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rknitss 's review for:
Legend of the White Snake
by Sher Lee
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A queer retelling of The Legend of the White Snake. It's technically YA but I would place it at the far end (16-18 y/o) of that range because of the sexual content. It was closed door/fade-to-black and the lead up to those scenes were not explicitly spicy but it was enough that I was slightly uncomfy.
That said, it made up for that with great chemistry between the main characters and well fleshed out characters. I worried that I would hate the younger sister archetype character but she grew on me over the course of the book.
Loses a star and a bit due to pacing issues in the second half. Things travel at a pretty steady pace until suddenly there's a ton of action and reveal after reveal. It then regained most of a star for the ending. It was stunning. I know it follows the ending of the myth fairly closely but I thought it was beautifully written. There's no easy resolution, it feels like at the end we have earned a happy ending.
Would recommend for fans of Asian inspired fantasy, fans of retellings, fans of queer YA, and I am not a romantasy girly but I suspect this would satisfy anyone looking for some romantasy light.
That said, it made up for that with great chemistry between the main characters and well fleshed out characters. I worried that I would hate the younger sister archetype character but she grew on me over the course of the book.
Loses a star and a bit due to pacing issues in the second half. Things travel at a pretty steady pace until suddenly there's a ton of action and reveal after reveal. It then regained most of a star for the ending. It was stunning. I know it follows the ending of the myth fairly closely but I thought it was beautifully written. There's no easy resolution, it feels like at the end we have earned a happy ending.
Would recommend for fans of Asian inspired fantasy, fans of retellings, fans of queer YA, and I am not a romantasy girly but I suspect this would satisfy anyone looking for some romantasy light.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty