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Snake-Armed Girl
Fifteen years ago, Liane's America was shaken by a magical war between elves and Moon Demons that left many human cities in flames and many people turned into monsters. It's mostly calmer now — but Liane's high school friend is turned into a cat-monster under suspicious circumstances, and then Liane herself is turned into a snake-armed girl under even more suspicious circumstances. As she investigates, she uncovers terrible secrets behind the war — and is cursed to be transformed into a woeful shape if she reveals them. Can she save her country without sacrificing her humanity and personality?
ebook
Published September 16, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 20, 2025
A must read for anyone who enjoyed the Mating Flight duology, or Sythyry's journals from the same author.
It shares some elements with the former, though I won't spoil.
Also has in common with both, the diary format and snarky tone handled in a funny and positive way to deliver a neat social satire.
A special mention for the MC shifting from single to multiple personalities and having to cope with it.
Everything else is summarized quite well in L.Rowyn's review.
Practical info : the ebook is available both on smashwords and amazon, for anyone who cares about that.
It shares some elements with the former, though I won't spoil.
Also has in common with both, the diary format and snarky tone handled in a funny and positive way to deliver a neat social satire.
A special mention for the MC shifting from single to multiple personalities and having to cope with it.
Everything else is summarized quite well in L.Rowyn's review.
Practical info : the ebook is available both on smashwords and amazon, for anyone who cares about that.
July 25, 2019
I was one of the lucky first readers for this book. After I'd finished reading the initial draft, I told Bard, "I can suggest some wording changes and typo fixes, but I can't improve on this story. It is perfect."
Snake-Armed Girl belongs in a class of its own. If I could give it 6 stars, I would, and it is the only book I would put in that category. This is the best book I have read in the last six years.
I love this book without reservation. The way the story is put together is astonishing: it has turns that I never saw coming, and yet were perfectly foreshadowed in retrospect. The resolution is brilliant, and the denouement impeccable.
Some bullet points:
* This is a YA book with parents who are alive, intelligent, caring, and involved with the lives of their teenagers.
* In fact, the adults in Snake-Armed Girl are generally competent and often able to provide help and support in various ways for the challenges faced by the protagonist and her friends
* And yet the challenges for the teenagers are things they ultimately have to face themselves. When adults cannot help, it is always for excellent reasons that make sense in the context of the story. Nothing is contrived or forced.
* The antagonists in this story do terrible things for fascinating, often sympathetic reasons. Early in the story, those motives are so well-hidden that their actions seem utterly random and nonsensical, but when the whole puzzle is unveiled it is breathtaking to behold. You may find yourself hating the antagonists, but you will understand them.
* Liane, the protagonist, is absolutely wonderful. The story unfolds in the first person, and her voice is distinctive, charming, and witty. She makes light of serious problems in a way that makes them bearable without ever ignoring how serious they are. She handles the many problems the universe throws out her with just the right mix of brilliance and believable teenage "I have no idea what to do now AHHHHH".
* The titular snake-arms are amazing too, with their own personalities that integrate with Liane's and give her a unique and slightly alien perspective. I love how this is handled.
* Basically, I love everything about this book, why are you still reading this review when you could be reading Snake-Armed Girl nooooooow?
tl;dr: BUY THIS BOOK YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT
Snake-Armed Girl belongs in a class of its own. If I could give it 6 stars, I would, and it is the only book I would put in that category. This is the best book I have read in the last six years.
I love this book without reservation. The way the story is put together is astonishing: it has turns that I never saw coming, and yet were perfectly foreshadowed in retrospect. The resolution is brilliant, and the denouement impeccable.
Some bullet points:
* This is a YA book with parents who are alive, intelligent, caring, and involved with the lives of their teenagers.
* In fact, the adults in Snake-Armed Girl are generally competent and often able to provide help and support in various ways for the challenges faced by the protagonist and her friends
* And yet the challenges for the teenagers are things they ultimately have to face themselves. When adults cannot help, it is always for excellent reasons that make sense in the context of the story. Nothing is contrived or forced.
* The antagonists in this story do terrible things for fascinating, often sympathetic reasons. Early in the story, those motives are so well-hidden that their actions seem utterly random and nonsensical, but when the whole puzzle is unveiled it is breathtaking to behold. You may find yourself hating the antagonists, but you will understand them.
* Liane, the protagonist, is absolutely wonderful. The story unfolds in the first person, and her voice is distinctive, charming, and witty. She makes light of serious problems in a way that makes them bearable without ever ignoring how serious they are. She handles the many problems the universe throws out her with just the right mix of brilliance and believable teenage "I have no idea what to do now AHHHHH".
* The titular snake-arms are amazing too, with their own personalities that integrate with Liane's and give her a unique and slightly alien perspective. I love how this is handled.
* Basically, I love everything about this book, why are you still reading this review when you could be reading Snake-Armed Girl nooooooow?
tl;dr: BUY THIS BOOK YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews