Fantastic fantasy read. Fans of Julie Kagawa will greatly enjoy her beautiful writing style and attention to details. I have a feeling this will be one of those books that is even better on a second read. It is based on Japanese folklore, which might be a little hard to follow at first, but it is worth it.

Sad to say I didn’t love this book. I really wanted to. It was good but not great. The first chapter had me cringing and made me leery of continuing, but I pushed through.

I love Julie’s writing but I think part of me misses the feel of the Iron Fey series so this was a bit of a letdown. I do think teens will love it but the world building and all names were just too much for me to fully enjoy. Maybe I’ll try a reread before book two and hope that it clicks then.

3.75🌟

I had a hard time getting into this story. Part of it was probably because I am not too familiar with Japanese folklore and culture. The other problem I had was that the main portion of the narrative was more of a travelogue, similar to Lord of the Rings. There was a lot of wandering the countryside, encountering enemies they had to fight and then more wandering.

However, the characters were all quite interesting. There were mainly two POV’s that I read from, Yumeko and Tatsumi. They were each unique and had very different upbringings and world views. I favorite character was actually the Ronin, Okame, as he brought some fun comic relief to the story.

Once they actually got to the final battle of this story it did finally start to pick-up and near the end we meet some new characters that will continue on in the journey during book two.

I would say, overall, for me personally, this is not something I will need to own. I am slightly more interested now to see how this story will continue so I will likely get the sequel from the library when it comes out.

If you like Japanese folklore and travel adventures (like LotR) than you will likely enjoy this story.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

When I requested this book, I thought that the concept sounded intriguing and I was genuinely looking forward to reading it. However, I felt like this book was just too confusing. I tried so hard to read it, but nothing quite made sense in my head and I couldn’t connect to a single character. The book was interesting and the plot works well, but I just couldn’t enjoy reading it. Maybe someone else would like this story better than I did. I am glad to see, though, that there are more diverse fantasy books coming out. It’s about time.

I saw the blurb for Shadow of the Fox on Goodreads, and my first question was: "How much like Inuyasha is this book?" Another reader answered that it had similarities but otherwise not at all...

First thing first, I loved this book and I want more, now. Secondly, it is incredibly like Inuyasha, except maybe written by someone who saw an episode once and then gender swapped all of the characters. No time travel, but the main character is a half yokai (nature spirit/demon) who is on a journey with their cursed budding love interest to find ancient artifact pieces, which, when reassembled, will grant the bearer a wish. Sound familiar?

Read the rest of my review on my blog: http://erikagill.com/2018/10/review-shadow-of-the-fox-by-julie-kagawa

I'm just going to come out and say that I enjoyed this story. To me, it isn't the BEST book. The writing was pretty basic in areas (Though I read an ARC of it, so maybe the final version is better). I also found the characters were sometimes kind of cheesy...

BUT despite those minor-for-me flaws, it had an east Asian feel, with fantasy elements that made it feel kind of like my favorite dramas (Korean and Chinese dramas) while also still being awesomely different since it was Japanese inspired. Seriously LOVE the world of this book. Can I just go there right now? Please?

The plot was fascinating. I wanted to know what happens next, and was surprised by more than one unexpexted turn of events.

As for the characters, I say they are fictional friend worthy. The heroine was sweet yet imperfect, which I found a unique combination. Also, she is a Kitsune, so... (Not biased at all, y'all. 😉). The hero's struggle to overcome his many pains was fascinating. He definitely is a complicated dude. Felt bad for the poor guy. I mean, someone PLEASE love this poor abused cookie.

There's also quite a few side characters, most of which were neat individuals. (EXCEPT THE VILLAUNOUS, WHO IS CREEEEEEEPY!)

I did have a few things that I did not care for in this book, despite it being a mostly for me book. To me, the book was a bit slow in spots. I wanted them to hurry, but villains kept attacking them. #why???

It also had a few more bad words than I care to read, plus some crude humor. 😛

Okay, enough negative. Anything else... Ah, yes. Before I wrap this review, I have to say I have found another EMPRESS of Epic Ending in the author.. Did not see it coming... It's awesome because I love to be surprised in books, but also aggravating because I need book two asap. A-S-A-P.

