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A review by sj_elli
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa
5.0
I was gifted an ebook via Netgalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts are my own.
I read an excerpt of this book and requested it via Netgalley. I received the galley and meant to get around to reading it asap. Then I received a signed finished copy from Owlcrate and started it finally in October of 2018 (in the month it was released). However, I have found I cannot read heavily atmospheric fantasy books at night anymore because my tired brain cannot keep up. It took me a long while to get about 40% through the book. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, it's just that I couldn't concentrate enough to read it. I decided to request the audiobook from my local library to see if I could digest it better - although I was a little nervous because I sometimes struggle to listen to fantasy audiobooks - they can be so detailed. Especially new worlds and magic systems can be hard for me to grasp in audiobook format.
However, after all is said and done, Kagawa delivered once again. I am not sure any book will be able to top it this year. It was incredible and it was easy to listen to with my somewhat alright knowledge on some things Japanese because of Naruto. I wasn't questioning what everything was and was able to immerse myself fully into this world.
I absolutely adored the cast of characters - I love Yumeko, who is one of the POVs, who is half kitsune (fox yokai) half human. I am obsessed with Okame, the ronin, that Yumeko and Tatsumi run into on their travels. I was sucked into the plot and I don't think I'll have any trouble recalling everything when it comes time to pick up the second book. It was such a rich story. I felt I was with Yumeko and her travel companions. I had many moments of giggling and jaw dropping. Kagawa is a master storyteller. No one can tell me any different.
I read an excerpt of this book and requested it via Netgalley. I received the galley and meant to get around to reading it asap. Then I received a signed finished copy from Owlcrate and started it finally in October of 2018 (in the month it was released). However, I have found I cannot read heavily atmospheric fantasy books at night anymore because my tired brain cannot keep up. It took me a long while to get about 40% through the book. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, it's just that I couldn't concentrate enough to read it. I decided to request the audiobook from my local library to see if I could digest it better - although I was a little nervous because I sometimes struggle to listen to fantasy audiobooks - they can be so detailed. Especially new worlds and magic systems can be hard for me to grasp in audiobook format.
However, after all is said and done, Kagawa delivered once again. I am not sure any book will be able to top it this year. It was incredible and it was easy to listen to with my somewhat alright knowledge on some things Japanese because of Naruto. I wasn't questioning what everything was and was able to immerse myself fully into this world.
I absolutely adored the cast of characters - I love Yumeko, who is one of the POVs, who is half kitsune (fox yokai) half human. I am obsessed with Okame, the ronin, that Yumeko and Tatsumi run into on their travels. I was sucked into the plot and I don't think I'll have any trouble recalling everything when it comes time to pick up the second book. It was such a rich story. I felt I was with Yumeko and her travel companions. I had many moments of giggling and jaw dropping. Kagawa is a master storyteller. No one can tell me any different.