Title: Shadow of the Fox

Series: Shadow of the Fox

Author: Julie Kagawa

Review by: Dani Hoots

Rating: 5/5

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Back cover:

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.

*I received this book via Netgalley. My opinions are my own.*

I really enjoyed this book! I found the main character, Yumego, to be hilarious, well-written, and having great character development. I also really like Kage as he struggles between his mission, possibly making a friend, and the demon sword trying to take his soul. There were many twists and turns in this book that I didn’t see coming. I really enjoyed the mythology, the use of Japanese words, and the fantasy world that was created. I think this book is very well written and I can’t wait for book two (of which I have already preordered!). If you like anime, manga, or Japanese fantasy, this story is definitely for you!

I give this book a 5/5!

Title: Twice Dead

Series: The Necromancer’s Song

Author: Caitlin Seal

Review by: Dani Hoots

Rating: 4/5

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Back cover:

Naya, the daughter of a sea merchant captain, nervously undertakes her first solo trading mission in the necromancer-friendly country bordering her homeland of Talmir. Unfortunately, she never even makes it to the meeting. She’s struck down in the streets of Ceramor. Murdered.

But death is not the end for Naya. She awakens to realize she’s become an abomination–a wraith, a ghostly creature bound by runes to the bones of her former corpse. She’s been resurrected in order to become a spy for her country. Reluctantly, she assumes the face and persona of a servant girl named Blue.

She never intended to become embroiled in political plots, kidnapping, and murder. Or to fall in love with the young man and former necromancer she is destined to betray.

*I received a copy of this book via Netgalley. My thoughts are my own.*

I found this story to be quite enjoyable. The main character is a strong female lead and the supporting cast were all unique and entertaining. The idea, I found, was really cool with people being brought back to life with runes and ceremony. I liked how not many people found it wrong and there was great conflict. The only problem I had was that the relationship between the Naya and her father wasn’t developed enough for me to care about how she talked about him a lot and stuff that happened. I wished I knew more about her life a bit first before everything happened.

All in all, I give this story 4/5 stars!