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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
This was pretty disappointing in some ways because I loved the premise, a novel following a healer who uses snakes, but the execution wasn't great. It felt like the author hadn't planned out the novel and didn't know where the story was going. It was expanded from a novella so maybe that's why.
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Dreamsnake: A book about a healer named Snake who heals with Snakes. I picked this up basically because it seemed like a really funny concept for a book, and it had won some awards.
Unfortunately this is an entirely earnest presentation of that ridiculous premise. Worse than earnest, it's also extremely linear and contains basically no surprises. It's more of a sketch than a novel, to be honest. The characters are pretty one note and the scifi world is largely unexplored.
It feels kind of like one of those fantasy romance novels from DAW books, but the romance as well is underdeveloped and barely shown.
Unfortunately this is an entirely earnest presentation of that ridiculous premise. Worse than earnest, it's also extremely linear and contains basically no surprises. It's more of a sketch than a novel, to be honest. The characters are pretty one note and the scifi world is largely unexplored.
It feels kind of like one of those fantasy romance novels from DAW books, but the romance as well is underdeveloped and barely shown.
A doctor loses her painkillers and goes on a quest that culminates in her getting resupplied by the local drug dealer.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book has really beautiful writing! I could just listen to the narrator, read a description of the setting for hours! That is not something I usually care overly much about in a book obviously I don’t want to read anything where the writing feels elementary but this one just struck me as really beautiful. One more thing I will say, is the main character is pretty much a total Mary Sue but I didn’t mind too much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual violence
Gosh I do like that Vonda McIntyre, and you've gotta respect her commitment to utopian polyamory and queernormativity! I think I might be running out of her SF so we'll see if her fantasy does the same thing.
This was written in 1978 (an expansion of a novella from 1973) so I can forgive the near-constant use of the word "crazy," (as in "he's a crazy") but it *was* a little grating.
Nothing can beat the sheer delight of reading Barbary for the first time, but this was a solid and fun VM old school lady scifi installment. Will read them all!
This was written in 1978 (an expansion of a novella from 1973) so I can forgive the near-constant use of the word "crazy," (as in "he's a crazy") but it *was* a little grating.
Nothing can beat the sheer delight of reading Barbary for the first time, but this was a solid and fun VM old school lady scifi installment. Will read them all!
Snake, the protagonist of this novel, is a healer and uses genetically manipulated snakes to cure all manner of ailments. When one of her rare alien snakes is killed, she embarks on a quest to find a replacement so she can continue practicing her profession.
What was most interesting about this novel is how it deals with science and the post-apocalyptic landscape. Initially, it seems like the action is taking place in a generic fantasy landscape and the snake healing is some kind of magic. It’s only very slowly revealed that the bleak surroundings are actually the earth after centuries of nuclear fallout. Similarly, what seems like mysticism is eventually explained to be very careful genoming projects and genetic manipulation. The ambient effect of these reveals is that all of these actualities seem to exist in the same space and time; it sounds confusing, but it is refreshing and challenging. I love genre-fuckery.
Dreamsnake is adorably 70s (I mean, just look at the title/cover) and I found it an enjoyable read. Apart from the interesting pieces I’ve mention, nothing was particularly revolutionary. It was just fun, well constructed, and ably-written.
What was most interesting about this novel is how it deals with science and the post-apocalyptic landscape. Initially, it seems like the action is taking place in a generic fantasy landscape and the snake healing is some kind of magic. It’s only very slowly revealed that the bleak surroundings are actually the earth after centuries of nuclear fallout. Similarly, what seems like mysticism is eventually explained to be very careful genoming projects and genetic manipulation. The ambient effect of these reveals is that all of these actualities seem to exist in the same space and time; it sounds confusing, but it is refreshing and challenging. I love genre-fuckery.
Dreamsnake is adorably 70s (I mean, just look at the title/cover) and I found it an enjoyable read. Apart from the interesting pieces I’ve mention, nothing was particularly revolutionary. It was just fun, well constructed, and ably-written.
Dreamsnake came highly recommended as a gift from a friend. After reading, I couldn’t agree more. An independent and flawed Snake travels through a setting so interesting it co-stars. I love the world building so much; I will read The Exile Waiting, which is set in the same place.
Snake’s quest appears simple enough but that’s the beauty of it. It’s complete, compelling and personal, which is refreshing in a genre dominated by surviving or saving the world. It is an optimistic yet down to earth post-apocalyptic. And an enjoyable journey to boot.
Published in 1978, Dreamsnake takes on sex, gender, orientation, and rape with insight and courage. From having a love interest that bucks toxic masculinity to a woman protagonist that can save herself, it’s progressive for its time and remains so.
Vonda McIntyre broke tremendous ground with Dreamsnake, a daring story so well written that even the Hugo’s had to award her. She’s the third woman to ever win one and since 1979, only six others have accomplished that feat. (Though that really says more about the Hugo Awards then the authors.)
Pros
Loved Snake and Melissa. Well-done flushed out characters with true flaws born of their backstory and environment
Loved the world building, with biocontrol, polyamorous relationships and interacting with different tribes.
Social justice and Sci-fi aspects holds up, groundbreaking when first published and now
Enjoyed Snake’s quest with her mysterious stalker and patients
Villain’s interesting and had a point about healers and ableism
Striking details add insightful realism worthy of discussion
Cons
Didn’t like the instant attraction romance becoming so important (though I didn’t hate it altogether either)
Villain’s last act was odd. I wish we got more information, maybe that would make their last actions more believable
Somewhat unsatisfied with the ending, wanted to go deeper into Snake’s world
Exploring Older Sci-Fi as a Fantasy Reader
Catspaw was my first non-young adult dystopian sci-fi book. I loved Catspaw (I have friends with great tastes) but was impatient with waiting to discover more while reading. I learned I’ve got to chill the fuck out when it comes to Science Fiction.
I took that to heart and Dreamsnake fared better for it. I waited for explanations of in-world terms and enjoyed the journey. I ran into a wall though when Snake finally spoke with the Gatekeeper. It left more questions than answers, which frustrated me.
I wonder if that barrier will remain since I found fantasy young rather than science fiction. This bias probably explains why I wasn’t completely pleased when finished reading. Dreamsnake’s great but I wasn’t sated.
Or, thinking more positively, maybe I liked the world so much I wanted more than the story could give. I do love my young adult books. I’m unsure how old Snake is but given she’s on her own for the first time I imagine she qualifies. Or close enough.
It is classed as an adult book though. Yet Catspaw’s edgier. There’s like two non-graphic sex scenes and talk of child rape. So I’d be cool reading this as a teen (I wish I did) and letting my daughter read it when she’s ready.
Building Blocks of an Optimistic Post-Apocalyptic
I fucking LOVE Snake’s world. I find every aspect interesting, refreshing or just plain cool. Like bio-control, poly relationships, and Snake’s healing, which seemed like archaic home remedies until explained.
There’s little details that ring true and make for good discussion like xenophobia, the scaremongering propaganda inside the Center and human presumptions. Snake’s meeting the Gatekeeper was captivating in the assumptions they made about each other.
I loved Snake’s journey through it all haunted by a mysterious stalker. I liked the twists and the endgame villain. Her quest seems straightforward in a genre that’s booming with books but it’s enjoyable and surprising.
I recommend it for post-apocalyptic fans and non-fans alike. It's a fun trip that doesn’t brain you with the usual tropes decrying “doom!” It’s also a nice break, having an outsider's take instead of the overseen setup where insiders discover the lies.
It’s not “humanity has screwed itself” or even “the 1% will screw us to death”. Rather than the wild wild west, or action flicks, people band together and cooperate with in- and out-groups. Life goes on. Everything isn’t perfect but it’s ratio of assholes to non-assholes is realistic.
Has Time Changed Her into Snake Sue?
Reading other reviews you’ll see several people call Snake a(n almost) Mary Sue. I don’t agree and would like to offer a counterview. Besides the whole “those characteristics are just general main character traits in fiction so it’s only useful when talking about fanfiction” thing. First up, some rebuttals to typical Mary Sue traits:
--Mary Sue’s are perfect. Besides being the classic altruist hero, Snake’s naïve, arrogant, shortsighted, and headstrong. She runs into situations without a plan propelled by pressure, passion, and pride. Of which, she doesn’t come out unscathed.
--Everyone loves and trusts Mary Sue upon meeting her and those that don’t are evil. The Mayor, Collectors, and Arevin’s tribe don’t trust her immediately and aren’t villains or reviled. In fact, lack of trust starts Snake’s quest when fearful, ignorant people kill her dreamsnake.
Then there's Center, who's assholish to every outsider. If Center threw open its doors and broke all their rules, I’d think that’d be suspiciously Mary Sue-like but that doesn’t happen either.
--Humble like an Everyman but clearly Elite in Abilities. The one area she’s exceptionally skilled in is healing; she did do something extraordinary during training. However, she can’t reproduce it or heal everyone. Her snakes are also snakes. She’s trained them during school but they’re still animals. They aren’t subservient nor cartoonishly in love with her a la Snow White.
Besides, humble is not how I’d describe her. She’s proud of what she’s accomplished and arrogant, which leads to problems. Plus, she has no unusual eye color, hair color, or backstory to mark her as special either.
--Reality Bends to Accommodate Mary Sue: There’s only two instances that I’d say were rather convenient. However, they’re reasonable like a panther running away and rain after a storm. It’s minor details like touching the panther that rang rather absurdly lucky. But the whole encounters aren’t rule breaking.
Is Snake still Mary Sue-esque?
--"A key point: It's when a trait exists more to make somebody stand out than to develop them as a character that it starts going into Mary Sue territory (unless it's Played for Laughs).
--Sue-full all along? Sometimes it's just one eye-rolling event too many that leads you to think back over your hero or heroine's career and wonder "Is she ever wrong about anything that's important?" or "Is there anyone in the story who isn't completely obsessed with him?" Sometimes Sue-ness is occasionally annoying, but livable-with."
Her healing and her relationships aren’t to make her special. They do further her character, especially the ending. It’s also not exclusive to her. Anyone could’ve been the hero. She’s just the first to go this route and headstrong enough to follow through. She carves this path through talent, will, and luck in sensible quantities.
Granted, Mary Sue is a controversial trope that hardly anyone can agree on. It’s worth remembering that our entertainment has shifted into dark and gritty territory. Not as an excuse, but for context and perspective.
Still, I don’t think Snake’s a Sue. Unless now a good hero qualifies as a Mary Sue, then I don’t get the complaints. It’s like saying Superman’s a Marty Stu. Of course, Superman is an ideal while Snake is not...
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention feminist critiques of the trope Mary Sue:
the label seems to be used more indiscriminately on female characters who do not behave in accordance with the dominant culture's images and expectations for females as opposed to males.[12] Professional author Ann C. Crispin is quoted as saying: "The term 'Mary Sue' constitutes a put-down, implying that the character so summarily dismissed is not a true character, no matter how well drawn, what sex, species, or degree of individuality."[13]
Bacon-Smith, Camille (1 December 1991). Enterprising Women: Television Fandom and the Creation of Popular Myth. Pg 97, 98
Romance: Feminist, Sweet, & Unconvincing
Snake’s romance is better when I think about it but while reading I wasn’t moved. They connect and depart so quickly, which made it hard to accept when that sub-plot become important.
I did enjoy seeing the journey through the eyes of Snake’s would-be lover and the contrasts between the two. I also like how xe’s not a knight in shining armor nor typically masculine. I do appreciate that their hunt to find Snake was morally motivated and would’ve happened regardless.
However, their romantic attachment is tenuous. Then it overshadows, making it easy to forget why xe set out in the first place. It’s as if doing the right thing was merely a guise to cover for someone so thirsty, you’d think they were desert-stranded.
Sorry, I don’t find insta-love compelling. If I go into a book prepared, as with romantic suspense, I do better. But I wasn’t ready for it, I just went in knowing Dreamsnake was a revolutionary feminist sci-fi novel. It delivered that in spades, even in the two places I wasn’t hot on.
Their romance has great elements and I don’t hate them being a couple but I wasn’t won over. Not yet anyways, they’re sweet but they’ve got a long way to get home.
The Last Boss: Last Minute Flop
I liked The Villain’s characterization. They had a point about healers and ableism. Still a bastard, but gotta give ‘em credit for being such a smart one. However, there’s one point that I don’t grok: the final showdown reaction.
Their weakness I believe, but not the way they handled it. It’s like Achilles whacking himself in the heel when someone does nothing but threaten to hit him there. The antagonist is interesting but needs more information and depth so the last part made sense. Instead of being so damn odd.
We skim along like sandwinder when bigger stories, places, and people loom. Snake’s quest does end and it’s easy to see her future from where she lands. I was happy and pleased, but not fulfilled. However, I don’t think that’s a fault in Dreamsnake. That’s me wanting more. Science Fiction has that effect on me apparently.
I’ll be reading The Exile Waiting, which follows a young woman who lives in The Center. There's also The Moon and the Sun, which combines science fiction and historical romance between King Louis XIV’s court. It beat out The Song of Fire and Ice and won the 1997 Nebula Award for Best Novel. Adding fantasy elements is the only way to get me reading such complicated courting and lineage. I couldn’t care or make it through such hits like The Other Boleyn Girl.
If all that doesn’t convince you, here’s Ursela K. LeGuin’s review (Link: Spoiler Warning):
Dreamsnake is written in a clear, quick-moving prose, with brief, lyrically intense landscape passages that take the reader straight into its half-familiar, half-strange desert world, and fine descriptions of the characters’ emotional states and moods and changes. And its generosity to those characters is quite unusual, particularly in science fiction with its tendency to competitive elitism.
Recommendation: Yes, fantastic science fiction with a female protagonist though I wish it went deeper into the flourishing world it resides in.
About the Author
Look at her bead creatures! I can barely make a bracelet. From her many awards, here’s a great interview with io9
Snake’s quest appears simple enough but that’s the beauty of it. It’s complete, compelling and personal, which is refreshing in a genre dominated by surviving or saving the world. It is an optimistic yet down to earth post-apocalyptic. And an enjoyable journey to boot.
Published in 1978, Dreamsnake takes on sex, gender, orientation, and rape with insight and courage. From having a love interest that bucks toxic masculinity to a woman protagonist that can save herself, it’s progressive for its time and remains so.
Vonda McIntyre broke tremendous ground with Dreamsnake, a daring story so well written that even the Hugo’s had to award her. She’s the third woman to ever win one and since 1979, only six others have accomplished that feat. (Though that really says more about the Hugo Awards then the authors.)
Pros
Loved Snake and Melissa. Well-done flushed out characters with true flaws born of their backstory and environment
Loved the world building, with biocontrol, polyamorous relationships and interacting with different tribes.
Social justice and Sci-fi aspects holds up, groundbreaking when first published and now
Enjoyed Snake’s quest with her mysterious stalker and patients
Villain’s interesting and had a point about healers and ableism
Striking details add insightful realism worthy of discussion
Cons
Didn’t like the instant attraction romance becoming so important (though I didn’t hate it altogether either)
Villain’s last act was odd. I wish we got more information, maybe that would make their last actions more believable
Somewhat unsatisfied with the ending, wanted to go deeper into Snake’s world
Exploring Older Sci-Fi as a Fantasy Reader
Catspaw was my first non-young adult dystopian sci-fi book. I loved Catspaw (I have friends with great tastes) but was impatient with waiting to discover more while reading. I learned I’ve got to chill the fuck out when it comes to Science Fiction.
I took that to heart and Dreamsnake fared better for it. I waited for explanations of in-world terms and enjoyed the journey. I ran into a wall though when Snake finally spoke with the Gatekeeper. It left more questions than answers, which frustrated me.
