The Serpent's Mark is the second in the series from S. W. Perry about the main character, Nicholas Shelby. Whilst I really liked the lyricism and style of writing in this novel, I did struggle to get into it and properly connect with it as unfortunately I haven't read The Angel's Mark, which is the first in the series. I love historical fiction and liked the sense of time that Perry brings (this novel is set in 1591) - especially as it's focused on the "down and outs" in society and not on the upper classes or royalty which are much more frequently featured and discussed in books of this sort. Overall, a decent read but I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more had I read the first one before hand.