Legend of the White Snake by Sher Lee - ARC REVIEW 

✨️ Queer retelling of traditional Chinese folktale.
✨️ Magic
✨️ Royalty
✨️ Hidden Identities

Prince Xian's mother has been slowly and painfully dying over the last few years after being bitten by a venomous white snake. When an oracle foretells that the cure can be found in the city of Changle, Xian insists on retrieving it himself.

Zhen, a white snake spirit, is on his way to the sacred mountains when he finds himself working in the palace of Changle. Feelings blossom when Zhen finds himself chosen as Prince Xian's personal attendant.

With danger lurking in the truth, will Xian and Zhen find what they've been searching for?

🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍

Y'all, this was such a cute read!

I absolutely loved the chemistry between Xian and Zhen.There is a bit of instant attraction between them, but with the way the story is told, it felt like more time had passed than really had. I was initially worried about the power imbalance between the two, with Xian being a prince, but Lee does a great job negating that with Xian's personality and the little things he says and does to show he's not pressuring Zhen into doing anything.

There is a great cast of supporting characters. I especially loved the platonic flirting between Xian and his bodyguard/bff, Feng, and the protective sibling dynamic between Zhen and Qing. Also, I'm going to start a fan page for Zhaoye, Xian's horse, I love him.  

As with Lee's first book, Fake Dates and Mooncakes, Legend of the White Snake has such beautifully descriptive imagery, and I spent half the book wanting to eat all the food.

Watching this story unfold had me smiling,  wringing my hands, holding back tears, and about to bite someone myself by the end.

Legend of the White Snake released October 15th - definitely go check it out!

Thank you to Sher Lee, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Quill Tree Books for the digital e-galley copy in exchange for an honest review.

when prince xian was a boy, a white snake bit his mother, causing a slow, painful death he’s still hoping to save her from. now, he sets out to find a spirit pearl, the only thing that will save his mother. he meets zhen, a white snake that consumed a spirit pearl years ago, allowing him the power to transform into a human. the two are immediately drawn to one another, but zhen soon realizes that he’s the white snake xian is hunting, and their relationship gets trickier.

i adored fake dates and mooncakes last year, so i was really excited for sher’s fantasy debut! this had so many elements i love to see in fantasy books: angst (i definitely shed a few tears), a retold legend, romance, and even a dual pov! i can see myself rereading this within the next year and recommending it to anyone and everyone i can.

thank you to the author for providing me with the arc!

i knew this book was going to destroy me but i never could have imagined how much. i was actually sobbing and screaming in my room as i read the ending. honestly when i finished the last chapter i thought my life was over; i was expecting to turn the page and see "acknowledgments" BUT THERE WAS AN EPILOGUE the joy and hope i felt then was actually unmatched.

i love everything about this whole book so much, the relationships, the friendships, the history, the writing. the plot twist actually made me stop and stare and the wall for a good fat minute. you could see the question marks over my head, i had to wait and load the information we just learned. never would have expected it. the romance was soo adorable like i loved them so much it was so perfectly paced, so perfectly written! nothing about it felt forced, they were truly in loveeeee, the chemistry was !!!

also i just adored this book as a BOOK so much. like it's been so long since i read a well written book that makes me feel so intensely satisfied. ugh i honestly wish i could read it again for the first time.

anyway, this book is at the top of my recommendation list you absolutely MUST read it!!

A huge thank you to Netgalley for letting me read and review this title.

The Legend of the White Snake by Sher Lee is a very loose interpretation of the Chinese legend of Lady White Snake. It is important to note going into this that it shares some character names and a few small details, but it is not the same overall story.

The story in this book was one that was told in a very soft and engaging manner. It kicks off following the second prince, Prince Xian, as he is looking for ways to save his ailing mother. When he hears about a fortune that says the answer will be found in a remote village 10 days ride from the castle, he immediately offers to go on this quest to find the antidote to the snake poison killing his mother.

We also follow a snake spirit named Zhen, who is trying to reach a sacred mountain for both him and his travel companion to rest and regenerate their energy. We soon find out that Zhen has quite a few abilities attributed to swallowing a pearl, which turned him from an ordinary snake into a snake spirit able to perform magic and transform into a human at will.

Soon the path of these two characters meet, and sparks fly right from the start. But little do they know that not only have they met before, but they've played a bigger part in shaping each other than they realized. But Zhao cannot reveal his true form to Xian, since the prince is hunting for a white snake to create a cure for his mother. And through all of this, there are other forces at play that might just end up killing them.

I really enjoyed this title. It was quite an easy and refreshing read. I knew about the actual historical legend before, but this interpretation is updated to modern readers. Who knows, maybe this will inspire some to go dig a bit more into the real legends.

This was my first Sher Lee book, and I really enjoy their writing style. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for more books by this author!

4.5/5! ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

I am writing this immediately after finishing it, and my eyes are still watery. That ENDING. The plot twists?! I adored this book, and the only reason I gave it 4.5 stars, was because I wanted more from the ending. It all happened so fast, and I felt we easily could've added another 50-100 pages. Even so, this was incredible.

What We Get:
🐍 Soulmates. 🩷
🐍 Beautiful setting/world-building. 🍃
🐍 Retelling of a classic Chinese legend. 🪭📜
🐍 MLM Romance. 💑
🐍 Betrayal. 💔
🐍 Tension. ❤️‍🔥
🐍 Found family. 💕
🐍 Plot Twists! 🙃

The Characters:

I'm not sure there's a character I did not love in this book, minus the backstabbers. ( •̀ - •́ ) Xian and Zhen were both absolutely perfect, and their growth throughout the story, both together and through themselves, was impressive. Feng was quite literally the bodyguard of our dreams, and Qing was funny and definitely gave off idgaf and I'll do what needs to be done vibes. Together, they all make the perfect group, and individually, I loved the roles they each played in this story.

The Romance:

Chefs kiss. It was just enough. There was a lot of tension, some banter, a little spice, and the scenes we do get were wholesome and heartfelt. Zhen and Xian are perfect for each other and prove it over and over again. The small side romance we get between Feng and Qing was a nice touch too, and I am impatiently waiting for a spin-off for them. (♡ˊ͈ ꒳ ˋ͈)

Overall:

If the beautiful cover, the loveable characters and the heartwarming romance isn't enough to convince you, the world-building alone will make you want to dive in and experience the beauty for yourself. There is always something so magical and serene about Asian Mythology & Folklore, and this is no exception. What a truly beautiful retelling, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

🐍 Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review! 🐍

This book was wonderful. I enjoyed Sher Lee’s debut novel, but this was even better. I think she excelled in writing fantasy.

The Legend of the White Snake takes a traditional Chinese folktale and brings it to light in this magical, and romantic, retelling.

Prince Xian and Zhen, a snake spirit, go through a lot together in this fascinating story, both as companions and enemies. I do not want to give much away, but there are some twists and turns here that took me completely off guard, and oh I always appreciate that.

I definitely recommend the Legend of the White Snake to all fantasy lovers out there, and specially if you read Danmei because the mentions of cultivations and the celestial realm made me like this book even more.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and especially Sher Lee for providing me with an eARC of this book.

Actual rating: 4.75/5

Legend of the White Snake is a beautiful, lush, and heart-shattering reimagining of a traditional Chinese folktale (one I didn't know much about before reading the book and diving into its background) and I loved it so, so much! I read Sher's debut Fake Dates and Mooncakes early last year and instantly fell in love with the characters, the sheer cuteness of the story, and also the emotional punch it packed. Legend of the White Snake is no different, despite it being a fantasy novel! We had two main characters I couldn't help but love from the get-go, a very soft and also very star-crossed love story that lowkey ruined me, and incredibly high stakes! Not gonna lie, I cried a bit at the end, take from this what you will haha. 😂😭✋🏻

Anyhow, I definitely think you should pick this one up if you adore queer reimaginings that will tear out your heart hehe (I know I do). 🫶🏻

The tears I shed before reading the epilogue and then the way I sobbed more after reading the epilogue. Who is going to pay for my therapy bills?

Told from the pov of both the MCs, Legend of the White Snake is a queer fantasy romance based on the folklore of White Snake. I read this in one sitting.

I loved Zhen. He was such a compassionate character but I wished he had shown a little more of self respect and walked away from Xien for a while. He was treated badly in the second half even though he gave enough reasons to make anyone believe he wasn't some sort of evil monster. He always put others above himself and while that loyalty was the best part about his relationship with Quin, it was a little misplaced when it came to the prince.

It took me a little while to warm up to Xien. I understand the idea of losing your mother could be unfathomable but did that give anyone even a prince a right to have humans/animals to be used and tortured in labs for a cure? But in terms of the setting of the story Legend of the White Snake does a great job in showing the difference between class especially relevant in Asian folklore.

