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The Foxglove Pact
Welcome to Illium, City of Lies, a home to man, monsters, and magic, where the supernatural hides in plain sight. It lives on your block, runs the PTA, and could trigger a war when it swaps your kid for a Fey Changeling.
Private Investigator Feng Yue “Claire” Giles doesn’t mind working with monsters, but kids are another matter. She doesn’t get much of a choice though, her influential client claims the Fey stole his baby and he’s willing to do a lot to retrieve his real child.
When more cases surface, it becomes obvious that this isn’t just a custody spat; it’s a political disaster for the Fey Courts and city officials. For some powerful people, it would be better if these children are never found. Claire disagrees, but she’ll have to convince her “allies” of that, starting with Dreyson, a monster hunter who lives by “behead everything first, burn it all after.”
The Fey Courts are willing to kill to protect their interests – that includes nosy investigators and their own children. Claire needs to survive the purge and find both sets of kids, human and Fey, before someone else solves the problem, permanently.
Private Investigator Feng Yue “Claire” Giles doesn’t mind working with monsters, but kids are another matter. She doesn’t get much of a choice though, her influential client claims the Fey stole his baby and he’s willing to do a lot to retrieve his real child.
When more cases surface, it becomes obvious that this isn’t just a custody spat; it’s a political disaster for the Fey Courts and city officials. For some powerful people, it would be better if these children are never found. Claire disagrees, but she’ll have to convince her “allies” of that, starting with Dreyson, a monster hunter who lives by “behead everything first, burn it all after.”
The Fey Courts are willing to kill to protect their interests – that includes nosy investigators and their own children. Claire needs to survive the purge and find both sets of kids, human and Fey, before someone else solves the problem, permanently.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 26, 2025
it's been so long since i've struggled to put a book down. i was constantly chomping at the bit to keep reading, at the risk of my sleep and my scheduled antidepressant dose time.
The Serious Review bit:
This is a wonderfully constructed urban fantasy narrated by our main character, Claire. She's witty, funny, relatable, and insane in the best of ways. The plot itself had me guessing until the last minute, with so much going on that it was difficult to predict what would happen next. And all the characters are so well established! Even if they don't appear for very long, each one has their own motivations and desires. It adds a lot of dimension to the story and makes for such a fun read.
There were a few formatting issues I found in the e-book (i got mine on Kobo), but the story itself is so good that it didn't really impact my overall experience. I just kept reading and reading and reading.
the less serious bit:
i would kill and/or die for Claire. Dreyson is blond and i know that's a deal breaker for some people but i promise he's a great guy. it's all in the details y'know? and that's just Claire and Dreyson. i love so many of the characters in this book, if you're like me and the characters matter a lot to you this book is like free real estate. and that's just the characters. the world building is great. there's so much you learn about it just through context clues which is something i absolutely love. like yes i was confused sometimes but i prefer that over being given everything on a silver infodump platter.
anyway highly recommend, if i could give it more than 5 stars i would.
The Serious Review bit:
This is a wonderfully constructed urban fantasy narrated by our main character, Claire. She's witty, funny, relatable, and insane in the best of ways. The plot itself had me guessing until the last minute, with so much going on that it was difficult to predict what would happen next. And all the characters are so well established! Even if they don't appear for very long, each one has their own motivations and desires. It adds a lot of dimension to the story and makes for such a fun read.
There were a few formatting issues I found in the e-book (i got mine on Kobo), but the story itself is so good that it didn't really impact my overall experience. I just kept reading and reading and reading.
the less serious bit:
i would kill and/or die for Claire. Dreyson is blond and i know that's a deal breaker for some people but i promise he's a great guy. it's all in the details y'know? and that's just Claire and Dreyson. i love so many of the characters in this book, if you're like me and the characters matter a lot to you this book is like free real estate. and that's just the characters. the world building is great. there's so much you learn about it just through context clues which is something i absolutely love. like yes i was confused sometimes but i prefer that over being given everything on a silver infodump platter.
anyway highly recommend, if i could give it more than 5 stars i would.
September 24, 2025
If you’ve been craving an urban fantasy that feels like Jessica Jones wandered into Neverwhere, Sen Zhang’s The Foxglove Pact is it. Illium nicknamed the City of Lies is a brilliant mash-up of skyscrapers, monsters, and PTA meetings where the mom next door might actually be a Fey lord.
Our guide through the chaos is private investigator Feng Yue Claire Giles, who’s used to dealing with sketchy clients and supernatural secrets. But when a powerful man claims the Fey swapped his baby for a changeling, Claire ends up knee-deep in a case that’s less missing child and more looming political nightmare. Every chapter cranks up the stakes as more missing kids surface, the Fey Courts start circling the wagons, and city officials hope the whole scandal just disappears.
Zhang nails the noir tone snappy dialogue, rain-slick alleys, morally grey alliances but mixes it with high-stakes magic and a very human heart. Claire’s reluctant partnership with Dreyson, a behead first, burn later monster hunter, is especially fun; their clashing methods and mutual distrust keep the tension sharp.
Dark, propulsive, and surprisingly tender, The Foxglove Pact delivers a mystery that’s as much about power and politics as it is about monsters and missing children. If you like your urban fantasy full of grit, magic, and moral knots, this one’s a must-read.
Our guide through the chaos is private investigator Feng Yue Claire Giles, who’s used to dealing with sketchy clients and supernatural secrets. But when a powerful man claims the Fey swapped his baby for a changeling, Claire ends up knee-deep in a case that’s less missing child and more looming political nightmare. Every chapter cranks up the stakes as more missing kids surface, the Fey Courts start circling the wagons, and city officials hope the whole scandal just disappears.
Zhang nails the noir tone snappy dialogue, rain-slick alleys, morally grey alliances but mixes it with high-stakes magic and a very human heart. Claire’s reluctant partnership with Dreyson, a behead first, burn later monster hunter, is especially fun; their clashing methods and mutual distrust keep the tension sharp.
Dark, propulsive, and surprisingly tender, The Foxglove Pact delivers a mystery that’s as much about power and politics as it is about monsters and missing children. If you like your urban fantasy full of grit, magic, and moral knots, this one’s a must-read.
October 3, 2025
The FoxGlove Pact by Sen Zhang is a urban fantasy where there are also Fey. The story takes the reader to the world of City of Lies and brings us two characters, Claire and Dreyson. Claire is a PI in the City of Lies and she is used to dealing with the underbelly of the city. She has a new client whose child has been changed with a changeling, very Labyrinth;) I love that part of this book as it made the story super interesting to me to find out if Claire will find the missing baby. Claire teams up with some seedy characters and especially Dreyson, who is a sexy monster hunter with a kill it first then ask it questions attitude. He is so a new book boyfriend and Claire and his interactions are tense filled and the scenes are sharp and crisp to the readers. I highly recommend this one to fans of urban fantasy's and also thrilling Fey stories!
October 25, 2025
"The Foxglove Pact" is a fast-paced urban fantasy packed with action, magic, and sharp banter. I loved the dynamic between Claire and Dreyson and the gritty supernatural world. The romantic tension added a fun layer to the mystery. My only issue was the abrupt start—I felt thrown into the world too quickly and wished for a bit more setup. Still, once I got my bearings, it was an engaging ride. If you like quick-moving plots and magical intrigue, this one’s for you!
Thank you to the author for the book and my honest review. Enter to win the book! Ends November 23, 2025. ➡️https://www.kimsbookreviewsandwriting...
Thank you to the author for the book and my honest review. Enter to win the book! Ends November 23, 2025. ➡️https://www.kimsbookreviewsandwriting...
August 28, 2025
This book begins with our FMC Claire getting arrested on a date, which pretty much sets the tone for her wild adventures past and present. In this world where monsters and Fae roam free, making enemies is way easier than making friends. The world of Illium is super interesting, and the characters, especially Claire and the intense Beserker Dreyson, add a lot of depth, witty banter and chaos a plenty.
If you love fantasy books packed with action, missions gone wrong, and a mix of unique and complex characters, this book is for you. Book 1 is just a taste of what's to come, and I'm excited for even more chaos and mayhem in future books.
If you love fantasy books packed with action, missions gone wrong, and a mix of unique and complex characters, this book is for you. Book 1 is just a taste of what's to come, and I'm excited for even more chaos and mayhem in future books.
September 1, 2025
I'm absolutely in love with this book. The characters are well-written and feel like real people, and with the intricate worldbuilding, it is easily one of the best fantasy books I've read. The fantasy elements tie into the mystery in a very fun and clever way. Claire is such a good main character; her narration pulls the reader in and really endears them to her and her plights throughout. Zhang gives a lot of care to the dynamics and relationships of the characters, with each character being complex in their own right. I highly recommend reading if you enjoy urban fantasy, are a fan of unique and solid worldbuilding, or have interest in well-written characters/relationships in general
August 26, 2025
I absolutely LOVE this book. Zhang throws you into a world full of mystery and gives us a firecracker of a guide as we learn more about Illium. Not only is the plot interesting and full of twists and turns, but the characters you meet along the way are all full of life and complex in their own ways. I am so looking forward to seeing how the books follow this one will expand on the characters and the world. If you like fantasy and want to jump into a cool world, definitely give this book a try!! Absolutely amazing work.
September 6, 2025
I cannot recommend this book enough. Zhang gives us a compelling, nuanced set of characters in a rich world and all of the complications that come with that. The city of Illium is a strange and fantastic, but ultimately relatable, place that resonates with the human experience.
Claire is a well constructed, thoughtful lead who has dynamic relationships with the rest of the cast of characters, and her narration draws you into the story and her world. I'll be looking forward to the next book with great excitement!
Claire is a well constructed, thoughtful lead who has dynamic relationships with the rest of the cast of characters, and her narration draws you into the story and her world. I'll be looking forward to the next book with great excitement!
August 27, 2025
Absolutely LOVED this book! Claire is such a fascinating heroine; can stand on her own but also isn’t invincible! The world feels so fleshed out and engaging! Incredible tension with great payoff. And I loved the building relationship with Dreyson. I really hope we get to see more of their dynamic!
February 28, 2026
this was a fun fast read. kind of hard to get into but once everything came together it was sassy, funny and clever.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews