Serpentine

Cindy Pon — 2015

Inspired by the rich history of Chinese mythology, this sweeping fantasy is set in the ancient Kingdom of Xia and tells the coming of age story of Skybright, a young girl who worries about her growing otherness. As she turns 16, Skybright notices troubling changes. By day, she is a companion and handmaid to the youngest daughter of a very wealthy family. But nighttime brings with it a darkness that not even daybreak can quell. When her plight can no longer be denied, Skybright learns that despite a dark destiny, she must struggle to retain her sense of self – even as she falls in love for the first time.

Reviews

Janice Hopper@archergal

Nov 2, 2022

I am all about stories with elements of Chinese/Japanese/other Asian mythology and story. I saw this book and thought it looked interesting. I was hopeful. I does have those elements, I guess. But it's mostly A Kissing Book. (pace Princess Bride.) I know there's nothing wrong with romance books. A lot of good readers adore romance books. I'm just not one of them. :( One character longing after another, all conflicted about the relationship, etc. just bores me. And the romance bits took over the story. There were other things going on in the background, but it all fell before the "I love him, but I don't DARE to love him" and "I love her in spite of what she it/might be" and "Ooh, mysterious third party that I'm strangely drawn to." There was a nice, small lesbian relationship elsewhere, but it was also full of angst. I said the 8 Deadly Words to myself: "I don't care what happens to these people." I finished it, but won't bother with any others. If you do like romance, this may be just the thing for you. I don't know.

Moth@inkdrunkmoth

Aug 16, 2023