I love the way Julie Kagawa writes her stories! I love the Story and the cover as well. I’ve never read a bad book by Kagawa. I plan on reading this series in it’s entirety.

Wow, I really enjoyed reading this book! I mean, I've always enjoyed her books, but this is the start of a new series, new characters, a new world, and while I enjoy everything that I'm interested in, and I was interested in this book, there's always a risk, you know? But it paid off in this book!

First off, these characters! I loved Yumeko, she was so innocent and playful, and being half kitsune who is just going on into the world for the first time, well, I loved the various things that she said about what she was encountering!

And Tatsumi! I loved his struggle with having to keep his emotions in check or else be taken over by the demon in his sword. Combined with the fact that they're on this journey together, and keep gaining members because of Yumeko, was just so heart-warming to read, even if he was concerned about how they might affect his struggle and the journey, but because Yumeko wanted it, their group kept getting larger and larger!

I loved the way this book was told. We started each part with a servant girl in the palace for a chapter, finding out what she's doing. And then we'd alternate between Yumeko and Tatsumi's perspectives. I couldn't put down reading about their journey!

So there's a few things. Like Seigetsu, and whatever is going on with him, because he only appeared twice in this book, and both times, had a direct impact. And I need to know what's going on with him! And then there's Kage Tatsumi, with his demon sword. There's a history that was hinted at, and I can't wait to explore it!

Loved this book, it was really fantastic, and I can't wait to read more of this series!

This book had me hooked from the start with it’s character building and action. I really enjoyed the journey the characters went through. Yumeko started out as a naive girl who didn’t know anything outside of the temple she grew up in, and learned more about the world the more she ventured out on her mission. Tatsumi started out as a very hard and emotionless person, to someone who was learning to feel emotions like trust for others. I also liked the side characters that ended up joining them along the way on their journey to complete their mission. I’m really looking forward to the next in the series, going to start that very soon.

While I would love to write a glowing review, I'm afraid that this did not live up to my expectations of the author's work. It was too formulaic and spent way too much energy leading up to the romance that feels...forced. Hoping that this is an anomaly from an author I normally adore.

I received this on NetGalley to review a couple of years back and have only just gotten around to reading it. I'm sorry I waited so long!

The book really kept my attention and made it hard to put down. There are two stories going on during this first book: the main one with Yumeko and Tatsumi's quest, and the secondary one with Suki. After finishing the book I'm still not sure what Suki's full purpose is, but maybe (hopefully?) more is revealed in the next book.

I'm hoping that Yumeko and Tatsumi's relationship is kept platonic as I found that to be the most realistic end place for it. However, considering how many books go, it may veer in another direction.

I enjoyed this title. It took a bit for me to really get into the story but in true Julie Kagawa fashion, once I did I couldn’t put it down! I’m excited to dive into book 2 now!

A thousand years ago, the feared Kami Dragon granted a dark wish, and sent the land of Iwagoto spiraling into darkness. The era of that wish is coming to a close, and whoever can find the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers will be granted a new wish, to ring in a new era. Some want the wish for greed, some want it for love, and some want it for escape.

Yumeko is kitsune, half human, half fox-like spirit animal. Her entire life has been spent training to control her nature while living under the gentle guidance of the monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple. But when violence comes to the temple, destroying all that Yumeko has ever known, she must go on a journey to find out the truth about the world that she lives in, and the truth about herself.

Along the way she meets Kage, a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan, whose mission is to find and retrieve the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, even if it means killing to get it. Yumeko promises to lead Kage to the scroll in an uneasy alliance, but Kage can't be trusted and demons are lurking in the shadows.

Shadow of the Fox is an engrossing fantasy read for anyone who is a fan of Japanese imagery. As a fan of Studio Ghibli films, this book felt like a perfect match for me. The world building is engrossing, and the tension between the two main characters builds throughout the book, making their romance even more addictive. I love that the magic system is unlike anything else I've read before. This author is definitely one to watch in the future.

It's always nice to see an own-voices author writing something unique but even better when the book is truly gripping. Let's have more books with an authentic Asian setting please.

Book read April 2019

I really enjoyed the Japanese folklore in this book. It was a solid read but the plot was predictable. I did not really connect with the characters and the romance felt a little forced for my taste. But if you love Japan and its stories, you will probably enjoy the book.

This was such a fun read! Everything about it was great: the story, the characters, the setting, etc. I would recommend this to anyone who loves watching anime and reading manga. This book literally reads like you're watching an anime. It reminds me of Inu Yasha and Naruto in that sense.

Read this. You won't be disappointed! I can't wait to pick up the second book!

Every time I hear about a new Julie Kagawa series I think to myself, "there's no way she'll be able to top the last one". And every time, like clockwork, she does. Shadow of the Fox is a beautifully written, fast-paced adventure woven through with Japanese-inspired mythology and Kagawa's signature wit. The plot itself was well thought out and entertaining, but the world building! The world building took it to a whole new level. Shadow of the Fox is Kagawa's first venture in this new world, but everything we have come to know and love (snarky comments! will they/won't they! badass women! a lovable/unlikely group of misfits!) about Kagawa's books is still there. This book will delight dedicated readers of Julie Kagawa's books as well as those new to the author. I eagerly await reading Soul in the Sword!

I initially received an ARC of this from Netgalley, and this was before I started getting back into blogging and I can’t believe I never ended up reading this when I had the chance. A part of me is bummed that I didn’t read it ahead of time, but another part of me is glad that I waited since now I can read all three novels back to back. I also really liked the fact that I was able to listen to this novel because that was one of the major things that I appreciated about this book. It’s been a while since I read this one, and I’m taking a long time to write my thoughts so I’m going to pull another brain dump with this one and see what I come up with.

First of all, Kagawa’s world building has always been one of my favorite things about her novels, and this one is no exception. I am so glad that she gave the world of Iwagoto a voice and a sense of realness that I could see in my own world. I legit wish that I was living during the time of Iwagoto and that I was a half-Kitsune girl like Yumeko because I was so enamored by this beautiful and amazing world that Kagawa brought to life with her words. It sounds like I’m saying the same thing over and over again but seriously, I loved this world. You could see the Japanese influence in Iwagoto, as if this were the Japan just beyond the vision of regular human beings. This was the world that we see when we close our eyes and dream about feudal Japan and see the ancient Samurai protecting their lords’ lands. I felt it all.

Second of all, I was so in love with the characters. I feel like if I don’t love at least one of the characters, it’s hard for me to enjoy a novel as much as I want to. The plot was solid. The pacing was solid. The prose was solid. But the characters really drove it home for me that I was going to love this book and this trilogy. Which I was right about.


Original art by sXeven. Shared by Julie Kagawa on Facebook.
This whole story read to me like I was watching a really great anime show or even just a Netflix original where they gave proper due to the Japanese inspiration of the show. Not some of those whitewashed shows trying to do justice and just failing. Of course, I knew that this was going to be top tier because Kagawa was writing it and I just knew that I wasn’t going to be disappointed.

Ugh there’s just so much that I wish I could say but it would get into spoiler territory and I don’t like to do that and I just have to say that I really loved this book. So that’s what I’m finally going to say, that I absolutely adored this novel and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to finally read it. I’m so happy with our gang of characters that are on this journey together, and I love everything about this story! Literally everything about this story is gold tier to me, like I can’t even handle.

OH! Also the narration was freaking perfect! All three narrators are now my top list of narrators to listen to for any novel that they do, and I’m seriously happy with these choices.

Having lived in Japan, I always need a book when I know it is going to be full of Japanese lore. SHADOW OF THE FOX did not disappoint! It was full of action and romance, and THAT CLIFFHANGER!! I am so mad at myself I haven't had time to dive into the sequel yet!

I have mixed feelings on this one. I liked the anime-ish style and learning more about Japanese mythology. However, the plot itself was a little played out, or maybe it was just not enough? Still looking forward to the sequel, though.

I received this free eARC novel from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Yumeko hasn't been able to experience the world having lived in the temple her whole life. So when her world comes crashing down, she gets her wish to explore, but she didn't realize the danger she will be in. Now she needs to travel with the dragon scroll, which puts her in harm's way.

With her tricky mind she finds a easy to get help, a bodyguard essentially, with Tatsumi. And throughout their travels, one demon after another threatens their mission...

I love Julie Kagawa so I was extremely excited to get the entire series as an eARC so I can binge through them. And I'm so glad I have books 2 and 3 because this novel has so much information that it would require a reread for each new novel!

Because this is high fantasy and another culture, I foundthe beginning to be a bit rocky for me to connect with the story line and the characters. But it finally clicked and it became familiar just in time for everything to skyrocket and get me hooked.

Yumeko is a great character. Being part fox helps her a lot in this book but I also think it helps her be sly in her everyday things. She's able to hide her true identity from everyone, including Tatsumi who sees everything. She's also very naive and it's great watching her understand everyday things and experiencing life and making friends. She's also really good with people and I think everyone wants to shield and protect her because of her innocence.

I adore Tatsumi and really feel for him about his situation. He's used to his life do things seem normal for him but once he meets Yumeko, he realizes things will never be the same. I love seeing him start to have feelings, even though that means his ultimate end.

Oksme is a hoot and a definite comedic aspect to this series story line, and Daisuke is an interesting addition to the group.

I'm glad I started reading this and I'm intrigued on how things progress after the ending of this book. Very thankfully I received this eARC!

"Shadow of the Fox" was a surprisingly well done Japanese oriented story with well done worldbuilding. I found this to be a very interesting fantasy story with likeable characters. I'm glad I got a chance to read this and can't wait for the sequel.

An amazing introduction to a new series. Japanese mythology was amazing to read, I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. Which wasn't very long because putting it down was tough. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Very richly woven story that is easy to jump into and loose an evening too. I highly enjoyed reading this story and have already purchased the next installment. I loved the vivid description and the deep Japanese connection that the author tried to expand upon. I found some of the terminology very cliche as only really few phrases were actually used at any point in time throughout the book. Nevertheless they added to the story and did not seem forced. There is definitely an internal struggle of good vs evil and a small growing romance between the characters that is genuine and stems from respect and connection between them. There was no instant romance at any point but the characters were thrown in together and adjusted to one another and begun to trust. Highly recommended read!

Being very familiar with Kagawa's past work, I was delighted that she would be writing a book featuring Japanese mythology, being Japanese myself and growing up on stories of yokai.

I found the worldbuilding to be fun and accessible and I adored seeing the Japanese culture embedded into the archetypes of the story, with themes of loyalty and respect enhancing the magical feeling. I'm excited to continue this series and follow the charming and mischevious Yumeko on her journey along with Tatsumi.

This story jumps right in with action, but it is seemingly disconnected from the plot. I enjoyed how the book progressed with the protagonist taking on a ragtag group of allies to help her on the quest to keep safe her portion of the scroll and how the author weaves each of the stories together. Intrigue, deception, and honor flavor this start of what, I think, will be a very compelling trilogy.