Reviewed by Quirky Cat on
Whoever holds all the parts of the Scroll of a Thousand prayers can have a wish granted – should they have it at the correct time and place, that is. With that moment nearing ever closer, countless people (humans and demons alike) scheme to get their hands on it.
Enter Yumeko. She’s half kitsune, and generally is happy to spend her days enjoying the world and teasing the monks who raised her. That is, until the day that her life was changed forever. Now she has a new task, one much greater in weight than she ever expected to have to carry.
Kage Tatsumi is a famous (or rather, infamous) demon hunter. He’s of the Shadow Clan, and follows all orders given to him. So naturally, he doesn’t hesitate when given the orders to track down and obtain part of the Scroll.
“One step at a time, little fox. The spider does not spin its web in a heartbeat, nor does the albatross fly across oceans with a few flaps of its wings. Many would consider what they do impossible, and yet, they still complete their tasks without fail, because they simply…Start.”
Shadow of the Fox was such an intense and amazing read. If you’re looking for an epic tale full of Japanese mythology, creative characters, and an intense plot, then this is a novel worth checking out! Best of all, it’s actually the first in a series.
I honestly loved everything about Shadow of the Fox. It felt epic in scale, and was so immersed in Japanese lore. It made for an intricate tale, one full of characters and creatures that were brilliant to read about.
It didn’t hurt that Yumeko had such an endearing personality. She was one of two perspectives in this novel, yet in many ways it felt like she was the main one. But that might just be my fondness for her talking there.
Kage was also a fascinating character, but for completely different reasons. I have to admit, the two balanced each other out quite nicely. I have no doubt that it was intentional. But it was still very well done.
The quest that Yumeko was on was certainly a thrilling one. Even at the lightest of times, it was impossible to forget how much danger she could be in at any moment. And yet, the tangents, twists, and turns of this novel were delightful.
I guess what I’m trying to say is this: the pacing for Shadow of the Fox was perfect. Kagawa knew how to balance out emotions as well as timing, and it resulted in something truly amazing here.
I’m not afraid to admit that the moment I finished Shadow of the Fox, I ran out and bought Soul of the Sword. That’s the good thing about being behind on a series – I don’t have to wait for the next one! Right now, that’s a good thing. Because I desperately need to see what happens next.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 22 February, 2020: Finished reading
- 22 February, 2020: Reviewed