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thorns_and_thunder's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Slavery, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse
thenovelmaura's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Look, this book isn't bad so much as entirely predictable and forgettable. I love South Asian-inspired fantasy and Prince and the Pauper retellings, so this should have been right up my alley. And I probably would have loved it if I had read it in middle school but as an adult... how could these two girls switch places after 5 minutes of conversation and no one notices? Even ignoring the physical differences between the two (one has been living a life of luxury and one has been living on the streets), Rani gave Ria no instructions on how to blend in at the palace and vice versa. If I think about this for too long I'm going to lower my rating because it honestly bothered me the entire book.
As for the overall writing style, there were no stylistic differences between the Ria and Rani chapters, despite there being two authors working on this book. If it weren't for the chapter headers and the different fake swear words, I would not have known whose perspective it was.
There is a lot of negativity in this review, but I want to close by saying that there are clearly people out there who liked this book! If I had been able to stop overthinking and focus on the beautiful setting, snake magic, and sisterly reunion elements, then this probably would have been an enjoyable read. As it stands, I personally won't be picking up the sequel.
As for the overall writing style, there were no stylistic differences between the Ria and Rani chapters, despite there being two authors working on this book. If it weren't for the chapter headers and the different fake swear words, I would not have known whose perspective it was.
There is a lot of negativity in this review, but I want to close by saying that there are clearly people out there who liked this book! If I had been able to stop overthinking and focus on the beautiful setting, snake magic, and sisterly reunion elements, then this probably would have been an enjoyable read. As it stands, I personally won't be picking up the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Murder
lovelymisanthrope's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received this in an Owlcrate box years ago, and finally made the time to pick it up.
"Sisters of the Snake follows" two sisters: Rani and Ria. Ria grew up in an orphanage and learned how to steal to get by. Rani is a princess, but her life is far from glamourous. Rani is not allowed to leave her castle, and she is being forced into a position of power that she is not sure she really wants. Her closest confidant is a snake who she is forever linked to. By fate, Ria and Rani meet and discover they are twins separated at birth. In an effort to allow Ria to get to know the family she never knew and allow Rani time to get information she needs, they switch places. But, Ria and Rani quickly learn that there was a reason they have been separated for all of these years.
I am so upset with myself that I did not pick up this fantasy sooner! I was enthralled with both Ria and Rani, and I was entirely captivated by the world they live in. Ria is a real Robin Hood type character. My heart just went out to her because she had nothing, but that never broke her, she had the grit and termination to keep going. I really appreciated the dichotomy of Rani's character against Ria's. Rani starts off as a spoiled, sheltered princess, but being in her kingdom allows her to see the real problems there are, and she is inspired to make things better. A person is only as good as they can see.
I think this is the perfect YA fantasy with excellent representation. The magic system is not terribly complicated, but it is still interesting, and the charters are multifaceted. I also had a soft spot for Ria's and Rani's love interests. I think both boys suited both girls extremely well and provided some much-needed perspective and balance to their worlds.
I am really excited to see where this story goes and to pick up the sequel.
"Sisters of the Snake follows" two sisters: Rani and Ria. Ria grew up in an orphanage and learned how to steal to get by. Rani is a princess, but her life is far from glamourous. Rani is not allowed to leave her castle, and she is being forced into a position of power that she is not sure she really wants. Her closest confidant is a snake who she is forever linked to. By fate, Ria and Rani meet and discover they are twins separated at birth. In an effort to allow Ria to get to know the family she never knew and allow Rani time to get information she needs, they switch places. But, Ria and Rani quickly learn that there was a reason they have been separated for all of these years.
I am so upset with myself that I did not pick up this fantasy sooner! I was enthralled with both Ria and Rani, and I was entirely captivated by the world they live in. Ria is a real Robin Hood type character. My heart just went out to her because she had nothing, but that never broke her, she had the grit and termination to keep going. I really appreciated the dichotomy of Rani's character against Ria's. Rani starts off as a spoiled, sheltered princess, but being in her kingdom allows her to see the real problems there are, and she is inspired to make things better. A person is only as good as they can see.
I think this is the perfect YA fantasy with excellent representation. The magic system is not terribly complicated, but it is still interesting, and the charters are multifaceted. I also had a soft spot for Ria's and Rani's love interests. I think both boys suited both girls extremely well and provided some much-needed perspective and balance to their worlds.
I am really excited to see where this story goes and to pick up the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Death, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death of parent, War, and Child death
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