Thank you so much to HarperCollins Children's Books & Harper Teen for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

2021 must really be my year of reading amazing South Asian fantasies because Sisters of the Snake was amazing. I loved this retelling of The Prince and the Pauper, which has been one of my favorite stories from my childhood. As the authors mention in their Authors’ Note, this really is a story of sisterhood above all. The magic system and world-building was great too and overall I’d give this 4.5 stars!

Sisters of the Snake follows Ria, an ordinary thief trying to make ends meet with her best friend Amir when the King’s soldiers announce a list of names to be conscripted in the King’s army, and Ria’s name is on the list. Amir and Ria devise a plan to break into the royal palace, steal jewels, and then resell them in order to escape the kingdom of Abai forever. However, when Ria sneaks into the palace, she comes face-to-face with Rani, the Princess of Abai, who looks exactly like her. Rani is just as dumbfounded as Ria is about their identical appearance, until the girls discover that they are long-lost sisters. Rani uses the opportunity to strike a deal with Ria to switch places--Rani will take Ria’s place alongside Amir and Ria will take Rani’s place as the kingdom’s princess. Through the deal, the two sisters uncover dangers and plots to destroy their kingdom. In order to save their home, Rani and Ria must work together. Or watch it all fall into ruin.

This book was filled with a ton of political scheming and intrigue and I loved how this theme was intertwined with ancient magic and dark prophecies. I loved reading the dual POV’s between Rani and Ria as well. Every chapter ended with a cliffhanger and it made me so invested in both of the sisters’ individual stories. The authors did a great job of unraveling the secrets that were revealed in each of the sisters’ separate journeys and slowly demonstrating how these separate secrets were all connected in the end. This made the book feel much more cohesive even though Ria and Rani were separated for the majority of the book on their own personal journeys. I wish we got to see a little bit more of Rani and Ria together in this book, especially because their character development together as sisters felt a little rushed, but I think this was caused by the very nature of the story of The Prince and the Pauper.

I also found Rani’s relationship with Amir and Ria’s relationship with Saeed really interesting. It’s evident that the romance is not the main part of the plot and is more there to keep both Rani and Ria’s story more engaging while keeping the focus on Rani and Ria’s individual growth, but I’m excited to see if their relationships develop further in the second book. I did find Ria’s relationship with Amir and Rani’s relationship with Saeed (i.e. prior to when Rani & Ria meet) a bit underdeveloped as well. For two pairs of people who supposedly knew each other for a while, it seemed that the two best friends and the betrothed couple didn’t know each other that well, which was a little surprising.

The magic system, as mentioned, was really interesting too. Since it is established in the beginning of the book that magic is quite rare among the people of Abai, I’m interested to see how the magic system grows in the next book. I really enjoyed seeing Ria embrace her Snake magic and I’m excited to see both the sisters’ powers grow in the second book as well.

The South Asian representation was amazing too. The authors did an excellent job of fitting every single detail possible about South Asian cultures, traditions, foods, clothes, etc. I was so pleasantly surprised to see how committed and accurate the South Asian representation was, even in a high fantasy setting. The authors also did a really good job of highlighting how multicultural South Asia is by including a variety of South Asian characters whose names clearly indicate which parts of our modern-day South Asia they’re from, such as Sanskrit, Arabic, and Urdu names.

If you’re looking for an ancient South Asian-inspired fantasy like The Tiger at Midnight for YA readers, I highly suggest picking up Sisters of the Snake!

Just finished reading SISTERS OF THE SNAKE 🐍 by Sarena & Sasha Nanua. Thank you to hccfrenzy for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. Official publication date is June 15th, 2021.

If you like fantasy, romance, YA and indian cuisine/culture you need to check this one out. Love #FoodieFiction 🤤

Ria & Rani are identical twins who were separated at birth due to a unsettling prophecy. One is now a princess and the other a street urchin. When they meet unexpectedly on Diwali, they switch places, like twins do to save their world 🌎.

I was hooked on this one right from the beginning. The world building and magic was expertly layed out and not overly complex. Ria & Rani both had such a different personality, that I really enjoyed each of their chapters, and seeing them come into their own.

I am now patiently waiting for book 2 to come out next Summer.

Ria and Rani lead completely different lives: Ria lives on the streets and steals to survive, while Princess Rani spends her days locked in the palace and longing to see the world outside. They don’t know of each other’s existence and they never expected to meet—until a heist Ria pulls in the palace goes very wrong, and their two worlds collide. In that instant, they realize that they are unmistakably identical—and everything changes. Suddenly, both girls see a way to get what they each want, so they decide to swap places. But danger lurks in every corner, and with a war fast approaching, the sisters must use all their wits and talents if they want to save those they love—and their kingdom—in time.

This book had great potential, but in my opinion, it just fell short. While I loved the representation and the concept of twins from two very different worlds, it was hard for me to really connect to the book because of pacing and character development issues. Some of the most important scenes felt rushed to me, lessening their emotional impact, and quite a few of the characters—especially the two love interests—seemed a bit flat and one-dimensional. Although Ria and Rani are both fun characters and had fantastic growth arcs throughout the story, it was somewhat difficult for me to focus on both of their journeys at the same time. At some points, it felt as if I were reading two completely separate plots simultaneously. However, despite these flaws, there were elements of the book that I enjoyed, namely the descriptions of food (don’t read this book on an empty stomach!) and the character of Shima (I never realized a snake could be so sarcastic!). The magic system is also quite fascinating and well-developed. Overall, Sisters of the Snake is a fun and captivating story that fans of twin shenanigans and magical adventures will enjoy.

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this amazing YA fantasy retelling of The Prince and the Pauper!

Sisters of the Snake is a retelling of The Prince and the Pauper set in an Indian-inspired fantasy world and featuring twin sisters, Ria and Rani. Ria is a thief who lives on the streets, and Rani is the princess and heir to the kingdom. Neither is aware that she has a twin sister, and, when they encounter each other quite by accident, they decide to switch places in a desperate attempt to save the kingdom from evil. The story is told in alternating perspectives, and both sisters are fun to read about and full of personality. All the supporting characters are complex as well, and, while of course there is some romance, it is just a small part of the development of the plot and characters. The world-building is breathtaking, and the magic system is interesting and well-developed. I am already excited for the sequel!!

Definitely recommend!

Dnf @22%

I wanted to like this so much, I truly did! And I think the book started out well, I was enjoying the set up and world-building but I couldn't get on board with the pacing and writing style. I literally have zero interest in any of the characters and I'm bored... The writing felt so cliche and rushed, as if this was maybe a second draft rather than a final one. I was really invested in the plot but the rest of it did not hold up.

Fascinating story and new world that absolutely sucked me in. I really loved the parallels between the two girls. The writing was well done and the world building exciting. I will read more from this author.

Pitched as an Indian retelling of The Princess and the Pauper, Sisters of the Snake reminded me of the Barbie movie infused with Disney vibes and magic. With the twins swapping roles and positions, finding out that they come in a pair, neither of them was ready for what’s to come.

The only thing they could do is to lie and adapt. Raised differently, these two sisters are distinctive in terms of their opinions of the world and their own personalities.

A thief and supposed orphan, Ria grew up in an orphanage where resources are scarce and survival meant everything. Growing up, Ria knows the troubles and personally experienced the life of the poor. This developed into her detest of the raja and the royalties. Dauntless and quick-witted Ria never thought that she would be royalty and a twin.

As the only daughter, Rani was raised with an expectation to run the kingdom someday which meant that she needed to be ruthless like her father. Locked in a gilded cage, all Rani desired was to be free of all worries and the title of princess. Switching identity with Ria offered her the opportunity to explore the world and she soon finds out about the peril her people are in.

Since the twins are different in nature and character, it’s a surprise that not many people found it suspicious. Ria, never one to back down from a fight, became more vocal when she took over as Rani. While Rani, born in the palace, never had Ria’s proficient skills in thieving and cunningness.

The magic system in Sisters of the Snake is intertwined with the history and lore of the Creator, Amran, who made the six Masters of Magic. Each of them has their own powers which are passed down to their descendants. Unfortunately, when the Snake Master deceived the others and obtained the Bloodstone, every form of magic, excluding the snake’s, disappeared.

While Rani searches for the Bloodstone with Amir and Ria spends more time with Saeed, the twin sisters started falling for people they shouldn’t. In this aspect, I’m surprised that the switching of Ria and Rani didn’t confuse or even raise more doubts for Amir and Saeed when the sisters are vastly unlike one another aside from their looks.

Overall, this Indian-inspired retelling is embedded with rich culture that’s prevalent in the plot, food and clothing. Sarena and Sasha Nanua’s writing created an atmospheric debut novel.

This was definitely a fond throwback to my childhood when I was obsessing over The Princess and the Pauper Barbie movie. I loved the South Asian representation in Sisters of the Snake. The plot can be a little cliché but I still enjoyed the authors’ take on the retelling. I’m waiting for book two!

Genre: YA Fantasy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A debut fantasy novel about twins and written by twin authors? Count me in! I recently read an ARC of Sisters of the Snake by Sarena and Sasha Nanua from NetGalley. Not surprisingly the cover is what originally convinced me to pick up the book, and I’m sure glad I did!

Basically, the book follows Rani and Ria, twins who were separated at birth. One is the beloved and sheltered princess of Abai, while the other is forced to turn to thievery in order to survive. When the two meet, they jump at the chance to escape their problems and attempt to improve their lives, but they start to discover that the grass is not always greener on the other side. While trying to hide their true identities they ultimately realize that they must forge their own paths in life, but what will that look like?

This book had all the adventures and magic that make up a good fantasy novel, but it also had some aspects that make it stand out from other fantasy novels in my opinion. First of all, Sarena and Sasha explain in a note to the reader that they wanted to write a book about twins and incorporate aspects of Punjabi culture into the novel. I can honestly say that they more than accomplished this goal. Reading the novel not simply from two different perspectives, but specifically from twins’ perspectives really made it unique. It sharpened the contrasts between the main characters, but also showed how alike they were, despite living vastly different lives.

Similarly, the authors painted a vivid picture that gives readers a window into Punjabi culture. Although the book technically took place in a fictional world, the aspects of Punjabi culture that both authors included made the story feel extremely genuine and real. Adding on to that, the descriptions in the novel were so detailed and in depth, that a reader who is largely unfamiliar with Punjabi culture, is still able to grasp a stark image of the characters and their environment.

Additionally, I really enjoyed the theme of writing your own destiny, but my one criticism is that this concept could have been more uniformly present throughout the entirety of the novel. While I truly adored the idea that the characters were not doomed to live out a destiny that was set in stone, I also felt like there could have been clearer emphasis on this from the outset of the novel. Honestly this detail is really minor because there is not much to critique about this lovely novel in my opinion!

This book is perfect for all fantasy lovers, especially anyone wanting to read about diverse characters and cultures. The plot and character development unite to form a wonderful and riveting story that you certainly don’t want to miss out on!

Such a fun story!
I loved the adventures, I especially wanted to note the people protecting the gem including the white tiger were probably my favorite people in this whole book and I kinda wanna know a lot more about them now!
I loved the relationship with the snakes, and how significant that ended up being.
The romances were cute but I would like some more build up in the next please!

So probably the only thing I had a hard time with was the whole switching places trope. Ok, I have identical twin nieces and I can tell them apart by not just the slight facial differences they have but also by their energy so I have a very hard time believing that those closest to the sisters Ria and Rani didn't have more questions for them or suspect anything was up.

I cannot wait for the sequel because I have so many questions that need answers.

I really enjoyed Sisters of the Snake. I liked the dual POVs from each sister’s perspective. Each has a distinct personality and it was nice to get the story from both sides. I loved the world building. It was immersive and detailed without being confusing. It was fast paced, but still took time to delve into each of the characters pasts and motivations. Some of the conclusion was a little abrupt or seemed too easy, but overall the plot was engaging and I am looking forward to the next book.

Rani and Ria both live completely different lives. One is an orphan, turned thief that survives on the streets with her friend. The other is a princess, stuck in her palace destined to marry her childhood companion. After a chance meeting, the girls are shocked to find someone who looks just like them… an identical twin? Rani finds the chance to finally flee the palace and Ria gets stuck within the walls. Now, to find out their connection between each other, the memories, and snake, Shima.

Although predictable and a little long, this was a really good start to the series. It took me a little while to get in to the story, but once the girls met and had to try and live each other’s lives the story picked up pace. It’s reminiscent of Aladdin and/or the Prince and the Pauper. I would suggest this series to my middle and high schoolers.

One thing I wish they would consider is a different title, I just don’t think this title gives the book justice. Maybe something a little catchier. The cover is beautiful – it’s what drew me to the book in the first place! The fact that the story was written by two sisters is really cool and I love the setting.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for this ARC. I look forward to adding it to my library for my students to enjoy and look forward to the next installment.

I really enjoyed this book. While it's 500 pages, it never felt long. The dual POV was evenly spaced and each chapter ended on an event that made me want to keep reading. I liked the sisters Ria and Rani and how their magic was explained and developed. And I appreciated the sarcasm of their snake Shima. I really enjoyed Sisters of the Snake and look forward to the next one in the series.

I really enjoyed this book! The writing was lovely, Rani and Ria as main characters were so different and fun to read (plus the dual perspectives were really well done!), and the romances felt smooth and natural. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens in the sequel!

Rating: 3.5 stars

I love reading about new and diverse worlds when it comes to the fantasy genre. Sometimes worlds can feel like they blend together, especially because of plot points, but this was a fun and intriguing read.

I’m not sure if anyone is talking about this but there is hints of a retelling as the girls decide to trade places for awhile which made me think of The Prince and the Pauper, although this would be considered a genderbend. To be honest, I love stories where two characters switch places and so this added a lot of flare to the story as Ria and Rani both have different personalities and come from different lives as well, one being a princess and the other a thief.

The book is told in dual point-of-view so the reader can understand what is going on when it comes to Ria and Rani as they are both on different missions and in different places. I liked seeing how each one overcame their fears to be stronger while also growing their bond and making new friends along the way.

There is a bit of romance and although it blossomed rather quickly, I didn’t dislike it. I think it’s because I did like the characters and the conversations they had together.

The magic is cool and one particular part of it deals with snakes. I’ve only read one other book with snake magic and I am here for it. I may hate snakes but I do like reading about them and Shima really stole the show for me. There is mention of other magical abilities, some are used, but it isn’t a lot. There is explanations to it all so it doesn’t feel useless when it comes to the plot. I am looking forward from more of it.

Now to what I didn’t like. Although the worldbuilding, especially the magic, is intriguing and left me wanting to read, it was easy to see plot holes and some things just resolved rather quickly. This is one of those books where you kind of have to throw logic out the window, but at least the view is nice. It was a bit harder to like the parts where things resolved quickly but since there is going to be a sequel I won’t be too harsh since there is more to the story.

Overall, this was a good read. I liked the worldbuilding and the lore so far that has been told as well as the characters. I will be looking forward to the sequel.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!
Sisters of the Snake is a fast paced adventure featuring long lost twins, Rani and Ria. While neither knew the other existed prior to one fateful Diwali night, their magical twin connection prompts them to switch places in order to solve the mystery of their separation and prevent what seems to be an inevitable war.

Sisters of the Snake doesn’t seem like the first of the series- for the first 9/10. None of the exposition seemed tedious, and I quickly connected to the characters and their plights. The romance was predictable, but sweet. The plot was well paced, and I had a hard time putting it down for a while there! My biggest issue was with the resolution. After being separated for the majority of the book, it almost felt awkward to have Rani and Ria reunited. The dialogue felt forced where it previously hadn’t. That said, it definitely has an ending that leaves me wanting a second book!

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and Netgalley for providing me an E-ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Sisters of the Snake caught my eye because it was an Indian-inspired fantasy and that's easily one of the best parts about this debut. The depictions of Indian culture in fantasy is rare, so it meant a lot to see.

However, I found the story itself to be lacking. I never felt too invested in the plot (mostly because it was filled with holes and was unnecessarily confusing). Around the 60% mark, I gained some interest to keep me going. The characters seemed two dimensional to me, I wasn't able to connect with them at all, which is probably why I didn't feel invested as well.

Overall, I would recommend for the South Asian representation in fantasy, but other aspects of the story left me wanting more.

Thank you Netgalley and the author for providing an e-arc in exchange of honest review.
Book: Sisters of the Snake
Author: Sasha Nanua, Sarena Nanua
Genre: Fantasy
Expected Publication date: 15 June 2021
_______
🐍
Plot description ( taken from Goodreads) :
A lost princess. A dark puppet master. And a race against time—before all is lost.
Princess Rani longs for a chance to escape her gilded cage and prove herself. Ria is a street urchin, stealing just to keep herself alive.
When these two lives collide, everything turns on its head: because Ria and Rani, orphan and royal, are unmistakably identical.
A deal is struck to switch places—but danger lurks in both worlds, and to save their home, thief and princess must work together. Or watch it all fall into ruin.
Deadly magic, hidden temples, and dark prophecies: Sisters of the Snake is an action-packed, immersive fantasy that will thrill fans of The Crown’s Game and The Tiger at Midnight.
________
🐍
• I have heard that it's a retelling of Princess and the Pauper. Since I haven't watched it, this book was a new story for me. And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
• Reasons to read:
1. The plot is fast paced and is completely intriguing. Once you start it, there will be a strong urge to complete it asap.
2. The characters were diverse with a proper back story.
3. The REPRESENTATION (omg!!). I was super excited for reading this since it has South Asian representation. The characters, the atmosphere, the mention of words like Jalebi, naan, lehanga, Saree, etc were enough to make me feel connected to the characters and the story.
4. The fantasy part. I love everything with a hint of fantasy in it. And when the fantasy revolves around magic connected to animals, I'm always in for it.
Honestly, I'm very much terrified of snakes, but couldn't stop myself from loving Shima.
5. The dual perspective. It wasn't confusing at all and the best part was that I could get a glimpse into both of their lives.
6. The extra guide which helps us understand the types of magic.
🐍
In short, everything about the book was good to me. There were some plot holes like the focus was only on one magic, i.e- snake magic. There were some unanswered questions too. But since it is the first book in the Duology, I hope to get all the answers in the sequel.
_______
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. 5
• Plot- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Cover and Title- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Characters- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🐍
Recommended to the ones who are getting started with fantasy and also for everyone who want to read something quick, intriguing and magical.

Sisters of the Snake is a fun and exciting YA fantasy. It's about a princess (Rani) and a thief (Ria) who discover that they are identical twin sisters, after which they promptly switch places and temporarily live each other's lives. With a war on the horizon, stakes are high and become even higher as secrets are revealed.

There are several things I loved about this book. As someone with South Asian heritage, I loved the Indian representation in this OwnVoices novel! That's really important to me and I'm glad it was done well.

I thought the characters were interesting and the world building was great. I was never bored while reading this. Each chapter moved the plot forward, although the pace really picked up in the last 20 chapters, which are action packed and thrilling. These chapters are also more focused on the magic of the world which I enjoyed, but I wish we had learned about the magic system throughout the whole book, instead of just getting glimpses of it at the beginning and a magic-heavy second half. This led to moments where I was confused about how the magic system works, as it felt underdeveloped at times. That said, there is a lot of potential for the magic system to grow and I hope it does in the sequel because it is cool and fascinating. I thought the inclusion of snakespeaking as a type of magic was unique because it isn't commonly seen in fantasy books. And I loved Shima so much!

The overarching plot held my interest, but a few plot points seemed too convenient. I was also unsure about some of the relationships between the main characters and minor characters, mostly regarding their motives (for example, why would so and so help Ria?) or regarding the strength of certain relationships because there was more telling than showing happening (and so certain things weren’t believable). There is a romance subplot and I thought it worked well and that the romantic relationships were cute.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this and rate it 3.5/5 stars. I recommend this book for anyone looking for an exciting and fast paced OwnVoices Indian-inspired fantasy novel.

Thank you to the authors for seeking out BIPOC book bloggers to review their book! And thank you to Netgalley and HarperTeen for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this beautiful book

I loved the writing style so much, everything felt so magical and magnificent, the world building was phenomenal everything about it was just so unique and brilliant. Rani and Ria were written so well they were very complex and deep, their growth in this book alone was unbelievable, these girls were my favorites and i cant wait to see how their story ends.

i was head over heels for the magic system it won me away, feeling both ancient and unique, Sasha and Sarena really put together such a magical book and i am so impressed that this is their debut novel. This book will win you over this summer i just know it will.

from the magical journey it takes you on, i was left breathless and wanting more. the twists and the turns everything was done so well. i was completely at a loss for words when i finished.

Sisters of the Snake follows two girls born on Diwali: Rani, only daughter of the Snake King and heir to the throne of Abai, and Ria, a lowly orphan thief whose exploits are just enough to keep her on the edge of survival. Their lives could not be any more different, but they soon find out that they share so much more in common than their features.

I love how Ria’s and Rani’s experiences in each other’s shoes highlight the stark differences in their upbringing and perspective in life. Ria finds out that being a princess is not all that it is cracked up to be, and fights her way out of being used as a pawn in political and war games. Rani, on the other hand, slowly realizes how much Abai is suffering under the current system ruled by her father and seeks to right these wrongs.

Navigating these lives reveals how much injustice and violence is present, and honestly, I was surprised by the extent and depth depicted in the book. It includes child conscriptions–which Ria tries to escape in the beginning of the book–and military violence inflicted on the villagers who only want to keep themselves safe. With war on the horizon, the raja orders to keep his armies, called the Charts, full, but our protagonists do not hesitate to call out this unethical practice.

The fast-paced writing and adventurous tone keeps one from delving too deeply into the pain and suffering mentioned here. Sarena and Sasha Nanua keep a tight balance between the light-hearted and depressing elements of this book, and I appreciate having a space to enjoy the princess life while still acknowledging and actively fighting for the good of the people.

There is so much to consider in this world: the magic system with its wielders and Masters; a hidden history revealed only in bedtime stories; the underground movement in the Foothills; the signature violence associated with the Charts; the forgotten prophecy about the twins; and so much more. It can be overwhelming at times to keep everything straight, and I think some of them were not satisfactorily resolved at the end of the book. Much of the information is delivered in lore dumps and nakes for uneven pacing–most notably, a rushed ending–but I still love every detail in the puzzle.

There are probably some plot holes or worldbuilding inconsistencies especially with regards to Ria and Rani’s exchange, but none that affected my enjoyment of this book. It’s the kind of story where I just plow my way through the pages instead of dwelling on individual detail. I think that if I do, i won’t stop crying about the lives lost in the bid for power.

With that said, the world of Sisters of the Snake feels very real and lived in. I can practically smell the roses in the palace or feel the crowds around me as we jostle for space in the marketplace. I love reading descriptions and imagining myself with Ria and Rani as they go on their adventures.

Since I am not Desi, I am not in the place to judge the representation. However, I do enjoy reading about the different food and clothes and music! I had fun Googling photos of pakoras, naan, chunnis, and lehengas. It transports me into a setting that is so different from my own, and it is so fascinating to dive into a world of color I have not encountered before.

Overall, I like this book! If you are looking for a fast-paced, action-packed, and magic-filled story led by strong women of color, then you might like this book too!