Scan barcode
A review by readingrobin
A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Darcie Little Badger's writing style has really grown since Elatsoe, going from a simple, but effective structure to something that feels more lyrical, more set into itself. I think I was a little more swept away by this one, as the world building felt more defined. The Reflecting World is such an interesting setting, filled with animal people, monsters, and spirits, some good, some bad, some ambiguous. I think Oli's chapters stood out the most to me because I've always been fascinated by indigenous animal tales. It was neat to see a world inspired by those stories, as well as how it interweaves with the modern world. Nina and Oli's perspectives are balanced quite well, even if it takes quite some time for the two to overlap.
The book gives a great example of the precarious domino effect that climate change sets off, how it only starts with a fluctuation in temperature, then leading to an increase in dangerous storms and the destruction of habitats, which in turn effects the species living therein. It goes to great lengths to show how delicate that cycle is and how disastrous the outcomes can be. Little Badger makes the topic incredibly accessible to readers unfamiliar with the specifics of the issue, as well as ensuring that it doesn't come off too heavy handed.
In terms of pacing, the climax seems a little all over the place, starting and stopping in intensity only to ramp back up again before another inevitable fizzle. We're told of a big bad named Nightmare very early on and how dangerous he is to the animal people, only to never actually see him. Instead, we only see one of his goons who really doesn't live up to the lingering menace of his boss. . It mostly feels like a lot of build up with very little payoff, though the book isn't exactly set out to deliver an epic adventure. It's a little more laid back than that, dealing more with the personal growth of the main characters than setting out to defeat a dastardly foe. The focus is on the little changes we endure to make way for the big ones, whether it's trying to find your own way in the world or to help a loved one.
The book gives a great example of the precarious domino effect that climate change sets off, how it only starts with a fluctuation in temperature, then leading to an increase in dangerous storms and the destruction of habitats, which in turn effects the species living therein. It goes to great lengths to show how delicate that cycle is and how disastrous the outcomes can be. Little Badger makes the topic incredibly accessible to readers unfamiliar with the specifics of the issue, as well as ensuring that it doesn't come off too heavy handed.
In terms of pacing, the climax seems a little all over the place, starting and stopping in intensity only to ramp back up again before another inevitable fizzle.