Nothing is more satisfying to me than a short book creating a complicated satisfying world. The Navigating Fox takes place in a world where some animals are self aware and capable of communicating. The main character is a fox who is able to navigate hidden paths and has to lead a new expedition after a tragic one a year before. I loved all of the our characters in this book. We get solid character development within this 160 page book. The creativity of the world and the plot kept me engaged and left me wanting more but in a good way. I would love more story in this world but the ending was satisfying enough that it doesn’t need more. I will be adding this to my list of short fantasy novels that I adore.

Very interesting, unusual and beautiful little novella.
A really interesting story told in under 200 pages.
Highly recommend for when you want to read something compelling but short.

Interesting worldbuilding, and with it being a novella it's a quick read. I want more from this world, because it seems so intriguing.

Quintus Shu'al is the world's only navigating fox in an alternate wold where some animals have been "raised up" to speaking status via alchemical processes. This is also a world where Rome is ruling and has established a colony on what we consider North America. Quintus Shu'al guides travelers to their destinations via the Silver Roads that only he can access that speeds their journey. However, he is searching how he came to be and why he is the only enhanced fox. To gain this knowledge he is leading a second expedition to Hell, at least the Roman equivalent for a particular priest who is along for the journey for his own reasons. Nothing quite works out as anyone expects, but the reader gets to explore a very interesting universe.

Delightfully fun. My library ended up purchasing a few copies of this title after I submitted a recommendation to acquire it and they've circulated well.

I really wanted to enjoy this book. The premise and cover are what drew me in but I found it quite a slog to get through and o didn’t really care much about the characters or story.
Thank you to NetGalley and TorDotCom for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THE NAVIGATING FOX by Christopher Rowe

An ARC was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. THE NAVIGATING FOX was published on 26 September 2023.

In a world where animals can be sentient, or "knowledgable", Quintus Shu'al is the only fox to ever reach this state. He also has a unique talent that allows him to travel along the Silver Roads, a network of routes outside the physical realm. His last expedition cost the lives of dozens, so when he returns to the city of Aquacolonia, his reputation is under severe threat. Even more so when he is called upon to find the road to Hell.

Less than fabulous

At the heart of The Navigating Fox lies a conflict that is solved rather unsuccessfully. While content and form are rooted in fables of old, author Christopher Rowe insists on a modern spin to a point that feels grating. The overall idea is interesting and fun and feels more original than just another fairytale retelling - nothing against those, they are just more difficult to write in a way that feels fresh. Unfortunately, the execution in this case is less than convincing. At times, The Navigating Fox is both Marvel slapstick and period drama at once and the two styles just do not mesh well. On the one hand, there are scenes like when Quintus makes a grand (superhero) entrance with the help of a chandelier and two raccoons that tick almost every box of the typical comedy sidekick. On the other, archaic dialogue like “You know the whys of all of this. I would know the hows. I would know the whos.”, said by none other than Quintus himself.

Even more dissatisfying was the resolution of the central mystery. To be clear, some questions are answered quite successfully. The narrator even makes sure to list everyone's fate one by one at the end, tying up a lot of loose ends. But the one at the heart of the story - and this will be addressed vaguely here for spoiler reasons - is not answered satisfyingly. Not giving a hero what they seek but what they need, is a well established pattern in storytelling but that is not what The Navigating Fox achieves. Instead, the big reveal at the end is an answer to a different question that is, if at all, only really posed at the very end, which means it is everything but a satisfying substitute and, ultimately, fails to meet the expectations set at the beginning of the story.

Rating

The cover and premise were what drew me to this novella. I've never read anything by Rowe before and, as harsh as it sounds, this might have been the last time as well. Maybe Rowe just isn't my style but I found myself stumbling an awful lot while reading The Navigating Fox, over words and concepts, even the pacing. So I can't really recommend this particular work unless people are already familiar with the author and liked what they've read before.

I absolutely loved this novella! Rowe transports the reader to a richly imagined world, which I honestly would love to spend more time exploring. While this novella is short, it doesn't skimp on any of the qualities of craft that are paramount to enjoyment. I'm so happy to discover that Rowe's work is so to my taste (despite differences in genre), and I absolutely plan to read more from this author in the future!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

To me, the sign of a good novella is one that makes you hungry for more- more from those characters or from that universe, not necessarily a longer version of the story you're reading, although sometimes that, too. This was one that made me hungry for more. The amount of worldbuilding that was accomplished in only 160 pages? Astounding. The characters were all well-rounded and the world felt so three-dimensional and I desperately need a sequel because I have questions that demand answers.

The premise of this book is stunning. It takes on colonization and indigineity in a really intriguing way. I loved how sentience also plays into the themes of the story with "intelligent" animals. What a cool exploration of life and culture!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

I had no idea I was on a Talking Animal kick until someone else pointed it out. Between Starter Villain, The Bittlemores, and The Navigating Fox, I’m regressing to my Charlotte’s Web days.

My anthropomorphic fixation aside, I enjoyed this book.

First, the cover is stunning. I know it’s not supposed to matter, but: IT MATTERS.

Second, I was impressed by the amount of clear world-building done in a novella – particularly since it wasn’t all just exposition.

I did wish for more secondary characters. Not that there weren’t any, they just weren’t super-important to Quintus’ journey.

I’d happily read more stories set in this world.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley, Christopher Rowe, and Tor for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Navigating Fox is a delightful and unique story, though I don't think this book is for me. There is a lot of elements that I really liked - the worldbuilding was incredibly fun and interesting, and I am an absolute sucker for animal-focused stories.

The main drawback for me was how the plot jumped around between the past and the present, and sometimes I found it hard to keep track of some of the names within the book. I may have enjoyed it more as a novel with more breathing room to expand on the different timelines, but I still enjoyed reading The Navigating Fox as a novella.

Overall, I liked the ideas and the worldbuilding, and there was plenty to enjoy in this book - I may not be its target audience, though.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this novel. It is an exciting and witty read. I enjoyed the characters and found that the pace of the novel was perfect!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review!

I found this novella to be enjoyable. The characters and story building were interesting. When it came to the plot, I wasn’t entirely sure what was going on. I get the main point, but I would’ve liked some more explaining or details. Perhaps I would’ve enjoyed it more it more as a full length novel? Either way, I liked this book but I found some things lacking. It could be that I am not the intended audience or it simply wasn’t the right time for me to read it. I would like to read more from this author in the future nevertheless.

This was a clever novella inspired by fables and fairy tales - full of talking characters and magical worlds. Rowe nicely brings that sense of wonder you get from reading fables as a child with the darker and more mature life lessons of being an adult. While the book was big on ideas, I never really felt as immersed or engaged in the story as I would have liked. At times it felt like I was squinting at the world, as if the book was much much further out of reach than I would have liked. This might have just been a "me" issue rather than an issue with the book itself.

Absolutely adored this book! The plot is enthralling, and the characters feel like old friends. It's a literary delight that I can't help but recommend wholeheartedly. A must-read for sure!

This was an enjoyable, quick read (read it on a plane!). The world building is deft but comprehensive, the single storyline engaging.

Give to fans of Nghi Vo's Singing Hills Cycle series.

Engaging, entertaining, and utterly unique. A recommended purchase for collections where fantasy is popular.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC.

Quintus is a fox (*coughboocoughcoughboo) and is able to see The Silver Paths, or roads that allow for fast travel through his world. Through some measure of sorcery or alchemy, he is the world's only Navigating Fox, but he isn't unique among animals that have the ability to communicate with humans. Charged by one of his "benefactors", Quintus must set out among a party that consists of his benefactor, two Knowledgeable raccoons, a woman who blames him for the death of her sister, and finally, Walks-Along-Woman, a buffalo who also serves as an ambassador to his lands.

What I liked about this: Despite the main character being a fox *shakes angry paw at*, I enjoyed his foxy cheek. Quintus is a very clever and observant character who knows how to hold his own against creatures and humans who consider themselves far more intelligent than himself or try to look down him. Walks-Along-Woman was my favorite character out of all of them because she seemed to possess an easy grace and understanding of the world that she lived in. It was also unique to see the reverence that the Plains Indigenous people placed on the buffalo reflected in this story, as she also had a higher standing with the humans and buffalo in her band and herd respectively.

Also, the idea of uplifted animals, called Knowledgeable Animals in this book, is highly reflective of the same kinds of stories that I like to read and write. They're not human, as they retain their animalistic qualities, but they are also able to communicate with humans and face them on equal terms, rather than being seen as something that can be easily used and abused.

What I Didn't Like:

Some of the plot was a little confusing. I would have liked more of an explanation of what made the animals uplifted/Knowledgeable. I also would have liked a lot of clarification on the death and whereabouts of Octavia's sister. Finally, the climax was extremely confusing to me. I guess I missed something while reading and may have to go back and re-read this story to clarify some things.

All in all, this was an extremely satisfying story and I would like to see more stories from this author.