Hello! Today’s review is on SISTERS OF THE SNAKE BY SARENA & SASHA NANUA. Sisters of the Snake is one of the only YA Indian inspired fantasies I have read, and is therefore very close to my heart!! I loved everything about this book, from the food, to the clothes, the characters, and the thrilling plot.
Sisters of the Snake by Sasha & Sarena Nanua
Rating: 4.5/5★
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
[TW: colourism, death of a parent (before the book), skin branding, poisoning, domestic abuse, child neglect, emotional manipulation.]
Synopsis
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.
Deadly magic, hidden temples, and dark prophecies: Sisters of the Snake is an action-packed, immersive fantasy that will thrill fans of The Crown’s Game and The Tiger at Midnight.
Thoughts
“We are sisters. We are branches from one tree, and though we’ve grown in opposing directions, we will always share the same roots.”
Well, I read this book a few weeks ago and I think my thoughts are coherent enough to write a review?? The book is in dual POVs starring Rani & Ria. Rani was well- she was an actual Rani, technically a princess, and Ria was what Kaz Brekker would call a barrel rat.
Ria had lived a tough life, abandoned by her biological family, she grew up in an orphanage and was cared for by a lady named Mama Anita. Rani on the other hand had everything, all the food and riches she could ever dream of. But was her life as glamorous as it seems?
Both Rani and Ria needed to escape from their respective lives, so when they meet the obvious choice is to switch lives. What started off as a simple twin switcheroo was then turned into a complicated situation with secrets, magic, and betrayal.
I loved the idea of the book, it was so appealing especially because it was an Indian inspired Young Adult fantasy! Rani and Ria are both great characters, for me personally Ria was more appealing. Both Rani & Ria learned a lot about the lives each of them lived, and were exposed to different situations. Seeing Ria & Rani’s relationship grow through the book was amazing and very very endearing. Side characters like Saeed and Amir were well written too!! There was a romance subplot too and that was pretty cute </3
The plot was fast paced and the world building was truly amazing. The characters didn’t specifically lack emotion and the plot was not predictable till the very end. This book also has a sequel BECAUSE the ending was technically a cliffhanger?
In conclusion I really really loved this book and I am excited to see where this duology goes in Daughters of the Dawn!! I highly recommend this book to everyone : )
TL;DR: An Indian inspired YA fantasy with “The Parent Trap” vibes that includes a thrilling plot, great characters, yummy food, and cute romances.
Have you read Sisters of the Snake? What did you think of it? If you haven’t, are you planning to read it?
Follow me:
Sending incoherent screams about how I need more Indian YA fantasies,
– Kashvi
I’m loving this book <3
Yes as you should!! It’s swag </3
Ahh lovely review Kashvi, I’ve been seeing everyone gush over the cover reveal of book #2 lately, and am even more excited to get to Sisters of the Snake, so happy that you loved this one, the premise sounds intriguing!! <3
AAA Thank you so much Cherelle!! And yes the cover for book #2 is so beautiful, also I hope you like this book if you ever pick it up</3
this has been on my tbr for a while and it sounds so good, and the sequel cover is so beautiful
It’s amazing!! AND AAAAA yes the cover for the second book is so pretty <3<3<3