Shadow of the Fox (Shadow of the Fox #1) by Julie Kagawa
Published: October 2nd 2018 by Harlequin Teen
Review:
Myth 5/5
Yumeko is a naive, curious, but unafraid half-kitsune tasked with protecting a scroll and leaving the only home, a monk’s temple, that she’s ever known. I like that her thoughts always focus on her tasks and she asks practical questions of the yokai and kami that she meets - she believes honest communication is the best way to address any problem.
Meanwhile, every other chapter is narrated by Kage Tatsumi. He is the opposite of Yumeko - always keeping his feelings in, worrying if he’s showing too much emotion and constantly surprised by the kindness and openness that Yumeko shows.
These two become unlikely travel companions as they are unknowingly in quest of the same thing - a piece of the elusive dragon scroll.
Their story unfolds against a rich backdrop of a Japanese inspired world, featuring samurai, remote temples, out of the way villages, cities and the Capital, and life on the road combatting their joint enemies.
Magic 5/5
A kitsune hiding her true identity. A shadow samurai barely keeping his emotions in check.
They slowly pick up a cadre of others to support Yumeko’s mission, although each thinks they know a different truth about that that might be... Meanwhile there’s still a demon trapped in a sword and new supernatural foes to battle, so we see a little of the each character’s magic being used and teased throughout the story, before finally seeing what they are all really capable of in the end. It was a completely satisfying ending, while opening up the next stage of Yumeko and Tatsumi’s journey.
Overall 5/5
There are so many layers to this novel, but they weave together to form a complicated, fast-paced story. There’s surprising twists and turns, an evolving evil bad guy, and great character development. Highly recommend.
Other books in the series:
