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Inda #2
The Fox
Attending the King's Military Academy had been Inda's greatest dream. But Academy reality is far from what he'd imagined-for by defending the second son of the king, Inda becomes embroiled in a vicious political struggle among the nobility that he has no hope of winning.
But these petty squabbles are only a faint shadow of what is to come. His future holds betrayals he cannot even imagine, and before growing to manhood, his fate will sever him from all he holds dear, thrusting him away from friends, family, and the life he thought he'd been meant to live, onto the perilous decks of pirate ships and beyond...
But these petty squabbles are only a faint shadow of what is to come. His future holds betrayals he cannot even imagine, and before growing to manhood, his fate will sever him from all he holds dear, thrusting him away from friends, family, and the life he thought he'd been meant to live, onto the perilous decks of pirate ships and beyond...
691 pages, Hardcover
First published August 7, 2007
110 people are currently reading
1254 people want to read
About the author
Sherwood Smith
168 books37.5k followersI am a writer,( Patreon here) but I'm on Goodreads to talk about books, as I've been a passionate reader as long as I've been a writer--since early childhood.
I'm not going to rate books--there are too many variables. I'd rather talk about the reading experience. My 'reviews' of my books are confined to the writing process.
I'm not going to rate books--there are too many variables. I'd rather talk about the reading experience. My 'reviews' of my books are confined to the writing process.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
November 16, 2018
“Civilisation is not made by single great events. Civilisation is a net, made up of moral choices. Bad ones tear the net… If I am not allowed to be a maker, at least I can rid the world of the tearers, can’t I?
When compared with this beauty, the majority of contemporary YA fantasy look like ugly ducklings.
It all starts simply enough and Inda goes pirate. My biggest concern was that I won’t remember all the names and places and connections (and there are so many of those!), especially that I have returned to The Fox quite sometime after having read Inda. As it turned out, I was anxious for no reason. Ms Smith manages to recap everything without being obvious and reattach the reader both to the protagonists and the main plot. My second biggest concern was that, well, Inda goes pirate. I was already tired with the maritime adventures previously, and to think that I have yet another whole monster of a book at sea, led me to a conclusion that I will not enjoythe ride the cruise. I am relieved to say I was wrong. The book is setting-driven, that is for sure, but not setting-determined and because the sea was also balanced with a huge portion of events that took place on the land, there was no pirate overload.
Although, I should perhaps start with a caveat, that while the previous book was a little bit overspiced with YA shenanigans, in The Fox our protagonists mature and for the most part we accompany them when they are in their early twenties which means that not only are they forced to face challenges high above their age group but also that they are somewhat more equipped with experience and all that comes with it.
“When I was young I understood the world, too. Until the word ended.”
If you equate YA with angst and romance, you can put your prejudice to sleep. There are various relationships in the book and most of the protagonists are entangled in a very complex emotional web of loves and hatreds but neither of those is the main driver of the story. To the contrary, I loved reading how their love lives are woven into a wider canopy of political, cultural and societal threads.
There is a tremendous set of characters in this series and I promise you will have problems with deciding who you do like the most. As far as Inda is concerned, while he grows as a protagonist, it is consistent with the previous buildup and there is no sudden metamorphosis into a wonder-boy. There is still certain innocent integrity about him. Lack of pretence, awareness of the endless stream of possibilities ahead and a sorrow for the unrecoverable past.
“Inda. You are not even twenty. Why in damnation are you determined to take on the world’s most powerful empire?”
“Because no-one else will.”
Inda is a sweet cupcake but for those of you who prefer something slightly darker and more morally ambiguous awaits Fox Montredavan-An, a striking redhead prone to casual menace. The scion of a disgraced royal house is Inda’s main partner in this instalment and, oh May, what a treat he is.
“He was tall, hard muscled though lean in build, always dressed in black. Fox. His mouth, as always, was sardonic. He would meet death with sarcasm, that one.”
Finally, there is Barend, Sponge’s cousin also supposedly lost to the sea. But this novel is more than about three Marlovans against the rest of the world. So many other secondary and tertiary protagonists to love and to hate that only listing them would change this review into a register. Let me name only a couple of favourites:
In the first place Evred-the-Sponge who needs to learn how to balance the personal and the royal and Inda’s sister, Hadand, a truly Marlovan fighting queen. There is Tau and Joret in their own aristocratic league of beauty (and remember that there is more to beauty than the appearance of it) and Jeje sa Jeje whom I’d love to have as a friend together with the staunchly loyal Tdor. There are also characters who are perhaps not so influential in terms of events but together they create the unique ambiance of the whole series (I’m thinking, for instance, of the bouncing Nugget going to battles as one would go for a picnic.).
This richness determines the narrative and perhaps I should flag it up that there are frequent POV changes and sometimes reading the book feels like you are in a movie with the camera’s shifting focus going from one person to the other. In some chapters, you will also find simultaneous narrations accounting for events happening roughly at the same time in different locations.
I still think that despite the title, the series is not about Inda. Surely, he remains the fulcrum of many events but the cornerstone of the story lies somewhere else. Inda happens to be at the forefront of many events, being the innate leader, but so are other people whose actions and decisions, small and sometimes not even conscious, are of equal importance. I think this is one of the main strengths of Ms Smith’s writing that she has managed to show how in the end, all grand plans notwithstanding, what happens often results from a latticework of accidental encounters and incidental decisions ruled by the vagaries of human heart and nature. In The Fox stealth and cleverness, and fighting skill count as much as a set of circumstances beyond our comprehension or ability to manipulate.
“Everyone is a verb. When we dwindle to a mere noun, we die.”
There are plot twists (particularly in the first part, although its ending is deceptively lulling) that not only I didn’t see coming but I didn’t invite to come over. There are new allies and new enemies; we learn more about the mystery of Norsunder (a place beyond time and physical space) and its magic , the role of women concerning magic is still unanswered, we learn more of the morvende as well as the Venn and why they are forced to push their boundaries outwards. Again, you will not find simple black and white answers here. Ms Smith doesn’t do easy.
“Consider how many of our kings and heroes appear to define honour by the worthiness of their enemies. Things will change only when honour is defined by our works.”
I also wanted to emphasise the delicious world building, especially that it keeps the reader far from your typical fantasy set of medieval-like western cultures. In fact, when we are faced with one, it is laid bare in all its idiosyncrasies, paradoxes and preposterous habits. Most of the time we find ourselves in a non-Western milieu. (I want to be Marlovan when I grow up!) All the details, from eating habits to fashion and from architecture to social ladder are mastered so meticulously that (dare I say it?) Malazan richness comes to mind. Also the language is beautiful; the sentences flow one after another and I wasn’t able to put the book down.
All in all, forget my general stinginess with stars and my average rating of 3.5. If this wasn't a ★★★★★ read then I don't know what is.
Also in the series:
1. Inda ★★★★☆
3. King's Shield ★★★★☆
4. Treason's Shore ★★☆☆☆
When compared with this beauty, the majority of contemporary YA fantasy look like ugly ducklings.
It all starts simply enough and Inda goes pirate. My biggest concern was that I won’t remember all the names and places and connections (and there are so many of those!), especially that I have returned to The Fox quite sometime after having read Inda. As it turned out, I was anxious for no reason. Ms Smith manages to recap everything without being obvious and reattach the reader both to the protagonists and the main plot. My second biggest concern was that, well, Inda goes pirate. I was already tired with the maritime adventures previously, and to think that I have yet another whole monster of a book at sea, led me to a conclusion that I will not enjoy
Although, I should perhaps start with a caveat, that while the previous book was a little bit overspiced with YA shenanigans, in The Fox our protagonists mature and for the most part we accompany them when they are in their early twenties which means that not only are they forced to face challenges high above their age group but also that they are somewhat more equipped with experience and all that comes with it.
“When I was young I understood the world, too. Until the word ended.”
If you equate YA with angst and romance, you can put your prejudice to sleep. There are various relationships in the book and most of the protagonists are entangled in a very complex emotional web of loves and hatreds but neither of those is the main driver of the story. To the contrary, I loved reading how their love lives are woven into a wider canopy of political, cultural and societal threads.
There is a tremendous set of characters in this series and I promise you will have problems with deciding who you do like the most. As far as Inda is concerned, while he grows as a protagonist, it is consistent with the previous buildup and there is no sudden metamorphosis into a wonder-boy. There is still certain innocent integrity about him. Lack of pretence, awareness of the endless stream of possibilities ahead and a sorrow for the unrecoverable past.
“Inda. You are not even twenty. Why in damnation are you determined to take on the world’s most powerful empire?”
“Because no-one else will.”
Inda is a sweet cupcake but for those of you who prefer something slightly darker and more morally ambiguous awaits Fox Montredavan-An, a striking redhead prone to casual menace. The scion of a disgraced royal house is Inda’s main partner in this instalment and, oh May, what a treat he is.
“He was tall, hard muscled though lean in build, always dressed in black. Fox. His mouth, as always, was sardonic. He would meet death with sarcasm, that one.”
Finally, there is Barend, Sponge’s cousin also supposedly lost to the sea. But this novel is more than about three Marlovans against the rest of the world. So many other secondary and tertiary protagonists to love and to hate that only listing them would change this review into a register. Let me name only a couple of favourites:
In the first place Evred-the-Sponge who needs to learn how to balance the personal and the royal and Inda’s sister, Hadand, a truly Marlovan fighting queen. There is Tau and Joret in their own aristocratic league of beauty (and remember that there is more to beauty than the appearance of it) and Jeje sa Jeje whom I’d love to have as a friend together with the staunchly loyal Tdor. There are also characters who are perhaps not so influential in terms of events but together they create the unique ambiance of the whole series (I’m thinking, for instance, of the bouncing Nugget going to battles as one would go for a picnic.).
This richness determines the narrative and perhaps I should flag it up that there are frequent POV changes and sometimes reading the book feels like you are in a movie with the camera’s shifting focus going from one person to the other. In some chapters, you will also find simultaneous narrations accounting for events happening roughly at the same time in different locations.
