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The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox
From the author of The Last Dragon of the East comes a sweeping fantasy adventure with a dash of romance between a nine-tailed fox and the demon-hunter who captures her, banished to the underworld together and forced to form a reluctant alliance in order to escape the circles of Hell.
Yue may be the last of her kind. At night, she stalks the streets of the capital city of Longhao, luring in unsuspecting victims with the mask of a beautiful woman, then consuming them in her true form of the nine-tailed fox.
When she is captured by a powerful demon hunter named Sonam and banished to Hell, she manages one final act of dragging him—and two of his subordinates—down with her.
Now trapped in an abyss with unimaginable terrors, they’ll need each other’s help to navigate Hell and bypass the gods who preside over each circle, each of whom presents the group with a unique and deadly challenge. Forced to depend on one another as they claw their way out of the underworld, both demon and demon hunter discover that there might be more to the other than meets the eye.
Yue may be the last of her kind. At night, she stalks the streets of the capital city of Longhao, luring in unsuspecting victims with the mask of a beautiful woman, then consuming them in her true form of the nine-tailed fox.
When she is captured by a powerful demon hunter named Sonam and banished to Hell, she manages one final act of dragging him—and two of his subordinates—down with her.
Now trapped in an abyss with unimaginable terrors, they’ll need each other’s help to navigate Hell and bypass the gods who preside over each circle, each of whom presents the group with a unique and deadly challenge. Forced to depend on one another as they claw their way out of the underworld, both demon and demon hunter discover that there might be more to the other than meets the eye.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2026
88 people are currently reading
6433 people want to read
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Katrina Kwan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
”If this is how I die, so be it— as long as my fox is safe. For my beloved monster of monsters, i would kill the stars.”
so.. turns out that i really enjoy the way this author writes her characters, Yue and Sonam were both flawed characters but they balanced each other out well. Yue’s initial introduction portrays her as a vicious, relentless and almost feral character and while all of that is true.. it’s also because she has to be that way in order to survive in a world that’s against her kind. i loved seeing her form the connections she’s longed for and redeem herself in her own eyes. Sonam’s friends: Sooah and Wen were fun additions too and added that element of found family that i always cling to in the books i read.
”I mistakenly believed that we were too different, she and I. Now I know— all too late— that we weren’t sword and shield, but the sharp edges of the same blade; stronger, fiercer, deadlier together than we were apart. Steel, after all, sharpens steel.”
Sonam and Yue spend the start of the book in hell, as he’s a demon hunter who’s sent to kill Yue but things backfire and don’t go as planned. their relationship is gradual and they start as reluctant allies, then friends, who later realize that they care for one another in a way neither one of them would’ve thought possible. Sonam feels the weight of others expectations but I’m glad he’s paved a way for himself. the author adds more layers to their romance arc that i won’t say much about, but was also present in her other book and is a trope im also a sucker for. the action kept things interesting and i didn’t get invested until later on, but it came around for me.
”What terrible blasphemy makes it possible for a demon to be so angelic.”
➙ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Saga Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
so.. turns out that i really enjoy the way this author writes her characters, Yue and Sonam were both flawed characters but they balanced each other out well. Yue’s initial introduction portrays her as a vicious, relentless and almost feral character and while all of that is true.. it’s also because she has to be that way in order to survive in a world that’s against her kind. i loved seeing her form the connections she’s longed for and redeem herself in her own eyes. Sonam’s friends: Sooah and Wen were fun additions too and added that element of found family that i always cling to in the books i read.
”I mistakenly believed that we were too different, she and I. Now I know— all too late— that we weren’t sword and shield, but the sharp edges of the same blade; stronger, fiercer, deadlier together than we were apart. Steel, after all, sharpens steel.”
Sonam and Yue spend the start of the book in hell, as he’s a demon hunter who’s sent to kill Yue but things backfire and don’t go as planned. their relationship is gradual and they start as reluctant allies, then friends, who later realize that they care for one another in a way neither one of them would’ve thought possible. Sonam feels the weight of others expectations but I’m glad he’s paved a way for himself. the author adds more layers to their romance arc that i won’t say much about, but was also present in her other book and is a trope im also a sucker for. the action kept things interesting and i didn’t get invested until later on, but it came around for me.
”What terrible blasphemy makes it possible for a demon to be so angelic.”
➙ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Saga Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
![Profile Image for minnie. [mental health hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1767121182i%2F190542410.jpg&w=128&q=75)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
«It is strange to think that we’ve both walked the same green earth all this time, every step taken having led us to our unfortunate encounter. I do not believe in fate, only the possibilities we make for ourselves–yet I can't help but wonder if we were always meant to cross paths.»
── .✦ 5 stars!
𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞'𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 .ᐟ review #11
𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: february 24th
𐔌⛩️ feb 10 ⸝⸝ oh wow. i started this book thinking it would be like any other book i’ve read: pretty good but not life changing. i was so, so wrong. without a doubt, this book lands a place on my “to the moon and to saturn” shelf, where all my favorite books live. yes, it was that good. (shout out to sooah for being my fav side character!) thank you so much to ishi for buddy reading this with me! I had such a good time reading and yapping with her; her review here <3
⤿ 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: 02.08.26 - 02.11.26
⤿ 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 13+
⤿ 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 0/5
⤿ 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: gore, violence, death, grief
«To wake and see the truth that all is not as it could be leaves the soul shattered beyond repair.»
