Shadow of the Fox

3 stars! This review will be spoiler free!

Synopsis:

Yumeko, half kitsune, was taught to always hide her yokai nature, but she has a gift for illusion and mischief. When the temple she was raised in is burnt to the ground and all the people she's ever known are killed, she is the only one left to protect the ancient scroll containing the Dragon's wish that brought about this destruction. While escaping the temple, she runs into a skillful ninja, Kage Tatsumi, whom is also after the scroll. Yumeko believes Tatsumi is her best chance of survival to make it to the next temple, and so she promises to lead him to scroll leaving out that she actually has it. And a shaky alliance later, they venture together to the next temple.

Thoughts:

I liked this book, didn't love it, didn't hate it. But thoroughly had fun follow the story of Yumeko-chan and seeing the potential that this series has.

It was really enjoyable reading a book based in Japanese folklore. Kagawa's use of simple Japanese words was perfect! I've always wondered how people who don't know basics of other languages read books like these, so I'm grateful to have a small understanding of Japanese. I also really loved the author's use of nature in so many aspects of the writing including setting and magic and ambiance.

The world was wonderful, colorful, and new. The magic was easy to follow and made for beautiful imagery. I wish we could've seen more of Yumeko's kitsune magic, but of course she had to hide it. Don't get me wrong though, her smarts and wits are way more useful to her than her strength or magic.

These characters were just okay for me. I didn't love any of them exceptionally and didn't really feel like I was rooting for any of the side characters. Yumeko was the naive, adorable, trusting, untried, witty kitsune that I wanted her to be. Her "newness" to the world and directness was something I did really like about her character. Tatsumi was alright, I just felt like his personality was constantly being shoved down your throat. After some time I thought to myself, "I get it! You're a stoic, unfeeling ninja, but you're really not! Stop saying it over and over." The same goes for the Ronin. I was sick of the dog jokes early on.

The plot was probably my second favorite part, second only to the Japanese base of the story. It was fun and enticing enough, still rather predictable. All the different parts that you are introduced to in the beginning come together into one interesting hodge-podge. The ending, however, was quite exciting! Edge-of-your-seat battles, demons, swordsman. New players in the game. And a quest yet to be completed. I'd be excited to see where this story is taken next.

Overall:

A good book! Maybe not something someone well-versed in fantasy would be impressed with, but it was still good. Enjoyable even. Depending on the thoughts on the second book as it comes out, I may or may not pick up book two.

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