What do you think?
Rate this book
Audition for the Fox
In this stellar debut fantasy, a trickster Fox god challenges an underachieving acolyte to save herself by saving her own ancestors. But are Nesi and her new friends from the past prepared to defeat the ferocious Wolfhounds of Zemin?
“If you love my worlds, you’re going to love Cahill’s: stunning imagination, daring premises, and deep character dives. A new author to watch.”
—N. K. Jemisin, author of the Broken Earth series
[STARRED REVIEW] “A marvelous and heartbreaking tale.”
—Library Journal
Nesi is desperate to earn the patronage of one of the Ninety-Nine Pillars of Heaven. As a child with godly blood in her, if she cannot earn a divine chaperone, she will never be allowed to leave her temple home. But with ninety-six failed auditions and few options left, Nesi makes a risky prayer to T’sidaan, the Fox of Tricks.
In folk tales, the Fox is a lovable prankster. But despite their humor and charm, T’sidaan, and their audition, is no joke. They throw Nesi back in time three hundred years, when her homeland is occupied by the brutal Wolfhounds of Zemin.
Now, Nesi must learn a trickster’s guile to snatch a fortress from the disgraced and exiled 100th Pillar: The Wolf of the Hunt.
“If you love my worlds, you’re going to love Cahill’s: stunning imagination, daring premises, and deep character dives. A new author to watch.”
—N. K. Jemisin, author of the Broken Earth series
[STARRED REVIEW] “A marvelous and heartbreaking tale.”
—Library Journal
Nesi is desperate to earn the patronage of one of the Ninety-Nine Pillars of Heaven. As a child with godly blood in her, if she cannot earn a divine chaperone, she will never be allowed to leave her temple home. But with ninety-six failed auditions and few options left, Nesi makes a risky prayer to T’sidaan, the Fox of Tricks.
In folk tales, the Fox is a lovable prankster. But despite their humor and charm, T’sidaan, and their audition, is no joke. They throw Nesi back in time three hundred years, when her homeland is occupied by the brutal Wolfhounds of Zemin.
Now, Nesi must learn a trickster’s guile to snatch a fortress from the disgraced and exiled 100th Pillar: The Wolf of the Hunt.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2025
145 people are currently reading
15033 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews
October 2, 2025
I was drawn in by the cool cover, but I stayed for the original and lovely story. We follow the temple-worker Nesi who is supposed to find a patron among the Ninety-Nine Pillars of Heaven but was already rejected by Ninety-Six of them. Her options are down to the Pillars of War, Assassination, and Tricks, so she enters the audition for T’sidaan, Fox of Tricks. The Fox promptly sends her back in time and gives her the task of securing the course of history, and so Nesi finds herself 300 years away from her own time in a labor camp during an occupation of her lands. I really got the feeling that this little novella took place in a vast world with rich history, to the point where I was a little lost between all the names of countries and regions. But I do appreciate the effort, and it just shows how much the author created for this story. My favorite part was the mythology itself, and I loved to learn about the different Pillars (they're basically gods) and especially about the Fox, of course. They were such a great character, being a trickster, mischief-maker and shapeshifter with a silly side, but they're also patient and kind, and ready to teach a lesson when necessary. Nesi was a good main character too. I really felt for her with all the rejections she had to endure, having the feeling that she's not enough although she is actually very passionate. It's a story about finding one's place in the world and about how a little trickery can stand against tyranny and violence. It's very original and hard to compare to other things, but parts were almost fable-like and the focus on storytelling reminded me a little of the Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo. A lovely novella that's pretty on the outside and on the inside. There's also pretty art between the chapters, so I'm sure the finished version will be stunning. Highly recommend!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Tachyon Publications for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Tachyon Publications for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2025
When I read a novella, I want it to hit me hard with a particular flavor or feeling. A mood, as they say. This novella absolutely does that and the feeling is Delightful.
That isn't to say that bad things don't happen, that there isn't a big plot with big stakes, but that there is always something jaunty, something hopeful, the idea that you are never too far from a potential appearance from the perfectly depicted fox of the cover.
I do not read a lot of Fantasy, it can feel like work to me to have to learn an entire world from the ground up. Cahill makes a world that is both simple and elaborate, where necessary explanations are given but much of it just exists in the background. All you really need to get is the basic gist of how gods function in this world, and you effectively get that in just the first few pages. We don't need Nesi's entire backstory, we just need enough to throw us headfirst into the fray and that is what we get.
I have a couple minor notes. I wanted to have a bit of a better idea of who Nesi was, I could never quite get a feel for her beyond Protagonist. And I could have used like more Fox in the very early parts of the book, before we have to go without them for a while. The book is best when I'm anticipating them, wondering what they will do. Once we have the fully formed Fox, we always want more and happily we get plenty.
One of my friends wrote this book. And I fully admit that that is why I read it. But I also would like to note for the record that it is TERRIBLE when one of your friends writes a book because then what if you do not like it??? You can give your friend a vague positive reaction, but you cannot then come to your book reviewing site and lie. It is a huge risk, and happily this time it was a huge relief that I had such a nice time with it.
That isn't to say that bad things don't happen, that there isn't a big plot with big stakes, but that there is always something jaunty, something hopeful, the idea that you are never too far from a potential appearance from the perfectly depicted fox of the cover.
I do not read a lot of Fantasy, it can feel like work to me to have to learn an entire world from the ground up. Cahill makes a world that is both simple and elaborate, where necessary explanations are given but much of it just exists in the background. All you really need to get is the basic gist of how gods function in this world, and you effectively get that in just the first few pages. We don't need Nesi's entire backstory, we just need enough to throw us headfirst into the fray and that is what we get.
I have a couple minor notes. I wanted to have a bit of a better idea of who Nesi was, I could never quite get a feel for her beyond Protagonist. And I could have used like more Fox in the very early parts of the book, before we have to go without them for a while. The book is best when I'm anticipating them, wondering what they will do. Once we have the fully formed Fox, we always want more and happily we get plenty.
One of my friends wrote this book. And I fully admit that that is why I read it. But I also would like to note for the record that it is TERRIBLE when one of your friends writes a book because then what if you do not like it??? You can give your friend a vague positive reaction, but you cannot then come to your book reviewing site and lie. It is a huge risk, and happily this time it was a huge relief that I had such a nice time with it.
October 1, 2025
First thing - this is a young adult fantasy novella. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, I read YA fantasy, and I count some authors of it in instabuy (pre order as soon as possible) roll. I liked would have picked this book knowing it was YA but it was not clear to me when I picked it up, just making it clear. It's Young Adult (or even younger) - a coming of age, personal growth fantasy story. It's not that very common thing which is romantic YA or romantasy-ish fantasy, this is almost non sexual in a way reminiscent of Frances Hardinge.
This is being marked as "adult" on tags and others, and to make it clear, it is not. It's simple, and simply written and earnestly didactic - charmingly so, and that is a right for YA fiction at any era, but my problem with this is really how basic everything is meant to be, not much layers, not much depth, no real twists or surprises even when you have trickster gods in the mix.
In fact the whole theology is simplistic. I was actually objecting to a few things we are told like peaches being spring fruit (oh come on, peach trees blossom in spring, and they blossom relatively late at that) or the whole zoology bits about wolves being the bad guys because ruthless brutal killers, and foxes are ethical creatures who only tease equally and have a deep concern for kindness and justice (no polls were conducted on chickens, I guess, about it..). Oh, come on. But yeah, the whole book is basic, unchallenging.
A remark, the most interesting bit of the book was IMO one of the speeches of the fox god
“Because middling art is the most inspiring kind of art! When something is awful, it’s a joke; a bad piece of art makes people talk, sure, but it’s always in scorn or derision. No one experiences truly ghastly art and wants to improve it. And the same with truly beautiful work. Those heights of achievement are exquisite and capture something ecstatic in the universe, yes. But if one measures themselves against greatness, they’ll always be upset at themselves for not matching it, because few do.
This is great art teacher (or creative writing teacher or whatever) speech. (I wonder what other jobs the author has had other than writing). But thinking about it, as a reader, no, middling books are not the best books for a reader. Creation for the sake of creation is good for the artist, for those who teach artists. But for those who spend time and money in books, the best books are the best books. I only got time to read a few books a year, in my life, the time I spend reading a middling book I could have spent it reading something better. The interests of creators and consumers of what is created are different in that I guess. But this book made me think of it, so here goes the remark.
In all, middling YA fantasy. Not bad at all, but does not reach for greatness...
This is being marked as "adult" on tags and others, and to make it clear, it is not. It's simple, and simply written and earnestly didactic - charmingly so, and that is a right for YA fiction at any era, but my problem with this is really how basic everything is meant to be, not much layers, not much depth, no real twists or surprises even when you have trickster gods in the mix.
In fact the whole theology is simplistic. I was actually objecting to a few things we are told like peaches being spring fruit (oh come on, peach trees blossom in spring, and they blossom relatively late at that) or the whole zoology bits about wolves being the bad guys because ruthless brutal killers, and foxes are ethical creatures who only tease equally and have a deep concern for kindness and justice (no polls were conducted on chickens, I guess, about it..). Oh, come on. But yeah, the whole book is basic, unchallenging.
A remark, the most interesting bit of the book was IMO one of the speeches of the fox god
“Because middling art is the most inspiring kind of art! When something is awful, it’s a joke; a bad piece of art makes people talk, sure, but it’s always in scorn or derision. No one experiences truly ghastly art and wants to improve it. And the same with truly beautiful work. Those heights of achievement are exquisite and capture something ecstatic in the universe, yes. But if one measures themselves against greatness, they’ll always be upset at themselves for not matching it, because few do.
This is great art teacher (or creative writing teacher or whatever) speech. (I wonder what other jobs the author has had other than writing). But thinking about it, as a reader, no, middling books are not the best books for a reader. Creation for the sake of creation is good for the artist, for those who teach artists. But for those who spend time and money in books, the best books are the best books. I only got time to read a few books a year, in my life, the time I spend reading a middling book I could have spent it reading something better. The interests of creators and consumers of what is created are different in that I guess. But this book made me think of it, so here goes the remark.
In all, middling YA fantasy. Not bad at all, but does not reach for greatness...
January 7, 2026
به نظرم باید این کتاب را با دو ستاره کنار بگذارم. اما نه به این دلیل که کتاب بدی است، بلکه چون اساساً با برچسبهایی که به آن خورده همخوانی ندارد. روایت، زبان و منطق داستان بیش از آنکه به داستان بزرگسال یا حتی یانگادالت نزدیک باشد، حالوهوای یک فابل فانتزیِ قابلفهم و سرراست دارد؛ قصهای ماجرایی با اسطوره، آزمون، خیر و شر روشن و قهرمانی که مسیرش بیشتر آموزشی است تا پیچیده یا چندلایه. این ویژگیها ذاتاً ضعف نیستند، اما انتظاری که برچسب بزرگسال میسازد، با آنچه کتاب ارائه میدهد، همراستا نیست.
بهنظرم این کتاب اگر برای مخاطب زیر سن بلوغ معرفی شود، میتواند بسیار جذاب و حتی تأثیرگذار باشد؛ هم از نظر تخیل، هم پیامهای اخلاقی و هم ریتم روایت. مشکل اصلی اینجاست که وقتی مخاطب بزرگسال با انتظار متنی عمیقتر، تیرهتر یا چندمعناییتر وارد داستان میشود، نتیجه ناگزیر حسِ کمعمقبودن است، نه بهخاطر ضعف متن، بلکه بهخاطر جایگذاری نادرست آن. اگر تگها درست بودند، احتمالاً این کتاب را عادلانهتر و مهربانتر قضاوت میکردم.
با این حال، خودِ انتخاب مخاطب کمسن میتواند به یک نقطهضعف جدی تبدیل شود؛ چون کتاب از همان ابتدا کودک یا نوجوان را به جهانی پرتاب میکند که مملو از اسمهای ناآشنا، خدایان متعدد، جغرافیای خیالی پیچیده و اصطلاحات خاص است، بدون آنکه فرصت کافی برای هضم تدریجی آنها بدهد. برای خواننده بزرگسال این حجم از نامها معمولاً آزاردهنده اما قابلتحمل است، اما برای مخاطب کمسن میتواند سردرگمی، خستگی و گسست از روایت ایجاد کند. بهجای آنکه تخیل مخاطب بهآرامی در جهان داستان ریشه بدواند، ناگهان زیر بار اطلاعات فشرده قرار میگیرد. همین عدم تعادل میان سادگی مسیر داستان و پیچیدگی بیش از حد دنیاسازی، یکی از تناقضهای اصلی کتاب است که میتواند بخشی از جذابیت بالقوهاش را خنثی کند.
در این کتاب با دنیایی روبهرو هستیم که خدایان حیوانمانند (نود و نه ستون بهشت) در آن نقش فعالی در سرنوشت انسانها دارند. نِسی، دختری جوان که بارها (96 بار دقیقاً) در آزمون وردستی خدایان شکست خورده، اینبار به سراغ روباهِ نیرنگ میرود؛ خدایی که بهجای آزمونی ساده، او را به گذشتهای تاریک و سرکوبشده پرتاب میکند. نسی ناگهان خود را در دل دورهای از اشغال، خشونت و بردگی مییابد؛ جایی که باید نقشی کلیدی در شکلگیری یک شورش تاریخی ایفا کند. داستان، ترکیبی است از سفر در زمان، اسطوره و روایت قهرمانی که باید شجاعت، رفاقت و مسئولیتپذیری را بهتدریج یاد بگیرد. مسیر رشد شخصیت خطی و روشن است و بیشتر بر عمل و تجربه تکیه دارد تا پیچیدگیهای روانشناختی.
بهنظرم این کتاب اگر برای مخاطب زیر سن بلوغ معرفی شود، میتواند بسیار جذاب و حتی تأثیرگذار باشد؛ هم از نظر تخیل، هم پیامهای اخلاقی و هم ریتم روایت. مشکل اصلی اینجاست که وقتی مخاطب بزرگسال با انتظار متنی عمیقتر، تیرهتر یا چندمعناییتر وارد داستان میشود، نتیجه ناگزیر حسِ کمعمقبودن است، نه بهخاطر ضعف متن، بلکه بهخاطر جایگذاری نادرست آن. اگر تگها درست بودند، احتمالاً این کتاب را عادلانهتر و مهربانتر قضاوت میکردم.
با این حال، خودِ انتخاب مخاطب کمسن میتواند به یک نقطهضعف جدی تبدیل شود؛ چون کتاب از همان ابتدا کودک یا نوجوان را به جهانی پرتاب میکند که مملو از اسمهای ناآشنا، خدایان متعدد، جغرافیای خیالی پیچیده و اصطلاحات خاص است، بدون آنکه فرصت کافی برای هضم تدریجی آنها بدهد. برای خواننده بزرگسال این حجم از نامها معمولاً آزاردهنده اما قابلتحمل است، اما برای مخاطب کمسن میتواند سردرگمی، خستگی و گسست از روایت ایجاد کند. بهجای آنکه تخیل مخاطب بهآرامی در جهان داستان ریشه بدواند، ناگهان زیر بار اطلاعات فشرده قرار میگیرد. همین عدم تعادل میان سادگی مسیر داستان و پیچیدگی بیش از حد دنیاسازی، یکی از تناقضهای اصلی کتاب است که میتواند بخشی از جذابیت بالقوهاش را خنثی کند.