I give "Shadow if the Fox" by Julie Kagawa a rating of four. Hurry, book two.

*Thanks to publisher through Netgalley for a complimentary e-ARC of this book in exchange for honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was taken by all of the Japanese folklore that's woven throughout the book, if you're not familiar with Japanese culture or their folklore it's a lot to take in. There is a glossary in the back which I found helpful when I wasn't certain of a phrase, but I loved that it was a learning experience as well! I found the book opening to be a bit confusing and the introduction of so many characters a little much. I had to go back a few times to remind myself why that name sounded familiar. The plot is super intriguing and Yumeko is such a lovable character! I enjoyed the inner struggle she has and how she interacts with the many different characters. I also really love Tatsumi, it was interesting to read about his struggle as a samurai and his role in his clan while trying to figure out his role with Yumeko. Overall an enjoyable read that I would recommend.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Four stars: An enticing adventure/ quest style book that features plenty of Japanese myths, legends and lore.

Yumeko loves to play pranks on the monks in the temple where she lives. Then one day, a trick angers one of the monks to the point where he threatens to take away her powers. Terrified, Yumeko flees. She can’t imagine living without her trickster fox powers. Yumeko is a yokai, a girl who is half human, half kitsune. To be safe, she must hide her mischievous kitsune side. Yumeko finally finds the courage to go home, but when she arrives, she finds her home in bloody ruins, rampaged by a demon horde, led by a great and terrible demon. She can’t save the monks, but she does manage to save the temple’s greatest treasure: part of the ancient dragon scroll. As she flees through the woods, Yumeko comes face to face with a powerful samurai from the Shadow Clan. Kage Tatsumi was sent to retrieve the scroll. Somehow, Tatsumi and Yumeko form an alliance. She needs his protection, and he needs her to lead him to the scroll. Will they survive their quest?
What I Liked:
*It has been awhile since I read a Julie Kagawa novel, and I must say, I was not disappointed with The Shadow of the Fox. This one features tremendous world building, a fantastic cast of characters and lots of mythological Japanese creatures. A fun read!
*I loved the cast of characters. The two main characters: Yumeko and Tatsumi are interesting and entertaining. I liked that they were both battling their own personal demons, and that they were each afraid to show their true natures. Together, they form a terrific team, and along the way they grow and change each other for the better. On their journey, the pair ends up making new friends. I loved how Yumeko continued to help everyone along the way making beneficial allies.
*This one is packed full of all kinds of interesting mythological Japanese creatures. There are great and terrible demons, fueled by human sacrifice and greed, ghosts, some hungry and terrifying, others lost and determined to exact revenge, as well as witches, demonic swords and more. It was fascinating to encounter all of these different types of Japanese legend and myths.
*This book is a quest/ adventure read. There is the main quest, to retrieve the pieces of the dragon scroll, but along the way, Yumeko and Tatsumi complete all kinds of smaller tasks. I liked the way this one was set up, and I enjoyed the little quests the pair completed, making allies and friends along the way.
*The world building is outstanding. Kagawa is a master at world building, and she once again excels with this one. I loved being immersed into historical Japan. The details and descriptions were outstanding.
*This one has an intricate plot. Everything weaves together. All the quests fit into the big picture. There are also lots of characters coming and going. Some are out for treachery and evil, while others seek good. There is a lot to keep track of, and I was never bored.
For you romance lovers, there are the beginnings of what I think will be a memorable romance. *Everything is moving slowly right now. This one is taking its time to form a strong friendship with a few butterfly moments. Nothing concrete yet, but I am certain it is coming. I do love a good slow burn romance.
*The book ends with some tantalizing new threads. Yes, there is a cliffhanger type ending, but I wasn’t too put off as there are some major developments that happen on the final pages that change everything. I want the next book.
And the Not So Much:
*The book opens with the introduction to a ghost who meets a horribly unfair untimely ending. I so wanted this little ghost to find a bit of happiness. I was a little disappointed in the way her thread played out.
*As I mentioned, there was a lot to keep track of in this book. I did get confused a time or two with some of the characters and their intentions.
Even though I enjoyed the quests, I was a little frustrated that more movement wasn’t made in the main story line.
*I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Brian Nishii and Emily Woo Zeller. I loved Emily’s portions, she narrated Yumeko’s parts. She did an outstanding job. I wasn’t as fond of Brian’s work. His male voices were great, but his female voices needed work. I did not like his female impersonations.

