Shadow of the Fox (Shadow of the Fox #1)

SHADOW OF THE FOX alternates POV between a half-kitsune named Yumeko and a samurai named Kage Tatsumi. After watching a demon attack and destroy her home, Yumeko must travel to the Steel Feather Shrine to pass on a piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. It's the only place it'll be safe because someone is trying restore the scroll and call forth the Kami Dragon.

Kage Tatsumi's mission is to find the piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers when he runs into Yumeko. She claims that the piece has already been sent to the Steel Feather Shrine and enlists his help to get her there safely. Along the way, they meet a few new faces who are amazed by Yumeko's innocence and kindness.

I absolutely love the Japanese folklore in here and it reminded me of an anime like Inuyasha. I love all of the characters and think Julie did an amazing job with this book. I'm dying for the second already and am so thankful to have had the chance to read a book as original as this one. It's full of innocent love, action, demons, Japanese mythology, and so much more.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of Japanese myths, action, adventure, and Japanese anime. I look forward to more book like this one.

Julie Kagawa NEVER disappoints. As a fan who has been following her writing since The Iron Fey series came out, I can truly say that each new work PROVES why she is one of my top favorite authors. Shadow of the Fox  is the first installment in a new series full of epic Japanese folklore, humor, adventure, action, and some very subtle but powerful swoons. This is definitely Julie Kagawa at her best!

This book is told in Yumeko and Tatsumi's POVs (with a third minor POV). Yumeko is a half-Kitsune. This means she can shape-shift into a fox and weave illusions. She's full of innocent mischief, though the monks at the Temple where she grew up in would surely say she is nothing but trouble! I LOVED meeting Yumeko and joining her quest to deliver the part of the scroll to another temple that can protect it from those that wish to call on the Kami Dragon. Since she is forced to flee the only home she has ever known and  manages to trick a demon slayer into helping her get to the temple, Yumeko quickly proves that she is an amazing heroine as she faces head on all the danger and the unknown, despite always being in a constant state of fear of being discovered and killed because of her true form.

Honestly, Yumeko's wonder and awe in every step of the journey as she gets to meet people and different places is the perfect window to fall in love with the world along with her! It's dangerous and full of demons, yes, but also incredibly beautiful and whimsical. What I would give to visit a small village lit by Japanese lanterns once the sun sets! ? Especially if I could have perfect companions such as Yumeko and Tatsumi *swoons*. Also, what I would give to travel with Yumeko, Tatsumi, and the hilarious ronin they pick up on their way. :D The dynamics between Yumeko and Okame are one of the true highlights of this book!

However, I must also fangirl over Tatsumi since he is the brooding YA hero we all LOVE to read about! He's the demon slayer from the Shadow Clan and is in possession of the sword Kamigoroshi that holds captive a powerful godslayer, Hakaimono. To not let the demon take control over him (wth potential catastrophic consequences), Tatsumi has been raised to be cold and unfeeling, since the Demon's power feeds from emotions and can take over in an instant. Emotions are a weakness, and Tatsumi has never felt what it means to be cared of.

His character is truly complex and being inside his mind in every other chapter is fantastic. As the days go by and he spends more time with Yumeko, you can see his internal conflict as the ice shatters around his heart and mind and he fights to keep himself in control and not lose his mind to the Kamigoroshi.

As Julie Kagawa does best, she brings all of the feelings into play and she makes you swoon, laugh, and feel as if you were fighting alongside Yumeko and Tatsumi! Not to mention rooting for them to take the next step and admit their slow burning feelings for each other. ?

Final Verdict:

Action-packed with incredible world-building, danger at every corner, and with ancient magic and intriguing characters, Shadow of the Fox is THE book I have been waiting all year to devour. This is the book that my heart sings for and now cries for since the ending left me absolutely devastated and desperate for more. Julie Kagawa's books are unmatched and I'm incredibly happy for my tears to feed her muse if it means getting the sequel soon.

Undoubtedly, IN LOVE with this book.