I still think that despite the title, the series is not about Inda. Surely, he remains the fulcrum of many events but the cornerstone of the story lies somewhere else. Inda happens to be at the forefront of many events, being the innate leader, but so are other people whose actions and decisions, small and sometimes not even conscious, are of equal importance. I think this is one of the main strengths of Ms Smith’s writing that she has managed to show how in the end, all grand plans notwithstanding, what happens often results from a latticework of accidental encounters and incidental decisions ruled by the vagaries of human heart and nature. In The Fox stealth and cleverness, and fighting skill count as much as a set of circumstances beyond our comprehension or ability to manipulate.
“Everyone is a verb. When we dwindle to a mere noun, we die.”
There are plot twists (particularly in the first part, although its ending is deceptively lulling) that not only I didn’t see coming but I didn’t invite to come over. There are new allies and new enemies; we learn more about the mystery of Norsunder (a place beyond time and physical space) and its magic , the role of women concerning magic is still unanswered, we learn more of the morvende as well as the Venn and why they are forced to push their boundaries outwards. Again, you will not find simple black and white answers here. Ms Smith doesn’t do easy.
“Consider how many of our kings and heroes appear to define honour by the worthiness of their enemies. Things will change only when honour is defined by our works.”
I also wanted to emphasise the delicious world building, especially that it keeps the reader far from your typical fantasy set of medieval-like western cultures. In fact, when we are faced with one, it is laid bare in all its idiosyncrasies, paradoxes and preposterous habits. Most of the time we find ourselves in a non-Western milieu. (I want to be Marlovan when I grow up!) All the details, from eating habits to fashion and from architecture to social ladder are mastered so meticulously that (dare I say it?) Malazan richness comes to mind. Also the language is beautiful; the sentences flow one after another and I wasn’t able to put the book down.
All in all, forget my general stinginess with stars and my average rating of 3.5. If this wasn't a ★★★★★ read then I don't know what is.
Also in the series:
1. Inda ★★★★☆
3. King's Shield ★★★★☆
4. Treason's Shore ★★☆☆☆
June 20, 2018
Book 1: 4*
Book 2: 4.25*
Great continuation of book one. I definitely have my favorites in this story and cannot wait to get back to their POVs. I love how the author keeps everything about the story no matter if on land or sea. The setting enhances the story it doesn't distract from it. A lot of books about ships, be they space, water, air or whatever, the authors tend to get too fixated on the operations of the craft. Smith balances this perfectly.
I also have to credit the author with artfully changing gears in the middle of book 2 of 4. I was 100% sure I saw the story arc for this entire series and never saw this shift of fortunes coming until the end. Masterfully done.
Can't wait for the next one.
Book 2: 4.25*
Great continuation of book one. I definitely have my favorites in this story and cannot wait to get back to their POVs. I love how the author keeps everything about the story no matter if on land or sea. The setting enhances the story it doesn't distract from it. A lot of books about ships, be they space, water, air or whatever, the authors tend to get too fixated on the operations of the craft. Smith balances this perfectly.
I also have to credit the author with artfully changing gears in the middle of book 2 of 4. I was 100% sure I saw the story arc for this entire series and never saw this shift of fortunes coming until the end. Masterfully done.
Can't wait for the next one.
August 8, 2010
Okay, so, not a real review, because I want to try to review the first, and attempt to deal with just why these books are so OMNOMNOMNOM. BUT.
I cannot believe that the internet has not informed me about the existence of books in which NO ONE POOPS.
I mean, I've read plenty of books in which no one poops, because the author doesn't feel the need to deal with it, but that's not what what I mean; in the world of these books, there is magic known as "waste spells" for cleaning up effluent. But characters use these spells betimes, and apparently the waste spell just magics the poop right out of one's bowels! (Also works with pee! And menstrual effluvia?) Which I guess makes sense, if you could, you wouldn't really want to waste time in the can, would you? So I suppose the only times you'd poop or pee would be when you were too young, or drunk, or whatever, to get the spell lined up.
A WORLD IN WHICH NO ONE POOPS. CONSIDER THAT.
(This is like, a totally minor point in the book, and probably only occupies a total of 100 words over the ~1500 pages I have read so far. I feel, however, that this revolutionary bit of world-building is under-explored.)
I cannot believe that the internet has not informed me about the existence of books in which NO ONE POOPS.
I mean, I've read plenty of books in which no one poops, because the author doesn't feel the need to deal with it, but that's not what what I mean; in the world of these books, there is magic known as "waste spells" for cleaning up effluent. But characters use these spells betimes, and apparently the waste spell just magics the poop right out of one's bowels! (Also works with pee! And menstrual effluvia?) Which I guess makes sense, if you could, you wouldn't really want to waste time in the can, would you? So I suppose the only times you'd poop or pee would be when you were too young, or drunk, or whatever, to get the spell lined up.
A WORLD IN WHICH NO ONE POOPS. CONSIDER THAT.
(This is like, a totally minor point in the book, and probably only occupies a total of 100 words over the ~1500 pages I have read so far. I feel, however, that this revolutionary bit of world-building is under-explored.)
July 31, 2018
Inda was a big surprise for me, since I don't often hand out five stars, and The Fox neatly follows on and is another wonderful read. I don't want to reveal too much of the plot, since many of you might not have read Inda. If you're a fantasy fan and like the idea of a military academy, a bunch of loyal and fierce friends, all bundled with a ton of political intrigue on an epic scale, do yourself a favour and give Inda a try.
It's not an easy read. There's endless world building, lots of names to learn and Sherwood Smith uses an omniscient narrator that is not afraid to bounce from character to character with a breathtaking pace. But the characters are extremely well developed, likeable, complex and wonderful beings. The narrator is a treat, the prose well worth a read and the plot is filled with twists, turns and surprises.
Don't try and remember everything, by now I'm pretty sure that's impossible. The important aspects will eventually reveal themselves and ultimately I was able to follow the book without getting lost.
I can't wait to read the next instalment.
It's not an easy read. There's endless world building, lots of names to learn and Sherwood Smith uses an omniscient narrator that is not afraid to bounce from character to character with a breathtaking pace. But the characters are extremely well developed, likeable, complex and wonderful beings. The narrator is a treat, the prose well worth a read and the plot is filled with twists, turns and surprises.
Don't try and remember everything, by now I'm pretty sure that's impossible. The important aspects will eventually reveal themselves and ultimately I was able to follow the book without getting lost.
I can't wait to read the next instalment.
April 27, 2017
The second book was just as good as the first, and maybe even slightly better. Inda continues to be an amazing main character and is becoming one of my favorites in fantasy literature. His story continues to enthrall, and it's beautifully surrounded by 3-D characters. There are no cardboard cutouts here!
We get a little more insight into the Venn and their government/desires/plans in this installment and a nice little surprise at the end.
On to the next!
We get a little more insight into the Venn and their government/desires/plans in this installment and a nice little surprise at the end.
On to the next!
Read
June 4, 2009Part of a long arc, thinking about consequences of actions as well as consequences of emotional verities.
May 25, 2022
It seems to me the ‘honor’ of those who have power is really what suits them best.”
February 16, 2018
We follow Inda as he starts his sea journey. In the meantime, there are things going back home.
Again, we see a fundamental facet of Inda's character: his ability to draw and inspire loyalty in people. It means that Jeje attempts to rescue Inda the first time Inda is taken hostage. It results in Inda being able to form his own marines. This loyaty means that, back in Marlovan Empire, Evred still looks for a way to clear Inda's name, and that Evred's friends (the Sier-Danas) remain loyal to the idea of Inda.
I also enjoyed reading about Inda's ability to command. In fact, his success in battle (however improbable) adds to the loyalty and belief in Inda - that he cannot lose.
We also see the going-ons in the Marlovan Empire. The Sirlaef continues on his path to unchecked power (and I can't believe that the king is unaware of it - too busy administering his kingdom to look inside his house. Perhaps he trusted his brother too much). This results in .
The escalation of "obstacles" was also good - we move from the workings of the Marlovan Empire in the first book, to an observation of the seaways around the Empire. At the end, the .
This is a book that I would reread.
Again, we see a fundamental facet of Inda's character: his ability to draw and inspire loyalty in people. It means that Jeje attempts to rescue Inda the first time Inda is taken hostage. It results in Inda being able to form his own marines. This loyaty means that, back in Marlovan Empire, Evred still looks for a way to clear Inda's name, and that Evred's friends (the Sier-Danas) remain loyal to the idea of Inda.
I also enjoyed reading about Inda's ability to command. In fact, his success in battle (however improbable) adds to the loyalty and belief in Inda - that he cannot lose.
We also see the going-ons in the Marlovan Empire. The Sirlaef continues on his path to unchecked power (and I can't believe that the king is unaware of it - too busy administering his kingdom to look inside his house. Perhaps he trusted his brother too much). This results in .
The escalation of "obstacles" was also good - we move from the workings of the Marlovan Empire in the first book, to an observation of the seaways around the Empire. At the end, the .
This is a book that I would reread.
August 11, 2016
This was good, but since thanks to life, the universe, and everything conspiring against me, it took me almost two months to read it. That sort of pacing doesn't lend itself to appreciating the finer points. That being said, I still enjoyed it, and this series is a great one for anyone looking for a fantasy book featuring pirates.
My chief critique is that it's afflicted with a moderate case of "Worldbuilder's Syndrome." Sherwood Smith, as I understand, has been developing this world since she was 8 years old. It shows, in ways both good and bad. Good in that the depth behind everything was obvious; bad in that there were things that felt like she put in simply because she'd thought about and developed them, not because they were necessary to the story.
But it's a mild critique. Looking forward to The King's Shield.
My chief critique is that it's afflicted with a moderate case of "Worldbuilder's Syndrome." Sherwood Smith, as I understand, has been developing this world since she was 8 years old. It shows, in ways both good and bad. Good in that the depth behind everything was obvious; bad in that there were things that felt like she put in simply because she'd thought about and developed them, not because they were necessary to the story.
But it's a mild critique. Looking forward to The King's Shield.