The Shadow of the Fox is a promising start to a new series. If it has been awhile since you read a book by Julie Kagawa, or if you haven’t tried her work yet, this is a good one to check out. The world building is terrific, the characters are outstanding and this one is packed full of Japanese mythology, legends and lore. I am eager for the next book in this series!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

WOW! What an exciting, action-packed read! Shadow of the Fox is a delightful medley of magic, adventure, and imagination!

Now I see what all the craze is about!

Every thousand years, a mythical dragon returns to grant a wish to a person who has the right objects to enact the process. It is nearly time for the dragon to return and several people across the world are vying to get key pieces of the prayer scroll to gain the wish. The person who comes out on top will determine the future of the world for the next thousand years.
Yumeko, a part kitsune, or mythical fox, has been trained her entire life by a monastery of monks to hide her kitsune nature and protect something. As it turns out, the monastery has a piece of the scroll and when it is attacked by someone who wants to make a wish, Yumeko is the only survivor and tasked with protecting it. She must travel to another location to find help. On her way, she meets Kage, who is an assassin that was sent to find the scroll piece at Yumeko’s monastery. Hiding the fact that she knows the location of the scroll pieces, Yumeko uses Kage to help her get to the next location in her quest.

This read like a manga. However, I found it difficult to follow and boring. It would have worked better as an episodic manga, than a novel.

I tried—and failed—several times to finish this particular book. Kagawa writes with an evocative style and her immersive fantasy grounded in myths that most Western readers will be unfamiliar with tantalizes. It's unfortunate that the characters leading us through this colorful and threatening world are so difficult to engage with. Perhaps with better guides this world and the mystery that grips it would have better held my attention and yet, regrettably, I never managed to find out where their journey ended.

The story follows Yumeko, a young girl who has lived a sheltered life raised by monks in the Silent Wind temple, who has trained her whole life to hide her yokai abilities. Half-human, half-kitsune (fox), Yumeko has a knack for mischief and bending the rules, but all that changes when her temple gets attacked by demons and burned down and her adoptive family slain. Before his death, her Master tasks Yumeko with protecting part of the ancient Dragon Scroll, which when put together with the other pieces will summon the great Kami Dragon who will grant one person's wish.

While fleeing from the only home she's ever known, Yumeko runs into Kage Tatsumi, a dangerous samurai of the mysterious Shadow Clan. What she doesn't know is that Tatsumi has been sent to her temple to retrieve the very scroll she's smuggling, by any means necessary. Yumeko enlists the protection of the samurai in exchange for "helping" him find the scroll. An uneasy alliance forms between the two, and the longer they are together, the more complicated their relationship becomes. As underlying feelings begin to grow between the two, the deception and secrets both are hiding threaten to tear them apart.

It initially took me a bit to get into the groove of this story, but once I did I read the entire thing in one day. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and world that Kagawa created; it gave me total anime vibes and I loved it. I could almost picture it as Avatar: The Last Airbender mixed with some Studio Ghibli. Yumeko is such a nice main character because you can tell she's so naive, and hasn't seen much of the world or how cruel people can be, but she seems to always see the hope and good in things. I also liked the group of companions Yumeko and Tatsumi end up with. Okame was probably my favorite, his sarcasm and wit was just the right of comedic lightheartedness the book needed. And the ending! Holy cow, talk about action packed. I can't wait to see where the story and characters go from here.

Shadow of the Fox was a fun ride through a lush Japanese inspired landscape and not at all what I was expecting! I loved so much of this story and found it completely entrancing. If you're looking for a thoroughly developed fantasy world, enchanting mythology and lore, morally grey characters, and a centuries old mystery to unravel ... THIS is the book for you.

Yumi is part human, part kitsune (fox) in a world that both revers and fears her kind. Raised amongst monks, she has little experience with the outside world but dreams of experiencing everything. After a massacre upends her whole world, Yumi is thrust into the world she has so dearly mused over.

Tatsumi is a samurai and demonslayer, tasked with retrieving an ancient artifact for his clan. Raised to be cold and unquestioning of his orders, Tatsumi is the perfect warrior, provided he keeps control over his darkness. Fate brings Yumi and Tatsumi together and with similar goals in mind, they choose to travel together. However, neither has been honest with the other and its only a matter of time before their ruses begin to unravel.

From the very first chapter of this story I was absolutely captivated by the world Kagawa has created! So much happens right from the start, I was totally invested in Suki's story (and feeling SO upset for her!) and was absolutely shocked when the first chapter took the turn it did! Way to reel your readers in! If you can read it and NOT want to devour the rest of the book, you must be in the worst of all book slumps.

I LOVED Yumi's true nature and every subtle nod at her wiliness and tricks throughout the story. Her naivety about the outside world and desire to help everyone is so sweet! That said, her curiosity and disregard for danger was a little taxing at times.

Tatsumi is by-far the most complex and fascinating character in this story. He's my favorite (are we surprised? we are not.) and the moral dilemmas he faces through this story played a huge role on the plot and his character development. Tatsumi harbors some very Shadowsinger-esque abilities and I was like: YAAASSSS. I thoroughly enjoyed how he came to grow fond of Yumi, began to question his own life's path and tried perilously to keep hold of his humanity.

This book also has a great group of supporting characters - such as Suki, Daisuke and Okami! Every character has an important role to play in this story and not one felt like they didn't belong. My heart STILL hurts over Suki's situation. I was totally NOT explecting Daisuke to return to the story the way he did and came to adore his chivalry and "deal" with Tatsumi. Okami's humor and aloofness was exactly what this story needed and he came at the perfect time. I cannot get over how rag-tag, yet PERFECT Yumi and Tatsumi's fellowship becomes.

Also, the smattering of romance in this never felt forced or unnatural. This is slow burn and NOT insta-love. There was a natural progression of the primary relationship: from allies, to feeling fond of each other to feeling more. If you are looking for a book with a LOT of romance, this is not the book for you. BUT - if you are looking for a book in which the romance plays a large role on the progression of the story, here you have it!

The only things I really didn't like about this was Yumi's character at times and the sometimes confusing name dropping of Japanese mythology and lore. Don't get me wrong - I LOVED the mythology in this, but there is a LOT of it and I constantly found myself Googling things so I could gain a better understanding of what I was reading about. You will encounter a bunch of Japanese creatures - especially those of the supernatural realm - and it can be a lot to keep up with at first!

Overall, this was a really fantastic novel! Despite having her Iron Fey series on my bookshelves, this was the first time I had read something by Julie Kagawa and she lived up to my expectations! I'll certainly be reading more by her and will ABSOLUTELY be investing my time into this series as it progresses! I NEED to see where it goes after that ending! (OH MY GAWD)

Let me preface this review by saying I did not expect to love this. I didn’t even expect to like it! I know there are lots of people who obsess over Japanese folklore and mythology; I am not one. However, this may have been one of the best books (if not THE best book) I have read so far in 2018!

This is the first book I have read by author Julie Kagawa and I can confidently say it will not be the last. She is a master storyteller, not only with the overall main story of the novel but there were lots of little legends and myths told by the characters amongst either other that were just genius and enhanced the overall story.

I love the character of Yumeko. She is a half kitsune (which is a Japanese fox) and you can definitely see clever and cunning foxlike features come out in her human personality. But she is also innocent and naive (but not in an annoyingly so way) which just adds to her charm. She’s funny without knowing she’s funny and very brave even if she wouldn’t consider herself so.

Her counterpart and traveling companion, Tatsumi is mysterious and misunderstood like any great love interest is (except is he or isn’t he a love interest? The book never clearly defines their relationship which I actually liked because for once a YA novel wasn’t shoving a ship down the reader’s throat!) I liked that his storyline left on a cliffhanger (a brilliant one too!) and considering the next book in the series is called Soul of the Sword inplies that we will be seeing a lot more of his back story and how he became the demon slayer.

This read very much like The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings or other great epic journey tales but that’s a big reason why I loved it so much (I am a huge Tolkien nerd!) It was fast paced but also detailed. I didn’t find any lulls or parts that seemed to drag. I really loved how detailed the plot was and like I said all the little myths and legends and side stories really helped the world building and helped me as the reader understand the setting more fully.

I do not have one bad thing to say about this book. It was the biggest surprise for me in 2018 and Soul of the Sword has now moved up to my number one most anticipated released of 2019! Trust me guys, you do NOT want to pass this book up!

Every thousand years, the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers can be used to summon the great dragon, who will grant a single wish. To keep the scroll safe from evil doing, it was split into three parts and scattered across the land. Now, as the deadline looms, multiple forces are in play for the scroll pieces that can grant them their greatest desire.

This is the summary for Shadow of the Fox, the first book in Julie Kagawa’s new young adult series, and it reads almost exactly like at least three different anime I remember from the late 1990s/early 2000s, especially Dragonball Z (which even describes how to summon a wish-granting dragon that has been broken into pieces and scattered across the land). That doesn’t intrinsically make the novel bad - this type of story is popular for anime and Japanese pop culture because of its deep roots in more historic Japanese culture - but it does make the plot line a bit... predictable for those familiar with Japanese mythology, anime, and manga.

But before we get too far ahead, let’s talk about the actual story.

The narrative alternates between the main characters points of view: Suki, a young woman who worked as a maid for the nastiest woman (and most prized consort) in the palace; Yumeko, a half-human, half-kitsune (fox spirit, a sort of illusionist and trickster) girl who was raised in a monastery in the middle of nowhere; and Kage Tatsumi, the wielder of a demon-possessed blade and member of a samurai clan well known for their stealth and less well-known for their mystical abilities. Once this cast of characters is introduced, the story sadly begins to slow. We follow Tatsumi as he handles a mission, deals with his demon blade, and reports back to his supervisors, all while keeping his mind as blank and emotionless as possible to keep the demon from emerging. Suki’s storyline I won’t go into, but she is little more than an observer, and Yumeko (my personal favorite) played a few tricks, took a walk in the woods, had tea with a tanuki (a raccoon/dog spirit), and spoke with the Master at the monastery. Honestly, it was a bit boring.

Fortunately, however, things take off before you’ll be ready give up on the story. The monastery is attacked by a horde of yokai (minor demons), lead by an oni (an extremely strong ‘king’ demon), who are all out to get take possession of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. Yumeko escapes, through knowledge of her home, trickery and illusion, and takes the scroll with her, hidden from view. In the meantime, Tatsumi has been sent by the Lady of his clan to retrieve the scroll at any cost, and runs into Yumeko in the woods; she lies and convinces him the scroll was never there in the first place. To locate it, they must travel into the capital to find the only monk who knows the location of the hidden temple the scroll was supposedly sent to (and, coincidently, where the Master told Yumeko to go). As they travel together, and pick up a few stragglers along the way, Yumeko and Tatsumi get closer, with Tatsumi beginning to feel more and more, and Yumeko relying on him in a way she’s never dealt with before.

All in all, the story pulls heavily from Japanese mythology, incorporates a fair amount of Japanese (which is a little frustrating if you know the words, as it’s all done in the “foreign word, or translation, she carried” sort of way), and will still definitely appeal to fans of anime and/or Japanese pop culture. I quite enjoyed the novel overall, but was dismayed by the slow start and the almost episodic feel of Tatsumi and Yumeko’s travels across the country. It’s also clearly setting up a love-interest sort of relationship between the two, even though Yumeko has known little outside her life in the remote monastery and Tatsumi literally has burned emotions out of his mind. On top of that, the story ends so abruptly that I found myself flipping the last page back and forth (digitally, at least) convinced I was missing something.

Even with that, though, the writing was good overall, and Shadow of the Fox is a strong start to a new series. I will be looking for the sequel once it comes out - because I am intrigued to see what happens next.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I just never fully bought the idea that Yumeko was the one to protect the scroll and take part in saving the world. She was just so childish and even though there was growth in her character, part of it was because she was half-kitsune, it just didn't fit. The description of the book got me really interested in it, but it just didn't live up to the hype. I don't think I'll be continuing on with the series unless there's real character growth and layers added in.

*thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC*
Julie Kagawa does not disappoint! This is a twisty tale of fantasy and myth and legend and the strength to overcome the difficulties set out.
Yumeko and Kage find their fates intertwined and they must work together to find the scroll and right the wrongs in their world.

This was not the book I was expected, but it was still good. I liked all the mythology and world-building elements. At times the story felt like it was dragging, but sticking with it proved worth it in the end.

Every 10,000 years, an ancient dragon rises to give one mortal a wish (in exchange for their soul) and the world changes. Two characters, a kitsune-hybrid and a ninja, find themselves trying to keep the path to the dragon out of the hands of several interested and nefarious parties. Shadow of the Fox follows our heroes as they travel to and from different monasteries dodging monsters in their quest to protect ancient scrolls.

Shadow of the Fox was a ton of fun! It gave me Percy Jackson vibes, but was definitely for a slightly older audience and the mythology in this book was Japanese, which I found to be very cool. I liked both of the characters – the kitsune must hide her fox nature from her ninja travelling companion as he is a monster killer, and kitsune are a type of…if not monster, than non-human trickster. The ninja is trying to resist becoming posessed by the evil demon that occupies his sword. Their relationship is thus a bit fraught, but adds a really interesting dynamic. Their other travelling companion (a disgraced Samurai who spends most of the book amusingly drunk) provided some levity. Some of the mythology was completely new to me, which made for a engaging reading experience. I liked it enough that I read one of Kagawa’s other books, The Iron King, as well. If you enjoyed that one, you’ll likely like this – I found the formats to be similar, though I found the Japanese mythology more interesting than the fairies.

TLDR: This is a really entertaining and action packed fantasy for fans of Percy Jackson and Kagawa’s other books. I loved it, and am excited to get my own copy! 5 stars.

Thanks to Harlequin Teen and Netgalley for the eARC, which I received in exchange for an unbiased review. Shadow of the Fox is available now!

Just fabulous!

Kagawa has come through again with a winner! I was wrapped around with Japanese folklore characters, demons and samurais, on an epic quest...and it was heavenly!
A startling new fantastical world to roam in, led on by a master storyteller.
Half human / half Kitsune ("Wild kitsune, the foxes that roamed the hidden places of Iwagoto, were masters of illusion magic and shapeshifting. Kitsune were yokai, creatures of the supernatural"), Yumeko has spent her life in a secluded temple being brought up by monks. The most challenging things she faces are self inflicted, brought about by her fun loving, trickster Kitsune nature.
One very ordinary night all that changes! One moment everything is normal and within the space of a heartbeat the monastry is under attack by creatures from nightmares--demons and their entourage.
Yumeko escapes with the Silent Winds temple leader, Master Isao's blessing, taking away a portion of sacred writings, the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, that holds the secret to untold power, a power being sort after by the unscrupulous. All part of a jigsaw that when put together could visit eons of hellish death and destruction. Darkness would return to the land of Iwagoto, along with banished beings seeking to enthral and change Iwagoto forever.
Yumeko begins a quest that will see her meet many strangers--both enemies and friends. She falls into the company with Kage Tatsumi, a samurai of the Shadow Clan, bearer of a demon infused sword. The burden is a constant struggle for Tasumi as the demon seeks every opportunity for mastery. Tasumi has also been tasked with finding the pieces of the prayer. Along the way they collect a strange company of other yoki, ghosts and a masterless ronin, Okame.
Beyond this are shadowy powerful characters, each with their own agenda. All very mysterious and threatening!
Yumeko's interaction with various distressed or enslaved beings they meet, granting them freedom, will I believe become a boon in the future story development.
I can hardly wait for the next piece of the puzzle as the saga continues!

A NetGalley ARC