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The Sorceress of Sky Serpents
From the bestselling author of the Trickster trilogy comes a bold fantasy inspired by the Indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest, set on a dangerous planet where monsters haunt the survivors of an apocalyptic sorcerers' war.
As the daughter of the Guardian of the Eagle Clan and the granddaughter of its shaman, Yuala longs to become a warrior or a healer or, if all else fails, to make a strategic marriage to cement an alliance that will help protect her village of Winter Haven. But in a world where her mother can rain down fire on their enemies and other fighters can move objects with their minds, Yuala’s only gift is her ability to connect with creatures regarded as warlike Forest People, giant, flesh-eating octopuses, dog-sized cave worms and other abominations let in after warring sorcerers broke open the world.
Misfit Yuala's one recognized talent is for getting into trouble. But just as she is giving up on her dreams, her powerful grandfather decides that her strangeness means she is destined to become the next Clan shaman. With fear and hope in her heart, Yuala plunges into a grueling supernatural apprenticeship, thrilled to be on a useful path at last.
Meanwhile far to the south, a new chief of a rival nation has seized power and is on the hunt for the Sorceress of Sky Serpents, whose coming seers have foretold. As a battle brews on the shores of Winter Haven, something fiery builds in Yuala, too—but will she come into her power and save her clan before it’s too late?
As the daughter of the Guardian of the Eagle Clan and the granddaughter of its shaman, Yuala longs to become a warrior or a healer or, if all else fails, to make a strategic marriage to cement an alliance that will help protect her village of Winter Haven. But in a world where her mother can rain down fire on their enemies and other fighters can move objects with their minds, Yuala’s only gift is her ability to connect with creatures regarded as warlike Forest People, giant, flesh-eating octopuses, dog-sized cave worms and other abominations let in after warring sorcerers broke open the world.
Misfit Yuala's one recognized talent is for getting into trouble. But just as she is giving up on her dreams, her powerful grandfather decides that her strangeness means she is destined to become the next Clan shaman. With fear and hope in her heart, Yuala plunges into a grueling supernatural apprenticeship, thrilled to be on a useful path at last.
Meanwhile far to the south, a new chief of a rival nation has seized power and is on the hunt for the Sorceress of Sky Serpents, whose coming seers have foretold. As a battle brews on the shores of Winter Haven, something fiery builds in Yuala, too—but will she come into her power and save her clan before it’s too late?
312 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2026
About the author
Eden Robinson
19 books1,314 followersEden Victoria Lena Robinson (born 19 January 1968) is a Canadian novelist and short story writer.
Born in Kitamaat, British Columbia, she is a member of the Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations. She was educated at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia.
Born in Kitamaat, British Columbia, she is a member of the Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations. She was educated at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 10, 2026
I barely know where to begin, but I can definitely say that no one else can write the way Eden Robinson can write. I received the ARC before I knew what the story was about, and after reading the synopsis, I thought it might be something I’d have to push myself through. I’m not a big fan of fantasy or speculative fiction, so I was a little wary. Obviously I shouldn’t have been, because apparently Eden Robinson can do no wrong.
There’s a lot going on in this book, lots of characters and clans to learn about, places and magics to remember. Yuala is a misfit coming into her own power, whatever that may be. Her world is dangerous and difficult, with clashes within clans, village hierarchies, and mystical and human attackers. Her own family doesn’t know quite what to make of her. Yuala, her mother, siblings and especially her grandfather are so well drawn, I was immediately immersed in the story, and hated when it ended- and it seemed to end abruptly.
Then I remembered that this is only the first book in what will be a trilogy, so we’re only at the beginning of this epic adventure. (As an aside, this would make an incredible movie, the visual imagery is incredible.)
Thank you very much to RandomHouse and NetGalley for the ARC! It’s been one of the best books of the year for me.
There’s a lot going on in this book, lots of characters and clans to learn about, places and magics to remember. Yuala is a misfit coming into her own power, whatever that may be. Her world is dangerous and difficult, with clashes within clans, village hierarchies, and mystical and human attackers. Her own family doesn’t know quite what to make of her. Yuala, her mother, siblings and especially her grandfather are so well drawn, I was immediately immersed in the story, and hated when it ended- and it seemed to end abruptly.
Then I remembered that this is only the first book in what will be a trilogy, so we’re only at the beginning of this epic adventure. (As an aside, this would make an incredible movie, the visual imagery is incredible.)
Thank you very much to RandomHouse and NetGalley for the ARC! It’s been one of the best books of the year for me.
September 21, 2026
This presents me with an odd dichotomy. I really enjoyed the plot and found the setting and the people very interesting. I really appreciated Yuala and the fact that she is presented as many heroes being a person who is different from her tightknit community, but at the same time she is very different from that presentation. She wants more than anything to be a useful member of her community and tries to give back while not compromising who she is. Her relationships with her family are complicated, related not only by her differentness but also by the other characters personal histories. It was really interesting because it was so unique seeing her both loved and a source of frustration for those around her. The worldbuilding too was super unique and another aspect I will be intrigued to know more about in the next book along with finding out more of the plot.
On the other hand though, I found the writing style of this book to be a type I don't particularly care for. It is in 1st person and the sentence structure is very blunt? simple? I am not sure the correct term for it. This at times makes it difficult to understand what is happening because there is so little detail given and sometimes that detail is incredibly important to know where and when we are in the story. I do wonder if this style of writing is a stylistic choice by the author rather than a level of technical skill. The thing that hints style for me is that it reminds me a lot of the writing style used in The Door on the Sea, another Pacific Northwest Coast fantasy, but I might be seeing things.
Additionally, because of the style and first person, the beginning was rather jarring as we are thrown in with a person who we know nothing about and I couldn't tell what emotional reaction the author wanted for that segment before we shifted to the northern POV. I feel like it almost would have been to narrate those parts from 3rd person to achieve the same distance we had from the characters.
Even with the stylistic differences, I do think I will continue with the series because I found the plot and characters incredibly compelling.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
On the other hand though, I found the writing style of this book to be a type I don't particularly care for. It is in 1st person and the sentence structure is very blunt? simple? I am not sure the correct term for it. This at times makes it difficult to understand what is happening because there is so little detail given and sometimes that detail is incredibly important to know where and when we are in the story. I do wonder if this style of writing is a stylistic choice by the author rather than a level of technical skill. The thing that hints style for me is that it reminds me a lot of the writing style used in The Door on the Sea, another Pacific Northwest Coast fantasy, but I might be seeing things.
Additionally, because of the style and first person, the beginning was rather jarring as we are thrown in with a person who we know nothing about and I couldn't tell what emotional reaction the author wanted for that segment before we shifted to the northern POV. I feel like it almost would have been to narrate those parts from 3rd person to achieve the same distance we had from the characters.
Even with the stylistic differences, I do think I will continue with the series because I found the plot and characters incredibly compelling.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
September 11, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC!
My experience with The Sorceress of Sky Serpents didn't start out well. The opening of this book felt slow and confusing, especially as it focused on a character we only met for a scant few pages before switching to a completely different area. I almost DNF'ed this book at 15%, but I stuck on with it despite the technical issues. On balance, I think there are diamonds here - just very much in the rough.
What really kept me reading was the combination of characters and worldbuilding. The main cast are all very distinct and well-drawn, but it was the complex web of interactions and relationships that sold this book to me. Yuala, our main character, was also very charming, being very forthright and never one to not speak her mind, but never becoming irritating. I liked that she tended to solve her problems the smart way, and I really connected with her lack of patience with the way small-minded people or silly social rules would get in the way of what was practical and best for everyone. I loved seeing her grow throughout the book, and the slow exploration of her powers. The worldbuilding, with the setting of Yuala's home village and the way various magical powers work in this world, was also very interesting.
What's really holding this book back is the lack of flourish and care on the technical level of writing. The style is very simple, with a lack of variation in vocabulary and sentence structure that makes the prose a chore to read. Robinson also never injects enough rich detail into this setting to make the world come alive. We get the most basic of details - the village is on a bay, surrounded by mountains, and the people here spend their winters in caves - but that's it. What does the bay look like? How tall are the mountains? How extensive is the cave system? Is there anything distinctive about these places that makes Yuala feel at home? We never get any details. In the end, this leaves the novel feeling more like a fleshed out first draft, rather than a final product.
The narrative also feels rushed at times, with not enough page space dedicated to certain plot points, so that they feel like they haven't had enough focus. I'm also not entirely certain what the point was of occasionally jumping to Tky's perspective, as pretty much everything we got out of his sections was either irrelevant to the main narrative or was told to us via another character in Yuala's sections. The ending was also very abrupt - it made sense as an ending point, but we got so little of Yuala's thoughts and feelings that her decisions felt like they lacked impact, despite their gravity and importance to the story.
There are definitely interesting plot points and characters to love in The Sorceress of Sky Serpents; unfortunately, they're being badly let down by the quality of the writing on a technical level. In the end, this book was decent enough that I'm glad I finished it, though I don't know that I'll be interested in reading any potential sequel.
My experience with The Sorceress of Sky Serpents didn't start out well. The opening of this book felt slow and confusing, especially as it focused on a character we only met for a scant few pages before switching to a completely different area. I almost DNF'ed this book at 15%, but I stuck on with it despite the technical issues. On balance, I think there are diamonds here - just very much in the rough.
What really kept me reading was the combination of characters and worldbuilding. The main cast are all very distinct and well-drawn, but it was the complex web of interactions and relationships that sold this book to me. Yuala, our main character, was also very charming, being very forthright and never one to not speak her mind, but never becoming irritating. I liked that she tended to solve her problems the smart way, and I really connected with her lack of patience with the way small-minded people or silly social rules would get in the way of what was practical and best for everyone. I loved seeing her grow throughout the book, and the slow exploration of her powers. The worldbuilding, with the setting of Yuala's home village and the way various magical powers work in this world, was also very interesting.
What's really holding this book back is the lack of flourish and care on the technical level of writing. The style is very simple, with a lack of variation in vocabulary and sentence structure that makes the prose a chore to read. Robinson also never injects enough rich detail into this setting to make the world come alive. We get the most basic of details - the village is on a bay, surrounded by mountains, and the people here spend their winters in caves - but that's it. What does the bay look like? How tall are the mountains? How extensive is the cave system? Is there anything distinctive about these places that makes Yuala feel at home? We never get any details. In the end, this leaves the novel feeling more like a fleshed out first draft, rather than a final product.
The narrative also feels rushed at times, with not enough page space dedicated to certain plot points, so that they feel like they haven't had enough focus. I'm also not entirely certain what the point was of occasionally jumping to Tky's perspective, as pretty much everything we got out of his sections was either irrelevant to the main narrative or was told to us via another character in Yuala's sections. The ending was also very abrupt - it made sense as an ending point, but we got so little of Yuala's thoughts and feelings that her decisions felt like they lacked impact, despite their gravity and importance to the story.
There are definitely interesting plot points and characters to love in The Sorceress of Sky Serpents; unfortunately, they're being badly let down by the quality of the writing on a technical level. In the end, this book was decent enough that I'm glad I finished it, though I don't know that I'll be interested in reading any potential sequel.
September 29, 2026
Based on PNW indigenous cultures, we follow Yuala, a strong female but an outsider of her community. While others can share thoughts, Yuala cannot. Instead she is perceptive of the world around her, connecting with creatures the others fear. When her Grandfather decides she shows signs she should be the next clan shaman, Yuala embarks on a “gruelling supernatural apprenticeship”.
Where do I start!?! I loved this world Eden Robinson has created. Unique, with a strong main female character, I found Yuala interesting, with strong emotional fortitude. Watching Yuala grow and come into herself was beautifully paired with an intense storyline.
The world is vast and detailed. Gorgeous writing, complex characters, and a fantastic storyline are captured in this fantasy.
Thank you @randomhouseca for the eARC.
Where do I start!?! I loved this world Eden Robinson has created. Unique, with a strong main female character, I found Yuala interesting, with strong emotional fortitude. Watching Yuala grow and come into herself was beautifully paired with an intense storyline.
The world is vast and detailed. Gorgeous writing, complex characters, and a fantastic storyline are captured in this fantasy.
Thank you @randomhouseca for the eARC.
October 5, 2026
Book rating: 3.5⭐️
Genre: Indigenous fantasy
Themes: outcasts, clan culture, family politics, monsters and magic
📖 Read if you like: Black Sun, Bad Cree, Mongrels
I have been a fan of Robinson’s since I read the Trickster series many years ago, so I was excited to see her inspiration from folklore lead to a fully formed fantasy. It is a world of monsters and gifts, clans and traditions, shamans and spirits, and of course endless wars.
