From the first chapter, I felt immersed in this beautiful world of Japanese folklore.

Yumeko lives among monks in a temple secluded in the mountains. Yumeko is half kitsune (half human, half fox) and they are known tricksters and troublemakers - so I loved her from the start. Her personality is so fun and refreshing and I found myself giggling and taking pride in her “pranks”. I also loved the little details about her ears twitching or flattening throughout the story.

Tatsumi is the demonslayer of the Shadow clan - “a weapon with no feelings” meant to complete his mission only. You alternate perspectives between these two and it is nice to see his character growth too.

Their paths cross when evil strikes and they need each other to find parts of the ancient scroll that will summon a dragon to grant one person any wish as it has once every thousand years. Of course, they are not the only ones looking for the scroll and come across many other enemies, allies, and supernatural creatures along the way. All while trying to conceal their own secrets as well.

This book was an adventure and such a fun read! The writing was so beautiful and descriptive, and I loved how deep you went into this world of Japanese mythology and folklore. I loved the characters and ugh, that ending!! Very much looking forward to book 2!

I couldn't get into it. Maybe it got better? Basically, it's a story of a demon girl (fox spirit) and a demon-killing boy (with a demon possessed sword) who are going to, presumably, save the world somehow and also fall in love. I'm not positive. I only made it 20% into the thing. There's a scroll and a kami (god/spirit thing) and a wish and they have part of the scroll and have to collect the others and stop other people from getting it and not let ultimate power corrupt them and ugh, basically it was a lot of pressure and I wasn't feeling it. It could have just been my mood. Definitely don't take my opinion to heart. if you like Julie Kagawa's books or writing or you ... I'm not sure if you're really into Japanes folklore/history/myths/settings that you will enjoy this? Because I like all those things (MA in Asian Studies here) but I didn't like this sooo... Maybe if you like them without already knowing a lot about them? No, I don't know. Anyway, you may like it! I don't know!

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa is a book that I received from Net Galley as an ARC copy to read and review. This book is scheduled for release later this year in the beginning of October. Julie Kagawa has become an auto-buy author for me, so when I heard about this book I was wicked excited for its release. I was even more excited after I read the synopsis. This book was different from her others. When Net Galley approved me I definitely squealed more than I’m willing to admit.
Our story starts with a girl, Yumeko, who is part human and part kitsune. I loved getting to see the world through her eyes as she went on the adventure in this book. She’s been raised by monks in an isolated part of the world that Kagawa has created. She has learned everything she knows about the world from the monks that raised her. So when everything falls apart and she needs to flee the only place that she’s ever known as home and essentially go and save the world. A lot of responsibility for a girl who’s never been out into the real world, so it was funny and interesting to see the world through her fresh eyes, to learn things as she embarks on her journey. She sees the best in everyone and looks on the bright side of everything.
This brings us to our second perspective, Tatsumi. He’s the complete opposite of Yumeko. He thinks the worst of everyone. He’s been all over the world doing his samurai duty. He’s seen the worst of the worst of people and other sorts of things. He is mostly pessimistic until he starts to travel with Yumeko. She starts to break down his walls, which may not be the best thing for him.
I so loved seeing them interact. These two characters were so opposite and it made for a funny and interesting story. The story itself was fabulous. I loved the Japanese mythology aspect of it. It’s something that I haven’t really read much about so it was new and unique to me. Because of this I had to take my time with the book. It’s not a book that could binge because there’s so much information that I needed to read slowly and make sure I didn’t miss anything. Shadow of the Fox was a fascinating story and I don’t know when the second book comes out which makes me so sad.
Kagawa has done it again with a wonderfully written and extremely entertaining story that left me wanting so much more. She built an incredible world filled with characters that made me laugh and shake my head. I took like two weeks to read this book because I just did not want it to be over. For the readers out there that like mythology, this is for sure a book to keep your eye out for when it’s released this upcoming October.
Keep on reading lovelies, Amanda.

Review: Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

Kagawa's ability to create such likeable characters and believable worlds are her greatest assets. Throughout each of her book series, you will root for her characters to succeed against all odds. 

 I loved Yumeko. Her kitsune nature was fascinating and the warring influence of her human and supernatural sides was amazing. Tatsumi's coldness made him quite unlikeable for me at first. He did grow on me over the course of the book, but seeing him through Yumeko's eyes was much more enjoyable than his own perspective.

Shadow of The Fox also boasted some great side characters. The monks who featured at the beginning of the novel were very well developed, especially considering how short their page-time was. Funny and charismatic Okame added some humour to the later part of the book, reminding me of the effect of Jackal in Blood of Eden. The villains were also great.

One thing I found a little frustrating, though, was the shift from the first chapter to the main section of the book. In the space of only a few pages I managed to get oddly attached to a young maid character. She was soon killed off, with the story shifting to Yumeko. While a resolution to that strange opening character does come later in the novel, I did find that it made for a slightly disjointed beginning. 
Once I'd got past that initial uncertainty, I fell in love with this novel. The world-building was incredible and I loved the use of Japanese culture. I felt completely absorbed in the group's journey. Towards the end all of the tension ramps up and I flew through the final pages, waiting to see what will happen next.  I'm already looking forward to the sequel! 

Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin TEEN and Julie Kagawa for the opportunity to read SHADOW OF THE FOX.

Holy hot damn this book is incredible!!!!! Julie Kagawa is a new author to me so I had no idea what to expect when I got the ARC. From the moment I started reading I was transported to Iwagoto, a land filled with samurai, monks, yokai (creatures of the supernatural) and characters who I want to follow everywhere!

Yumeko and Tatsumi are two characters who we get to see change and grow as they journey from the Silent Winds temple to the capital to find the one person who knows where the legendary Steel Temple is. Yumeko and Tatsumi encounter other characters along the way who help them because Yumeko sees the best in others. Something that really struck me is how Julie shows the reader the complexity of human nature with each of these characters. Selfishness is apparent in all of them but also a need to help someone who has helped you, the willingness to stand up for others less fortunate and how working together usually leads to a favorable outcome.

Things get spoilery from here so if that’s not something you enjoy, you can stop reading here and skip to the bottom for preorder information!

•••••••

Okay if you’re still reading, some thoughts on the story. I really like the relationship that grows over time between Yumeko and Tatsumi. Yumeko is not fully human and she grew up in a temple with monks. Tatsumi is a shinobi, a samurai warrior who is only sent out to kill for his clan. He’s in a constant struggle to maintain his humanity in the face of a powerful demon trapped in his sword. These two young people meet and have to figure out how to trust each other even though they’re both hiding things from each other. Because this is the first book I can’t wait to see how Yumeko and Tatsumi get past her omission of her true nature. Julie created characters I’m so invested in, that I’m rooting for them to get past this hurt and somehow stop the dragon from being summoned.

The other characters also fascinate me because Julie has given us just enough to make us curious. I want to know what happened to Okame, a masterless samurai who brings such humor throughout the book with his sarcastic observations like "So, you're coming with us, to make sure Kage-san stays alive, so you can kill him later." How the Shadow Clan and Lady Hanshou ever got Hakaimono trapped in the cursed sword Kamigoroshi and why Tatsumi was chosen to bear it. I also want to know why Taiyo Dasuke, a cousin to the emperor is looking for the ultimate fight that could end in his death and what Suki's spirit will do now that Lady Satomi has been taken care of by Seigetsu, a character shrouded in mystery. I have so many questions and I can't wait to see where this story goes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even missed a stop or two while commuting to work because I was so engrossed. Mark your calendars for October 2, 2018 and get this book, because you're going to love it.

P.S. If you have school or work, you'll be sleep deprived because you won't be able to put it down.

Julie Kagawa's newest book does not disappoint!! Shadow of the Fox is one of the best fantasy books I've ever read. Thoughtful world building and really well developed characters make this one hard to put down. I cannot wait to get the next book of the trilogy!

Yumeko is hiding her true identity and powers. She is really a Kitsune fox girl (shapeshifter) who has been raised by monks in the temple. When the temple is attacked by demons she must flee with a piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. Her duty is to protect the scroll and get it to the lost temple. Scared and alone she must find her true power.
Tatsumi is a Kage Samurai who has been entrusted with a sword containing a powerful demon. His mission above all else is to find the scroll and kill anyone who stands in his way.
Fate brings the two together for an epic adventure. But, will their secrets lead to mistrust and death? Can they learn to trust each other? Will they discover that they are enemies?
Kagawa use of amazing descriptions helps the reader to be in the story with the characters. The story is based in Japanese Mythology and is fantastically written. This is a great book for those who like fantasy adventures set in eastern realms such as Eon by Goodman or books by Sarah J. Mass.

Yomeko has escaped her temple home with their greatest treasure, everyone else there has died including her master that helped train her in her fox kitsune way, now she must travel to another temple that she promised to take this treasure too. Yomeko ran into a samurai running from the demons that attacked her temple and he, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan, helped save her, but his job, why he was there, is to get the treasure she holds, what will happen when he finds out she has it, and what she really is?

This book is so good, it is filled with a lot of Japanese lore and rich characters that no matter which side they are on at one moment, their allegiants might just change the next. There is so much action it will tire you out and you will find yourself holding your breath at times with the suspense and tensions in parts. This book will transform you to a different time and place as you read it and you will feel like you are there with them and because of this you won't want to put the book down and when you get to the end you to will be clamoring for more.

Review will appear on blog 2Oct18

Shadow of the Fox is the first in a new series by Julie Kagawa and you will be immersed in gorgeous world building and Japanese mythology. Straight out of the gate you are dropped into a cruel and brutal character introduction that sets the tone through the rest of the book and you barely have enough time to catch your breath before the next thing hits the fan.

Our MC is Yumeko who has lived with monks her entire life and is completely innocent to the ways of the outside world. She is a kitsune - half fox - and with that comes a fun, trickster personality. When evil hits too close to home, she is tasked with taking a piece of a sacred scroll - the Dragon's Prayer to a safe temple. She swears to protect the scroll at all costs.

With the scroll hidden safely away, Yumeko sets out to find the temple, but immediately runs into Tatsumi - a demonslayer who wields a sword called the Kamigoroshi that is possessed by the nastiest of demons by the name of Hakaimono, who demands bloodlust and destruction. Tatsumi has to be on his toes at all times, keeping his emotions in check, because if he lets that curtain fall just once Hakaimono will be unleashed and will take over Tatsumi leaving those around him no choice but to kill him.

Tatsumi's only mission set forth by the Shadow Clan is to retrieve the scroll - no matter what. Without knowing that Yumeko actually has the scroll on her person, he agrees to take her to the hidden Steel Feather Temple where Yumeko claims the scroll is and where Tatsumi plans his ultimate betrayal of taking the scroll and killing Yumeko and anyone who stands in his way. Unaware that Yumeko is a kitsune and believing she is a mere peasant, he agrees to be her protection on the road. So a tense journey begins, with neither showing their full hand, and Yumeko knowing that Tatsumi is as dangerous as the demons he kills himself.

Along the way they "acquire" Okame who is a ronin (a once samurai that has lost their status and doing whatever he can to survive) and boy was he fun! Clearly the comic relief that forever wore Tatsumi's last nerve and introduced Yumeko to the finer things in life - like how to be sarcastic!

Split between 3 different POVs - two being Yumeko and Tatsumi - you really get to see Yumeko's world open up with different experiences, emotions, and interactions that she never had before. With Tatsumi - watching Yumeko experience all these things for the first time with wide eyed wonder and innocence, as well as showing him kindness and trust while knowing full well what he is and what he is capable of - the wall Tatsumi built to keep out anything happy and beautiful starts to crumble which he knows will have dire consequences.

The 3rd POV is from the evil in this story and it carries the title well - swift, vicious, and unapologetic. The monsters unleashed by this evil seriously had my skin crawling at times and I was pretty sure I would have nightmares. Eeesh!

While the ending is not a punch-to-the-gut cliffhanger, it definitely sets up a delicious direction for Book 2. Sign me up and take my money! Do not miss out on this explosive introduction to your new favorite series!

I.AM.SHOOK!!

This is easily one of the best books I have read this year! When the opportunity to receive an ARC of this novel came up, I initially only requested due to the hype surrounding Julie Kagawa (even though I have yet to read any of her other beloved series) and I am beyond glad that I did!

Quick Synopsis:
This is the story of Yumeko a half Kitsune (Fox Shapeshifter) who sets out to carry her dying masters last wish after her temple is destroyed by Oni (deamons), to deliver an ancient scroll to another temple for protection. During the attack on her temple she runs into Demonslayer Kage Tatsumi, whom unknown to her has been sent by his clan to seek for scroll for their own immortal master.
Yumeko knowing she will require protection for her journey convinces Tatsumi to accompany her on her journey under the guise that she will lead him to the location of the scroll. Obviously their journey is one full of adventure and danger, they meet and in Yumeko's case make friends along the way.

This book is incredibly well paced, with a unique story that will keep you from putting the book down. There is a great bunch of character development and I was never once frustrated with the decisions the characters were making. Julie is an experienced author who manages to avoid many troupes associated with the YA genre.

I highly recommend picking this one up when it comes out! Having now read this ARC I'm beyond sad I have to wait so long for the next installment.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is YA fantasy, so you expect going in that the guys are going to be super cute and at least one super dark angst-wise, and that the heroine will be gorgeous. Accept that set in a standard quest fantasy, sit back, and enjoy.

Yumeko, our teenage heroine, alternates first person chapters with the hero. (With one exception.) She is half-kitsune. Early on, demons burn the temple Yumeko was raised in and kill all the monks, including the master who trained her to both use and hide her kitsune shapeshifting powers. Yumeko escapes with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll, and runs into Tatsumi in the woods.


Tatsumi is well-renowned and widely feared demonslayer, sent to get the scroll at any cost, or die trying. He’s the keeper of a sword possessed by a powerful demon named Hakaimono. Hakaimono waits patiently for moments of weakness in Tatsumi's guard to possess him and take over his body, so the Kage clan has raised Tatsumi to avoid emotional attachments, to kill when ordered to kill, and to bow to the sword if they decide he needs to be killed for the good of the clan. He’s strong and focused . . . until he meets Yumeko.

I know that kitsune are pretty much the standard yokai when writers dip into Japanese lore, but there’s a reason for that: they are akin to Coyote and Loki, tricksters who can be fun. In Kagawa’s hands, Yumeko is fun—but the key to her personality is a good heart, which makes the story work. There’s no sign of the “bratty princess” YA trope in Yumeko, who along the journey collects handsome guys.

Some of the first person alternation makes for slightly bumpy pacing, and there’s some finessing of what Yumeko knows and can do that shows the authorial hand, as well as some lazy prose tricks, but those are outshone by Yumeko’s terrific character, the banter once Okame comes along, and most of all, by the worldbuilding, rich with Japanese mythology.

Be warned, this book ends with a cliff-hanger, but don’t avoid it because of that. It’s way too much fun to read! I can hardly wait for the second half.

Living in her isolated temple with monks, Yumeko doesn't do much beyond training her magical abilities and playing pranks. But one of the monks tells her a story where every 1000 years, a great dragon can be summoned to the person who possesses the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers so they can make one wish - and that time is quickly approaching. Yumeko's life is then thrown upside down when her temple is attacked by demons, and she manages to escape with a piece of the precious scroll. In her escape, she is thrown into the path of Kage Tatsumi, a samurai from the Shadow Clan. He is also seeking the scroll for his own reasons and is ordered to kill anyone and anything that might get in his way.

I was both elated and wary when I received this ARC. Elated because Julie Kagawa is one of the earliest YA authors I ever read, and I've been a diehard fan of her works ever since I first read The Iron King. And then I was wary because I did not enjoy her Talon series. But I am happy to report that Shadow of the Fox is classic Kagawa, and I was so pleased to read it.

Let me start by saying I love Japanese mythology. It may be my early childhood spent watching an unhealthy amount of InuYasha episodes and playing video games that had enemies inspired by Japanese myths, but this novel felt familiar in a really good way. Greek and Norse mythology may be popular right now, but please give me more books with Japanese mythology.

I also loved Yumeko. She's a bit naive due to her upbringing amongst monks in an isolated temple, and therefore doesn't quite grasp sarcasm (which sometimes leads to amazing deadpan deliveries). But she's not so naive that she lets herself get fooled by complete strangers or taken advantage of (usually). She has a really good nature, which is important due to her identity as a half-human, half-kitsune (basically a mischievous fox spirit), and is very determined in her journey.

Tatsumi and later Okame were good companions for Yumeko. Okame especially reminded me of Puck and Jackal from Kagawa's respective The Iron Fey and Blood of Eden series. They're all sarcastic, likely to betray you at a moment's notice, and generally given to violence. Okame has a few great exchanges with Yumeko that I particularly enjoyed. It was harder to like Tatsumi as a character/love interest, despite spending about half of the novel in his head (the novel is told mostly in alternating first-person POVs of Yumeko and Tatsumi). He's more closed off as a character and didn't have enough moments to break through his "armour" - though maybe sequels will have that opportunity!

My only issues with the novel were when the pacing slowed down a bit (i.e. with seemingly irrelevant stop-overs in villages or unnecessary fighting) and the ending, which was bogged down with too many characters I didn't really care about. I loved the final plot twist though and I am ready for the sequel!

If you want an action-packed fantasy set in historical Japan, with samurais, spirits, and demon-slayers, and a dash of romance, please pick up this book!

To be completely honest when I first received the email from NetGallery saying I was selected for ARC, I kinda dreaded it. I tried to read her other series The Iron Fey but it just didn't click for me and I dropped it way back in early high school. But I'm glad I decided to give this story a shot!

This story takes place in historical Japan (I'm not sure exactly when to be honest) centers a young half kitsune half human girl Yumeko who was raised by monks at a temple when she is forced to travel with a shinobi with a demon-cursed sword and others they collect along the way. They are on a journey to collect pieces of a scroll that are needed to summon a dragon to grant a wish.

Honestly I think the reason I enjoyed this story so much was because it reminded me of so many great anime/manga that I've seen back when I was obsessed in middle/high school. In particular it reminded me of Naruto, Inuyasha, Princess Mononoke, and others. There also is a great deal of mythology and creatures that seemed legit but as a white woman I don't know how historically accurate they are. I do wish there were more female central characters, for the majority of the story you are only following Yumeko and rarely Suki. There are hints of romance for later books but mostly romance free in this one. I definitely recommend if you enjoy Japanese history/mythology and/or manga/anime. I will be looking forward to the next installment to this series! Again I received an advanced reader's copy of this story from NetGallery for my honest review and opinion.

What a fantastic and elegantly written book. Loved the references to Japanese culture and how they interwove so well with the story. Need the sequel to come out soon!

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. The cover is what attracted me to selecting this book to review. Plus it contains some Japanese Mythology and foxes (Kitsune). I could not wait to get my hands on a copy of this. I read the blurb about the book and knew right then I had to read it. It is a bold, in your face, magical, out of this world adventure. Yumeko is a wonderful character and I know she has to keep what she is a secret for most have a dislike to her kind for things that come natural to her. When death and destruction comes to the temple where she was raised and trained she barely makes it out with the sacred relic. This is what has her cross paths with Kage. He has orders to recover the pieces of the scroll no matter what it takes. Yumeko is very much aware of this. I don't want to give much away but I am very excited for the next book. Saying that now when this one is not even out yet.

This book follows Yumeko, a kitsune (half magical fox spirit/half girl) as she journeys from the only home she has ever known to save the world. In her possession is one piece of the Dragon Prayer., which will summon a destructive force to the world if put together. As she looks for a safe place, she is joined by a demon slayer, a dishonored samurai, and a member of the royal family. However, each member of this ragtag group has their own secrets, some of which are more dangerous to the mission than others. AS they progress on their journey, they encounter demons and magic along the way. A great read!

This book was a great read. You have the archetypal tortured/supposedly-cold-hearted boy meets naive/innocent girl, but mixed in with all of the details of Japanese sorcery and fantasy. It was an exquisite read. I guess I'll have to go and read the Iron Fey series while I wait for the next book in this trilogy to come out!

I loved this book and ended up staying awake until 3:00 in the morning to read it! That doesn't happen very often. I really liked the characters and their solutions to overcoming any demons or beasts that went after them. That being said, there was a clear pattern of Tatsumi killing things and Yumeko problem solving or figuring out the way to best deal with the monsters in order to help others. There wasn't any romance between them in this book which is unusual for a young adult/teen book and was somewhat refreshing. That being said, there is potential for some in the second book "Demon of the Blade" which unfortunately isn't out yet. I will definitely read it when it does, especially with the cliffhanger ending of this one!

I absolutely loved this book. I don't know a whole lot about Japanese culture or folklore, but after reading this book I want to devour any book based on it. I think this is a beautifully written book as well. It doesn't hurry. The plot develops in a natural way as do the characters. One of my pet peeves is characters being rushed through their development of how they interact with each other. The interactions between Yumeko and Tatsumi are natural. There's no forcing them to be in love or that they should be in love. Instead, what happens is a natural progression of two very opposite people getting to know each other as well as getting to know themselves more.

I also really like the additions to this duo that end up forming this rather ragtag group of people. Again, great characters that add humor and insight. I dislike that I have to wait for the next installment. I need to know what happens now.

Yumeko is a kitsune - a fox with magical powers. Well...sort of. She's half-human as well, and has lived her entire life in a monastery with monks, getting into trouble and talking to other forest spirits in the surrounding forest. One day, that comes to an end when the monastery is burned to the ground by a giant oni - an evil demon summoned from another plane. The monks are all killed, and Yumeko manages to escape with a piece of scroll and a task. And the only way she might have a chance of succeeding at that task is by tricking the samurai she ran into in the forest during her flight from the monastery. However, this is no ordinary samurai - and he may be more danger to her than the oni chasing her for the scroll.


The setting is an older Japan, complete with legends, folklore, and magic. Samurai are commonplace, and each of the clans has their own territory, their own talents, and their own loyalties. The descriptions of the land, as well as of the people, buildings, and temples within, truly give the reader a sense of understanding a place they may never have seen.


Yumeko is just one of several characters that get added to the story as it progresses, though she remains the main focal point. I do appreciate the characterization that develops for each of the characters - even those who are supporting rather than part of the main cast. Honestly, this may have been my favorite part of the book - Kagawa has a talent for helping the reader learn the numerous personalities and feel connected to each one.


Here is where I struggled a bit - the story itself. Don't get me wrong - Japanese folklore and mythology?! Really, it would be hard to go wrong. And Kagawa's writing is quite good - this is the first of her books I have read, and I would certainly be interested in others. The problem I had is that it started to seem repetitive. Now, I'm a spoiler-free reviewer - always - because I know how frustrating it can be when things are revealed before one has the pleasure of reading it for themselves. So what I will say is this: there are new people that end up traveling with Yumeko, and while circumstances were different, the end result was the same. After this had happened a couple of times, there was no longer any doubt when it started to happen again. That did take some of the pleasure out of the book, so that by the last couple of chapters, I was getting somewhat frustrated. Having said THAT...the ending introduced an unexpected twist.


Overall, I really did enjoy the book - I just wish that some of the redundancy I wrote about above had not been there. Regardless, even with that, I really liked the Japanese emphasis, the characters, and the tale as a whole, and I would certainly want to read book two when it comes out. There is a great tale to be told here - hopefully now that things are set up, the story will continue to excel and the repetition will no longer be necessary.

(This full review will be posted on www.vampirebookclub.net)