Shadow of the Fox. Non Spoiler Review

So, Shadow of the Fox is Julia Kagawa’s newest series, with the third and final book set to release in April. You may know Kagawa as the author of the Iron Fey series, Immortal Rules series, and Talon series. If not, I highly recommend her books! Kagawa is an amazing storyteller and has created some amazing books! And Shadow of the Fox may currently hold my top spot!

Shadow of the Fox follows two major characters. Yumeko, a half Kitsune, and Kade Tatsumi, a demon slayer from the Shadow Clan. From the names alone, you might tell that this world Kagawa has created, is inspired by Japanese folklore. As I am not Japanese, I will not comment on any accuracy or inaccuracies, however since Kagawa is of Japanese descent, I believe she would know how to work with the folklore. Now this book has a lot of this lore in life, with Yumeko being kitsune, for people who don’t know much, it can be confusing. However Kagawa has told the story in a way that makes it easier to understand, and if any words become confusing, she included a little part at the end explaining certain words.

The story follows these two people as they are ‘thrown together’ (I love saying that) after an incident. Yumeko’s home is destroyed, and she flees with the object they are after, a part of a scroll that so many people are after now, including Tatsumi. He was sent to the monks to steal the scroll, only to run into Yukemo running away. She doesn’t tell him she has the scroll herself, but lies and convinces him to accompany her to the capital, so she can fulfil her promise to her master.

Needless to say, things go wrong in so many ways! Demons attack them, sent by the same person who ordered the original attack. More people get involved with their journey and their lies, getting too close to the truth in some cases. Tatsumi, who has been trained to not let emotion best him, doesn’t know what to do with the girl he has to travel with, and he slips more than he likes. And Yumeko, already lying about the scroll, also has to hide her Kitsune nature from the demon slayer. But also from growing up in a monastery she has no idea how to interact with the outside world, and her curiosity and good nature takes the focal point. Which makes for an interesting adventure for the two of them.

If you decide to read this book and enjoy it, I highly recommend getting the second right away, or while you’re reading it. Because I desperately need it now! That ending! Kagawa knows how to pull at my heartstrings.