Introduction For those that are not normally interested in fiction, as is the case with me, Serena will

provide an alternative to non-fiction reading that is not only interesting and exiting but informative as well. If you prefer reading about nature, history, business, entrepreneurship, or psychology this novel may be for you. Dont let the title or the cover of the book fool you, this is not a romance novel about the life of a lovely young women man of her dreams. It is however, a novel full of suspense, danger, and courage. It is a novel about the people of Appalachia struggling to survive during the great depression and struggling with a different force of nature, Serena. The Plot The plot begins in the first chapter when Pemberton and Serena are confronted by Rachels father, Mr. Harmon, at the train station. Mr. Harmon is intent on ending Pembertons life because Rachel is now pregnant with Pembertons child. During a violent struggle, Mr. Harmon suffers a horrific injury and dies in front of Rachels eyes. Serenas true character is revealed as she returns Mr. Harmons pearl handle bowie knife to Rachel and dismisses her with one last insult, that she has acquired all she will from Pemberton. The knife will become an important symbol of revenge in the final chapter. Rachels struggle from this point on is incredible. Her condition is exemplified during an encounter with an imagined of a pack of vicious dogs as Rachel attempts to make her way to help for her son and herself as they battle a severe illness. Later, the illusion of the dogs becomes real in the form of Galloway and Serena. Serena and Pemberton are

Plot What suspenseful and surprising events were in the book? The first suspenseful moment occurs early in the book in chapter one, Pemberton kill Rachels father at the train station. Serenas response to Rachel is surprising, would have expected her to be at least a little sympathetic towards a pregnant 16 year old girl who just witnessed her fathers murder Characters

How does the main character or characters change from the beginning to the end of the book. Serena did not seem to change, she cruel, greedy, and controlling during the entire story, Pemberton gained sympathy for Rachel and Jacob losing some of his initial indifference towards them, he was shocked by the murder of the widow and the pursuit of Rachel and Jacob. Later his loyalty for Serena returned even as he was about to die and knew she planned his murder. His judgment was clouded because he missed several clues as to what his fate would be. Rachel changed from a little girl with a crush on Pemberton, she aged, ultimately she sent her own son to kill Galloway and Serena with her fathers knife. Main characters outstanding personality trait Serena- Ambition, rugged, adventurous, impressive whit, intellectual, educated, Consider when certain characters act believably or unbelievably Galloway mother, her predictions where Rachel and Jacob were, the ability of Galloway to kill so many people when he was missing a hand. The main character does the right thing when? Rachel brought the eagle to camp to kill the rattlesnakes that were biting and killing the men. Her motivation was to save the lives of the men but she did it only to increase productivity and profit, she also showed her dominance with the eagle, also when she allowed Galloway to remain in the camp and work for her, her motivation was not out of concern for him but to use him for her bidding. I can identify with the main character when she Setting Does the setting help make the story exiting? Story could have been exiting told in a number of settings. The isolation of the region helps make the events possible, exploiting the resources and the people. Does the setting have an important effect on the main character? Not necessarily, she takes advantage of everyone but that was her nature, she seemed unaffected by the environment, she would have exploited anyone anywhere. Does the setting increase my knowledge of a certain time period in history? Yes, the depression, establishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the life of appellatia, Does the setting create a new and exciting world? No

Theme The theme is the ambition and greed of Serena and Pemberton, the jealousy of Serena, the greed of the investors, the exploitation of the region. The courage of Pemberton and Serena in several chapters, Rachels courage to care for a child on her own, when fleeing, when she assaulted Galloway, McDowells courage to stand against the Pembertons when no one else would. What is the moral of the story This book showed me what it is like to be evil, completely self-absorbed, without compassion for anyone. Serenas lack of concern for her own family, the workers, the widow, Rachel, Jacob, authority (McDowell), business partners, Brazil, and even Pemberton