As a child who grew up on Aesop's fables and stories of tricksters like Anansi of West African folklore, this novella healed something in me.

I just love the world presented and how it plays into our treatment of animals as symbols. It does a wonderful job of capturing that feeling while attributing it to stories that answer a lot questions brought on by modern dilemmas.

For some readers it might be a little too on the nose with its morals and messaging, but those like me will feel a nostalgia beyond compare.

I'll light many candles to the Fox after reading this, and I hope others will too.

I was drawn in by the cool cover, but I stayed for the original and lovely story. We follow the temple-worker Nesi who is supposed to find a patron among the Ninety-Nine Pillars of Heaven but was already rejected by Ninety-Six of them. Her options are down to the Pillars of War, Assassination, and Tricks, so she enters the audition for T’sidaan, Fox of Tricks. The Fox promptly sends her back in time and gives her the task of securing the course of history, and so Nesi finds herself 300 years away from her own time in a labor camp during an occupation of her lands. I really got the feeling that this little novella took place in a vast world with rich history, to the point where I was a little lost between all the names of countries and regions. But I do appreciate the effort, and it just shows how much the author created for this story. My favorite part was the mythology itself, and I loved to learn about the different Pillars (they're basically gods) and especially about the Fox, of course. They were such a great character, being a trickster, mischief-maker and shapeshifter with a silly side, but they're also patient and kind, and ready to teach a lesson when necessary. Nesi was a good main character too. I really felt for her with all the rejections she had to endure, having the feeling that she's not enough although she is actually very passionate. It's a story about finding one's place in the world and about how a little trickery can stand against tyranny and violence. It's very original and hard to compare to other things, but parts were almost fable-like and the focus on storytelling reminded me a little of the "Singing Hills" Cycle by Nghi Vo. A lovely novella that's pretty on the outside and on the inside. There's also pretty art between the chapters, so I'm sure the finished version will be stunning. Highly recommend!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Tachyon Publications for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was great! Well paced, a few different styles of storytelling, uplifting, fun and likable characters.

"Audition for the Fox" is a powerful, poignant novella. It is a masterful work of storytelling that addresses the central themes of tyranny and resistance with a deft hand the perfect amount of worldbuilding to support its message. I truly loved this book: the world is fascinating, the tale is creatively told through both traditional storytelling and fable making it a deeply interesting read, and it was easy to become emotionally invested in the characters. Strongly themed novellas with clever worldbuilding and mysterious, compelling characters are truly among my favorite kinds of reads, and this one is easily a new favorite.

This book follows Nesi, who is desperate to become an acolyte of any god, called Pillars, who will take her. She is down to her last few options, and, in a moment of recklessness, reaches out to the Fox, the Pillar of Trickery. The Fox is a feared Pillar: honored as a deity, yet seen as fickle, unknowable, and more likely to cause Nesi harm for their own amusement than aid her in her quest. The Fox chooses to test Nesi’s mettle by sending her back in time, to 300 years before when her homeland was being occupied by the violent Wolfhounds, worshippers of the Wolf. She is tasked with inciting rebellion against their tyrannical rule, with the Fox offering their support and guidance from the shadows.

The strongest aspect of this book is its theme. The book depicts tyranny: the sense violence of the ruling class, the loss of a sense of self of the subjugated, the risk of resistance, the way the tyrannical are willing to turn on their own to assert group identity. Moreover, it shows the power of trickery; how wit and social structure can be a powerful tool in dismantling oppressors. I will avoid going into this more deeply to avoid spoilers, but this message leaves a powerful impression on the reader. It feels acutely accurate to real-world events, yet managed to leave me with a sense of hope at the end of the story.

I also really enjoyed the way the book is written. The book intermixed fables about the Fox into Nesi’s story, and each one is incredible. They do an amazing job adding to the book’s themes, developing the character of the Fox, and giving the story a very unique voice. I found them to be an impactful addition to the book.

All in all, if this kind of novella is something you enjoy, I highly recommend picking this up. It’s an easy 5-star read for me

Gosh I absolutely loved this book. It felt like such an original story and I wasn’t sure where it was going most of the way through. The ending was equal parts emotional and satisfying. My only wish is that it was longer and we got more information on Nesi, her background, more interactions between her and Una (who was a fantastic character) and of course some more stories from the Fox. I would love to see more from this set of characters.

I needed this novella badly, and I'll be highly recommending it when it comes out this fall. I'm a huge sucker for trickster gods and the power of stories, but Cahill hits home really hard with this, in the best kind of way. Because sometimes you feel lost in the plot of your own life and you need someone to show you that yes, the actions you take do matter. Throw in fox tales as interludes between the chapters and you get a novella that's like a warm jacket on a fall night. It won't let you forget that there's work still to be done, but that we can and will get through this, and the stories we tell to do so will matter a lot. Cahill mentions in the acknowledgements that there's years of work that have gone into this, and you can tell in the way this is crafted. Pick this up when it comes out this fall.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I might come back and edit this review later, because I have so many thoughts but none of them are ordered enough to put them into words.

What a novella. I didn't know what to expect from this story, I was simply drawn by the title and the cover. And, I must admit, I was a bit cautious about the tone and theme, because I care about both very much and it's hard to get it right, in my opinion.

Well, I was blown away. Really. First, by the amount of worldbuilding and sense of place placed in a short book. And without being heavy or boring! Truly amazing and inspirational.
Then, the story itself. Very mythical, full of bite and fun, but also violence and resistance. Martin Cahill somehow managed to balance all of it, in a gripping tale with wonderful description (I think very strongly about our Fox, their smile and sense of presence). I liked Nesi and her struggle to find her place with a god. She has a very relatable sense to her, while being very herself. Following her as she is sent back in time into a labor camp, all for an audition with the Trickster Fox God was a nice ride.

Are the messages (morals, if you will) of the story light or hidden under deep symbolism ? No, but it suits the story, its inspiration from fairy tale and folklore. It makes sense, and only add to the narrative.

Veryn very good surprise.

“Audition for the Fox” Martin Cahill

The main character Nesi is trying to become an acolyte of one of the 99 Pillars of Heaven. She is a child with the blood of a god, and if she fails to get patronage, then she is not destined to get out of her temple home, where she is studying. And Nesi wants freedom.
She had already had 96 audiences with the Pillars of Heaven, but without success. And Nesi decides to pray to T'sidaan, the Fox of Tricks...
And it seems that the fox is a joker, but the task gives her is not a joke. He throws her back 300 years, when Nesi's homeland was occupied by Zemin's wolfhounds.
Nesi has heard stories about this time, and knows that there was a rebellion, but... It turns out that she is destined to be the spark of this rebellion, so that people can overthrow the exiled 100-year-old Pillar, the Wolf of the Hunt.
I liked the story, it even seemed short. I would like more. A good story comes with beautiful illustrations, and after the story chapters, chapters with fox stories. Nesi finds friends in the past, and how sad it is to know that she has to return to her own time.
The book will be published on September 16th, 2025
Thanks NetGalley and Martin Cahill for giving me opportunity to read this book

"But since I have no reason to lie to you, middling art tends to be my favorite kind. Poetry, fiction, movies--I mean plays, all of it I prefer middling, [...] Because middling art is the most inspiring kind of art!"

If middling art be the goal, I can confirm Martin Cahill failed utterly. This book was incredible. From the pacing to the worldbuilding, I was on the edge of my seat! The deity system made sense and it was expansive without being overwhelming. It kept up the suspense and energy through the whole of its length, and while I personally wouldn't have minded a longer story, I think the length is just right for what's being told. Having this fantasy story revolve around time travel made the topic fresh and unique - sometimes stories get bogged down trying to justify the ways time travel could feasibly exist, but in a fantasy novella you have to keep that explanation short and simple, which I appreciated. Our main character Nesi was so lovable, the side characters had me rooting for them (especially Teor), and even when you know a story like this must end hopefully I was still tense trying to figure out exactly how they'd all do it! Having a queernormative universe was pleasant as well. Nothing makes me feel cozy quite like seeing the use of they/them pronouns or some casual sapphics in the midst of a story.

T'sidaan gets their own paragraph for being one of the best depictions of a trickster god I've ever read in a modern novel. Although I grew up outside the reservation and largely outside the culture (I'm only 1/16th Native), you can't not learn about the trickster gods in indigenous folktales. And while the old stories maintain the charm, cunning, and occasional viciousness of a truly good trick, modern attempts often fall flat for me. To be a trickster is not just to be silly, and to be cunning is not to be cruel. T'sidaan captured that beautifully. The afterword mentioned a potential novella set in the same universe, and I have to say that even if it wasn't centered on Nesi and T'sidaan I'd pick it up in a heartbeat. After this, I think I'll pick up anything Martin Cahill writes.

Was this a perfect book? No. Was it an absolute riot? Hell yes. I haven't had this much fun reading a book in a while. If I had to sum this up in a few words it would be: whimsy, charm, and heart. Despite it being a novella, the world-building was expansive, and the characterization of these myriad gods only further bolstered the world they made. We have a nervous, insecure protagonist who has a heart big enough to tackle colonizers and spark a rebellion, and we have a cunning fox god whose heart is even bigger. These characters absolutely made this book for me, but what really solidified this as a 5 star was the theme of story-telling. I LOVE themes of story-telling so I am absolutely biased, but this whole novella reads as a fable and, like I said, that really just heightened the whimsy of it all.

The pacing felt a little clunky at parts, sure, and I wish our side characters were given just a little more time to be fleshed out, but really, I had a wonderful time reading this story, and I think the themes it explores are especially relevant today. I'm going to miss these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!!

The premise was what originally drew me in (I find that trickster anything is always a hit), and this novella did not disappoint! The world was so rich and full of life, particularly the pantheon and its workings. I adore the idea of there being 99 gods (well, technically 100), all animals with different domains, that young demi-gods can audition to—especially as a university student on the trying search for internships who has experienced more than one disappointment (I feel you Nesi!) My favourite parts were probably the interlude chapters that explored short stories of the gods. It immediately made me think of Jean de La Fontaine’s fables and as such had such a nostalgic feel for me (being French). Apart from the worldbuilding, I found the story in itself to be something close to a warm hug, especially in our, to put it lightly, trying times. Resistance can be found everywhere, in the smallest of acts and stories. There were moments during the novella when the plot lost me a little and I wished we could have dove deeper into certain elements, however the charming characters, beautiful world, and inherent fairy-tale-like whimsy of the book made this such an enjoyable read. Thank you Martin Cahill, Tachyon Publications, and Netgalley for trusting me with an advanced reader copy of the book!

More!!! I need more… this book was spectacularly refreshing, entertaining, and inspiring. I would read an entire series where these main characters and even the rest of the pillars go on adventures and share their stories. I laughed, I teared up, I couldn’t stop reading. In these times, this book is a perfect distraction. I will be absolutely buying a physical copy to add to my collection and telling everyone to read this!

4.5 ⭐

Nesi must find a god willing to accept her as an acolyte—or risk being confined to her temple for the rest of her life. Out of ninety-nine Pillars of Heaven, she’s already been rejected by ninety-six. Only three remain: the Lion of War, the Serpent of Assassination, and the Fox of Trickery.

She chooses the Fox without hesitation—even though the stories she knows paint him as a mocking, mischievous god. So of course, his idea of an audition is to throw her 300 years into the past—right into the heart of the Zemin occupation. What else would you expect from the god of tricks?

This is the story of an underestimated girl searching for freedom, and of a Fox god operating in the shadow of his more dominant siblings—two characters who have more in common than they realize.

I absolutely loved this novella. I was especially drawn to the fragmented narration: a section from Nesi’s POV is immediately followed by a myth or tale. There’s something soft in the chaos she lives through, and something beautiful in the Fox’s mischief. The story blends fictional folklore with moral undertones, yet it’s clearly written for an adult audience.

The Fox quickly became a favorite—charming, clever, and perhaps the most humble of all the gods.

My only real struggle was with some of the language. Certain invented words—especially the gods’ names—made parts of the story harder to follow. Combined with the fable-like storytelling and occasional shifts in narration, it added a layer of complexity. That said, it’s also what makes this novella so unique and stylistically rich. I’m torn on that point, but I see its purpose.

Overall, this is a strong debut—clever, well-constructed, and filled with layers of meaning that reflect the real world. A genuinely enjoyable read.

Brilliantly written and charmingly witty, this fantasy is an absolute must-read for any lovers of mischief and trickery! Thank you to NetGalley and to Tachyon Publications for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!