Thank you Harlequin Teen for this book in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish—and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos.
Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn.
Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground, her adoptive family is brutally slain and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll.
There are many who would claim the dragon’s wish for their own. Kage Tatsumi, a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan, is one such hunter, under orders to retrieve the scroll…at any cost. Fate brings Kage and Yumeko together. With a promise to lead him to the scroll, an uneasy alliance is formed, offering Yumeko her best hope for survival. But he seeks what she has hidden away, and her deception could ultimately tear them both apart.
With an army of demons at her heels and the unlikeliest of allies at her side, Yumeko’s secrets are more than a matter of life or death. They are the key to the fate of the world itself.
Review:
I’m guilty for never reading a Julie Kagawa book before Shadow of the Fox and I am extremely disappointed in myself that it isn’t funny. Kagawa is an absolutely genius and I found this book to be phenomenal in more ways than one. Legit wouldn’t be able to fault it if I tried, just brilliant.
There was so much to love about this book but I think I would have to say that it being based around Japanese legends would have to be a highlight. The world building was just vast, detailed and incredible, you could actually picture the setting and the characters clearly in your mind. And if you have no idea what Japanese folklore entitles, don’t fret because Kagawa has a way of explaining everything easily and wonderfully that will leave you an expert on Japanese folklore.
Yumeko is half-kitsune living at an isolated shrine with monks who protects a scroll that can summon the dragon. In unfortunate circumstances, Yumeko crosses path with Tatsumi, a samurai and a cursed member of the Shadow clan. A legend in his own right, a demon slayer, set to find the scroll and together they set off to find the scroll, Tatsumi unaware that Yumeko carries it in her care. The journey wouldn’t be the same without some sidekicks, Daisuke, a nobleman and Okame a ronin. Though on their journey they encounter Japanese myths and legends determined to gather the scroll themselves.
I loved every single one of the characters in this book, every single one from the heroes to the villains. Each character had their own tone about them. Tatsumi was mysterious and dark and I loved it, especially when his cares for Yumeko, ensure that she stays safe. Oh I probably should mention that he has a demon infested sword that constantly tries to possess him?
Yumeko is 16, pretty much a child in my eyes and is part fox, she is loyal, sweet, funny, humble and just adorable in more ways than one. Throughout the book I grew found of her and at the end I was dying to read more about her. I need the next book now. Please?!?!
Shadow of the Fox is brimmed with magic, adventure, history and culture wrapped up in a sweet little fantasy burrito and damn it was good. Besides the myth and legends, you watch as our beloved characters face off against monsters of mayhem, a vicious and yet delightful villain and should I mention there is a ghost who is just adorable.
I couldn’t rave enough about this book and I highly recommended this to literally everyone. I loved every single mythical goodness on every single page and I am now on a mission to devour all of Julie Kagawa’s work.
Rating: 5/5
ISBN: 9781488097225
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
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