Oh my gosh this book tugged on my heartstrings. This book had just the right amount of sass, humor and heartache which is the perfect recipe for a great love story. Reading how Zhen became a human, and found his family in Qing, was a different take on fated partners. It was also refreshing to read a book where the main lead was no ashamed of his attraction to the other lead, and was a setting that homophobia was not present. The friend and sidekick was also a fun dynamic to experience, and THE VILLAIN?? Yeah did not predict that one. That one got me good. I did a little gasp at that reveal. Whew. Ugh, nothing but love for this book. I want more! This was a fun and comfy read. This was a 5 star read for me! Thank you NetGalley for this, I will cherish this one!

Had a blast reading this one!

Our backdrop is ancient China, and the story is a twist on a popular legend. The pacing of this story is breakneck. Something is literally always happening and consequences are fleshed out fast. I think that makes it a perfect read for teens who get intimidated by the length and accessibility of fantasy. There arent dull moments. I never felt like the story dragged. There is worldbuilding, there is attention to detail, but it is all woven in so carefully along with characterization that it is conveyed simply and naturally.

There are emotional moments of anticipation, both in the romance and the action, that really tie this book together very neatly into a sweeping story that is quick and easy to read.

Would recommend for teens looking for queer fantasy, epic romance, emotional punches and fairytale retellings.

A magnetic connection, an unresistible pull, soulmates. That’s how I’d describe the way Xian and Zhen felt about each other from the moment they met.

I’m not a huge fantasy reader; I’ve said it before. Most and for all, I’m a contemporary lover. But sometimes, a fantasy book pulls me in, and I can’t let go. Legend of the White Snake is such a book. It reads like a historical (YA) romance set in ancient China with some fantasy elements added.

The start of this story, told from a dual perspective, blew me away. Xian and Zhen are both wonderful MCs, Xian the resilient, headstrong prince, and Zhen, the gentle, calm boy/white snake—two boys who immediately feel a bond with each other.

I loved the interaction between those two, the pulling and the pushing, and the tropes used (there’s only one room/bed!). Legend of the White Snake is on the lighter and sweeter side, just like Sher Lee’s debut Fake Dates and Mooncakes, especially in the first part of the story. My lips curved up in a smile so many times. The second part got a bit harsher, there are fights and people die, but that bond between those two boys was always palpable. And isn’t that cover stunning? It fits the softness of this story so well!

Thank you, Allison, from HarperCollins, and of course, dear Sher, for this ARC! I can’t wait to have the book in my hands!

This book starts off really strong, but does not finish off as strong. The book is billed as danmei inspired, and while I do think it hits some of those points superficially, I feel like it does miss the mark in more substantial ways. The setting and characters are not really fleshed out, and there's not a lot of space given for meaningful character growth. The romance aspects also felt rushed and a bit haphazard, it really didn't make sense for them to make the choices they did given how things panned out, or at least not as quickly as it did. I also felt like the explanations were a little out of place and not always needed. I get wanting readers to understand what's being described, but unless it's really crucial, I feel like we don't need to get descriptions of all the inane things. Particularly since the way things are described often was not organically introduced and felt jarring. It also felt like there were too many ideas included, especially in the last half of the book where things need to get tied up but more and more obstacles are introduced. I think this book could have benefited from some better focusing of plot details and giving the characters more growth and interest.