Disclaimer: I received an e-arc of this from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Night of the Dragon

Author: Julie Kagawa

Book Series: Shadow of the Fox Book 3

Rating: 5/5

Publication Date: March 31, 2020

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, death, slight love and romance)

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Pages: 384

Amazon Link

Synopsis: Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has given up the final piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers in order to save everyone she loves from imminent death. Now she and her ragtag band of companions must journey to the wild sea cliffs of Iwagoto in a desperate last-chance effort to stop the Master of Demons from calling upon the Great Kami dragon and making the wish that will plunge the empire into destruction and darkness.

Shadow clan assassin Kage Tatsumi has regained control of his body and agreed to a true deal with the devil—the demon inside him, Hakaimono. They will share his body and work with Yumeko and their companions to stop a madman and separate Hakaimono from Tatsumi and the cursed sword that had trapped the demon for nearly a millennium.

But even with their combined skills and powers, this most unlikely team of heroes knows the forces of evil may be impossible to overcome. And there is another player in the battle for the scroll, a player who has been watching, waiting for the right moment to pull strings that no one even realized existed…until now.

Review: I thought this book did amazing! I loved the relationships and how the characters interact with one another. I think that’s one of the best things about this series, the author realistically portrays relationships between others in a way that anyone can relate. The plot did well and the book continued well from the second to this. The ending was amazing and this will definitely be a series that I reread!

My only issue is, again, the world building, but it was better than the first two books.

Verdict: I recommend this series!

Spoiler-free Thoughts: This was pretty great, I loved how this fairy tale comes to an end. It was a bit… too much like a video game ending… but otherwise, super satisfying.

Characters: So we know our bbs. I know I keep saying bbs but that’s what they are. Now, since we’re in the finale we don’t need much character growth but we DO need them to stay true to themselves and DAMN do they stick to themselves. I want to give a special shout out to Okame.. my ronin bae. He balances the whole “oh em gee HONOR” nonsense so well. I found myself ACTIVELY lol’ing with his dialogue. ANYWAY. I like them. Nay, I love them. THough if I heard Daisuke say “somethin somethin honor” one more time…

Plot: Again, this is the finale and its literally the end of the world. What i super loved was the video game ending. For those of you who know what I mean, you know what I mean.

Writing Style: This was the first of these that I’ve read with my eyeballs instead of my earholes and I loved seeing it. I loved ALL of it.

World Building: I often find my finales adding so much to the world just to make things fit, but this one was more of a culmination of all we knew before. Big fan.

With that breathtaking cliffhanger at the end of Soul of the Sword I was so prepared to dive into this novel. After Soul of the Sword feeling a bit like filler, this novel started off with a bang! My favourite part of the series is the random yokai and other creatures of myth that are explored throughout the novel. The first novel, Shadow of the Fox had a ton of these little episodes, but there were less in Soul of the Sword. The format is back again and I am loving it. There are a ton of new creatures that the team faces, and each one was so interesting to read about.

With a singular goal, the plot stayed on track and all of the threads from the rest of the series came together making the ending just masterful. There was a lot of heartbreak and the action scenes were very engaging to behold. With such a tight plot every action felt important and the entire novel was just exactly what I needed from the end of this series.

The only downside that I had with this ending is the characterization of Tatsumi. I enjoyed this perspective in the first novel, but with the events of that novel happening as they did I enjoyed Hakaimono’s perspective as well. After the cliffhanger of the second novel I wanted a mix of the characters, but instead we get very little of Hakaimono coming through and we don’t really get that.

Overall Night of the Dragon was a great addition to the story and I enjoyed it immensely. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this novel and I am excited to read Kagawa’s backlist after this novel. Are you excited to finally read this novel? Leave a comment down below! Happy Reading

4.5 stars

As always, Julie Kagawa delivered a book full of action from the start. There wasn’t a dull moment up to the conclusion of the story. Each time our team of characters overcame a hurdle, another one appeared, keeping the pages turning. The first book in this series started strong, and this book brought the series to a strong conclusion. The same lovable and goofy characters we have come to love battled demons and worked together to try to save the world.

Each character in this book is well developed and unique. After the twist at the end of book two, Tatsumi is left to figure out his role in the group and the world, and Yumeko’s support for him is heartwarming. The relationships in this book build on the last in a way that, while not central to the storyline, adds emotional complexity.

This was a perfect conclusion to the series. It’s a great read for anyone who loves adventures, action, Japanese mythology, and an amazing ensemble of characters.

I wasn't really into it that much. This series overall was on I never really fell in love with, and this book is no different.

Even though this book has already been released, I want to say thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is also going to be used towards the 2020 Magical Readathon (Transfiguration) and 2020 Bangtanathon (ON by BTS).

To put it simply, I am a massive fan of Julie Kagawa because of this series and I was not disappointed with the end of the adventures of Yumeko the kitsune. Shadow of the Fox, Soul of the Sword, and Night of the Dragon are perfection and this series will always hold a special place in my heart. The book starts off right where Soul of the Sword left off. Lord Genno has all parts of the scroll and they must stop him in order to prevent mass chaos. Meanwhile, the Shadow Clan are out to get them because they know too many secrets of the Kage and while Yumeko managed to rescue Tatsumi/Hakaimono, he still struggles with finding out who he is.

I read this book in one sitting and I almost wish that I didn’t because this was such an emotional overload. I’ve grown to love Yumeko, Tatsumi, Okame, Daisuke, Reika, and Chu. They are a small family and the love is felt in every single word that Kagawa puts in this novel. Suki also gets more of a voice and a purpose in this book while the intentions of Lord Seigetsu, Lady Hanshou, and Lord Genno are known. Plenty of twists and turns happen though this book and I was delighted to learn about Yumeko’s past. It was never difficult to guess that Yumeko is more than just a peasant orphan who was left at the Steel Feather Temple to be raised by monks, but her story was told beautifully and tragically. The introduction to Tsuki Kiyomi, the Moon Clan daimyo was a nice touch.

Every moment was high stakes. As I said, the love is felt in almost every moment which makes the fight more intense. Okame and Daisuke had moments that made my heart full and the way that Tatsumi and Yumeko came together was so fulfilling. Even Reika’s love for the group was beautiful to see. I don’t want to gush but I just love this group so much.

The ending is certainly not a Disney ending. Julie Kagawa promised tears on Twitter for months and there were several times throughout this book where I felt my heart clenching and tears flowing. A lot of authors promise tears but don’t offer the authenticity and realism that comes with writing about such high stakes’ situations like this. My spoiler for the ending is that it ends beautifully and on a positive note.

My complaints are few because this book is close to perfection as far as plot, development, writing, and enjoyability. The first complaint will be more like a petty gripe. I have an issue with some aspects of Okame’s characterization at some points. His sense of humor felt a bit too modern at times and he reminds me of another Julie Kagawa character I love—Jackal from the Blood of Eden series. I kind of wish he was a little more serious in moments. Also, in some of the action scenes his presence was missed. Some of the action scenes were hard to follow and I had to go back a few times to try to understand what happened. Finally, what happened to Taka? I’m sure I missed that because as I said, I read this in one sitting.

All in all, as a superfan of this series and a fan of adventure books in general, Night of the Dragon is a must-read and I will cherish this series for a long time.

Rating: 3.5/4* rounded up to 4/5*




My Review:

This, it turned out, is the third and final book in a trilogy..... and I believe it would have been very beneficial for me to have read the earlier two books before reading this one! Don't get me wrong, it is still an enjoyable read but I felt I missed out on so much of the background information and that detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I'd also recommend reading it in a paper based format as it turns out there is a brilliant glossary explaining many of the terms used as part of the story but if, like me, you're reading it in an e-format you won't discover that helpful information until you've finished the book!

This is a fantasy adventure with a wide range of paranormal characters, an essential quest to be completed and the world as we know it (or don't really) to be saved. It is an action packed page turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat right to the very end. A very different saga, this is the finale but still leaves with the potential for follow up books in future including some of the diverse characters. Get ready for super hero powers, surprises galore and battles to be won in this epic read.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

'Night of the Dragon,' the third and final book in the 'Shadow of the Fox' trilogy by Julie Kagawa, centers around a group of companions that are determined to stop the Master of Demons from using an artifact called the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers.

The Dragon's Prayer is a ritual that can be used once every 1,000 years to summon the god called the Great Kami Dragon, who will grant the summoner one wish. If they should fail on their quest to stop the Master.. Genno.. from using the scroll, the empire will fall to chaos.

This was my first Kagawa read, so I didn't really know what to expect from her. I knew she seemed to have a pretty big following and certainly the concept of the story sounded interesting.

Unfortunately, unpopular opinion time, I just wasn't impressed. You're going to find this is a mostly positive review, even though she didn't rock my world. Don't get me wrong, she's a very solid writer. She understands the acts and how to move the story along. She understands the importance of relationships and various types of intimacy. The quality is there, the story just lacks the factors that could make it stand out and become something exceptional. In fact, there are a ton of things she's actually great at.

Her battle scenes were very visual, without being so blown out that you couldn't focus on anyone. She did touch on different parts of the fights, but she lingered long enough with each group to give the reader a good understanding of what was happening, what the characters were feeling, and enough play-by-play to let you 'see' what occurs, before moving on.

Telling the story from multiple view points, she does a fine job of transitioning between them, though they did lack those distinctive voices that make this approach work to it's best. Other than who they were talking to and/or about, they mostly sounded the same.

Character wise, the group is likeable. Yumeko, the kitsune shifter and main character, is sweet and determined. She does suffer from a little of that 'can figure out how to do just about anything in a couple of seconds' syndrome, but we're going to chalk that up to her unique heritage.

She's accompanied by Kage Tatsumi, a shadow clan shinobi, who is stuck sharing his body with the First Oni, Hakaimono. Now, the demon General is actually my favorite character in the book. Don't ask me why. He's the Beast, I suppose. He's the most powerful, most dangerous oni in the demon army, he's a bit brooding, he's always a bit disgusted with everyone, but he's still the one for me.

There are others, of course.. Reika the shrine maiden and Chu the komainu guardian, Daisuke the noble warrior prince, Okame the ronin, and a host of smaller characters that still play pivotal roles. Daisuke and Okame, especially.. have a rather soft, beautiful relationship for a pair of warriors.. and I absolutely loved that. Yet.. all these things aside, the characters still felt like we were really only seeing the surface layers of who they might have been.

As I read the book, I constantly felt as if it was really just very average. Most of it seems to rely heavily on the hope that readers will just be fascinated with the idea of the mythological Japanese characters to begin with. There's no impression of the author reaching to be creative with them at all, but rather to keep things "interesting," she would just throw in another creature and then do pretty much nothing to expand on the existing mythos surrounding them.

Instead of foreshadowing, she outright telegraphs what's ahead and honestly, the story just feels like she combined a lot of existing cliches from long standing Asian stories and put them forth like they were unique in some way, without putting in the work to make them that way. And frankly, I didn't feel any investment or interest until I was over 60% through the novel.

I love seeing diverse content published and on a personal level, I obviously love seeing content that relates to my own heritage, being consumed. But this felt like a mediocre effort. Like.. hoping the majority of the audience just wouldn't be that familiar with the other media much of it seems to be drawn from. I did like that she's not afraid to let go of a character. Almost any character. But that would be more effective if she didn't display the urge to find a way to make things okay afterward.

Aside from all that, objectively.. if I'd been less familiar with the subject matter, I might have been bowled over a bit more. Plus, like I said, she's a good writer. I just don't think she's a very creative one. I do, however.. think people are going to love the book.

Title: Night of the Dragon
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5

All is lost.

To save everyone she loves from imminent death, kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko gave up the final piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. Now she and her ragtag band of companions must make one desperate final effort to stop the Master of Demons from using the scroll to call the Great Kami Dragon and make the wish that will plunge the empire into chaos.

Shadow clan assassin Kage Tatsumi has regained control of his body and agreed to a true deal with the devil—the demon inside him, Hakaimono. They will share his body and work with Yumeko to stop a madman, and to separate Hakaimono from Tatsumi and the cursed sword that trapped the demon for nearly a millennium.

But even with their combined skills and powers, this unlikely team of heroes knows the forces of evil may be impossible to overcome. And there is another player in the battle for the scroll, a player who has been watching, waiting for the right moment to pull strings that no one even realized existed…until now.
Julie Kagawa is one of those authors that I just know when I pick up a book she wrote, I’m going to be enthralled. The Shadow of the Fox series is no exception, and Night of the Dragon was a fantastic conclusion to this story.

The stakes kept getting higher and higher with every new scene and the challenges seemed ever more impossible. Yumeko is a lovely character who truly discovers her strength in this novel—and embraces it. Tatsumi is one of the best conflicted characters I’ve ever read—I mean, he shares his body with a demon—and his struggles are vividly rendered. The culture truly makes this story sing, and I loved every page of this novel!
Julie Kagawa is the New York Times bestselling author of the Iron Fey, Blood of Eden, Talon, and Shadow of the Fox series. She was born in Sacramento, California.

(Galley courtesy of Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Julie Kagawa is one of my favorite authors as she can spin a story like no other. Let's just say that she does not disappoint in this series either. Without giving any spoilers, this is a spectacular ending to the series.
I highly recommend EVERYTHING written by this author!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Night of the Dragon was a wild but perfect ending to Julie Kagawa’s Shadow of the Fox trilogy. From the beginning to end, Yumeko and her friends are in a race to stop Genno, master of demons, who has both pieces of the Dragon scroll and now has the prayer to summon the dragon and wish for an age of Demons. Rejoining Yumeko and her friends is Tatsumi, Shadow Clan Assassin, who’s sharing his body with demon Hakaimono. However, will Hakaimono help them? There is no choice but to trust him because they need all the help they can get to go up against Genno and his army of demons.

Overall, Night of the Dragon had me and will defiantly have fans reading as fast as one can to see which side will win this battle. It feels like only yesterday I was reading Shadow of the Fox, Yumeko was just a trickster and Tatsumi was emotionless assassin. Now look at them, both have grown and matured into stronger people which we see in this final installment. So get ready for tense fight sequences and emotional scenes with our favorite characters as you reach the end of this wonderful trilogy.

Stunning conclusion to an epic quest leaves me both satisfied and hungering for more. This book must be read in the order it was written for the best experience. Night of the Dragon starts off right after the last book ended. Yumeko made a tactical error with the dragon scroll due to her soft heart. This causes a major rift between Yumeko and those who have saved and helped her. In addition, it creates more complications for her quest. This is nicely set up because Yumeko's decision is in line with her character and continues the ball rolling to the end game.

I loved this trilogy. From the first page of the first book through to the last page in this book, I am enamoured of Ms. Kagawa's writing voice and world building. This is the kind of young adult fantasy I loved as a kid. The rich story is built upon character growth as well as a complicated fight between good and evil. This style of writing focusing on relationship, loyalty and how looking beneath the surface is what first pulled me into fantasy in my youth. For readers who loved the Harper trilogy from Ms. McCaffrey and the Last Herald Mage trilogy by Ms. Lackey, this is a trilogy for you.

Yumeko is a flawed character who does her best. Her choices come from a lack of experience and maturity and yet is driven by an intrinsic good heart. This balances her band of friends who she collects on her journey. Each of them are a bit of misfit in their world. Her friendship is what helps them showcase the best in themselves. Her actions encourages others to strive to do the "right thing", even when it is taking the hard path. Yumeko's choices nicely contrast against some of the more experienced and jaded character's "adult" choices. It is refreshing to have morals subtly taught through this story.

What I liked most is how good versus evil is blurred. The story clearly shows the villains and all their bad deeds. The motivations and how they came to be dark and evil is expertly written. Giving characters a second chance to chose a different path is a recurring theme in this story. I loved this because it shows that people can change. Those who have committed atrocities may have a catalyst in their life to make them fight for good. Just as those who have been loyal and good can turn sour through betrayal and loss. This constant struggle is beautifully examined throughout this heroine's journey. The most impressive part of Ms. Kawaga's writing is how all of this comes across like a gentle breeze instead of a heavy handed lecture.

This young adult fantasy is highly recommended to everyone. A must read for all ages.

This is the third and final book in the Shadow of the Fox trilogy by Julie Kagawa. I ended up not loving this one as much as i did the first two books. I think that is mostly due to the fact that the first two books are very character driven and i fell into that expectation for the third book.

The focus in the third book is based mostly on the battles and the monsters. That shift frustrated me and made it so I really started to not care how it was all going to play out. I did feel like I needed to read it so that all the secrets, plots twists and final battles could be played out. I just wish it had followed the format of the first books and maybe i would of enjoyed it more. I still a huge fan of this author and she did not disappoint and it could of been my mood or the events that are going on in the world. I sure i will come back to this series as it well worth the read.

The Final Battles of Yumeko’s Team to Save the World from Chaos

In the third and final book in the Shadow of the Fox series, the team brought together by Yumeko is given an almost impossible task. Genno, Master of Demons, has both pieces of the Dragon scroll. He plans to use it to summon the great Dragon and make a wish that is granted every thousand years. If he is successful, it will become an age of demons and chaos will reign over the world.

The is a fast paced book full of action. It’s an almost non-stop chase scene as Yumeko and her band must battle enemies at every turn on their quest to stop Genno. Although the action is the major part of the story, we still have time to get to know the characters. The are the same characters from the earlier books: Yumeko, Tatsumi, Reika, Okame, and Daisuke. One of the best parts of this series is that the characters grow and change over the three books. I love the way the team interacts with humor and bravery.

Since this is the third book in a tightly woven series, it’s best to read the other two books first. However, this book can still be enjoyed for the medieval Japanese setting and the complex characters who populate the story.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Julie Kagawa is an amazing writer and this book is so magical and hooks you from the very first page.

In the thrilling finale of the Shadow of the Fox trilogy, Yumeko and the gang are still working on stopping the Wish from being made to the Great Kami Dragon by the evil Master of Demons. Night of the Dragon is action-packed, more so than other books. The action really started at the halfway mark and did not stop until the very end. I finished this book all in one day and it just flowed so easily.

By this point, I love all the characters. This group of fighters mesh so well and each bring something different to the table. They all have their own skills and abilities, while working together seamlessly to achieve their goals. I also love the ships that sail during this book, but no spoilers as to which ones!

The plot of this series was really top level, and it culminated in a very well scripted final action scene... which basically was the last half of the book. The ending made me feel so many emotions, all at the same time. I even cycled through several emotions a few times. It was back and forth, give and take, with so many twist and turns. The epilogue was SO needed and continued the emotions.

Seriously, read this series if you love Asian inspired fantasies such as Wicked Fox and Descendant of the Crane.

There are books that you read, enjoy, finish and then go about your day. Then, there are books that you wait for, agonize over, let them consume you and then hold them in your mind and heart for days after finishing. These are the books that you remember, the books that you ruthlessly collect and throw at every person you see because everyone NEEDS to read it. Each release in the Shadow of the Fox trilogy IS that book.

I’ve been surprised by books before but nothing could have prepared me for the shock that I got when I first picked up Shadow of the Fox. The premise sounded interesting but I’ve never really had much experience with Japanese mythology, Samurai or even the author herself so this wasn’t a book I would have normally just picked up and started reading because there just wasn’t enough for me to commit to. What it DID have was a stunningly beautiful cover that I simply couldn’t resist. That’s right – I took a chance all because of a pretty face. I’m so superficial. Luckily, it worked out and this trilogy became something that completely changed my outlook on an entire genre that would have passed right by me.

From the first page, the first paragraph, the first chapter I fell head over heels in love with Kagawa’s beautiful writing and captivating characters. I wanted to both devour and savour each and every word and became so invested with this magical world and the unique group that travelled it. I didn’t want it to end but desperately looked forward to seeing how it would all wrap up.

Night of the Dragon has to be not only one of my most anticipated finales ever but also one of the best. Kagawa presents us with an emotional rollercoaster packed with action, heartbreak, betrayal and romance leading to one of the most surprisingly satisfying conclusions I have ever read. I’ve felt every emotion possible and I wouldn’t change a thing.

This is one series I highly recommend picking up. Not only will it look amazing on your shelves (this has to be one of the most beautiful collections I have ever seen) but this is a world that you’ll want to revisit time and time again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and InkYard Press for providing me with an early copy this book to read and give my own, honest opinions.

Night of the Dragon is the third, and final, novel in Julie Kagawa's Shadow of the Fox Trilogy. That means that everything is about to come to a head in the most dramatic and emotional of ways possible.

Last we saw, Yumeko was forced to give up the part of the sacred scroll she was protecting. A scroll that she had successfully kept safe for two entire novels. Now, she, alongside the rest of her companions, is determined to get it back. More than that, they're going to stop the Master of Demons from summoning the Great Kami dragon – something that would surely alter the world they all know for the worse.

“'I trust you,' Yumeko said very quietly. 'Even if you're not the same, I saw your soul that night. I know you won't betray us.'”

Oh my goodness, is this really the end of the Shadow of the Fox Trilogy? Say it isn't so. I'll admit that I got into this series rather late in the game, but I fell in love with it from that very first moment I started reading. Now, it's all over. I'm sad to see it go, even while I feel extremely satisfied to know how it concludes.

Night of the Dragon is the emotional and powerful finale to an epic series. Yumeko's journey (alongside her friends and allies) is harrowing, beautiful, and intensely fascinating. That holds true for the final novel as well.

Honestly, this is one of those novels that you're going to want to set aside a block of time to read. You're not going to want to put it down. At least, I didn't want to. I read it all in one go, and I have no regrets about it. It was that much of a whirlwind.

The events flow smoothly, one leading to the next so that there is no room for downtime or slowing down. Alongside that, it felt like the ante was consistently being upped, to the most dramatic of levels. It increased the scale significantly, which is impressive, given that the fate of the world already felt at stake.

Night of the Dragon was, at its core, a deeply personal tale. Yumeko, Kage Tatsumi, and all of their friends were human (well, yokai in Yumeko's case) first. They had hopes, dreams, flaws, and reasons for being involved in this quest. It added so much impact to the tale, especially at the ending of it. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried (a lot) when this book was over. And I have a feeling I'm not the only one.

This entire series has demanded emotional investment from the start, so I'm not exactly surprised by how moving the conclusion itself was. At the same time, I was still blown away by how it made me feel. This is an ending that made complete sense for the story, even while it hit me straight to the heart (as all good endings do).

While I'm sad to see this series end, I have no regrets. I'm glad I took the time to read them all, and am thrilled to have followed Julie Kagawa's adventures. I'll miss Yumeko and the rest, while looking forward to seeing what comes out next.

After a thousand years, the Night of the Dragon is here.  Whosoever goes to the sacred mount and summons the Great Dragon with the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers will be granted any single wish they choose.  And right now, the scroll is held by the Master of Demons, who intends to open the gates of the underworld and flood the lands with his army.  Yumeko, the half-kitsune, half-human girl, and Tatsumi, whose human soul is now intertwined with a demon's, have one last chance to stop the ritual from happening.  Together with Okame the ronin, Daisuke the warrior prince, and Reika the shrine maiden, they'll have to fight through every ally the Master of Demons has if they have any hope of saving the world.

NIGHT OF THE DRAGON is a roaring success of a finale, a climactic last battle where the stakes couldn't be higher.  Picking up just hours after Yumeko and Tatsumi failed to protect the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, the group journeys to the island where the Great Dragon must be summoned.  After a few bumps in the travel, the mood of the book takes a beat to lean into the bittersweet "eve of the final battle" somberness.  Final confessions are made, and it marks very clearly that we've entered the point of no return, that the chance that no one makes it out alive is very real.  After spending two books previously with this party of heroes, it's poignant to see these moments play out.  And while Yumeko and Tatsumi are traditionally the two POV characters, Kagawa makes use of a third POV character to show us some private moments our two heroes aren't privy too.

From the next morning onwards, the breaks are fully taken off the pacing.  The last 2/3 of the book is dedicated to this final race that takes place in a single day.  There are deadly battles, surprising reveals, and a constant escalation of stakes.  Once again, Kagawa leans into fantastical monster battles that pull from Japanese mythology, larger-than-life encounters that feel straight out of an anime.  The action sequences are breath-taking, whether they take place on the ground in a city, or in the sky in the middle of a storm. It never feels exhausting, but very much like you've reached the final act of a movie and it's do or die.

I also want to give a shout-out to the way the book overall feels like an anime captured on page, and not just in the action as I mentioned previously.  There's a cadence to the dialogue that makes me feel like I'm reading subtitles while spoken Japanese washes over me, and I mean that in the best possible way.   Somehow I can hear the familiar anime tones and exclamations, even though the story is written almost entirely in English.  The dialogue can occasionally come off overly formal, but not enough to truly detract from the book overall.

NIGHT OF THE DRAGON pays off so much that has been set up over the course of the first two books.  Characters that have been manipulating things from the shadows finally make their plans known, questions that have been lingering are finally answered.   And most importantly, that final battle has weight.  This is a book that left me in tears, both from tragedy and from the beauty of the final pages. I had no idea when I started this series that I would fall head over heels in love, but I can now say definitively that this trilogy easily has a place in my favorites of all time list!

You know those series that are so well written, so captivating that you've been invested in from the very first chapter? Those stories that you think about long after you've put the book down and those stories that, you can't wait to get the next book of because you need to know what happens next? You need to know that all is well. That some how, it will all work out. That your beloved characters will have a happily ever after. Those stories in short, that speak to your soul and change you. Make you wonder about things you've never thought about before and see things and legends and lore different. Books that put you in a book hang over when you are done because how could anything else possible live up to this masterpiece you've just read?

The Shadow of the Fox trilogy, has been that trilogy for me and I'll be honest, that passion, that urge to read quickly and devour, yet stop and savor at the same time hasn't happened for me in a YA series, heck in a YA trilogy, in a really long time.

And I did both devour and savor this. It was everything I was hoping it would be. So many emotions, thoughts, and feelings coursed through me throughout this whole last story. I cried, I laughed, I smiled, I got angry, and I cried again. I couldn't of asked for a better ending, a better story, or a better tale.

Beautifully written, detailed, and told, this was everything I was looking for and everything I didn't even know I needed and wanted.