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The Fox Maidens: A Graphic Novel
An epic new graphic novel fantasy—a queer, feminist reimagining of the Fox Maiden legend from Korean mythology.
Kai Song dreams of being a warrior. She wants to follow in the footsteps of her beloved father, the commander of the Royal Legion. But while her father believes in Kai and trains her in martial arts, their society isn’t ready for a girl warrior.
Still, Kai is determined. But she is plagued by rumors that she is the granddaughter of Gumiho, the infamous nine-tailed fox demon who was killed by her father years before.
Everything comes crashing down the day Kai learns the deadly secret about her mother’s past. Now she must come to terms with the truth about her identity and take her destiny into her own hands. As Kai desperately searches for a way to escape her fate, she comes to find compassion, and even love, in the most unexpected places.
Set in 16th century Korea and richly infused with Korean folklore, The Fox Maidens is a timeless and powerful story about fighting for your place in the world, even when it seems impossible.
Kai Song dreams of being a warrior. She wants to follow in the footsteps of her beloved father, the commander of the Royal Legion. But while her father believes in Kai and trains her in martial arts, their society isn’t ready for a girl warrior.
Still, Kai is determined. But she is plagued by rumors that she is the granddaughter of Gumiho, the infamous nine-tailed fox demon who was killed by her father years before.
Everything comes crashing down the day Kai learns the deadly secret about her mother’s past. Now she must come to terms with the truth about her identity and take her destiny into her own hands. As Kai desperately searches for a way to escape her fate, she comes to find compassion, and even love, in the most unexpected places.
Set in 16th century Korea and richly infused with Korean folklore, The Fox Maidens is a timeless and powerful story about fighting for your place in the world, even when it seems impossible.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2024
53 people are currently reading
9164 people want to read
About the author
Robin Ha
17 books320 followersBorn in Seoul, Korea, Robin Ha grew up reading and drawing comics. At fourteen she moved to the United States. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration, she moved to New York City and started a career in the fashion industry. Her work has been published in independent comics anthologies including Secret Identities and The Strumpet, as well as in the pages of Marvel Comics and Heavy Metal Magazine. Her blog Banchan in 2 Pages features Korean recipe comics. She currently resides in Falls Church, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews
May 15, 2024
i wanted to read this because it just seemed so goddamn cool. and then it WAS so goddamn cool.
the art of this was incredibly beautiful, AND the story was so cool. that combination deserves the graphic novel achievement award.
i wish there were more time to spend on the romance so it'd be less insta-love-y, but that's often the tradeoff you take with mythology / fairytales anyway.
and i'll take it!
bottom line: all the highs and lows of mythology and graphic novels. but mostly the highs.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
the art of this was incredibly beautiful, AND the story was so cool. that combination deserves the graphic novel achievement award.
i wish there were more time to spend on the romance so it'd be less insta-love-y, but that's often the tradeoff you take with mythology / fairytales anyway.
and i'll take it!
bottom line: all the highs and lows of mythology and graphic novels. but mostly the highs.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
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April 25, 2024
A bloodspattered folktale of fox-demons and feminist resistance during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, Robin Ha’s The Fox Maidens is quite the page-turner of a graphic novel. This queer retelling on the mythology of the gumiho—a nine-tailed fox that can transform into a woman and eats the livers of men—forms the basis of this epic tale that spans several years in the life of Kai, the daughter of a general famed for having rid the countryside of the mythic demon. Raised as a warrior at a time when women were still denied education, Kai wishes to topple the social expectations holding women back…until she realizes her legacy in the story of the gumiho. A dark and rather violent tale that will interest both YA and adult audiences, it is brought to life through bold and beautiful artwork that harnesses various limited color palettes that visually organize each setting and the rather involved story remains as fascinating as it does unsettling even through some pacing issues. The Fox Maidens is an absolute delight to behold through plenty of action packed moments, shocking twists and gorgeous artwork and makes for a fun queer epic.
Having been a big fan of Robin Ha’s previous work, Almost American Girl, I was quite excited to check this one out. It does an excellent job of providing historical context and while the opening may feel like a big info-dump it was a good way to launch into this story that balances Korean mythology and history with Ha’s own marvelous take on the folklore. The art is this is absolutely breathtaking as well:
The character designs are excellent and convey a lot of emotion through their expressions and the use of color is really wonderful and vibrant. I love the way it moves between various minimal color palettes and how flashback sequences are in a sort of sepia tone aside from the touches of yellow that really pop. Ha makes excellent use of frames in a way that convey action clearly and dynamically while also keeps the story moving by not making panels text heavy (aside from the opening info bits). Aside from that, the landscapes are utterly gorgeous:
‘Only when I faced my demise did I realize how much I wanted to live.’
The story is quite epic and weaves through several plotlines quite well. Unfortunately—especially after such a big, involved story—the ending arc does feel like it rushes in and concludes rather abruptly without giving much explanation (I believe it can be surmised what happens if one pays attention to details throughout but understand the complaints that it is sort of vague and rushed). The pacing can be a bit jumpy and I wonder if this would have read more smoothly if it was done in the individual chapter volumes instead. Still, the episodic nature of the story is pretty fun and does break up the rather robust histories around each character as well as the socio-political landscapes the narrative occurs within. It is a big story with a lot of players but I enjoyed how much of it all leads back to a single moment of kindness and resistance against the patriarchal norms that shoved women aside from society and left them vulnerable to abuse.
At the heart of this story is the oppression of women and Kai’s struggle to find her own place as a strong, independent person amidst the patriarchal society that distrusts her even when she shows herself to be fully capable (more so than the men even in combat).The strength of the fox-demon helps, but is also a curse and she learns that even trying to survive through good intentions can have unwanted consequences. Killing an abusive man, for instance, may give a woman the temporary reprieve from blows but leave her without access to money or a home as women could not hold jobs. This does well by diving into situations to show how issues are rather nuanced and morally gray instead of an easy black and white. There are a lot of big twists and shocks here too that will definitely keep you reading.
‘Every living thing gets a chance to love and be loved. I must know what that’s like, or this life isn’t worth living.’
I really enjoyed this story, even with the pacing issues and while it is a bit bulky with a lot of plot threads I liked how it explored a lot of different facets of Kai’s life. The serial killer hunt part did feel a bit like that Dexter show but it made sense in the narrative. Also, for those hoping for action and cartoon violence, this is quite sufficient and pretty bloody. It does not shirk on fox-demon attacks:
While occasionally uneven, The Fox Maidens manages to still pull of a very successful queer mythological tale that is fast, fun and ferocious. The art is amazing, the story is gripping and the fighting is intense. I had a blast and I hope you will too.
4/5
Having been a big fan of Robin Ha’s previous work, Almost American Girl, I was quite excited to check this one out. It does an excellent job of providing historical context and while the opening may feel like a big info-dump it was a good way to launch into this story that balances Korean mythology and history with Ha’s own marvelous take on the folklore. The art is this is absolutely breathtaking as well:
The character designs are excellent and convey a lot of emotion through their expressions and the use of color is really wonderful and vibrant. I love the way it moves between various minimal color palettes and how flashback sequences are in a sort of sepia tone aside from the touches of yellow that really pop. Ha makes excellent use of frames in a way that convey action clearly and dynamically while also keeps the story moving by not making panels text heavy (aside from the opening info bits). Aside from that, the landscapes are utterly gorgeous:
‘Only when I faced my demise did I realize how much I wanted to live.’
The story is quite epic and weaves through several plotlines quite well. Unfortunately—especially after such a big, involved story—the ending arc does feel like it rushes in and concludes rather abruptly without giving much explanation (I believe it can be surmised what happens if one pays attention to details throughout but understand the complaints that it is sort of vague and rushed). The pacing can be a bit jumpy and I wonder if this would have read more smoothly if it was done in the individual chapter volumes instead. Still, the episodic nature of the story is pretty fun and does break up the rather robust histories around each character as well as the socio-political landscapes the narrative occurs within. It is a big story with a lot of players but I enjoyed how much of it all leads back to a single moment of kindness and resistance against the patriarchal norms that shoved women aside from society and left them vulnerable to abuse.
At the heart of this story is the oppression of women and Kai’s struggle to find her own place as a strong, independent person amidst the patriarchal society that distrusts her even when she shows herself to be fully capable (more so than the men even in combat).The strength of the fox-demon helps, but is also a curse and she learns that even trying to survive through good intentions can have unwanted consequences. Killing an abusive man, for instance, may give a woman the temporary reprieve from blows but leave her without access to money or a home as women could not hold jobs. This does well by diving into situations to show how issues are rather nuanced and morally gray instead of an easy black and white. There are a lot of big twists and shocks here too that will definitely keep you reading.
‘Every living thing gets a chance to love and be loved. I must know what that’s like, or this life isn’t worth living.’
I really enjoyed this story, even with the pacing issues and while it is a bit bulky with a lot of plot threads I liked how it explored a lot of different facets of Kai’s life. The serial killer hunt part did feel a bit like that Dexter show but it made sense in the narrative. Also, for those hoping for action and cartoon violence, this is quite sufficient and pretty bloody. It does not shirk on fox-demon attacks:
While occasionally uneven, The Fox Maidens manages to still pull of a very successful queer mythological tale that is fast, fun and ferocious. The art is amazing, the story is gripping and the fighting is intense. I had a blast and I hope you will too.
4/5
May 31, 2024
A feminist and Korean werewolf story of sorts that is set in the 16th century. A teenage girl who is smarter and better at martial arts than her half-brothers helps her father fight off assassins and a nine-tailed fox demon that has stalked her family for decades.
It's a terrific mix of family drama, action and adventure thrills, and grisly horror.
It's a terrific mix of family drama, action and adventure thrills, and grisly horror.
January 5, 2024
Action packed and exciting, this family drama is full of unexpected twists and turns. I loved the focus on female characters: passionate Kai, whose love of martial arts and sense of justice cannot be contained by the normal rules of Joseon society; her mother, Meorhu, a fragile woman with a surprising past; Sura, a thief turned mercenary; and the Gumiho herself, the deadly but alluring fox spirit who impacts the lives of all the others with her magic and charisma. The art is rich with historical details, beautiful nature scenes, and fast paced fight scenes. Lovers of ghost stories, kdramas, and queer re-tellings of fairy tales will find much to enjoy here. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this book! Pre-order it now, or look for it in bookstores in mid-February 2024.
April 4, 2024
3.75/5
Thank you Netgalley and Andersen Press for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the art in this graphic novel was beautiful and that it sang in such harmony with the storytelling. I loved Kai, I loved her ferocity, her determination and her heart. I loved so many elements of this story. My one complaint is that I think the ending wrapped it up too quickly, I would've liked more time to flesh that part of it out. But this story was such an interesting one, told in such a compelling way.
Thank you Netgalley and Andersen Press for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the art in this graphic novel was beautiful and that it sang in such harmony with the storytelling. I loved Kai, I loved her ferocity, her determination and her heart. I loved so many elements of this story. My one complaint is that I think the ending wrapped it up too quickly, I would've liked more time to flesh that part of it out. But this story was such an interesting one, told in such a compelling way.
December 15, 2023
3.7/5
This is a YA graphic novel based on the legend of the fox-demon woman Gumiho. It follows a girl named Kai living in 1600s Korea (Joseon) who wants to openly join her father’s martial arts school. But not only are girls not supposed to do that, there are rumors that her mother – a woman of mysterious origins – might have been the daughter of Gumiho, who her father supposedly vanquished. Her mother swears that that’s not true…but when Kai’s first period is accompanied by some unexpected changes, has to admit that there is a different connection to the fox-demon. Meanwhile, the family is threatened by a band of assassins because Kai’s father more or less functions as the local police chief. But the assassin girl sent to target Kai can’t do it…because she realizes this is the beautiful young woman who saved her once before!
I received an ARC of this from a Goodreads giveaway raffle. So only the first 26 pages were in full color...but the artwork was lovely, and based on that early sample I’m sure it will be gorgeous when completed.
I went back and forth a bit on whether I think the first few pages on the legend of Gumiho and Joseon society are useful or overly info-dumpy. All in all, I think they are probably useful, because although the information could have just been woven into the story, doing it this way helps to point out which elements in this fantasy story are historically grounded, especially for young readers without a background in Korean culture. It certainly had me thinking about the interesting parallels between ancient societies (or at least those between the Mediterranean and East Asia) – for example, how many apparently thought the only women who ought to be educated were high-class courtesans! Because…they need to be entertaining and witty, but wives don’t, or something?
Ha notes in the “dear readers” letter that “I thought it would be a fun, action-packed fantastical thriller full of cool scenes for me to draw. Now I realize what I’ve actually made is a book about generational trauma.” That shift or tension is in fact something you can feel. While I really liked the story, and I think the bits about trying to escape from cycles of violence and trauma worked well, I did find myself a little disappointed that we didn’t get a section of Kai and Sura interacting as kick-ass human ladies (maybe teaming up to fight the assassin brotherhood) - because that kind of felt like it was being set up, and then it didn’t happen!
As for Kai and Sura’s happy ending…I liked that they got one, but I had to re-read to figure out exactly what happened! So just a tiny bit more explanation of what the happy ending actually means would have helped. Here’s my interpretation:
Anyway, while there are a few rough edges, storytelling-wise, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy graphic novels or Sapphic retellings!
This is a YA graphic novel based on the legend of the fox-demon woman Gumiho. It follows a girl named Kai living in 1600s Korea (Joseon) who wants to openly join her father’s martial arts school. But not only are girls not supposed to do that, there are rumors that her mother – a woman of mysterious origins – might have been the daughter of Gumiho, who her father supposedly vanquished. Her mother swears that that’s not true…but when Kai’s first period is accompanied by some unexpected changes, has to admit that there is a different connection to the fox-demon. Meanwhile, the family is threatened by a band of assassins because Kai’s father more or less functions as the local police chief. But the assassin girl sent to target Kai can’t do it…because she realizes this is the beautiful young woman who saved her once before!
I received an ARC of this from a Goodreads giveaway raffle. So only the first 26 pages were in full color...but the artwork was lovely, and based on that early sample I’m sure it will be gorgeous when completed.
I went back and forth a bit on whether I think the first few pages on the legend of Gumiho and Joseon society are useful or overly info-dumpy. All in all, I think they are probably useful, because although the information could have just been woven into the story, doing it this way helps to point out which elements in this fantasy story are historically grounded, especially for young readers without a background in Korean culture. It certainly had me thinking about the interesting parallels between ancient societies (or at least those between the Mediterranean and East Asia) – for example, how many apparently thought the only women who ought to be educated were high-class courtesans! Because…they need to be entertaining and witty, but wives don’t, or something?
Ha notes in the “dear readers” letter that “I thought it would be a fun, action-packed fantastical thriller full of cool scenes for me to draw. Now I realize what I’ve actually made is a book about generational trauma.” That shift or tension is in fact something you can feel. While I really liked the story, and I think the bits about trying to escape from cycles of violence and trauma worked well, I did find myself a little disappointed that we didn’t get a section of Kai and Sura interacting as kick-ass human ladies (maybe teaming up to fight the assassin brotherhood) - because that kind of felt like it was being set up, and then it didn’t happen!
As for Kai and Sura’s happy ending…I liked that they got one, but I had to re-read to figure out exactly what happened! So just a tiny bit more explanation of what the happy ending actually means would have helped. Here’s my interpretation:
Anyway, while there are a few rough edges, storytelling-wise, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy graphic novels or Sapphic retellings!
January 30, 2025
The art is gorgeous, and this is clearly a labor of love. Love the historical and folkloric contexts. I'm really a 3.5 but rated down for the rapid conclusion.
August 8, 2024
It was rushed towards the end but it was a fun read
2024
October 6, 2025ANHPI TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAlley
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAlley
June 15, 2024
Book blurb: An epic new graphic novel fantasy—a queer, feminist reimagining of the Fox Maiden legend from Korean mythology.
I liked this YA tale, the focus on the female characters, the battles, the gore, the conflicted protagonist, and the good illustrations. That ending seem a tad rushed. Would absolutely watch a HBO adaptation.
I liked this YA tale, the focus on the female characters, the battles, the gore, the conflicted protagonist, and the good illustrations. That ending seem a tad rushed. Would absolutely watch a HBO adaptation.
May 7, 2024
If you like June Hur, you should read this book.
October 7, 2023
loved the world building & feminist themes. ending wrapped up too fast but the rest felt dragged on & i didnt feel too attached to the characters, but overall a decently compelling story that feels like the beginning of a series.
July 18, 2025
Beautiful artwork and a thrilling story!
Read
December 26, 2023In her 2020 graphic novel memoir Almost American Girl, Robin Ha told about her fascination with comics. In The Fox Maidens, Ha’s first full-length graphic novel for young adults, she pays homage to the comics that inspired her. The Fox Maidens is a fantasy steeped in Korean history and mythology. Kai, the daughter of a warrior general, is also descended on her mother’s side from a powerful foxlike goddess. Kai is an expert at martial arts, but as she matures, her fox nature begins to emerge. This begins Kai's life of hidden identities, secret powers, and ferocious needs. Wrapped in this fast-paced plotline is a romantic entanglement complicated by the social hierarchies of Kai’s kingdom. Ha uses a combination of muted tones offset by dynamic bursts of color to bring focus to specific plot and character elements. The panels are mostly traditional in format, but they explode during fight scenes and other climactic points. Readers of Almost American Girl will definitely want to read The Fox Maidens, as will those drawn to mythology, action-packed plotlines, and bold young heroines.
August 22, 2024
A bit disappointing. It's kind of all over the place, and for the length of it, it speedruns everything that it tries to do. Oh well.
May 15, 2024
Gosh, Robin Ha is great! This is the second graphic novel where I have encountered with the Korean tale of the nine-tailed fox (Monstress was the first). I loved the art of Monstress but was lost in terms of this story. The Fox Maidens is much more accessible - the author really helps you understand historical context. And the story has relatable strands touching on family, hierarchy, ethics, misogyny, and romance. The art is great, too. For me the ending was an outcome I was happy with, but it felt a little rushed.
May 22, 2024
A poignant story of a young woman, Kai Song, wanting more from her life instead of what is usually expected of women. She idolizes her warrior father, and wants to be a powerful warrior herself. However, sixteenth-century Korea does not have room for women to take on such unconventional roles.
Her father killed the Gumiho years earlier, and gained his fame and title this way. When she discovers to her horror that her life is inextricably linked to Gumiho, she tries to escape her fate.
At the same time, another adolescent, Sura, falls afoul of a determined criminal gang targeting Kai's father, and tries to rebuild her life after escaping. It's inevitable that Kai and Sura would find each other.
The story, while having the occasional pacing issue, is moving, showing how violence keeps getting handed down each generation. The artwork and historical details are wonderful, as well as the sweet, hopeful, queer retelling of the Fox Maiden legend.
Her father killed the Gumiho years earlier, and gained his fame and title this way. When she discovers to her horror that her life is inextricably linked to Gumiho, she tries to escape her fate.
At the same time, another adolescent, Sura, falls afoul of a determined criminal gang targeting Kai's father, and tries to rebuild her life after escaping. It's inevitable that Kai and Sura would find each other.
The story, while having the occasional pacing issue, is moving, showing how violence keeps getting handed down each generation. The artwork and historical details are wonderful, as well as the sweet, hopeful, queer retelling of the Fox Maiden legend.
April 7, 2024
How sweetu
January 16, 2024
What an excellent graphic novel! I enjoyed Robin Ha's graphic memoir Almost American Girl, so I was excited to receive this ARC of The Fox Maidens, having already heard early positive reviews. Wow, a great read! It follows Kai, a young woman living in 16th century Korea who dreams of being a warrior. She faces people who do not want this path for a woman, but her father insists because she is so skilled. Rumors abound, however, that she is the granddaughter of Gumiho, the nine-tailed fox demon. While she attempts to run away from her fate, she faces many experiences at home and off in the woods. This YA graphic novel is based on Korean folklore but has many themes still relevant for today. It is engaging and balances action and character development. The graphics are good for a range of readers. I recommend it for high school purchases. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
December 3, 2025
𝒊 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
⟡
I haven't read much in terms of Korean folklore and I found this really interesting!
It begins with informative but concise world building, it does feel like a slight info dump but not too much and you get more along the way so you get a really good sense of the time and place it's set in.
I liked the exploration of feminist themes through many different and unique women and the trauma different characters experienced and how they face it.
Beautiful art especially the chapter art. It really conveyed the emotions of the characters, the beauty of the setting and the intensity of the action.
The plot and characters were engaging with a beautiful love story and entertaining family dynamics.
I did think some parts felt pretty rushed, especially the ending and the romance.
I loved the authors note it was very informative and you can tell the author poured a lot into this graphic novel
⟡
I haven't read much in terms of Korean folklore and I found this really interesting!
It begins with informative but concise world building, it does feel like a slight info dump but not too much and you get more along the way so you get a really good sense of the time and place it's set in.
I liked the exploration of feminist themes through many different and unique women and the trauma different characters experienced and how they face it.
Beautiful art especially the chapter art. It really conveyed the emotions of the characters, the beauty of the setting and the intensity of the action.
The plot and characters were engaging with a beautiful love story and entertaining family dynamics.
I did think some parts felt pretty rushed, especially the ending and the romance.
I loved the authors note it was very informative and you can tell the author poured a lot into this graphic novel
Read
May 12, 2024stunning art and a moving story about generational trauma.
May 11, 2025
3.5 stars
October 19, 2024
Kai Song dreams of being a warrior. She wants to follow in the footsteps of her beloved father, the commander of the Royal Legion. But while her father believes in Kai and trains her in martial arts, their society is not ready for a girl warrior.
Still, Kai is determined. But she is plagued by rumors that she is the granddaughter of Gumiho, the infamous nine-tailed fox demon who was killed by her father years before.
Everything comes crashing down the day Kai learns the deadly secret about her mother’s past. Now she must come to terms with the truth about her identity and take her destiny into her own hands. As Kai desperately searches for a way to escape her fate, she comes to find compassion, and even love, in the most unexpected places.
The Fox Maidens is a timeless and powerful story about fighting for your place in the world, even when it seems impossible. I did enjoy the world building and I liked the exploration of feminist themes through the different women and how each women faced it. I really enjoyed reading about the Korean lore aspects and how it was tied into Kai’s life. I did think the romance aspect could have been better since it felt rushed. And the ending of the book did feel like it wrapped up too quickly while some parts in the middle of the book felt really slow. I also thought the plot was confusing at some points and some of the explanations took you out of the action too much. The illustrations in this book was so well done. It portrayed the emotions so well and the setting. This was a very unique book, but the length and the pacing hurt the story.
Still, Kai is determined. But she is plagued by rumors that she is the granddaughter of Gumiho, the infamous nine-tailed fox demon who was killed by her father years before.
Everything comes crashing down the day Kai learns the deadly secret about her mother’s past. Now she must come to terms with the truth about her identity and take her destiny into her own hands. As Kai desperately searches for a way to escape her fate, she comes to find compassion, and even love, in the most unexpected places.
The Fox Maidens is a timeless and powerful story about fighting for your place in the world, even when it seems impossible. I did enjoy the world building and I liked the exploration of feminist themes through the different women and how each women faced it. I really enjoyed reading about the Korean lore aspects and how it was tied into Kai’s life. I did think the romance aspect could have been better since it felt rushed. And the ending of the book did feel like it wrapped up too quickly while some parts in the middle of the book felt really slow. I also thought the plot was confusing at some points and some of the explanations took you out of the action too much. The illustrations in this book was so well done. It portrayed the emotions so well and the setting. This was a very unique book, but the length and the pacing hurt the story.
March 6, 2024
Well, I thought this was really rad and was really liking it in every way--the illustrations, the cultural detail, the story movement, the cool vampire-like mythological creature situation. But then when flipping ahead, as I habitually do, I found out it unexpectedly becomes a lesbian romance in the last like, 1/10th of the book, with nothing prior to that hinting at it or leading up to it, or really supporting it in any way. In fact, I haven't come across one single YA book that wasn't LGBTQ in some way in the last 3-4 years--and while some of those are excellent and genuine (The City Beautiful), others, like this one, seem contrived to meet some kind of LGBTQ quota requirement in YA publishing. The trouble for me is that the appeal of the book isn't romance, so then it would have been awkward to turn it into a passion fest right at the end no matter which way you slice it. But, too, in the same way that I'm sure gay people are disinterested in straight romance, I am even more disinterested in gay romance than in straight romance--and I already don't love romance in writing generally.
September 15, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Blazer+Bray for an e-book arc!
Robin Ha’s first fictional graphic novel was absolutely sensational. Gripping action and a genuinely moving story that had me in tears but I couldn’t stop reading till I finished. Absolutely phenomenal and a great debut fiction.