I wonder if that barrier will remain since I found fantasy young rather than science fiction. This bias probably explains why I wasn’t completely pleased when finished reading. Dreamsnake’s great but I wasn’t sated.
Or, thinking more positively, maybe I liked the world so much I wanted more than the story could give. I do love my young adult books. I’m unsure how old Snake is but given she’s on her own for the first time I imagine she qualifies. Or close enough.
It is classed as an adult book though. Yet Catspaw’s edgier. There’s like two non-graphic sex scenes and talk of child rape. So I’d be cool reading this as a teen (I wish I did) and letting my daughter read it when she’s ready.
Building Blocks of an Optimistic Post-Apocalyptic
I fucking LOVE Snake’s world. I find every aspect interesting, refreshing or just plain cool. Like bio-control, poly relationships, and Snake’s healing, which seemed like archaic home remedies until explained.
There’s little details that ring true and make for good discussion like xenophobia, the scaremongering propaganda inside the Center and human presumptions. Snake’s meeting the Gatekeeper was captivating in the assumptions they made about each other.
I loved Snake’s journey through it all haunted by a mysterious stalker. I liked the twists and the endgame villain. Her quest seems straightforward in a genre that’s booming with books but it’s enjoyable and surprising.
I recommend it for post-apocalyptic fans and non-fans alike. It's a fun trip that doesn’t brain you with the usual tropes decrying “doom!” It’s also a nice break, having an outsider's take instead of the overseen setup where insiders discover the lies.
It’s not “humanity has screwed itself” or even “the 1% will screw us to death”. Rather than the wild wild west, or action flicks, people band together and cooperate with in- and out-groups. Life goes on. Everything isn’t perfect but it’s ratio of assholes to non-assholes is realistic.
Has Time Changed Her into Snake Sue?
Reading other reviews you’ll see several people call Snake a(n almost) Mary Sue. I don’t agree and would like to offer a counterview. Besides the whole “those characteristics are just general main character traits in fiction so it’s only useful when talking about fanfiction” thing. First up, some rebuttals to typical Mary Sue traits:
--Mary Sue’s are perfect. Besides being the classic altruist hero, Snake’s naïve, arrogant, shortsighted, and headstrong. She runs into situations without a plan propelled by pressure, passion, and pride. Of which, she doesn’t come out unscathed.
--Everyone loves and trusts Mary Sue upon meeting her and those that don’t are evil. The Mayor, Collectors, and Arevin’s tribe don’t trust her immediately and aren’t villains or reviled. In fact, lack of trust starts Snake’s quest when fearful, ignorant people kill her dreamsnake.
Then there's Center, who's assholish to every outsider. If Center threw open its doors and broke all their rules, I’d think that’d be suspiciously Mary Sue-like but that doesn’t happen either.
--Humble like an Everyman but clearly Elite in Abilities. The one area she’s exceptionally skilled in is healing; she did do something extraordinary during training. However, she can’t reproduce it or heal everyone. Her snakes are also snakes. She’s trained them during school but they’re still animals. They aren’t subservient nor cartoonishly in love with her a la Snow White.
Besides, humble is not how I’d describe her. She’s proud of what she’s accomplished and arrogant, which leads to problems. Plus, she has no unusual eye color, hair color, or backstory to mark her as special either.
--Reality Bends to Accommodate Mary Sue: There’s only two instances that I’d say were rather convenient. However, they’re reasonable like a panther running away and rain after a storm. It’s minor details like touching the panther that rang rather absurdly lucky. But the whole encounters aren’t rule breaking.
Is Snake still Mary Sue-esque?
--"A key point: It's when a trait exists more to make somebody stand out than to develop them as a character that it starts going into Mary Sue territory (unless it's Played for Laughs).
--Sue-full all along? Sometimes it's just one eye-rolling event too many that leads you to think back over your hero or heroine's career and wonder "Is she ever wrong about anything that's important?" or "Is there anyone in the story who isn't completely obsessed with him?" Sometimes Sue-ness is occasionally annoying, but livable-with."
Her healing and her relationships aren’t to make her special. They do further her character, especially the ending. It’s also not exclusive to her. Anyone could’ve been the hero. She’s just the first to go this route and headstrong enough to follow through. She carves this path through talent, will, and luck in sensible quantities.
Granted, Mary Sue is a controversial trope that hardly anyone can agree on. It’s worth remembering that our entertainment has shifted into dark and gritty territory. Not as an excuse, but for context and perspective.
Still, I don’t think Snake’s a Sue. Unless now a good hero qualifies as a Mary Sue, then I don’t get the complaints. It’s like saying Superman’s a Marty Stu. Of course, Superman is an ideal while Snake is not...
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention feminist critiques of the trope Mary Sue:
the label seems to be used more indiscriminately on female characters who do not behave in accordance with the dominant culture's images and expectations for females as opposed to males.[12] Professional author Ann C. Crispin is quoted as saying: "The term 'Mary Sue' constitutes a put-down, implying that the character so summarily dismissed is not a true character, no matter how well drawn, what sex, species, or degree of individuality."[13]
Bacon-Smith, Camille (1 December 1991). Enterprising Women: Television Fandom and the Creation of Popular Myth. Pg 97, 98
Romance: Feminist, Sweet, & Unconvincing
Snake’s romance is better when I think about it but while reading I wasn’t moved. They connect and depart so quickly, which made it hard to accept when that sub-plot become important.
I did enjoy seeing the journey through the eyes of Snake’s would-be lover and the contrasts between the two. I also like how xe’s not a knight in shining armor nor typically masculine. I do appreciate that their hunt to find Snake was morally motivated and would’ve happened regardless.
However, their romantic attachment is tenuous. Then it overshadows, making it easy to forget why xe set out in the first place. It’s as if doing the right thing was merely a guise to cover for someone so thirsty, you’d think they were desert-stranded.
Sorry, I don’t find insta-love compelling. If I go into a book prepared, as with romantic suspense, I do better. But I wasn’t ready for it, I just went in knowing Dreamsnake was a revolutionary feminist sci-fi novel. It delivered that in spades, even in the two places I wasn’t hot on.
Their romance has great elements and I don’t hate them being a couple but I wasn’t won over. Not yet anyways, they’re sweet but they’ve got a long way to get home.
The Last Boss: Last Minute Flop
I liked The Villain’s characterization. They had a point about healers and ableism. Still a bastard, but gotta give ‘em credit for being such a smart one. However, there’s one point that I don’t grok: the final showdown reaction.
Their weakness I believe, but not the way they handled it. It’s like Achilles whacking himself in the heel when someone does nothing but threaten to hit him there. The antagonist is interesting but needs more information and depth so the last part made sense. Instead of being so damn odd.
We skim along like sandwinder when bigger stories, places, and people loom. Snake’s quest does end and it’s easy to see her future from where she lands. I was happy and pleased, but not fulfilled. However, I don’t think that’s a fault in Dreamsnake. That’s me wanting more. Science Fiction has that effect on me apparently.
I’ll be reading The Exile Waiting, which follows a young woman who lives in The Center. There's also The Moon and the Sun, which combines science fiction and historical romance between King Louis XIV’s court. It beat out The Song of Fire and Ice and won the 1997 Nebula Award for Best Novel. Adding fantasy elements is the only way to get me reading such complicated courting and lineage. I couldn’t care or make it through such hits like The Other Boleyn Girl.
If all that doesn’t convince you, here’s Ursela K. LeGuin’s review (Link: Spoiler Warning):
Dreamsnake is written in a clear, quick-moving prose, with brief, lyrically intense landscape passages that take the reader straight into its half-familiar, half-strange desert world, and fine descriptions of the characters’ emotional states and moods and changes. And its generosity to those characters is quite unusual, particularly in science fiction with its tendency to competitive elitism.
Recommendation: Yes, fantastic science fiction with a female protagonist though I wish it went deeper into the flourishing world it resides in.
