Girl goes to college. Girl steps outside her comfort zone. Girl meets boy.

Girl is in way over her head, and before she knows it, she's transported--rather abruptly and much to her surprise--into a world that overlaps her own yet is something completely different, a world of magic and fairy bargains and fox maidens and danger the likes of which she's never known.

An excellent story full of magic and mystery. The writing itself was beautiful, the kind of writing that transports the reader into the world of the book and makes you feel each scene with all five senses.

I literally lost time while reading this book; that's how immersive the writing was. The story ends with a perfect set-up for a sequel, so I hope we've got a series on our hands here.

This book felt like Alice in Wonderland x The Secret History to me. Emma gets into an exclusive gothic university on a prestigious scholarship, and suddenly she’s drawn into the dazzling world of Britain’s elite. Through Julia, she’s welcomed into the social scene, but also into their secret society: a place where belonging quickly turns sinister.

At first, it feels intoxicating. Then the ceremonies begin. And then comes the fox hunt where Emma is the prey. That’s when the story shifts into something much darker. Emma’s role as a social-class outsider is central to the story, she’s thrust into the rarefied world of privilege and wealth, and the constant power imbalance between her and the elite students around her feels sharp and suffocating, echoing the same class tension and quiet menace you’d find in a film like Parasite.

What makes this book so great is how it layers reality with something stranger. It has a touch of magical realism, blurring the edges of the real world of mortals with the Night City that pulses like its own living, breathing thing. It’s fantasy, but it’s also a story of masks, illusions, and power games, with layer upon layer interlacing until you’re lost in it. The “book within a book” element is like Russian nesting dolls where you keep peeling back layers and falling deeper.

I was left with this haunting sense of unease, but also wanting to learn more about the Night City. “Feudal fairyland”, secret societies, the city as its own character - it was stunningly done. I really wish there was a book two, because I’m not ready to leave this world.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

I received an invite from the publisher to read The Fox Hunt based on my previous love of all things fantasy. And they were right - everything in this story was exactly up my alley! It’s a dark academia fantasy novel with atmospheric prose and thriller vibes. It mashes the otherworldly and gothic horror against a decidedly modern backdrop. I loved the blend of genres and the themes of feminine rage, sisterhood, survival, and revenge.

It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel! The pacing and arc of the plot were superbly done. I loved Emma’s development from unsure and studious to hardened and cunning. Her relationships with the fox maidens and the librarian and his sister were some of my favorites. I was fully immersed in the setting, in the characters, and the mystique of it all!

This story is perfect for lovers of:
- Dark academia and secret societies
- Tricky bargains and shadow realms
- Feminine rage and revenge
- Sentient cities and libraries

While the initial mystery resolves, the door seems open for future stories in this world. I would love to see more tales featuring Emma, the University, and the Night City!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.