February 28, 2024
só nos 80% do livro que eu percebi que esse livro tem quase 800 páginas, não é por nada que demorei pra terminar
e o fato que o climax desse livro é no meio não me ajuda com a percepção de tempo de leitura, parece que emocionalmente eu li dois livros, olha só a barganha, uma leitura pelo preço de duas
esse livro foi bem mais complexo que o primeiro, o worldbuilding é tão bom, complexo, vivo, da pra ver que a autora realmente parou para criar um continente variado e com cada cultura com suas peculiaridades
e os personagens? amo todos, inda, jeje, tau, todos os companheiros do inda, adoro, até os personagens novos, como o fox, não ficam de fora
é um livro bem político, com a maioria de seus momentos de ação sendo interno, é uma história lenta que vai aos poucos criando tensão e bizarramente tem um climax bem no meio e depois você fica se ajustando ao que ocorreu
estou curtindo bastante essa série
"Of course he had honor. Not just the false sense that was so often in the mouths of those who meant merely precedence, or preference, or vanity, or demands. It was true honor, which was just another word for trust. He will be back, she thought. I will believe he will be back when he perceives a need greater than whatever order they gave to keep him away."
e o fato que o climax desse livro é no meio não me ajuda com a percepção de tempo de leitura, parece que emocionalmente eu li dois livros, olha só a barganha, uma leitura pelo preço de duas
esse livro foi bem mais complexo que o primeiro, o worldbuilding é tão bom, complexo, vivo, da pra ver que a autora realmente parou para criar um continente variado e com cada cultura com suas peculiaridades
e os personagens? amo todos, inda, jeje, tau, todos os companheiros do inda, adoro, até os personagens novos, como o fox, não ficam de fora
é um livro bem político, com a maioria de seus momentos de ação sendo interno, é uma história lenta que vai aos poucos criando tensão e bizarramente tem um climax bem no meio e depois você fica se ajustando ao que ocorreu
estou curtindo bastante essa série
"Of course he had honor. Not just the false sense that was so often in the mouths of those who meant merely precedence, or preference, or vanity, or demands. It was true honor, which was just another word for trust. He will be back, she thought. I will believe he will be back when he perceives a need greater than whatever order they gave to keep him away."
November 6, 2024
The first half of this book was a real page burner, roller coaster ride, as the treachery within the noble ranks is discovered and then added to. And who gets to protect the throne? The women skilled in martial arts. Sherwood Smith loves the martial arts. Part two of "The Fox" was the typical middle book of a series with our hero getting into all sorts of trouble while developing his fleet and battling pirates.
The magic Sherwood weaves is helpful. It keeps bridges and buildings standing. And how would you like a magical bath where you simply enter the water and it cleans you? What a great way to do laundry. Fun stuff.
Next up will be the battle against the dreaded Venn. It'll be interesting, because our hero and an enemy, Venn mage, are now lovers. Lots of twists in Smith's tales.
By the way. Do not be turned off by the "Young Adult" label on these books. While the characters are young, relatively speaking, the escapades are as entertaining as any "adult" book, whatever that is.
The magic Sherwood weaves is helpful. It keeps bridges and buildings standing. And how would you like a magical bath where you simply enter the water and it cleans you? What a great way to do laundry. Fun stuff.
Next up will be the battle against the dreaded Venn. It'll be interesting, because our hero and an enemy, Venn mage, are now lovers. Lots of twists in Smith's tales.
By the way. Do not be turned off by the "Young Adult" label on these books. While the characters are young, relatively speaking, the escapades are as entertaining as any "adult" book, whatever that is.
January 8, 2022
personally i think fox should be allowed to kill everyone that has ever gotten on his nerves
August 26, 2015
Ah, it was so much fun to dive back into this world again – I thought I could just save this for late-night pleasure reading, but it wouldn’t be denied and ended up demanding all of my reading attention all day long. It’s a grand adventure, where you just keep turning the page, desperate to know what’s going to happen next, with fully drawn characters that you take to your heart, and a political system that is just odd enough to be fascinating. An absolutely grand adventure – sheer fun! I do enjoy the way she plays with gender, creating some regions with no gender roles at all, and others with very defined gender roles, yet all so richly different from what we might have expected. Such fun!
(Actually though, it really looks more like two entirely different novels, or parts two and three of the series – each with a complete climax and resolution and thoughtful epilogue – but who can complain about getting two books in one? I loved the way the central climax was handled, shift to shift to shift, the whole thing really kept me on my toes.)
Overall it’s great plot construction and world-building, very rich and nuanced and detailed. I just didn’t want to have to emerge from the world. It’s a great old-fashioned adventure, but with gender and sexuality treated right! Completely, absolutely, perfectly satisfying! I’m all so eager to pick up the next!
(Actually though, it really looks more like two entirely different novels, or parts two and three of the series – each with a complete climax and resolution and thoughtful epilogue – but who can complain about getting two books in one? I loved the way the central climax was handled, shift to shift to shift, the whole thing really kept me on my toes.)
Overall it’s great plot construction and world-building, very rich and nuanced and detailed. I just didn’t want to have to emerge from the world. It’s a great old-fashioned adventure, but with gender and sexuality treated right! Completely, absolutely, perfectly satisfying! I’m all so eager to pick up the next!
September 12, 2016
I've never read a pirate themed fantasy novel before Inda and The Fox but I can be pretty confident that few books will ever top this. The Fox is a much better book than the first one. The pacing is tighter, the damned dual (triple sometimes) language nonsense of the first book is gone making it much simpler to track who's who. There's less focus on the much present and one dimensional politicking present in the previous novel. And finally we get more of Inda being awesome as he comes up with plans, wrecks shit up and actually truly grows up. The narrative still switches scenes and there are a lot of time skips, but it gives a realistic long term view of military plans.
The book does use a few clichéd tropes like characters who pine for each other but cannot confess to each other or somebody rushing to meet a loved one but missing out by a hair's breadth, but they were minor irritants.
The book does use a few clichéd tropes like characters who pine for each other but cannot confess to each other or somebody rushing to meet a loved one but missing out by a hair's breadth, but they were minor irritants.
June 1, 2017
It's such a pleasure to run into a series that has such depth in its twists and turns, and have it be capable of truly surprising me and keeping me on the edge of my seat. There are so many moments in this book and the previous one where I assumed I knew where the narrative was going, only to have my expectations turned on their head by the simple fact that the characters are all so much more nuanced and multi-dimensional than we usually get. It started early with the discovery that one-time-sierdanas from the previous book weren't necessarily fated to spend the entire series as cronies to a villain, and continued for the rest of the book, on both big and small scales. The introduction of Fox and the ongoing frission of tension that his presence gave to much of the story was particularly amazing. Can't remember the last time I've been so unsure whether I could trust a character or not, and it made the book a joy to experience.
January 3, 2017
This was a lot of fun to read and hard to put down. The beauty of this series is that it's such a great mix of adventure and political intrigue. The characters are excellent, especially as they've grown up, and the worldbuilding is well done - we get to explore new regions, each with its own style whether it be language, mannerisms, food, court, behavior, etc. Oh ya and politics.
I think the pacing was a bit better here compared to Inda. So many things happened in this book with twists and turns, but I don't want to spoil anything - let's just say battles at sea (pirates), battles on land, assassinations, subterfuge, etc.
I enjoyed it and I'll look forward to continuing the series...there's no way I could stop here.
I think the pacing was a bit better here compared to Inda. So many things happened in this book with twists and turns, but I don't want to spoil anything - let's just say battles at sea (pirates), battles on land, assassinations, subterfuge, etc.
I enjoyed it and I'll look forward to continuing the series...there's no way I could stop here.
June 14, 2013
Apparently this took me a whole month to re-read, and it's probably because I didn't want it to end. In my memory, this is my favorite of the "Inda" series, and it truly lived up to my remembered expectations. There's fewer characters and a lot more action in this book, with naval battles galore. I had forgotten some of the politics but I definitely remembered the intrigue. I still think Inda's gift of war strategy is the most interesting thing about this series. I am starting right away on the next book!
October 1, 2018
4.25/5 stars
January 30, 2023
It reminds me of summer. Of childhood. Of warm days spent outside under a shining sun. It makes me nostalgic for childhood because I saw these characters grow up and they already miss their own. I'm sad that I put this book down for so long, but I had been busy. I forgot a lot, but I came to enjoy it again. Inda inspires loyalty in his crew but also his readers.
May 5, 2015
You know, I still can't get past the writing in this series. Hopefully in book three it'll be better, because that was basically the only thing holding me back from giving this five stars.
But I do love this series. I love the characters - even if there's a certain character who died in the first book that I'm still refusing to accept is dead, and every time they mention him as dead I just sort of stick my fingers in my ears and go "la la la la" because no you're wrong he's just chillin' elsewhere.
I also really like the pirate parts. That was fun. There were times when one group of people would get my attention way more than another group of people and I'd just sort of sigh as I had to read about not-them, but for the most part, I enjoyed it. There were a few times when I got confused on names for the first page or two, and I still can't remember a few names of people who died from the first book and I feel like I character I liked was in this one but they called him by a different name so I had no clue it was him -
But despite being a flawed series, this is a good series. I'm excited to see where it goes next. And now, excuse me while we have some spoilery character talkin'
But I do love this series. I love the characters - even if there's a certain character who died in the first book that I'm still refusing to accept is dead, and every time they mention him as dead I just sort of stick my fingers in my ears and go "la la la la" because no you're wrong he's just chillin' elsewhere.
I also really like the pirate parts. That was fun. There were times when one group of people would get my attention way more than another group of people and I'd just sort of sigh as I had to read about not-them, but for the most part, I enjoyed it. There were a few times when I got confused on names for the first page or two, and I still can't remember a few names of people who died from the first book and I feel like I character I liked was in this one but they called him by a different name so I had no clue it was him -
But despite being a flawed series, this is a good series. I'm excited to see where it goes next. And now, excuse me while we have some spoilery character talkin'
April 5, 2017
3.5 out of 5 stars.
The omniscient narrator POV continued to make reading this book a lot harder than it needed to be. I don't really appreciate it much because sometimes you have the same scene jumping from POV to POV constantly and it's annoying, especially in more action-oriented scenes. The characters are what draws me to this story, and what made me want to continue reading, even if it was a very slow read for me. More than the plotting itself, which meanders a bit too much at times, especially on the more seafaring side of the story, the characters are so well fleshed and their thoughts and hopes and dreams so well portrayed that you end up really loving them by the end and wanting to know their fate. I may try out book 3, just to finally see Inda and Evred and Hadand reunited.
The omniscient narrator POV continued to make reading this book a lot harder than it needed to be. I don't really appreciate it much because sometimes you have the same scene jumping from POV to POV constantly and it's annoying, especially in more action-oriented scenes. The characters are what draws me to this story, and what made me want to continue reading, even if it was a very slow read for me. More than the plotting itself, which meanders a bit too much at times, especially on the more seafaring side of the story, the characters are so well fleshed and their thoughts and hopes and dreams so well portrayed that you end up really loving them by the end and wanting to know their fate. I may try out book 3, just to finally see Inda and Evred and Hadand reunited.
March 30, 2017
These books are so brilliant and so beautiful it hurts. This being two of four it's difficult to write about it - there's so much of the story left, and the story all began in Inda. But I loved it. A lot. And I'm so eager to get the rest of the tale - and so frightened, too, because there's no guarantee any of the characters I have come to love so dearly will make it through. They definitely won't be unscathed, so the best I can hope for is alive. And happy. I know that's against all odds, but...
March 11, 2008
Pirates! Swashing! Buckling! Murder! Intrigue! Courts in Session and Kings in Exile! Characters who really are deeper than puddles! Prose that doesn't make me cringe! Cultures that are definitely foreign, yet not incomprehensible! For the avid fantasy reader, this book has all of what you could want and none of what you don't -- to wit, the Same Old Same Old, kid-with-a-secret-destiny, collect-the-magic-coupons-defeat-the-evil-overlord plot.
My only complaint about this book is that I can't get the sequel yet.
My only complaint about this book is that I can't get the sequel yet.
May 4, 2017
Unlike the first book, this one I could not put down once I started. It had many tropes that I love, and many characters & relationships that I'd liked in the first book (including some that were to my happy surprise still alive after all) got a lot more development and screentime. Especially in the first 3/4 the plot moved a lot faster than I expected - I expected the events at the end of part 1 at the end of the book at the earliest - but never to the detriment of the story.
May 25, 2012
LOOOOOVE this book! It has a lot of the same elements that I loved from the first book, and Sherwood does a really good job of spinning the story out over years without it feeling compressed at all. Love seeing the characters growing up.
Onward to King's Shield!
Onward to King's Shield!
November 17, 2019
The other day, I was talking to my best friend, who like me kept a journal for a whole lot of years when we were both younger. And we were reflecting on our frustration with our past selves when we would look through our journals to revisit some past event that was somewhat fuzzy in recollection: what was I thinking about? Why did I make the choices I did? How did other people respond? Looking for such answers, we would often find silence, as though something significant enough that we wished to revisit it had never happened, or a discouraging lack of discernment from our younger self when it came to the details that our older selves are interested in reading about.
All of which is to say that I'm more than a little surprised and disappointed that I didn't review this the first time I read it. This feeling was amplified by the sense that back when I read this the first time, perhaps twelve years ago, I was a better reviewer of the books I'd read, since I had none of the three children that I now claim, nor any of the ennui that seems to come with a certain age.
But now, in deference to an even older self that might come to revisit this novel and wonder what some earlier self--any earlier self--thought of it, I feel compelled to chronicle some of my thoughts.
These are hardly ideal circumstances, since I spent a solid couple months reading this, while also taking time to read another novel (or was it two) because it was (or they were) checked out from the library, and that's not even to mention the audiobooks I've listened to, or the podcasts, or the various stresses of life, not limited to the aforementioned children but also including a new career to which I'm still adjusting. Or the limited time I seem to be able to grab for any kind of reflection.
Anyway. I quite liked the continuation of this series, even if it wasn't perfect. I've adjusted to the head-hopping that Smith does, so that didn't really even niggle, but still, at times there were things that just seemed... awkwardly done, mostly plot points and character motivations or development. Which is strange, in a way, since I really do think that the richness and depths of the characters are a strength. The story is a bit rambling, with a lot of ground to cover, but that didn't bother me that much. I tend to like the epic quality of a large number of characters building up the scope of the plot, but it did slow things down a bit.
Well, reflection time is over--off to my next commitment.
All of which is to say that I'm more than a little surprised and disappointed that I didn't review this the first time I read it. This feeling was amplified by the sense that back when I read this the first time, perhaps twelve years ago, I was a better reviewer of the books I'd read, since I had none of the three children that I now claim, nor any of the ennui that seems to come with a certain age.
But now, in deference to an even older self that might come to revisit this novel and wonder what some earlier self--any earlier self--thought of it, I feel compelled to chronicle some of my thoughts.
These are hardly ideal circumstances, since I spent a solid couple months reading this, while also taking time to read another novel (or was it two) because it was (or they were) checked out from the library, and that's not even to mention the audiobooks I've listened to, or the podcasts, or the various stresses of life, not limited to the aforementioned children but also including a new career to which I'm still adjusting. Or the limited time I seem to be able to grab for any kind of reflection.
Anyway. I quite liked the continuation of this series, even if it wasn't perfect. I've adjusted to the head-hopping that Smith does, so that didn't really even niggle, but still, at times there were things that just seemed... awkwardly done, mostly plot points and character motivations or development. Which is strange, in a way, since I really do think that the richness and depths of the characters are a strength. The story is a bit rambling, with a lot of ground to cover, but that didn't bother me that much. I tend to like the epic quality of a large number of characters building up the scope of the plot, but it did slow things down a bit.
Well, reflection time is over--off to my next commitment.
December 16, 2021
A strong follow up to Inda - there were some extremely fun pirate battles and I really appreciated the character development in this. I love Inda as a main character - he's a really good balance of special enough to be a main character in a fantasy setting but still with plenty of flaws and makes enough mistakes so that you never feel like he's going to make it out of every situation unscathed.
Overall the first half of the book was a bit more exciting and fast-paced than the second half - I couldn't bring myself to care too much about Joret / Everend / home court politics, and sometimes I felt like characters/plot arcs were introduced and wrapped up a little too quickly.
Overall the first half of the book was a bit more exciting and fast-paced than the second half - I couldn't bring myself to care too much about Joret / Everend / home court politics, and sometimes I felt like characters/plot arcs were introduced and wrapped up a little too quickly.
May 11, 2017
I want the third book very badly, unlike the ending to Inda the ending to The Fox left me wanting King's Shield right now.
Seemed to be faster paced than Inda, and I rather liked the multiple points of view. Then again, I didn't read The Fox in one sitting like I did with Inda.
Seemed to be faster paced than Inda, and I rather liked the multiple points of view. Then again, I didn't read The Fox in one sitting like I did with Inda.
December 29, 2025
Sherwood Smith went to the Robin Hobb school of character writing, and I mean that as one of the biggest compliments I know how to give
July 5, 2015
At the end of Inda, our hero had been kidnapped by pirates and he wasn't sure if his friends were alive or dead. The Fox begins immediately after this, introducing Inda to two possible allies that want one thing, for Inda to take over the ship. Due to his quick mind, Inda succeeds in his mutiny. Then he sets his sights on taking down other pirate ships, first The Brotherhood, and then a far more dangerous enemy, the Venn.
I'm really happy I decided to continue this series by picking up the second book for jawasredtoo's Summer of Series Challenge. Until I opened up the pages of The Fox, I don't think I quite comprehended how dear the characters in this series had become to me. Inda continues to be a fascinating lead, but I also found myself very attached to side characters such as Evred, Hadand, Jeje, and Tau. Smith certainly has a skill when it comes with characterization, and I loved watching how the cast has developed from book one to book two. For example, the Sierlaef, who began the series as a bully eager for his uncle's approval, is now a much dangerous character, beginning The Fox with the blood of Inda's brother already on his hands.
One aspect I felt really improved from the first book can be found in pacing and plot development. The novel Inda was by no means a page turner and could even be a little slow at times. This changes in The Fox, the novel moves with a sense of purpose. Divided into two sections, I found the first section to be very hard to put down. The climatic end sessions in particular were incredibly gripping and memorable. The second section more slowly, but I really enjoyed the fact that we got to learn more about other countries, such as Anaeran-Adrani. As far as the overall plot goes, we see some significant advances in The Fox, some which I didn't expect to happen until much later in the series. In The Fox, there is more of an emphasis on romance, although that is far from the main focus of the plot. As characters who began the series as adolescences are now finding themselves in adulthood, many of them have fallen in love. One thing I think is interesting is how many of these romances are unresolved or unfulfilled for one reason or another. I particularly felt sorry for Hadand, who has fallen in love with someone who can never love her back.
The Fox is a fantastic addition to the Inda series. Once again I was pulled into this wonderfully crafted world and fell in love with it's characters. Due to it's more purposeful plotting, I feel as if this book is a noticeable step up from Inda. I am quite eager to pick up the third book in the quartet, King's Shield, which I am waiting to be returned to my library.
I'm really happy I decided to continue this series by picking up the second book for jawasredtoo's Summer of Series Challenge. Until I opened up the pages of The Fox, I don't think I quite comprehended how dear the characters in this series had become to me. Inda continues to be a fascinating lead, but I also found myself very attached to side characters such as Evred, Hadand, Jeje, and Tau. Smith certainly has a skill when it comes with characterization, and I loved watching how the cast has developed from book one to book two. For example, the Sierlaef, who began the series as a bully eager for his uncle's approval, is now a much dangerous character, beginning The Fox with the blood of Inda's brother already on his hands.
One aspect I felt really improved from the first book can be found in pacing and plot development. The novel Inda was by no means a page turner and could even be a little slow at times. This changes in The Fox, the novel moves with a sense of purpose. Divided into two sections, I found the first section to be very hard to put down. The climatic end sessions in particular were incredibly gripping and memorable. The second section more slowly, but I really enjoyed the fact that we got to learn more about other countries, such as Anaeran-Adrani. As far as the overall plot goes, we see some significant advances in The Fox, some which I didn't expect to happen until much later in the series. In The Fox, there is more of an emphasis on romance, although that is far from the main focus of the plot. As characters who began the series as adolescences are now finding themselves in adulthood, many of them have fallen in love. One thing I think is interesting is how many of these romances are unresolved or unfulfilled for one reason or another. I particularly felt sorry for Hadand, who has fallen in love with someone who can never love her back.
The Fox is a fantastic addition to the Inda series. Once again I was pulled into this wonderfully crafted world and fell in love with it's characters. Due to it's more purposeful plotting, I feel as if this book is a noticeable step up from Inda. I am quite eager to pick up the third book in the quartet, King's Shield, which I am waiting to be returned to my library.
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