Kylie Chan's “The Serpent Princess is an extraordinary fantasy novel that blends rich mythology, complex characters, and a gripping plot into an unforgettable adventure. From the first page, Chan immerses readers in a world where ancient powers, gods, and secrets collide, making for a thrilling and action-packed journey.

The story revolves around the captivating protagonist, whose strength and resilience shine through every challenge she faces. Chan’s skillful characterization brings depth and relatability to the lead, and readers will quickly find themselves rooting for her as she navigates a world filled with danger, intrigue, and supernatural forces. The supporting characters are equally compelling, each one carefully developed and bringing their own unique perspectives and contributions to the narrative.

One of the standout elements of “The Serpent Princess” is Chan’s world-building. The novel is steeped in Chinese mythology, with gods, legends, and mythical creatures seamlessly woven into the plot. The setting feels alive, with detailed descriptions that transport readers to a vibrant world where magic is real, and the boundaries between the mortal and divine are blurred.

The pacing of the book is perfect, with action sequences that are exciting yet balanced by moments of emotional depth. The stakes in the story feel high, and the tension builds steadily throughout the novel, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. Chan’s writing style is immersive and lyrical, drawing readers into the story with ease and creating a strong connection with the world and characters.

At its core, “The Serpent Princess” is a tale of self-discovery, strength, and the complexities of fate. Themes of power, loyalty, and sacrifice are explored with nuance and thoughtfulness, adding emotional depth to the narrative. It’s a book that will leave readers thinking long after they’ve finished it.

Overall, “The Serpent Princess” is a captivating and beautifully written fantasy that will appeal to fans of mythology, strong female protagonists, and high-stakes adventures. Kylie Chan has crafted a memorable and enchanting tale that is sure to be a hit with readers who enjoy immersive, mythologically rich fantasy.

This is my first time reading something by Kylie Chan and while this book is a part of greater universe; The Dark Heavens series; I had no trouble jumping into this story with no prior knowledge of the characters or the story.
And what a story it is. I am absolutely in love. Never read any Chinese mythology before but I am absolutely loving it. Gods, demons, animals. I am there for all of it. This feels so refreshing and easy to read and follow. A beautiful story. Currently I'm about 30% in and I just can't put the book down.
It just keeps getting better and better. Holy moly. I'm going through all the emotions. I'm currently on shock, followed by bemused bewilderment. And that's just the start. This is definitely my favorite book I've red this year and it's not even close. I can't wait for the next one to come out

Kylie Chan can write anything and I will read it – but amongst all her other series, I’ve been so looking forward to a return to the Dark Heavens universe 😭😭😭😭
Simone’s such a fave since the original series and it’s just absolutely delightful watching her grow up and continue to kick serious ass and also have her outsider’s take on the Emma-John relationship (LMAO because why was I HOWLING when she called out john and emma for their macabre wedding gifts to each other PLEASE-)
AND ALSO HER RELATIONSHIP WITH MICHAEL. I HAVE BEEN CHOMPING AT THE BIT FOR THEM TO FINALLY GET TOGETHER and I can’t give anything away in this review but *insert high-pitched screaming noises and copious amounts of dramatic handwaving as I the reader lie on the ground crying and weeping* the childhood friends to lovers pipeline with a sprinkling of red string of fate/ destined to be soulmates has NEVER hurt this good
Oh and I guess the action plot’s there too 😂 don’t get me wrong, the intrigue and action about the western heavens is executed well, but perhaps simone is just so damn powerful, every fight doesn’t feel very high stakes and I just knew she would win anyway (except the last one at the end, that one did have me a little worried for a minute). And although this is billed as a fresh entry point for new readers, I feel like you would be doing yourself a massive disservice if you didn't do the original series before this one - too much has happened and there are too many nods and callbacks to past events that I suspect will leave a brand new reader feeling a bit lost

Anyways, I am already ready for the next book so please *grabby hands*