در این کتاب با دنیایی روبهرو هستیم که خدایان حیوانمانند (نود و نه ستون بهشت) در آن نقش فعالی در سرنوشت انسانها دارند. نِسی، دختری جوان که بارها (96 بار دقیقاً) در آزمون وردستی خدایان شکست خورده، اینبار به سراغ روباهِ نیرنگ میرود؛ خدایی که بهجای آزمونی ساده، او را به گذشتهای تاریک و سرکوبشده پرتاب میکند. نسی ناگهان خود را در دل دورهای از اشغال، خشونت و بردگی مییابد؛ جایی که باید نقشی کلیدی در شکلگیری یک شورش تاریخی ایفا کند. داستان، ترکیبی است از سفر در زمان، اسطوره و روایت قهرمانی که باید شجاعت، رفاقت و مسئولیتپذیری را بهتدریج یاد بگیرد. مسیر رشد شخصیت خطی و روشن است و بیشتر بر عمل و تجربه تکیه دارد تا پیچیدگیهای روانشناختی.
January 16, 2026
What does the fox say?
In this fantasy novella that recounts a mythical tale centered on striving for freedom in the midst of oppression, it would seem that the fox might say things like: "there are subtle ways to wield power", "it is important to remember one's own story", and perhaps most important of all, "It is possible to fight against evil without becoming evil oneself."
Audition for the Fox tells the story of Nesi. Nesi wants to serve as an acolyte to one of the 99 Pillars, but so far she has failed 96 times to successfully complete an audition. With only three chances remaining, she chooses to audition for the Fox, who proceeds to send her back 300 years in time where his only request is that she help start a revolution against the Wolf and his army.
This was an enjoyable book with a message fitting for our current times. Highly recommended.
In this fantasy novella that recounts a mythical tale centered on striving for freedom in the midst of oppression, it would seem that the fox might say things like: "there are subtle ways to wield power", "it is important to remember one's own story", and perhaps most important of all, "It is possible to fight against evil without becoming evil oneself."
Audition for the Fox tells the story of Nesi. Nesi wants to serve as an acolyte to one of the 99 Pillars, but so far she has failed 96 times to successfully complete an audition. With only three chances remaining, she chooses to audition for the Fox, who proceeds to send her back 300 years in time where his only request is that she help start a revolution against the Wolf and his army.
This was an enjoyable book with a message fitting for our current times. Highly recommended.
April 2, 2025
The premise was what originally drew me in (I find that trickster anything is always a hit), and this novella did not disappoint! The world was so rich and full of life, particularly the pantheon and its workings. I adore the idea of there being 99 gods (well, technically 100), all animals with different domains, that young demi-gods can audition to—especially as a university student on the trying search for internships who has experienced more than one disappointment (I feel you Nesi!) My favourite parts were probably the interlude chapters that explored short stories of the gods. It immediately made me think of Jean de La Fontaine’s fables and as such had such a nostalgic feel for me (being French). Apart from the worldbuilding, I found the story in itself to be something close to a warm hug, especially in our, to put it lightly, trying times. Resistance can be found everywhere, in the smallest of acts and stories. There were moments during the novella when the plot lost me a little and I wished we could have dove deeper into certain elements, however the charming characters, beautiful world, and inherent fairy-tale-like whimsy of the book made this such an enjoyable read. Thank you Martin Cahill, Tachyon Publications, and Netgalley for trusting me with an advanced reader copy of the book!
October 27, 2025
*Thank you to Tachyon Publications for a complimentary arc of Audition for the Fox. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.*
I was drawn in by the synopsis pretty quick - a trickster god, a child with godly blood and an occupation? Sounded like something I could’ve breezed through. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this story no matter how much I tried.
The premise had a lot of potential, however it felt like the story was trying to world build too much for what the story length allowed for. While the folk tales and mythology aspect intrigued me, it didn’t do enough to pick up my interest.
When you think ‘trickster god’, I think most would expect some witty banter or monologue, or even just a sneaky personality, but I didn’t feel like I got that either.
I also found it hard to accept that the main character had failed 96 challenges, including reading a book for a rhino and eating a dozen fish for a whale, yet we’re supposed to believe she would succeed fairly easily in leading a revolution to end an occupation?
I didn’t feel like the story held any real tension or stakes, so I really struggled to get invested or interested in the plot, and getting to the end of this was a challenge I fear could rival most of the challenges the main character had been through before the one focused on in this book.
I was drawn in by the synopsis pretty quick - a trickster god, a child with godly blood and an occupation? Sounded like something I could’ve breezed through. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this story no matter how much I tried.
The premise had a lot of potential, however it felt like the story was trying to world build too much for what the story length allowed for. While the folk tales and mythology aspect intrigued me, it didn’t do enough to pick up my interest.
When you think ‘trickster god’, I think most would expect some witty banter or monologue, or even just a sneaky personality, but I didn’t feel like I got that either.
I also found it hard to accept that the main character had failed 96 challenges, including reading a book for a rhino and eating a dozen fish for a whale, yet we’re supposed to believe she would succeed fairly easily in leading a revolution to end an occupation?
I didn’t feel like the story held any real tension or stakes, so I really struggled to get invested or interested in the plot, and getting to the end of this was a challenge I fear could rival most of the challenges the main character had been through before the one focused on in this book.
September 29, 2025
I don’t know how this story found me, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude that it did.
This is the story of Nesi, an anxious descendant of a god who must find a god to be her patron(aka-chaperone) if she ever wants to see the world outside her temple (aka kinda prison, kinda a school)
When she has totally failed 96 times of the 99 chances she has to impress a god she pulls a leap of faith (aka desperation) and puts her lot in with the fox god.
Time travel and rebellion ensues.
This story was so well crafted. It felt like a folkloric fantasy in a world that is so fleshed out even though we see only slices of its vastness. Our trickster fox had my whole heart. I want to give him a big hug, even if it would embarrass him a little.
I can’t wait to see if this author writes more for these characters and this world.
This is the story of Nesi, an anxious descendant of a god who must find a god to be her patron(aka-chaperone) if she ever wants to see the world outside her temple (aka kinda prison, kinda a school)
When she has totally failed 96 times of the 99 chances she has to impress a god she pulls a leap of faith (aka desperation) and puts her lot in with the fox god.
Time travel and rebellion ensues.
This story was so well crafted. It felt like a folkloric fantasy in a world that is so fleshed out even though we see only slices of its vastness. Our trickster fox had my whole heart. I want to give him a big hug, even if it would embarrass him a little.
I can’t wait to see if this author writes more for these characters and this world.
November 28, 2025
I DNF’d about 60 pages in. I really wasn’t enjoying this despite wanting to. I didn’t like the writing style and found the world building wasn’t doing enough to make the story flow and many of the characters didn’t stand out to me. I did like the illustrations though they were very nice and I think there is a lot of potential for T’sidaan being I really like fox spirits and tricksters in books but from what I read before stopping I don’t think he was able to carry the book enough for me with the way he was written so far and because he was not the main character we were spending time with.
September 16, 2025
I usually find stories about trickster gods really entertaining, and while this one is no exception it also proves to be deeper and darker than I expected, and is the more richer for it.
In this short novel, our main character Nesi auditions to be an acolyte for the Fox, but of course a trickster god's tests will prove to be nothing like what Nesi expected.
The worldbuilding is shaped slowly but expertly, giving us enough information to immerse ourselves in the story but also letting us know there is more to this world than what we’ve discovered. The fables between chapters are a great addition for us to learn more about the Fox and the rest of the gods.
An enjoyable read with great pacing. I hope to read other full length novels from this author in the future.
Thanks to Tachyon Publications via NetGalley for providing an eARC
In this short novel, our main character Nesi auditions to be an acolyte for the Fox, but of course a trickster god's tests will prove to be nothing like what Nesi expected.
The worldbuilding is shaped slowly but expertly, giving us enough information to immerse ourselves in the story but also letting us know there is more to this world than what we’ve discovered. The fables between chapters are a great addition for us to learn more about the Fox and the rest of the gods.
An enjoyable read with great pacing. I hope to read other full length novels from this author in the future.
Thanks to Tachyon Publications via NetGalley for providing an eARC
July 30, 2025
Got an arc from ALA, 4.5/5
This was a fun, funky little story that manages to pack one hell of a punch in such a short page count. Snarky, heartfelt, and timely in a way I wasn’t expecting, but overall a lot of fun. Would love to see these characters again!
This was a fun, funky little story that manages to pack one hell of a punch in such a short page count. Snarky, heartfelt, and timely in a way I wasn’t expecting, but overall a lot of fun. Would love to see these characters again!
August 29, 2025
A trickster fox god? Yes please!!!!
March 8, 2025
I am always up for tales of trickster gods, so I had to request Audition for the Fox when I saw it on Edelweiss. The story idea was fun but also had hidden depths and deeper messages. Nesi was a character I was willing to get behind from the start, and the Fox stole the scene every time they showed up. The narrative was fast paced and witty, and a lot was packed into the 190 pages. While the main storyline was interesting, I particularly enjoyed the other tales of the Fox interacting with the other Pillars, which were interspersed throughout the book, as these added to the mythology of the setting and each gave a new perspective on the Fox. The ending was satisfying but also left me wondering if we would get more adventures with Nesi and the Fox in the future. I am giving this book 4 stars. Recommended for fans of quirky, short fantasy tales and trickster gods.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2026
3.75⭐️ “I still think we need tricksters to tweak the nose of tyrants. I still think we need loving, inclusive, intersectional communities that can hold space for all those who lack such a thing, and embrace them in that held space and into community. I still think there will always be a part of me that feels like Nesi: too young, too inexperienced, too anxious while also wildly passionate, eager to help, and desperate to fulfill a purpose. And I still think stories are some of the best tools we have in the world to save each other, through joy, shared experience, human connection, and the healing power of art.” 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Read
September 24, 2025This was a really fun novella. The message, that someone has to stand up to evil to inspire others to do the same so it might as well be you, is unfortunately timely. I'm a little sick of "Trickster god therefore free spirit therefore spirit that values freedom, therefore the tip of the spear against any and all oppression" and kind of think that take of the archetype is played out. But the worldbuilding is 95% superb and makes me want to know more. (The other 5% is a little detail dropped near the end of the book that had me going "Wait, that makes no sense with everything else you've told me, come back here and explain that" and left me baffled and asking the wrong kind of questions) Absolutely something you can devour in one sitting and enjoy.
November 16, 2025
2,75⭐ ich kam leider nicht so gut in die Geschichte rein und hab mir einfach mehr erwartet
December 1, 2025
I adore this. Fox, the trickster god, is so endearing and wonderful. Nesi is relatable and inspiring. It's a tale of hope ....that grand belief.
September 25, 2025
The story had potential, but it felt rushed and could benefit from being fleshed out to a full length novel. It offers plenty of prose without much actual information. Readers are dropped into the story without any real setup, and I understand that is purposeful so you're disoriented along with Nesi, but it came off as frustrating rather than endearing me to her.
I'm not a fan of time-travel elements to start with, but the internal logic of the world didn't always hold up. There were moments that completely killed the immersion for me: a fantasy language sprinkled with modern-day curse words that was amateurish at best and culturally appropriative at worst; basic factual errors (starfish don’t swim in the sense implied, ants can't sit on their thorax); the Horse literally shitting itself to failure…
The book also tried very hard to highlight diversity in a way that felt performative and disingenuous. At the end of the day, I enjoyed it for the moment, but it was a frustrating read that never quite lived up to its promise and didn't leave me with any lasting memories aside from the disgusting Horse parable.
I'm not a fan of time-travel elements to start with, but the internal logic of the world didn't always hold up. There were moments that completely killed the immersion for me: a fantasy language sprinkled with modern-day curse words that was amateurish at best and culturally appropriative at worst; basic factual errors (starfish don’t swim in the sense implied, ants can't sit on their thorax); the Horse literally shitting itself to failure…
The book also tried very hard to highlight diversity in a way that felt performative and disingenuous. At the end of the day, I enjoyed it for the moment, but it was a frustrating read that never quite lived up to its promise and didn't leave me with any lasting memories aside from the disgusting Horse parable.
August 23, 2025
You never know what you’re going to get with a trickster. They can be cruel. They are always disruptive. Sometimes, they’re hilarious. If she hadn’t been so desperate to find a way out of the temple where all godsblooded are kept (for their own safety), Nesi would never have approached Fox. She’s auditioned for ninety-six other deities and been rejected by all of them. Very few people have ever auditioned for Fox, however, so Nesi has no idea what to expect. Martin Cahill’s novella, Audition for the Fox, is packed with chaos and pranks and occasional brutality. Most of all, however, it is about hope in the darkest of times...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and Edelweiss, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and Edelweiss, for review consideration.
September 16, 2025
This novella is an absolute delight. So much action and character development in such a short amount of time! It was a perfect balance of worldbuilding and storytelling. I loved the pantheon of gods in this world! And Nesi was a great main character.
I think my chief complaint is that it’s too short and I want more of it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Martin Cahill, and Tachyon Publications for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think my chief complaint is that it’s too short and I want more of it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Martin Cahill, and Tachyon Publications for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2025
Wow, a short read that packs a punch. Didn’t expect to have highlighted so much of it after feeling a little confused in the beginning. But ended up loving every second.
Read
September 22, 2025I liked the art more than the story. This felt like a story I was reading to a child. For all the talk of conquest and suffering, it was bloodless and lowkey.
September 10, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Tachyon Publications for providing this digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
4.5★ rounded up!
In Oranoya, children that are descended from the gods who have a spark of magic within them are required to be chaperoned by a god. In order to win a divine chaperone, these young men and women must audition to become acolytes for one of the Ninety-Nine Pillars. Nesi has auditioned for ninety-six pillars and has failed each time.
Left with few options, Nesi impulsively auditions for the role of acolyte to T’sidaan, the Fox of Tricks. When T’sidaan answers her prayer, it is to send Nesi three hundred years into the past with the mission of ensuring the successful revolution of a labor camp. Nesi must find a way to inspire hope in her imprisoned ancestors and ignite an uprising against their oppressors.
Audition for the Fox is an enthralling tale of tricks, hope, mythology, and the human struggle to find one’s path in life. Nesi’s struggle with her self-doubt and anxiety echo the insecurities which are human nature: what will I become, what will I do, will I be okay? The Fox introduces a softer, more nuanced side to the traditional trickster character, with depth of character and an iron morality. This novella is a love letter to stories, for those tales which inspire hope and strength, for those fables which teach children and adults alike. Simultaneously heartfelt and mischievous, this book drew me in and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.
I loved this story, and there is very little that I might change about it. The beginning pages were confusing; they start the reader in the thick of the action, but I would have preferred to start with Nesi’s prayer to the Fox. The book reads like a collection of myths, so I felt that the emphasis on action or a hook in the beginning was unnecessary and ill-fitting. There are references to Nesi’s magic, handed down from her great-grandfather, but it is unclear what that magic is. Similarly, her history with her family isn’t explained. I felt that this could have helped the reader better understand her personality and anxieties. Surely, being left at a temple by her parents at a young age would affect a person, but it’s unclear if this was done out of neglect or malice, or if it is simply a requirement for the parents of godsblooded children. Frankly, the story might have benefitted from being just slightly longer, to allow for that extra bit of exposition and world-building.
Nevertheless, I loved Cahill’s writing style and the sense of mysticism and mythology in this book. The interspersement of tales of the Fox and other Pillars helped explain the trickster’s character, describe the world of Oranoya, and gave the novel the feeling of a bedtime story. As a cherry on top, the artwork throughout the book is wonderful!
I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy and mythology, especially those in search of a read-in-an-afternoon book that still packs a punch with its themes.
4.5★ rounded up!
In Oranoya, children that are descended from the gods who have a spark of magic within them are required to be chaperoned by a god. In order to win a divine chaperone, these young men and women must audition to become acolytes for one of the Ninety-Nine Pillars. Nesi has auditioned for ninety-six pillars and has failed each time.
Left with few options, Nesi impulsively auditions for the role of acolyte to T’sidaan, the Fox of Tricks. When T’sidaan answers her prayer, it is to send Nesi three hundred years into the past with the mission of ensuring the successful revolution of a labor camp. Nesi must find a way to inspire hope in her imprisoned ancestors and ignite an uprising against their oppressors.
Audition for the Fox is an enthralling tale of tricks, hope, mythology, and the human struggle to find one’s path in life. Nesi’s struggle with her self-doubt and anxiety echo the insecurities which are human nature: what will I become, what will I do, will I be okay? The Fox introduces a softer, more nuanced side to the traditional trickster character, with depth of character and an iron morality. This novella is a love letter to stories, for those tales which inspire hope and strength, for those fables which teach children and adults alike. Simultaneously heartfelt and mischievous, this book drew me in and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.
I loved this story, and there is very little that I might change about it. The beginning pages were confusing; they start the reader in the thick of the action, but I would have preferred to start with Nesi’s prayer to the Fox. The book reads like a collection of myths, so I felt that the emphasis on action or a hook in the beginning was unnecessary and ill-fitting. There are references to Nesi’s magic, handed down from her great-grandfather, but it is unclear what that magic is. Similarly, her history with her family isn’t explained. I felt that this could have helped the reader better understand her personality and anxieties. Surely, being left at a temple by her parents at a young age would affect a person, but it’s unclear if this was done out of neglect or malice, or if it is simply a requirement for the parents of godsblooded children. Frankly, the story might have benefitted from being just slightly longer, to allow for that extra bit of exposition and world-building.
Nevertheless, I loved Cahill’s writing style and the sense of mysticism and mythology in this book. The interspersement of tales of the Fox and other Pillars helped explain the trickster’s character, describe the world of Oranoya, and gave the novel the feeling of a bedtime story. As a cherry on top, the artwork throughout the book is wonderful!
I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy and mythology, especially those in search of a read-in-an-afternoon book that still packs a punch with its themes.
March 11, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Tachyon for the eARC
I might come back and edit this review later, because I have so many thoughts but none of them are ordered enough to put them into words.
What a novella. I didn't know what to expect from this story, I was simply drawn by the title and the cover. And, I must admit, I was a bit cautious about the tone and theme, because I care about both very much and it's hard to get it right, in my opinion.
Well, I was blown away. Really. First, by the amount of worldbuilding and sense of place placed in a short book. And without being heavy or boring! Truly amazing and inspirational.
Then, the story itself. Very mythical, full of bite and fun, but also violence and resistance. Martin Cahill somehow managed to balance all of it, in a gripping tale with wonderful description (I think very strongly about our Fox, their smile and sense of presence). I liked Nesi and her struggle to find her place with a god. She has a very relatable sense to her, while being very herself. Following her as she is sent back in time into a labor camp, all for an audition with the Trickster Fox God was a nice ride.
Are the messages (morals, if you will) of the story light or hidden under deep symbolism ? No, but it suits the story, its inspiration from fairy tale and folklore. It makes sense, and only add to the narrative.
Veryn very good surprise.
I might come back and edit this review later, because I have so many thoughts but none of them are ordered enough to put them into words.
What a novella. I didn't know what to expect from this story, I was simply drawn by the title and the cover. And, I must admit, I was a bit cautious about the tone and theme, because I care about both very much and it's hard to get it right, in my opinion.
Well, I was blown away. Really. First, by the amount of worldbuilding and sense of place placed in a short book. And without being heavy or boring! Truly amazing and inspirational.
Then, the story itself. Very mythical, full of bite and fun, but also violence and resistance. Martin Cahill somehow managed to balance all of it, in a gripping tale with wonderful description (I think very strongly about our Fox, their smile and sense of presence). I liked Nesi and her struggle to find her place with a god. She has a very relatable sense to her, while being very herself. Following her as she is sent back in time into a labor camp, all for an audition with the Trickster Fox God was a nice ride.
Are the messages (morals, if you will) of the story light or hidden under deep symbolism ? No, but it suits the story, its inspiration from fairy tale and folklore. It makes sense, and only add to the narrative.
Veryn very good surprise.
January 11, 2026
“We are not a part of any story but our own.”
I read through most of this one twice and enjoyed it a lot more the second time. It took me a second to figure it all out, but once I did I really enjoyed the story and its themes. It’s a quick read but has a lot packed into it. I think sometimes novellas with a lot going on feel like they should just have been drafted as a full novel, but this one is structured well and everything fits naturally into the pacing.
The story is about a young acolyte trying to find a Pillar, or god, to accept her. Running out of options she turns to the Fox, the trickster god, who sends her back it time to make sure the rebellion that saved her ancestors actually comes to pass. Through her struggle to live with an oppressed people and inspire them to fight against their oppressors, she must prove to the Fox that she is worth investing in. The story explores how oppressors can gain power over others through lies and how rebellions are fueled by the hope of many. There isn’t a “chosen one” trope. Instead our protagonist learns that one doesn’t need to be remembered in the history books to impact their world for change.
I read through most of this one twice and enjoyed it a lot more the second time. It took me a second to figure it all out, but once I did I really enjoyed the story and its themes. It’s a quick read but has a lot packed into it. I think sometimes novellas with a lot going on feel like they should just have been drafted as a full novel, but this one is structured well and everything fits naturally into the pacing.
The story is about a young acolyte trying to find a Pillar, or god, to accept her. Running out of options she turns to the Fox, the trickster god, who sends her back it time to make sure the rebellion that saved her ancestors actually comes to pass. Through her struggle to live with an oppressed people and inspire them to fight against their oppressors, she must prove to the Fox that she is worth investing in. The story explores how oppressors can gain power over others through lies and how rebellions are fueled by the hope of many. There isn’t a “chosen one” trope. Instead our protagonist learns that one doesn’t need to be remembered in the history books to impact their world for change.
October 8, 2025
EVERYONE, READ THIS RIGHT NOW!
Nesi has tried out for 96 out of 99 gods; none of them have accepted her as theirs. Honestly, it's getting embarrassing! Enter T’sidaan, Fox God of Tricks, but of course all is not as it seems. As Nesi agrees to T’sidaan's trial, she transports back 300 years into a time of oppression and rebellion. As the god explains, it is up to her to start a rebellion within her occupied land.
The minute I can get my greedy little hands on the physical book, I'm rereading this stunning novella. Nesi and T’sidaan are both amazing characters, and Martin Cahill gives us so much of their personalities in so little time. I need to own this now now now!
Edit to add: I just bought this from Barnes & Noble, so my reread shall be SOON.
Nesi has tried out for 96 out of 99 gods; none of them have accepted her as theirs. Honestly, it's getting embarrassing! Enter T’sidaan, Fox God of Tricks, but of course all is not as it seems. As Nesi agrees to T’sidaan's trial, she transports back 300 years into a time of oppression and rebellion. As the god explains, it is up to her to start a rebellion within her occupied land.
The minute I can get my greedy little hands on the physical book, I'm rereading this stunning novella. Nesi and T’sidaan are both amazing characters, and Martin Cahill gives us so much of their personalities in so little time. I need to own this now now now!
Edit to add: I just bought this from Barnes & Noble, so my reread shall be SOON.
December 8, 2025
[ 🌟 4.25 ]
an adorably fairytale-esque vibe of a book! i loved the language that described nesi as "kit-like" and yet she is alluded to have a fox quality from the beginning that makes her a kindred spirit for the fox. i really loved the world-building and the idea of the 'pillars,' and while the plot of starting the uprising didn't really resonate with me enough to be engaged, i loved this book a lot
an adorably fairytale-esque vibe of a book! i loved the language that described nesi as "kit-like" and yet she is alluded to have a fox quality from the beginning that makes her a kindred spirit for the fox. i really loved the world-building and the idea of the 'pillars,' and while the plot of starting the uprising didn't really resonate with me enough to be engaged, i loved this book a lot
dnf
December 16, 2025I got like 20% into this but could barely tell you a single thing about it and had to keep restarting the book or the chapter I was on because I kept zoning out instead of absorbing it. Something about this book was just so boring for me personally that my eyes glazed over.
And I wish I had paid enough attention to be able to articulate why, but if that were the case then I probably wouldn't have needed to DNF. So sorry. Love the cover and the title and wish this worked for me.
And I wish I had paid enough attention to be able to articulate why, but if that were the case then I probably wouldn't have needed to DNF. So sorry. Love the cover and the title and wish this worked for me.
December 30, 2025
took me a second to warm up to the writing style for this novella but i have to say that it absolutely stole my heart and by the end i was even tearing up a little bit. Would read a whole series based around these characters if I were able to, and I wish that there were a series so that the world building and characters could get fleshed out a little bit more! Nonetheless I am simple and love a trickster fox.
November 23, 2025
This is definitely a good book, but pretty simple. I expected more from the story, but it’s all served to you on a platter and wrapped up in a bow. If you’re looking for a hopeful, short read, then give it a go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews