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Serpentine
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
Inspired by the rich history of Chinese mythology, this sweeping fantasy is set in the ancient Kingdom of Xia and tells the coming of age story of Skybright, a young girl who worries about her growing otherness. As she turns 16, Skybright notices troubling changes. By day, she is a companion and handmaid to the youngest daughter of a very wealthy family. But nighttime brings with it a darkness that not even daybreak can quell. When her plight can no longer be denied, Skybright learns that despite a dark destiny, she must struggle to retain her sense of self even as she falls in love for the first time.
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Quirkybookworm
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Again, many thanks! @Gissy

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ads0123
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
Mehso-so

I‘m not sure how I feel about this one. This had great potential, but I don‘t think it quite got there for me. The characters felt a bit underdeveloped. Also I think there were a few too many things going on at once, so nothing really got the time it deserved. I really enjoyed the premise, though. 3/3.5 ⭐️

#bookclubpick

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ads0123
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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This one started out a little slowly, but it‘s picked up some speed now. I‘m enjoying it so far!
#bedtimereading #bookclubpick

47 likes1 stack add
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RealLifeReading
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Starting the weekend off with a slice of Lemon Bliss Cake (recipe from King Arthur Flour), a big mug of Yorkshire Gold with milk, and finally to finish this great read about a young handmaiden in the Kingdom of Xia who discovers that there is a darkness in her. Love the characters of Skybright and her mistress Zhen Ni, who is pressured to marry into a good family but isn‘t interested in men.

twohectobooks Loooove King Arthur Flour! 6y
103 likes1 stack add1 comment
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RealLifeReading
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Pork floss sandwich + Nespresso +New-to-me author whose book Serpentine fits into one of the #asianlitbingo squares perfectly = Happy Wednesday

writerlibrarian I liked her previous novels a lot. This one is in my TRP. 6y
104 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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lilredhen
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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She found an error and needed help figuring out a sentence with no spaces 😨

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RanaElizabeth
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Oh my god, guys. Read this now. It's YA with twin emphasis on friendship and romance. It's diverse and set in an exciting world and just plain good. It won't move literary mountains but I enjoyed the heckers out of it.

BillBlume I loved Serpentine. Still need to read Sacrifice. 7y
54 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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llwheeler
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Day 13 #readingwomenmonth - YA. One of the YAs I've read more recently. An enjoyable, diverse read. I'll have to see what else Pon has out.

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AshleyKorinE
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Pickpick

A story about half demon, half human handmaid to a willful girl who loves girls and all the trouble that comes with that. It's historical fiction set in China with a f/f relationship, there's magic and mythical creatures including the main character Skybright. It was fast paced and sometimes seemed rushed but overall a very good story. Strong friendships, a surprise ending, I enjoyed it and it was a fast read!

14 likes1 stack add
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llwheeler
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Pickpick

If you like any or all of the following: YA, fantasy, diverse characters/non-Western setting, kickass young women coming into their own... then I'm pretty sure you will like this book. It was light without being slight; I could see myself picking it up again when I need a comfort reread.

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llwheeler
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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this was book number 52 for the year! Finished it over the holidays on my brand new kobo :)

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BillBlume
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Pickpick

Enjoyed this novel a lot. Serpentine takes the reader on a journey into Chinese mythology as Skybright discovers her place in it, but the real story focuses on how her relationship with her best friend Zhen Ni changes as they enter adulthood (which includes plenty of self-discovery) and they each find love. There's a sequel, but this book stands on its own well. #YALit #youngadult #youngadultbooks #cindypon #chinesemythology #china #serpentine

19 likes1 stack add
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BillBlume
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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"Was this what growing up, becoming a woman, meant? To show only certain acceptable sides of yourself to others, even to those you love?" Page 95.

Cindy Pon defines so much of what makes YA literature about the teen experience in that one paragraph. Loving this book. #Serpentine #CindyPon #youngadultbooks #ya #yalit #teenlife

14 likes1 stack add
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BillBlume
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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For my next read, I'm diving into Cindy Pon's Serpentine. This is one of those cool times when I don't know what the book is about and I've never read anything by the author. I just know a lot of writers I like enjoy her writing, and I've read a lot of positive buzz. My only real question before I start: is it pronounced Serpen-TINE or Serpen-TEEN? #ReaderBlindDate #Serpentine #CindyPon #YALit #youngadult #youngadultbooks

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szainabwilliams
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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My planner tells me I have stuff to do, but I'm reading so be quiet. 🙉📚

MrBook 😻😻😻😻 8y
21 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ShansMousey
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Pickpick

Another great book by Cindy Pon. I think this series is stronger than her first one. I really loved the friendship between Skybright and Zhen Ni. It gives a bit more weight to the story that I didn't think her other books Silver Phoenix and Fury of the Phoenix had. But like those other books, Serpentine has wonderful world building. A great book for any fans of fantasy and folklore.

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Sneakybea
Serpentine | Cindy Pon

Saw her at Nerdcon: Stories and she made it sound great! Can't wait to read it!

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SiriGuruDevSingh
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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I can't decide if this book is supposed to be YA or Middlegrade...

BillBlume Definitely feels YA to me. Captures a lot of that attitude of transitioning into an adult. Also a lot more sensual than I expected. 8y
SiriGuruDevSingh @BillBlume Yes! YA for sure—which is getting more and more explicit, definitely not to be confused with Middle Grade. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas was actually almost erotica (at parts) in my opinion, but oh well😂 8y
BillBlume Oh my! I hadn't heard that about Empire of Storms. Very conflicted about that as an adult reader. 8y
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SiriGuruDevSingh @BillBlume I agree. My books have bad language and I made sure to make it very clear on my Amazon description that they are for 9th grade and up (which is the warning we can put for adult content). A lot of authors do not do this, and all we can do is hope parents of middlegraders are paying attention. I'm fine with YA having everything—as long as it's made clear to readers. Definitely 8y
BillBlume @SiriGuruDevSingh, I just meant it feels kind of creepy to be an adult reading about teenagers making out and having sex. But in general, I do think it's worth reading some of what our kids read to know what they're being exposed to. 8y
SiriGuruDevSingh @billblume Oh!! I see what you're saying now! Yeah, I don't have a problem with that, lol, I guess I fall easily back into my juvenile mind😂😂 8y
9 likes1 stack add6 comments
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DaphneLee
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Reading this and really enjoying the experience.

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amandaz
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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Pickpick

Ok, this was SO good. I bought it on a whim based on a someone's Litsy haul (who was it?!) and I read it without reading the synopsis, which I never do. Wow. Fantasy based on Chinese mythology, really complex characters, and action-packed. The depiction of female friendship was so realistic, too.

StephTKO Alright, sold! 8y
Matilda Yay! (I posted the ebook sale the other day after I bought it) 8y
amandaz @Matilda Aha, it was you! Thank you! It was awesome. :) 8y
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MichellisLife Chinese mythology, female friendships, complex characters...how many buzz words are you going to use. I'm completely sold on this books 💕 8y
Owlizabeth My TBR is out of control! 8y
amandaz @MichellisLife @Owlizabeth Yay for everyone! :) 8y
27 likes9 stack adds6 comments
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Matilda
Serpentine | Cindy Pon
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🔔 .99cent Amazon deal-- this one has been on my TBR pile a while so I snatched it up quick. Fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology = sold!

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That sounds good! 8y
BookBerries I LOVE this book!! 8y
Matilda @BookBerries glad to hear bc I bought it! 8y
emmaleegough Love the cover! 8y
32 likes8 stack adds4 comments