasn't turned this book into a summer movie release, they'd better get on the stick!
- William P. Robertson, Bucktail novelist
• Karpovage crafts a story rich in intrigue, history, folklore, and the mystery of the white deer. His myriad of subplots and personalities keeps the reader entranced and on edge, begging for more.
- Dennis Money, Chairman, Seneca White Deer, Inc., Canandaigua, NY
• I first heard about the book CROWN OF SERPENTS by Michael Karpovage on Masonic Central's podcast October 18th 2009 when they had the author on to talk about it. The book is classified by the author as being a "High Concept" which is similar to Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and Lost Symbol or National Treasure where the author uses historical mysteries to weave a fascinating and intriguing modern day mystery to discover a hidden past. These stories often include secret societies and of course the center of this book is Freemasonry as well as a fictional secret society created by the author called the White Deer Society.
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The book's prologue is amazing and opens on a bloody battle taking place in 1779 between a small band of Continental Soldiers and the fierce British Rangers and Mohawk Warriors led by Colonel John Butler and Mohawk Indian Chief Joseph Brant. Michael Karpovage's writing of the battle is detailed and sometimes shocking with descriptions such as "His scalp was immediately and thoroughly sliced and peeled back from his head." and "...buried a tomahawk in the back of his skull. The crunch was crisp." It is at the end of this very short and fast paced prologue that the reader is quickly thrown into the realm of the craft when a captured Thomas Boyd uses the mystical sign of a distressed Master Mason at a last ditch attempt to convince his captor and fellow brother of the Craft Chief Joseph Brant to spare his life.
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The rest of the novel takes place in modern day upper New York State and we are introduced to the main character Major Jake Tununda, a Native American of the Seneca Tribe, Special Forces Veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, current field historian of the Military History Institute and Master Mason of Military Lodge Land, Sea and Air Number One Iraq. Jake's deep knowledge of American war history and fateful discoveries lead him to the Journal of the captured Thomas Boyd discussed in the prologue and learns about an ancient Native American secret society called the White Deer Society who take their name from the white fur deer in the area who are considered sacred. In the journal Jake Tununda reads that Thomas Boyd discovered part of the White Deer Societies secrets and stashed the clues in different places in upper state New York before going into battle. The clues are hidden in Masonic Cypher and Jake goes on to find them.
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Enters at this time an evil character named Alex Nero who is a ruthless mob boss and Casino tycoon who extorts his Native American lineage to amass great wealth from tax free gambling and controlling his own people with an iron fist. He believes himself to be a direct descendent of an ancient evil Indian Wizard who wore a silver Crown of Serpents which gave him mystical powers until it was stolen from him and hidden by the White Deer Society. Now Alex Nero dying of Cancer is desperately searching for the Crown to save his life and become supreme ruler of his people and re-expropriate his land from the white people. He too learns of the Thomas Boyd journal and with his gang of Indian thugs races against Jake Tununda to find the crown creating an amazing story of exciting fights, page turning chases and sometimes jaw dropping plot twists.
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The book is excellently narrated with well thought out characters and complete with a detailed historical time line and maps in the book. The author is very upfront about what is factual history and what was created to make the story possible.
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Michael Karpovage's character Jake Tununda is fascinating and displays the amazing qualities of a Seneca Indian, An American Soldier and true Freemason. The author being a Freemason was able to weave the craft in and out of the story so well that it didn't appear forced and complemented the plot well. He was also able to describe some small secrets about the Craft which only Freemasons would recognize and stays true to any obligation which is a great accomplishment.
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This book makes me proud to be a Freemason and to recommend it to my friends and family who aren't Freemasons.
I haven't read every book this year but have read six different Masonic books published in 2009 and I declare this book to be the BEST MASONIC BOOK OF 2009!
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Four and a half Square and Compasses out of five.
- By Jeb W Carroll, Kenilworth Lodge #29 GRA, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• Michael Karpovage is a most pleasant surprise as a mystery/action author.
CROWN OF SERPENTS kept me riveted to the edge of my seat. I hope the big screen discovers this story as it seems perfect for a movie! I am looking forward to a sequel!
- Elizabeth Katona, Stone Mountain, GA
• Bought it, loved it, couldn't put it down!
- Ken Warner, Fishers, NY
• I just finished the book and wow! What a fascinating and thrilling book. I loved it! Folks, if you haven't ordered your book yet, you are definitely missing out on a most entertaining novel. And, Michael, if you havent started writing the sequel yet ~~ get busy!!
- Kay Carpenter, Willard, NY
• CROWN OF SERPENTS is a page-turning story with a creative plot backed up with incredible historical tidbits from the author's extensive research. Karpovage's careful crafting throughout compares him very favorably with others in the genre such as Follett and Ludlum.
- Sue Lofstrom, Associate Professor of English, Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta, GA
• Finished reading your book yesterday and loved it! Non-stop action kept my interest up and I couldn't wait to find the time to get back to reading it. The mystic scene in the blue glowing cave chamber was spellbinding and creepy enough to send chills up my spine. The descriptions were great. I could see the evil in Nero's eyes.
- Gene Conrad, Berkshire, NY
• CROWN OF SERPENTS is like National Treasure meets The Lost Symbol.
- Lil-G, Dunwoody, GA
• I just finished the book, it was great!!! In fact had to re-read the last five chapters because they went so fast. I also was at the Depot for four years as a Major during the early 1990’s when things started to change, Da/DoD and of course BRAC. Still very proud to have finished my military career here in Senca County and the Depot.
- Major PVR, USA Ret.
• I just finished the book last night. It definintely kept me on the edge of my seat. I grew up in Kendaia when it had a population of less than 50, and learning some history of it was totally facinating. Who would ever have thought someone could write a story making it all so exciting. Now I’m going to do more research and learn even more about it.
- Faith, Kendaia, NY
• I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down from the moment I picked it up, until I finished the last page. Karpovage is a name to watch for in future writings…right up there with Dan Brown. I am anxiously awaiting his next novel!
- Alan Johnson, Stone Mountain, GA
• I thought: Indiana Jones meets the Godfather! Read the entire book in two sittings. Had to pause occasionally during the first eight-hour readathon to catch my breath. One of the best novels I have ever read! Can’t wait to see the movie! Someone in Hollywood ought to snatch this up pronto!
- Paulette L., Lodi, NY
