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.

#bookreview #bookish #books #reading #emotional #romance #book #spicy #legends #mythology #lgbtq #ya #romantasy #fantasy #retelling #chinesefolktale #legendofthewhitesnake #sherlee #netgalley

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.

This caught my attention as I watched parts of the 2019 Legend of the White Snake drama. Asian folklore interests me, and the summary mentioning that the white snake is male (making this m/m romance) drew me in. I am not an expert on the lore, but I enjoyed seeing the green snake and Fahai (two other characters) in the story too. From my memory, the character representing the prince has a lot more of a gentle vibe to him when I watched some of the drama, so giving him some motive and determination to seek out hunting snakes for an antidote for his sick mother was a nice spin and to give the story more of a star-crossed forbidden theme and hidden identity trope.

Xian and Zhen were everything. I also liked Xian's dynamic with his bodyguard, and Zhen's sibling dynamic with Qing. The world building was good to see, and maybe would be better if dynamics within Xian's family were explored more. There were some twists I wasn't expecting, and the buildup, romance, anguish, everything in between them was lovely to read.

Thank you for the complimentary ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is my first time reading a Sher Lee novel and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read and review. I chose this initially based on the stunning cover and that it had danmei/wuxia vibes. It already exuded "I will hurt you" energy. And hurt my feelings it did!

What a lovely tale of two young people falling in love despite all odds. This isn't even a prince and pauper fall in love story. The prince is falling in love with a literal snake turned human. This is a story of hidden identities, betrayal, and found family.

I adored the character growth that Xian, Zhen, and even Feng (Prince Xian's bodyguard) go through! The twists were twisting because while I was suspicious, I really could guess some of those later reveals.

This book does a fantastic job of bringing forth that danmei/wuxia fantastical imagery whilst building solid characters and plot. I think it would be a great place for many to be introduced to the genre!

Thank you so much HC for the chance to read and review!

thank you to harpercollins and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

bruuuuuUUUUUUHHHSJDKFKAJH just straight SOBBING those last few pages. STILL sobbing as i write this so forgive me if i can’t make any sense right now; my chest actually hurts from crying 😵‍💫

everything about this intrigued me—the synopsis, the MLM, the COVER??? whew it did not disappoint. my only criticism is that it could’ve been like 100 pages LONGER. and i know that’s a hot take and i hardly ever feel that way, but i just wanted more time seeing zhen and xian in love and even more time with them as enemies. as it is, i do think xian got over the “betrayal” fairly easily. i wanted more complex and conflicting emotions from him. but that’s literally it.

i loved that it was fun and romantic and exciting while providing an opportunity to learn a lot about chinese legends and language and culture! can’t wait to buy it on pub day!

Who knew a beating of a heart would be so sexy. In this book, sex is largely left to the imagination, but the heartbeat felt between two lovers is more profound, then anything that you could imagine.

Zhen is a white snake, that has swallowed a magical pearl, and been able to transform into a human. Prince Xian needed that pearl to save his mother from a snake bite that is killing her. He asks the oracle for answers that lead him to Zhen, and they fall in love. Each hiding a secret.

I loved this book. It sounds so straightforward, but there are twists and turns, and loyalties, and betrayals. And who should you trust, and why? The research of this historical fantasy is fantastic, and makes you feel in the middle of the story.

Love the writing. Love the story. I stayed up late to finish this, and of course, all good stories, I was crying towards the end.

All the stars. This book comes out October 15, 2024. Preorder it, you will not regret it.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

This was a very mid read. The romantic relationship was quite instalove, and neither Xian nor Zhen were interesting characters.

Grade: A - 4.75 stars, rounded up for NetGalley
This one lost 0.25 stars for me solely because the writing style was a bit on-the-nose YA, but other than that I just loved it. I literally flew through this book because I just had to know what happened next. I really loved Zhen's character in particular, and his relationship with Qing really added to the book.
I also thought the development of Xian and Zhen's relationship maybe started a little fast, but then it made sense why they were drawn to each other and why they kept working to stay together. Also I admit I'm weak for some "protecting each other" which this had in spades.

Thank you HarperCollins and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC!

Legend of the White Snake exceeded all my expectations for a Chinese retelling! Even though I wasn't familiar with the original Legend of the White Snake, this adaptation was beautifully crafted and effortlessly enchanting. The story was easy to follow, with a magical quality in its prose. The main characters were both well-rounded and distinct, and the writing was simply delightful. Not only does LOTWS feature soulmates, but it also incorporates found family and some delightful tropes. The author packed all these elements into a story that I thoroughly enjoyed!

LOTWS is well-paced and accessible, making it enjoyable for everyone, not just fantasy-lovers. The initial spark between our main characters, Zhen and Xian, quickly propels the plot forward, but what really impressed me was how the story expanded beyond their immediate connection. After the halfway point, the plot takes unexpected turns that left me gasping in surprise. There were twists I didn’t foresee and characters who defied my expectations.

One of my favorite aspects was the dual perspectives of Zhen and Xian. Seeing both sides of their love story added depth to their characters and revealed their true feelings. Zhen’s gentle and loving nature complemented Xian’s driven yet conflicted personality perfectly. They felt like they had stepped out of my favorite C-Drama, and their fated connection made their relationship even better!

The secondary characters also played a crucial role, revealing different facets of Zhen and Xian while standing out in their own right. This only deepened my affection for all the characters and made the ending all the more poignant.

Overall, I had a wonderful experience reading LOTWS. The story wove its way into my heart and left a lasting impression. My only regret is not having a physical copy to mark up and annotate to my heart’s content!! When I get a physical copy, it's definitely happening!

First, I would like to express my gratitude to @sherleeauthor for providing me with an E-ARC. It means the world to me that you wanted me to read and review your next title before its release. Sher Lee has once again captivated me with this story! I thoroughly enjoyed Fake Dates and Mooncakes, and this story has surpassed my expectations. It is a beautiful tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption. "Legend of the White Snake" is a retelling of a Chinese folktale of the same name. The story is narrated from a dual point of view. One perspective is from Zhen, the Snake Spirit who has transformed into a boy and must conceal his true identity as he falls in love with the Prince. The other perspective is from Xian, the Prince who is attempting to find a white snake in order to cure his mother, and also falls in love with the boy, who happens to be the very snake he is seeking. As they develop feelings for one another, Xian discovers that Zhen is the white snake he has been searching for. With their deepening emotions for each other, will Zhen's true identity and his role in saving Xian's mother hinder their chances of a long life together?

If you like xianxias, wuxias, and danmeis, you <i>may</i> like this one. It’s still a young adult novel at its core and therefore features the traditional style of the genre, but it still offers a glimpse into a unique take of a Chinese fairy tale with its own twists. As someone who struggles getting into xianxia and wuxia dramas, this was a breath of fresh air reading experience. And while I am not familiar with The Legend of the White Snake at all (I have not seen the drama, either), I don’t think it made an impact on my overall enjoyment. Those a fan of, or familiar with the tale, may appreciate the historical, political, and fantasy elements a bit more, but I still enjoyed it for what it offered and found myself thoroughly entertained.

I haven’t read Sher Lee’s debut novel, [book:Fake Dates and Mooncakes|62794544], and it’s mostly out of fear of not enjoying it after hearing mixed reviews about it, but considering I had a hold at my library for this, I knew I needed to download the ARC when the opportunity came up. And honestly, I enjoyed it. Can’t complain about that.

I normally do not comment on whether I agree or don’t agree with reviewers, but I gotta make an exception here: I agree with others when they say the relationship is insta-love. There’s hardly any development for it, and there is no sign of it being slow burn. I think most of this comes from a couple things, like the stakes at risk, Zhen hiding his real identity from Xian, and, well…they’re both growing boys on the brisk of young adults. Personally, I didn’t mind it, but I completely understand why and how it will not work for others. I think being aware of this may help others have a better and bigger idea of what to expect in terms of romance. As an avid young adult romance reader, this isn’t anything new and shocking to me anymore. I think slow burn YA romance is quite hard to find, if you ask me. Could this have been better had it been a slow burn or the author added more development before feelings were confessed? Oh, 100%. But again, I didn’t care nor mind. And I think common watchers of Chinese dramas may even understand too, considering how dramatic they can be. I found the relationship to be developed well even after the feelings came into consideration quickly. Both boys spend quite some time (although limited) together and are able to see more about each other besides just their physical appearance. I think what helped me appreciate the romance more was that besides it being insta-love, I still found the relationship cute, and that really is enough for me. I’m simple. If a relationship makes me smile and awe in delight, there is a bigger chance of the story being a winner for me, and this one did.

I loved the cultural aspect of this. The xianxia element is strong, as the novel is a retelling of the legend of the white snake, but instead of a female snake spirit falling for a young man, it’s a male snake spirit falling for the Crown Prince. There’s a lot of inspiration from Chinese culture, and I think it’s fair to say there’s a lot to learn about Chinese mythology and philosophy but also cultural customs and traditions.

But unfortunately, this whole story was not the best reading experience. The plot is a bit brinked, and I believe the author could’ve used a couple more pages to develop it more. It felt as if we started the plot a certain way, and mid way, especially as the relationship between Xian and Zhen was developing, it lost its original idea/method. The breaking point happened a little after the middle, around the 60% mark, which left me a bit confused as to how things would unfold. And don’t get me wrong, I think the author did a great job with the timeline and bringing it all together; I just think things were wrapping up too quickly. Most of the book is spent in Changle, which makes sense, considering Xian’s hope of finding the white snake and pearl to heal his mother starts there, but at the same time, it felt like the entire prospect of Changle was forgotten. There was hardly anything really related to the setting and its people, and as a book in the fantasy genre, I think that’s a weak point. I personally love fantasy for world building, but it felt severely lacking here. There was plenty to appreciate about culture, tradition, customs, logic, and language, yet the world building, the people, and everything that made Changle and Wuyue its places were underwhelming. I’m the type of reader who can and likes to envision what she reads, and while this isn’t exactly a problem many people will face, not being able to do so feels a little weak to me.

The characters are a mixed bag for me. I had my issues with both, Xian and Zhen, and I couldn’t bring myself to love them in every scene. Xian, for starters, was a prick at times, and I hated his constant victimization; Zhen, on the other hand, was just a bit too empathetic for my liking. Once again, this won’t be an issue for everyone, but with this being fantasy and xianxia, I was expecting a bit more complexity for the characters. Zhen, especially, felt more one-dimensional for me than Xian. I was not a fan of how humble he came across, and I don’t know if this makes me a bad person, but I needed him to step up for himself a bit. He came off as weak and muted. Throughout the whole story, he has a certain role of his character that does not allow him to have character development. He feels the way throughout the entire story. On the other hand, Xian wasn’t much better. I think Xian had a lot of development, but while I didn’t find him exactly one-dimensional like Zhen, I thought he wasn’t consistent with himself. One moment I liked him, and the next I wanted to strangle him. His personality was unsteady, showing a confusing perspective.

The epilogue was a bit of a let down. As sentimental as I am, and as I can admit I shed a few tears, I am not a fan of the types of epilogues this story has. Either give me the happy ending or the sad one, I don’t care, but something about the whole “___ days/months/years later” endings make me mad.

While I did have some issues, they weren’t too grand and large to affect my enjoyment by a long shot. I still had a good time with this and would definitely recommend it to the right audience. Unfortunately, it did not improve my mixed relationship with wuxias and xianxias, but it did spike some curiosity, so I may give in and try something else at some point.

I sadly did not vibe very well with the two maim characters. The writing was fine, though very info-dumpy and predictable at times. The two mains got together very quickly, and the relationship didn't feel very organic.

A gorgeous and queer retelling that will pull at your heart and make you believe that soulmates exist.

This book is as beautiful as the cover implies, and that is always a hard thing to accomplish - but this book does it with ease. We follow our two main characters - Xian, a prince searching for a cure for his sick mother, and Zhen, the white snake who accidentally stole that very cure 7 years ago. When their paths cross again, there is an instant attraction between them - but can they overcome their differences and betrayals to find love together?

If you were looking for a book with romance, longing, political intrigue, and a connection that might just save everyone they care about, then look no further! This book drew me in from the first page, and once I began reading I wanted to know what would happen next! Just when you think you know where the story is going, I was hit with a plot twist that was so cleverly done it didn’t even occur to me - and yet, in hindsight, it made perfect sense.

Perfect for fans of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, The Girl With No Reflection, and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - The Legend of the White Snake is a beautiful story that will captivate you from the first page.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 ★

“The equilibrium always finds itself.”

I love books that read like Chinese dramas, and that was what first drew me to this book (along with the pretty cover)! Because the title, Legend of the White Snake is a very popular Chinese folktale with several adaptations to it, I knew it would be something I would enjoy reading and hadn’t hesitate to ask the author for an e-arc when the opportunity presented itself.

This book was very fast paced and kept me entertained throughout. Prophecies always trip me up because they’re usually vague, so I never really think twice about them and just let the events unfold without trying to actively guess the outcome. This made the ending and twists especially surprising to me when they seemed obvious in hindsight. Like you think you figured the twist out? No you didn’t!

I loved our main leads, Xian and Zhen, but I think other side characters such as Qing, Feng, and even the villain, could’ve been fleshed out more. We only get to know of the villain’s motivations through the monologuing™, and I think it would’ve made me more sympathetic to the villain’s cause had I seen why their choices were important to them specifically. Like what are the consequences if the villain hadn’t made the choices they did? Maybe showing snippets that hinted at what their life would be like if they didn’t succeed would highlight the importance of their decisions.

Even though the payoff was satisfying, a lot of the action happened near the end, so the story might have felt a little rushed to me. Because of the rushed nature, the characters’ thoughts and feelings aren’t as clear as they don’t have much time to react appropriately to the events unfolded. I do understand that it’s a standalone, so there are limitations like not as much world building and the pacing being much faster than than it would be if there was a sequel, but these things didn’t take away my enjoyment from the story.

I love happy endings, but the epilogue felt a tad too convenient (I can’t say more without spoilers so I’ll leave it at that).

Despite a few things I didn’t like, other things (like the plot, overall story) made up for it and I had a fun time reading this!

Thank you Sher Lee for helping me get an E-ARC of this, and to HarperCollins for sending the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

All in all a sweet, immersive, and riveting read. I do think this could have been a duology. This book started fast and never slowed which isn't a bad thing. At times it bordered on info-dumpy but as someone unfamiliar with the culture I loved all the knowledge I received.

I struggled with rooting for Prince Xian, while I understand his motivations I struggled with some of his decisions and his calousness. He seemed spoiled and uncompromising, I know he is a prince and they are typically spoiled it made it hard for me to love him. If the book had been longer and delved more into the pressure he felt as the prince and son I think I would have been better able to connect with him. I loved Zhen. He was so loving and naive. He made this book worth reading. I understand how some people said it was instalovey but I feel the author did it purposely, after all the characters are supposed to be soulmates. I feel Zhen forgave Xian too easily after everything happened. I enjoyed the side characters Qing was so interesting. Part of the reason I feel this could have been a duology is cause I felt Feng and Qing were underutilized and could had more depth ( although they were still fun).

I liked that the ending was a happy one, although I would have liked to see farther in the future to know if Xian took any other lovers aside from Zhen, cause Zhen deserves to be spoiled and loved wholeheartedly! Sher Lee is fast becoming a favorite author of mine.

The moment I saw that this book was read now on Netgalley I literally ran to grab it and read it that very day in one sitting. And it did not disappoint! For starters, I loved that it was dual POV. For this type of romance it is so important to see each of their thoughts, and we got that done so well in this book. And of course, I loved both the main characters. I adored Xian’s devotion to his mother so much. I also appreciated his care in his relationship with Zhen, trying so hard to put them in a position of equality and not using his title to pressure Zhen. And I loved Zhen so much, with his massive heart and soul and unwavering care and loyalty to those he loves, especially Qing. So in terms of the romance, I thought it was very sweet and cute, but also with a good level of angst. I do wish the plot had been a bit slower paced to allow for more intimate, emotional conversations between Zhen and Xian. The plot also had a lot going on at once, so I think the book could have been longer. But overall I did love it and recommend it.

Sher Lee’s "Legend of the White Snake" offers a fresh and engaging retelling of the beloved Chinese legend. Lee skillfully intertwines rich cultural folklore with contemporary narrative techniques, creating a story that is both timeless and innovative. The novel shines with vibrant descriptions and deeply developed characters, particularly the complex, emotionally resonant protagonist. Lee’s poetic prose and thoughtful exploration of themes such as love, sacrifice, and identity elevate this reimagining to a captivating read. For fans of mythological tales and modern fantasy alike, Sher Lee’s work is a must-read, blending tradition and originality into a compelling literary experience.

There are many fairytales that I've always thought could use a good queer retelling, and the Legend of the White Snake is one of them. The white snake Bai Suzhen in this version is a nice boy named Zhen, and his love Xu Xian is the emperor's favored son.

This was a very sweet story. It was a quick read with easily digestible chapters. The relationship between Xian and Zhen was a bit too instalovey for me though, and most of the characters were a little flat (exceptions being the villain and the courtesan Deng, however briefly he appeared). Some of the prose wasn't the smoothest. There were a few phrases that were repeated, and while I did appreciate the explanation of certain traditions and history (important to have in a YA book for a wide audience), it felt a bit clunky and distracted from the plot. The epilogue also felt tacked on to give us a happy ending. I'm not upset about that really, because I'm just so done with sad queers, but if you skip the epilogue (which I honestly often do because I'm usually disappointed by them), this book has a completely different ending.