emruth13
Written on Dec 4, 2018
The first book in a brand-new series set in ancient Japan from New York Times bestselling author Julie Kagawa.
Enter a beautiful and perilous land of shapeshifters and samurai, kami and legends, humans and demons...a world in which Japanese mythology and imagination blend together
When destiny calls, legends rise.
Every millennium the missing pieces of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers are hunted, for they hold the power to call the great Kami Dragon from the sea and ask for any one wish.
As a temple burns to the ground Yumeko escapes with its greatest treasure - the first piece of the scroll. And when fate thrusts her into the path of a mysterious samurai she knows he seeks what she has. Kage is under order to kill those who stand in his way but will he be able to complete his mission? Will this be the dawn that sees the dragon wake?
Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Marie Lu, Cassandra Clare will be captivated by this enchanting new series.
- ISBN10 133514238X
- ISBN13 9781335142382
- Publish Date 28 May 2019 (first published 1 October 2018)
- Publish Status Active
- Imprint Inkyard Press
- Edition First Time Trade ed.
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 464
- Language English
Reviews
alindstadtcorbeax
Written on Nov 29, 2018
Wait, no, ONE MILLION STARS (Is that possible?
tweetybugshouse
Written on Oct 5, 2018
inlibrisveritas
Written on Oct 1, 2018
Shadow of the Fox is set in a feudal Japan type setting full of samurai, shinobi, yokai, and epic mythology. I’ve been hoping that Kagawa would do a series set in Japan since The Immortal Rules because she really showed off her skill with badass females and awesome yet chilling action-packed moments. She definitely brings that forward with this one. We have three POVs in Shadow, though I will not mention one as it’s tied into a very spoiler heavy part of the book, and each one adds a really interesting angle to the story. Yumeko is our Kitsune main character, who is super mischievous and fun loving. She’s incredibly naive to the world outside of the shrine and has an optimism about her that is just so needed when in a world full of demonic oni and so much bloodshed. Then there is Kage Tatsumi, a samurai from the Kage clan who’s path crosses with Yumeko’s and they find themselves after similar things. He is very reserved and where he is knowledgeable about the world and its horrors, he is new to anything resembling friendship. These little glimpses into each one of their thoughts, especially Tatsumi’s as he has a lot going on, is really awesome. I love the differences between the two, and their growing (albeit slowly) friendship. I personally find myself glad that while you can tell the build-up for the romance is there, it’s not something that simply springs forward early on despite having no real basis.
I will say that my favorite part of this and what I think is the strongest portion is the world building that Kagawa presents. I love Japanese mythology and I’m a little partial to fuedal japan settings steeped in that mythology since that’s basically what I started out on in my childhood. I’ve seen some people say it has Inuyasha vibes and while I do think it didn’t feel like a copy it certainly had that tone. It has that light-hearted build up with unlikely friendships and journeys, but also that darker edge as they fight for their lives against monstrosities. I love the set up of the world and their separation into different elemental lands, and I really just enjoyed the vibrancy in which she paints the scenes. Even the smallest villages were easy for me to imagine.
While I will say I’m a little disappointed in its overall ability to really grip me from the get-go, and it’s somewhat simplistic nature in terms of style and character development, I do think I have enjoyed this quite enough to want to continue. It has that aura of both nostalgia and mystery that makes me really want to see how things go for Yumeko, especially after the rather shocking ending that Kagawa treated us to. I’d say if you are looking for a quick fun read with a different setting, and some really great imagery then Shadow of the Fox is worth checking out!
I received a complimentary copy for review purposes, all opinions are my own.
bookishzelda
Written on Aug 30, 2018
I loved every character. There was something unique about each of them but our main characters Yumeko and Tatsumi are truly fascinating.
Yumeko is half Kitsune and for some reason I love Kitsune. I think it’s just from different manga/anime I have read and watched. I like foxes more than I like dogs. So I’m not that fond of Inu. I don’t know, but it really brings this cool aspect to her character. Especially compared to Tatsumi. People who know what Yumeko is, view her differently because of her Kitsune Yokai side. They don’t always give her a chance. She grew up in a temple with monks, so she is naive but I’m not sure necessarily innocent. She knows there are bad things in the world but just hasn’t really experienced them. It’s interesting those like Tatsumi who can’t see who she is, think of her as being a sweet innocent girl. If he knew what she was, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. When really she is still the same sweet innocent girl too.
Tatsumi is such a complicated character!!! I mean is he bad or good. Really it depends on your definition. He does his job and he’s been taught/beaten into having no emotions because it won’t just jeopardize himself to do an unbiased job. It could also spell death for the world if the demon takes over.
I love a story that involves travel and characters collecting a party along the way. I love how different personalities can both clash and compliment others. Bringing out the best and worst of characters. Even though Kage Tatsumi and Yumeko are the heart of the story. I loved Okami, who reminds me so much of Mugen from Samurai Champloo, it made me happy. Although he is quite his own character. He brings some much needed comic relief to some very serious and sometimes a little gory run ins. Daisuke is just delightful in his own way. I also hope Reika continues to have a presence.
The other thing I really really love about this story being more on the quest side is the smaller stories built inside. Like maybe a village has a mystery to be solved or maybe some creatures need to be freed. Tatsumi and Yumeko find themselves helping people along the way, intentionally or not. Plus all of the Japanese Mythology that is weaved into the story in so many ways. I loved reading it.
That ending……..ahhhhhh I can’t wait for the next book. I wasn’t ready to stop journeying with the characters yet! I can’t wait until we can continue on and more things come to be revealed. So if you enjoy a story with an Anime/Manga vibe, filled with awesome mythology and adventure. This is the story for you.
Beth C.
Written on Jul 14, 2018
nightingalereads
Written on May 27, 2018
4.5 stars.
I don’t normally do a lot of gushing, so just brace yourself for this review. Because this book was amazing. I knew exactly 62 pages in that I was going to love this story. Shadow of the Fox is one of those rare books where you completely forget that you're reading, because you're so immersed in what's happening.
My History with Julie Kagawa's Books:
So I enjoyed the first three books in Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series, despite some flat characterization and the romance not going the way I wanted. I'd also read the first two books in Julie's Immortal Rules series, and had the same reaction - enjoyed the books, wasn't really there for the romance. (She wrote a series about dragons too, which I never picked up because I’m not huge on dragons.) Despite having a positive experience with most of her series, none of them hold a candle to this new book. The development of the world, the intricacy of the plot, and most of all, the strength of the characterization, blew my mind. Shadow of the Fox is in a field all on its own.
The Characters:
Yumeko is our tricksy but well-intentending kitsune protagonist, and I absolutely loved her. She always gave people a chance no matter their reputation, and she was reluctant to provoke animosity with anyone. While some may view this as naive, I think it made her brave. To always see or hope for the best in people is an act of courage unto itself.
And then there's Tatsumi. Poor demon-possesed Tatsumi, who stole my heart and made me want to weep. If you’ve read Julie's Iron Fey series, Tatsumi is the character I wished Ash could have been. He’s dark and quiet and broody, and *cough* slightly evil, but he’s his own unique character and I loved getting to see inside his head. He’s one of those protagonists(?) who immediately feels like a real person, like someone you’re meeting and not just reading about.
The side characters were also awesome. I won't name all of them, but halfway through we’re introduced to a character named Okame who made me laugh in almost every scene he was in. The story also introduces many different kinds of villains, who were all great in that I absolutely hated the lot of them. If you like reading about terrible female villains, this book has what you're looking for.
Lastly, the romance was just...perfect. And agonizing. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and to say I’m dying for the sequel would be an understatement. Whether or not you’ve read Julie’s books before, let me help sway you now. YOU WANT THIS BOOK.