Oooh…boy. Wow, what a sequel. There’s quite a bit I want to say about this one, but I can’t on here because I try very hard to avoid spoilers. But hey, I guess I can at least say that there was an adorable new romance that happened in this one. I won’t say who is involved but I’m wondering if I missed the signs of it forming in the first book. Character X and Character Y are both so cool, and when the two of them kissed…oh yeah, I was totally excited about it.

We also see Yumeko using her kitsune magic a bit more in this one, which is really fun. And she is definitely getting stronger, which I also like.

Okay, so there was a point, about 80% into the book when I was so completely absorbed in what I was reading that I was definitely making commentary and reactions out loud…while at work. Basically, I should have realized by now that there are some books I probably shouldn’t read in public, and yet I continue to do it. Oh well, I regret nothing. But anyway, the point I’m talking about is a bloody, brutal, and shocking moment when I found myself wondering if this was all happening, what was going to occur in the final 20%. Again, not going to spoil anything but that scene was brilliant. I know, this is a super vague paragraph. Sorry.

How is this all going to wrap up in the final book of this trilogy? I’m not looking forward to the wait for this next book. Oh man. If you haven’t picked up Shadow of the Fox, please do so, and then follow up with this book. They are both outstanding.

This book starts right after Shadow of the Fox ends. Hakaimono has broken free and taken over Tatsumi's mind and body. Yumeko and the rest of the crew are still trying to find the Steel Feather temple in order to protect the scroll. All while the Kage clan hunts for their possessed demon slayer, a mysterious white fox watches and moves the pieces of the game from afar, and an ancient evil starts to grow in the distance.

It's the recipe for greatness.

And yet, I gotta admit, I didn't really care for any of it.

A problem I had in the last book was that I couldn't connect to any of the characters. This happens here as well. Yumeko is written to be a likable character. She fits all the character traits of a kind-hearted, naive, likable characters, the kind that is written by the author so we can cheer for her. And yet, I didn't like her. She makes so many questionable decisions in this book, especially at the end. And even if she hadn't, I still just wouldn't have cared for her.

Then there was Tatsumi. I feel like a good portion of the plot revolves around him considering that he sort of becomes Yumeko's main goal for a bit. The thing is, Tatsumi in book one was distant and aloof, and their romance never really happened besides a couple of glances. And we barely see Tatsumi at all in this book until the end so I never got the change to care for him or whether he was saved or not.

And don't get me started on Hakaimono.  He's the biggest baddie there is. He's ancient, he's out for revenge, he's the embodiment of pure evil. He's ruthless and cunning and bloodthirsty. And while we did see him do a lot of killing  (a fact that I lowkey loved because it showed him as an actually fierce opponent), he acted and spoke like a moody teenager from the 21st century, down to the bad jokes and eye rolls. I couldn't take his dialogue seriously. Aside from the fact that he's extremely violent, I just couldn't take him seriously at all.

The one highlight of the book? Daisuke and Okame. I am nothing if not here for this. I would rather read their story instead. Think about it, an honorable, royal samurai and a poor, disgraced ronin traveling the countryside, encountering mythological beings, killing monsters, discussing the meaning of honor, saving the world and maybe, just maybe, falling in love???

I would read the heck out of that book.

I also gotta admit, the end of this book, possibly the last 5% of this novel had me completely stressed but for all the wrong reasons. I was hoping, begging Yumeko not to do what she did. That whole ending was designed to bait me into reading the third book and you know what? It worked! 

For better or worse, I'm going to be reading book three whenever it comes out.

Love this trilogy and this book is just as great, if not moreso than it's predecessor. Unexpected romance, a kitsune learning about love for the first time, a boy trapped within himself while an Oni has possession of his body, and an unexpected plot twist that sets the board for an anticipated finale! CanNOT wait for the final book in this exciting trilogy with awesome Japanese mythology!

After the shocking ending of Shadow of the Fox, I knew I had to pick up Soul of the Sword as soon as I could, so needless to say I went with so high expectations into this one, and I have to say that even though it suffered a bit of second book syndrome, I still think it was such an amazing sequel, and we got to know more about that world and those characters.

Like I said before, even though it was pretty interesting to follow and so fast paced and easy to get into, there were times, especially as we were reaching the middle point of the story, where things happened quite slow, and at times, not much happened at all. I wouldn’t say I was bored out of my mind then, but it’s true that I was expecting to be more engaged. However, the rest of the book was fantastic and totally redeemed those little parts that were slower.

There’s something about Julie Kagawa’s writing that it’s so luring and interesting. I thought I was going to be a bit confused at the beginning of the story, because it’s been a hear I believe ever since I read Shadow of the Fox, but truly, it didn’t take me that long at all to remember most details of the first installment. And again, her writing made the reading experience so much lighter and engaging for the reader, with very interesting and detailed descriptions and a fluid dialogue.

When it comes to the characters, I was so happy to see we got a Hakaimono’s POV. I think the demon was such an interesting addition to the story in the first book, and in Soul of the Sword we got to know more about his personality and pretty much his motives. The only thing that stood out to me a bit weird was that, even though he was supposed to be this mighty and old creature, his inner monologue and thoughts seemed sometimes quite... young? It didn’t affect the story at all, but it was something that was a bit odd to me.

I also really enjoyed the other two POVs. Yumeko was such an incredible protagonist, and in this installment the author explored more her magical part, which was so cool. Also I really adored her personality and the dynamics between her and the rest of the group. We also got to read more about Suki, and even though her perspective didn’t appear to be that important, I think she’s going to be an important piece in the conclusion of the trilogy.
One of my favorite parts about this trilogy and world in general, was the mythology. Julie Kagawa created such an incredible and frightening magical world, and it was even more complex and present in this second book. There were more introductions of different creatures, and things that made the book so unique and incredible.

And oh, my my, THAT ENDING. Just like the middle half of Soul of the Sword was slow, that ending was pure fire. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time wanting to know what was going to happen and how everything would end, and praying that none of my faves would die, and I think that just because of those 40 pages, the book was entirely worth it. I honestly cannot wait to read the third installment and finally see how everything would sum up, because things went down in this one.

Overall, I was pretty happy with everything in Soul of the Sword. There were certain tiny details that I wasn’t the biggest fan of, but apart from that I think it was such an incredible sequel.

4 STARS

CW: violence, gore, body horror, suicide mentions, loss of a loved one, animal death, graphic injury

Getting the approval for this book had me over the moon, because Shadow of the Fox way back when was actually my first eARC (and it was 5 stars, mind you)! So naturally, I was excited for Soul of the Sword, and I’m really pleased to say it paid off!

We pick up directly after the events of Shadow of the Fox, in the wake of the destruction Hakaimono has wrought, including his possession of Tatsumi. There’s not a beat missed between installments, and already the pressure is on: Yumeko still has to take her piece of the Dragon scroll to the Steel Feather temple, but she also has to somehow save Tatsumi and avoid death by Hakaimono in the process. Not to mention Tatsumi’s overseers have gotten involved, complicating everything.

Overall, this makes Soul of the Sword less of a travel story and more of a political games story. It’s not without its action scenes (more on those in a moment!), but given that Yumeko has to navigate the wiles of Lady Hanshou, there’s an element of thinking ahead of the enemy, of outsmarting the figures standing in Yumeko’s way. I actually almost preferred the travel narrative better, though, because Soul of the Sword felt…slow, up until the latter half of the book, when the action picks up at last. At least while they were traveling in the last book, there were new characters and new yokai popping up, setting the stage while remaining engaging. This time, though, some history lessons and some chapters from the POV of the antagonist just weren’t cutting it for me.

But when that action did pick up? Oh man. Julie Kagawa hasn’t strayed from shaping up some intense fight scenes in this one, and they are a little graphic in some places to boot (so steel yourself for that if that makes you uneasy). The action is so easy to picture, and so fluid. In some ways, it’s a little reminiscent of the anime fight scenes I’m familiar with: fluid action, pauses to announce intentions and aspirations and introductions, unusual and almost supernatural displays of speed and strength, and a deep-rooted concern for one’s fellow fighters who are also now friends with a close bond. The good stuff, in other words!

I’m especially pleased with how independent Yumeko is becoming, and the consequences of her taking matters into her own hands. She isn’t always fully prepared for the results of the choices she makes, especially in a pinch, and I love that she’s starting to balance her compassionate, gentle trickster side with some steel. I also love that she worries about introducing that steel, about how ruthless she may have to be to succeed. It makes her a very human character, and I’m so fond of her.

Bonus points for her finally getting a slightly better grip on sarcasm. She’s such a delight.

I also feel like I should mention the queer rep in the book. On the one hand, I’m really happy that we see two queer characters right there on the page! On the other hand, they’re not just the only ones we meet, but we only see them through Yumeko’s eyes. It’s this mix of good and bad representation, where they’re present and they’re protagonists of pretty solid importance (yay!), but they also feel like props or puppets in a way, only playing out their relationship while being unwittingly spied on and wondered about by the POV character. Yumeko never really talks to the characters about their relationship, and really, never talks to them at all beyond the mission they share. It makes for some flat traveling companions, which disappoints me for sure, especially when I think the dynamic could be so fantastic with a little more development.

Granted, I am reviewing an arc, and there should be at least one more book. Hopefully this will improve.

In the end, I don’t think Soul of the Sword was nearly as good as Shadow of the Fox. Its pace and character development left something to be desired. That said, I still think it’s a strong book in a series that has world-building I really enjoy, and the direction the plot is going promises a showdown that might involve gods as much as it involves monsters, and I plan to be on board for that.

[This review went live on The Words Gremlin on 6/12/19.]

I received this book from the Publisher Via Netgalley for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Teen!

A beautifully poetic fantasy sequel that will have you guessing at each turn.

This sequel lived up to the high expectations that I had. Julie Kagawa’s ability to write scene so beautifully poetic yet dark and gruesome is something very rare in todays writing.

I have always wanted to read a feudal Japanese inspired story, and this series does not disappoint. It is a rare gem in a sea of YA fantasy. Kagawa infuses Japanese culture, history, language, mythology and folklore with a sprinkle of fantasy to create this magical world full of samurai, ronin, shinobi, miko and demons.

This sequel was a slow burn plot, the author took time to build up to the climax and some may think the story could be slow, or boring. But if you read carefully, there are so many things happening underneath that when the climax hits, you’ll be at the edge of your seat.
My favourite thing about this sequel was learning about the other characters, their thoughts and desires, which is not easy to do in a duo perspective narrative. Not only do we learn more about Yumeko and grow with her as she learns the harsh realities of her world, but we learn about the demon Hakaimono that has been sealed in the sword for hundreds of years. As well as get to know and understand Daisuke and Okame more. I love each character differently, from Yumeko’s innocence and strength to Okame’s witty remarks.

The romance in the story was subtle, but heart wrenching. The among of times I was on the verge of tears. It just got to me. Despite it not being the focus of the story, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I absolutely loved reading heart filled interactions with various characters in this story and it left me wanting more.
I cannot describe how amazing Kagawa’s writing is. She can make something sound so beautiful and yet so gruesome and disgusting. The way she writes her action scenes, you can tell she studied martial arts to grasp how a fight would play out and how it would feel. Her fight scenes are extremely detailed, sometimes too much where I found myself yelling “ew”.
The story was unpredictable and completely satisfying all at the same time. The ending blew me away and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy and read it again. I don’t know how I will manage waiting for the third book! I have no idea where Kagawa is going to take this story, but I am at the edge of my seating waiting!

If you love anime such as Inu-Yasha or Kamisama Kiss then you will love this series!

Soul of the Sword is the sequel to Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa. I liked it, but I liked the first book more. Shadow of the Fox was more like a journey with trials that kept popping up along the way while Soul of the Sword was more talking and problem solving. I gave the beginning and end 3.5 stars and the end 4 stars. She's always really good at writing endings and making you want more. So I am excited to see how this trilogy ends. If you haven't read the first book maybe skip this part...The second book starts off from the ending of the first with Hakaimono possessing Tatsumi who is also now after the dragon scroll. So they spend most of the time deciding what to do and how to separate the demon from Tatsumi without killing him. Then they travel to the Steel Feather Temple for a piece of the scroll where they intercept Hakaimono and chaos ensues. There is one character who acts as if they are all pieces on a game board and he's been moving them around, I am interested in seeing his story and his part in all of this in the next book.
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Thank you to @netgalley for the free arc in exchange for a review.

This was a great sequel to the first book in the series! This one had a somewhat darker tone than the first book, but that was to be expected after how that one ended. It still managed to keep some of the fun of the first one though, which was a pleasant surprise.

The plot continued on where the last one left off. Without spoiling anything for either book, I can say the characters were still on their mission, but this time they had another goal as well and the stakes were upped. This one had less of that quirky road trip feel, and it flowed a little more smoothly than the first since it didn't have those isolated side adventures (not that I minded that anyway).

Once again though, it was the characters and the relationships among them that were my favorite thing! These characters are so fun and lovable. Yumeko was more aware of the world in this one, but she still had some innocence and a big heart. I love her. Tatsumi wasn't in this one as much as he was in the first, and yet I still found myself feeling worse and worse for him the more I learned about him and his past. I want a happy ending for him so badly. Okame, Daisuke, and Reika were all so loyal to not only the mission to deliver the scroll but also to Yumeko. And they were their usual snarky, eccentric, stern selves, in that order. There were also a couple other characters who were either new or became a bit more important to the story this time. I'll admit I didn't enjoy the other two POVs in the book as much as I enjoyed Yumeko's, but her POV was the main one, so it wasn't a big deal.

There was even an unexpected supporting character romance plotline that added some emotion. (And I appreciated that the author found a way to show it to the reader without adding any extra POVs.) It was still the interactions between Yumeko and Tatsumi that got me the most though because <i>no one has ever cared about Tatsumi before, no one has ever shown him love, this poor boy.</i> The non-romancey interactions between the characters were sweet and fun too though, even the way Okame and Reika constantly antagonized each other.

And just in case anyone hasn't read the first book and doesn't realize, these books are set in a Japanese-inspired high fantasy world, full of yokai and demons and interesting creatures! We even got to see more of Yumeko's kitsune magic in this one, which was cool.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with these lovable characters, some more interesting things have happened, and I look forward to seeing what will happen next!

You can read my full review on my blog, The Writerly Way, here.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Okay, I’ve run out of words here on these pages. Where’s book three now, please?

Soul of the Sword takes all the things that were wonderful about Shadow of the Fox (the world, the anime-esque storytelling, the fun characters, the dark fantasy vibes) and really digs deeper for what was a rich, exciting experience.

This felt like a second book, in all the right ways. While it was a bit slow to get started, especially since it’s been a while since I read the first one, it was easy enough to slip back into the world. And I have to say, I really enjoyed the journey.

My Thoughts:

- There’s still so much Japanese lore to explore in this world, but in this book, it becomes darker and more sinister, which I love. And let’s be honest: the Japanese are really freaking good at having slightly terrifying, nightmare-inducing lore. As with Shadow of the Fox, the world was just superbly done, and I really looked forward to all the new elements that were presented. It’s such fun learning about and encountering new sorts of creatures. I mean, they weren’t all scary, either. Like the delightful Neko that Yumeko meets, who promptly tells her off, in proper cat-like fashion, for daring to be in her city.

- Hakaimono is absolutely brutal and I freaking love it. Don’t get it twisted: this is not a guy I’d want to hang out with. Sure, I love villains, and occasionally would even glomp one, despite the threat of death. This is not one of those villains. This isn’t a villain I’m prepared to root for, per se, but one I did enjoy. His motives were simple enough and easily understood. I mean, I’d be pretty pissed if I was super powerful and had been trapped in a sword for a thousand years.

- Yumeko really starts to come into her own as a character and is slowly becoming the badass kitsune we all know she’s destined to be. Not gonna lie: Yumeko’s character really bugged me in Shadow of the Fox, but I hung in there because it made sense for someone who was sheltered and raised in a temple. And here is the glorious payoff, guys! Now that she’s able to embrace her kitsune nature, we get to actually learn more about it. The greatest thing about Yumeko in this book is that she stops being such a passive character and starts taking more initiative. Does she still run off impulsively or do ill-advised things? Of course! But the little rebellions are more endearing in this book, as she stops leaning so much on others and learns to trust more in her own abilities.

- You’ll be happy to know that Okame is still his ever-charming self. Better yet, though, all the secondary characters seemed to have much more personality in this book. Yes, even Daisuke, who felt a bit like a wet napkin to me in the first book. I rather enjoyed him here, and it’s obvious that his personality is changing. We actually get to know each of the characters better and get brief glimpses into their pasts, their regrets, etc. I personally love the supporting characters, so I really enjoyed the chance to spend more time with them.

- I don’t know yet where Hakaimono’s journey is going to take him, but I am 100% committed to seeing it through, because it’s already hinting that it’ll be a heck of a ride. One that perhaps you should wear a helmet for, and maybe extra padding, but nevertheless. Without giving away any spoilers, we get to know a bit more about Hakaimono and his past and his goals first hand, since he’s a POV character. There’s also hints that being in a sword and subject to humans might have … *gasp* changed him! Which would be horrible, obviously. I’m super interested to see how this will play out, especially considering that ending!!!!

- We are all just pieces on a game board, and Lord Seigetsu is the hand that guides us. I have no idea what the game is, but you, good sir, have won my attention. It was pretty obvious Seigetsu was going to be some mysterious figure in the shadows pulling the strings. And surprise, he is! What’s his endgame? No idea. I’m sure book three will tell us.His parts were a little confusing, and I’m still not sure who or what he is, so really, he left me with more questions than I had going in, which is a teensy bit frustrating. But overall, what Lord Seigetsu represents is that something larger seems to be coming for these beloved characters. Something ominous. Most likely deadly. Probably not sunshine and rainbows. Sounds like fun, right?

- There’s a romance, which I can say nothing about due to spoilers, but I’m all about this ship, and I will go down with it if I have to. This one was a surprise for me, because I didn’t catch any inkling of it in the first book that I recall. But from early on in this book, I definitely felt the sparks flying. I knew something had to be up, and it was, and now I’m a happy fangirl.

Sticking Points:

- The story is a little hard for me to follow in places, and it feels like a combination of several things:

Shifting POVs: This wasn’t as much of a problem for me in book one, but in book two, with so much happening and three different storylines basically unfolding separately, it was sometimes difficult for me to smoothly transition from one point of view (and thus one storyline) into another.

A lot of Japanese terms: Okay, I get it, this is sort of the point. And I watch anime, so really, it’s not like I’m not necessarily used to some of these terms. But there were times when it felt really dramatic or cartoonish (I’m looking at you, “nani”). Then were times where it just casually mentions a Japanese creature and then explains it like a Wikipedia entry. That bugs me because it feels so disingenuous because it’s from Yumeko’s perspective and, one, she doesn’t sound like that, and two, it’s obvious she’s telling the reader this instead of being a part of the story.

I’m bad at geography: The sort of bad where if you walk me outside, put a bag over my head, and turn me around five times, I’m now officially lost and will probably die of starvation ten yards from my house. There were a lot of places, which is great, but I have trouble remembering them. And I hate having to stop reading to consult a map to remember what this place is supposed to be. This is obviously a me problem more than a book problem, but the POV thing made it worse because everyone was in different locations and basically the whole book is traveling.

- Yumeko is the youngest and most inexperienced member of the group, having grown up in a temple and being so naive at times in this book that I want to shake her, and yet she seems convinced that her ideas are obviously the best. Because what can a samurai, a ronin, a temple maiden, and a super ancient, wizened priest offer that a sheltered teenage kitsune can’t, hm?! This was the one thing that really held me back from loving Yumeko. Her character also felt a bit inconsistent at times, which was confusing. She would sound so wise and mature and like she’s really taking off the more that she sees the world and understands its realities (both good and bad). But then, at the same time, she knew literally nothing about obvious things like love and relationships. At all. I understood that some of this would obviously be a result of growing up in a temple, but she felt a little too oblivious to everything going on around her. She also didn’t understand simple idioms, and I don’t know why? Surely the people at the temple used phrases like “head in the clouds,” especially with Yumeko around.

Let’s just start by acknowledging that middle books in fantasy trilogies are really tough for me. They don’t hold the magic and discovery that comes with starting a series or the satisfaction of concluding a story. So take my review with a grain of salt. Sadly, though, this book was no exception to my usual second book reading experience.

What I did like about the book: the world-building and the mythology! Soul of the Sword was just as creepy and full of interesting demons as Shadow of the Fox. I loved the places Yumeko travels to. I enjoyed diving further into the world of the mysterious Shadow Clan. I appreciated the high stakes of the book and some of the plot twists! And heck, if you liked how bloody and brutal book one was, you will not be disappointed.

What didn’t work for me: Ultimately, what it comes down to is the plot. It’s a weird thing to say, because the plot makes a lot of sense for the direction of the story --- and overall, I can see why the author made the choices she did in taking it this direction. However, the way everything played out removed some of the most enjoyable elements that I loved about Shadow of the Fox.

I didn’t really enjoy Tatsumi’s perspective this time around, for reasons that I won’t say (because spoilers). And I missed the tension between Yumeko and Tatsumi. As it turns out, that was a lot of why I enjoyed the first book. Mostly, though, it was one event at the end of the book that really threw me. Yumeko remained consistent with her motivations until *one* thing happened that honestly just made no sense to me.

I’m staying vague to avoid spoilers, but ultimately I think whether or not you enjoy this sequel will depend largely on why you enjoyed Shadow of the Fox. It didn’t quite work for me, but I know a lot of people will enjoy it -- and based on where the story is going, I think the last book will probably be more to my taste!

Advanced copy provided by Harlequin Teen through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

(Review posted to Goodreads, link below, and shared in IG stories on 6/14.)

I was provided with an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

A great sequel to Shadow of the Fox!! It was awesome to get see Yukemo again; I love her tricky fox magic and innocent and playful wit. I also found Hakaimono to be super intriguing, despite being the Big Baddie, and he had this super sarcastic humor about him that I really appreciated! As with the first book, the supporting cast is fabulous and account for some of my favorite moments! I can't wait for book three!

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

While reading this book I haven't realize this was the second book in the serie. The first one is Shadow of the fox. So I felt kind of lost while readint it. I had a hard time get into it probably because I haven't read the first one.

But I really love the caracter Yumeko, the kitsune shape-shifter.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Julie Kagawa, and Harlequin TEEN for the opportunity to read Soul of the Sword in exchange for an honest review.

This is the riveting second book in the Shadow of the Fox trilogy. It is fast-paced, exciting, action-packed, and full of Japanese demonic folklore and language. Like the previous book, it has a heavy Inu-Yasha feel to it, which is actually why I like this book.

In Shadow of the Fox, Yumeko has been tasked to take her piece of the Dragon scroll (or Scroll of a Thousand Prayers) to the Steel Feather temple, where the rest of the scroll lay in wait. Many are after the scroll for their own gain, for it can grant the owner one wish. If you had one wish, what would you wish for? Are your intentions good, such as sealing away a powerful demon forever, or would you perhaps wish for world domination and ultimate power? Tough choice. Yumeko needs to seal away the evil demon of demons, Hakaimono.

But first, Yumeko has been asked to visit the Daimyo of the Shadow Clan. To reach the Shadow Clan territory in a timely manner, Yumeko and her companions must follow a shinobi through a secret shadow path where angry spirits aim to draw them away and take their own souls.

When Yumeko meets the Shadow Clan Daimyo, the Daimyo not only hides her hideous, extremely aged form with her shadow magic, but aims to kill Tatsumi, since he has been overtaken by the demon Hakaimono. Yumeko refuses to lose someone she has come to hold so dear and offers to attempt her own exorcism first. There is trouble within the Shadow Clan. Some do not like their current Daimyo's ways and wish to take rule over her. The Shadow Clan way would be to kill Tatsumi, the host of Hakaimono, but the current Daimyo sees something within Yumeko. Whether she can see Yumeko's kitsune half or not, her decision has been made, and she even hints at where Yumeko might just be able to find Hakaimono/Tatsumi before the Shadow Clan gets to him first.

Like: Yumeko chapters. I enjoy following the female protagonist and seeing her finally use some of her fox magic. I also enjoy her internal thoughts about Tatsumi and how she will remove Hakaimono from him without killing him. The adventure itself is fast-paced and fun, and I feel like there is a good lead-up with the quest itself:

Somewhat like: Suki chapters. She's a ghost. She was murdered in book one. Her role has potential. I want to see more.

Don't like: Hakaimono chapters. While I adore the Tatsumi chapters in book one and the few moments he gets in book two, I'm just bored when Hakaimono has perspective chapters for like 20 pages. I care more about the quest to vanquish him over what he is actually doing. If his chapters were a bit shorter, I might appreciate them more. I do have high hopes for his final evil plans. We shall see.

The end was set up in a rather predictable way as well, but I loved how fast-paced this book was and how exciting a great deal of the imagery was. I would love to read the conclusion to this trilogy!

The scroll in hand and moments later the dragon appears. After wanting revenge, a great sword was created to defeat the one who took everything away. Then came the tale of the demon and it being trapped in the sword. In just a few pages, we learn of the sword and demon’s history and instantly I was hooked back into this world.
Yumeko still has a task to do and the one person who is there to protect her is now gone. Kage was to be there for her and together get the scroll to safety. But that all changed when the demon found a way to escape the sword and took over Kage’s body. A demon will do just about anything to be free and it will show.
As each chapter comes along, the pace quickens and drags you deeper into it’s pages until you’ve read the very last word. I can’t begin to explain how amazing Julie is and this may very yet be my favorite series by her…(strong tie with the Iron Fey books).

Ok. I’m ready for the next book now. Please?

One of my favorite books of last year was Shadow of the Fox and I honestly wasn’t expecting Soul of the Sword to top it but Holy Sweet Kitsune did Kagawa deliver!

This long awaited sequel (ok, so it wasn’t all that long but let’s be honest here…5 minutes is too long to wait after that ending in book one) picks up right where Shadow of the Fox left off *sob* and lands punch after punch with each turn of the page. More action, more twists, more excitement and sooo many more feels fill this installment that it’s almost impossible to put down. I love that we get to see relationships and loyalty build and thrive with our crew of heroes and even a few extra surprises along the way *wink, wink*

I’m going to say right now that there are some characters that I wasn’t a huge fan of in the first book *cough* Daisuke *cough* but I have seen the light! Daisuke and Okame have got to be the best paring ever. I loved watching them interact and don’t think I will ever get tired of these two. I also found a whole new appreciation for Tatsumi….again…all the feels. Not forgetting my favorite fox-girl Yumeko; I just adore her. That’s really all there is to it.

Something else I really enjoyed about this book is that we get a lot more super awesome kitsune-ness and some great Japanese mythology. I was completely spellbound from start to finish.

I am one hundred percent addicted to this world and can’t wait to stare longingly at this gorgeous cover (seriously….it is PERFECT!!) while I obsess over what might happen in book 3. I’m ready. Bring it on!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Teen for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest opinions.

I was excited to read this book after reading the first one. I wished there had been a way to have more of Tatsumi. I liked the relationship building of the other characters. The foxes new skills were awesome.

After the events at the end of-of Shadow of the Fox, Yumeko has a choice: try to save Tatsumi, or do as she promised and deliver her piece of the scroll to the Steel Feather monastery in the mountains far away. This choice is made more complicated when they are drawn into the Shadow Clan’s potentially deadly politics. And far away, in a haunted forest, a demon army is rising to conquer the lands and destroy anyone and anything in their way. But Yumeko has hidden strengths– ones that even she doesn’t know about and that she must master in order to save Tatsumi and potentially the world.

In this second installment of the Shadow of the Fox trilogy, American author Julie Kagawa continues her tale of Yumeko, naïve, half-kitsune (fox spirit) girl and her eclectic group of friends as they travel with her to the mysterious Steel Feather monastery. Now that the reader has met them and knows their personalities, Soul of the Sword offers a deeper insight into their personalities and relationships, and their pasts and regrets. But it is primarily Yumeko’s story. During their journey, she continues to learn about love and life and her place in the world.

In a landscape of YA fantasies populated by snide, sword-wielding heroines whose romances often take over the story, sweet Yumeko with her mischievous spirit and illusory fox-magic is a surprising breath of fresh air, proving that a heroine need not wander around kicking ass to be strong. Moody teenagers who solve their problems by punching things need not apply here. Loyalty, trust, and respect are the qualities most valued by our intrepid heroes, and even if they don’t see these aspects within themselves, their friends see them. It’s what keeps them together in spite of the forces seeking to drive them apart and destroy them.

Ms. Kagawa takes us on a trip through time and cultures in this awesome series, Shadow of the Fox, and Soul of the Sword continues the journey. In this book the demon, Hakaimono, has been set free and Yumeko must protect her piece of the scroll of a Thousand Prayers from him and get it to the Steel Feather temple while also trying and send the demon back into the sword Kamigoroshi and releasing the boy she likes, Kage Tatsumi. Sounds easy, well it is not when it seems everyone is after you for your piece of the ancient scroll.

This was a great book the characters are full and the action and suspense is non stop. I don't know how Ms Kagawa kept up the level of suspense and cliff hangers from one book to the next and still had a few left over for the next book, which I am now eagerly awaiting, but she did. I really like the how this ragtag team of misfits has come together so spoil the big wigs at their own game over and over again, but can their luck hold out?

Hoo boy! I was not ready for how fantastic this book was going to be. Shadow of the Fox was a winner last year, and now Julie Kagawa has followed it up with a gem that brings this fantasy impossibly even further to life.

Where on earth do I begin? I admit, I had a hard time at the start. I last read the first book, Shadow of the Fox, back in September, so that's not as long a wait as most series. However, I struggled to remember who half the people were. By the end of about ... fifty pages I was back in it, with the events of the first book flooding back. Which is good. Please don't misread that. I like it when second books jog your memory, not shatter the fourth wall to basically spoon feed you every little minute detail of Previously on ... Although, I still don't remember where on earth Reika came into the story. Whoops. Guess a re-read is in order.

This gang of characters is truly one of the best. It's an eclectic mix but a group that I love. I adored Yumeko in Book one, and she glowed just as bright here. Half-kitsune, her fox powers were on full display this time, and they're growing stronger. I'm actually so proud of her. Naive she is no more, and fiercely loyal. Okame, the ronin, is absolutely one of my favourites. His humour is what often makes the chapters. Likewise to his relationship to Daisuke, the noble prince. They are polar opposites and yet their camaraderie is endearing to say the least. Reika is an all-serious-no-fun shrine maiden that I pity. Poor girl is trying to keep everyone from getting themselves killed and they are not having it.

And let us not forget Haikaimono, the god-awful demon who has hitched a ride inside the body of my precious Tatsumi. My biggest wish of Book one was his relationship with Yumeko would shift more romantic (which, obviously it did, but I'm not digging into that spoiler). I was not disappointed here. I think they're wonderful together, even though they're not really "together." What with Tatsumi being but a blip inside his own body that is now decked out in horns and fangs and Yumeko being a couple hundred miles away. ... Details.

I was surprised to find that alongside Yumeko, we get to see Haikaimono's point of view. And man, is he ever sarcastic. Cocky too. Who knew that's what was living in that sword for centuries? I almost don't want him put back inside. Almost. We also get treated to a little slice of life with Suki, the little ghost who makes appearances at the most opportune moments. She is traveling with someone named Seigetsu. I don't know what his game is, but he is going to play a big part in the third book. And I can't say it'll be good.

In hindsight, it feels like not much really transpired. It really is a lot of travelling from one point to another in each POV. And yet not once in over four hundred pages was I bored or needing to take a break. What I enjoyed so much about both books in this series is just how much fun they are. The fate of their world is hanging in the balance, their tasks near impossible, and yet there is still the brevity written in to make me laugh and smile. The pacing is spot-on and the world-building a touch of perfect. Next time I'm going to have the glossary on hand because I feel I miss so much of the wonderful magic when I don't know what a certain term means.

No matter how much time passes, I will never forget the ending of the first book in this series. It was gut-wrenching. This one is no less emotional. And bloody. And shocking! What a twist lies in wait for you, should you choose to pick up this book. And you absolutely should. Like, now. I thought I knew how it would go, but good grief was I ever wrong. I can't wait to see what Book three has in store for this gang of misfits!

The Soul of the Sword is the 2nd installment in Kagawa’s Shadow of the Fox series. Following a Kitsune Yumeko and her band that she has collected in the first book in this series and Tatsumi, a shadow clan warrior now possessed by Hakaimono, a demon of the highest powers.

Yumeko and crew are trying to secure the piece of an ancient scroll, Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, away from the demons and people with nefarious intentions reach.

Hakaimono, in Tatsumi’s body, joins up with the Master of Demons to retrieve the scroll piece so he can use the wish to free himself from the cursed sword.

You will get multiple POVs, including both Yumeko’s and Hakaimono’s perspectives.

Entrenched in Japanese mythology, Soul of the Sword submerses the reader in an amazing world of Kawaga’s design. Exciting, pulse intensifying tensions and friendships that will touch your heart, this installment takes on a darker tone with demons and evil fighting for supremacy overall.

I received this ARC copy of Soul of the Sword from Harlequin TEEN (US & Canada) - Inkyard Press. This is my honest and voluntary review. Soul of the Sword is set for publication June 18, 2019.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Julie Kagawa
Series: Shadow of the Fox
Sequence in Series: 2
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Inkyard Press; Original edition
Publication Date: June 18, 2019
ISBN-10: 1335184996
ISBN-13: 978-1335184993
Genre: Epic Fantasy | Teen

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