I was fortunate enough to receive an arc of this and boy am I so happy I did! This was such a lovely read and hit all the wholesome danmei feels in all the right places. It was engaging, sweet, and exciting, and kept me well immersed from beginning to end. The relationship dynamic between Xian and Zhen was adorable (with a healthy dose of angst), Xian being the valiant, charming, and trusting prince, while Zhen was the endearing, clever, and gentle-hearted counterpart. Zhen particularly was a character that will stay with me for some time. He isn't flawless; he messes up but works hard to atone for it. His selflessness, his sweet demeanor, and his empathic nature made him immensily lovable (and his naiveté oh so adorable). But most of all, his initial ignorance and his near desperate desire to redress it makes him feel grounded, humane, and relatable. I felt for him, but also felt with him.
Overall, it truly was the loveliest journey that I believe will delight danmei fans and new fans alike who are looking for a wholesome love story steeped in gorgeous chinese folklore.

PS: I do hope I get to see a certain side pair's story in a new installment 👀🐍⚔️💞

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with this ARC. All thoughts above are my own.

I absolutely love fantasy stand-alones! Getting a well-rounded story in one installment? Yes, please! 'Legend of the White Snake' was a fast-paced read that built up to an incredible ending. Even though it was fast-paced, it felt well fleshed out and had me invested in the story and what was going to happen to the characters the whole time. I absolutely recommend this to fantasy readers and anyone who loves a good retelling!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book exchange for an honest review!

Legend of the White Snake is a retelling of the original legend. Prince Xian has been hunting the white snake who swallowed the spirit pearl that could’ve saved his mothers life. Seven years later, he meets Zhen, a beautiful boy who is the snake spirit he has been hunting.

“Nothing like fresh air, sunshine, and deadly venom to start our day”


I fell in love with Sher Lee’s writing after reading her first book Fake Dates and Mooncakes and was so exciting to dive into this book! I haven’t read a book before retelling this Chinese folktale, which made it more interesting as well!

I liked how the story started off with what transpired seven years before the real story takes place! We got an inside into Xian’s life a bit and how his mother’s illness has shaped his life. We also meet the white snake for the first time!

After the opening, the story takes place seven years later, with both Xian and Zhen having POVs, which really helps with the telling of the story! The voices of both were very distinctive and noticeable, which was great. I also loved the writing overall, which was really flowy, elegant and descriptive!

Both Xian and Zhen are such interesting characters! Xian’s life has been dictated by what happened to his mother. His love for her is so apparent and I loved seeing his determination to help her drive his actions. Zhen is a spirit who just wants to be human and wants to experience life, which is very understandable. The side characters are also so well written! Both Feng and Qing were very integral to the story and to Xian and Zhen!

Their romance was honestly the best! I loved how they first ‘met’ in the stables, both having their guards down. It was a really sweet meet-cute moment! The instant attraction helped selling the romance! It was sweet and heart-warming and they just made me smile all along! They are just perfect for each other! True soulmates, zhī jǐ, who deserve the world!

There is such a great progression of the plot! Knowing Zhen is the white snake that Xian has been hunting adds a fun layer to their interactions. You know that bomb is going to drop at a point, and I really liked the moment that bomb dropped! I also liked how the story continued afterwards. Then the biggest bomb dropped at the end of this book, which just had me screaming!!

Overall, I loved Legend of the White Snake! It was an amazing sweet and fun story with an ending that had me on the edge of my seat while reading! I just want so much more of this world and these characters!

有缘千里来相会 (yǒu yuán qiān lǐ lái xiāng huì)
we have the destiny to meet across a thousand miles.

The past is calling me right now. It’s telling me I took too long to write this damn review and I remember nothing that happened lmao

But, it was kinda forgettable too?

3.5 stars

“Lay a hand on him and I’ll destroy you,” Xian blurted out. “If not in this life, then I swear, I’ll find you in the next.”

I don’t think I’ve read this mythology yet, The White Snake one, but I like that it was a gender-bent retelling, the White Snake is usually a girl, this was a mm YA fantasy, so that was really fun! I will also say that the ending was soul-crushing for a while there, so that was also fun #jokesIamdead

“Zhen tried to memorize everything, but standing close to Xian turned his brain into a sieve.”

With a dash of hidden identity, adventure, and romance, this was a good read overall. There were quite a few things that made me rate it lower, but I literally can’t remember them lmao, so that’s all you get *dances away*

Thank you HarperCollins Canada for this eARC and Frenzy Books for the physical ARC!

Legend of the White Snake is a stunning retelling steeped on folklore and beautiful history. From the painting of each careful setting and scene to the character's personalities Sher Lee pulls you in to this one and really sinks you in to the plot. Reading this book felt like watching a high production historical drama in all the best ways. The plot had twists and turns with characters you love, hate, root for and cry for.

Thank you Netgally for this ARC.

On my journey of finding/reading books that gives me the representation that reflects me and that I want, it was nice to read a book that was similar to things I already read in my spare time. Manga, Korean and Chinese webtoons and Korean and Chinese translated web novels, all of which sometimes contain lgtbt+ pairings, so this felt like familiar ground. While I did think it was slow in the beginning, at least to me, I enjoyed the writing and the voice of the characters, I enjoyed how this mythology was interwoven in this story. It was feeling like a high 3.5 stars, but I really feel this picked up the pace and really got into it's groove halfway through, either b/c I was all the way in or b/c the pace picked up. This is such a familiar concept with the things I read in my spare time, at the same time I enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

Seemingly doomed from the start, Legend of the White Snake is a book about love and empathy. We love a cute meet cute where one doesn't realize the other is royalty. What follows is a precious book about love in unexpected places. It's about someone who just pulls our heart no matter how difficult or seemingly impossible it can be. The heart wants what the heart wants. It was fun to see human interactions from the perspective of Zhen! But what drew me to the story is Zhen's mindset.

This is my second book by this author. First being Fake Dates and Mooncakes which I absolutely loved. Just like the first book, this is a YA romance between two boys, very rich in Chinese culture, with a sweet and heartwarming romance.

I liked both of the characters in this book independently, though they’re a bit melodramatic at times, I think that comes with the territory of such a story. I was really invested in both of their storylines. Zhen, selfless to a fault; Xian, headstrong. I enjoyed how Xian grows and bends with Zhen’s love and learns to be more compassionate.

However, I did have trouble getting into the supernatural aspect of their romance. It’s in the name, so this is not really fully the book’s fault. I’m not sure how much I’d be into any romance that involves a snake spirit. But let’s just say the book didn’t really help make it feel less weird, at least in the first half. The romance is pretty much insta love, and it’s unclear why these two characters are infatuated with one another past their looks.

When I let myself pretend they were both human, their connection was very delicate and beautifully woven. How their bond strengthens over time and how they start to completely trust each other is truly lovely.

So despite and because of these, by the end, I found myself fully invested in the romance, and was at the edge of my seat trying to find out if they would end up together. There might have been a few tears shed.

The fantasy/action aspects of this book were mostly focused on the second half of the book. A lot of betrayals and twists and at no point did I know who was gonna survive.

I also really enjoyed a bunch of the side characters, especially the best friends of the two main characters. And appreciated that even the side characters got a good amount of growth here.

I do wish there was more urgency at the beginning of the book towards the main character’s goals. I think this would have helped with the pacing, since the second half rushes by quite fast, but the first half drags a bit more.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Overall rating: 3.7 ⭐

This was a great book! I loved the idea of it as well as the basis in Chinese Mythology. For me personally, it took a while to get into the book, but overall very good.

Giving this a 4 out of 5 starts. Fantastic beginner danmei/xianxia. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Overall this was on the lighter side of danmei and would be a great first one to try without committing to the longer series like Grandmaster or Scum Villain. It takes Chinese folklore and keeps it whimsical in storytelling to make a sweet, gentle read. It is like a tiny Vidalia onion in that there are some layers to peel back but it isn't anything that requires a lot of thinking to figure out.

Overall the story is really cute!

This was so incredibly cute!

As the book promises, this is a lovely retelling of the Chinese Folktale and it's quite a lovely read. The writing was a tad simplistic at times but I couldn't tell if it was because it was attempting to keep in vein of the the folktale writing or because it was for a YA audience but overall, I enjoyed it. It was a little slow at first but once the unmasking (un-snake-ing?) happened, it moved at a much faster pace.

The ending was sweet and as dramatic and heartwrenching as one might assume! But also very sweet.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins Children's Books | Quill Tree Books/NetGalley for a chance to read and review!

This book was so cute and then became so sad so fast! Like Ms. Sher Lee, you were so close to hearing from my imaginary therapist but also thank you so much for that beautiful, sweet story 🙂‍↕️ also Qing is everything to me.

This story was so easy to inhale. A short story that also made me feel so many things!