About the Author
Look at her bead creatures! I can barely make a bracelet. From her many awards, here’s a great interview with io9
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Characters – 9/10
Snake, the protagonist, is the kind of character I’d follow into radioactive wastelands without a second thought. She's gutsy, brilliant, emotionally layered, and (let’s be honest) a total badass healer rolling with serpents like it’s just another Tuesday. Her empathy runs deep, but she’s not above biting someone’s hand off (literally) to protect her adopted daughter Melissa. Speaking of Melissa, her arc from traumatized runaway to fierce survivor gave me chills—in a good way. Even side characters like the creepy dreamsnake junkie or the egomaniacal North felt textured and specific. I could practically draw a diagram of the relationships and still miss some delicious nuance. McIntyre didn’t give me stock sci-fi people—she handed me a living, breathing crew I could rave about over drinks.
Snake, the protagonist, is the kind of character I’d follow into radioactive wastelands without a second thought. She's gutsy, brilliant, emotionally layered, and (let’s be honest) a total badass healer rolling with serpents like it’s just another Tuesday. Her empathy runs deep, but she’s not above biting someone’s hand off (literally) to protect her adopted daughter Melissa. Speaking of Melissa, her arc from traumatized runaway to fierce survivor gave me chills—in a good way. Even side characters like the creepy dreamsnake junkie or the egomaniacal North felt textured and specific. I could practically draw a diagram of the relationships and still miss some delicious nuance. McIntyre didn’t give me stock sci-fi people—she handed me a living, breathing crew I could rave about over drinks.
Atmosphere / Setting – 10/10
Welcome to post-apocalyptic Earth, where nukes dropped, snakes heal your soul, and biotech is both sacred and sketchy. Every page had me choking on desert dust or shivering in cold crevasses filled with venomous alien reptiles. I could practically feel the dreamsnakes slither over my toes, which, frankly, is equal parts horrifying and cool. The world felt desolate and dangerous, but also teeming with weird hope. McIntyre nailed the tonal shifts—from eerie to tense to quietly tender—without ever dropping the ball. It was immersive in that “I forgot to eat lunch because I was emotionally trapped in a broken dome” kind of way.
Welcome to post-apocalyptic Earth, where nukes dropped, snakes heal your soul, and biotech is both sacred and sketchy. Every page had me choking on desert dust or shivering in cold crevasses filled with venomous alien reptiles. I could practically feel the dreamsnakes slither over my toes, which, frankly, is equal parts horrifying and cool. The world felt desolate and dangerous, but also teeming with weird hope. McIntyre nailed the tonal shifts—from eerie to tense to quietly tender—without ever dropping the ball. It was immersive in that “I forgot to eat lunch because I was emotionally trapped in a broken dome” kind of way.
Writing Style – 8.5/10
The prose walked that fine tightrope between clean and lyrical without faceplanting into purple nonsense. McIntyre didn’t waste words, but she sure as hell knew how to pack emotion into a sentence. Dialogue was sparse but meaningful, narration sharp and internalized through Snake’s POV, which was a constant stream of competence mixed with vulnerability. Occasionally, the pacing dragged a bit in introspective moments that threatened to veer into philosophical moping, but McIntyre usually yanked it back before I could side-eye her too hard.
The prose walked that fine tightrope between clean and lyrical without faceplanting into purple nonsense. McIntyre didn’t waste words, but she sure as hell knew how to pack emotion into a sentence. Dialogue was sparse but meaningful, narration sharp and internalized through Snake’s POV, which was a constant stream of competence mixed with vulnerability. Occasionally, the pacing dragged a bit in introspective moments that threatened to veer into philosophical moping, but McIntyre usually yanked it back before I could side-eye her too hard.
Plot – 8/10
This is not a book that gallops. It ambles, occasionally sprints, sometimes collapses in a venom-induced fever dream, then rises again to punch a guy in the face with a snake. The plot isn't twisty in the conventional thriller sense, but I was always invested. Snake’s journey—physically and emotionally—was compelling, and I felt the stakes deep in my gut. The dreamsnakes as both literal and metaphorical lifelines were genius. That said, the climax felt just a smidge rushed compared to the slow-burn build-up. I wanted a little more closure with the healer society back home, but I wasn’t mad about it.
This is not a book that gallops. It ambles, occasionally sprints, sometimes collapses in a venom-induced fever dream, then rises again to punch a guy in the face with a snake. The plot isn't twisty in the conventional thriller sense, but I was always invested. Snake’s journey—physically and emotionally—was compelling, and I felt the stakes deep in my gut. The dreamsnakes as both literal and metaphorical lifelines were genius. That said, the climax felt just a smidge rushed compared to the slow-burn build-up. I wanted a little more closure with the healer society back home, but I wasn’t mad about it.
Intrigue – 9/10
This book grabbed me from page one with its eerie vibe and snake-whispering heroine. Dreamsnake venom being used as a pleasure drug? A dome-dwelling weirdo with a pit of serpents and a God complex? Yes, please. Every chapter introduced just enough weirdness or threat to keep me desperate to know more. Even the quiet moments simmered with tension. I lost sleep over this one—not out of fear, but sheer curiosity.
This book grabbed me from page one with its eerie vibe and snake-whispering heroine. Dreamsnake venom being used as a pleasure drug? A dome-dwelling weirdo with a pit of serpents and a God complex? Yes, please. Every chapter introduced just enough weirdness or threat to keep me desperate to know more. Even the quiet moments simmered with tension. I lost sleep over this one—not out of fear, but sheer curiosity.
Logic / Relationships – 8.5/10
The world made sense in that “yeah, biotech dystopia ruled by emotionally constipated healers and druggie cults” kind of way. The internal logic of the dreamsnake venom, its limits, and uses, was consistent. The emotional beats between Snake and Melissa felt raw and believable, especially Melissa’s struggle with trauma and temptation. The whole healer system, while a bit vague at times, held up well under scrutiny. And let’s not forget North, who was basically a snake-wielding cult leader with a Nietzsche complex—I hated him, but his logic tracked terrifyingly well.
The world made sense in that “yeah, biotech dystopia ruled by emotionally constipated healers and druggie cults” kind of way. The internal logic of the dreamsnake venom, its limits, and uses, was consistent. The emotional beats between Snake and Melissa felt raw and believable, especially Melissa’s struggle with trauma and temptation. The whole healer system, while a bit vague at times, held up well under scrutiny. And let’s not forget North, who was basically a snake-wielding cult leader with a Nietzsche complex—I hated him, but his logic tracked terrifyingly well.
Enjoyment – 9.5/10
I loved this book like Snake loved her reptiles—deeply, fiercely, and with occasional hissing. It surprised me with how much heart it had beneath the sci-fi grit. It tackled gender, trauma, consent, and power without being preachy or detached. It made me feel things. Weird, squirmy things, but powerful things. I would absolutely recommend this book, and hell yes, I’d reread it. Probably with a snake plushie clutched in one hand and a smug smirk on my face.
I loved this book like Snake loved her reptiles—deeply, fiercely, and with occasional hissing. It surprised me with how much heart it had beneath the sci-fi grit. It tackled gender, trauma, consent, and power without being preachy or detached. It made me feel things. Weird, squirmy things, but powerful things. I would absolutely recommend this book, and hell yes, I’d reread it. Probably with a snake plushie clutched in one hand and a smug smirk on my face.
Total: 62.5/70
Final Verdict: Dreamsnake is a beautifully weird, emotionally rich snakepit of a novel, and I adored it. Now someone please get me a serpent sidekick.
Final Verdict: Dreamsnake is a beautifully weird, emotionally rich snakepit of a novel, and I adored it. Now someone please get me a serpent sidekick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Death, Misogyny
Dreamsnake handles heavy topics with grace and grit. While it doesn’t shy away from showing harm—especially how trauma affects children and survivors—it always centers healing and agency. The vibe isn’t about reveling in darkness; it’s about clawing your way back to light, even if you’ve got a venomous snake wrapped around your arm while doing it.