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

by Julie Kagawa

Overview

In this first book of her Japanese mythology-inspired Shadow of the Fox trilogy, bestselling author Julie Kagawa weaves a stunning, high-stakes tale of alliances and deceptions, characters who aren’t what they seem, and secrets that could change the fate of the world.

Every millennium, whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers has the power to call the great Kami Dragon from the sea and ask for one wish. The time is near...and the missing pieces of the scroll will be sought throughout the land of Iwagoto.

When demons kill half-kitsune Yumeko’s adoptive family, she’s forced to flee her home with one part of the ancient scroll. Fate thrusts her into the path of mysterious samurai Kage Tatsumi, who is Yumeko’s best hope for survival. But he’s under orders to retrieve the scroll. An uneasy alliance forms, and Yumeko begins the deception of a lifetime, knowing her secrets are more than a matter of life or death—they’re the key to the fate of the world.

Books in the Shadow of the Fox trilogy:
Shadow of the Fox
Soul of the Sword
Night of the Dragon

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781335142382
Publisher:	Inkyard Press
Publication date:	05/28/2019
Series:	Shadow of the Fox Series , #1
Edition description:	First Time Trade
Pages:	464
Sales rank:	33,920
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.20(d)
Lexile:	890L (what's this?)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Born in Sacramento, CA, Julie Kagawa moved to Hawaii at the age of nine. There she learned many things; how to bodyboard, that teachers scream when you put centipedes in their desks, and that writing stories in math class is a great way to kill time. Her teachers were glad to see her graduate.

Julie now lives is Louisville, KY with her husband and furkids. She is the international and NYT bestselling author of The Iron Fey series. Visit her at juliekagawa.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Shadow of the Fox has just become one of my all time favorite fantasy novels! I'm in love with this book, its characters, its worldbuilding! Oni, giant centipedes, flesh eating ghosts, and terrifying half women/half spider things that will give me nightmares for weeks to come, this book is filled with terrifying Asian mythological creatures that make Medusa look like a mean grandma with a bad wig. Not to mention a lovable kitsune, a sexy demonslayer, and quite a few side characters that are larger than life and have completely wormed their way into my heart. I'm so invested in their lives and their quest and I cannot wait for the next installment of my new favorite series. In the meantime, I plan to re-read Shadow of the Fox again and again until I can be reunited with Yumeko and Tatsumi soon. So dear Julie, please write faster!" -Ellen Oh, author of the Prophecy and Spirit Hunters series

"Kagawa uses elements of Japanese mythology and folklore to spin an epic yarn...readers will be drawn into the world of Kagawa's first Japan-based fantasy; with its engaging action scenes and the cliffhanger ending, they will look forward to the next volume. Action-packed adventure." -Kirkus Reviews

"Kagawa's series starter never disappoints; she's a vet at putting realistic characters within believable worlds, here doused in Japanese folklore. Fans will be right at home and anticipate the next chapter." -Booklist

"[E]xcellent writing and skillful plotting... [A] fresh and imaginative thrill-ride."-Publishers Weekly on The Immortal Rules, starred review

"The Iron Daughter is a book that will keep its readers glued to the pages until the very end."-New York Journal of Books on The Iron Daughter

From the Publisher

09/10/2018
Scattered across Iwagoto are three pieces of an ancient scroll that, once per millennium, can be used to summon a wish-granting dragon. When prophets predict the creature’s imminent return, Lady Satomi and her rival, Shadow Clan ruler Lady Hanshou, decide to attempt the document’s reassembly. Lady Satomi sends an army of demons to steal the first scrap from the monks at the Silent Winds temple, but their ward—a 16-year-old kitsune (human-fox hybrid) named Yumeko—manages to secure the treasure and flee. While searching for the temple that houses the second fragment, Yumeko encounters 17-year-old Tatsumi, a sword-toting Shadow Clan warrior dispatched by Lady Hanshou. Yumeko tricks Tatsumi into joining her quest, certain she’ll need protection but unsure what she’ll do when they reach their destination. Japanese folklore features heavily in this imaginative but uneven series opener from Kagawa (Inferno). A complicated setup slows the start, and although abundant action ensues, characters more closely resemble archetypes than flesh-and-blood beings. Ages 12–up. Agent: Laurie McLean, Fuse Literary. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

07/01/2018
Gr 9 Up—The world of Iwagoto is full of ghosts, kami spirits, shapeshifters, samurai, and blood mages. Yumeko, a half-kitsune (supernatural fox), has lived a sheltered life in a remote monastery. When the leader of the monks informs Yumeko that they protect part of a magical scroll, she is thrust into adventure and danger. A demon attack on the monastery spurs Yumeko into action, and she becomes determined not only to protect the scroll but to set out on a mission to find the next piece. The author of the "Iron Fey" series moves away from urban fantasy in this story based on Japanese legends. Iwagato is richly detailed, but the simplistic plot and common archetypal characters cause the pace of the story to drag and stall, despite numerous action sequences. Kagawa continues her style of alternating points of view, creating more character development but also making the narrative repetitive. Readers who enjoyed Renée Ahdieh's Flame in the Mist, Jay Kristoff's "Lotus War" trilogy, or Annette Marie's "Red Winter" trilogy will appreciate Kagawa's latest work. VERDICT A slow-paced but immersive world is built in Kagawa's series opener based on Japanese legends and mythology.—Kaetlyn Phillips, Yorkton, Sask.

School Library Journal

2018-07-17
As the time of prophecy draws near, rivals seek the relic that will allow them to call upon the dragon god.An ancient scroll holds the prayer that summons the dragon who will grant one wish every thousand years. After one such wish brought destruction and chaos to the land of Iwagoto, the scroll was divided into three pieces and hidden away. Now both the emperor's concubine, Lady Satomi, and the Shadow Clan race to obtain the scroll. Tatsumi, demon slayer of the Shadow Clan, journeys with Yumeko of the Silent Winds temple to head off Lady Satomi's demonic attack on the Steel Feather temple, which houses one piece of the scroll. Tatsumi is bound to the sword of Kamigoroshi, the godslayer, and must remain devoid of emotion in order to keep the demon Hakaimono imprisoned within it. But as he travels with Yumeko he finds himself feeling more than he should. Yumeko, being half-human and half-fox spirit and secretly carrying another part of the scroll, is also wary of Tatsumi. Kagawa (Inferno, 2018, etc.) uses elements of Japanese mythology and folklore to spin an epic yarn. Readers who know these tales will recognize familiar elements and tropes. Despite some formulaic writing, readers will be drawn into the world of Kagawa's first Japan-based fantasy; with its engaging action scenes and the cliffhanger ending, they will look forward to the next volume.Action-packed adventure. (maps) (Fantasy. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews