An acolyte who has unsuccessfully auditioned for multiple "pillars" tries again with the trickster fox and finds herself thrown back in time. There's no indication of time period, but I found myself put off by the cursing and cigarette smoking.

Some much needed hopecore! Cahill spins a sweet, funny, and affecting story about coming into one's own, the many modes of resistance, and owning resilience. A fable for our age and all ages.

Nesi needs to become an acolyte. There are 99 gods, and with 96 failed auditions, she is running out of options. When she thinks the trickster god, a fox, is her best option, she will soon realize this fox may be the hardest choice.

This was one of those reads that really surprise you after reading so much of the same thing that it reminds you that original ideas do exist. It was fun and quirky. Sure it was slow at times but the banter and bond between the fox and Nesi was fun and how Nesi manages her obstacles was relatable and different at the same time.

This book has a really cool premise - I love the concept of the 99 gods or "pillars" and that people with godly blood have to audition to be an acolyte of one these pillars. Add in the hopeless MC and a fox trickster god and I was SOLD immediately. However, I felt like the execution fell flat for me.

What I liked:
- The narrative story is broken up with short chapters of in-world folktales. And I have to say, I liked the folktale chapters MUCH better than the actual story. I thought the author's writing style and voice were much more suited to these sections.
- I did enjoy our MC, Nesi. She's kind of a hot mess but she knows what she wants and she's trying her best to get there. I can relate! I did like The Fox better, but I tend to be drawn to characters who are competent and sassy, so that makes sense.
- The book is clearly trying to say something. In particular, I took from the main narrative the message that being connected to your community - the people, the practices, and the land you come from - is crucial if you want to survive hard times.
- The cover is a banger.

What didn't work for me:
- while I could relate to or enjoy certain characters, I never actually felt that connected to any of them.
- This book is clearly trying to say something. In fact, with the main narrative and all the fables interspersed, it felt like it was maybe trying to say too much
- It didn't feel like Nesi's friendships with the people she met in the past were developed very well. So when she was ready to give up her life to stay in the past, it really didn't click for me, and honestly felt unrealistic. Why would she want to stay in a war-torn part of history with people we barely saw her connect with? It just didn't feel believable to me, personally.
- there were lots of glimmers of really cool world building and lore, but because of the length of the book, we didn't get to explore a lot of it.

I think this book may have suffered from having some really big, really cool ideas, and trying to fit them into a novella. All in all, I would call this book very average.

This book would be good for readers who:
- enjoy trickster gods
- enjoy a folklore/fable- style of storytelling

Thank you to Netgalley and Tachyon Publications for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I requested this book because the cover is gorgeous and I really wanted to read about a fantasy book with a fox god. A very new concept for me, so it is safe to say I was very excited. unfortunately, when I started I felt very lost and confused. The prose is very compliacted with hard to pronounce words. The author throws you into the story instead of easing you into it but I still persevered. Until the plot and the references became too real. The plot felt inspired by real historic events like WW2. Our main character is thrown back in time and asked by the fox god to motivate the rebels. There was a statement that said Oranoya (the oppressed) is a global power in the present day and everyone knows what it does to tyrants. At this point, I just couldn't keep reading anymore. It felt too real and too tone deaf honestly given what has been happening in the Middle East.
The author took inspiration from WW2 and not just a bit of inspiration, the setting the camps everything was too realistic, this in itself is weird. In my opinion, to use such a horrifying event in history and turn it into a mythical fantasy book and then to speak of the present tyant in the Middle East and what its doing to literally every other country, justifying its actions by calling the other countries tyrants felt too much of a slogan I have been hearing for the last 2 years. I CANNOT READ A BOOK LIKE THAT AND I CANNOT RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE.
Unless you want to read a tone deaf book then by all means - go ahead.

Audition for the Fox by Martin Cahill
If you had to audition for a god, who would you choose?
In a world held up by 99 pillars of heaven, children with divine blood need to become the acolytes of one of the pillars to leave the temple in which they were raised. Hunted by mortals but bound by servitude, these children have no real freedom. But our main character, Nesi, desperately wants to leave the temple, and being a nervous and clumsy wreck has helped to fail 96 auditions successfully.

Tired and desperate, she decides to audition for the fox, T'sidaan, the trickster god, where delight and danger go hand in hand. The audition for the trickster starts with her being sent into the past, which was a period of severe unrest and tyrants. The initial trust Nesi has in T'sidaan soon dissipates when she realizes that she is stuck in the past and cannot return till she has fulfilled the purpose of her time-travel. What follows is a story of war, pain, compassion, friendship, and hope. This is a story that will hug you and fill your heart with hope without dimming the harsh realities.

For me, one of the best and most beautiful aspects of this story was how human and compassionate it was. Often, stories involving half-blood children depict the gods as cruel, disinterested, or apathetic. But this book was refreshing on that point without being saccharine. It is very difficult to write a novella that will leave you feeling satisfied, but this book exceeded my expectations.
Lush writing with well-developed characters and plot made the reading experience soothing. The world in the story is vast, diverse, and interesting, but it isn't explored in depth. In the first few chapters, I was a little confused, but as the story gained momentum, I understood the basics. And honestly, it is more than enough in this setting, but it can be explored as a potential prequel to this story!

T'sidaan is my most favourite character in this book, and also the inspiration behind one of my most beloved bookmarks. His personality shines throughout the book in the most delightful manner. The development of his relationship with Nesi was realistic and heartwarming. His relationship with his siblings (the other pillars of heaven) is shown wonderfully, with a good balance of realism and depiction of ego/prideful personalities of different gods. I'm now officially preparing for my audition for the fox 🦊
Nesi was a fun character with her flaws and strengths. Her empathy was admirable. I loved reading the story from her perspective and appreciated her will and strength to endure and learn, but I would've loved to see more of her happy moments.

Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good banter that doesn't involve romance, a story that has emotional depth without being too heavy, and something humorous that will teach you something about oppression. So dear reader, if you've made it till here, I hope you give this book a chance, and when you do, I hope it leaves you feeling warm.
Rating- 5/5
Thank you, NetGalley and Tachyon Pub, for the opportunity to read this beautiful book!

Look, sometimes I judge books by their cover, okay. And sometimes, that leads to mediocre books, but occasionally, it leads me to discover not only a book that is absolutely wonderful, but also to an author I’d never read before and whose work I now want to follow. Audition for the Fox falls into the latter category and I am so glad I followed my whim and read it, based solely on the cover art.
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Audition for the Fox drops you right in the middle of the story and leaves you to figure things out as you go. Nesi finds herself, after a brief conversation with the trickster Fox god T’sidaan, set back in time several hundred years, in the middle of her home land’s occupation. While the novella doesn’t come out with the background right away, we soon learn that Nesi has been auditioning to become one of the ninety-nine Pillars’ acolyte. She has been refused by almost all of them, leading her to do something daring, something others warn her of. She auditions for the Fox. But tricksters are, by their nature, not to be trusted, and Nesi’s audition turns out to be a lot stranger than the others had been…

This book is such a delight. While its main plot may not sound like much – all Nesi has to do is help the revolution get started, the revolution that would set her country free from its invaders, something she knows has already happened (in her time), so it shouldn’t be too hard, right? Well… But one small girl dropped in the middle of an entire people, suffering and (at least at first glance) letting themselves be oppressed, turns out to be not quite so easy. What’s a single person supposed to do in order to incite revolution?

Both the Fox and Nesi are wonderful characters, but then I’ve always had a soft spot for tricksters. T’sidaan, to no big surprise, turns out to do a lot of mischief, but not only for mischief’s sake. Their heart – if gods can be said to have a heart like humans do – is definitely in the right place and they show it through every action they take, ever time they intervene in their sibling’s affairs, every moment they spend with Nesi, lending her just the spark necessary to help her along the way.

I really can’t say much about the actual plot without spoiling things, because this is a short book and it’s best enjoyed without too much prior knowledge. But what I can say is that what few characters we get to know all feel like real people (or gods) and I found myself caring about them a lot more than I expected. The way Nesi goes through her audition is at times unsurprising, but at others beautifully clever, and always full of heart.

But what makes this novella shine so much is the world building. Between chapters, serving as a sort of intermezzo, we get stories from Nesi’s world, sometimes written as if a kindly grandmother is telling it to us children, sometimes as if it comes straight out of a book of folklore, but always intriguing and serving to flesh out the world and its myths. These snippets also show us the Fox Pillar and their adventures from the past, how the Wolf was cast out from the pantheon, and some of the trickster’s clever ways. I adored them.

I am a sucker for illustrations in books and I also like foxes, so it was almost a given that I would cheer at the pictures found throughout Audition for the Fox. They are all of a fox, black and white, in the same style as the gorgeous cover, and each and every one of them is beautiful in its simplicity. According to my copy, the interior and cover designer is Elizabeth Story, but I sadly couldn’t find any information about who the actual illustrator is. Author page, publisher page, press kit, Google, they all failed me. 😦

But while this adventure with the Fox and Nesi may be over, I sincerely hope we will get more of them in the future. There certainly is room, seeing as the Pillars are immortal and have plenty of stories yet to tell. Whether I’ll met T’sidaan again or not, I will definitely be on the lookout for Martin Cahill’s next published work, foxes or no.

MY RATING: 8/10 – Excellent

An acolyte auditions for their 97th time hoping to gain mentorship of one of the 99 gods, and must survive the trickster god the Fox. The Fox sends Nesi back in time to overthrow an occupation, and we read about the audition intermixed with chapters of folk tales.

I absolutely loved this. Cahill created a fully realized mythology and world in barely 200 pages that is more steeped in history and lore than most fantasy on the market today. The storytelling and some elements reminded me of the Singing Hills Cycle but it was still unique and memorable in its own right.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Tachyon Publications for the eARC of Audition for the Fox by Martin Cahill.

Our main character, Nesi, has auditioned to earn the patronage of all but three of the ninety-nine Pillars. She has failed each audition. With only three options left before she is either forced to start all over again or live out her days stuck inside the temple, Nesi makes a prayer to T'sidaan the trickster fox. The fox sends her back in time, three hundred years ago. Her audition? Stop the Zemini Wolfhounds and begin a revolution.

The novella alternates between Nesi's story and fables/folktales about T'sidaan and their sibling Pillars. Stories told to child to teach them a lesson, and often they reveal that the fox isn't such a bad trickster after all. Audition for the Fox is rich with world building that draws the reader in. I could read 98 more books in this world centered around different Pillars. What will become of all the characters Nesi meets? Will the forces of evil be beaten down? Will she finally pass an audition?

The novella is a lesson to the reader just as the folktales are to the young children. There are always ways to stand up against injustices. An excellent debut fantasy novella, perfect for fans of folklore and underdog stories.

Audition for the Fox is one of the best pieces of fantasy that I have read all year, and is the kind of debut that wins authors lifelong readers. There are so many highlights here that I almost don't know where to begin... except of course I'm going to start with T'sidaan, the humble god of tricks and the adorable looking fox on the cover of the book. The Fox is simply one of the best depictions of a trickster character I've ever seen in fantasy, and every scene with them was a delight. The creativity of the plot, the strength of the worldbuilding, and the well thought out characters make Audition for the Fox an absolute must read.

After failing ninety-six times to earn divine patronage, demi-god hopeful Nesi makes a desperate plea to the trickster god T’sidaan, who sends her three hundred years into the past. There, in a land under brutal occupation, she must use cunning and deception to lead a rebellion and prove herself worthy of divine power.

The story is sharp, inventive collection of stories that blend folklore, fantasy, and modern sensibilities. Martin Cahill crafts tales that feel both timeless and freshly original, often centring on transformation, identity, and the trickster archetype. The writing is lyrical yet precise, drawing readers into surreal worlds where myth and emotion intertwine. It’s a rich, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

I received a free copy from Tachyon Publications via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Publish date 16 September.

I requested a copy of this book based on the interesting folklore premise and the striking cover. In Audition for the Fox, young godsblood Nesi must dedicate herself to one of the gods in order to leave the temple, but she's failed the trials for ninety-six of the ninety-nine gods. Out of desperation, she auditions to serve the trickster fox god--but their test is to fling her back in history, tasking her with taking part in the revolution against the brutal invasion of the Wolf devotees.

This book is novella length, although it felt shorter due to the fact that nearly half of the book is comprised of interludes containing stories about the fox god's exploits. The background setting is absolutely fascinating: Nesi seems to live in a modernish world, although perhaps it's the omniscient Fox who knows about movies and smartphones, not Nesi. Here, children descended from the gods are sent to monasteries to either dedicate themselves to a god or live out their lives in a comfortable prison. There are dark mentions of people using godsblood for power or as a drug. I would have happily read a full novel in this setting--but we get hardly more than a few paragraphs before being plunged into the brutal and spare world of a labor camp.

Nesi's growth from anxious self-doubt and a deep sense of rejection to a confident disciple of the Fox is satisfying to watch. But her character arc felt a little underbaked, especially with the remote style of the narration. The charismatic and tricksy Fox is fascinating, but I think Nesi deserved more development and pagespace than she got. The Fox is also far more gentle and actively helpful with Nesi than seems to be consistent with their character in the folktales.

As a frequent novella disliker, I'd say Audition for the Fox falls into the would have been better as a full novel category. Still, it has a fascinating premise and setting, and I'm interested to see what Cahill writes next. Particularly if it's set in this world.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-ARC.

Nesi, a cloistered acolyte with divinity in her veins, is thrown into the past by T'sidaan, the vulpine trickster deity. Nesi must learn to accept the unexpected in this sudden adventure. She must acknowledge that her every action will influence the future and ensure/endanger her survival.

Past failures haunt Nesi, prompting her to audition for T'sidaan's patronage. Her previous attempts ended with humiliation, eroding her mental health and leaving her with little support. Nesi's only friend is Ren, an authoritative (a guide/teacher) at the temple.

I could relate to Nesi's pain, especially as a recent college graduate. The job application/hiring process is completely broken. The amount of stress I was under increased with every rejection. Thankfully, like Nesi, I found hope.

i don’t think i’ll stop thinking about this novella for a while :”) this was such an incredible read; rich in its lore, vast in its worldbuilding, and whimsical in its storytelling.

my favorite parts were the bits and pieces of the world’s history and mythology, often told to us through the various tales of the fox and their siblings. i adored this pantheon of pillars that martin cahill has created, and especially loved t’sidaan and the depth of complexity they carried as a character. from trickery to compassion, seeing them guide nesi in her audition to become an acolyte was nothing short of humorous and inspiring.

although short, audition for the fox was a breath of fresh air and is now a newfound favorite! i can only hope that the author provides another opportunity to return to this world in a future story, for i will surely miss it!

4.75 stars! thank you to netgalley and tachyon publications for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

In Audition for the Fox, our Protagonist is a young acolyte named Nesi, a girl who has a Reputation among her fellow demi-hemi-semi "god blooded" priests-in-training. In this setting those descended from one of the hundred Pillars can only leave the temple they were raised in if they have the sponsorship of one of the hundred animal gods. (Who are referred to as Pillars and are believed to hold up the world.)They need these divine babysitters because the "god blooded" are in danger of being used as spell components if they are unattended.

The reason for our Protagonist's reputation? Nesi has managed to fail every audition she has gone to. Our girl has intense anxiety and little ability to focus. After repeated failures and rejections, Our Protagonist is desperate to be chosen by one of the gods. (Not it should clear, because of devotion. Nesi just wants the freedom associated with having a chaperone at first. Nesi is down to three choices, and picks the one she thinks will be the easiest and safest.)

Spoiler: It is not the easiest. It is so much not the easiest.

The Fox sends Nesi three hundred years in the past, to a time when her country was under the occupation of the Wolfhounds of Zemin. (Who are horrible fascist thugs, and devotees of the Wolf, a disgraced and exiled Pillar who has a particular beef with the Fox.) She is given the task of setting off a rebellion in the work camp where she is confined. (Note: the Fox is very clear that she isn't fore-destined to be what sets off the entire resistance. She just needs to spark a flame.) The Fox is there to mentor her the entire time, but Nesi has a bad time of it.

Interspersed with Our Protagonists story, are various myths featuring the Fox. From these stories, it's clear why Nesi at first completely misunderstood the character of the Fox. She thought of him as a frivolous silly prankster and her decision to audition reflected this. Since she had not understood the serious lessons within the silly jokes, the Fox decides to forgo the pan, and drops her directly into the fire--which makes for some fun, if occasionally extremely intense moments of extreme second hand embarrassment--and in some cases, absolute panic for the situation she's in.

Audition for the Fox manages to pack intriguing worldbuilding and a surprisingly hard hitting plot into one short novella. It's a very fast read in that the narrative just pulls you along, and suddenly you're about fifty percent of the way through. Nesi's character arc from disaffected and extremely anxious acolyte, to a seditious rebel is an engaging experience. I liked her immediately, and found her to be extremely relatable. (In the sense that she's trying so hard, has no real idea of what she wants to do in life, and keeps running into walls between her and a life. Same, Nesi, same.)

Too long; didn't read: Tricksters are for funny pranks and also for organized resistance against oppressive regimes.

I enjoyed the book. I kind of wish it had been longer. It's an earnest book that manages to get its ideas across without preaching. (Except in the sense that Fox goes into mentor lecture mode about philosophy, history and causality in regards to time travel.) I will settle for a long series featuring the temporal adventures of Nesi and the Fox. Ten or twelve books would be fine!

This review is based on a galley received from Net Galley.

This isn't something I would normally read but I found this intriguing. I am mythology and folklore being incorporated in to stories. I struggled a bit in the beginning with all unfamiliar names and places. The short stories in between each part seemed unnecessary in an already shorter story but I enjoyed the artwork. I really liked the Fox. They were a trickster but also a teacher. While they were silly they also came off as patient and kind. Overall, I really enjoyed this and am glad I got the chance to read it.

It’s OK. I’ve read similar books and short stories. I don’t think there’s enough reflection on how the Wolfhounds got to this place. It also reads like the author got inspiration from Indigenous societities— if he did, they deserve explicit credit. The lack of exploration kind of killed the mystery for me.

A fun read, something I need more of. A lot of deus ex machina, which is part of the story and funny and appropriate. I liked Cahill's prose, gets to the point and lets the characters carry the plot.

Audition for the Fox was a novella done right - enough world building and detail to keep readers engaged, but also leaving room to want more.

Nesi has trained to be an acolyte of one of the 99 gods of The Pillars, failing all but 3 of the gods’ auditions. In a moment of snap judgment — likely in her frustration and doubt — she decides to audition for T’sidaan, the trickster fox god. They send Nesi to 300 hundred years in the past, asking her to kickstart a revolution for an oppressed people.

Cahill has built a world that highlights the importance of resistance (both the strength and resilience it takes) as well as the importance of stories and how they are shared. These points are illuminated at times separately, but also beautifully interwoven through backstory of T’sidaan’s lore.

In a time where both resistance and joy are needed, Audition for the Fox reminds us that both are necessary to one another. He’s built a world that is only of the beginning; I truly hope we get more of Nesi and T’sidaan showing us how to resist through trickery and stories.

Thank you NetGalley and Tachyon Publications for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I'll be fully honest this might be a 3 star book, but it just felt so right when I was reading it. Nothing it is doing is that exceptional, in fact I feel like a lot of it is overly trope-y, and leans more YA than i normally prefer. But there is just something about Nesi's mission of overthrowing this camp that I found utterly enchanting. I also loved everything with the 99 pillars, especially my boy the Worm of Dreams.

Can't say I recommend it, but for me it was a really, really great novella.