A Snake Falls to Earth

NOMINATED FOR THE 2022 URSULA K. LE GUIN PRIZE FOR FICTION

My main problem with Darcie Little Badger books is that they are on the young end of young adult (nearly middle grade), and I generally prefer non-YA reads. This is a more satisfying read than Elatsoe, however. It juggles some interesting themes with more complex worldbuilding and some big Le Guin vibes in terms of overall tone (despite the many tensions, it's a very calm and sweet story with some folkloric elements. Oral storytelling, animal extinction, some slight Octavia Butler vibes (for some reason I can't really explain) makes for an excellent middle grade book.