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wardo2700's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this story was going to grab my interest more than it did because at times I wanted to just skim through some portions to get to the end of the book. It did improve as I got further into the story so maybe I need to give it a second reading to see if I react differently. It is a well written fantasy story that was intriguing but just had some sections that just had too many details for me to truly enjoy it. I think my biggest issue with the author would be how they flipped back and forth between two separate but interconnected stories chapter by chapter. I just wonder had the story been woven together would I have enjoyed it more?
tlcollier1's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. I thought I had read about 50% and just couldn’t keep going. Turns out I was at 20%. The idea sounded great but the execution was bland and disconnected. It felt like a kids book with some adult themes. I rarely DNF so I’m bummed but I keep falling asleep when reading. At this rate I won’t finish any time soon.
thebooknerdscorner's review against another edition
4.0
Two worlds collide when Oli, a cottonmouth snake spirit of the other world, crashes down onto Nina's life.
Nina is a Lipan girl who has always believed in her grandmother's tales of alternative worlds and mysterious shapeshifters. Oli is one such snake spirit, but he doesn't know anything about Nina or the planet Earth. But when Oli's best friend, Ami, starts suffering from a mysterious ailment, it's high time that Nina and Oli end up meeting. The two must work together to save the ones they love before it's too late.
This book has a bit of a slow start, with Nina being a young girl learning about the rich stories of the Lipan and Oli figuring out how to survive without his mother's constant care. As the book progresses, we see random glimpses of their lives and it isn't about halfway through until the main plot really starts up. However, I really enjoyed reading Nina and Oli's slice of life stories as they both discover the magic that is present in both their worlds.
I really enjoy the cast of characters in this one. Nina was pretty mid for me, but I love Oli's gang. The coyote twins, Reign and Risk, are both fun in their own respects. Brightest the hawk shifter is pretty cool too and I came to really enjoy their sporadic appearances. But my favorite of the group by far is Ami. He is such a precious little toad and I just think that he is the cutest little guy. He may be mute, but I really appreciate everything he does all the same.
I really related to Oli in many ways. This book really got me thinking that if I was born as an animal, I would still be blind and need glasses. I thought that this was quite a comical problem that Oli had to manage and it felt so relatable despite the fact that I am not a snake. Oli's default setting tends to be panicking and he also really appreciates his alone time, so me and Oli really have a bunch in common.
The themes that touch on climate change and protecting the environment are really heartfelt; you can tell how passionate Little Badger is about these topics. The other world in which Oli lives in is directly affected by the conditions of Earth. The animal populations that are thriving in our world flourish in their world as well, and those that are suffering are likewise mirrored in the otherworld. I feel that this does a great job of showcasing the extreme affect that humans have on animal populations and the natural world. We will always be connected, and we both impact each other immensely.
Overall, "A Snake Falls to Earth" is a fun read with a bit of a slow start. If you are willing to sit through a meandering story with little structured plot line, Oli's adventures really are a jolly good time. The look into Lipan stories and mythology are also a joy and the themes that this book pushes are really important. I've been enjoying my time with Little Badger's books, and I'm sure I'll pursue more of them in the future. I hope that she decides to write a companion to this book, because I really enjoy the world and the characters. Besides, there is a pretty big side story that is left unresolved that could easily fuel an entire novel.
Nina is a Lipan girl who has always believed in her grandmother's tales of alternative worlds and mysterious shapeshifters. Oli is one such snake spirit, but he doesn't know anything about Nina or the planet Earth. But when Oli's best friend, Ami, starts suffering from a mysterious ailment, it's high time that Nina and Oli end up meeting. The two must work together to save the ones they love before it's too late.
This book has a bit of a slow start, with Nina being a young girl learning about the rich stories of the Lipan and Oli figuring out how to survive without his mother's constant care. As the book progresses, we see random glimpses of their lives and it isn't about halfway through until the main plot really starts up. However, I really enjoyed reading Nina and Oli's slice of life stories as they both discover the magic that is present in both their worlds.
I really enjoy the cast of characters in this one. Nina was pretty mid for me, but I love Oli's gang. The coyote twins, Reign and Risk, are both fun in their own respects. Brightest the hawk shifter is pretty cool too and I came to really enjoy their sporadic appearances. But my favorite of the group by far is Ami. He is such a precious little toad and I just think that he is the cutest little guy. He may be mute, but I really appreciate everything he does all the same.
I really related to Oli in many ways. This book really got me thinking that if I was born as an animal, I would still be blind and need glasses. I thought that this was quite a comical problem that Oli had to manage and it felt so relatable despite the fact that I am not a snake. Oli's default setting tends to be panicking and he also really appreciates his alone time, so me and Oli really have a bunch in common.
The themes that touch on climate change and protecting the environment are really heartfelt; you can tell how passionate Little Badger is about these topics. The other world in which Oli lives in is directly affected by the conditions of Earth. The animal populations that are thriving in our world flourish in their world as well, and those that are suffering are likewise mirrored in the otherworld. I feel that this does a great job of showcasing the extreme affect that humans have on animal populations and the natural world. We will always be connected, and we both impact each other immensely.
Overall, "A Snake Falls to Earth" is a fun read with a bit of a slow start. If you are willing to sit through a meandering story with little structured plot line, Oli's adventures really are a jolly good time. The look into Lipan stories and mythology are also a joy and the themes that this book pushes are really important. I've been enjoying my time with Little Badger's books, and I'm sure I'll pursue more of them in the future. I hope that she decides to write a companion to this book, because I really enjoy the world and the characters. Besides, there is a pretty big side story that is left unresolved that could easily fuel an entire novel.
saholst's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Little-Badger is a master. The plot of this book is entirely unique and playful, yet manages to address both climate and economic justice and treat carefully and beautifully Apache-Lipan identity and culture. Little-Badger ties together interesting and diverse plot-threads, making this a enjoyable and satisfying read through and through.
nityndg's review against another edition
2.0
I was excited to read this book but it unfortunately did not deliver. The two "worlds" in the book only collided at the end, so I felt like the plot dragged on for 80% of the book and was unnecessarily long. I was bored and confused about the purpose of a lot of the storylines, many of which seemed irrelevant to the plot. The pacing was also much too slow for my liking, and the vast majority of the plot unfolds at the end of the book. However, by the end, I was already too jaded and uninterested to enjoy the rest of the book. Although I do think the premise is really interesting and it was cool to see Lipan stories come to life.
think_kimberly's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
crunchwrap_supr3me's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ajaggers324's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jellyfishmotifs's review against another edition
5.0
I really likes this one! I think it was nice because it felt less like a plot driven thing and more experiential? I loved the little pov switches where I could tell the timeline. Loved the themes of home, storytelling, magic etc.
jashanac's review against another edition
This was well-written and I didn't find anything that was bothering me or anything like that... I just was not getting really gripped by the story. It might have been a bit too folktale-esque for my taste at the time.