“…Follow me if you dare, little ducklings. Into the dark we go.”

This book was so different from anything I could have imagined. It was such a lovely surprise. There’s a ton of Japanese lore and mythology throughout this book that just made me fall even more in love with this book overall. I’m a sucker for any sort of mythology, so that was a big selling point for me.

Yumeko was amazing. I love my little kitsune heroine. She’s naïve and helpless at times, but she grows a lot and really starts learning the extent of her abilities.

Okay. So, the overall storyline reminded me a lot of the movie Tangled. We have our totally naïve, young heroine who’s got a huge secret attached to her, who’s been essentially locked away for years and has no knowledge of the outside world. Enter warrior/ borderline criminal hero. The two agree to make a journey together. Shenanigans ensue. Another character enters, one they’re really not sure they can trust, but who is along for the journey nonetheless. More shenanigans ensue. Fight with the big, bad villain when everything looks like it can’t possibly work out. The end.

This book definitely had its tropes, but I didn’t really mind it. The “love interest” wasn’t overdone, and while it did play some part in the storyline, it definitely wasn’t a focus, which I enjoyed.

Two things that really did bother me though, and they’re the main reason this book doesn’t have the full 5 stars. One is that it switches POV’s between Yumeko and Tatsumi, and sometimes I didn’t know who was talking until it mentioned the other or the way they talked about certain characters that varied, but it bothered me that they weren’t more distinctive. The other thing was the ending. There was a pretty good shock at the end (what saved it from being 3 stars), but it BUGGED ME SO BADLY that the big villain just kinda… walked away. I know it was literally for nothing other than allowing that sequel, but I hate when that part is anticlimactic. More so because the villain actually said they were letting our MC go… for now.

Overall, this was a fantastic book and I am so excited to see where this series goes.

lush japanese mythology lays the foundation for shadow of the fox, a new fantasy series from julie kawaga. i honestly loved the serting, and the lush descriptions. i loved the japanese terminology because it made it feel more authentic even though at times there were so many characters with so many honorifics i was maybe a little confused.

but this book started out slow for me, because the first chapter relates an event that's so disconnected to a huge part of the narrative that i had a hard time connecting to the first person switch from suki to yumeko and then later again to tatsumi. sometimes narrative frames like this don't work for me, because when i pull up these books on my e-reader i have no idea what they're going to be about. i don't usually remember back cover copy. so when i start reading something that's one thing, only for it to become another, i am challenged to stick with it.

but eventually you get caught up in the fantasy and story, and you want to know where this journey will lead yumeko and tatsumi.

**shadow of the fox will publish on october 2, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/harlequin teen in exchange for my honest review.

The Good
I loved the setting! I want more fantasies set in Asia, and this is definitely one of them. I also loved that Yumeko is half kitsune. Again, I want fantasies that incorporate non-Western mythology. And, in general, I want books that explore what it’s like to be torn between two worlds. I like Kagawa plays with Yumeko’s identity and how Yumeko is tested throughout her journey and has to come to terms with herself.

As far as the plot is concerned, this is a standard quest plot: Yumeko leaves her home and goes on a journey, meeting complications and side plots along the way, before ultimately finding the object of her quest. This is an old plot, but it’s old because it works. And it worked here, even if it was predictable. It was fun to read a quest in Asia and I’m willing to go with the plot arc because of the setting and fantasy elements.

The Bad
My main problem with this book is that I was never concerned for the characters. Yumeko is naive, but that naivety never seems to be a problem for her. Instead, it makes all sorts of different characters like her and agree to join forces with her. This seemed a little unbelievable for me and made the book lose a lot of its tension. I never worried that any of the characters would get hurt, because Yumeko and her goodness would ultimately save the day. Even the cliffhanger ending–which would have bothered me in other books–left me feeling nothing because I’m sure everything will turn out fine. It did with every other problem.

The Verdict
This is a fun, light fantasy set in a cognate of medieval Japan, which is what makes it special. I didn’t actively dislike it, but I also won’t be re-reading it.

Shadow of the Fox is an amazing adventure story. I loved everything about it, I already want to read it again.

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.

Yumeko was left at the temple when she was a baby with just a note. The monks raised her to hide and control her kitsune side, but her ability to do magic works well with her need to cause mischief. When the temple is attacked and burned, she is given the task to escape with the temple’s greatest treasure. It is only a piece of an ancient scroll, but this scroll is full of power and must not get into the wrong hands. Kage Tatsumi has been tasked with getting the scroll and it must be fate that brings Yumeko and Kage together. Yumeko promises to help Kage with the hope that his presence will ensure her safety, but they are both keeping secrets and these very secrets might be each other’s downfall.

Shadow of the Fox is the first book in a new series with the same name. Kagawa has created a fantasy novel that has the potential to become a great epic fantasy. The world building is so complete that I found myself thinking about the characters and their story even when I had to pull myself away to do other tasks. The adventure is spread throughout the pages and the ending leaves enough of an open storyline that readers will definitely be looking for the next installment. The Shadow of the Fox should be added to all fantasy reader’s TBR list.

I have two confessions:
1. This is my first Julie Kagawa book.
2. I've been sitting on this review for months!

From the first page, I was completely transfixed by "Shadow of the Fox". My only previous experience with Kitsune was through Final Fantasy games so there was a lot of filling in to be done. Kagawa manages her explanations without seeming to go overboard or be heavy-handed.

I am IN LOVE with Kagawa's flow and storytelling abilities. I can recommend this book whole-heartedly to my hardcore fantasy readers who just aren't satisfied with the current YA fantasy trends. My kiddos who are fascinated with Japanese mythology will also really dig this read. It's fairly clean with little swearing and a bit of sexual tension. Nothing crazy or over-the-top.

My one itty bitty picky criticism is that the journey seemed to take an awfully long time. I found myself skimming parts to just make that move forward quicker. This may be a Kagawa-style thing or it may be something else. I really don't know.

Honestly, what's not to like? Kagawa has a slam dunk with an all-encompassing fantasy. I can't wait to see what happens next!

I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. Kagawa's writing is so beautiful and rich. This is not something I would call a fast read, but not because it was slow in any way. I found myself needing to absorb chunks of it before continuing. The descriptions were well developed and I felt each of the main characters (or semi-main) were well fleshed out with individual personalities.

This is the first time I have read one of Kagawa's books and after reading this I definitely want to not only get the sequel as fast as humanly possible but I may pull out the few of her books I have on my TBR shelf and read them sooner rather than later. I was captivated by her writing style and just loved the pacing and language so much.

I could see some things within the story that other people may have issues with, but for me this was just perfect. I did not want the story to end and found myself not wanting to finish it simply so I could prolong it somehow. For me that is always a good sign but also a little heartbreaking because I need more.

The details and cultural/mythological references were so well done and well developed in the story. There's just enough explanation that I immediately knew and could envision what was going on.

All in all this was one of my favorite reads of this year and I CANNOT wait for more in this story.

*A review will be going up on my blog on the release date, October 2nd.

Thank you so much, Netgalley, for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m a big fan of Julie Kagawa’s books so I was very excited to read this one. I knew very little of the Kitsune lore but found the premise very intriguing. Surprisingly, it was a somewhat of a slow start for me which I didn’t anticipate. (I wish I would have discovered the glossary before I read the book so I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with it before starting the book.;) About a third of the way through, I eventually I got very immersed in the story. I loved Yumeko. Even though she was raised in a monastery and more naive than worldly, she was not clueless or spineless. There seems to be a lot of heroines in YA books described as “kickass warriors” or something similar, but Yumeko is very different than this type of MC. I found this to be a refreshing change. She’s perceptive, kind, and brave, as well as a force to be reckoned with when she fully embraces her Kitsune power. I really enjoyed how her character evolved throughout the story.

Kage on the other hand, is very serious, intimidating, and closed off (rightfully so.) He was raised to not have a life of his own but rather to live to serve. He carries a heavy burden along with his power. I felt so sorry for him as he struggled with his duty and his identity which seem to become more at odds with each other as the book progressed. I enjoyed his interaction with Yumeko and how her presence slowly changed him.

There’s a lovely and whimsical fairy tale feel to the story with lots of Japanese lore and mythology throughout. Yumeko and Kage team up on their quest for the dragon scroll and have quite a long and eventful journey. They end of being joined by two more characters along the way. I felt the story picked up speed after that as they added some much needed humor and witty banter to the mix which kept the story from dragging. There were a lot of mythological creatures they encountered as well. Some were more whimsical and others were brutal and downright horrifying!

I don’t want to give any spoilers, but overall there’s plenty of action, a hint of a blossoming romance (very subtle so don’t expect it to drive the story if that’s what you’re looking for) and an exciting finale with somewhat of a cliffhanger that sets up the next book. While it wasn’t quite as addictive a read for me as some of her other books I’ve read, I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book.

I tried twice to get I to this one, but I just couldn’t. I had a hard time picturing it and following it the first time I started it. I took a break and started it again. I was able
To follow it, but I still couldn’t get into it. I am disappointed....it has such high reviews for a book not even published! Perhaps I will try again at a later date.

Kagawa has this amazing talent of creating imagery with words. Worlds burst to life within the pages of each and every one of her books. Shadow of the Fox is a world of magic, demons and political mechaniations.

A cast of unlikely characters find themselves thrust into a hair raising quest. Not all are looking to accomplish the same goal, actually some of their goals are out and out opposing, but in the end they band together. The cast is introduced slowly with each one joining as the journey progresses.

I am a fan of all Julie Kagawa books and in the end I am a fan of Shadow of the Fox... and here comes the but ... But, I struggled getting into this story. I liked it but it was a pretty slow building read until about 45% in and then I LOVED IT.

Would I recommend Shadow of the Fox? ABSOLUTELY! Will I read on? I wouldn't miss it! My recommendation, push on because once you break through you will not want this novel to end.

I received this ARC copy of Shadow of the Fox from Harlequin TEEN. This is my honest and voluntary review. Shadow of the Fox is set for publication October 02, 2018.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Julie Kagawa
Age Range: 12 - 18 years
Grade Level: 7 - 9
Series: Shadow of the Fox
Publication Date: Book 1
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen; Original edition
Publication Date: October 2, 2018
ISBN-10: 1335145168
ISBN-13: 978-1335145161
Genre: Youth Fantasy

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Fox-Jul...
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Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/shad...

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This was such fun, plain and simple! And that ending? I mean, good grief, you can't leave me hanging like that.

Seriously though, this novel was so much fun to read. About half of the book is one of those that follows a group of characters as they travel to a distant place, and along the way meet monsters of myth and magic and darkness that they must defeat. While some may say that gets boring after a time, I adored it. Especially when Kagawa threw in a few twists I definitely did not see coming. Any book that has a chapter ending with me yelling, "Yassss!" is kind of a winner. *Shrugs*

The Japanese lore surrounding this story was extensive and wonderful to be exposed to. It suited the story well, building it up and pushing it forward as well as the characters. My only complaint is I wish there was a glossary or something. There were a lot of terms thrown around, and I struggled a little in the beginning to keep up and keep everything and everyone straight. Usually my Kindle look-up feature is a godsend, but it didn't know what half the terms were. That said, I still loved seeing the myth and legends of Japan. Some of it I found to be quite fascinating, but mostly refreshing AF. Yurei, oni, ronin, kitsune; all of it had its place in this story.

Speaking of kitsune, the cast of characters in this was phenomenal! Yumeko was a fast favourite. She's a sweet spark of a girl with magic at her fingertips and a streak of mischief. I never thought I'd say this, but I loved her naivety. It lent a different dynamic and a humour to the character and the novel itself. The story is told from dual POV: Yumeko and the brooding samurai, Tatsumi. Good grief do I have a crush on that boy. Normally I'm not into the whole "bad boy will change for the good girl" trope, but I was squealing each time his cold demeanour melted a little bit. Which makes what happens all that much harder to sit with. But the angle with him and his demon infested sword was so intriguing! And honourable mention to the ronin who comes along for the ride. The sarcasm and humour were well appreciated.

I admit it took me a bit of time to get into this. I felt like I was reading and reading, yet my progress marker barely shifted. But I'm so glad I kept plugging away because this is definitely being shelved as one of my new favourite fantasy series. And, as mentioned, THAT ENDING! I cannot wait until the next book.

“Kage Tatsumi, the demonslayer of the Shadow Shadow Clan. A boy who didn’t know the first thing about kindness, compassion or mercy. Who was ruthless, dangerous and would will anyone - human, demon or yokia - that got in our way. Who didn’t realize that the exact thing he wanted, the entire reason for his mission, was sitting not ten feet from him.”

If you enjoy Japanese anime or lore, pick up this book immediately!

Yumeko is half kitsune (fox spirit) and half human, living in a monastery and raised by monks. Her kitsune half makes her a little trickster, and of course gets her into a bit of trouble. Growing up her entire life in the monastery, she’s very naive about the outside world, but Yumeko has a heart of gold, and although she usually gets easily scared, she’s quick to help anyone she comes across. She really a refreshing character to read about; although she does have a hidden agenda with the dragon scroll her almost child-like quality has her acting to ask forgiveness later.

Tatsumi is the polar opposite of Yumeko. Raised by the strictest of ninja elitist, he bares a sword possessed by a demon. In doing so, he was taught not to have any emotion or hold any ties to keep the demon from possessing him as well. For him it’s a battle to keep the bloodlust of the demon at bay while fighting to protect Yumeko on her journey- and to keep himself from feeling anything for her.

During the story you’ll find a slew of Japanese words (Ite-ouch Kuzo-crap), customs, and creatures of lore. Ghibli fans will be happy to know that Kodama (tree-spirts) make an appearance. It’s small touches that make a world of difference.

The storyline itself switches back and forth between an evil witch and Yumeko with her adventurous fellowship. Taking the Dragon Scroll to the temple is their main objective, but along the way they come across plenty of side quests, if you will. Tatsumi is kind of our reluctant hero, along with a Ronin (Samurai without a lord) that joins the gang, and an actual lord. It makes an interesting and dynamic combination!

Overall, I can’t praise this enough. I love Japanese anime. I love Japanese culture and lore, and love this book. I can’t say if you’ll enjoy this book if you don’t enjoy the others, but I’d like to say you probably would anyway. Give it a try! You might find a entirely new genre you like!

It's been a while since I've picked up a series by Julie Kagawa. I practically devoured The Iron Fey series and I loved Blood of Eden. When I saw Shadow of the Fox, I didn't hesitate. Once I started reading, it didn't take me long to remember why I love this author's world building so much.

My first love in the Fantasy genre is mythology, mainly because I loved it as a child. It's familiar, but every author has the ability to put their own spin on it, so the stories are also fresh. Shadow of the Fox was centered around Japanese mythology, a first for me. I have to admit that it took me a little while to wrap my head around this unfamiliar world, but not too long.

There was a lot to take in, but I loved all the twists and turns. The POV switched between not only Tatsumi and Yumeko, but some unexpected characters were given a voice. I loved the magic and legends that were woven into the story. There was danger everywhere and both Tatsumi and Yumeko kept secrets from one another - which didn't make things easier for either one of them.

I also loved the twists and turns and the unlikely alliances that were formed along their journey. Yumeko's perspective on pretty much everything was the polar opposite of Tatsumi's, which was both confusing and frustrating for the warrior.

There are a lot of reasons why I can't wait until the next book in Shadow of the Fox is released. First and foremost is that, things take a major turn near the end and then... yeah, you'll just have to read Shadow of the Fox to find out and then join me in waiting not so patiently for Soul of the Sword. *sigh*

4.5 stars

I so enjoyed reading this one! It was really nice and refreshing to have an entertaining fantasy with a strong plot arc and endearing characters.

Shadow of the Fox was first and foremost a really engaging read. It kept me wanting to read, and it had a likeable main character that I wanted to see more of.

I wanted to keep reading, and I wanted to find out next. More and more, I'm seeing books I'm not 100% invested in, but with Shadow of the Fox, I really felt invested in the characters and the storyline and the fate of the world.

Julie Kagawa did a wonderful job in creating stakes and urging us to keep reading.

I know some people have commented about how "traditional" the storyline is--how it's like so many other fantasies, but ultimately, I disagree.

Yes, it might have the hero's journey and an adventure where the main characters pick up a bunch of misfits as they travel to the capital. But unlike most other fantasies--it stars an all-Asian cast, and it has Japanese mythological elements.

People like to diss tropes as "outdated"--but it's only outdated because so many white authors have done it with white casts. LET POC HAVE THEIR TROPES. Seriously.

I loved this because not only was there a strong, traditional fantasy plot structure, it also had magical and thematic elements that I could really relate to when I see Asian characters in this story.

Don't say X trope is dead when you haven't even let POC see themselves in that trope. Please.

Anyways, can we all also talk about me undying love for Yumeko? I love her. I love her so much.

She's the type of protagonist I ADORE. She might not physically be a warrior, but she is compassionate and caring and a little sneaky and a little wily, but overall with the good of everyone else in mind.

Seriously. It was so refreshing to read a compassionate main character who listens to other people and tries to do what's best for others--and it doesn't even come off as forced.

Plus, she has the more mischievous yokai side that she struggles with at times, and that kept Yumeko balanced and from falling to flat, in my eyes.

The other characters were cool too! I really enjoyed the ragtag band of misfits Yumeko picks up along the way, although I'm not the fondest of Kage. I feel like I didn't get to see enough dimension in Kage to really make a solid judgement on him, and the romance is already starting to hint in this book, which is kind of jarring as I feel like I don't even know him yet.

But the characters were all really cool, and the magic system was even more amazing (except when compared to Yumeko. Yumeko is the best.)

I like how Kagawa makes the magic system--even though there's no infodump and we're immersed in the world, it wasn't jarring or hard to understand. It all felt very natural to me, and I love all the magical creatures.

Overall, I absolutely adored Shadow of the Fox and will definitely be picking up Kagawa's other works after this! I wholeheartedly recommend if you want a well-needed Asian spin on a traditional plot structure of the hero's journey, or if you just want to immerse yourself in a wonderful fantasy with endearing characters.

Honestly I didn’t finish this one. I’ve read the iron king series by this writer which I loved . It just seemed to take so long to get to main plot . Maybe I’ve read so many YA lately that it seemed too formulaic . I wanted to like this but it just wasn’t for me

I'm a fan, having read 16 books of Julie Kagawa's. I have high hopes.
It was good but not great.
I feel like my lack of knowledge with Japanese culture and folklore may have contributed to me not loving it. I literally had zero knowledge.
At the beginning of the story I was even slightly confused, and wondered if it might be a bad read. I'm glad I kept going and am glad I did. At the end of the story I was left wanting to read book 2, Soul of the Sword. I was pulled into this story about a kitsune on a quest, who meets a samurai and other characters.
I also k=now want to know more about Japanese culture in general.
I just want to say to Julie Kagawa fans; don't go into this read expecting too much if you also have a lack of knowledge in that culture, (actually; or not). Fans often have their hopes too high and compare it to their favorite series, which is unfair when it's so different. Have an open mind like I did, and you will end up enjoying it.


3.5/5

Posted to Goodreads: For a more in-depth review watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaHxz7RgYfg&feature=youtu.be

Yumeko is half kitsune and half human and she knows she has to hid her kitsune side but when her home is burned to the ground she must team up Kage Tatsumi to find the Scroll of Thousand Prayers.

This was my first book by Kagawa and I was really disappointed. The pacing was very slow and I found myself bored through most of the books. The characters weren't especially well developed and I had difficulty distinguishing between their narrative voices. Also, the whole plot felt muddled. I really wanted to love this book because Kagawa is so popular with the teens at my library but I definitely did not and I'm not sure if I'm willing to try another novel by her.

I haven't read Julie Kagawa in a long time but this was a very good beginning to a light new series. I look forward to the next book and seeing where the story leads Yumeko and Co.

Although not my favorite read I really enjoyed reading about the Japanese scenery and culture. I love the feeling of being present in the moment and being able to practically see it with my own eyes.

I just finished reading one of my new all time favorite books EVER. Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa was amazing and EPIC. There are so many things I loved about this book, and to be honest I'm not even sure where to start, the book is so good I don't even know what to say.

This story is about Yumeko who is a Kitsune, a half Fox. She has been living her entire life at the Silent Wind Temple and knows nothing about the outside world. She has amazing abilities and loves to make pranks but everything changes when Master Isao tells her the story of the Kami Dragon and that she must protect a scroll, that if it ends in the wrong hands the world would change as she knows it now...for bad.

Shadow of The Fox is a story full of mythology, powerful demons, ghosts, spirits, samurais... It's a world that, while it was filled of powerful creatures and terrifying witches, I didn't want to abandon. I have never read a story like this one before, it was... so magical. AND THE ENDING WAS PERFECT.

I love books where the characters have to go on an epic quest, and this one didn't disappoint. Yumeko met Tatsumi, a boy who was looking for the scroll as wel,l and while she doesn't tell him that she has it, she lies to him and asks him for help. Tatsumi is a demonslayer - HOW COOL IS THAT?! - He never shows his emotions because if he does the demon inside his weapon could posses him! But I just loved to see how little by little he starts to change because of Yumeko. He starts to question everything he knows and... well he's amazing!

One of the things I absolutely loved and adored about this book are the characters. Yumeko, Tatsumi, Okame, Daisuke are so special to me, they made me laugh SO MANY TIMES and surprised me with their courage whenever they tried to save those they encountered on their way. Also, I loved the fact that the personalities of these characters are so different from each other! I really liked seeing how Okame annoyed Tatsumi non-stop, he's definitely a character you will love as soon as you meet him in the story.

Shadow of the Fox is a book you won't want to miss. It's definitely one of the best books I have read this year and I honestly can't wait to read the sequel. Julie's writing style made me feel part of a story I didn't want to leave❤️