This book started so slowly that it took me longer to get into it than is normal for a story of this length, but at some stage I hit the magic point and adjusted my pace to the book's quieter pace. So if you're one of those readers that get impatient at the slowness of plots, you know it's probably going to take you a while as well.

The story starts in Manchuria in 1908, a few years before the Xinhai Revolution topples the ruling Qing dynasty currently headed by the about-to-die Empress Dowager Cixi. But it isn't about royals or nobles in the least, and the looming Revolution plays out more like background music than an important plot. Instead, it's about Snow, domestically known as Ah San at the household she's a maid to an iron-willed elderly lady, a mysterious woman who arrives to the Manchu city of Dalian from the countryside in pursuit, we are told, of a photographer by the name of Bektu Nikan who has done her a grievous wrong she wants revenge for.

What the wrong she means to avenge is will slowly unravel as the plot advances, keyword being slowly. We first get a glimpse into what might've happened through the eyes of Bao, a detective past his prime that is investigating the murder of a courtesan. The photographer is the first connection of many that'll eventually lead him to link up with Snow and through her an old friend he thought lost. Is it an original mystery? No, it's simple, and those that read mysteries regularly will likely guess what happened even earlier than I did and the resolution to the wrongdoing is rather anticlimactic for my tastes. But that's not what's going to sell readers on this story.

It'll be the characters. And the setting. The aspect I've always liked best about Yangsze Choo's books is that she manages to place her characters (her main character tends to be a woman, usually) in a setting that feels as real as it's credible and lived-in without having to overexplain the time period or the culture. My knowledge of Asian folklore and history is alarmingly low, but she's never made me feel like an ignorant foreigner who needs to be educated on the ins-and- outs of her culture to be able to immerse myself in it and enjoy walking through her worlds holding her hand. She always has supernatural elements and creatures and tales from Asian mythology (Chinese and Manchurian and Japanese in this case), but it's so understated and tightly woven throughout the more realistic aspects that it is more Magical Realism than Fantasy. Take away the fox/kitsune fantastic elements, and it'll be a regular historical fiction novel.

Did I like Snow? Yes, quite, her POVs were the best parts of the book for me. Bao? Not so much, his POVs were the slowest and most chore-like parts for me. Snow is emotions, messes, mistakes, successes, wit, humour, fails, loves, hates, pains, memories, etc., all told in first person. Bao is all memories and regrets and digressions, wanderings, boring dreams, police stuff, etc., told in second person present tense. This brusque tossing of the reader between two very different POV styles was honestly an irritant I'm sure others will struggle with too; I can predict that some will be skimming his chapters. I almost took away one more star from the rating only for this, and would have if not for, ultimately, finding Snow's chapters compensated enough for Bao's. It would've been better to tell it all from her POV, or at least have both POVs in the same style. Snow's voice was so much more agreeable and fun. She even had endnotes where she did commentary on fox people tidbits!

I mentioned that I found the resolution to the photographer question anticlimactic, and I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers. It's the aspect that bothered me the most, even more than the POV disparity, because we had seen the buildup towards this for the entirety of the book and to have the resolution happen practically off-page was . . . disappointing. Snow isn't given time to duly process it all, and on top of that we're told details post-facto that don't help at all. It was so important to her arc, so it should've been solved in her terms.

Indeed, it's an imperfectly resolved story the enjoyment of which will depend on how much you like the fox wife. And speaking of the "wife" bit from the title, Choo's style of romance tends to be low-key and understated as well, so don't expect a grand passion. Usually, I like that type, but here I was neutral and not particularly down for it. I also liked the one who wasn't chosen best over the chosen one, mostly because he was mischievous and a troublemaker, as his kind are meant to be.

This is the fox novel I've always wanted to read. Choo's structuring and execution of this book is extraordinary, elegant, and a joy to read. Here, humans and foxes are thrown together in unpredictable ways, and most of the characters are in mourning for something, complicating their emotions and actions. Snow's narrative voice is sublime, and the development of Bao and Tagtaa--and the slow uncovering of other characters' identities--is an enormous pleasure to see unfold. Choo's mix of myth and her own additions to lore are delightful. I love this book.

I enjoyed reading this book, especially switching between the characters across chapters. Once you get a little way in, the story is a bit predictable, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There were a few really lovely lines and some interesting ideas about love and grief. Side note: seeing a fox in my mom’s yard a few weeks ago definitely upped my enjoyment. Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy.

I love how Yangsze Choo helps me see historical Chinese culture through well told stories, and this offering is no different. In fact, it felt a bit like a blend of her other two books, but in its own unique way.

Without giving too much away, I'll say that there is a "fox" thread, and a "detective" thread, with many layers and expertly woven together by the end. Somewhat of a journey book, as we learn about foxes and their special relationship to many, we also see different places and happenings and we begin to wonder how everything is related. There are strong characters, all with surprising stories. Not a romance, The Fox Wife is certainly romantic in a dreaming, historical, fable way.

I enjoyed this, and would give it 3.5 stars. I especially liked the mythical/folktale part of the story, based on legends of foxes from Chinese folk stories. The story is told from two perspectives, that of a fox, and an detective investigating a crime. In a way, this is part folk tale, part mystery/crime investigation, which makes for an interesting combination. The reason I didn't give it a higher score is that is just felt too long for what it was. The story is a bit meandering and repetitive at times. I liked the characters and the concept, but the plot just felt a bit drawn out. I would still definitely recommend it, especially if you like fairy/folk tale retellings, just be aware it's a little long for what it is.

I've read this author's two other books as well and enjoyed all three. I would say The Night Tiger is my favorite but this one is similar. It felt like this one required more concentration as it hopped back and forth between two story lines but you do get the sense of the two colliding as the story progresses which is interesting and adds tension.

I love how this author uses myths and legends from Eastern cultures in her stories. If you enjoy an interesting story with a little myth and magic thrown in, this one is worth picking up.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this advance copy!

I absolutely loved The Fox Wife! It had an incredibly interesting premise, following a fox woman who is out to get revenge for the death of her child. The story is told from two perspectives- Snow (the fox lady), and Bao, an elderly man who is investigating disappearances in the area. Their lives and stories become intertwined. I especially enjoyed the elements of folklore within this story! Highly recommend!

This was a bit different read then I normally do, but I really enjoyed the mystery it held.

I am all about being pulled in by characters and feeling part of the story and I really got that from Snow and Boa, which I loved. The story dragged a bit for me at times but overall I would recommend.

I was overjoyed to see a new Yangsze Choo book appear on Goodreads, and double thrilled to be granted an advance copy by NetGalley! I fell in love with her whimsical romps through Chinese and Malaysian folklore in The Night Tiger and The Ghost Bride, and am happy to say that The Fox Wife continues her transformative literary tradition. The story zeroes in on the Chinese lore surrounding fox-spirits, capricious shape-shifting creatures famed for their luck, wily antics, and insatiable curiosity. Our first protagonist, Ah San, who has gone my many different names over the years but prefers variations on Snow, is a grieving fox mother on a revenge mission against the man who inadvertently killed her child. Her storyline follows her journey across mainland China and into Japan, trailed by two foxes from a past she wishes to leave behind her. Our second protagonist, Bao, is an aging private investigator, tracking murky disappearances and whispers of supernatural influence who quickly becomes tangled up in the intersection of Ah San's journey and his own past.

I loved Ah San and Bao's complimentary perspectives on the fox mythology: Ah San represents the rich internal life of the species and their traditions, while Bao counters this with an outsiders view of the human cost of fox antics. Their stories weave together beautifully, so that even as they both take their independent journeys you are constantly reminded of the connections between the two, especially as Bao begins to unknowingly dog Ah San's footsteps. The one consequence of this is that the story has a tendency to drag in places, especially when it comes to ruminations on the past that take away from present action. Ah San's two fox frenemies, Shirakawa and Kurosaki, are an excellent salve to these moments of slower pacing, providing both levity and deeper context to fox society and Ah San's own past. Their little love triangle was a fun addition to the more serious moments of the story, adding an element of romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The story is also a tender reflection on grief - both the agonizing sharpness that comes from the loss of a loved one, and the dull ache that grows with age and reflections on mistakes and missed connections of the past. Ah San's pain for her lost daughter is tangible and heart-breaking, a foil to Bao's quiet yearning for his childhood love. Once again, Choo has masterfully synthesized history and folklore into a haunting historical fantasy slash detective novel that captured both my attention and my emotions.

This was a fun little mystery novel!
I really loved Snow-- she was a fun protagonist. Also, I was surprised by how involved I became with her relationships.
Watching Snow and Bao's stories unfold and slowly cross paths kept engaged and wanting to read more.

Overall I recommend!

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. and Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book felt like lying in the grass on an autumn day, with warm breezes and birdsong and the sun peering gently through the red-gold leaves. It was sweet and sad and so, so transportive—I highlighted SO many beautiful descriptions in my Kindle as I read. It’s a story about love, and grief, and (maybe) fate and (definitely) hope, and the ending was the most satisfying end to any book I've read in a long time.

We’ve got two alternating POVs in this book. Alternating POVs are hit or miss for me, and they were a hit here. My impatience at having each chapter end on an intriguing note was outweighed by my excitement to find out what happened in the other POV. An impressive feat!

Part of this is because the characters were wonderful. Among our cast, I absolutely had favorite characters, but no un-favorites, which seems like a victory on the author’s part. Additionally, the story itself is a compelling read—the murder mystery on one end, the revenge plot on the other. The two plots intertwine in a way that becomes clear relatively early on, and half the joy of this novel is watching our two narratives move closer and closer towards a full collision. The other half is in the parts that stay a mystery until closer to the end—for me, there was just the right amount of mystery throughout to keep me hooked (but never unsatisfied) with the pace at which things were revealed and resolved.

I didn’t want to put this book down—I stayed up until 2am reading, put it down only when I literally could not keep my eyes open anymore, and then, as soon as I woke up, picked it back up and didn’t get out of bed until I’d reached the end. Which was bittersweet in of itself; even though I felt compelled to keep reading, keep going, find out what happens, I didn’t want it to be over.

I'll also note that it's been a LONG time since I've felt this satisfied by the ending of a book, and I've read some great books recently! But even in my very favorites of my recent reads, I think this one wins for most satisfying ending.

Yangsze Choo has written a story that is cozy and thrilling, slower-paced but still full of motion, and very, very moving. I am SO excited to go work my way through her other novels. This was a delight to read.

[review edited to add link]

I liked the writing and would read more from this author, but at times I felt lost and loss interest in the characters. I would try this author again.

Set in China during the end of the Qing Dynasty, The Fox Wife is narrated from dual perspectives and tells a tale of lost love, regret, and revenge. Choo’s writing and characters were so compelling to me and I ended up loving so many unexpected twists and characters. This is the perfect book for those looking for a bit of mystery, some folklore, and a slower story that’s sometimes deeply sad and introspective, but which has a dash of comfort.

One of the things I loved so much about this book is how both Snow (the fox lady) and Bao (the detective/fixer) have such strong and unique narrative voices but both of them are the same in many ways–-both suffering from the loss of a loved one that was taken from them and both on a journey to fill that hole in themselves one way or another. They were both a delight to read, with Snow’s chapters in particular being such cliffhangers, while Bao’s are more bittersweet and melancholic. I enjoy that although Bao ends up finding more and more about Snow, his chapters are still very much about him.

This book truly is a journey that crosses the Chinese countryside and cities. It’s fascinating to see both a revenge tale and a missing person case interwoven like two train tracks merging into one. Along the way, there’s plenty of interesting characters both narrators encountered and I loved how each side character lent a certain atmosphere to the scene of the book. It felt like a Studio Ghibli movie in a way, where the side characters don’t stick around for long but they leave an impression even if you don’t necessarily learn anything incredibly interesting about them.

Choo’s writing is immersive and it feels like she’s telling the reader a great bedtime story or fairytale. The folklore and myths surrounding fox spirits, gods, etc. are done really well and with an expansiveness I haven’t seen in other stories about East Asian fox mythology. It also makes for great humorous moments and really fun mini stories. It’s also interesting to see how human faith in them has wavered over time and how that reflects how China was rapidly transforming as the Qing Dynasty would be known as the final dynasty.

It’s very fitting then that this historical backdrop, a farewell of sorts, reflects the emotional state of its protagonists at times. I loved how clever Snow was but how much compassion she had too for those who earned her trust and how Bao was similarly an old man trying to do good things and unexpectedly finding purpose again. These are two characters that have lived a rich, full life and are at the end of them in one way or another, and they have to confront this emptiness (be it death or toss of home and unfulfillment) that awaits them and which has haunted them for a while.

There are bright and lovely moments in The Fox Wife, but not so much that I ever felt that it took away from the main story. Every action the characters (including the side characters) took felt right, even if it was one they would regret later. That being said, the plot had a bunch of surprising twists near the end that I loved and which took the story in a wholly original direction.

The Fox Wife is a book I can see myself revisiting bits of, especially Snow’s chapters, just to feel and re-experience Choo’s writing. Sometimes chaotic and funny, other times melancholy and poignant, this book took me on an excellent journey I won’t forget.

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This review has been scheduled to be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, and my blog on January 23, 2024.

This story is an excellent mix of a historical fiction, fantasy, and a detective novel all wrapped up in an addicting read. I’m always a sucker for a book told through multiple perspectives, and even when those perspectives converge it’s still amazing how those different eyes see different things. The author has done a fantastic job of weaving together the characters, backstories, and historically-accurate points to make this an almost believable tale.

THE FOX WIFE is a mystery-soaked piece of historical fantasy following two entwining narratives: that of Bao, a private investigator who can hear lies; and Snow, a female fox seeking justice.

This book's strongest trait is the use of its mythological roots. While using a familiar figure from folklore (foxes), it embraces the sense of mystery and ambiguity surrounding these shape-shifting creatures. Many questions about the world and magic are left unanswered, which works for the story—it causes you to question everything put on the page, encouraging the reader to follow the trail to the end of each mystery. The story unfolds delightfully as a result, although at times the writing felt a little simplistic, with emotions and thoughts laid out on the page in a rather rote way.

Regardless, I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend it for fans of folklore and myth retellings.

A tangled web of revenge, deceit and longing entraps the reader into a captivating tale.

Mythology and magic combine in this enchanting world where foxes can walk in two forms - their fox form and as an unusually beautiful, enchanting human. Told in two perspectives, this story weaves back and forth between a fox wife seeking revenge for the death of her cub at human hands and an investigator looking into the death of a young woman, a trail that eventually leads him to the fox wife.

The three fox characters are fascinating. Snow, the fox wife, is driven by revenge, but she's also curious, cunning and cares about others. Shirakawa, a male fox, carelessly involves others in schemes and leaves them to face the consequences, while Kuko involves himself in almost nothing unless it concerns Snow. Snow's mistress, who's she's working for as cover, had an experience with foxes as a child. Her son fears being haunted by ghosts. Together, they embark on a journey, each with their own private reasons.

I found the fox mythology to be captivating. The influence they exert on humans and the jams they find themselves adds intrigue and liveliness to a book that deals with some heavy themes and feelings.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s early 1900s Qing Dynasty China, and fox spirits are roaming the land. The modern world is developing across Asia and customs are changing, but the mystical still weaves into everyday life. On a quest for revenge, Snow has left the grasslands she called home and is tracking a photographer responsible for tearing her life apart. Meanwhile, a body is left dead in an alleyway, and a man named Bao is hired to investigate. With an uncanny ability to tell truths from lies, he slowly begins to thread himself deeper into a mystery he could never have anticipated. Yet the further he goes on, the more his mind drifts back to his unusual past.

This book combines my favorite elements in Asian fiction, real cultural insights into society as well as folklore. Though you see an era in Asia when some aspects of modernization and cultural shifts are happening, ancient practices are still incorporated and believed to affect the real world. In a time where society seems to shift away from the old world, this story reinforces the validity of historical belief. The dual point of views were written very well, and it wasn’t until near the end where you could see the two perspectives intertwining and following the same route. Additionally, each view was written in a slightly different style. Chapters from Snow’s view were read as diary entries, while’s Bao’s chapters had the air of a detective novel. Snow’s view, in particular, was so engaging for me. Right from the start, you learn that she’s not human and is very long-lived, so she tends to observe human interactions around her and simply play a part when she engages with them in return. This allows the author to comment on human nature and culture through the way Snow views the actions of others around her. She brought an outsider’s perspective on the world. Amidst all this, the book dealt with themes like loss and grief, the difficulty with trying to follow a chosen purpose in life, and the importance of genuine relationships.

The author is an excellent storyteller and the way she works in Chinese myths and folklore is incredible. However, she tried to do too much here. She weaves between two separate plotlines and the shifts aren't very smooth. She also bogs down the story with too many unimportant details, such as dreams and side stories, that interrupt the flow of the story. She's a great writer, but the book could have used better editing.

I loved the images that the writer created in her book. The mystery unfolds with folk beliefs and magical happenings along with complicated relationships.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co. for the advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review. The Fox Wife is a story told from two perspectives; the first from Bao, who is investigating the death of a woman found in the snow one cold winter night, who’s murder is wrapped up in whispers of folktales and mystery. The second perspective of our story comes from a mysterious woman on a vengeful mission, willing to do whatever it takes to follow the trail.

This was a beautiful story filled with lots of folklore, rich culture, and cleverly connected plot lines! I very much enjoyed this book and appreciated the craft of the shifting perspectives between the story; the nuggets of connection between the two that were dropped throughout the entire book made it easy and enjoyable (rather than jarring) to switch between them. I also loved how much the author kept the legends or element of the fox at the heart of the story; it was an excellent theme to tie the pieces of this mystery together and added an air of magical wonder to the whole story.

There were some points in the book that I felt dragged on a bit longer than I might have liked but, overall this did not detract significantly from my reading experience. I enjoyed the ending of this story and liked the way that the author was able to marry both realistic elements/emotions with the magical fantasy of the fox folklore; in this way, it was easy to empathize with the characters and remain invested in their story, while also feeling a bit mystified by the magic.

Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a healthy incorporation of magical elements or stories. This is a book that has staying power and in my opinion, is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winters night— not that it wouldn’t be great in any other setting too!