Robin Ha’s first fictional graphic novel was absolutely sensational. Gripping action and a genuinely moving story that had me in tears but I couldn’t stop reading till I finished. Absolutely phenomenal and a great debut fiction.
June 14, 2024
THE FOX MAIDENS is a unique, magical story inspired by Korean myths and folklore. At times the story was a little choppy and I felt as if I was reading fragments from multiple books, but when the story comes together it's emotional and compelling.
May 4, 2024
I wish she felt less guilty about murdering TERRIBLE men. It was obviously fine. Get it, girl.
November 8, 2025
I had previously read and deeply enjoyed Ha's graphic memoir Almost American Girl, and I was really excited to check out her first foray into fiction, especially since this is a historical fantasy (a favourite subgenre for me personally) about Korean folklore (something I have found incredibly interesting when I've read about it but haven't had the chance to explore). I ended up genuinely loving The Fox Maidens.
The book opens with a brief prologue that provides the context for Gumiho (a nine-tailed fox demon lady), Joseon era history, and the rigid class system and social norms that dominated the era. It then dives into a meaty story. Kai is a relatable, sympathetic protagonist, and I loved following her story. The merging of history and folklore is something I generally enjoy, and I found it really well done here. In a lot of ways, it felt like reading an incredibly compelling fairytale, which is something I enjoy already anyway. I also deeply enjoyed the feminist and queer themes included in this more modern take on the folklore. Although it's on the long side for a YA graphic novel (over three hundred pages), I did find myself wishing it was longer, particularly in regard to the ending, but I honestly can say that didn't decrease my enjoyment of it or make me love it any less. Also the art is absolutely gorgeous.
I loved The Fox Maidens. I highly recommend it. I intend to read more from Ha, and I hope she ventures into fiction again.
The book opens with a brief prologue that provides the context for Gumiho (a nine-tailed fox demon lady), Joseon era history, and the rigid class system and social norms that dominated the era. It then dives into a meaty story. Kai is a relatable, sympathetic protagonist, and I loved following her story. The merging of history and folklore is something I generally enjoy, and I found it really well done here. In a lot of ways, it felt like reading an incredibly compelling fairytale, which is something I enjoy already anyway. I also deeply enjoyed the feminist and queer themes included in this more modern take on the folklore. Although it's on the long side for a YA graphic novel (over three hundred pages), I did find myself wishing it was longer, particularly in regard to the ending, but I honestly can say that didn't decrease my enjoyment of it or make me love it any less. Also the art is absolutely gorgeous.
I loved The Fox Maidens. I highly recommend it. I intend to read more from Ha, and I hope she ventures into fiction again.
February 28, 2025
Robin Ha's adaptation of the legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox is exactly what retellings of folktales and mythology should be: authentic, powerful, and full of highs and lows. The themes of feminism and queer love are also great additions, though, as one would expect with a folk tale, the love is instant as opposed to gradual. But even that little nitpick can be forgiven when the resolution of the story is as good as the final chapter of this graphic novel. And I can't go further without mentioning the lovely art in this book. I'm reminded of paintings rather than comics, and that's always a sure way for a graphic novel to get to my heart. If only I had read this in time to include it on my library's best of 2024 list. It'll be a worthy addition to our too late for the deadline list though. Easy four stars, highly recommend.
February 26, 2024
3.75
Even though Robin Ha's 'The Fox Maidens' offers the most interesting approach to the Korean folklore myth of the kumiho/gumiho that I've probably ever found, the end of this story somehow didn't work for me, when it came to that redemption through love that wasn't necessarily properly built up.
Anyway, this graphic novel is an action packed fantasy story that does a great job when it comes to address topics like the consequences for women of tradition and patriarchy, moreover in such a strict society as the Korean sure was, and can still be.
I enjoyed it.
Even though Robin Ha's 'The Fox Maidens' offers the most interesting approach to the Korean folklore myth of the kumiho/gumiho that I've probably ever found, the end of this story somehow didn't work for me, when it came to that redemption through love that wasn't necessarily properly built up.
Anyway, this graphic novel is an action packed fantasy story that does a great job when it comes to address topics like the consequences for women of tradition and patriarchy, moreover in such a strict society as the Korean sure was, and can still be.
I enjoyed it.
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