Thank you Net Galley for allowing me the opportunity to give my honest opinion on this arc!

Legend of the White Snake follows Xian, a prince who has set his life goal to save his mother from a terrible illness. The cure is said to come from a special snake which causes Xian to become a snake hunter. He desperately searches for the snake to save his mother who only has little time left. After hearing the news his mother will not last long, he goes to a monk to question what to do. The monk directs him to search in an area which contains the snake he desires. There he finds more than he wants, a gorgeous boy named Zhen who turns out to the white snake in human form (but Xian does not know that). The two have an instant connection and cannot stay away. Will their feelings conquer Xian's quest or the other way around?

Last year, I listened to the audiobook of the author's debut. I thought it was a sweet and quick read but it did not completely stick out to me. I had an enjoyable time and was curious about the author's next publications. I then saw they were working on a romantic fantasy based on Chinese legends and instantly became excited. This book felt like it was a toned down version (with the themes and mature level) of a danmei novel. It was constantly giving danmei vibes and I was eating it up. I loved seeing similar themes such as the romantic dynamics and the way the plot folded out. If you are ever curious about danmeis, I highly suggest picking this up because it has similar themes but it is easier to understand.

For the characters, I both enjoyed Xian and Zhen. I thought they both had strong motivations which made me root for them. Both of their motivations conflicted with the others so it was hard to side with one person. I felt like that made the story more interesting as well as emotional. When the two were together, they had great chemistry but I wish it was not as fast paced. I understand why the romance progressed fast, but I much prefer a slow-burn. The sweet moments made up for that though.

The plot was a little predictable but I did not mind. It was an enjoyable story and sometimes that is all I need. However, the ending felt like it came out of nowhere because of a certain twist. I accepted it but it still felt strange. Though, it did not off put me and change my opinion on the book. Overall, I just thought it was sweet and an emotional read. I flew through this book and wanted to know what happened next immediately. Maybe this is not the greatest book of all time, but it certainly hit the spot. If you ever need a quick romantic fantasy with two boys falling in love, this is the perfect choice!

4 stars

Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I love a good fantasy and Sher Lee delivered! I don’t know much about the legend but I still really enjoyed this story! I loved both Xian and Zhen, their connection is sweet, charming, and fast paced! Plenty of moments that will give you the warm and fuzzies! Then you get the action and adventure! Plenty of side characters to love with this one too! A quick story that will make you smile from start to finish!

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, Quill Tree Books, and HarperCollins Children's Books for this advanced copy! You can pick up Legend of the White Snake on October 15, 2024.

What a stunning, lyrical romantic fantasy! Sher Lee's voice was gorgeous throughout this whole book, and the story she wove was mesmerizing. This retelling of a traditional Chinese folktale, set in a queer-normative world, followed a shape-shifting snake, and the prince determined to capture him to cure his mother's illness. Xian and Zhen had instant chemistry, and though their relationship had more ups and downs than a rollercoaster, I was super invested in their love story. I predicted some of the twists and betrayals, while others took me completely by surprise. Despite being such a short book, Lee included so many pivotal moments, especially in the final third.

If you're looking for a really immersive, lyrical mythology-inspired story with an MLM romance, this is your book!

The book caught my interest right from the beginning. However, the insta love between the main characters didn't quite work for me, and as the story progressed, it felt rather predictable and relied heavily on typical YA tropes. Despite this, I found it to be a cute read and would still recommend it to friends who appreciate this genre.

The plot and characters were interesting but I wish they were more fleshed out. Every interaction and moment felt rushed and I never felt the tension. Especially once the action picked up--it was engaging and I was invested but it was moving way too quick beat to beat.

I enjoyed all the cultural and history facts, but they felt separate from the story--like I was reading two books simultaneously.

Also it felt like it was someone telling the tale of Xian and Zhen--even from their perspectives it didn't feel like we were in their shoes but were being told about their adventures third-hand.

Loved the moment with the gray pebble, I wasn't expecting to be devastated by a rock.

It was a cute story, but it wasn't for me.

3.5 stars!

Thank you to Sher Lee and Quill Tree Books for an ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!

This is the kind of book that falls just on the good side of mediocre, which sounds harsh but let's just say you know what you're getting into. It's not going to surprise or deeply change you, but it will be fun and entertaining, which is a combination that I think all of us need sometimes.

First, the good stuff. I liked the setting and the way that folklore interplayed with the historical aspects. I hadn't heard about the original Legend of the White Snake and this was a pleasant introduction to it. Particularly towards the end, you can increasingly feel the strength of the relationship between Xian and Zhen when the more intense and climatic moments of the story put their bond to the test. It was just cute and sweet and a good thing to be reading on the first week of classes when I didn't want anything difficult.

As for what I enjoyed less, I kind of touched on it in the intro. It is genuinely nothing more than it has to be as a YA romance. The plot doesn't have to be super compelling, the characters can be basically perfect and not very complex, and it doesn't really have to teach you anything new. I don't really gravitate to those kinds of books but I still give YA romances a shot sometimes because I have been pleasantly surprised in the past, but this was just not one of those cases. I really like historical fantasy but this was just a very simple myth retelling with no bells and whistles to lend it the gravity that can truly transform those stories.

If you really love fluffy YA romances or Sher Lee's other book, I'm certain this will be up your alley. If you really want to read something that feels unlike any other book, I don't think you'll find this very impressive.

Happy reading!

3.5⭐️

An absolutely fantastic read! This Chinese-inspired BL fantasy romance was incredibly addictive and kept me on the edge of my seat. I was completely engrossed the entire time and couldn't put it down. The descriptive writing style and smooth flow of the story were captivating. I can't wait to read more from Sher Lee!

I would have loved for this to be 200 pages longer and in the New Adult category, so it could delve deeper into the characters and their story. I would’ve liked to see a little bit more angst and tension between the main characters. But even so, I still had a great time with it!

I really loved this! I just absolutely adore the cover.

I have been in a xianxia/ wuxia phase this year. I really enjoyed Fake Dates and Mooncakes, so I was excited when I heard that Sher Lee was working on a fantasy based on the White Snake legend.

The story follows a prince, Xian, who is chasing a pearl that can heal his mother who is sick. Zhen was a snake who swallowed the pearl and became a snake spirit who can shift between human and white snake. As Xian and Zhen two are brought together, the chemistry between them and their separate goals start to create a delicious level of tension.

I had such high expectations for this book, and I really got all of the beats that I was looking for. I got an appropriate level of pining, some good teamwork, cast of supportive friends, and the appropriate level of tension. From a writing perspective, I also appreciated seeing the Chinese characters for significant words, and having items (like clothing) both described and named for me. It gave me keywords for context and to find out more in future.

If you like a fairy tale retelling, Heaven Official’s blessings, or the untamed, definitely worth a read.

3.5/5

The Legend of the White Snake is based off of Chinese folklore. Though I am not super familiar with this legend, I know that this novel has a queer twist to it. And it did not disappoint.

The story follows Prince Xu Xian who is looking for a cure for his mother’s sickness. With the guidance of the king’s advisor and the vague advice from his temple’s oracle, Xian is set on a path to hunt a white snake to find this cure.

This path sends him to Chengle where he meets a handsome stable boy named Zhen. Due to an instant connection, Xian ensures that Zhen becomes his personal attendant and guide around Chengle to help him find the white snake. Little does he know that Zhen is actually the white snake that he is hunting and that they share a past encounter.

I think it was clever of the author to have a dual POV for Zhen and Xian’s journey because it is full of mixed emotions: pleasure, joy, guilt, fear, and anxiety. Both characters are flawed, yet so easy to root for. Watching their relationship blossom was beautiful and organic. The plot was quick and engaging, filled with lots of Chinese tradition. The side characters enhanced every aspect of this book and there was a decent plot twist!

My only gripe with this book would be the writing style: it seems like this is meant to be set in Ancient China, but the dialogue sounded very modern for that time period. Also, though I loved all the Chinese cultural references, sometimes there were too many at one time and because they all came with explanations, it interrupted the flow of reading.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, quick YA read. Thank you to Sher Lee, NetGalley, and the publishers for this eArc. All opinions are my own.

<spoiler>
I feel like there could have been more explanation at the end of how Zhen came back. Okay, yes he chose to be human instead of immortal, but why did it take him 100 days to return? One chapter of Zhen’s POV of that time would have made it perfect.

Also I didn’t like how many people ‘died’ and came back to life in the last 10% of the book. It felt repetitive and unsurprising by the end. </spoiler>

What a wonderful fantasy debut! I read Sher Lee's first book, so I knew this book was going to be amazing, but even my standards were blown away. I loved the emotional connection, the storyline, the magic, all of it! Sher Lee is a phenomenal writer!

I was sold at the blurb of a queer retelling/reimagining of one of China's four famous folktales. Overall, I enjoyed it as a quick, fast read, with two MCs that are adorable together. Definitely feels like YA, pacing-wise, as it's a lot of action and then basically instalove/lust between the two MCs but well, it's also not that unbelievable since they're impulsive, dramatic teenagers. Sometimes I felt like some of the plot points were like...super dark but it was glossed over? And then it was just cute? But I suppose that's where it def feels like a folktale/myth, you have to have some suspension of disbelief. I also appreciate that both being queer isn't really a big deal in this world at all. Overall, I appreciate it as an Asian-inspired, queer fantasy in the YA genre, that was a quick, easy read, and it made me interested in the original source material.

Thank you to the publishers for an e-ARC via Netgalley.

I was absolutely delighted by Legend of the White Snake.
What I admired most about this book was the progression of attraction between Zhen and Xian. It felt natural, engaging, and wholesome. Zhen's hesitancy in the beginning and Xian's enthusiasm endeared me to the characters. By the end of the book I truly felt as though they were "soulmates." The idea of one without the other felt unnatural and tragic. Xian and Zhen became so intertwined one could have believed they were always so connected.

On the other hand, I LOVED the plot of Legend of the White Snake. It felt challenging, tense, and exciting. The anticipation grew at every mention of race against time to find the cure for Xian's mother and the impending betrayal of Zhen for being the White Snake who stole the cure in the first place.

As is the case with most books I finish, I would love to read more about Zhen and Xian's lives together.

This was cute! I love myth retellings and the legend of the white snake is not one I’ve heard of before. I loved the insight into Chinese customs, culture, and religion. All the food descriptions and the explanation of different tea brewing steps made my mouth water.

Xian and Zhen’s relationship was sweet, and I loved the slight angst we got. But I do wish there was more of it to help flesh out their romance before they started calling each other soulmates. Zheng was always going to be my favorite because I have a soft spot for lovable boys who try to save everyone. I loved the family dynamics that were depicted, especially Xian’s love for his mom and Zhen’s love for Qing.

While the first half way really strong, the second half began to lose its shape somewhat. I think this was due to the pace being a little too quick towards the end. While it was a satisfying ending, I wish more time had been dedicated to setting up the events and interactions. The writing began to rely more on telling rather than showing. Overall I had fun!

While I somewhat enjoyed this book it was a little too….immature? I should say the writing felt immature. I know this is only the authors second book, but it almost felt like fanfiction at times. Like it was trying to emulate popular danmei novels rather than having a story of its own. The setting is supposed to be ancient China but the wording is too modern so it took me out of the story at times. Also, the author uses terms like cultivation but we never see any cultivation or are even told what cultivation is so the reader either has to already know what it is or go research it. I feel like the characters were a little too predictable and didn’t have much growth but it’s hard to have growth in an insta-love story that all takes place in about a month. Zhen’s character was a little too self-sacrificing to be relatable or believable and for me was just silly. “I love you and would give anything to be with you and I’ll never leave you” only to literally sacrifice himself the next day. Xian, on the other hand, jumped straight into the “you’ve betrayed me so you no longer matter” phase way too easily, he didn’t even try to ask questions! I know you’re a prince but no one would tell someone a secret that big in the short while you’ve known each other! And how did he know that this white snake is the one who took the pearl? There can only be one white snake spirit? Even if it makes sense that this is the same snake, shouldn’t there at least be a conversation about it? The characters weren’t balanced with each other or within themselves. There are just instances throughout the story that were handled childishly and that had the author had the characters handle in a more mature way would have really built up a good story. This book, for me at least, just needs to be more built up.

I enjoyed this one—it was a charming and dynamic story with fast pacing and an engaging plot. While the book is not profoundly deep or complex, relying on existing Chinese myths and lore to craft the world-building, I was still fully invested and drawn into the story. I thought the writing was natural and compelling, it wasn’t cheesy or unnecessarily elaborate. The characters were definitely the standout element— the chemistry among them is palpable, with interactions that are both heartfelt and humorous. Overall, the story is jam-packed with action and would be a great entry for someone trying to get into fantasy. I would love to read a sequel, especially because the ending was quite rushed

DNF. This book was recommended to me by a friend who we overlap 1/5 time on books we enjoy. Sadly, this was not one.

It is simply just not for me, at least not right now. I love the premise, I think it’s so interesting and this is a book I want to give another shot, but any review I write right now won’t be favorable.

4.5!

I adored this queernormative retelling of the Chinese legend of the white snake!

We have concepts of fate and characters willing to give up everything for their love, for the balance of the universe. There were moments when I went “oh no” aloud, when I was sure if my heart would stay broken beyond the ending, and am convinced it was anyway but in the best way.

The writing style was accessible, if a little unadorned at times, but in a way where it was simple but beautiful. It didn’t offer too many unnecessary details or flowery statements where this wasn’t needed - the detail was in the way Zhen and Xian interacted, the minutia of their growing relationship, which is exactly where I wanted it. Breadcrumbs of the plot were handily left for us to nibble and enjoy as it thickened, as more moving parts were introduced - but I never felt lost, or alternatively bored, even if there were moments when I suspected what would happen. There was a genuine character-based plot twist though that I really didn’t see coming! Which only added to the stakes. The plot was poetic in its cyclical fashion, really harking back to the nature and form of legends and myths.

I loved the characterisations of Zhen and Xian - with Zhen just capturing my heart! Each of our main protagonists was well fleshed out, compelling and relatable in some way. There were elements to resonate with no matter what path you’ve walked down. The way each character saw - and described on page - the world was also firmly cemented in their own lived experiences down to the similes that Lee chose to use, which seems obvious to comment on but I appreciated this granular care taken over the prose.

Zhen and Xian’s relationship also felt genuine, even if it did hold that admittedly wonderful cliche of love at first sight - but this is the element of fate, of destiny, of two souls meeting and knowing there’s something beyond that regular call of attraction or interest. I adore this trope, and my heart dies a little each time I get to see characters choose each other despite - or perhaps in spite of - their destiny!

Overall it’s a beautiful coming of age story, and one I’ll go back to simply to enjoy all over again. I pre ordered this even before I’d finished!!

Thank you Sher Lee, HarperCollins & Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!

Ever since this book was announced I have been excitedly anticipating it and it did not disappoint! This book is a beautiful donghua rich with Chinese culture.
Xian and Zheng had me giggling for them and rooting for them so many times, their love story is so beautiful, a gradual and sensible arc, and it made me very engaged.
The side characters were very crucial to the story too, with all of them adding depth to our wonderful leads in one way or another.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a fresh new fantasy!

Firstly, thank you to Sher Lee, NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book of Sher Lees I have read and I can safely confirm her status as an auto buy author. Legend of the White Snake is totally different from her first novel but her writing style draws you in and you instantly feel connections with the main characters. I actually didn't mind getting up for newborn feeds as it meant some time to read!

I ove a retelling of mythology and fairy tales etc and whilst I knew little to nothing of Chinese folklore I could feel the love and care Sher Lee gave to the core elements while creating her own spin.

Xian and Zhen melted my heart. I feel I can't say too much as don't want to spoil but I enjoyed reading their journey as individual characters as well as their journey as each other's soulmate

I'm off to pre order my hard copy 🤍

Side note: history of dragon boat fascinated me. As someone who has been the drummer (cannot row to save my life) several times for charity dragon boat races this was so interesting to read.

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This book has a really strong start and drew me in pretty quickly but the instalove between the main characters killed it for me and it just all in all felt to YA and predictable.