Yuala is the daughter of the Guardian of the Eagle Clan and granddaughter of the shaman. Her duty to her clan will see her find an active role or betrothed for the greater good. Yet Yuala is a misfit who always seems to land herself in trouble. With endless curiosity and a kindness towards all living creatures including giant cave worms, flesh eating octopuses, nesting spiders that can pass on gifts or Forest people, she is constantly misunderstood and made to feel as though she is failing. Despite her skills as a healer and her generosity towards clansmen, Yuala is avoided and mocked for her strangeness, and then for her supernatural abilities as she becomes an apprentice to her grandfather.
This was very confusing. The opening chapters swap between different characters and clans, so it was difficult to find focus and the overwhelming world building didn’t aid in this matter. I struggled with the early pacing. Just as I was getting into the story, it would jump to a different location only adding to disorientation.
After pushing through the first quarter, I was finally able to revel in the world and characters. Both were richly drawn to create a landscape and community that represented wildness and social expectations. The magic was wonderfully imaginative and well integrated into a recognizable culture.
Yuala was an easy character to love with her forthright nature and clever drive. She was always seeking adventure and was never shy on kindness. The treatment towards her by the clan and her family through complex relationships only endeared her further in my mind.
There were a lot of interesting components to the book, but I struggled with its execution. Just as I found myself immersed, it abruptly ended. There are a lot of gaps to fill in, but I am curious as to Yuala’s fate and there were many strong characters and a lot of creativity from creature to abilities that I found fascinating. I will likely continue this series though I will have to adapt to the unconventional style.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for an eARC.
Genre: Indigenous fantasy
Themes: outcasts, clan culture, family politics, monsters and magic
📖 Read if you like: Black Sun, Bad Cree, Mongrels
I have been a fan of Robinson’s since I read the Trickster series many years ago, so I was excited to see her inspiration from folklore lead to a fully formed fantasy. It is a world of monsters and gifts, clans and traditions, shamans and spirits, and of course endless wars.
Yuala is the daughter of the Guardian of the Eagle Clan and granddaughter of the shaman. Her duty to her clan will see her find an active role or betrothed for the greater good. Yet Yuala is a misfit who always seems to land herself in trouble. With endless curiosity and a kindness towards all living creatures including giant cave worms, flesh eating octopuses, nesting spiders that can pass on gifts or Forest people, she is constantly misunderstood and made to feel as though she is failing. Despite her skills as a healer and her generosity towards clansmen, Yuala is avoided and mocked for her strangeness, and then for her supernatural abilities as she becomes an apprentice to her grandfather.
This was very confusing. The opening chapters swap between different characters and clans, so it was difficult to find focus and the overwhelming world building didn’t aid in this matter. I struggled with the early pacing. Just as I was getting into the story, it would jump to a different location only adding to disorientation.
After pushing through the first quarter, I was finally able to revel in the world and characters. Both were richly drawn to create a landscape and community that represented wildness and social expectations. The magic was wonderfully imaginative and well integrated into a recognizable culture.
Yuala was an easy character to love with her forthright nature and clever drive. She was always seeking adventure and was never shy on kindness. The treatment towards her by the clan and her family through complex relationships only endeared her further in my mind.
There were a lot of interesting components to the book, but I struggled with its execution. Just as I found myself immersed, it abruptly ended. There are a lot of gaps to fill in, but I am curious as to Yuala’s fate and there were many strong characters and a lot of creativity from creature to abilities that I found fascinating. I will likely continue this series though I will have to adapt to the unconventional style.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for an eARC.
September 30, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC!
The novel mainly follows Yuala who is trying to find her place within her community while also feeling a sense of disconnection. Another character essential to the story is Tky who lives in a separate community. With Tky's storyline, we get some added context in terms of how some of the characters operate.
Fantasy can be a difficult genre for me because I struggle to visualize unfamiliar words. Eden Robinson's descriptions gave me imagery and I'm able to understand the structure of this world. I especially enjoyed the variety of creatures throughout the novel. Robinson goes into great detail about each one, but I found myself wanting to know more. I just fell in love with how the characters interacted with these creatures whether they were scared or excited themselves to understand a species unknown to them.
There are a lot of characters which can occasionally be a little confusing to keep track of. Thankfully the descriptions are helpful to guide the reader and I appreciate the list of characters at the end of the novel. I didn't find myself needing to use this resource, however, it can be useful as the trilogy continues and we get to know more about these characters.
The dialogue is extremely entertaining and I found myself laughing often. For those who loved the sarcastic quality of the "Son of a Trickster" trilogy, the witty dialogue especially from Yuala is an aspect of the story you will appreciate.
Overall, I'm very excited for this trilogy to continue. I can see myself rereading this book as well as future books Eden Robinson comes out with.
The novel mainly follows Yuala who is trying to find her place within her community while also feeling a sense of disconnection. Another character essential to the story is Tky who lives in a separate community. With Tky's storyline, we get some added context in terms of how some of the characters operate.
Fantasy can be a difficult genre for me because I struggle to visualize unfamiliar words. Eden Robinson's descriptions gave me imagery and I'm able to understand the structure of this world. I especially enjoyed the variety of creatures throughout the novel. Robinson goes into great detail about each one, but I found myself wanting to know more. I just fell in love with how the characters interacted with these creatures whether they were scared or excited themselves to understand a species unknown to them.
There are a lot of characters which can occasionally be a little confusing to keep track of. Thankfully the descriptions are helpful to guide the reader and I appreciate the list of characters at the end of the novel. I didn't find myself needing to use this resource, however, it can be useful as the trilogy continues and we get to know more about these characters.
The dialogue is extremely entertaining and I found myself laughing often. For those who loved the sarcastic quality of the "Son of a Trickster" trilogy, the witty dialogue especially from Yuala is an aspect of the story you will appreciate.
Overall, I'm very excited for this trilogy to continue. I can see myself rereading this book as well as future books Eden Robinson comes out with.
October 1, 2026
Wednesday was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, and I spent a sizable chunk of the day reading Indigenous Canadian author Eden Robinson’s latest book, which had conveniently been released the day before. Inspired by the Indigenous culture of the Pacific Northwest, this fantasy novel (the first in a planned trilogy) had me gripped and gripped early!
Yuala, our misfit heroine, spends much of the earlier parts of the book striving to find her purpose. Deemed inappropriate to succeed her mother as leader of the Eagle Clan, her family has her set up for a strategic arranged marriage instead. However, often overlooked is her ability to connect with beings that many would consider monsters, such as the forest people, worms, giant octopuses and spiders. I found myself often frustrated with her narrow-minded family members who seemed so fixated on fitting her into the box they have determined she should occupy, all the while ignoring what seem to be her actual strengths and talents. As they prepare to fend off invading raiders from the Double Eagle Clan, Yuala begins to pursue what she feels is her path as a shaman, not initially realizing that her fate may in fact lie elsewhere. Interspersed between Yuala’s story, we catch glimpses of the invading forces, told through the point of view of Tky. This very much felt like the first piece in a series, as there will definitely be more battles to come, as well as Yuala’s own journey and coming into her own.
Overall, I loved this read. The characters, storylines and worldbuilding were all so engaging, and I’m excited to see what comes next!
Yuala, our misfit heroine, spends much of the earlier parts of the book striving to find her purpose. Deemed inappropriate to succeed her mother as leader of the Eagle Clan, her family has her set up for a strategic arranged marriage instead. However, often overlooked is her ability to connect with beings that many would consider monsters, such as the forest people, worms, giant octopuses and spiders. I found myself often frustrated with her narrow-minded family members who seemed so fixated on fitting her into the box they have determined she should occupy, all the while ignoring what seem to be her actual strengths and talents. As they prepare to fend off invading raiders from the Double Eagle Clan, Yuala begins to pursue what she feels is her path as a shaman, not initially realizing that her fate may in fact lie elsewhere. Interspersed between Yuala’s story, we catch glimpses of the invading forces, told through the point of view of Tky. This very much felt like the first piece in a series, as there will definitely be more battles to come, as well as Yuala’s own journey and coming into her own.
Overall, I loved this read. The characters, storylines and worldbuilding were all so engaging, and I’m excited to see what comes next!
September 30, 2026
It did take me a while to get into this, especially with the initial change in perspective to another unrelated POV that stayed disconnected right up to the end. I’d even say Tky’s perspective was almost unnecessary, and definitely the weaker of the two.
Yuala’s story was a lot more compelling, and I really enjoyed her character arc as an outsider in her community which heavily values collectivism over those who stand out. This creates an interesting tension where she is punished for acting in the interests of the community because her methods are deemed inappropriate, where readers may be more used to a narrative where the exceptional is celebrated. So it’s interesting to read from this decolonial perspective and may feel frustrating to some.
I enjoyed how unique this was, it’s refreshing how it doesn’t play into popular fantasy tropes or include a forced romance.
I did find this somewhat lacking in the details and descriptions of the world that meant everything felt a bit less vivid than it could have.
Overall I’m glad I read this and would absolutely read another book set in this world. As a standalone I don’t think it has a satisfying ending, so I’m hopeful there will be more to come.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Yuala’s story was a lot more compelling, and I really enjoyed her character arc as an outsider in her community which heavily values collectivism over those who stand out. This creates an interesting tension where she is punished for acting in the interests of the community because her methods are deemed inappropriate, where readers may be more used to a narrative where the exceptional is celebrated. So it’s interesting to read from this decolonial perspective and may feel frustrating to some.
I enjoyed how unique this was, it’s refreshing how it doesn’t play into popular fantasy tropes or include a forced romance.
I did find this somewhat lacking in the details and descriptions of the world that meant everything felt a bit less vivid than it could have.
Overall I’m glad I read this and would absolutely read another book set in this world. As a standalone I don’t think it has a satisfying ending, so I’m hopeful there will be more to come.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
September 29, 2026
This book completely drew me into its world. The author has a beautiful way of writing, creating a vivid and atmospheric setting that made it easy to get lost in the story.
The world-building is one of the things that stood out to me the most. There is clearly a lot of thought behind the world and its details, and I really enjoyed discovering it alongside the characters.
And speaking of the characters… I really liked them. They felt interesting and well-developed, and I found myself genuinely invested in their journeys and relationships.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. The combination of beautiful writing, immersive world-building and compelling characters made it a book I was happy to get lost in.
The world-building is one of the things that stood out to me the most. There is clearly a lot of thought behind the world and its details, and I really enjoyed discovering it alongside the characters.
And speaking of the characters… I really liked them. They felt interesting and well-developed, and I found myself genuinely invested in their journeys and relationships.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. The combination of beautiful writing, immersive world-building and compelling characters made it a book I was happy to get lost in.
September 30, 2026
I was excited to see Eden Robinson had a new release. A big thanks to NetGallery and the publisher for the ARC.
After reading the description I was less enthusiastic as sci-fi /fantasy doesn’t interest me. The book is called molecular with a lot of different characters I recommend reading it and not the audiobook because it requires attention to follow. If you liked the Trickster trilogy and Monkey Beach and are expecting the same you will be disappointed. Although the writing is descriptive and beautiful I just didn’t find myself engaged in the plot or invested in the characters.
I will read it a second time and am hoping to connect with it more but I think this may just not be the genre for me.
After reading the description I was less enthusiastic as sci-fi /fantasy doesn’t interest me. The book is called molecular with a lot of different characters I recommend reading it and not the audiobook because it requires attention to follow. If you liked the Trickster trilogy and Monkey Beach and are expecting the same you will be disappointed. Although the writing is descriptive and beautiful I just didn’t find myself engaged in the plot or invested in the characters.
I will read it a second time and am hoping to connect with it more but I think this may just not be the genre for me.
October 6, 2026
You just jump into the actions of the firehouse of names and places with this book. It took me about 20$% of the book to really get my bearings. That being said, I adore the cast of characters and the massive, sprawling world. There are massive mythical creatures: The sky people, giant cave worms, whole groups of people who are telepathic. It’s a massive magical world and you explore it as the characters move through the story. It feels very lived in, very broad and well throughout.
I adore Yuala. She just wants to belong in her community but she’s always just a little outcast. She’s kind and considerate, magical but not over powered in a world full of mythical beasts.
**This review is based on an e-ARC generously provided to me through Netgalley**
I adore Yuala. She just wants to belong in her community but she’s always just a little outcast. She’s kind and considerate, magical but not over powered in a world full of mythical beasts.
**This review is based on an e-ARC generously provided to me through Netgalley**
October 1, 2026
3.5 rounded up
While I didn't love this as much as Robinson's Trickster trilogy, this last start to a new fantasy series was a wholly original world that follows Yuala, a young misfit Indigenous woman who is destined to be her Clan's shaman. She finds herself keeper of serpents and worms - of all the unusual creatures - and becomes an outcast by the end of the story, embarking on the beginning of a whole new adventure on her own. This world took a bit for me to get into but I'm still keen to see where the story takes Yuala next. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
While I didn't love this as much as Robinson's Trickster trilogy, this last start to a new fantasy series was a wholly original world that follows Yuala, a young misfit Indigenous woman who is destined to be her Clan's shaman. She finds herself keeper of serpents and worms - of all the unusual creatures - and becomes an outcast by the end of the story, embarking on the beginning of a whole new adventure on her own. This world took a bit for me to get into but I'm still keen to see where the story takes Yuala next. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 3, 2026
One of the best and most unique fantasy novels I’ve ever read. It follows Yuala a vibrant young woman who is loved but somewhat of an outsider in her own society.
The author masterfully weaves together a personal narrative of self discovery in Yuala’s journey with an overlying commentary on the complexities of humans and power. Clan politics and familial bonds play a huge role in this story.
Inspired by indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest and filled with intrigue, magic and dry wit, The Sorceress of Sky Serpents is not one to miss for fantasy fans.
Thank you to Random House Canada for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.
The author masterfully weaves together a personal narrative of self discovery in Yuala’s journey with an overlying commentary on the complexities of humans and power. Clan politics and familial bonds play a huge role in this story.
Inspired by indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest and filled with intrigue, magic and dry wit, The Sorceress of Sky Serpents is not one to miss for fantasy fans.
Thank you to Random House Canada for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a really strong opening book in a 1st person fantasy following an outcast girl who does not share her people's abilities to share thoughts, as she learns her place in the world. A strong exploration of how people are othered and how what makes you different doesn't make you weaker. The characters are extremely strong and the author expects you to pick up what is being put down. No hand holding, this is the world and this is how it works. Jump in for a wide range of magics and mythologies, but all conveyed on a very grounded level.
October 2, 2026
I really enjoyed this!
my standouts are Yuala's voice, her sassiness and way of seeing the world so differently from everyone else in her clan and her culture entirely
I also really liked that the fantasy and world are based on Indigenous cultures - as a kid who used to devour mythology stories and retellings, could find, this struck a perfect cord
I didn't realize it was the first book in a trilogy but I can't wait to see where Yuala's journey takes her!
thank you so much to Random House Canada for the lovely ARC!
my standouts are Yuala's voice, her sassiness and way of seeing the world so differently from everyone else in her clan and her culture entirely
I also really liked that the fantasy and world are based on Indigenous cultures - as a kid who used to devour mythology stories and retellings, could find, this struck a perfect cord
I didn't realize it was the first book in a trilogy but I can't wait to see where Yuala's journey takes her!
thank you so much to Random House Canada for the lovely ARC!
October 5, 2026
Love Robinsons writing! I pre-ordered the book, and ate it up!!!
I struggled a bit in the beginning with the set up, but I think this was very much a book that is setting things in motion!
Honestly, so sad I didn't wait a bit, because now I have to wait for the next one!!
I struggled a bit in the beginning with the set up, but I think this was very much a book that is setting things in motion!
Honestly, so sad I didn't wait a bit, because now I have to wait for the next one!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
received as a NetGalley arc
The Sorceress of Sky Serpents follows a young woman who is alienated from her clan when she doesn't share the powers they value or follow the wishes of her family. Instead, she befriends the creatures her family and friends shun and finds her own gifts.
The writing style is straightforward and much of this isn't explored in depth. Instead, the reader is left to fill in the details of the landscape and other physical descriptions. The inner lives of the characters are also treated this way since their arcs serve to test their beliefs, rather than transform them. However, the world Robinson has created is expansive and hints of its history and many conflicts are layered into much of the story.
The Sorceress of Sky Serpents follows a young woman who is alienated from her clan when she doesn't share the powers they value or follow the wishes of her family. Instead, she befriends the creatures her family and friends shun and finds her own gifts.
The writing style is straightforward and much of this isn't explored in depth. Instead, the reader is left to fill in the details of the landscape and other physical descriptions. The inner lives of the characters are also treated this way since their arcs serve to test their beliefs, rather than transform them. However, the world Robinson has created is expansive and hints of its history and many conflicts are layered into much of the story.
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