Review by Booklist Review
Blending historical fantasy, romance, and Chinese folklore, Lee offers a beautifully written novel about Prince Xian, who's on a mission to find a cure for his mother's fatal illness after she's bitten by a venomous white snake. When he hears about an oracle suggesting there's a remedy--a mysterious spirit pearl--in Changle, determined and fearless Xian quickly embarks on quest to find it. Though his journey is predicted by the oracle, there are still surprises, especially when Xian starts to fall for a stable boy, Zhen, who turns out to be a white snake himself--a transformation that occurred after he ingested a spirit pearl. Lee offers a richly realized world, so full of detail that it will be easy to visualize the settings and characters in the novel. The romance between Xian and Zhen will certainly tug at readers' heartstrings, and the themes of unexpected romance and the consequences of choices will make this linger in the minds of readers.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Lee (Fake Dates and Mooncakes) offers up a queer rendition of a Chinese folktale in which a snake-turned-teenager must hide his true identity when he falls for the prince who's hunting him. Seven years ago, young Prince Xian's mother was bitten by a white snake, sentencing her to a painful, yearslong death. But Xian possessed an elusive spirit pearl, the one thing needed to create an antidote. A cure seemed certain--until a white snake swallows the pearl and disappears. Years later, Xian persists in his search for a cure. He heads to the city of Changle, where he is prophesied to capture a white snake--and where he meets handsome stable boy Zhen. What Xian doesn't know is that Zhen is the snake that swallowed the pearl, an act that endowed him with supernatural powers, including the ability to shape-shift into human form. When Zhen is appointed as Xian's personal attendant, the two begin to fall for each other, but with the truth looming, Zhen is unsure of their future. Lush worldbuilding and flowing purple prose culminate in a story of love, loss, and destiny that pays homage to Chinese xianxia fantasy dramas. Ages 13--up. (Oct.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Fate complicates the budding relationship between a young prince and a snake spirit. Seven years ago, Xian's and Zhen's paths crossed when, as a snake, Zhen saved the 10-year-old Prince Xian from drowning. Xian is left haunted and bewildered by that day--the white snake who saved him also swallowed the spirit pearl that would have cured the pain his mother has experienced ever since being bitten by a white snake. Now, with her death imminent, Xian is desperate to find another white snake, the last ingredient he needs to complete an antidote. When an oracle reveals where they should look, Xian sets off for the town of Changle. He meets Zhen, now in the form of a stableboy, and is instantly drawn to him. As Xian's and Zhen's trajectories collide once more, the recently transformed snake spirit Zhen is left to reckon with his feelings for the prince. Against his own instincts, Zhen is unable to leave Xian alone, but revealing the truth of his identity--that he's the white snake Xian is hunting for--could ruin everything. Set in a captivating xianxia world inspired by the titular Chinese folktale, this work is packed with earnest romance and drama. Lee skillfully packs her story with angst and action, creating stakes that will have readers rooting for Xian and Zhen's love to succeed. A queer reimagining of a classic Chinese folktale that feels timeless.(Fantasy romance. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
