This was a bit different read then I normally do, but I really enjoyed the mystery it held.

I am all about being pulled in by characters and feeling part of the story and I really got that from Snow and Boa, which I loved. The story dragged a bit for me at times but overall I would recommend.

I was overjoyed to see a new Yangsze Choo book appear on Goodreads, and double thrilled to be granted an advance copy by NetGalley! I fell in love with her whimsical romps through Chinese and Malaysian folklore in The Night Tiger and The Ghost Bride, and am happy to say that The Fox Wife continues her transformative literary tradition. The story zeroes in on the Chinese lore surrounding fox-spirits, capricious shape-shifting creatures famed for their luck, wily antics, and insatiable curiosity. Our first protagonist, Ah San, who has gone my many different names over the years but prefers variations on Snow, is a grieving fox mother on a revenge mission against the man who inadvertently killed her child. Her storyline follows her journey across mainland China and into Japan, trailed by two foxes from a past she wishes to leave behind her. Our second protagonist, Bao, is an aging private investigator, tracking murky disappearances and whispers of supernatural influence who quickly becomes tangled up in the intersection of Ah San's journey and his own past.

I loved Ah San and Bao's complimentary perspectives on the fox mythology: Ah San represents the rich internal life of the species and their traditions, while Bao counters this with an outsiders view of the human cost of fox antics. Their stories weave together beautifully, so that even as they both take their independent journeys you are constantly reminded of the connections between the two, especially as Bao begins to unknowingly dog Ah San's footsteps. The one consequence of this is that the story has a tendency to drag in places, especially when it comes to ruminations on the past that take away from present action. Ah San's two fox frenemies, Shirakawa and Kurosaki, are an excellent salve to these moments of slower pacing, providing both levity and deeper context to fox society and Ah San's own past. Their little love triangle was a fun addition to the more serious moments of the story, adding an element of romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The story is also a tender reflection on grief - both the agonizing sharpness that comes from the loss of a loved one, and the dull ache that grows with age and reflections on mistakes and missed connections of the past. Ah San's pain for her lost daughter is tangible and heart-breaking, a foil to Bao's quiet yearning for his childhood love. Once again, Choo has masterfully synthesized history and folklore into a haunting historical fantasy slash detective novel that captured both my attention and my emotions.

This was a fun little mystery novel!
I really loved Snow-- she was a fun protagonist. Also, I was surprised by how involved I became with her relationships.
Watching Snow and Bao's stories unfold and slowly cross paths kept engaged and wanting to read more.

Overall I recommend!

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. and Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book felt like lying in the grass on an autumn day, with warm breezes and birdsong and the sun peering gently through the red-gold leaves. It was sweet and sad and so, so transportive—I highlighted SO many beautiful descriptions in my Kindle as I read. It’s a story about love, and grief, and (maybe) fate and (definitely) hope, and the ending was the most satisfying end to any book I've read in a long time.

We’ve got two alternating POVs in this book. Alternating POVs are hit or miss for me, and they were a hit here. My impatience at having each chapter end on an intriguing note was outweighed by my excitement to find out what happened in the other POV. An impressive feat!

Part of this is because the characters were wonderful. Among our cast, I absolutely had favorite characters, but no un-favorites, which seems like a victory on the author’s part. Additionally, the story itself is a compelling read—the murder mystery on one end, the revenge plot on the other. The two plots intertwine in a way that becomes clear relatively early on, and half the joy of this novel is watching our two narratives move closer and closer towards a full collision. The other half is in the parts that stay a mystery until closer to the end—for me, there was just the right amount of mystery throughout to keep me hooked (but never unsatisfied) with the pace at which things were revealed and resolved.

I didn’t want to put this book down—I stayed up until 2am reading, put it down only when I literally could not keep my eyes open anymore, and then, as soon as I woke up, picked it back up and didn’t get out of bed until I’d reached the end. Which was bittersweet in of itself; even though I felt compelled to keep reading, keep going, find out what happens, I didn’t want it to be over.

I'll also note that it's been a LONG time since I've felt this satisfied by the ending of a book, and I've read some great books recently! But even in my very favorites of my recent reads, I think this one wins for most satisfying ending.

Yangsze Choo has written a story that is cozy and thrilling, slower-paced but still full of motion, and very, very moving. I am SO excited to go work my way through her other novels. This was a delight to read.

[review edited to add link]

I liked the writing and would read more from this author, but at times I felt lost and loss interest in the characters. I would try this author again.

Set in China during the end of the Qing Dynasty, The Fox Wife is narrated from dual perspectives and tells a tale of lost love, regret, and revenge. Choo’s writing and characters were so compelling to me and I ended up loving so many unexpected twists and characters. This is the perfect book for those looking for a bit of mystery, some folklore, and a slower story that’s sometimes deeply sad and introspective, but which has a dash of comfort.

One of the things I loved so much about this book is how both Snow (the fox lady) and Bao (the detective/fixer) have such strong and unique narrative voices but both of them are the same in many ways–-both suffering from the loss of a loved one that was taken from them and both on a journey to fill that hole in themselves one way or another. They were both a delight to read, with Snow’s chapters in particular being such cliffhangers, while Bao’s are more bittersweet and melancholic. I enjoy that although Bao ends up finding more and more about Snow, his chapters are still very much about him.

This book truly is a journey that crosses the Chinese countryside and cities. It’s fascinating to see both a revenge tale and a missing person case interwoven like two train tracks merging into one. Along the way, there’s plenty of interesting characters both narrators encountered and I loved how each side character lent a certain atmosphere to the scene of the book. It felt like a Studio Ghibli movie in a way, where the side characters don’t stick around for long but they leave an impression even if you don’t necessarily learn anything incredibly interesting about them.

Choo’s writing is immersive and it feels like she’s telling the reader a great bedtime story or fairytale. The folklore and myths surrounding fox spirits, gods, etc. are done really well and with an expansiveness I haven’t seen in other stories about East Asian fox mythology. It also makes for great humorous moments and really fun mini stories. It’s also interesting to see how human faith in them has wavered over time and how that reflects how China was rapidly transforming as the Qing Dynasty would be known as the final dynasty.

It’s very fitting then that this historical backdrop, a farewell of sorts, reflects the emotional state of its protagonists at times. I loved how clever Snow was but how much compassion she had too for those who earned her trust and how Bao was similarly an old man trying to do good things and unexpectedly finding purpose again. These are two characters that have lived a rich, full life and are at the end of them in one way or another, and they have to confront this emptiness (be it death or toss of home and unfulfillment) that awaits them and which has haunted them for a while.

There are bright and lovely moments in The Fox Wife, but not so much that I ever felt that it took away from the main story. Every action the characters (including the side characters) took felt right, even if it was one they would regret later. That being said, the plot had a bunch of surprising twists near the end that I loved and which took the story in a wholly original direction.

The Fox Wife is a book I can see myself revisiting bits of, especially Snow’s chapters, just to feel and re-experience Choo’s writing. Sometimes chaotic and funny, other times melancholy and poignant, this book took me on an excellent journey I won’t forget.

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This review has been scheduled to be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, and my blog on January 23, 2024.

This story is an excellent mix of a historical fiction, fantasy, and a detective novel all wrapped up in an addicting read. I’m always a sucker for a book told through multiple perspectives, and even when those perspectives converge it’s still amazing how those different eyes see different things. The author has done a fantastic job of weaving together the characters, backstories, and historically-accurate points to make this an almost believable tale.

THE FOX WIFE is a mystery-soaked piece of historical fantasy following two entwining narratives: that of Bao, a private investigator who can hear lies; and Snow, a female fox seeking justice.

This book's strongest trait is the use of its mythological roots. While using a familiar figure from folklore (foxes), it embraces the sense of mystery and ambiguity surrounding these shape-shifting creatures. Many questions about the world and magic are left unanswered, which works for the story—it causes you to question everything put on the page, encouraging the reader to follow the trail to the end of each mystery. The story unfolds delightfully as a result, although at times the writing felt a little simplistic, with emotions and thoughts laid out on the page in a rather rote way.

Regardless, I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend it for fans of folklore and myth retellings.

A tangled web of revenge, deceit and longing entraps the reader into a captivating tale.

Mythology and magic combine in this enchanting world where foxes can walk in two forms - their fox form and as an unusually beautiful, enchanting human. Told in two perspectives, this story weaves back and forth between a fox wife seeking revenge for the death of her cub at human hands and an investigator looking into the death of a young woman, a trail that eventually leads him to the fox wife.

The three fox characters are fascinating. Snow, the fox wife, is driven by revenge, but she's also curious, cunning and cares about others. Shirakawa, a male fox, carelessly involves others in schemes and leaves them to face the consequences, while Kuko involves himself in almost nothing unless it concerns Snow. Snow's mistress, who's she's working for as cover, had an experience with foxes as a child. Her son fears being haunted by ghosts. Together, they embark on a journey, each with their own private reasons.

I found the fox mythology to be captivating. The influence they exert on humans and the jams they find themselves adds intrigue and liveliness to a book that deals with some heavy themes and feelings.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s early 1900s Qing Dynasty China, and fox spirits are roaming the land. The modern world is developing across Asia and customs are changing, but the mystical still weaves into everyday life. On a quest for revenge, Snow has left the grasslands she called home and is tracking a photographer responsible for tearing her life apart. Meanwhile, a body is left dead in an alleyway, and a man named Bao is hired to investigate. With an uncanny ability to tell truths from lies, he slowly begins to thread himself deeper into a mystery he could never have anticipated. Yet the further he goes on, the more his mind drifts back to his unusual past.

This book combines my favorite elements in Asian fiction, real cultural insights into society as well as folklore. Though you see an era in Asia when some aspects of modernization and cultural shifts are happening, ancient practices are still incorporated and believed to affect the real world. In a time where society seems to shift away from the old world, this story reinforces the validity of historical belief. The dual point of views were written very well, and it wasn’t until near the end where you could see the two perspectives intertwining and following the same route. Additionally, each view was written in a slightly different style. Chapters from Snow’s view were read as diary entries, while’s Bao’s chapters had the air of a detective novel. Snow’s view, in particular, was so engaging for me. Right from the start, you learn that she’s not human and is very long-lived, so she tends to observe human interactions around her and simply play a part when she engages with them in return. This allows the author to comment on human nature and culture through the way Snow views the actions of others around her. She brought an outsider’s perspective on the world. Amidst all this, the book dealt with themes like loss and grief, the difficulty with trying to follow a chosen purpose in life, and the importance of genuine relationships.

The author is an excellent storyteller and the way she works in Chinese myths and folklore is incredible. However, she tried to do too much here. She weaves between two separate plotlines and the shifts aren't very smooth. She also bogs down the story with too many unimportant details, such as dreams and side stories, that interrupt the flow of the story. She's a great writer, but the book could have used better editing.

I loved the images that the writer created in her book. The mystery unfolds with folk beliefs and magical happenings along with complicated relationships.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co. for the advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review. The Fox Wife is a story told from two perspectives; the first from Bao, who is investigating the death of a woman found in the snow one cold winter night, who’s murder is wrapped up in whispers of folktales and mystery. The second perspective of our story comes from a mysterious woman on a vengeful mission, willing to do whatever it takes to follow the trail.

This was a beautiful story filled with lots of folklore, rich culture, and cleverly connected plot lines! I very much enjoyed this book and appreciated the craft of the shifting perspectives between the story; the nuggets of connection between the two that were dropped throughout the entire book made it easy and enjoyable (rather than jarring) to switch between them. I also loved how much the author kept the legends or element of the fox at the heart of the story; it was an excellent theme to tie the pieces of this mystery together and added an air of magical wonder to the whole story.

There were some points in the book that I felt dragged on a bit longer than I might have liked but, overall this did not detract significantly from my reading experience. I enjoyed the ending of this story and liked the way that the author was able to marry both realistic elements/emotions with the magical fantasy of the fox folklore; in this way, it was easy to empathize with the characters and remain invested in their story, while also feeling a bit mystified by the magic.

Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a healthy incorporation of magical elements or stories. This is a book that has staying power and in my opinion, is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winters night— not that it wouldn’t be great in any other setting too!

This is one of my few 5-star reviews so far this year. This book gets ALL the adjectives: mysterious, lovely, heartbreaking, satisfying, lyrical, deadly, and so many more.

Ah San (or Snow) and Tagtaa are characters I will remember for a very long time. Both driven by love for family and loyalty to friends and lovers, they drive this story forward as one seeks revenge and one seeks to protect.

The writing here is some of the best I’ve read in a long time and the story grips you from the first page forward. I feel like this would be amazing in audiobook form and will look for that in the future.

Highly, highly recommended.

My life has been nothing but cdramas. So when Yangsze Choo indicates a new book is releasing, of course I request to read it!

I'd like to thank the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for allowing me to read this ahead of time. What we have here is a nice cozy fictional piece about grief, love, and fate. The way Choo writes and blends folklore into her story is one of the things I love about her. I also enjoy her characters.

I will say the reason I am dropping this down to three stars is the plot isn't very meat-y and or dense enough for me to feel the length given. A lot of it is just back and forth, back and forth, when the two stories intersect I felt that everything that came before could have been wrapped up sooner. I also wanted a bit more backstory, but apparently the lack of backstory regarding the fox spoils its final arc. (Though, I guess you can say I called it a mile away.)

I still love her work and if you're new to cdramas or any Chinese folklore, you might be rating this higher. It's not a bad book but you want more than what's given.

This was such a great mystery in this book, I enjoyed every part of the journey. The characters worked in this universe and thought it worked well overall. Yangsze Choo does a great job in creating this story and I loved the supernatural elements going on.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Summary
The Fox Wife was a beautifully written adult fantasy that had me enraptured throughout the tale. This book portrays two people throughout the story: rotating their viewpoints with the changing of each chapter. One point of view is of a female fox who can turn into a human; the other, a man in his sixties, working as a private investigator. As it is expected, their story intertwines throughout the book; but Choo does a beautiful job of doing that even before the characters know of this. During this story, there are magical tales, historical viewpoints (done in a very tasteful way I might add), and moments that tug at your heart, all woven together skillfully.

My Take
I originally was drawn to this book, as I am sure others were as well, because I have a love of the fox; so I dove in with great hope! I find that YA fantasies are usually what I steer towards. However, this book was a delightful play on the line between what is real and what is not, and the elements of Chinese culture gave way for a beautiful depiction. The magic was so close to real, that I began noticing different aspects of my own life and experiencing a child-like wonder, as if these tales could be true. I loved the ride that Choo took me on, and I would do it again gladly.


Would I Recommend
Yes, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys adult fiction and fantasy.

4.5 stars










The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 37-38 | Added on Saturday, June 3, 2023 5:24:26 PM

I exist as either a small canid with thick fur, pointed ears, and neat black feet, or a young woman. Neither are safe forms in a world run by men.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 148-149 | Added on Saturday, June 3, 2023 5:34:14 PM

There was a dusting of snow on her face and open eyes, so she looked like a bride on her wedding day, gazing through a veil—like she’d seen something wonderful.”
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 208-210 | Added on Saturday, June 3, 2023 5:40:00 PM

I stifled a snort. Sixty isn’t old to me. At sixty, humans are just beginning to understand that the weather will never obey them; that true love strikes at most twice in a lifetime; and that by saying yes in your youth, you may bind yourself unwisely to another’s cause. But that was beside the point.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 218-218 | Added on Saturday, June 3, 2023 5:40:45 PM

I could almost sniff out an aroma of mystery that curled through the winding passageways. Or perhaps it was just stewed pork belly.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 536-539 | Added on Saturday, June 3, 2023 10:18:25 PM

She gave vague excuses, but I suspected she meant to keep the young ladies in the house from spying. They were at a dangerously marriageable age; it wouldn’t do to have them involved in some unsuitable love affair. It has always amazed me how people lock up their daughters but not their sons. If they locked up the young men as well, there would be a lot less trouble. But who was I to interfere? I was simply there on my own quiet path of revenge.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 937-938 | Added on Sunday, June 4, 2023 12:01:44 AM

Whenever humans encounter something strange and novel, their first instinct is to kill it.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 953-954 | Added on Sunday, June 4, 2023 12:03:10 AM

It can be very lonely, living among people and always pretending. That’s why I prefer the grasslands.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 1315-1316 | Added on Sunday, June 4, 2023 1:28:27 PM

Yes, I thought. Giving birth is an appointment you can’t walk away from.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 1796-1797 | Added on Sunday, June 4, 2023 3:23:23 PM

The books that Bao has read about love use literary allusions and courtly language. They dwell on the size of a woman’s feet, her fainting, seductively tottering gait. None of them refer to freckles or the ability to listen solemnly.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 2294-2296 | Added on Sunday, June 4, 2023 4:21:14 PM

The men glanced at one another and chuckled indulgently. Look at this poor little woman, the thought danced between them, admitting them to a club I’d never belong to.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 2520-2521 | Added on Sunday, June 4, 2023 4:39:19 PM

They jealously guard their women, who are apt to run or commit suicide.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 2730-2731 | Added on Sunday, June 4, 2023 4:58:00 PM

“When she saw me, she said, ‘I’ve come to return the clothes.’ She didn’t want me to get into trouble. Nobody has ever kept a promise like that for me, for free.”
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 3155-3156 | Added on Sunday, June 4, 2023 6:45:35 PM

It makes you wonder whether every living creature has its allotted span of years. Either that, or fate is a capricious master.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 3577-3577 | Added on Sunday, June 4, 2023 7:58:30 PM

Rolled up in my cotton futon like a pill bug,
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 4764-4765 | Added on Monday, June 5, 2023 7:09:32 PM

Yet I feel happier the older I’ve become. I don’t wish to be young again.”
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 5071-5072 | Added on Monday, June 5, 2023 7:45:50 PM

I should have known better. What you bury eventually comes to light in some form or other. That’s just the way the world works.
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The Fox Wife (Yangsze Choo)
- Your Highlight on Location 5111-5111 | Added on Monday, June 5, 2023 7:49:08 PM

Fear snakes round his shoulder and bites him in the chest.
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