Ethan Blackwood, a disillusioned medical student haunted by a past tragedy, washes out of residency after a critical error. Returning to his family's dilapidated estate in the remote Appalachian Mountains, he accidentally unearths a hidden chamber containing the grimoire of a legendary Appalachian herbalist and 'snake handler', known for their potent venom-based remedies and deadly poisons. Ethan, driven by guilt and a desperate need for redemption, begins to study the ancient texts, mastering the art of venom extraction, purification, and its application for both healing and harm. He soon finds himself caught in a web of intrigue, battling corrupt pharmaceutical giants, protecting his community from environmental destruction, and facing the moral implications of wielding such dangerous power. He also gets tangled with a ambitious woman who wants to control him and the venom for her own benefit. Will Ethan succumb to the allure of absolute power or use his newfound knowledge to heal, protect, and ultimately, find his own salvation?

Chapters