The uneasiness this book stirs from the first chapter is uniquely T. Kingfisher.

A woman in her 30’s runs away from her stale, stifled life to find her aunt in a small dessert town. Accompanied by her dog, Copper, Selena finds much more than just her aunt’s community within the desolate town of Quartz Creek. As Salena begins to give herself a second chance at life without a critical, watchful eye always looking over her shoulder, she begins to form a friendship with the locals, humans and spirits alike. One spirit in particular cannot understand the nature of their friendship and things take a dark turn. Selena and her motley crew work together to banish this spirit to their resting place.

The horror element in this story was fantastic. That feeling of wanting to partially cover your eyes to save yourself from a scare is how I would generalize my feelings while reading Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher.

I enjoyed this one! I didn’t know what to expect as my previous experience with T. Kingfisher was The Hollow Places or A House with Good Bones. The atmosphere of her previous horror works often put me on edge while reading them (they were delightfully creepy), but this ended up having a different vibe! Snake-Eater has a sort of cozy horror feel - it has elements of horror, but the focus is more on the cast of eccentric-but-loveable characters and the worldbuilding. I thought that Selena’s anxiety was well represented, and I really appreciated that aspect of this story. Snake-Eater also had a slower pace, but I found I didn’t mind it. Overall, a great read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book was honestly perfect. I wish I could say exactly what it was that hit home but there's something in this book like a warm hug after a horrible stressful day. I loved our mc, felt for her in every instance of self-doubt and anxiety and cheered for every bit of care she received from her new friends. I absolutely loved Copper (of course), Grandma Billy is who I aspire to be at her wonderful young age and Father Aguirre really resonated with me too (and I wish more people could be as welcoming as him).

All in all, this book hits all my boxes and was a pleasure to read. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read the ARC, and to T Kingfisher for writing another incredible book 💛

Selena and her dog Copper venture into the small desert town of Quartz Creek, looking for her aunt who she hasn’t heard from in years. After breaking up with her toxic ex-partner and handling her recently deceased mother’s affairs, Selena hopes her aunt will take her in for a while so she can take some time to come to terms with everything.

When she gets to Quartz Creek, Selena finds out her aunt has passed away from a mysterious illness, and as her next of kin, she decides to move into Jackrabbit Hole House - at least for a few days. The local townsfolk do their best to welcome Selena, but something dark has its eye on her.

This was an enjoyable read. It has all the features typical of T. Kingfisher books:
- Humor
- Animal companion (a very good dog!)
- Lovable old lady character
- Found family/amazingly supportive friends

This is listed as horror and fantasy. The horror is cozy horror, and the fantasy is pretty light for most of the book, so I wouldn’t go into this expecting anything terrifying or super fantasy-heavy. Plot-wise, this is a pretty slow burn. Most of the book is about Selena adjusting to the town and its inhabitants, which really gave it that cozy feel. The characters are all great, and I enjoyed Selena’s healing journey. The desert setting is also really well done. I definitely recommend this book! If you’re a T. Kingfisher fan, I think you’ll definitely enjoy this.

Thank you to Netgalley and 47North for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this book. T. Kingfisher has such a gift for capturing the thoughts and feelings that make her characters feel real. She has a special way of picking out subject matter that is extremely interesting and incorporating it into her storytelling that makes her books feel completely unique.

I also think I lucked out on the timing of reading this. I had just finished American Gods by Neil Gaiman, and while these two books are totally different, there is something about the idea of old, forgotten gods that ties them together in a really satisfying way. To be clear, they’re totally different stories and ideas, but thematically, they complement each other well.

The characters in this book were wonderful. Both the main and the side characters had so much personality, and I found myself really enjoying every scene with them. The ending did feel a little quick, but it was still exciting and left me happy. I also loved the found-family aspect. It gave the story a warmth that balanced out the horror elements, which, by the way, were there but not overwhelming. Overall it turned out to be a much cozier read than I expected. I am very confused about the time this is meant to be set in, but I don’t think it’s all that important to the story, and is probably a failure on my part to understand something.

If you like books that mix unsettling moments with humor, heart, and a very human look at life (even when it involves gods or spirits), this is definitely one to pick up.

I am deeply grateful to NetGalley and 47North for this opportunity to read a digital ARC and provide my honest review.

I never know exactly where T. Kingfisher is going to take me, but I have never been disappointed!
I found Selena so relatable - anxious and downtrodden but takes a huge step in her life to go to Quartz Creek. She practices what to say in her head before speaking out loud, and questions if she is behaving correctly in situations. She fiercely loves her dog and will do anything to protect Copper.
The community in Quartz Creek is quirky and wonderful.
The otherness of the spirits, the creepiness of the Snake-Eater, woven in with folklore made me want to keep reading, but to me this was so much about Selena finding a place in the world.

After her mother's death, a young woman (and her dog) flees a bad relationship and goes to stay with her aunt in a remote town. Upon arriving, she discovers her aunt has passed away and with no money to return home, she makes the decision to temporarily stay in her aunt's house. The people in the town are warm and welcoming but she soon realizes there are other living things outside that may not have good intentions.

I enjoyed that the cast of main characters was fairly diverse. The main character was super relatable in that she suffered from anxiety that coupled with her emotionally abusive relationship, made her feel like she was a burden to others. Her neighbor next door is a trans woman which isn't a major plot to the story but it's nice to see the representation.

The story started off a little slow and didn't grab me right away but got more interesting in the second half when the Gods storyline starts picking up. Overall enjoyed and would be curious to read a story about other characters or new characters in that town.

Have you ever seen a road runner in real life? they're rather terrifying birds. faster than you could imagine, with deadly sharp beaks and beady yellow eyes... now imagine one is stalking you. courting you, angry at you. the ancient gods are real, spirits roam the earth, and for a small town in the middle of the desert, they know first hand just how dangerous catching the attention of a god can be. T. Kingfisher is, as always, a master of the subtly unsettling, the terror of the unknown, and the monsters of the world, both supernatural, and within the hearts of men. this book gave me the chills on more than one occasion, and i haven't been able to look out my window since i finished it. i loved how much i identified with the main character, and how much she grew as a person. she's timid and shy and constantly terrified of doing something wrong, until she starts dealing with the unexplainable and suddenly, she's realized just how capable she really is. i loved the setting, the look into Native American mythology, and the colorful cast of characters that really brought the story to life! T. Kingfisher is easily one of my favorite authors, and i think this one is my new all time favorite of hers. a must read for any cozy horror fan!

I'd like to thank 47North and Netgalley for this ARC

(I received this book from the editor and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
First and most important recommendation: read this book without knowing anything prior. Stop reading this review this very instant and come back after finishing the book.
Because this is quite a ride!

Due to some ex-boyfriend issues, Selena leaves the city and goes to her aunt’s house in Quartz Creek, a desert town where all the neighbours seem straight out of Stardew Valley -that is to say, they cannot be any cuter- and the non-human neighbours are… as peculiar as non-human neighbours could be, I suppose.
This was a very intriguing book, full of heart and some mischief, and where the reader is so encapsulated by Quartz Creek and the people living there that when the supernatural arrives it just gets you by surprise.
It is this supernatural side, with the figure of Snake-Eater, what feels really out of place, as if your heart is asking you for more potluck dinners at the church and less… shenanigans, let’s say. I am with Grandma Bill in this one; shotgun and let’s continue drinking mojitos, watching Cooper play and Merv being Merv.

(By the way, I have a bone to pick with this novel: What is the reasoning behind giving Galadriel’s ranch THAT name?)

If T. Kingfisher writes it, I will read it.

As much as I absolutely adore Kingfisher's work, Snake Eater lands at a 2-2.5 star read for me.

I loved the setting, Quartz Creek, a remote dessert town that relies on the deep pockets of ignorant tourists in the peak season and the support of their tight-knit community during the off season. I enjoyed the side characters, they had interesting back stories that I desperately wish had been more fleshed out.

What I didn't like was the first 50% of this novel - a slow slog of exposition and the main character Selena was just going through the same motions day after day, until we finally got to the action. I wanted more magic, more spirits, more of the enchanting backstories to these mystical beings and traditions with a little (a lot) less 'woe is me' self-flagellation from our main character.

If this had been a novella, with a little more focus on everything that happens around the climax of this novel, I probably would have eaten it up but overall Snake Eater felt like a long winded rough draft. While it wasn't for me I'll be looking forward to the many new releases coming from Kingfisher this year with wide eyes and open arms.

Trust me, the weird chicken cover will make TOTAL sense once you read the story.

So I really enjoyed the writing. I enjoyed the characters. Loved the setting. I just really didn’t like the “answer” to the mystery once we got there. We have a woman who runs away from her mundane life with her dog (my favorite character) to a very tiny desert town. Everyone's friendly, welcoming but the house she is staying at has some baggage. I like weird things but even this felt too… weird? and this isn't horror at all in my opinion. It's actually cozy and comical. I feel like the narrative built up all this tension only to hand me a conclusion that didn’t quite HIT, ya know? The so called villain of the story is disappointing and honestly its motivations grossed me out a bit if you thought about it for too long.

This book feels like a love letter to the desert. Beautiful descriptions of scenery and wildlife. I was captivated and had a hard time putting this book down when the real world called me away.

I would describe this as light or cozy horror. It had some spooky parts but not the creepiest book I've read from this author. It did validate my fear of birds.

I enjoyed reading from a woman in her 30's starting over and portrayal of someone's thoughts after being in a manipulative relationship.

Thank you NetGalley and 47North for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Stars : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌵Name: Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher
🌵 Format: E book arc from netgalley
🌵 Pages: 224

🌵Review:
My first T. Kingfisher book, and what an absolute gem.✨ I heard her books deal with 'the wierd and unusual' so let me tell you something, this book felt like a crazy feaver dream from front to back.

It's creepy, wierd, wierdly wholesome and heartwarming, and filled with roadrunners (?). Like those things shouldn't go together, but she made it work somehow which is mind-blowing. Every character in this book made a small home in my heart , which made me hesitant to finish this book. And plus, a dog who is the absolute sweetest girl??? This couldn't have gotten any better
I Recommend this to those who again love the wierd, the wholesome , with creepy vibes and also to those who are fans of the found family found in wierd places troupe. Also to those who might like the podcast nightvale this kind of gave me that vibe eventhough it was subtle. This is an absolute must read ✨️❤️ and I'll be getting a paperback when it releases🌵🌵

Thank you NetGalley and 47North for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

This is the second book I've read by T. Kingfisher and I enjoyed this one more. I found the first book I read quite boring, but I think it helps knowing that Kingfisher writes slow-burn books and to be prepared for it. I expected to read a few chapters and quit, but I was sucked in immediately. Kingfisher paints such a beautiful picture of the atmosphere and the characters are very fleshed out. The dialogue felt natural.

Selena, the main character, arrived to visit her aunt who lives in a historic desert town and she doesn't have the means to go anywhere else. She's essentially stuck there and the more time she spends near the desert the weider things get. Selena is leaving a toxic relationship and has personal healing to achieve.

Like I said, this is a slow-burn book. It's more magical realism but you don't get even a hint of it until about 30%. The last 75% lost me a bit because it almost became a fairytale at that point. The ending was slightly cheesy and predictable but mostly in a good way. I love the found family and the representation of dealing with gaslighting.

I really enjoyed this book but I do recognize it's not for everyone. I highly recommend you give it a try and keep an open mind

This was surprisingly cozy, but I really enjoyed the blend of the small-town and light horror elements. The book truly shone with its characters. Selena's journey and self-discovery was nice to see since we could witness her gaining confidence in the course of the events. Her inner monologues were funny, as we're the side characters. Grandma Billy and Father Aguirre were really nice additions that lightened up the mood of the book immensely. It was great to see the focus on the friendship Selena formed with them. They really supported her in any way possible.

I think something I would've liked to see more of is Snake-Eater and the Gods. I feel like this part could've been flashed out a bit more.

Overall I feel like this is the perfect cozy read with light horror for the colder season.

A cozy horror to be read in one sitting full of found family and creepy houses.

T Kingfisher pulls off ‘lonely woman moves to a strange place with her dog and uncovers family secrets’ very well.

Selena and her dog Copper venture to Quarts Creek, a tiny town where her aunt lives to escape grief and a controlling partner.
Jackrabbit Hole House is abandoned, but can it become a home for Selena?

I love how unique and bizarre Kingfisher’s horrors are. This time we have an evil roadrunner - a creature somewhere between a velociraptor and a chicken with a shiv.

<b>”No different than knowin’ trigonometry or something like that. Comes up now and again, that’s all.”
Selena was fairly sure that trigonometry emergencies did not often involve zombie squirrels with their guts on a nail, but was still trying to think of a way to phrase that when they reached the outskirts of town.
</b>
The small community coming together vibes were EVERYTHING.
I also appreciated that Selena struggled with knowing how to interact with other people, especially new people.
She has to prepare scripts, worries about ‘normal’ reactions and behaviours, and is easily belittled, until maybe she’s not.

If you are looking to be scared, nail-biting, shocked; this isn’t that. Instead, it is a humorous story about a 30-year-old trying to find who she is, learn that she can be accepted by others, and her exchanges with Granny - her next door neighbour.

Arc gifted by publisher.

I find most birds to be fucking terrifying, so idfk why I decided to read a book with this cover.

Cozy until it isn't (complimentary), super fun, probably gonna give me nightmares. Yay!

This was my first T. Kingfisher novel & I’m sad to say I was a little disappointed. It was a short and nice read, however at times boring with very slow pacing. That being said, I did great enjoy the representation in the novel, the found family theme, and (of course) the dog! I would recommend to those looking for a cozy read with some fantasy, mystery, or horror-ish aspects.

Thank you to 47North for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

My favorite things about T. Kingfisher’s writing are the characters and lush settings that I can really sink into. This story does not disappoint - I loved the small-town desert setting with quirky cast of characters. At times the pacing was a bit slow but overall a very enjoyable reading experience.

T Kingfisher does it again! I am a huge T Kingfisher fan so I expected nothing less!

This is the first book by the author that I've read that takes place in a modern time or less fantastical setting and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The cast of characters in this book was interesting, diverse, and so funny. I giggled so much during the last quarter or so of this book. Our protagonist, Selena, grows into herself so beautifully and I loved her story so much. This was the perfect blend of realism, magic, and fantasy. Grandma Billy is who I aspire to be; I am a huge fan of this well integrated type of trans inclusion and representation. This book also made my heart ache with the most beautiful relationship between a woman and her dog.

I loved the found family, the setting, the story, the side characters, everything. I am so happy to have gotten to read this book. Thank you to much to 47North and Net Galley for the e-ARC copy.