Let’s make this clear: a YA story about sisters – who don’t know they’re sisters – written by actual sisters? I have been looking forward to this ever since it was announced! Sisters of the Snake is a fabulous debut and I have such a sweet spot for co-sister authors! Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts!
Summary
A lost princess. A dark puppet master. And a race against time—before all is lost.
Princess Rani longs for a chance to escape her gilded cage and prove herself. Ria is a street urchin, stealing just to keep herself alive.
When these two lives collide, everything turns on its head: because Ria and Rani, orphan and royal, are unmistakably identical.
A deal is struck to switch places—but danger lurks in both worlds, and to save their home, thief and princess must work together. Or watch it all fall into ruin.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Edelweiss. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Sisters of the Snake is one of those books where I was utterly entertained the whole way through. Sisters who discover each other, jewel heists, and magical powers that seem more like curses, Sisters of the Snake is packed with adventure. It’s almost like if “The Parent Trap” met magical settings and high stakes kingdom defying odds. This dual POV story allows us to get to know Ria and Rani. To see how Rani learns how the gap between royalty and royal practices forms. Or for Ria to be confronted with opulence and luxury, only to realize what matters.
One of my favorite themes in Sisters of the Snake, and so many fantasy books, is that history and stories are all about who is telling them. Both Rani and Ria have to examine the stories they were told, the pieces of truth they see, and how they will shape the future. Rani’s journey is one where she has to confront her own privilege, the life she has always lived. Ria has to figure out how to speak out and use the situations around her. Ria was my instant fave, mostly because I’m always going to be captivated by a thief.
Overall,
Sisters of the Snake is one of those fantasy books that feel so immersive and solid beneath your feet. For this debut and series starter, I loved the pacing. It delivers adventure and quests and politics and balls all in one. Full of secrets, Sisters of the Snake asks Rani and Ria if we can turn the tide of war. A solid fantasy, Sisters of the Snake is an intriguing beginning to a series I’ll have to keep my eye on. It hits the sweet spot of all these fantasy elements I love all wrapped up in one.
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Find Sisters of the Snake on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.