This is a lovely positive take on the fox spirit stories, moving from China to Japan. It's a contemplative personal novel that deals heavily with grief, revenge, and longing with a heavy dose of folklore. As there are only delicate touches of supernatural it reads very much like magical realism.
I don't read a lot of more historically-set Chinese novels, so what struck me particularly was the position of women. It's so painful to look at what was done, and what they did to each other - because human nature is always like that, isn't it, making sure you are not in as bad a position as others... but it was bleak and it made me extremely sad to think the horrors done where common not that long ago. The novel is set sometimes around the 1860s.
This is a very beautiful novel, with a heroin with lots of heart. Really liked it.

Satisfying!

So, you are giving me China in the beginning of the 20th century, but with magic? With shape-changing foxes of Chinese mythology? Thank you very much :)

The sentences are lush, flowing beautifully, the threads of a story touching and twisting, slowly coming together. The magic and family curses feel real and make your skin crawl.

Some scenes are like ancient Chinese paintings. Here are the landscapes, the streets, ancient mansions, dinner parties, paper lanterns; people who are loving, hating and living. At times I was reading as a ten-year-old me would: with complete suspension of disbelief, absorbed in the story and admiring its imagery.

The dual POV were very nicely done. Snow: tragic, fiery, furious, reckless, curious; there is a heart of gold in there somewhere. She broke my heart a little. Bao: a good man full of regrets, with an uncanny ability to tell lies from truth (it comes in handy if you are a private investigator). He broke my heart a little, too. I loved Tagtaa! I wanted to see much more of her.

Snow’s narrative voice was delightfully snarky sometimes:

“though most tales focus on the beautiful female foxes who live by devouring qi, or life force, little is said about the males. Women who run around willfully doing whatever they please are bound to be censured. A handsome, cunning man is a different matter.”

I was a very happy reader for about half of the book. This is a rather slow-paced story, though. We have a lot of events to go through. So I began to lose patience and get annoyed at characters for their bad decision-making skills. Some things were not quite resolved by the end. But my complaints didn’t stop me from enjoying The Fox Wife. I liked the ending!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-book!

This is a story of love, loss, myths, and a detective mystery all in one. If the whole thing feels like you're reading the diary of a woman who has lived an extraordinary life, well you kind of are.

From the first chapter I was hooked. As it went on I had some ups and downs with the writing but never in a way that was bad, just didn't always sit with me. There is a particular scene where Bao hears someone at his door and the writing becomes more like what you'd expect in a suspense novel. It's not bad, but it felt out of place to the tone of the rest of the story.

The weaving of the little details that hint at everyone's relationships together was brilliant. I really loved these little moments. They were done beautifully, fitting the melancholy tone of the book and air of reminiscence that surrounded what happened in the book's present times.

The ending felt completely right but equally I felt like I was looking through fog (maybe that's just the effect of foxes?), we get to see where things will go in the future for Bao and Snow, but I wonder so much about the other characters, like Bohai.

I loved this little dip into this world of foxes that was part historical fiction, part mythology and folklore, part mystery and heavy doses of lamentation.

Rounded up from 4.5 stars

This is an incredibly crafted tale. It's slow and steady and I was entranced by it. It is a tale of grief and vengeance and mystery. It was a heavy read at points but also fun and mysterious. The blending of Chinese fox mythology with a detective novel was so well done.

All the characters had such incredibly rich stores, even when they were a small part of the book and I think that really brought a lot

What instantly grabbed my attention was the cover and the title. The cover is a painting, simple, slightly melancholic, set in a wintery scenery in the past time. The painting brilliantly reflects the book's insight. The title suggests something unreal, maybe magical and also feminine. All well thought through.

This story starts like a classic mystery/crime novel - a dead body has been found. Now someone has to find out who is the victim and who is the killer, although the killer isn´t as important in this particular story. Thankfully the crime is only an excuse used by the author to tell us quite a different story.
The whole thing is set in Manchuria in 1908. It means that we can see China in the era before communism. Also, Manchuria is a region where local folklore, traditions, beliefs, and language were kept alive for a very long time. This region has been always different from others in the Chinese empire. For example, the entire of China practiced foot binding, except Manchuria. And this is exactly what this novel is about - the local folklore.
In Manchuria people believed in a fox god. Foxes are usually considered very smart, yet wicked animals. And that´s why they were feared. Some even believed that foxes are shapeshifters, which means that they can change into people and live among humans only to cause chaos.

So we have here folklore, a bit of history of China, and also bits about women's position in traditional Chinese society. All of this is very interesting and nicely presented, but what I enjoyed in particular is how the author plays with the language. It´s also important to say aloud that Yangsze doesn´t arrogantly assume, that the average reader with get all the niuances. Instead, she gently and respectfully explains to the reader why some words are important and not coincidental. For example: The surname Hu is quite common in Manchuria, it means a fox. There are a few little things like that throughout the book and I find them absolutely fascinating.

The story itself folds out slowly. There are a lot of scenes and threads that initially feel like they´re unimportant and expendable. But in the second half of the book, all of these start to fall into the right place and create a bigger picture just like a puzzle (jigsaw). And it all makes sense, yet this book could be still good having 300 pages instead of 400.

The Fox Wife is a compelling fusion of folklore and historical fiction that resonated strongly with me, given my appreciation for Chinese and Asian folklore. Set against the backdrop of Manchuria in 1908, the narrative immerses readers in a world where ancient myths take on a tangible and literal presence.

I found the incorporation of the folklore elements into the story to be a particularly noteworthy aspect of this novel. The author adeptly interweaves these cultural myths, resulting in a narrative that blurs the boundaries between reality and folklore while still providing a cracking page-turner.

Having very much enjoyed the author's prior works, The Ghost Bride and The Night Tiger, my expectations were high for this book and fortunately, it did not disappoint. The story unfolds during the end days of the Qing dynasty, around 1910, with much of the action taking place in Manchuria and Japan which I thought was a really interesting time setting for the story.

The story unfolds deliberately, employing dual perspectives. Snow, a fox spirit capable of adopting human form, narrates her part in the first person, while Bao, an elderly investigator skilled at locating missing persons, recounts his role in the third person. Their narratives eventually converge, leading to unexpected revelations, particularly as it becomes evident that Snow is not the sole fox character in the tale, and Bao's life experiences significantly impact the narrative.

I liked the detective story elements of the novel (which is not usually a genre I particularly enjoy!), replete with intriguing plot twists and suspenseful developments that kept me firmly hooked until the story's conclusion.

I felt perhaps there was some room for further exploration of the romantic tension elements of the novel, and as usual I was rooting for the wrong guy, but this minor personal niggle did not diminish my enjoyment of the novel..

In short, another banger from Choo!

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, the publisher and Net Galley.

This book was such a beautiful blend of folklore and historical fiction. I found it absolutely fascinating.

We follow two narrators, Snow, a fox spirit who can take human form, and Bao who takes on investigations as he has a strange power that allows him to tell when people are lying.

Snow is on a quest for revenge against the person who killed her child. In this heartbreaking mission we see her going on a long and intense journey to find a photographer who was responsible for her grief using the limited means and contacts she has available. All against a backdrop of a fear of foxes and constant danger of being found out. Bao is following in her footsteps.

This book has everything you could possibly want, a compelling mystery, character growth, clear goals the characters are working towards, secrets from the past, folklore, magic, lost love. There was a moment when I realise how something would connect before it was announced and it was a serious wow moment.

I enjoyed this so much, I thought it was beautifully written and a thrilling story.

The Ghost Bride is one of my all time favorite books that I have reread many times. All because of the author's amazing athmosphere and writing style. She picks a historical setting and then lures you right in.
In The Fox Whife Yangsze brings us to 1900 Manchuria, a very interesting setting as this region has been part of Russia, Japan and of course China. And the author shows this meltingpot of cultures through the different food and languages in the book.

We follow two very different perspectives:
🕵‍♂️an old lonely detective Bao trying to solve a murder case. He has a gift where he can tell truth apart from lives, due to a childhood encounter with a fox god.
🦊 a white fox spirit Snow, who is set on vengeance after the violent death of her cub. Touching upon superstition and lore around the fox spirit in Asian cultures.

While the pacing is slow, I loved to take my time with these two characters and see their mysteries unravel. The snowy landscape and murder mystery made this a perfect winter read for me!!
This book confirms that Yangsze's writing and characters speak to my soul, I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next.

Having read and enjoyed on of this author's previous books (The Ghost Bride, which has also been adapted into a limited series by Netflix), not to mention the description given of this one, I was pretty sure I was going to enjoy The Fox Wife and I was 100% correct. In the interests of full disclosure, I'd also read her other book (The Night Tiger) which didn't quite work for me, so it was always possible I'd be wrong.

Unlike the previous two books, which were take place in 1930's Malaya, The Fox Wife is set in the end days of the Qing dynasty (around 1910), with much of the action taking place in Manchuria or Japan. It's a fairly slow-moving story of two main characters, one told in first person (our eponymous fox, Snow) and the other in third person (the elderly Bao, who works as an enquiry agent and is looking for a missing woman after another woman is found frozen to death on a restaurant doorstep). Eventually the two storylines collide and discoveries are made, especially as Snow is not the only fox in the narrative and Bao's own life experience comes to play a major part.

I really enjoyed reading it and found the world-building convincing, so I'm glad I requested it and have already recommended it to people asking for historical fantasy (the fantastic element being the reality of foxes and many of the myths about them being true). Not sure what this author has planned next, as I don't think this book is due out till early 2024, but I look forward to checking it out.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley. This is my honest review of the book in question.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the copy. The opinion is my own.

This is a story about foxes. Snow, a fox, is on a revenge path and Bao, a detective, has a mysterious death to solve. Their stories entwine though you would be surprised at how long it will truly take for them to meet face to face. The majority of the book is passed with both main characters in different places until the plot threads finally converge.

This is a slow paced tale. The beginning is especially slow, and it took a bit to really suck me in the plot itself. This is also very character based - there's a very distinct plot, with bewitchment accusations and murder mystery, but the characters muse about their past and actions quite a lot, and as a reader you slowly start to understand why these two characters are our POV (point of view), as you get to know their past and who they are, as well as their actions - and of the supporting characters.

The POVs are alternated, with one chapter with Snow, in first person, followed by Bao's POV, in third person, returning to Snow again. There isn't much of to wonder about the characters relationships between one another and in certain cases you can guess easily where it lead but it was still enjoyable to read. The moments of comedy (How do you stop arguing? Just throw some soup on a guest-) always got me, and so did the drama. Admiteddly, there is a bit of a letdown in a part of the resoluton but its also kind of the point? For such a slow book it also surprised me how chaotic it suddenly became - reflecting the foxes' nature I suppose.

As for the historical setting, it was rather interesting to me the casual descriptions given of the culture and people who lived at that time, and the characters thoughts about new technology (such as photographs and steam trains!),

All in all 4.25 stars.

This was a slow, melancholic story. It meanders a bit, but that's forgivable, because the main draw is the atmosphere and the characters, rather than the plot.

Told in alternating first- and third-person povs, this is the story of Snow, a white fox spirit on a journey of revenge after the violent, senseless death of her daughter, and Bao, a private detective who can tell apart lies from truth after a childhood encounter with a fox god. Bao is hired to investigate the mysterious deaths taking place in his hometown, and quickly ends up on Snow's trail.

The prose was lovely, to the point that the writing felt almost cinematic - I think this would work great as a movie or as a mini-series. The entire book is pervaded by a sense of nebulous mystery, so that the story feels dream-like. I really liked it, but I do wish we'd gotten slightly more concrete answers to some of the mysteries.

This is not the first book I read by Choo, so I went into it fully expecting to like it, and I wasn't disappointed. I highly recommend it!

I enjoyed The Fox Wife.
It was such a beautifully written and unique book.
The premise of it was amazing and it definitely lived up to it.
I did find it a little slow paced at times but I actually think it fit the story.
It also had some great characters that I loved!

I'll definitely be checking out the other books the author has written. I actually have The Ghost Bride on my bookshelf also by Yangsze Choo and after enjoying this book I'm extra excited to read that one!

I definitely recommend this book!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

Rating 3.5

I was sent this eARC from Netgalley and Quercus books in exchange for an honest review.

What an interesting and beautiful read. I found the story compelling and the characters well written with a lot of depth. The setting was easy to bring to life and I found myself engrossed with the dual POV's.
My only issue is that at the beginning of the story I wish that it flowed more and was a bit more fast paced. But towards the second half of the book I really struggled to put it down.

This book has really piqued my interest in regards to the Chinese folklore surrounding the magical foxes. This book was a breath of fresh air.

I loved the concept of this book and learned a lot about Fox Spirits and their place in Chinese folklore. This book had the feel of an historical novel, with murder and romance / love triangles as well as loss and grief.
I enjoyed the characters especially the cross over storylines of Bao and Ah Sun, each chapter drawing closer to their inevitable meeting. The book gives a lovely atmosphere and the writing is exquisite- with many funny observations.
I felt that the story was a little longer than necessary and it took me a while to read. I think I’m still a little confused by the outcome of a particular storyline, however generally the conclusion was well thought out and didn’t feel rushed.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity

This is a historical novel which is my usual go to genre, but the Fox Wife is a very different novel than just historical.

There are glimpses of the supernatural. Foxes who can transpose between fox and human form.
There is a death, a mystery, a detective with his own fox back story investigating a mysterious death, a family drama with a cursed family and whiffs of revolutionaries.

But this novel is more than this though. There is a love story. A theme of mother avenging the death of her child. The folklore, the mystery of the Fox Gods and the Fox Wife. And strong characters with strong personalities and a good story line to weave everything.

The prose is eloquent, and the novel slowly, but not lazily, weaves the different threads to a full conclusion.
There is humour, love and loss which all sounds very soap opera like but what The Fox Wife manages to do is weave all the threads into a wonderful, folklore, winter tale.

This is one to watch as when it is released everyone is going to be talking about it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, for some reason it seems that I started this author other book, the ghost bride but I didn’t finish, I think I didn’t really like the Portuguese translation instead, because the way this author writes is full of poetry… Yuki, our snow fox, is very relatable, I understand her quest and her motivation, and I suffered with her, and I felt in love with the mysterious Kuro, the black fox. I even enjoyed Bao parts of the story, that made all the lose threads come together.

Usually I don’t like fantasy, but this isn't your usual fantasy, I cant recommend it enough, grab your copy and see for yourself.

Thank you Netgalley and Quercus Books, Quercus for the free ARC copy and this is my honest opinion.

I loved this tale very much, in all its simplicty that comes from the genuine, relatable voices of the characters, more than the writing style - which is very evocative and at times verges on the poetical, something I adore. I think I loved this tale even better because contrary to most of the fox legends I've read in Chinese literature, this one tells a tale of sorrows and grief, of a search for redemption in revenge where the female fox character isn't a 'vixen' who seduces and manipulates others for fun. There is a reason behind every one of Snow's actions, reckless and unthought as they may be, and that reason is one that touches me deeply. I really liked the fact that female character here wasn't portrayed as most Chinese costume dramas tend to portray this kind of character, which is not just a tad demeaning but it's been done so often it gets tiresome. So, kudos for the refreshing manner in which a fox tale was told, and kudos also for having two male foxes in the story who are the opposite of each other, thus giving even more depth to the legend of the fox spirits, one of my favourites in East Asian floklore and mythologies. The writing style, though, was what I enjoyed the most, almost like a lullaby that instead of lulling me to sleep, kept me awak all night dreaming up tales of the snow white fox and the steppes of Mongolia and the streets of Mukdan and Dalian. I loved the many flashbacks into the past, the bits about Bao and Tagtaa's childhood friendship, the way the two different stories weaved into each other to come together at the end. I don't think the author was trying to make that into a huge reveal that left the reader panting, on the contrary, I'm convinced she weaved the entire thing so that along both Bao's and Snow's stories we the readers would weave those threads together and come to the truth on our own, well ahead of the revelations at the end of the tale.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC copy of this story, my opinions are my own.

It will probably come as no surprise (or at least will be a common enough story) that I picked up this book after having read - and quite enjoyed - “The Ghost Bride”, another well know book by Yangsze Choo. While the latter was an introduction to both the author an the cultural concept the book was about, “The Fox Wife” felt more like a return to a familiar voice and mythology that I have already read some about. Having said all that, this story surpassed all of my expectations and has easily become the best read of the year.

The story is told in two distinct perspectives - 1st person POV of Snow, a fox lady, who has set out on the road of revenge after losing her daughter, and 3rd person POV of Bao, an old man, who works as an investigator while using an indispensable skill - being able to tell apart lies. As these two make their own distinct journeys, we get to see their paths intertwine, past and present, wowing an immersive story that keeps the reader turning page after page.

There was so much to like in this book, it’s hard to pick only a few things. For someone with a short attention span and a busy schedule outside of reading, the short chapters made it easy to follow the story and with the ending of each chapter leaving me wanting for more, it quickly became a book I always had with me (easily done with and e-book) for filling in breaks at work. The characters felt so human (even if not all of them actually were, haha) and it made me root for them the whole way. And the story behind the story - the foxes and their mythology, their appeal, their (un)balanced realities - this is definitely a book worth reading if this topic interests you, even a little.

This year was filled with plenty of okay reads, but “The Fox Wife” was a breath of fresh air, and I cannot recommend it enough.

I received an advance review copy from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The novel is an enchanting blend of historical fantasy and folklore, brimming with supernatural elements. Unfolding in the early 1900s in Northern China, it centers around the captivating tale of Snow, a young woman who is also a fox seeking vengeance for the tragic murder of her daughter. As she embarks on her quest for justice, Snow finds herself in the role of a maidservant to an elderly lady. Little does she know that this woman's grandson is involved with a revolutionary society, adding another layer of intrigue to the narrative.

Amidst this intricate web of events, we are introduced to Detective Bao, a man who possesses the unique ability to detect falsehoods amidst a sea of lies. Investigating a series of mysterious deaths, his path inevitably intersects with those of Snow and the elderly lady. It is revealed that all of them, the young woman, the revolutionary leader, and even an author, are connected as fox spirits. The elderly lady, in particular, owes her life to a fox spirit who rescued her in childhood, and similarly, Detective Bao was healed by one during his own youth. Their intertwined pasts create a deep bond between them despite the challenges they face in the present.

The story delves into the intricacies of a cursed family and the ethereal essence of fox spirits, seamlessly blending elements of charm, history, and romance. Throughout the narrative, the author skillfully intertwines folklore and historical fiction to create a delightful tapestry of emotions and imagination. The ancient reverence and fear associated with foxes are explored, from their origins as divine celestial beings to their reputation as cunning tricksters capable of assuming human form. While the presence of fox spirits is largely believed by peasants, the impact of their supernatural powers cannot be ignored.

In the northern regions of China, the fox holds significance alongside other creatures like the hedgehog, weasel, rat, and snake, collectively known as the Five Great Households. Within this belief system, foxes are often perceived as luring people to their demise. Consequently, those who pray to the fox gods are sometimes dismissed as charlatans or simple villagers. However, for characters like Snow and Detective Bao, the creatures hold a mystique that extends beyond mere superstition. Bao, burdened by his innate ability to hear truth, is haunted by the enigmatic connection between foxes and his otherworldly powers. Illuminating the role of foxes as both feared deities and spirit-stealers, the novel uncovers a rich tapestry of shadows and dichotomies.

What sets this book apart is its lyrical prose and masterful characterizations. The story is meticulously crafted, resonating with readers on a profound emotional level. As we immerse ourselves in the main character's sorrow and her unwavering determination to avenge her child's death, the narrative takes us on an epic journey filled with intertwining layers. The author's extensive research shines through, evident in the numerous translations of Chinese and Japanese texts, and the exploration of traditional tales of fox folklore.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this beautifully written novel to any reader seeking a captivating and emotionally charged experience. With its multidimensional characters and richly imagined world, it is sure to leave a lasting impression and evoke a range of emotions.

Discover the supernatural allure of fox spirits, as they navigate the delicate balance between darkness and light within the intricate tapestry of this extraordinary book.

I’ve yet to read any of Choo’s other work but I really enjoyed this one! An absolute slow burn at its finest, it had me gripping on the edge of my seat to see how it would all play out.

Alternating POV between a grieving fox out on the prowl against a mysterious detective who can tell when someone lies — we dive into their past and present of how foxes and their mischief have influenced not only each other but the world.

I’m a huge fan of fox tales and folklore so this was right up my alley, but the middle does get a bit slow. I enjoyed it nonetheless.