metafiktion 's review for:

Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre

2.5

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I can see why this book was lauded for its time (strong female protagonist + feminist elements in science fiction in the 70s) but it might struggle to find purchase with a more contemporary audience. Kinda reads like a filler in a longer series, despite being a standalone book. There's lots of (potentially) interesting stuff in it — alien snakes, different social orders, the divide between have vs have-nots vs off-worlders, novel attitudes around sex & procreation, substance abuse & cults — but most are only briefly visited or alluded to. It was interesting enough for me to keep following the plot, but I wasn't particularly invested in any one storyline or element.

I also found most of the characters fairly one-dimensional, with perhaps the odd exception of the Mountainside mayor, who shows some growth/complexity. Definitely did not care for the central romance.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse