Set in Manchuria in 1908, This is a tale of mystery, mythology, and the intertwined destinies of humans and fox spirits. At its heart, the story revolves around a young woman found frozen in the snow, sparking rumors of foxes with the ability to transform into alluring humans. Bao, a detective with an enduring fascination for the elusive fox gods, is enlisted to unearth the woman's identity and uncover the enigma that surrounds her. Simultaneously, a family that runs a renowned Chinese medicine shop grapples with a curse, where their eldest sons perish before reaching twenty-four. With their only grandson on the brink of this ill-fated age, the arrival of a mysterious woman appears to alter their fortune. Yet, her true nature remains a mystery, leaving questions about whether she is a simple young woman or a vengeful fox spirit with her own hidden agenda.

The book delves into the intricate dynamics between humans and mystical beings, blurring the lines between myth and reality.
As a reader easily influenced by stories inspired by Asian folklore, I found this book to be a unique addition to the genre. The cultural elements and supernatural aspects added depth and uniqueness to the narrative.

While the story took a little time for me to fully immerse myself in, once I was engaged, it took root, drawing me deeper into its intricate web. The dual perspectives offered through different characters' points of view added an intriguing layer to the storytelling.

My primary qualm with the book was that it leaned heavily toward the main plot, leaving me yearning for more character development. A deeper exploration of the characters' backgrounds and emotions would have enhanced the overall experience.

Thank you, NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved The Night Tiger so I was very happy to receive an advanced copy of The Fox Wife. It's both sad and magical, with two main POVs (Snow and Bao) that drifts between past and present. I always love story of foxes and Chinese folklore and this was really well done; between the elements of wistfulness rooted in actual sadness. The main driving mystery behind the second son doesn't get resolved though I do like how the story weaves between what is magic and what is just the human mind playing tricks.

Manchuria, 1908. A young woman is found frozen in the snow. Her death is clouded by rumors of foxes involved, which are believed to lure people by transforming themselves into beautiful women and men.

Beautifully written and highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. It is very beautifully written and I thought the main characters were easy and enjoyable to follow. It's a little slow moving but I really didn't mind because the language is so bewitching.

Huge thanks to netgalley and Henry Holt publishing whom I love, so much good content. This was another winner. The fox wife is a fast paced thrill ride between two people trying to get their hands on a photographer and one might be a fox. The lore is remarkable and the book is engaging and beautiful much like the author’s previous work on the night tiger this one was full of beauty, animals and magic.

A beautiful must read.

I love Yangsze Choo's storytelling, so I had to get my grubby hands on a copy of The Fox Wife (and by some miracle I did). I'm a lover of foxes (shapeshifters, spirits, etc..), so I knew this was going to be a perfect story for me. I loved all the fox characters, especially Shiro.

The only thing I could nitpick is the overall issue around the photographer. It was a little disappointing how he was dealt with...off page. I understand why, but it was a bit unfulfilling.

There are foxes that live among mortals - at least they did in Manchuria back in 1908. Set in China and partly in Japan, the book is a mix of mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction. The book traces the life of a mysterious young woman who seeks work in the household of a well-known family. Her new employer names her Ah San. But who is she and what is her agenda? A young woman is found dead in the snow and Detective Bao is called upon to investigate the death and identify her. He is no ordinary detective. As a young boy stories of foxes and fox spirits have swirled around him. The story is told through the voices of Ah San and Bao. I liked this approach. It gave the story dimension and depth. The personalities and styles of Ah San and Bao were in sharp contrast to each other and played out well. There’s intrigue, revenge, murders, humor, folklore, and an interesting cast of characters that made this book an enjoyable and fun read. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

3.7/4.0

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*Received an eARC from netgalley for an honest review. Thank you!

I quite liked this book. It's rather slow paced, but for me, I was forgiving since the premise and setting attracted my attention. For one thing, I'm easily sold by the promise of folklore. I haven't had much of a chance to read East Asian folklore in awhile, so this really satiated my desire for it. The author's writing is very alluring, but also very straightforward. I think when writing the protagonist, Snow, the author put a lot of care and thought in how she would represent the life of a fox-human shifter. She considered the nuances of being one compared to a human or even just a normal fox. I love historical fiction with this touch of fantasy because it gives reason to inexplicable happenings that almost seem fantastically plausible. If I were living in the early 1900's, I also would probably be beguiled into thinking foxes cured my illnesses, or stole my money when it was locked away from the hands of people.

While the actual mystery didn't grab my attention much, I still felt compelled to dig deeper into these characters' stories. Admittedly, I was mostly interested in the trio of fox-human characters and I was more excited by their chapters. I admired Snow's journey to grapple with the aftermath of her losses and to live anew. I think most of the mystery, for me, was unraveling her life story, her journey to seek revenge, and her connection to the other fox-human characters.

Now, I think this book could have been shortened because some events felt repetitive and drawn out. As mentioned previously, the pacing is slow in general and there really isn't that much suspense.

I would consider this a cozy read and for those interested in folklore about foxes and their affairs in the lives of humans.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc. This was a wonderfully crafted book with a cozy mystery anchored in chinese mythology. I loved reading about foxes, and the way the author structures and writes the story keeps the reader engaged and pulled into the world. A solid read.

What I liked: the author paints a beautiful picture with her descriptive writing style, I felt like I could picture all the places throughout the book.


What I didn’t like: This book is folktales, and mystery? I feel like the mystery/investigation aspect was lost on me because I already could guess what was happening for the most part. This also felt very drawn out and a lot of unnecessary information. Almost like two books were being mashed together. I feel like the book was missing a plot twist like I was waiting for it and maybe I ruined it by being able to discern something’s myself.

This was a very slow build, and it was hard to stay in the story, but once is picked up - I was able to enjoy it much more. I loved all of the magical realism in the story, and while at times it was tough to keep track of who was talking due to the constant point of view shifts, it was fun to chime in on everyone's thoughts.

This is a beautifully cozy mystery wrapped up in Chinese folklore. Beautifully written scenes pull you in and have you standing there in the snow with the character as you try to figure out what's going to happen next. A story of motherhood and revenge that warms your heart. It's not the fast paced fantasy adventure I'm used to reading but it's so beautifully written I found it hard to put down. You just have to know what's going to happen next.

A riveting combination of literary fiction, mystery, and mythology. This had a slow start but became as irresistible as the foxes themselves about halfway through. I loved the structure and while I guessed at several aspects of the mystery, my suspicions made the process of reading it more enjoyable. I will be reading more from Choo.

Whimsical and totally charming. I was sad when I finished this book, and I then went and immediately read Choo's earlier works. This is her strongest book, though you can see the evolution of her style and strength as a writer in "The Ghost Bride" and "The Night Tiger." This is not a straightforward historical fiction book. I'd categorize it as pretty heavy magical realism, bordering on fantasy (though not quite). There is a lot of exploration of mythology and folklore, plus some mystery. I did like the alternating point-of-view chapters (which is sometimes irritating in the hands of a less skilled writer). Here, it was a lot of fun to uncover the slowly intertwining narratives-- and addictive. I did stay up late several times just because I wanted to read what happened next.

Overall, I requested an ARC of this book on a whim, and I'm so glad I did. I'm excited to see what Choo does next.

The Fox Wife is a wonderful weaving of fantasy and folk lore. Set in China, the story builds on ancient lore that foxes can change form into humans. When a young woman is found dead in the snow, Bao, a thoughtful investigator, is hired to find out the explanation of her death. Rumored that foxes might be involved, Bao is intrigued, and follows clues shrouded in mystery, rumors, and ancient lore, to find the story of her death- and more! I highly recommend this read for fans of fantasy and of who-done-its. Choo paints vivid characters and settings. Very enjoyable read!

Thank you Henry Holt & Co & Netgalley for a digital arc of this book. I loved the magical elements that were intertwined beautifully with folklore of this story.

The were some moments, especially near the beginning, that I thought were dragged on a bit too much, but overall I loved the mystery in itself and the richness of it. Choo is a brilliant writer and I loved how she tied in cultural insights of society with the story - just added more depth and intrigue.

There was so much of this book that I loved, but the pacing was off. Repetitive information throughout that felt as if an editor had stopped in to tell the writer that the reader must really have these things explained to understand, while, in truth, a reasonably intelligent reader doesn’t. Drags on in too many places. Even still, I was charmed.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

There's a special kind of magic to this book, both vicious and wonderful. I need time to process this, to re-read, to enjoy. Like someone else said, I can't wait to listen to this on audiobook!

I’ve been waiting and waiting for a new book by this author. Criminally underrated, she writes some of the most beautiful books full of culture and mythology and history. I love reading her work.

This was no exception, I very much enjoyed it. My only complaint was that it took me a little bit to get in to it, and that was because some of the dialogue was very modern and it would take me out of the moment. But once I got over that, it was a really delightful story. I hope her next one takes less time, because she is such a joy to read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoyed The Night Tiger or The Ghost Bride, there is an enchanting new book coming out from Yangsze Choo that completely captivated me. The Fox Wife is a literary fiction/fantasy novel set in 1908 Manchuria; the story is woven around Chinese folklore of fox spirits who have the ability to transform into beautiful, charismatic humans.

The tale is narrated from two points of view. This first is a mysterious woman named Snow who is a grief-stricken mother on a mission of revenge for the death of her child. The second is an elderly detective named Bao who is investigating the death of a woman found outside a restaurant on a cold winter night. Bao possesses an extremely useful skill for his profession: he has the ability to hear if someone is lying.

This book is so beautifully written; it's mysterious, emotional, and such a well-crafted overall story. There is no slow start to the narrative; I was completely caught up in the story from the first few pages, and I was full-on river of tears by the last page.

(Video review is posted on my tiktok, @mlunav)