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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did love this book a lot, but i think the second half was a little bit too fast paced.
The writing style felt too simple. Everything is told to you immediately in ways that could’ve been done more creatively through character interactions.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood
Minor: Torture
Thank you to ALA for allowing me the opportunity to get arcs while learning more about being a librarian. It was such a wonderful experience and I would love to go again.
This book was more of a 4.5 than a 5 star, but considering this book was the author's first foray into fantasy, I figured I would round up. This book was a really good story if you're into learning about different types of mythology. Legend of the White Snake is literally what the title says, it's a legend about a white snake. Most authors try and take a well-known mythology tale or legend, but Sher Lee decided to go with one that was less well-known, which I think worked in their favor. And then made it gay. Just a touch of fantasy, set in a historical period, and very VERY gay.
When it comes to story-telling, I enjoy multiple perspectives which is why the fact that this book was told in dual perspective made it so much more engaging. Our two perspectives are Xian, the crown prince, and Zhen, the white snake that Xian supposedly needs for his mission. (I'm trying to avoid spoilers here, folks)
The fact that this book has *multiple* scenes where characters heavily imply that Zhen is getting railed by Xian is baffling. Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing on page in this book, but the implication alone had me blushing just a little. When it comes to the setting of the book, I liked that it was set in an ambiguous time in Chinese history. And the way it was written made it really seem like a fairytale or a legend.
I think the side characters could've been written better and given more depth, but that's something that's hard to do with how short this book was. I think Qing was a good opposite to Zhen with how energetic she was. And also with how she was a true 'ride or die' for Zhen, much like how Feng was a 'ride or die' for Xian.
Here's where I'll get into spoiler territory:
Ultimately, I think this was a good first go at a YA fantasy novel. Not only was it relatively short (so accessible), it was also a standalone so you don't have to commit yourself to an entire series. The story was well-paced and I thought the main two characters were written well.
Happy Reading!!
This book was more of a 4.5 than a 5 star, but considering this book was the author's first foray into fantasy, I figured I would round up. This book was a really good story if you're into learning about different types of mythology. Legend of the White Snake is literally what the title says, it's a legend about a white snake. Most authors try and take a well-known mythology tale or legend, but Sher Lee decided to go with one that was less well-known, which I think worked in their favor. And then made it gay. Just a touch of fantasy, set in a historical period, and very VERY gay.
When it comes to story-telling, I enjoy multiple perspectives which is why the fact that this book was told in dual perspective made it so much more engaging. Our two perspectives are Xian, the crown prince, and Zhen, the white snake that Xian supposedly needs for his mission. (I'm trying to avoid spoilers here, folks)
The fact that this book has *multiple* scenes where characters heavily imply that Zhen is getting railed by Xian is baffling. Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing on page in this book, but the implication alone had me blushing just a little. When it comes to the setting of the book, I liked that it was set in an ambiguous time in Chinese history. And the way it was written made it really seem like a fairytale or a legend.
I think the side characters could've been written better and given more depth, but that's something that's hard to do with how short this book was. I think Qing was a good opposite to Zhen with how energetic she was. And also with how she was a true 'ride or die' for Zhen, much like how Feng was a 'ride or die' for Xian.
Here's where I'll get into spoiler territory:
Spoiler
Bruh, so Xian just left Zhen to be tortured and killed and he was just like *shrug* that's the price he pays for swallowing a pearl??? AND let's not forget that the reason he swallowed it in the first place was because he wanted to experience humanity. And Xian wanted it to save his ailing mother. This sounds harsh, but maybe it was just her time???? And to hold such a grudge for something that one could argue Zhen did mindlessly is kinda shitty. Xian didn't suffer or grovel as much as he should've. And then the fact that Zhen just magically poofed back to life?? like wut. Yay for the fact that he saved Xian's mom, but it was essentially 10 pages of 'things worked out in the end because fantasy reasons! yay!'Ultimately, I think this was a good first go at a YA fantasy novel. Not only was it relatively short (so accessible), it was also a standalone so you don't have to commit yourself to an entire series. The story was well-paced and I thought the main two characters were written well.
Happy Reading!!
it was an entertaining read but i did feel the ending was a little too perfect. nevertheless, quite an enjoyable retelling of the famous legend.
Despite being his father’s favored son, Prince Xian feels lost, desperately seeking a cure to save his dying mother, still blaming himself for losing the spirit pearl that was meant to heal her.
When an oracle predicts that he’ll find the cure in the city of Changle, Xian wastes no time and manages to convince his father to let him lead the mission.
Meanwhile, Zhen, a white snake who once devoured the spirit pearl and gained the ability to transform into a human, also arrives in the same city, unaware that his fate is tied to the prince he had stolen the pearl from.
But when destiny plays its hand and the two boys come face to face, will their bond be strong enough to withstand the storms coming their way, or will they be torn apart by past mistakes?
Xian and Zhen's story made me smile and laugh like an idiot in the middle of the night, while also frustrating me enough to throw my hands in the air. The twists and turns kept me hooked, and the fast pacing made it easy to follow. Although I found the world-building and legend itself somewhat lacking, I enjoyed the book all the same. The side characters were fun, and the Chinese cultural elements were fascinating. I just wish the author had taken more time to develop their romance because, while sweet, it felt a bit insta-lovey for me personally.
When an oracle predicts that he’ll find the cure in the city of Changle, Xian wastes no time and manages to convince his father to let him lead the mission.
Meanwhile, Zhen, a white snake who once devoured the spirit pearl and gained the ability to transform into a human, also arrives in the same city, unaware that his fate is tied to the prince he had stolen the pearl from.
But when destiny plays its hand and the two boys come face to face, will their bond be strong enough to withstand the storms coming their way, or will they be torn apart by past mistakes?
Xian and Zhen's story made me smile and laugh like an idiot in the middle of the night, while also frustrating me enough to throw my hands in the air. The twists and turns kept me hooked, and the fast pacing made it easy to follow. Although I found the world-building and legend itself somewhat lacking, I enjoyed the book all the same. The side characters were fun, and the Chinese cultural elements were fascinating. I just wish the author had taken more time to develop their romance because, while sweet, it felt a bit insta-lovey for me personally.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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