⭐5
🌶️0.25

This is now my second Katrina Kwan book, and I also loved this one! This is very much in the I vibe with it--style of writing. Perfect for fans of Her Radiant Curse. Where the character is presented to us as a certain evil, but are they really? Uncovering the connections of the FMC to the main character---TO THE SIDE CHARACTERS. PLEASE--I was crying because whaaat! This isn't found family in a cozy setting but found family from the hardships of life and the trials they face together--and it is so beautiful. The growth of Yue and Sonam throughout the story was just so good!

This is a dual POV book follow Yue and Sonam. Yue is a nine-tailed fox demon and Sonam is a demon hunter. Sonam captures Yue and as he is banishing her to hell, she pulls him down with her. They strike oath and tie their lives together to help each other navigate this dark new landscape and find a way back out. Along the way, they learn that Sonam's guards--friends--were also sent into hell and they go on a rescue mission. Together they all face the trials of hell.

I was immediately drawn to Yue and just fell more in love and felt so much for her every time we learned more of her story. She was forced to be a lone fox after crossing paths with the Maskmaker. Because she isn't inherently evil and has a line, she loses so much. I think the way everything in this book connected was absolutely brilliant!

What You Can Expect:
📖Demon Fox x Demon Hunter
📖Slow Burn
📖Enemies to Lovers
📖Found Family
📖Magical Masks
📖Trials

Well that was DELIGHTFUL. I wasn't sure what to expect here, but I absolutely adored the depths of both Yue and Sonam's characters and stories. Beautifully told, and the little journal entries at the beginnings of the chapters were a great way to watch the changes in the relationships. The connections at the end also really drew me in, I love it!

Engaging romantic fantasy. Tropes:
- deadly trials
- journey through hell
- enemies to lovers
- hunter and hunted
- slow burn
- found family
- vengeful gods
- disability representation w/ sign language used
- scars
- grief
- Chinese-inspired world

1/5 spice level.