Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher
A Ink-Stained Desk Book Review.
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Hello again!
I’m not entirely sure how T. Kingfisher manages it. Everywhere I look lately, her books are scooping up awards, getting gorgeous special editions, and the release schedule for her upcoming titles seems endless. Does she sleep? So far, we are looking forward to Hemlock & Silver in August 2025, What Stalks the Deep (Sworn Soldier #3) in September 2025, Snake-Eater in November 2025, and Wolf Worm in March 2026. And that's just the tip of the iceberg; she also has had nominations for the 2025 Locus Awards (for What Feasts at Night and A Sorceress Comes to Call) and her Hugo win for Thornhedge in 2024.
As you can probably tell, I'm a massive T. Kingfisher-head (—yep, I'm coining the term right here!). So, when I got the exciting chance to read and review her upcoming book, with a planned release date of November 11, 2025, by publisher 47North, the squeal that burst out of me had my dog giving me a truly concerned side-eye.
And speaking of dogs (see what I did there?), I recently published a short essay about the role canines play in T. Kingfisher's horror novels. If you're interested in why her furry friends are always so beloved and somehow always survive to the end, you'll find it right here:
“You stay out of Snake-Eater’s way, I imagine he’ll stay out of yours. Most like.” -Grandma Billy-
The Plot.
In Snake-Eater, we are introduced to Selena, an anxious and introspective protagonist, who arrives in Quartz Creek accompanied by her loyal black Labrador, Copper (which she has named for his coppery-colored eyes). Their destination is Jackrabbit Hole House, the home of her Aunt Amelia, with whom Selena has not had contact for over a year. Driven by her mother's recent passing and a strong aversion to returning to her emotionally and psychologically abusive partner, Walter, Selena seeks refuge and a fresh start.
Upon their arrival, Selena is devastated to discover that Aunt Amelia passed away a year prior. With no acquaintances in the town, limited financial resources, and the responsibility of caring for Copper, Selena reluctantly accepts an offer to stay in her aunt's still-empty house. She resolves that her stay will be temporary, just long enough to earn sufficient funds for a train ticket to an unspecified destination.
However, the desert landscape of Quartz Creek quickly reveals its peculiarities. Aunt Amelia, it turns out, cultivated relationships with non-human entities, who seem disgruntled by Selena's presence in the house. Fortunately, the local human residents prove to be remarkably supportive, extending advice and assistance despite Selena's initial reluctance to accept their help.
Highlights.
This doesn’t deviate between Kingfisher novels; her characters are always the highlight above anything else for me. Here we have a community of desert dwellers, each with their own quirks and oddities. My favourite is Grandma Billy. Everyone needs a Grandma Billy in their life, straight shooting (—literally in this instance!), she’s not one to mess with, but if she takes a liking to you, you’ll be the luckiest person in the desert. Fantastically, in Snake-Eater, we also have animals as side characters, and this reaches beyond the canine companion. In this story, we have angry roosters, a vengeful roadrunner and a plucky peacock called Merv.
“Copper, recognizing a place where she frequently received table scraps, flopped down under the table and made chewing noises.”
Another highlight of the narrative is Kingfisher's nuanced portrayal of Selena, a woman clearly shaped by emotional and psychological abuse. Her character consistently demonstrates a deep-seated worry of being a burden, a profound reluctance to accept help or assistance, and a habit of rehearsing responses to encounters to mitigate the risk of upsetting others or making a mistake. Her character arc, as she gradually gains confidence and independence throughout her time in Quartz Creek, is a compelling and beautifully created aspect of the novel.
“Apologies were the best tool she’d ever found for making something over.”
Drawbacks.
Despite its many strengths, the story left a few threads somewhat unresolved or with explanations that felt incomplete. The precise circumstances surrounding Aunt Amelia's death, while addressed, remained somewhat murky, perhaps due to a deliberate ambiguity or a lack of full clarity. Also, the appearance of certain haunting entities, particularly the 'fetches,' felt somewhat disconnected from the central conflict. While their presence was attributed to a disgruntled individual somewhere in the desert, this subplot seemed to be largely abandoned without further resolution or integration into the primary narrative, leaving an unexplained element hanging.
The Final Take.
Overall, Snake-Eater was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Folk-horror is a genre close to my heart, and I especially enjoy it when these stories diverge from the typical woods or forest settings, which, in my opinion, are far too common. Here, Kingfisher, very uniquely, transports us to the desert, serving up a chilling encounter with ancient desert Gods. It's a truly brilliant and refreshing approach to the genre.
I would love to hear if anyone else has come across a folk-horror that is set outside of the woods or a forest. Let me know in the comments below. I would suggest Scuttler’s Cove, by David Barnett, a folk-horror set in a seaside town.
Keep an eye out for my upcoming reviews on other T. Kingfisher’s books.
Otherwise, see you next Friday,
C M Reid at The Ink-Stained Desk.
