I had quite high hopes for this book, but it just didn't hit the mark for me. The cover of the book is beautiful, and the synopsis was very intriguing, but the characters didn't have the sense of connection that I was hoping for. I was so exited for the sapphic romance but it was lacklustre to say the least. I didn’t care for any of the characters, and it left me wishing for more depth and chemistry between them, which ultimately affected my overall enjoyment of the story and their fates.

This book touches on themes of grief and the grieving process, but alas, they are oversimplified. The characters' reactions to grief, and the impact of their grief on their relationship feels forced - as a way to make the plot make more sense.

The faeries and curses failed to intrigue me, the magic system felt uninspired and the author's take on faeries wasn’t for me at all. I struggled to maintain interest in the story and found the plot to be dull and slow. Many things were repeated throughout, spoon feeding me clues and making me feel like a child. When in fact I had the plot figured out within the first third of the book - further depleting my enjoyment of this book. Now knowing what’s going to happen to the characters and at the same time not caring at all.

While I didn’t necessarily enjoy this book, I did like the writing style, albeit a bit dull and over explanatory sometimes. For example, when the author decided to write about one of the characters practising sitting on a chair - “first, I try both legs side by side, hands in my lap. Then the left leg over the right. Then the right leg over the left. Then both legs tucked beneath me. When nothing satisfies, I try standing, but that feels strange too. I can’t decide what works best”. This didn’t surmount to anything at all, and there’s many more instances like this, making me skip over them entirely.

However, if you enjoy Holly Blacks books then you might like this one too! That’s why I’ve decided to give it three stars, as I genuinely believe it was just not for me, rather than it being an awful story.

I enjoyed this book quite a lot. I'm not familiar with the story of Rose Red, so I can't speak to the retelling aspect of it, but I enjoyed the magic in the book and, of course, the forest. I love a good forest in a novel.
I appreciated that the MC was still figuring out her own sexuality in the story, and she never truly states a conclusion. Some interactions between the MC and love interested did sometimes feel a wee bit forced. Or perhaps rushed is a better word? But overall, I think it was a good love story.
I think the ending mostly happened organically, which is always a good thing!

A beautiful, cozy fairytale retelling! I loved this world and the dynamic between Ro and her sister. The cottage in the woods makes for the perfect snowy day read. It gave me Once Upon a Time vibes (when the show was good!)

Utterly delightful! A sweet, sapphic fairytale sure to steal the heart of Holly Black fans, cottagecore pinterest princesses, goblin girls, and all who long for more wlw representation in the romantasy scene. I absolutely adore this book!

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

First of all, the cover is absolutely stunning! I applied for the ARC once I read there's a red fox shape-shifter character in a sapphic book??? Please sign me up!

However, I'm a little confused about the blurb. I remember reading a version that said, "Ro fights a bear to save a fox's life, only to see the fox turn into a girl." But the new version of the blurb says, "Ro fights a bear to save a fox's life, only to see the bear turn into a boy after her sister shoots him with an arrow."


I was excited about the sapphic romance in the book, but it didn't feel sapphic overall, despite the main character being sapphic. One thing that annoyed me was the bear-boy character, who took up a significant portion of the book. He's annoying as hell and I didn't care about him at all. And Ro's choice to pick the bear boy over the fox girl in some of her decisions baffled me. I hate to say this, but this book almost feels like it was originally about Ro and the bear-boy romance, but then they suddenly decide: <i>Hey! Let's make it sapphic!</i> and then change a few settings in the book.

I really like the fairytale setting in the book, Markelle Grabo is a brilliant writer, but as an avid sapphic reader, I just didn't like the book

Call Forth a Fox is a beautiful fairytale retelling featuring lovable queer characters. This read is great for lovers of cozy fantasy and puts empathy and love at the forefront of the story. I see many of the teen readers at our high school being very excited to read this.

gorgeously sapphic tale with intriguing characters. rose red is a fav of mine and this one was put together so smoothly from it!

A wonderful wintery fairytale retelling full of a sweet, sapphic romance.

Call Forth a Fox follows Ro, a girl who was taught to forage and stories of faeries by her father growing up in a cottage in the forest. But her father has passed and her mother is setting up a new life for them in a city – something Ro doesn’t want at all. Her life turns upside down when she comes across a Fox being hunted by a bear when she’s out foraging. Ro defends the fox only to watch the bear transform into a boy before her eyes, and to her shock, he knows her name and claims he must kill the Fox.

Ro is thrust into a mystery of faeries and curses that has delicious twists and turns you don’t expect! The magic system was so unique and I loved the authors twist on faeries. I was captivated while reading and found the plot to be engaging and fast-paced.

I really loved the cast of characters. Ro was such a strong lead and her sister was so sweet and supportive. Brenda was so interesting and I was so curious to see where his story ended. Same with Colette! The romance between Ro and Colette was really sweet, though a tad quick for my tastes. Overall though, the characters were well rounded and easy to root for!

This is the perfect read for winter or when it’s snowy! The vibes of the snowy forest were immaculate and I’d definitely recommend checking this book out!

A gorgeous retelling of a classic fairytale with exquisite prose, lovely characters, and wonderful queer representation that readers of all ages will connect with. I will definitely be selling this to young readers looking for an atmospheric, romantic story fit for a new generation of fairytale lovers. Markelle Grabo is a gifted author, and I can't wait to read and sell her future books!

Thank you Page Street YA for the digital ARC!

CALL FORTH A FOX is a sweet, sapphic, gorgeously written fairytale. I was swept away by the author's style, and I loved the queer representation in a folktale setting.