Description
One thousand years ago, a wish was made and a sword of rage and lightning was forged. Kamigoroshi. The Godslayer. A weapon powerful enough to seal away the formidable demon Hakaimono.

Now he has broken free.

Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has one task: to take her piece of the ancient and powerful Scroll of a Thousand Prayers to the Steel Feather temple in order to prevent the summoning of the Harbinger of Change, the great Kami Dragon who will grant one wish to whomever holds the scroll. But she has a new enemy now, more dangerous than any she has yet faced. The demon Hakaimono is free at last, and he has possessed the very person Yumeko trusted to protect her from the evil at her heels, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan.

Hakaimono has only one goal: to break the curse of the sword and set himself free to rain chaos and destruction over the land forevermore. To do so, he will need the scroll. And Yumeko is the only one standing in his way.

My Thoughts:
This second book from the Shadow of the Fox series suffers because it is the middle child. Like many middle of the series books, this one is given the difficult job of engaging the reader and keeping the reader invested in the series even if the job of a middle book, in the scheme of things, is to take the reader through the building action (think back to school when teachers gave out the story arc worksheet with setting, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution).

To keep readers, most of the fantasy series take care of that by putting the main characters on a quest so that the second, or middle books just become a mini story arc in the middle of the journey (J.R.R. Tolkien mentored authors on how to do this ). Others may switch the point of view so that the there is a side story as different characters need to do something and then meet up with the protagonist at the final battle (like the Throne of Glass series).

So what about this series? Kagawa is an experienced series writer so I know she can do it. This second book, though, fell short and I am trying to figure out why that is. She has the quest thing down (gather the scrolls, save the world from turning into hell on earth). That in itself, though, is not enough to keep the momentum going. Going back to Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings series -- the intention from the beginning was to destroy the ONE ring which is why they needed to go towards Mordor and cast the ring into the Cracks of Doom.

Like the Throne of Glass series, this can prove tricky because the power of the item (the ONE ring, the wyrdkeys) is a temptation for the heroes/heroines because it could possibly give them just enough power to get what they want. However, it always comes at a price.

The issue I had with the Soul of the Sword was in the nonsensical rationale to bring the one piece of the scroll directly into the hands of the enemy who actually had the other two pieces. I know it cannot be destroyed, but the time for the reawakening of the dragon is so close that destroying the scroll and waiting it out for the return would seem more rational than basically going towards the enemy with the scroll.

I think the other thing that made this book go so slow is that there was no other sacrifice or other love interest that would give the impression that the heroine might abandon the quest. Without that, it felt like, as a reader, that I was just slogging through to get to the inevitable end of the book (getting to Tatsumi in order to help get Hakaimono back into the sword).

Finally, I think the trick of the author at the end is not worthy of someone with her experience. In other words, after all that, to just say (in jist) oh now we have a common enemy so let's play nice for now to go after this new enemy and we shall fight again another day (or at the end of the next book) is not enough to keep readers invested for another year before book 3 comes out. Perhaps once this series is over the books as a whole will be more binge worthy. I can see that. At this point, though, it is just not memorable enough for me to calendar a reminder that I am supposed to be waiting for the next installment.

An advanced digital copy provided by Net Galley and the publishers for an honest

Four and a half stars: Kagawa continues to spin an incredible story with detailed world building, unforgettable characters and plenty of action.

Yumeko is torn. She knows that she must continue her quest to deliver the piece fo the ancient and powerful Dragon Scroll to the Steel Feather Temple to save the world from the Kami Dragon. Yet, she longs to pursue Tatsumi who was is now possessed by Hakaimono, the demon that used to reside in his sword. She fears that if she doesn’t get to Tatsumi soon, his soul will be lost to the demon, but on the other hand, if she doesn’t get the scroll to the temple, the world could plunge into darkness. To make matters worse, the demon, Hakaimono, has joined forces with the evil Master of Demons. Yumeko must hurry, but as always there are many dangers in her path. Will Yumeko and her companions succeed or die trying?
What I Liked:
*I was more than eager to dive back into the complex world created by Ms. Kagawa to catch up with the ragtag gang who are trying to save the world. Needless to say, this second volume didn’t disappoint. It was riveting.
*I am still astounded by Kagawa’s outstanding world building. If you have never read anything by Julie Kagawa, you need to in order to experience her brilliant world building. This book takes you deeper into the world of Iwagoto. Prepare for more magic, demons and ghosts as well as intriguing places such as The Shadow Castle. I can’t get enough of Kagawa’s world building.
*I loved seeing this ragtag group of misfit characters who were thrown together in book one, continue to travel and work together. I am thrilled to see them grow and transform. Yumeko especially learns to wield her fox powers with more skill. She is becoming more competent. It was exciting to see her save her companions more than once. Reika is the one tasked with trying to keep the group together and focused, she is constantly looking after Yumeko. I love her and spirit guardian Chu. Okame, the war dog, provides plenty of comedy relief along the way. He appears all gruff and tough on the outside, but he is really a softie. Finally, Daisuke, the noble, who is skilled with a sword, is the protector of the group. I like seeing him get out of his element. This little band of heroes has stolen my heart.
*Then there is Hakaimono, the demon released from the sword. At first, I didn’t like being in his head, seeing him try and torture trapped Tatsumi, but there is so much more to Hakaimono than meets the eye. He has layers and layers. It was interesting to see new sides to both Hakiamono and Tatsumi. I can’t wait to see them evolve more in the final book. I am intrigued!
*For those of you who like action, there is plenty of it in this one. Prepare for battles and more battles. There is rarely a quiet moment in the book!
*I was surprised by the development of another romance in the book. It was unexpected, yet brilliant. I can’t wait for more.
*The book builds and builds to a thrilling climax before culminating into an ending of sorts. Yes, it ends on a little cliffhanger, but it wasn’t an urgent one. I am more than eager to see how it all goes down in book three.
And The Not So Much:
*The story line is complex, and it grows even more intricate this time around. It took me awhile to immerse back into the story as it has been a year since I read book one. I was drowning early on, and I was desperate for more recap. I wish there had been just a tiny bit more recap to help me regain my footing.
*The character, Seigetsu, and his companion Taksu are an enigma to me. I am still not sure of their purpose and I want to know more about their roles in everything. I especially want more information on how they came together and more on Taksu’s visions.
*I missed Tatsumi in this book. His voice is buried beneath Hakaimono. I am hoping for more of him in the final book. I did like getting beneath Tatsumi’s layers a bit and learning more about what made him tick.
* For those of you who are not fans of blood and violence, stay away from this series, it can be quite gruesome at times.

Soul of the Sword is every bit as captivating as the first book. I love the detailed world building, the complex characters and the intricate plot. Ms. Kagawa is a master story teller. If you have not yet experienced her master story telling, I urge you to check out this series. It is outstanding. Now to hang on until the release of book three!

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.

Although I must admit that I enjoyed the first in this series more, the setting was as rich and engaging as ever. The character dynamics were on point as well.

This book was incredibly boring and I kind of lost interest about halfway through the book. I don't know, I think I've just lost interest in and care for this series. which is disappointed because I was definitely excited when I first jumped into it. Hopefully eventually, I'll be in a mood to pick it back up again and give it another try.

Soul of the Sword was such an awesome sequel! High action-high drama everything I wanted it to be! I'm a little sad about waiting for the next one but it will be so worth it!

Although I really enjoyed the first book in this series, I felt that the pace of this book was much slower. Hakaimono's pov really did not sit well with me and very much dragged the story. This felt like a middle book that is there to just fill in the middle of a series.
The later chapters, the ones with the actual plot, all of the suspense and action were what I was missing the whole 3/4 of the way through. I will continue with this series, but I am hoping the next installment will have better pacing.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this early copy!

DNF. I really enjoyed the first novel, The Shadow of the Fox via Audiobook. However, for some reason, I could not connect with the second novel.

I found this sequel to be much slower than the first. I had to convince myself to pick it up and finish. The final one hundred pages or so was all action and I loved it. Despite it being a slow story, the world was fascinating. I love what Kagawa has done with Asian mythology. I loved all the different aspects of the world. I especially loved the Kitsune magic and seeing Yumeko learn more about it and herself.
This squad of unlikely friends gives me life. I love the way they bicker and argue. I loved the dynamics between them. There was a bit of male/male romance going on and I’m not sure how it will end but I’m so here for it. I don’t want to get into too much detail, but this group of friends is loyal and determined to beat the odds, to do what is right even if it leads to their deaths.
I definitely enjoyed the first book better, but I think that’s more because of my relationship with the fantasy genre is a little wobbly right now. I made myself read this rather than waiting until I was in the mood for it and that might have had en effect on how much I liked it. I definitely suggest it for anyone looking for fantasy that isn’t European based. It’s full of characters you can’t help but love, fascinating world-building, and myth and folklore that I’d never known anything about previously.

This book was fantastic! It's rare that the second book in a series doesn't experience some sort of lag or just falls short of the amazingness of the first book. It was interesting to me that our main characters spent so much time in one place as compared to the previous book -- but readers were able to see the more intricate nature of class and the culture of respect that was common in the time period that the novel is set in. I really liked how more introspective the novel went and we really got to see how Yumeko starts to evaluate her feelings toward the ninja. There were a number of scenes where she's being told what her feelings are which I found to be rather frustrating -- but Kagawa really let Yumeko figure things out for herself and I loved seeing Yumeko get to witness different kinds of love and respect in this novel. My only real complaint is that the side characters took on more of their trope-y characteristics and I am REALLY disappointed at how Okame's character was portrayed this time around.

Yumeko and company are back and planning on delivering the part of the scroll to the Steel Feathered Temple that Yumeko carries. But, Hakaimono has escaped the cursed sword and is possessing Tatsumi. Yumeko plans on rescuing Tatsumi along the way to the Steel Feathered Temple. And oh, the adventures they have on the way. An enforced visit to Kage Castle, walking the Path of Shadows, facing Kage assassins, and confronting an army of demons lead by Genno, Master of Demons. And since, this is the second book in a trilogy, the tale ends with a nice cliffhanger to keep the reader tetering until the next book comes out. Oh, Tarsumi is rescued, well sort of. Read the book and find out the details!

Soul of the Sword is the second book in the Shadow of the Fox series and picks up Yumeko's story almost immediately where the previous book left off. Tatsumi has been possessed by the demon Hakaimono and no longer has control of his own body, instead he is trapped deep inside his own mind and forced to watch as the demon uses his body to do unspeakable things. Yumeko knows she has to protect the remaining piece of the Dragon Scroll at all costs but at the same time she is determined to rescue Tatsumi even if that means putting her own life in danger.

I'm going to be honest and say I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as Shadow of the Fox, I missed Tatsumi's character and I felt there were times when the story lagged a bit, but it's still a strong instalment to the series and it definitely left me eager to get my hands on a copy of the final book asap.

Julie Kagawa really excels with her world building here, I love her use of Japanese mythology and all the different types of creatures she has introduced us to in this series. The different yokai & kami, the sword fights and the magic all combine into a fairly action packed story that kept me turning the pages. While I missed Tatsumi and the relationship he has with Yumeko I did find it interesting to see some of Hakaimono's point of view and I love Okame, Daisuke and the others who add a little light hearted fun to the story. Don't let the fooling around lull you into a false sense of security though, there is danger all around and the ending was a shocker!

Soul of the Sword is book two in this series and I enjoyed it more than the first book. I'm having such a hard time reviewing this as it's the second book and I do not want to spoiler ANYTHING! The characters are strong and my favorite part of these books. I am going to talk very lightly about this book so it's mostly random lines that may or may not make any sense.
So, demons are everywhere, trouble is brewing. These characters are what makes this story different. They are witty and willing to do what it takes to save what they love. There is a new relationship developing in this book and I am all for it. I don't know what more to say without giving anything away from either of these books. But I am dying to get the next book because this ENDING was crazy! They are still looking for pieces of the powerful scroll, and danger is following them with every step they take. There is a death, that did make me sad.

I don't know what more to say other then the culture in the book with the characters will make you fall into this world.

To be honest, as much as I loved the setting, the characters, and the continuation of this story, the sequel was not able to grip my attention as much as the first book did.

Before I begin my review, I want to thank Inkyard Press and NetGalley for sending me an e-book arc for an honest review!

I absolutely love this story! I fell in love with "Shadow of the Fox" when I received it in one of last year's Owlcrate boxes. I love fantasy but I never really read anything about Japanese folklore and culture. Let me tell you though I was hooked really quick!

This sequal, "Soul in the Sword" was darker, action pack, and really hit you in all the feels. The character building was my favorite to be honest. You really get to know more of the main core group characters and delve a littler deeper into their relationships with one another.

***Small Spoilers From First Book***

Poor Yumeko and her friends have a lot to face in this sequal while they have to figure out how to get a piece of the Dragon Scroll to the Steel Feather Temple and to protect it at all cost. They also made a new enemy, newly free big bad Hakaimono, a ridiculously old demon who was trapped for centuries in a cursed sword and now has taken over the body of one of their friends, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow clan.

That's not even half of what they have to face in this book and trust me, if you find this intriguing, go check out the first book "Shadow of the Fox" to learn more of Yumeko the kitsune and the beginning of the whirlwind adventure. Then when your hooked, you will want to grab a copy of "Soul of the Sword" next! Prepare yourself, it's a wild ride! Oh and don't worry, next year there will be a third book.

Happy Reading!

Soul of the Sword was even better than the first book in my opinion. Like the first one, it had a long journey and it was a fiery beast. I was so happy to see all of the characters we love back and growing stronger than before.

I loved the character development we get to see in this second installment. I thought Yumeko still sounded very naive throughout most of the book. At the end she seems to grow immensely and I was happy to see it. Also, I was very happy with Tatsumi’s end-game in this. It was unexpected, but I’m super curious to see how it plays out in book three.

We also get to see more of the world and empire which is always super fascinating. I loved getting to see more of the shadow clan and how mysterious and sneaky they actually are. I would even mind a spin-off of a character growing up in that clan. It would be dark and absolutely entrancing.

Overall, I am SO happy with where this story is going. Julie Kagawa continues to slay the fantasy world, and I cannot wait to read the next installment!

**I received and advanced copy in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own**
I think it’s fair to say that I love everything I’ve ever read by Julie Kagawa and this book is most definitely included! I loved that there was more character development and world development, on top of what we got from book one.
It was a fast pace, which I liked, but not too fast. There were definitely times I had to take it slow to understand some of the words.
The ending of this book had me wanting more and now I have to impatiently wait for book 3. I can’t wait for it though!

This book is the second in the Shadow of the Fox trilogy and is best read in order.
Yumeko has been successful in keeping her portion of the Dragon Scroll safe so far, but her friend Tatsumi has been taken over by the evil Hakaimono, who is bent on destruction and revenge. The diabolical Lord Genno is after all fragments of the Scroll, and he will stop at nothing to obtain it. Lady Hanshou and another mysterious man are also after the entire Scroll, whether to make a wish with it or to use it for other purposes. With the rest of her friends and allies, Yumeko must find the Steel Feather Temple and find a way to save Tatsumi before it's too late, all while concealing the Scroll fragment. They will encounter many enemies and frightening, dangerous circumstances as they travel, and some may not make it out alive.
I enjoyed this second installment of the Shadow of the Fox series, but it is definitely more dark, violent, and horrifying than the first book. This type of book is definitely not my normal reading material, but the story is very well done and keeps me coming back to find out what happens. This series is rich in Japanese folklore, so there are many names and terms to keep track of. Many can be figured out by context clues, but the glossary in the back was extremely helpful for me. The characters are well drawn and realistic, and the descriptions are so vivid that I could see the events playing out in my mind as I read. I liked how the chapters were written from several different characters' perspectives because everything made much more sense that way. I didn't personally agree with some of the views and lifestyles presented. I recommend this book with reservations due to the dark nature of the content, but I think those who enjoy fantasy and folklore will enjoy this series. The ending was a little bit of a cliffhanger, and I am looking forward to reading the next book to find out what is next for Yumeko and her friends.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Kagawa once again takes us back to the world of demons, dragons, and magical greatness. This book is full of wonderfully written characters, a beautiful world, and a story that sucks me in. Once again I will recommend this title to anyone that love fantasy, strong characters, adventure, and demons/gods/spirits.

I requested Soul of the Sword without realizing it's a second book in a series. I attempted to read it, but I definitely need to read the first book. For now, I am not reviewing. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I knew this sequel would be amazing because pretty much every one of Julie’s books are. Seriously though. I always love the first book in a new series by Julie but the sequels are where the stories really take off and this one doesn’t disappoint at all. I loved Shadow of the Fox so much and Tatsumi and Yumeko’s stories separate were new and intriguing but together shined bright and captured the readers attention. Afterall this isn’t just another fantasy set in a far away land. This is set in Japan guys!! It doesn’t get more exciting than this!

I thoroughly enjoyed Yumeko’s growth throughout Soul of the Sword. She started the story off still very young minded and she is inexperienced in life so it’s believable and isn’t aggravating like other characters have come off to be to me, but her naivety soon left and I enjoyed watching her grow and learning more about her kitsune heritage.

Even though I thought it interesting to read from Hakaimono’s POV, I didn’t really find his character believable. There was a lot of violence and that suits a demon’s perspective sure, but there was also a lot of inner dialogue in the beginning and that made it hard to believe that it was a demon and not more of Tatsumi. I needed more of Tatsumi!!

I still enjoyed the side characts throughout the sequel. Daisuke and Okame are definitely favorite characters of mine and their personalities really help to add more emotion and humor to the story!