Monday, June 24, 2019

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa


Series: Shadow of the Fox #1
Unabridged
Publisher: HarperAudio
Published: Oct. 2, 2018
Narrators: Joy Osmanski and Brian Nishii
Length: 14 hrs. 45 min.
Source: Audiobook Sync

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.
My thoughts:

I think I was just ready for a good fantasy adventure in a culture we don't often see. This one has some great characters which build on Japanese folklore and mythology. This is also one reason I highly suggest the audio. You get the correct pronunciation of the Japanese words sprinkled throughout the story. Not only that but the dual voices really work for the characters in the book. I did slightly prefer Joy Osmanski's narration but that is typical of me. I like female voicing female characters over male and I don't mind a male character from a female narrator. However that is my own preference and take it as such.

The story actually reminded me of a mixed up Inuyasha anime (if you haven't seen the show it is quite cute) and it feels like the quest is familiar. I actually think that endeared me more to the book. I actually anticipated a cliffie so it didn't put me off when I reached the ending (which is not usual for me, I hate cliffies). Kagawa is notorious for those kind of endings and I expect it in the next book as well (which I think I must also do as an audiobook).

I don't want to spoil too much of the quest but I do think this is a fun YA fantasy and also hints at a possible romance budding. You know Kagawa won't make that easy and we probably won't get fulfillment of that romance for a couple of books out (my prediction... lol).

I highly recommend this audio and I really did enjoy both narrators voicing the characters. I give the book 5 stars.
🦊

28 comments:

  1. Yay! I adore this series and am so glad you are reading it too! Book two is just as fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. OH! I'm not familiar with this series, but will take a closer look based on your review. I love the idea of a fantasy based in Japanese mythology! thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Too bad the audiobook isn't available for free anymore. I hope you enjoy if you get it!

      Delete
  3. Oh I love folklore and mythology and not knowing much about Japanese folklore and mythology I think I'd really like this book.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am KICKING myself for forgetting to Dl this from audiosync, arhhhh

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dang...ok I am going to have to grab this on audio Melissa. Wonderful review, and I have loved previous books by this author!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this is great in audio. I love having correct pronunciations in my head. :)

      Delete
  6. One of these days I'll read one of her books because they usually sound good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I hope you enjoy. I think most of her books are YA just FYI. :)

      Delete
  7. I got this one with the summer audiosync. Yay that it's so good.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love that this is based on Japanese folklore or mythology- it sounds so fascinating. I want to try this series for sure. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. You hooked me at Inuyasha lol, definitely going to try this book now!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm glad you liked this one so much. It's always nice to learn about new cultures and mythologies. And audios are good for pronunciation, I'm sure!

    -lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

    ReplyDelete
  11. I added this to my library list because so many of my blogger peeps loved it.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

    ReplyDelete
  12. I used to love her books but it's been a while since I haven't read one of them but I'm curious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It had been a while for me as well. Hope you get and enjoy!

      Delete
  13. This one definitely sounds good on audio.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This one has been on my TBR because I love Japanese mythology, so I'm happy to hear you loved it so much! Hope to get to it soon (probably on audiobook too ;) )

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!