Bride To Fox Demon

Souls for the Abyss #1

by Alex Perez

An ancient fox demon has been plaguing a small town for centuries. Every fifty years, an offering must be made to prevent the village from falling into despair. Twenty six-year old Katori moved as far as she could from her dysfunctional family in hopes of finding a quiet place to write her manuscripts; but the Fox is calling. Fifty years is up... and he's hungry.

Genres: Cozy Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

294 pages, Hardcover

First published March 19, 2024

About the author

I live in Chicago with my family, which includes 4 birdies, Orion, Moonlight, Marbie and Kiki.

I started out as a screenwriter and then worked my way into Children's books and now working on YA novels and another Children's book.

I went to Columbia College in Chicago and majored in TV Post Production, Film and Television is a first love.

Reviews

[Melanie (pageturnertrials) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fox is my favourite animal so I just had to read this book!

I went into this expecting something dark but was surpsied with a fun and cute story. 

The demon world and it's politics were very easy to understand and the magic system was pretty simple.
The FMC, Katori, was so funny and brave and very relatable. The way she never lost her fire while trying to cope with the new, bizzare situation of becoming a bride to a demon was admirable. I loved to read all of her thoughts and actually snortet multiple times because of her. 
I would have loved to learn more about the MMC Auryn. He was always so reserved with his thoughts and I didn't get to know him enough to really like him. I think a few chapters in his POV could have been helpful. 
But I liked how well he treated Katori and from I could feel that he cared deeply for her.

My favourite character was the side character Stolas. I know, I know... he's one of the bad guys, but I liked him the second we met him! He seemed like a really challenging and mischefious type of men and I would like to know more about him too.

The end felt a bit rushed and I still have questions that weren't answered. 

All in all a short and enternaining read!

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Suddenly your voice brought me back to reality, and from there the rain slowly trickled away.”
———————————————————————
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
———————————————————————
I received this ARC from the author and all opinions are my own :)

Bride to the Fox Demon is a fun and original story, perfect for a debut. Not only is it a minimal spice romance (really pulled me in at the beginning) but found family becomes one of the larger themes as well. When Katori is sacrificed to the fox demon after moving to a new town, you’re not exactly sure what to expect. If you played Okami as a child, you’ll love this story.

Auryn and Katori are so so cute and their romance is a slow development but I don’t feel like it’s a slow burn? The characters have breadth in their personalities, which I appreciate a lot. The world building was robust without slowing the story down and there were some modern elements to the story that initially threw me for a loop but ultimately I came to appreciate in the story

[Sarah Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexxxx! You did the damn thing! This book was so wholesome with just the right amount of action and adventure

The banter between characters was great, as well as Katori’s inner monologue. There also were so many parts of this book that made me chuckle (the frog and the cheese parts were my favorite and had me laughing out loud)

I enjoyed the world building and character development and can see it expanding into even more in future books. The characters were relatable and also at times unpredictable which i absolutely loved.

The one thing I wish I got was a little more detail before the last chapter. The timeline jumped pretty abruptly and I wish I got more plot and character development in that time period

I absolutely loved the ending of this book and I’m excited to read the next book to find out what happens to Stolas and his naughty impulsivity

[Sheila Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written so well! It straight up gave me ghibli movie vibes with a little bit of spice. I loved it so much! The tragic backstory of our fox demon made me want to give him a hug, luckily our fav FMC was there to do just that! I also looooved Stolas! I need a whole story about him and his wife needs to put him in PLACE! lol thank you so much to the author for allowing me to read an arc of this book.

[Sneha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so imagine moving to a quiet little town to escape your chaotic life, only to find out the place is haunted by a freaking ancient fox demon! That’s exactly what happens to Katori in "Bride to the Fox Demon," and trust me, this book is as wild as it sounds. Katori just wants some peace to write her manuscripts, but instead, she gets caught up in a centuries-old curse that demands a human offering every fifty years. And guess what? The Fox is hungry, and Katori might just be on the menu.

Katori is such a relatable character, and you can’t help but root for her as she tries to figure out what the heck is going on. The town’s creepy vibe, mixed with the eerie presence of the Fox Demon, gives you goosebumps in the best way. Perez does an awesome job of making you feel like you’re right there with Katori, peeking over your shoulder every time you hear a rustle in the trees.

The plot is like a rollercoaster of suspense, with twists and turns that keep you hooked. The way Perez weaves in the town’s dark history with Katori’s own personal demons is just brilliant. And the Fox Demon? Total nightmare fuel. This isn’t just another scary story; it’s a deep dive into the themes of sacrifice, fate, and facing the monsters—both real and imagined—that haunt us.

What really makes this book shine is how it leaves you hanging on every word, wondering what’s going to happen next. Katori’s journey is intense, and by the end, you’re left with your heart racing, wanting more. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay wow, this book is incredibly wholesome and adorable. I absolutely loved Katori and Auryn. Their story started off pretty spicy, but then Auryn decided he needed to woo Katori—and it was just so adorable. I especially loved the side characters in Auryn’s home (not Vulpyne though, she was a bitch lol). They were all so cute, especially Behitha.

What I loved most about this story was the world and magic! Everything felt incredibly unique and cool, especially the library. At times, I even wished I could sink into the pages and experience the world for myself. The writing hit the sweet spot too: descriptive enough to set the scene and paint a picture without being overly wordy or dragging it out.

If you like the following, you should definitely try this book:
- Wholesome fantasy/paranormal romance
- Human sacrificed to a demon
- Forced proximity
- Tortured MMC, relatable FMC
- Mild spice that starts off strong
- Tension and pining
- Unique world and magic
- Foxes 🦊


**Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review**

[Ashley Hobsonreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

lukewarm read for me

An ancient fox demon has been plaguing a small town for centuries. Every fifty years, an offering must be made to prevent the village from falling into despair. Twenty six-year old Katori moved as far as she could from her dysfunctional family in hopes of finding a quiet place to write her manuscripts; but the Fox is calling. Fifty years is up... and he’s hungry.

I felt pretty lukewarm about this book to be honest. I feel it could have done with a more fleshed out plot line. The characters were interesting and the idea of animal demons was cool but it didn’t pull me in like some of my recent reads. There also doesn’t seem to be a decent explanation for the soul energy parts that were mentioned in the beginning of their meeting which felt like it was just forgotten as a plot point but it could just be that I’ve missed it.

Hopefully the sequel paints a clearer picture of the things that feel unfinished although I’m assuming it’s about Stolas!

[Estella Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hesitate no more!

Are you on the fence about reading this book? Well, you shouldn't be. Hurry up and click "Read/Download Now"!

The authors storytelling is so engaging and entertaining! I loved the main characters. They were so sweet and cute & their story was perfect for them.
The demon world was so fascinating, and there were many different otherworldly details put in that gave the story life.

To me, this read more like a rom com if it happened in hell with very heavy anime/ Japanese culture influences. If you wanted a book boyfriend to make all your dreams come true, look no further!

I genuinely loved this book and am very excited to read whatever comes next! 🙂‍↕️

I'd rate spice level as 1/5 (5 being the spiciest) BTW.

[Alonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had so many good points, but there were a few parts where it pulled me out of the story. The beginning for one was a total caught off guard moment when the couple first meet, it is so hot and heavy despite the situation and I do understand it was rather in a moment of weakness for the FMC, but it seemed out of place when the rest of the book is so slow burn. The chemistry between characters is there and my heart fluttered at the care the MMC showed, but there were times I questioned the chemistry between them. The plot is amazing, it just had some things I had trouble with. However, I do look forward to the next storyline.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying how much I loved this book. I had to apply for a copy because I love foxes and they are my favorite animals. This did not disappoint at all. The way Katori tried to fit in the new village before becoming the new sacrifice for the ‘wolf’ God. Learning of Auryn, and how he was trying his hardest to make Katori happy with her human ways. The way they talked about cheese and how humans love it made me laugh, because I felt so seen with that. Everyone honestly needs a Behitha in their life, I just want to protect her at all costs. But that ending with Stolas, oh bring on book two. You need to pick up this book if you like romantasy, found family, animal clans, spice, and more.

[Christiane_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was captivating from the first page and had me in a chokehold! Auryn wasn’t what I expected and I LOVED him! He was sweet, protective, scary and had so much depth. Katori is not a badass - save the day - FMC and I so enjoyed her! She brings such great dynamics to the story and I love her take no shit attitude! If you haven’t read this, I highly recommend it. If you’ve read the original version, the remastered version is WORTH the reread.

[Confidentlyinthe.clouds Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has really great promise

Starting off really captured my interest, I just wish things didn’t feel so confusing

The two main characters feel so aloof that it’s hard to see chemistry at all

Great potential

[Laura Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book touched my soul!
Reviewed in Canada on November 24, 2024
I’m in love with the characters and the world so very much I need me this kind of dynamic! It’s too much to put into words but this is perfection!

[Jocelynn LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bride to the fox demon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.25)

Thank you so much Alex for the opportunity to ARC read this book for you. (I read about 60% of the original version, but I read the whole new remastered version for this review) I had such a lovely time reading and diving into this world.

Katori and Auryn just had my heart. Obviously at first a lil bit of a startled start considering Katori was kidnapped but reading and seeing how things unraveled and emotions built up was just so lovely.

I really enjoyed how the remastered version has some Auryn POV now because I love seeing both POV with characters because I feel like it’s easier to get more emotionally attached to more than one character that way when you’re able to get their feelings & thoughts in the moment.

But they’re literally so cute, it’s like a slow burn romance but not really because I genuinely felt their connection clicking fairly early even if both didn’t realize it at first. This book doesn’t have a lot of spice, but let me tell you when it does I ate it all up. I loved it.

I also really absolutely LOVE the found family in this. The bonds that were formed, especially Katori and Behitha their relationship was so wholesome and admiring how much love was radiating from rheir friendship.

Stolas is another side character I enjoyed, I want more of him and his story and with that ending epilogue I sense we will definitely be getting him next in the series 😈

Few little quotes I loved:
“ Don’t what? Hold you from behind?” He says. “You will just run away if I let you go, though I do not mind chasing after you. It would not take very long to catch you”

“ It takes every once of my control not to grab Katori’s face and crush my lips onto hers”

[Allison Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars, 3 Spice Rating

Synopsis:
Katori has moved to a small town to focus on her manuscripts. She interracts little with the town folk and keeps to herself, except for the postal worker. She lets a girl into her home as a kindness and ends up being taken as a sacrifice to a Fox Demon. When she meets Auryn, her captor, she realizes her situation. She is the bride of the Fox Demon, and she is a line of many. Every 50 years, a female from the village is offered as his bride. She is scared, there is danger, and she is unfamiliar with the Demon Realm. Will she make her way back home, or be consumed?

Review:
The book starts off with an intense spice scene, but this is a reluctant lovers story. Auryn has had heartbreak and a terrible past. However, he tries so hard to give everything that Katori may want. As a character, Auryn was my favorite and there are many lovable side characters. This is a quick read that has enough twists and turns to keep you hungry, and perhaps, wanting to be captured to by a demon.

Tropes:
- 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴
- 𝘈𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦
- 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
- 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘝𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘴

Trigger Warning Notice: There are multiple triggers in this book. Please review them before starting the book, as the majority of triggers come early on.

Favorite quote, no context:
- "𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 the <𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭>, y𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴." "𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘹?"

Bottom Line: I really enjoyed this book and would recommend!

[Off Service Book Recs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Alex Perez and QP Book Tours for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!

26-year-old Katori is barely keeping her head above water - through she's moved away from her dysfunctional family into a home of her own, she's overwhelmed by her manuscript writing and the strange behavior of the new townsfolk, not to mention their penchant for keeping old wolf-like shrines everywhere. Truth is stranger than fiction, and the legend of the Fox Demon who demands a sacrifice every 50 years to keep the village from calamity is soon staring her in the face, and Katori must keep her wits about her if she wants to survive the night.

This was such a fun take on the "maiden sacrifice to save the village" trope. Katori is hilarious and definitely runs circles around Auryn and the rest of the demon village. I also loved the darker Ghibli vibes this book has, along with some other delightful tropes such as demon X human relationships (including a hint at a Book 2!), found family, arranged marriage, healing from trauma, and forced proximity, along with a healthy dash of spice throughout the book. I think anyone who is a little into human X demon/monster romances (and/or who grew up with amine/manga like Kamisama Kiss), enjoys strong character development, and who likes a little cozy family but can also stand some descriptions of trauma/danger/the realities of being a soft human in a world full of demons who have their own motives will really love this title!

[Amelia.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bride to the Fox Demon is an intoxicating blend of dark fantasy and folklore, where love and terror intertwine beneath the pulse of an ancient curse. Alex Perez crafts a world steeped in ritual and longing, where every shadow carries both danger and desire.

At its heart is Katori a woman seeking escape from the noise of her past, only to stumble into a destiny written centuries before her birth. Her reluctant bond with the Fox Demon, a being of hunger and haunting allure, transforms into a chilling yet beautiful meditation on surrender, power, and the blurred line between devotion and doom.

Perez’s prose feels cinematic and mythic, filled with the texture of old forests, whispered incantations, and the slow, deliberate pull of fate. What makes the story unforgettable is its emotional truth the way it mirrors human vulnerability through supernatural metaphor. The Fox’s hunger becomes a mirror for the human soul’s own restless craving: for love, for meaning, for release.

Balancing eerie sensuality with gothic tension, Bride to the Fox Demon stands as both a dark romance and a tragedy of transformation. It asks whether love can redeem what was born in darkness or whether some hungers are never meant to be tamed.

This first entry in the Souls for the Abyss series leaves its mark like a scar and a promise whispering that beauty often hides its sharpest teeth.

[CloudsofEscape · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate this 4 and a half star. It’s missing that half to make a 5 because I WISH THERE WAS MORE!!!!! 😭

This book was so fricken good, I loved Katori’s character, her inner commentary actually made me laugh a few times. Auryn is just gorgeous, and I love how much he tries to help Katori feel comfortable in his world it really pulls on my heart strings! But BEHITHA, oh my, she’s my favourite, I love her so so much, she’s so sweet, so kind and so innocent, like a little sister to Katori! At one point when I realised how much I adored her I was genuinely concerned that something bad might happen to her in the story honestly I was dreading it 😭 but the romance overall in this story I just adored it, it’s not a heavy spice romance it honestly felt more about the bond between Katori and Auryn and I really loved reading it all.
I won’t lie ending almost had me mad and then I was happy 🤭🖤

I would love a book on Stolas, I’m very interested in him! 😏

I definitely recommend this book! It’s completely worth it honestly! I enjoyed it a lot!

I will 100% be buying the hardcover 🙈

[Shelby Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bride to the Fox Demon grabbed me from the jump and I could not put it down! I read this book on my phone while walking through Disney World! It was really good.

Alex Perez takes you from a contemporary, village where our female main character, Katori, lives a somewhat reclusive life, to the demon realm where the demons don't fit the stereotypical mold. There is danger and excitement within the first pages.

Auryn, the Fox Demon, has stolen Katori away and it gets spicy very quickly. The world building and magic were intriguing and had me turning the pages quickly to figure things out. The world building is not too complicated and is revealed with good pacing.

It's heartwarming and suspenseful, but I think Perez definitely had enough elements that the book could have been longer with more build up between the dilemmas and their resolutions. However, some fantasy books are excessively long, so it really depends on what you prefer.

Without giving anything away, I would have loved to see more of what happened between the MMC and FMC at the end of the book. Fortunately, Perez hints at a developing story line with another character, which may also show us more of the progression of things with the MMC and FMC in a future book. I'll be keeping my eye out for book #2 in the Souls for the Abyss series.

Spice: 2-3 .... good, spicy scene at the beginning but then a slow burn for the remainder of the book.

A favorite quote:
"Wait a minute. You're the wolf god thing everyone's been worshipping I got taken for? You're a FOX!" He stretched his arms out dramatically with a face that read OBVIOUSLY. (hahahaha, get it? There is definitely some decent wit ad humor in this book)

[Marhen DeNoble · Rating 5 out of 5]

When one thinks of demons our thoughts tend to drift to those of the biblical sense - we do not always let our minds wander to the various possibilities of what endless possibilities there could be out there.

However!!!! Ms. Perez takes us on a mind bending journey that will have the hairs on the back of your neck rising and your toes curling!!!

Will you becomes as captivating by the dynamics of the demon world as our young human, Karori?

We have an extremely protective MMC that will have you melting like butter and wanting to sink your fingers into his silky fox fur and lose yourself into the abyss of his Golden eyes!!!

Come along and take a stroll through the eight districts and discovers the real of demons. Slosh through politics and blood pacts. Would you let a demon touch your soul?

Discover more with Alex Perez’s books! Start with her Debut: Bride to the Demon Fox

[Bookishbeyondpages · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pure magic. The atmosphere is cozy tinged with whimsy, the kind of story that begs to be read on a stormy night, wrapped in blankets with a cup of tea in hand. And the artwork? Absolutely breathtaking—every page feels like a work of art.

If you love folklore, mysterious small towns, and stories that feel like a dream you don’t want to wake up from, this one’s for you. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a mix of the mystical and the melancholic.

Huge thanks to QP Book Tours for the chance to experience this mesmerizing tale, and to Alex Perez for crafting such a beauty.

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[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4
🌶️2

Every fifty years, an offering must be made to prevent the village from falling into despair. Twenty six-year old Katori finds herself being that offering and trying to figure out what would come of her in Auryn's care.

Troupes include - found family, arranged marriage, healing from trauma, forced proximity, Demon X Human. TWs - Kidnapping, death, torture, blood, family conflict.

A demon whose also a fox? Say less. As some others have mentioned, I was also expecting something a bit darker but, this was such a fun and captivating novella. I really enjoyed the banter between Auryn and Katori and the overall found family vibes in this story.

Thank you Alex for an ARC of Bride to the Fox Demon, for my honest review - can't wait for the next in the series.

[cheyanne jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was truly one of the most unique things I've ever read. I was immediately sucked in and the pace was so well done that it was hard to put the book down. The characters so well written. The shock towards the end... but then the ACTUAL end had me crying like a baby!! I can't believe it took Katori so long to realize... and then THE EPILOGUE!!! I will ve waiting for another book to see how THAT plays out.

[Victoria Kennerknecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I wanted and nothing I expected!
The characters were all amazing from the main characters to the side/background characters. The way it was a slow burn but also fast paced was incredibly done! I loved the way the past was written into the story in a present way, connecting the story flawlessly. I can’t wait to dive in further into this universe and can only hope to get more glimpses of Auryn and Katori.
Overall adored this book!

[Kerin Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️s Loved it! Very fast read! I was sucked in and couldn’t stop! The MMC loved the Fox demon… so strong but so protective. Trauma. FMC traumatic past but didn’t go into detail. Sucked into a world she had no idea about but handled it so well! Plots and choices and intrigue! Will she leave her life behind and embrace a new future? -Kerin

[Jennifer Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys this book was everywhere for me! Spicy in the beginning portion to ending with a bit of spice. This book has so much that keeps your attention.

Curiosity, choices to make, learning truths, adventure and the list can go on. I can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store for me! Loved every moment of this book, even when thinking the worst was to come.

[Tiffany J McLay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! I am absolutely obsessed with this book and with the world Alex Perez had created.

I love the blend of real life and fantasy with some beautiful Japanese cultural references.

I'm pretty sure the MMC is one of my favourite love interests. He is just perfection.

I really need more of this world and more of Alex Perez's writing in general!

[Janessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bride to the Fox Demon was such a fun read! I fully enjoyed the characters and the story. Alex builds such unique and beAUTIFUL worlds that has me imagining these incredible landscapes that I am itching to paint! I loved the Japanese culture that was incorporated into this fantasy as I am an anime/manga nerd! I adore Alex’s writing and cannot wait to read everything she writes!

[DarkDigital Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m in love with the characters and the world so very much I need me this kind of dynamic! It’s too much to put into words but this is perfection! Definitely looking forward to more from this author as they write more books.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. There are a couple of editing mistakes like chopped up instead of chalked up and violation instead of volition, but this is an editing issue and not a writing one. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.