Rated 4.5 stars on Storygraph.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the narration style; it’s hard to describe, but it felt like I was being told a story in a cozy room and it somehow felt nostalgic.

The plot was lovely, with lessons to be told of greed, of reciprocity, kindness, and both the plights and happiness of small towns. All told in a very cozy way that explored the themes but did not feel too dark or treacherous. It was a story I couldn’t wait to pick back up every time I set it down. Definitely a book I would love to read by the fire, or in the mountains, or with a cup of tea.

I rated this 4.5 stars because while the narration style was lovely and felt unique, I didn’t quite feel the depth of the story and characters as much as I have with other books. As much as I enjoyed my time I just felt the story was very surface level.

“I’ve felt alone my whole life, but I don’t when I’m with you. You’re my home, and I am yours.”

When apprentice witch Verity Vox and her cat-familiar Jack discover a mysterious leaf that reads “We are cursed. Help us,” they're pulled into a mystery that leads them to the forgotten town of Foxfire. There, Verity is welcomed by Gilly, a young woman who offers her shelter—and a glimpse into the town’s troubles. People are vanishing in the mountains, the town’s only bridge has collapsed, and all signs point to a shady, mysterious, and magical man named Earl. Determined to break the curse and uncover the truth, Verity digs deeper only to find Tacita—the girl who summoned her to Foxfire. As Verity’s power grows stronger, so do her feelings for Tacita. With the fate of Foxfire in Verity’s hands, she must stay focused, but her heart strays and longs for connection, knowing that once she saves the people of the town, she must leave and continue her journey as an apprentice.

This middle-grade fantasy has an irresistible cozy vibe that's perfect for a rainy day. With flying brooms, rich folklore, and a cast of unique characters, it offers an appealing atmosphere. I especially loved Jack as Verity’s cat-familiar, and my favorite whimsical element was that Verity sings her spells, which made the magic even more enchanting. I appreciated the cast of strong female characters, especially Verity. I also fell in love with the setting of Foxfire—gloomy, eerie, and cozy—which evoked the nostalgia of a supernatural show taking place in the 1900s. The sapphic romance between Verity and Tacita was another highlight. It was slow-burn, subtle, and sweet. That said, the pacing felt slower than I anticipated. It took a while for Verity to confront the curse, which made it harder to stay engaged. The writing also felt flat at times. I’m not sure if that's due to the third-person narration or the middle-grade tone, but I did find myself wishing for more emotional depth. Overall, I felt it was a magical story and great for younger audiences. If you’re looking for something adventurous, sapphic, and similar to Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, this is the perfect book for you!

I thought this was a clever story. The writing style was odd at times, but certainly kept you on your toes. I thought the love story felt like an afterthought. It had a cute meeting and ending, but the middle was left mostly to imagination of the reader. Which is fine if the intended audience is lower YA. I liked the villain and the atmosphere of the town. The mystery was compelling. I just think the writing style/narration choice made it hard to emotionally attach to characters on a deeper level.

This cozy little book is wonderful in all the right ways! We’re introduced to Verity, a young witch in training, who finds herself in the town of Foxfire. Set in the heart of Appalachia, Verity has to work towards helping out a town that already has a wary view of magic. This book reminds me a lot of Kiki’s Delivery Service, and I think that’s a big part of why I enjoyed this book. The story and the words are beautifully put together, and this is a book I can see a lot of people enjoying.

Giving feedback on this one soon , my tour schedule is gor next week I am loving it so far. The cover is lovely and the pacing is captivating. Full review soon

In Appalachia there is magic in community, hospitality, gossip, and the deals we make with the darkness.
But some people have more magic than the simple spells we murmur over our biscuits and gravy, and those people are witches.
Verity Vox is a witch in training and finds herself drawn to the forgotten town of Foxfire by another forgotten wish on a leaf.
Crops dont grow, milk goes sour, and nobody can leave. Accompanied by her familiar, Jack, and her new friends Verity goes up against the cunning contractor that has bound the people of Foxfire and faces the limits of her seemingly endless power.
A cunning story about small town community, growing up, and the magic we all have inside us. Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire comes out August 4th, a must read for anyone who is a fan of Kikis Delivery Service, Appalachian folklore, and coming of age stories.

"What is magic after all but having the gall to believe you could tell the world around you how it ought to be then watching as it did as it was told?"

Definitely unique in the YA space — reads closer to a middle grade novel but has a significant amount of body horror content (which is probably what drove the recommended age from PW up). I liked the Kiki's Delivery Service vibes Verity had and the plot felt original, but the pacing and narration style were not for me. Not sure if I missed big chunks of information because of that or if some plot points just came sweeping out of nowhere. If you need more books for young readers coming into the teen collection for the first time, this is a solid choice — provided they're okay with depictions of hearts out of chests, human flesh monsters, and people just withering away into corpses described in detail.

Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire is the kind of cozy read that sneaks up on you. Soft magic, wholesome sapphic romance, and a village of prickly yet kindhearted people. It’s not a loud story with dramatic battles and explosive spells. Instead, it’s a quiet tender tale about belonging, healing, and choosing your home. If you like your fantasy with a touch of Kiki’s Delivery service and Anne of Green Gables but queerer, whimsier, and witchier, this one’s for. You.

This book is an absolute gem! It has me craving crisp fall days and the mountains. Don Martin's writing is melodic. The characters they have crafted will stay with me for a long time. I love Verity's spirit and this "new" type of witch. I would love to be friends with her. I can't wait to recommend this to students!

Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire is a cosy folkloric fantasy about a young witch learning to trust her magic and find her place in a strange, sorrow-filled mountain town.

The tone reminded me a little of Kiki’s Delivery Service, with a touch of something darker lurking underneath. Foxfire feels like a real place, full of charm and grief and stubborn hope. I loved the way the story balanced its whimsical magic with heavier themes of loss, fear, and community resilience.

Verity is such a loveable narrator as well! Brave, kind, a little unsure of herself but always determined. Her bond with Jack made me smile throughout, and the quiet sapphic romance added a lovely softness without taking over the plot.

Perfect for fans of magical realism, cosy fantasy, and stories where power looks a lot like kindness.

Perfect for fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service, Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire will sweep you off your feet.

What a truly heartwarming and whimsical story of a young witch trying to find her place in the world.

This book somehow made me cry and laugh all within a span of a sentence. Filled with hope, love and a bit of magic Verity, Jack and the town of Foxfire worded its way into my heart. I adored the sense of community in this story. While Foxfire has its little quirks the imagery and people of this cursed little mountain town were truly enchanting. I loved how the mountains were described and how silly and real characters like Mrs. Miller and Theny Hazlett felt.

Verity was also a very enchanting main character. Full of wit and gumption I had no doubt in my mind Verity was going to find a solution to any problem thrown her way. I appreciated the queer romance in this as well. Tacita and Verity were adorable together and I wish I could read more about their adventures.

Lastly, I loved some of the darker twists this story had. I really enjoyed the way our villain King Earl was described and how gruesome some of his deals were. I also enjoyed how the writing conveyed the heaviness, grief and sorrow the town of Foxfire had been through yet, the humor and whimsical tones throughout the story really conveyed how much hope this little cursed town had and it made me love it so much more.

Overall, this was a truly enjoyable and cozy little story. I highly recommend to all my Kiki’s Delivery Service fans (especially if Gigi was one of your favorite cheaters - Jack Be Nimble is truly the best animal companion in this story) and those who are looking for a little magic in their lives.

Thank you to Netgalley and Page Street Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A cozy and curious tale about a witch in training takes the reader to a small forgotten town of Foxfire. Verity must aid the town within the trickster that has preyed on the townsfolk and kept them sequestered from the rest of the world. Along the way, Verity and her familiar, Jack, help the town with their troubles, make new friends, search for a missing girl, and uncover a way to end the curse that is plaguing the coal mining town of Foxfire.

The writing of this story was reminiscent of Lemony Snicket narrating stories from my childhood. I felt immersed into the life of Verity Vox and the troubles in Foxfire through unique and whimsical storytelling. I could envision a series of Verity’s adventures that I would repeatedly want to dive into. This is a timeless tale that I look forward to sharing with my kids as they get older! I absolutely adored this book and am so thankful to have received an ARC.

Verity Vox is an apprentice witch. Travelling to a new town every year she sings her spells helping however she can along with her familiar, a most-of-the-time cat, Jack. When she’s summoned to a town cursed by a peculiar man with magic deals that always go wrong, she knows she will truly be tested. But the hills have eyes (and other things) and there’s something powerful under the mountain. Can Verity solve all the mysteries of Foxfire and save her friends before her time is done?

Oh, my heart. As a West Virginia girl who grew up with magic in her soul, a song ringing through the trees, and creek mud… well, everywhere, this one is a special delight.

Foxfire is a forgotten town with woes of all sorts, the fantastically magical deals and the mundane trials that aren’t so singular in a state full of forgotten towns. Verity is here to help, but it’s hard to help people who were abused and abandoned by the people promising the good life. For the first time she experiences the feeling of being unwanted and it’s in a place that needs the most help. Trust is the rarest commodity. Her journey is hard but worth it.

This cozy story is packed with magic, yes, we have flying brooms and singing spells, cryptids and folklore galore, but it also dives deep into the magic of the heart. Through understanding and connection, we see the power of people working together and the deep pull of home and family that no curse can twist or break.

Y'all! This is oh so fun. If you're looking for a middle grade adventure packed with heart, folklore, and 'there's magic in them there hills' vibes then look no further.

Verity and Jack are sublime, they can visit my house and help out anytime!

I love Foxfire and the history that's rooted in a real story of a forgotten town. The people are so real, I felt right at home with the side eyes and begrudging acceptance and never fail hospitality to boot! I loved watching the characters embrace who they are and what they can do together. Nothing beats the magic of love and understanding.

Figuring out the local cryptids was a special bonus while reading. And the songs, obviously! I can't wait for the audiobook!

Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire by Don Martin is a sharp, atmospheric read packed with magical mischief, cursed secrets, and a heroine who’s as bold as she is stubborn. With sly fox spirits, small-town suspense, and just enough emotional grit, it’s perfect for fans of stories where myth and mystery collide. A fiery start to what feels like a wild new series.

💥Five fun reasons to pick up Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire!

1. A Fearless, Sharp-Tongued Heroine! Verity Vox is the kind of main character who refuses to back down even when ancient curses, shady secrets, or arrogant fox spirits get in her way. She's clever, defiant, and just the right amount of snarky.

2. Magical Mayhem Meets Mystery! Think cursed relics, a town that hides more than it reveals, and a creeping supernatural danger that only Verity can untangle. If you love stories where magic hides just beneath the surface, this one's for you.

3. Small Town Vibes with Big Secrets! The setting feels cozy and creepy all at once. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows something, but no one wants to say it out loud. And that tension? Delicious.

4. Found Family & Fraught Friendships! Verity doesn’t just battle curses, she also navigates loyalty, betrayal, and complicated relationships. The emotional stakes are as high as the magical ones.

5. Foxfire Lore with a Fresh Twist! Drawing on Japanese kitsune mythology but filtered through an original lens, the foxfire curse adds mystery, danger, and a bit of unexpected romance to the mix.

⚡️Thank you Toppling Stacks Tours and Don Martin for sharing this book with me!

Kiki's Delivery Service meets the remote wilds of Appalachia in this coming of age story about a young witch learning what power actually means.

I was initially drawn to this book because of its setting. I'm originally from Georgia, and regularly traveled through the foothills and occasionally through the heart of Appalachia, so the setting was home-familiar. Hearing the comparison to the Ghibli movie Kiki's Delivery Service only sweetened the deal. And those two draws did not disappoint. The setting of Foxfire was rich and fleshed out by a cast of background characters that breathed life into the small town. Our central ensemble of characters was similarly lively and notably women led. From Gilly to Mae Miller to Tacita, this story features strong women that each support Verity in their own way. Verity herself was a fascinating character so full of pep and confidence while also being notably naive and at times uncertain in her choices. This story really is about her growth and her honing of her power, so it was fun to see those characteristics shine through and show where she could grow.

I did feel like it slowed around the 70% mark. The story really builds up to Verity's first face-to-face confrontation to Earl and it felt lackluster when it finally happened. Then the book seemed to drag on with constant confrontations that seemed very similar each time. I may not have been in the right headspace reading the last third of this book, but it felt super repetitive. It also seemed like, after Earl's return when Verity let him into the mine and she strikes her deal with him, that could've been the end of a first book and the rest of the story could've been expanded into a second book. I feel like a lot of the repetitive-ness could've been resolved by expanding the remainder of the book into a second story.

Overall, I did enjoy this story. I think it's a great early-YA story (or advanced MG) with really rich writing. Despite some of the drawbacks of the later half, Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire is a sweet coming of age story.

Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire by Don Martin is a delightful blend of witchcraft, folklore, coming-of-age dynamics, found family and the ethics of power. The cursed town of Foxfire has an authentic Appalachian feel, one of those long-forgotten places where only the residents themselves seem to be aware of its continued existence.

In a town full of people who mistrust magic, Verity manages to find a place for herself, through hard work, trust building and a deep determination to prove herself as a capable witch. Along the way she forges real friendships and discovers the value in not taking your gifts for granted. I enjoyed the way certain relationships developed and how Verity, and familiar Jack, found a family of sorts and a place that felt like home for a while. Her struggles with mastering magic, learning to wield it more effectively and with integrity added to the coming-of-age trope.

The good vs evil aspects highlight the difference between service to self and service to others, a recurring theme throughout the book. To me, this aspect was the core of the story and its overall message. One particular line in the story sums it up beautifully, 'Power must be measured with wisdom, humility and care.' This line is a gem well worth remembering.

I'd recommend this book to the teen-YA audience, as there are some more mature elements including dismemberment, that younger audience may be uncomfortable with. The sapphic elements were incredibly mild and felt more like a deeply connected friendship and naturally unfolding dynamic than what many would consider 'sapphic'. It was so mild it was barely there and wasn't a key storyline at all. Again, very age appropriate and simply sweet feeling.

Thank you to Netgalley, Toppling Stacks Book Tours, Page Street YA and Don Martin for the opportunity to read Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire. All opinions are my own.

This book gave me Kiki's Delivery Service vibes! It has a young witch, still learning the ropes, she flies around on her broom and she has a black cat familiar. There were a lot of fun and unique side characters who really grow on you. I will say this book was a bit slow paced for me, however I think it really added a lot of charm to the book! You got a sense of the town, the settings, the characters and how the town came to be cursed. This was definitely a cozy read.

This was a good book, but somewhat uneven in tone. At times it read like a middle grade book, but then toward the end it had some mild body horror and elements that were certainly more mature and better for a teen audience. The story was somewhat interesting and the characters were believable. I guess my biggest criticism here is just that I *wanted* to love it and in the end I could only mildly like it. I think it had some elements of true potential that were somewhat squandered; I kept waiting for something more climatic or engaging to happen, or deeper explanations or understanding of Verity's magic to occur, and then those things kind of happened, but they fell flat. I feel like this is a book that people will be excited to read and then forget about a few weeks later. I just wanted more from it, overall. Still a decent read, and perhaps it just didn't connect with me and others will love it.

This is a charming book with cozy vibes. I found the characters to be well written and unique, and I especially adored Jack. I very much enjoyed the found family aspects of this book. I felt that the ending could’ve been better explained, as I was a little confused on Earl and the mountain lore. I thought that incorporating the lore was a great concept but I didn’t feel like I understood it as well as I would’ve liked.

This book brings me back to some of my favorites growing up - notably, Miss Switch comes to mind in terms of vibes. We love a quirky, capable witch. The characters of Foxfire are beautifully drawn, I felt like I knew each one of them. I'm really looking forward to recommending this book - there is a bit of a "gap" in options for this youngerYA/Upper MG age group and i think this is a great one.