DNF

I’m sorry, but I had to DNF this book.

The story itself seemed interesting, and I might pick it up later in a different format.

However, the audiobook didn’t work for me. The narration and/or sound quality made it difficult to stay engaged.

I’d recommend checking out a sample of the audiobook before requesting it.

My stars rating reflects the audiobook’s quality and performance, not the content of the book itself.

Let me start by saying that the audiobook quality was really bad, I felt like I was under water the whole time, I ma not sure if it was just for NetGalley purposes but it really put me off the story, so my review might be biased based on that.

Now onto the story,
This is a very typical YA, it was fun, fast-paced, and very sweet. I wouldn't pick this up again but the "adventure" side of the story was very enjoyable and I will recommend this book. to my audiences and friends. The tension was done SO well!! Definitely one of the best tensions in book I have read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an advanced review copy of the audiobook version of this book.

I went into listening to this book with no knowledge of the folktale it is based on, purely requesting a review copy because the book description and cover image shown interested me.

The story is told from a dual perspective, being told by both Xian and Zhen, which is a format I enjoy when done well and is something I feel probably worked more successfully in the physical book than it came across in the audiobook. For me, due to the poor audio quality and muffled tone of the narrators, I found myself losing focus and having to replay sections at times and also found myself losing track of which character perspective we were on.

The world building set the scene really well and I enjoyed imagining how locations looked based on their description. However, I found the character development to be lacking, making it hard for me to form any proper opinions on anyone.

Queer romance is not my usual go-to when it comes to romance, but for people who enjoy it, I imagine this would only add positively to the book. For me, I found the romance didn't add much, if anything, to the story due to how instant and surface level the love between the two main characters comes across.

For the first 60%of the book, the story progresses in a set direction at a steady pace and was easy enough to follow. However, for the last 40%, it felt like there was no direction anymore with plot points going here there and everywhere. Everything also suddenly seemed to happen all at once, leaving the ending feeling rushed and thrown together haphazardly.

Overall, as a young adult romance novel, it will probably be enjoyed by a lot of people. I just don't think I fall into any of the intended audience categories, though I'm glad to have been given the chance to try something outside of my usual go-to genres. I would highly recommend either checking out a sample of the audiobook before committing to it or choosing a different format.

thank you so much for the audiobook! mine sounded a bit distorted but other than that it was easy to follow and had a good time!

legend of the white snake is a fantasy read set in ancient China, where we follow Xu Xian and Zhen (YES WE GET A DUAL POV😩🤌🏻)

Prince Xian’s mother has been condemned to a slow, painful death because she was bitten by a white snake and the only cure is a spirit pearl or an antidote created by the white snake itself. therefore, Xian decides to travel to the city of Changle to find this white snake.
Zhen is none other than the white snake Xian is hunting (i’m already giggling and kicking my feet). seven years ago, Zhen had consumed a spirit pearl that gave him the ability to transform into a human.

the moment Xian and Zhen meet, they’re instantly drawn to each other but will Zhen’s true identity tear them apart?

Sher Lee does an amazing job at exploring love, loss, hope, and betrayal. i love Xian and Zhen’s dynamic so much and the way they developed throughout the book. their banter was so much fun and the tension??😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨
the world building was also amazing and i loved learning about the myth of the white snake and seeing how it was embedded in the story!!

I was really looking forward to this book. The cover and initial blurb drew me in, and the story had a fantastic premise and a strong start. However, I felt that the execution didn't fully live up to its potential.

The characters felt kind of flat and one-dimensional, especially Xian. I wanted to see more character development, especially with the cool backstory of Zhen and Qing, which I thought wasn't used to its full potential.

The romance felt a bit rushed to me, leaning too heavily on instant love. The quick timeline didn't give the characters enough time to grow together, and their relationship relied a lot on fate and destiny.

Some stuff just happened way too conveniently, and some phrases were like, repeated way too much. Also, the ending felt rushed.

Overall, it was an okay read, but I was hoping for a lot more.

2.5 ⭐

🎧: The audiobook was decent, but the narrators didn’t particularly stand out or impress me.

<i>Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the advanced copy&audiobook!

4 stars.
Legend of the white snake is a story about a white snake turned boy who has a connection with a prince and they develop a relationship. The prince is trying to find a cure for his mother; who has been bitten by a snake and he needs to find a white snake to develop a cure.
I loved the plot of this, the way the romance unfolds as we go along and the mild angst of keeping secrets. There were twists that were unexpected and plot twists that weren’t but didn’t in my opinion detract from the good storytelling. The pacing was just right, arguably the way the romance developed was fast but it worked in the era it was in.
All the main characters were very likeable, one minor “flaw” I suppose, was that Zhen was incredibly selfless. Maybe trying to make him too perfect. The relationship between the two was fast but very cute, so I was shipping them.
I think if you’re a lover of danmei and yaoi you would like this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian UK Audio for letting me listen to this early.

This book was pretty good in parts, but quite lacking in others.

I loved the first half of the book - the world building, the characters and the plot, despite not loving one of the narrators. I could picture the beautiful Chinese architecture and surroundings, finding this listening experience very relaxing.

However, from about 60% into the book, the plot seemed to change direction. Things happened very quickly, but resolutions happened quickly too, so it hardly mattered. I felt disconnected from what was going on and grew tired of the drama.

I feel the epilogue was a cop out and wish it just ended beforehand - while I know this would've been sad, it would've left a lasting impact and given some sense of finality.

The romance I liked, but the constant reminder of them being "boys" made me feel uncomfortable. Especially with all the spicy scenes; I feel these could've been omitted as they didn't add anything to the story.

Overall, so much potential and a lot of great elements, but not what I'd hoped for

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed the plot and the historical setting which gave a more coroful nuance to this love story. Sadly for me personally the narrators were a miss - I had a hard time concentrating during the audiobook due to their tone. Neverthaless, I believe a lot of people will enjoy Legend of the White Snake!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan UK Audio for the ARC

A intriguing queer fantasy novel. I really enjoyed the inspiration drawn from Chinese folktales. It was so interesting! I also adored the queer couple in the story. The world-building was fantastic. Everything was so vivid and vibrant. The characters were well-fleshed out and the relationship was sweet.

Sher Lee's "Legend of the White Snake" is an impressive fantasy debut. It seamlessly blends YA elements - rich world-building, character-driven narrative, and an engrossing plot 📚

Imagine a captivating tale where a snake spirit transforms into a man, falling for a prince while concealing his true nature 🐍👑 It's a fresh, romantic take on an ancient Chinese legend.

Prince Xian faces a dire situation: his mother, bitten by a white snake in his youth, is slowly succumbing to the venom 🤒 The cure? A mythical spirit pearl or an antidote derived from the elusive white snake itself. Determined, Xian journeys to Changle, guided by an oracle's prophecy 🔮

Enter Zhen, once a white snake dwelling in West Lake. After consuming a coveted spirit pearl, he gained the power to assume human form 🧑‍🦱✨

In Changle, Xian encounters a mysterious and alluring stable boy - none other than Zhen in disguise. As their mutual attraction intensifies, Zhen grapples with a shocking realisation: he's the very snake Xian seeks 😱 Their burgeoning romance teeters on the edge of Zhen's precarious secret.

The rapid romantic connection between the main characters might raise eyebrows for those who prefer slow-burn relationships. Yet, this swift bond harmonises beautifully with the story's energetic tempo 💞🏃‍♂️

Newcomers to the original legend, fear not - this tale stands strong on its own merits. Once you dive in, you'll find yourself utterly engrossed. The dialogue crackles with wit and charm, leaving my copy resembling a technicolor dream from all my highlighting 📚✨ Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster, especially as you approach the finale. 🎭🤯

To wrap it up, Sher Lee's knocked it out of the park with this first novel 🏆 It's easily snagged a spot in my top reads for the year, and I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what she cooks up next 👀📚 If this debut is any indication, we're in for some serious literary treats down the road!