Snake-Eater If there’s one thing to know about a T. Kingfisher novel, it’s that you’re going to have a good time. With more than two dozen books to her name, she is sure to have a book to suit your tastes. Want a romantic fantasy? Try Paladin’s Grace. Off-kilter fairytales? Try Nettle and Bone. Horror? Try What Moves the Dead. Looking for a book where a woman and her dog move to a house where weird things start happening? Try The Twisted Ones or Kingfisher’s latest, Snake-Eater. Set in a near future version of the American Southwest, Snake-Eater is the story of Selena and her dog Copper who have fled the city and a terrible relationship to find refuge with her Aunt Amelia in the tiny desert town of Quartz Creek. Upon arriving, though, Selena finds that Aunt Amelia has died. Though she is convinced that she will be leaving soon, Selena decides to stay in her aunt’s old house for a few days. As time passes, however, the place starts to feel like home– until strange beings begin watching her at night and she begins to hear a strange voice. With the help of Quartz Creek’s off-beat residents, Selena investigates the strange goings-on and discovers that Aunt Amelia had ill-advised dealings with an old god, and that old god has come to collect. With a touch of science fiction, a dusting of horror, and a cup or two of fantasy, Snake-Eater is difficult to put into a single genre except, maybe, ‘pure Kingfisher’. It begins the way several of Kingfisher’s novels have: a young woman teetering at the edge of rock bottom comes to the one place she thinks she might find sanctuary, only to discover that horrible things are at work in or around the place. Mayhem ensues. There are quirky neighbors, unexpected animal allies, and a foundation of wry humor. The heroine discovers hidden strengths within herself as she looks for a way to stave off the evil that threatens her and her newfound friends. Is that formulaic? Sure. But so are a lot of things in the book world. If the romance doesn’t have a Happily Ever After ending, then it’s not a romance. If the great evil isn’t defeated by the end of the fantasy novel (or series), then why did we go on that adventure? A formulaic novel isn’t a bad thing, especially when it’s written by an author as capable as T. Kingfisher, because even at her worst, her books still provide the reader with a good time. With Snake-Eater, you get clean and efficient prose, immensely likable characters, a great sense of humor, a solid dose of creepiness, and a solid ending that ties up all the loose ends. And what’s more– you get a heroine who goes far not because she is the biggest and strongest, but because she is kind, caring, and stands up for herself when the chips are down. What’s not to like? At 271 pages, Snake-Eater is not a particularly long story. If what you’re looking for is a lengthy narrative with a complex plot that you can sink your teeth into for a week or three, then this isn’t it. But if it’s a gloomy day and you’re longing for a warm setting to retreat to in a book that you know will be fun, then Snake-Eater might be just what you’re looking for. With a touch of horror, a heaping dose of humor, and a Very Good dog, Snake-Eater is sure to be hit. Just keep an eye out for the chicken. Thank you to NetGalley and 47 North for the advance copy for review. Traveling in Books is free today. But if you enjoyed this post, you can tell Traveling in Books that their writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. You won't be charged unless they enable payments.
|
Monday, 24 November 2025
Book Review: Snake-Eater
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No Harm, No Foul?
The terms of diplomatic agreements matter, even if they’re never fulfilled. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ...
-
Rex Sikes posted: " Take this quote of William Atkinson Walker's to heart. Understand it and apply it in your life. ...
No comments:
Post a Comment