⋮ ⌗ ┆𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬 ⛩️꒱
⤿ yue is a nine tailed fox demon who spends her nights stalking the streets of longhao, luring in victims with a magical mask of a beautiful woman before consuming them as meals. when yue is caught by the demon hunter of jian, sonam, and banished to hell, she drags him and two of his guards down with her. now trapped together in a terrifying realm, yue and sonam are at one another's throats, but quickly realize that they’ll need each other’s help to escape hell. forced to depend on each other as they claw themselves out of the underworld, bypassing the star gods that preside over each court of hell and their deadly trials, both demon hunter and demon slowly lower their walls and discover that they might have more in common than they think.
«Instead, I’m greeted with a resigned smile. And somehow, that’s a million times worse, because it means she knows, just as I know, that we were never meant to be.»
⋮ ⌗ ┆𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ⛩️꒱
⤿🦊 .ᐟ this was was heart touching in a way i was not expecting when i opened it. for those who are looking for a romantasy with lots of romance or a light hearted fantasy world, this novel might not be for you. the legend of the nine tailed fox is a character and plot driven story that would be aptly described as a dark fairytale with a twinge of sadness and a sprinkle of romance. also, this novel really reminds me of her radiant curse by elizabeth lim, which is one of my favorite books, so i'd say that anyone who read that one and enjoyed it would really love this novel.
꒰🦊꒱ romance is a very small plot line of the novel, and it is the least prominent aspect of the whole read. i personally liked that, since i think that the small tidbit of romance here and there fit both the characters, the setting and the storyline, whereas too much romance would have overpowered the whole mission that drives the plot. what i would say about the romance though, is that it is a slow burn and a real enemies to lovers. sonam and yue have very valid and realistic reasons to hate each other, and they for a long time are literally at each other’s throats. the attraction between them builds as they establish a reluctant alliance, and slowly start to trust each other and share memories of their pasts. i found it so sweet and heartwarming how sonam sees beauty in yue even when she doesn’t see beauty in herself, and i really love how the two eventually lower their walls to each other. their love story is subtle but heartbreaking since they have so many odds and challenges stacked against them.
«To leave her behind would be to doom the sliver of goodness I see in her.»
⋮ ⌗ ┆𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ⛩️꒱
⤿🪭 ꒰ yue ⋮ the nine tailed fox ꒱ - i really liked yue. i thought that she was a complex and dynamic main character, and i enjoyed how her past and backstory have shaped who we see in the book, along with the revenge that fuels her goals and motivations. katrina kwan alludes to yue’s childhood and happier moments through small snippets of memories that are threaded throughout the chapters, which i found to be very engaging since i was constantly curious about yue’s past. i really loved how we saw yue change throughout the course of the novel. at first, we are introduced to her, and the readers see her as a demon who likes to feast on humans. i mean, she stays that way, but as the plot progresses, we see that she’s not as heartless as the world portrays her and her kind as.
«You could never love me, Sonam. No one can. Especially not you.»
꒰🪭꒱ yue is scarred, literally and figuratively, and hides her face from the world with her porcelain mask–out of shame and because of the memories of how she got the scars. i found yue to be relatable in certain aspects. she is very protective of her magic mask because it hides her true face and transforms her into a beautiful woman. i think that especially with social media today, beauty standards are everywhere, and i’m sure that most people (i mean, i definitely have) have at some point in their life wanted to hide because they thought they weren’t beautiful and hated how they look. obviously, there are obvious survival reasons that yue wears her mask (you know, to hide the fact that she’s a nine tailed fox) but the readers and the characters see how protective yue is of her mask, because she hates her scarred face and the memories of how she got them.
«I wonder what it’s like…To be loved by someone so much they’d be willing to kill the stars for you.»
꒰🪭꒱ the story of yue and her sisters ripped out my heart because yue’s past and her love for her sisters is constantly used against her, and it was so heartbreaking to see yue grapple with her grief of her sisters while trying to avenge their deaths. just…no words because the writing style really spectacularly expressed the depth and conflict of yue’s emotions.
«Why choose hate over kindness? Because it’s all I have. If I give up on my quest for vengeance now, I may as well have let him kill me along with my sisters.»
꒰🪭꒱ yue is a fighter and a survivor, but at the end of the day she is just a girl who wanted love but life made her cold and harsh by taking away everything she held dear. she is the type of main character i want to see more in fantasy books. someone who is actually independently strong and vicious when needed; someone who has internal, emotional conflict and has a tough exterior but only because they are so vulnerable on the inside.
«‘He showed me a life that will never be mine,’ she replies, her voice breaking into a soft sob. ‘A life I can never have […] One full of love.’»
⤿🪭 ꒰ sonam ⋮ the demon hunter of jian ꒱ - sonam is one of the best male main characters i have read in a while. he is the farthest possible from the booktok mmcs, and i mean that in the best way possible. sonam is flawed, prejudiced at first, and is very goal orientated, much like yue. he shares a lot more in common with our favorite fox demon than he first realizes and the journey through hell really changes him a lot. he is the youngest prince, but due to his heritage (and you know, the usual palace politics about not being born to a high ranking woman) he is an outcast and has to prove his worth. the development of sonam’s character was very wonderful since he is flawed but still slowly opens his mind to what yue tells him about herself and other demons. sonam cares a lot about wen and sooah, and it’s honestly admirable how noble he is. he is honest and fair, which further adds to the depth of his character. The fact that this novel didn’t have much romance really let sonam’s individual character, along with his goals, emotions and backstory really shine and stand out. i loved how he was very well rounded and had actual depth.
«No matter how I yearn to know her touch, it doesn’t change what we are. A demon and her hunter. What love could we ever hope to share?»
⋮ ⌗ ┆𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 + 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⛩️꒱
⤿🎋 .ᐟ the world of the nine tailed fox is so beautiful. the imagery describes hell in a way that paints a vivid and haunting picture of the dangerous place in my mind. as an asian person myself, i really love to see accurate asian mythology in fantasy books, and this novel really satisfied my appetite for mythology. the well known myth of chang’e and houyi are incorporated into the story while drawing on the chinese tale of nine tailed fox spirits. my main experience with nine tailed foxes are mainly the japanese kitsune and korean gumiho, and i actually was unaware that there was a chinese version. there are many parallels between the demons in the different cultures, so i wasn’t confused at all when reading this book. the setting of the novel was immaculate. it was so gorgeous and detailed, and each court of hell was a different setting and background, which made the reading experience fresh and interesting. the chapters were on the shorter side, which i think perfectly fit the pacing of the story and made the book more engaging, adding to the tension. overall, this book was literal perfection, and the writing, plot, romance and characters were executed wonderfully.
«There is good in evil, and evil in good.»
⋮ ⌗ ┆𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 ⛩️꒱
꒰🩸꒱ perfect for fans of her radiant curse
꒰🩸꒱ slow burn, real enemies to lovers
꒰🩸꒱ character and plot driven story
꒰🩸꒱ subplot of romance with no spice
꒰🩸꒱ inspired by chinese mythology
꒰🩸꒱ beautiful, vivid worldbuilding and lore
⤿ thank you so much to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the arc of this book! all thoughts are my own <3
-----------------------------------
˖ ࣪જ omggg so excited for this one! it’s been sitting on my netgalley shelf for a while and you all know i’m a #1 procrastinator, so i got the one and only ishi to br it with me!
Review of advance copy
« A pretty shell does nothing for the rot within. »
4.25✨
That was so good! I hope this author never stops writing because her writing is just so addictive & compelling. The plot and the reveals happened at the right time and I couldn’t get enough of the characters. The only thing that hindered my enjoyment was that I felt the ending was rushed. The elements of found family with the side characters were incredibly wholesome and I couldn’t get enough. The romance was sweet and calm.
4.25✨
That was so good! I hope this author never stops writing because her writing is just so addictive & compelling. The plot and the reveals happened at the right time and I couldn’t get enough of the characters. The only thing that hindered my enjoyment was that I felt the ending was rushed. The elements of found family with the side characters were incredibly wholesome and I couldn’t get enough. The romance was sweet and calm.
March 23, 2026
3.75 ★— After a gorgeous, intriguing start, this ended up being… just okay, to be honest.
Yue is a nine-tailed fox, feared in a world where other demons like her regularly take away people to eat them. When she and the prince who hunted her both end up in hell and have to work together through trials to escape, an uneasy alliance is created.
So… the book lost me after these two found themselves in hell. I thought it did a beautiful job of building up Yue as a character, and I liked that she was allowed to be this morally grey figure, while still having her own convictions that sometimes clash with her fox-demon instincts in many ways. I always enjoy when authors let female characters be varied and non-wholly good, and Yue, with her grouchy fox vibes, was all that!
Sonam, the other POV character of the story, is the aforementioned demon-hunting prince and was kind of a boring character to me. That impression only grew as the story went along. I felt it failed to really make me interested in this loyal, rigid prince. His romance and his apparent feelings for Yue felt equally vague in how they manifested. I think the author could have done a better job building their scenes together, because their dynamic: an honorable prince intent on killing demon and a fox demon who wants to eat him is such a good premise! But here it felt like the author didn’t follow through on strengthening their romantic dynamic properly to me.
I did like how the story was interspersed with a myth within the story and how it all connected to the narrative, and ultimately largely did have a good time. I just think this book could have had much more interesting trials and a more in-depth depiction of hell than we got here!
Yue is a nine-tailed fox, feared in a world where other demons like her regularly take away people to eat them. When she and the prince who hunted her both end up in hell and have to work together through trials to escape, an uneasy alliance is created.
So… the book lost me after these two found themselves in hell. I thought it did a beautiful job of building up Yue as a character, and I liked that she was allowed to be this morally grey figure, while still having her own convictions that sometimes clash with her fox-demon instincts in many ways. I always enjoy when authors let female characters be varied and non-wholly good, and Yue, with her grouchy fox vibes, was all that!
Sonam, the other POV character of the story, is the aforementioned demon-hunting prince and was kind of a boring character to me. That impression only grew as the story went along. I felt it failed to really make me interested in this loyal, rigid prince. His romance and his apparent feelings for Yue felt equally vague in how they manifested. I think the author could have done a better job building their scenes together, because their dynamic: an honorable prince intent on killing demon and a fox demon who wants to eat him is such a good premise! But here it felt like the author didn’t follow through on strengthening their romantic dynamic properly to me.
I did like how the story was interspersed with a myth within the story and how it all connected to the narrative, and ultimately largely did have a good time. I just think this book could have had much more interesting trials and a more in-depth depiction of hell than we got here!
February 24, 2025
Dropping my rating in advance because reading books with diversity, equality, and inclusion is so important for representation and building empathy. If more people read books like this, maybe they wouldn't have the heart or audacity to be so hateful to go out of their to dis on a book that hasn't even come out yet 🖤😌✨️
This book looks amazing and I can't wait for it!
*if I change my review after reading this book it will be because of personal enjoyment, writing style etc, not because I believe human beings should be hated on for their individuality*
This book looks amazing and I can't wait for it!
*if I change my review after reading this book it will be because of personal enjoyment, writing style etc, not because I believe human beings should be hated on for their individuality*
February 24, 2025
The hate-filled one star review by a bitter, jealous rejected author hasn't been removed yet. When it's removed, I'll remove this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ok wow that was so good! rtc <3
— # PRE-READ.
i should definitely not be starting a new book when i have exams in a week but oh well!! buddy reading this w minnie 💗
⤿ thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
— # PRE-READ.
i should definitely not be starting a new book when i have exams in a week but oh well!! buddy reading this w minnie 💗
⤿ thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 24, 2025
When a hateful knob goes low and gives an unreleased book 1 star, I go high and give that book 5 stars. Besides, this book looks fire. Thanks for getting it on my radar, 1-star reviewing knob.
September 29, 2025
i received a complimentary review copy from saga press books in exchange for my honest review. this doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way. thanks to katrina kwan & netgalley! out 24/02/26. 🖤🥀
4.5 ⭐
🦊 demon fox x legendary demon hunter
⚔️ reimagining of chinese mythology
🩸enemies to lovers (slowburn!)
🗡️ found family
if you're a fan of asian mythological retellings, yue & sonam might just be for you. this new and exciting adult historical fiction fantasy boasts a beautiful retelling of chinese mythology. what happens when a demon fox and her hunter fall into hell? told in two different POVs, we see yue & sonam's slow descent into hell and its trials full of dark magic and angered, fallen gods. the storytelling is adventurous and fast-paced, so there was never a boring chapter with these characters. there was a perfect balance of comedic banter & romantic tension. i also liked how yue was written: angry. i think it's one of my favorite things in fantasy novels. EVER. i loved seeing her and sonam's aggression towards each other change into something, softer and more trusting. it was nice seeing yue not attempting to bite sonam's head off (kinda funny too lol).
overall, the book is fun. very much so. i just wish we got more romance? it just felt that way to me. the last few chapters were also kind of underwhelming especially during the battle parts. i hope we get an extended epilogue of some sorts. it wasn't satisfying enough for me.
4.5 ⭐
🦊 demon fox x legendary demon hunter
⚔️ reimagining of chinese mythology
🩸enemies to lovers (slowburn!)
🗡️ found family
if you're a fan of asian mythological retellings, yue & sonam might just be for you. this new and exciting adult historical fiction fantasy boasts a beautiful retelling of chinese mythology. what happens when a demon fox and her hunter fall into hell? told in two different POVs, we see yue & sonam's slow descent into hell and its trials full of dark magic and angered, fallen gods. the storytelling is adventurous and fast-paced, so there was never a boring chapter with these characters. there was a perfect balance of comedic banter & romantic tension. i also liked how yue was written: angry. i think it's one of my favorite things in fantasy novels. EVER. i loved seeing her and sonam's aggression towards each other change into something, softer and more trusting. it was nice seeing yue not attempting to bite sonam's head off (kinda funny too lol).
overall, the book is fun. very much so. i just wish we got more romance? it just felt that way to me. the last few chapters were also kind of underwhelming especially during the battle parts. i hope we get an extended epilogue of some sorts. it wasn't satisfying enough for me.
January 20, 2026
I mean, who doesn’t feel smitten for a nine-tailed fox? This isn’t a heavy (or long) read - which is what I needed right now between my thicc reads.
Things that made it a TBR win:
- I will never feel exhausted from the enemies-to-lovers. Especially when she calls him “breakfast” or “dinner” and it feels threatening and also a terms of endearments. 🤭🥰
- Same for “found family” vibes.
- Yes, in general, to more mythology vibes like this.
Things I thought about:
- I know this says Adult, but I’d be okay if my YA reader picked this up. Overall, this felt more YA. 🤷🏽♀️
- There were parts that were more telling vs. showing. And I think it muted the world building. Action scenes could have been more developed. In the end, this felt more relationship focused.
3.75/5
TY Netgalley & Saga Press for this ARC
Things that made it a TBR win:
- I will never feel exhausted from the enemies-to-lovers. Especially when she calls him “breakfast” or “dinner” and it feels threatening and also a terms of endearments. 🤭🥰
- Same for “found family” vibes.
- Yes, in general, to more mythology vibes like this.
Things I thought about:
- I know this says Adult, but I’d be okay if my YA reader picked this up. Overall, this felt more YA. 🤷🏽♀️
- There were parts that were more telling vs. showing. And I think it muted the world building. Action scenes could have been more developed. In the end, this felt more relationship focused.
3.75/5
TY Netgalley & Saga Press for this ARC
February 24, 2025
I have never ever reviewed a book until I've read it, but following in Nathaniel's footsteps I WILL make an exception till Finn Voff's review gets removed.
February 24, 2025
I don’t usually rate books I haven’t read because I’m not a piece of shit who blithely contributes to fucking up the rating system, but I’m leaving this here until that pathetic one star review gets removed 😘
February 24, 2025
Ya'll aren't readyyyyy for [redacted] 🔥❤️
February 25, 2025
So, we’re making this one do numbers, right? Just out of spite for that review?
February 27, 2026
2.5 stars
Everything felt rushed and shallow. I think there was too much crammed into such a short book. It also got really cheesy towards the end and the romance was completely unbelievable.
Everything felt rushed and shallow. I think there was too much crammed into such a short book. It also got really cheesy towards the end and the romance was completely unbelievable.
September 18, 2025
Thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review.
I went into this book with really high hopes, and it completely delivered. From the first page I was hooked by Yue, a slightly unhinged but hysterical nine-tailed fox who prowls the capital at night, luring in victims behind the mask of beauty. When she’s captured by the demon hunter Sonam and dragged with him into the depths of Hell, the story really takes off. The two of them, along with his subordinates, are forced to survive circle after circle of the underworld, each presided over by a god with their own twisted trial. The set up alone is brilliant, but what really impressed me was how seamlessly the book balanced humor, angst, romance, and mythology.
The world building was spectacular. Hell as a darker echo of the Jade Palace was such an intriguing detail, and each trial brought something new that kept me glued to the page. I loved the way Chinese mythology was woven throughout, not just the nine-tailed fox legend but also the Great Race, the tale of Houyi and Chang’e, and so much more. Those elements never felt forced but blended into the story naturally, and gave it so much richness. I especially appreciated how the backstories of the characters unfolded slowly, just enough to explain their choices and motivations without overwhelming the pace. Every member of the group was fun to follow, but Yue was my favorite: headstrong and stubborn, yet with soft spots that made her feel real and relatable.
And then there’s the relationship between Yue and Sonam. Their initial loathing practically burned off the page, which made their slow shift toward respect and eventually love all the more rewarding. The push and pull, the trust issues, the reluctant teamwork. Everything about their dynamic had me rooting for them. Watching Yue learn to let herself be vulnerable, to trust, and to love after being so alone was beautiful. Add in a fascinating exploration of prejudice, morality, and gray areas of good and evil, and this book became an absolute standout. I closed it with a huge smile because not only was the journey epic, it also gave me that Happily Ever After I was hoping for.
I went into this book with really high hopes, and it completely delivered. From the first page I was hooked by Yue, a slightly unhinged but hysterical nine-tailed fox who prowls the capital at night, luring in victims behind the mask of beauty. When she’s captured by the demon hunter Sonam and dragged with him into the depths of Hell, the story really takes off. The two of them, along with his subordinates, are forced to survive circle after circle of the underworld, each presided over by a god with their own twisted trial. The set up alone is brilliant, but what really impressed me was how seamlessly the book balanced humor, angst, romance, and mythology.
The world building was spectacular. Hell as a darker echo of the Jade Palace was such an intriguing detail, and each trial brought something new that kept me glued to the page. I loved the way Chinese mythology was woven throughout, not just the nine-tailed fox legend but also the Great Race, the tale of Houyi and Chang’e, and so much more. Those elements never felt forced but blended into the story naturally, and gave it so much richness. I especially appreciated how the backstories of the characters unfolded slowly, just enough to explain their choices and motivations without overwhelming the pace. Every member of the group was fun to follow, but Yue was my favorite: headstrong and stubborn, yet with soft spots that made her feel real and relatable.
And then there’s the relationship between Yue and Sonam. Their initial loathing practically burned off the page, which made their slow shift toward respect and eventually love all the more rewarding. The push and pull, the trust issues, the reluctant teamwork. Everything about their dynamic had me rooting for them. Watching Yue learn to let herself be vulnerable, to trust, and to love after being so alone was beautiful. Add in a fascinating exploration of prejudice, morality, and gray areas of good and evil, and this book became an absolute standout. I closed it with a huge smile because not only was the journey epic, it also gave me that Happily Ever After I was hoping for.
February 25, 2025
Have I read this book? No. It hasn’t even been published yet. Then why have I reviewed it you ask. Well, I will never let the haters and the hateful win. So here is my random review until I can read the book, make my comments and will still leave this as a 5* review whether I liked it or not, because I’m petty like that.
upcoming
September 20, 2024nine tailed fox retelling?? yes :D
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 star rounded up to 5.
I'm genuinely overjoyed to see an author improve so much from book to book. Back in 2024 I've read Katrina Kwan's previous fantasy release, The Last Dragon of the East, and my impressions weren't very positive. I gave it a 3. This one? This one was fun and fixed a lot of problems TLDotE suffered from.
First, TLDotE suffered from saggy middle facing random assorted dangers. This one gave it proper structure in form of passing a certain number of trials in order to escape Hell.
Second, TLDotE had the villain jump at the end out of nowhere with "haha gotchu" moment. Here Yue knows who she's chasing, just not the whole truth about the villain that is slowly revealed over time, but there's foreshadowing and breadcrumbs leading to the ultimate confrontation. There's no sudden "now you've fallen into my trap" monologue, there's a slow build up to that moment.
The magical masks also ramped up their significance over the course of the plot, so it wasn't just a gimnick but a Chekhov's gun.
Third, creating a party of 4 instead of having the couple alone on their own helps to create interesting interpersonal dynamics and fills the gaps where nothing interesting progresses between the 2 leads. Sooah was especially interesting being disabled (mute) as a result of a cruel punishment, but she wasn't defined by her disability.
Fourth, I think slow burn, no spice, enemies to lovers worked really well in this story. Spice and sexual tension is great when the author can confidently and skillfully write it, but stories based on mutual respect and emotional connection are equally valid. We get a few kisses and a sexy biting scene, but no actual sex, and I prefer that over shoehorned or poorly written ones.
There are quite a few Chinese legends mixed here, except the Nine-Tailed Fox, we also have The Legend of the Seven Suns (even though it's 10 stars here) and the story of Chang'e.
Overall, it was a fairly predictable, but cute and fun read. I only regretted
Recommended for fans of low spice, slow burn romantic fantasy and coming of confidence / finding your place in the world plotline. A book I've read recently with similar vibe: The Princess Knight
My first read of 2026, and a good start of the year.
ARC received from Netgalley & Saga Press.
I'm genuinely overjoyed to see an author improve so much from book to book. Back in 2024 I've read Katrina Kwan's previous fantasy release, The Last Dragon of the East, and my impressions weren't very positive. I gave it a 3. This one? This one was fun and fixed a lot of problems TLDotE suffered from.
First, TLDotE suffered from saggy middle facing random assorted dangers. This one gave it proper structure in form of passing a certain number of trials in order to escape Hell.
Second, TLDotE had the villain jump at the end out of nowhere with "haha gotchu" moment. Here Yue knows who she's chasing, just not the whole truth about the villain that is slowly revealed over time, but there's foreshadowing and breadcrumbs leading to the ultimate confrontation. There's no sudden "now you've fallen into my trap" monologue, there's a slow build up to that moment.
The magical masks also ramped up their significance over the course of the plot, so it wasn't just a gimnick but a Chekhov's gun.
Third, creating a party of 4 instead of having the couple alone on their own helps to create interesting interpersonal dynamics and fills the gaps where nothing interesting progresses between the 2 leads. Sooah was especially interesting being disabled (mute) as a result of a cruel punishment, but she wasn't defined by her disability.
Fourth, I think slow burn, no spice, enemies to lovers worked really well in this story. Spice and sexual tension is great when the author can confidently and skillfully write it, but stories based on mutual respect and emotional connection are equally valid. We get a few kisses and a sexy biting scene, but no actual sex, and I prefer that over shoehorned or poorly written ones.
There are quite a few Chinese legends mixed here, except the Nine-Tailed Fox, we also have The Legend of the Seven Suns (even though it's 10 stars here) and the story of Chang'e.
Overall, it was a fairly predictable, but cute and fun read. I only regretted
Recommended for fans of low spice, slow burn romantic fantasy and coming of confidence / finding your place in the world plotline. A book I've read recently with similar vibe: The Princess Knight
My first read of 2026, and a good start of the year.
ARC received from Netgalley & Saga Press.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox is a wonderful fantasy adventure that kept me engaged throughout. A nine-tailed fox, a demon hunter and the hunter's friends together have to escape the underworld to survive.
The world of the underworld is both beautiful and dangerous, which makes their journey feel urgent. This book is a fast-paced book and I was a little bit sad that it came to an end. Inspired by tales from Asian folklore, this book is an adventure. Humans fear demons and want them to be killed. However, are those demons really the bad ones? This book is perfect for fantasy readers who enjoy sweeping adventures where characters have gray shades but there's a side to them that is extremely vulnerable as well as good.
Thank you to Saga Press for the digital galley of this book.
The world of the underworld is both beautiful and dangerous, which makes their journey feel urgent. This book is a fast-paced book and I was a little bit sad that it came to an end. Inspired by tales from Asian folklore, this book is an adventure. Humans fear demons and want them to be killed. However, are those demons really the bad ones? This book is perfect for fantasy readers who enjoy sweeping adventures where characters have gray shades but there's a side to them that is extremely vulnerable as well as good.
Thank you to Saga Press for the digital galley of this book.
December 7, 2025
Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the arc!
This was SO good! Definitely making my favourites of the year list! Full rtc :)
This was SO good! Definitely making my favourites of the year list! Full rtc :)
September 13, 2025
Big fan of the “DEI book!” Rating and review to come :)
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Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the arc! I loved this much more than I thought I would! A fun romp full of heart and whimsy. Here are some other notes I had while reading:
-Yue and sooah, I love you
-I love these lore interludes
-Darker than I was expecting, even if we’re in hell
-“Yue, you need to wake up” why are my eyes burning
-Too much optimism, sure, but I’m American so every day I mind less and less.
-love the creativity with the magic, even though it took too long to get there
-the characters are the heart and soul of this novel. They’re wonderful
-the setting and plot is also well done. Fast paced and very engaging.
Overall, I’m in love. Whimsical, dark, and very ghibli-esque. Even with my issues, I can very well see myself coming back to this book and again. What a fun ride -4.5 masks
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Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the arc! I loved this much more than I thought I would! A fun romp full of heart and whimsy. Here are some other notes I had while reading:
-Yue and sooah, I love you
-I love these lore interludes
-Darker than I was expecting, even if we’re in hell
-“Yue, you need to wake up” why are my eyes burning
-Too much optimism, sure, but I’m American so every day I mind less and less.
-love the creativity with the magic, even though it took too long to get there
-the characters are the heart and soul of this novel. They’re wonderful
-the setting and plot is also well done. Fast paced and very engaging.
Overall, I’m in love. Whimsical, dark, and very ghibli-esque. Even with my issues, I can very well see myself coming back to this book and again. What a fun ride -4.5 masks
February 6, 2026
3.25⭐️ this was cute, though I’m a little confused at the…physical nature of a human x giant demon fox relationship
Tropes/themes:
✨Demon Fox FMC seeking revenge
✨Hunter/scorned Prince MMC
✨games and trials in Hell
✨found family
✨evil fallen star gods
This was a very simple, predictable story - the synopsis tells you about all you need to know with the plot of the demon and her hunters falling into Hell and having to claw their way out through games and trials set by the star gods that rule its depths.
There’s a bit of like folklore-feeling background story that ties into the plot but the overall worldbuilding felt a bit shallow. I would’ve liked a bit more from our scene-setting and prefer my storytelling to not be so clearly laid out - it felt like i kept reading a repeated “we have to do this because of x” *does the thing* and then the next conflict appeared to do it again. At no point, was I surprised by a plot twist.
The romance was more of a subplot than I expected and I felt like it was very “tell instead of show” in the development area, and the attempt to tie in their histories fell a bit flat for me. Also agreed with other reviewers that this felt more YA than adult, and the closed door nature of any spice implications helped with that.
I think Yue was super cute but honestly this just wasn’t a super gripping story to me and I felt a bit bored. I’d suggest this for people that need a lighthearted palette cleanser and want to read one of those books that feel a little bit like a grown up bedtime story.
Thank you to Saga Press Books for a gifted physical ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.
Tropes/themes:
✨Demon Fox FMC seeking revenge
✨Hunter/scorned Prince MMC
✨games and trials in Hell
✨found family
✨evil fallen star gods
This was a very simple, predictable story - the synopsis tells you about all you need to know with the plot of the demon and her hunters falling into Hell and having to claw their way out through games and trials set by the star gods that rule its depths.
There’s a bit of like folklore-feeling background story that ties into the plot but the overall worldbuilding felt a bit shallow. I would’ve liked a bit more from our scene-setting and prefer my storytelling to not be so clearly laid out - it felt like i kept reading a repeated “we have to do this because of x” *does the thing* and then the next conflict appeared to do it again. At no point, was I surprised by a plot twist.
The romance was more of a subplot than I expected and I felt like it was very “tell instead of show” in the development area, and the attempt to tie in their histories fell a bit flat for me. Also agreed with other reviewers that this felt more YA than adult, and the closed door nature of any spice implications helped with that.
I think Yue was super cute but honestly this just wasn’t a super gripping story to me and I felt a bit bored. I’d suggest this for people that need a lighthearted palette cleanser and want to read one of those books that feel a little bit like a grown up bedtime story.
Thank you to Saga Press Books for a gifted physical ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.
February 24, 2025
Excited about this one!
November 12, 2025
"The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox" is an adult fantasy that blends Chinese mythology with a unique tale featuring a nine-tailed fox. When Yue is captured by a demon hunter, she drags him and his companions down to hell. Together they will have to make their way through 10 trials of the fallen sun gods to make their way back to the real world again, needing to trust in each other despite being sworn enemies.
I really liked this twist on the story of the moon goddess(Hou Yi and Chang'e). Throughout the story we switch perspectives between Yue, the nine-tailed fox, and Soman, the demon hunter. A third perspective slowly rolls out the Chinese moon goddess mythology and brilliantly blends it in with Yue and Soman's tale. As they work together, they realize that the other is not as bad as they seem. This was a cute fantasy standalone that was very engaging-once I got half way through, I read the 2nd half in one sitting! I loved the side characters - one was disabled(mute) but everyone worked together to create a language(sign) so that she was always included and and integral part of the team.
The only thing I had a little trouble with were some inconsistencies and confusing bits, especially in the beginning of the story.
-I didn't understand how the blood pact healed them
-It is said multiple times that demons can't lie, but Yue will say that and immediately tell a lie
-There was a part where Soman laid all his weapons out, and then while they were resting a city monster attacked them and he didn't have time to collect the weapons, but he ended up still having them with him
-I was confused for a bit: each chapter has a hunting log at the beginning, it took me a while to realize that even when the hunting log was on Yue's point of view, it was always Soman writing it. It's just confusing because Yue is a hunter too, she hunts for people to feed on
For this reason I am rating it 4/5 stars, but it was really excellent otherwise! This is the 2nd book I've read by this author and each one has been great :) I'd recommend this for adult readers who are interested in mythology and folktale-esque stories.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Also - the cover is STUNNING!!!
I really liked this twist on the story of the moon goddess(Hou Yi and Chang'e). Throughout the story we switch perspectives between Yue, the nine-tailed fox, and Soman, the demon hunter. A third perspective slowly rolls out the Chinese moon goddess mythology and brilliantly blends it in with Yue and Soman's tale. As they work together, they realize that the other is not as bad as they seem. This was a cute fantasy standalone that was very engaging-once I got half way through, I read the 2nd half in one sitting! I loved the side characters - one was disabled(mute) but everyone worked together to create a language(sign) so that she was always included and and integral part of the team.
The only thing I had a little trouble with were some inconsistencies and confusing bits, especially in the beginning of the story.
-I didn't understand how the blood pact healed them
-It is said multiple times that demons can't lie, but Yue will say that and immediately tell a lie
-There was a part where Soman laid all his weapons out, and then while they were resting a city monster attacked them and he didn't have time to collect the weapons, but he ended up still having them with him
-I was confused for a bit: each chapter has a hunting log at the beginning, it took me a while to realize that even when the hunting log was on Yue's point of view, it was always Soman writing it. It's just confusing because Yue is a hunter too, she hunts for people to feed on
For this reason I am rating it 4/5 stars, but it was really excellent otherwise! This is the 2nd book I've read by this author and each one has been great :) I'd recommend this for adult readers who are interested in mythology and folktale-esque stories.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Also - the cover is STUNNING!!!
September 7, 2025
I was so stoked for this book and it lived up to that expectation. Slightly unhinged but hysterical fmc check, Chinese mythology check, stern serious reliable and super hot mmc check, slow burn with all the angst check, trials check, this book just kept hitting box after box. I loved the back story that was woven in and provided enough of the history to understand the characters and their motivation but never gave away too much at once. Highly recommend and thanks for the author, the publisher and netgalley for the advanced copy!
January 30, 2026
Review to come! 🦊
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fun and fast-paced paranormal romance that deals with a demon and demon hunter in an Ancient-China-like setting. The banter was funny, the romance cute, and in general, everything I could want in a fox demon romance. I will preface this review by stating that I’m a part of the book’s street team and that this review is in no way influenced by my part in this promotional team. Now, on to the review! 😊
The story is split into the POVs of the couple. Yue is a nine-tailed fox who has done everything to survive a world that sees her as nothing more than a pest. She’s witty and loves grinding her love interests gears to no end. Sonam is the demon hunter who is forced to team up with his prey in order to survive his accidental trip into Hell. He’s a serious man who wishes to keep those he loves safe while also desperately trying to please a very distant father. When the two are together, it’s a roller coaster of snarky quips at each other until at one point between non-ending battles and running they find common ground. ❤️
The side characters are a motley crew of loyal soldiers, and the plot itself is rather nicely paced, though I did wish we had a little longer in the beginning to get a better sense of the characters, but it adds to the element that the characters are learning more about each other at the same time as the reader which I found rather cute. The villain is also devious, but I feel like he could’ve had a little more nuance to his character in general. But despite these little things, I still had a great time reading! 👹
Big thank you goes out to the author, Kwan, for accepting my application to be on the street team in exchange for an honest review! It was so fun being in Hell with these characters and I’m assuming there were some cameos of characters from your previous book set in the same world. 😉🐉
Publication date: February 20, so go preorder this and also take a look at the Colored Pages Book Tours tour of this book!!
Overall: 4.25/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fun and fast-paced paranormal romance that deals with a demon and demon hunter in an Ancient-China-like setting. The banter was funny, the romance cute, and in general, everything I could want in a fox demon romance. I will preface this review by stating that I’m a part of the book’s street team and that this review is in no way influenced by my part in this promotional team. Now, on to the review! 😊
The story is split into the POVs of the couple. Yue is a nine-tailed fox who has done everything to survive a world that sees her as nothing more than a pest. She’s witty and loves grinding her love interests gears to no end. Sonam is the demon hunter who is forced to team up with his prey in order to survive his accidental trip into Hell. He’s a serious man who wishes to keep those he loves safe while also desperately trying to please a very distant father. When the two are together, it’s a roller coaster of snarky quips at each other until at one point between non-ending battles and running they find common ground. ❤️
The side characters are a motley crew of loyal soldiers, and the plot itself is rather nicely paced, though I did wish we had a little longer in the beginning to get a better sense of the characters, but it adds to the element that the characters are learning more about each other at the same time as the reader which I found rather cute. The villain is also devious, but I feel like he could’ve had a little more nuance to his character in general. But despite these little things, I still had a great time reading! 👹
Big thank you goes out to the author, Kwan, for accepting my application to be on the street team in exchange for an honest review! It was so fun being in Hell with these characters and I’m assuming there were some cameos of characters from your previous book set in the same world. 😉🐉
Publication date: February 20, so go preorder this and also take a look at the Colored Pages Book Tours tour of this book!!
Overall: 4.25/5 ⭐️
February 23, 2026
eARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest book tour review
Rating - 5⭐️
OMGGGG!!! THIS BOOK?!? I adore it so much!!😩
This is an adult fantasy book where a nine-tailed fox is banished by a demon hunter to hell so she drags him with her as revenge and now they’re stuck together and have to escape through the different courts of hell?👀 It’s the perfect recipe for beautiful chaos🙂↕️.
This book was so addicting, I didn’t want to stop reading at all. It’s fast-paced, it’s full of action-packed scenes that will have you wanting to flip to the next chapter immediately. The plot was so much fun!! I loved getting to see the trials they had to complete in each courts of hell.
The chapters where the mythology got explained were woven so expertly into the present story. Lately, it’s been difficult for me to be completely enthralled with the magic, world-building and lore in fantasy books but WITH THIS ONE?? I ATE UP EVERY CRUMB OF LORE. I also really loved the way the magic worked with the masks, it was the cherry on top for me🍒.
The romance was SO FRICKING CUTE😭. I loved the slow burn progression of the relationship. It was so gentle and sweet, I adored their every minor interaction throughout. I was giggling and smiling so much. The song “I won’t say (I’m in love)” from Hercules was constantly playing in my head during scenes when they were learning to trust each other. I also really loved the found family aspect!!🥹 it was so heartwarming seeing Yue and the other characters slowly grow closer and finally feeling a sense of belonging.
Rating - 5⭐️
OMGGGG!!! THIS BOOK?!? I adore it so much!!😩
This is an adult fantasy book where a nine-tailed fox is banished by a demon hunter to hell so she drags him with her as revenge and now they’re stuck together and have to escape through the different courts of hell?👀 It’s the perfect recipe for beautiful chaos🙂↕️.
This book was so addicting, I didn’t want to stop reading at all. It’s fast-paced, it’s full of action-packed scenes that will have you wanting to flip to the next chapter immediately. The plot was so much fun!! I loved getting to see the trials they had to complete in each courts of hell.
The chapters where the mythology got explained were woven so expertly into the present story. Lately, it’s been difficult for me to be completely enthralled with the magic, world-building and lore in fantasy books but WITH THIS ONE?? I ATE UP EVERY CRUMB OF LORE. I also really loved the way the magic worked with the masks, it was the cherry on top for me🍒.
The romance was SO FRICKING CUTE😭. I loved the slow burn progression of the relationship. It was so gentle and sweet, I adored their every minor interaction throughout. I was giggling and smiling so much. The song “I won’t say (I’m in love)” from Hercules was constantly playing in my head during scenes when they were learning to trust each other. I also really loved the found family aspect!!🥹 it was so heartwarming seeing Yue and the other characters slowly grow closer and finally feeling a sense of belonging.
March 1, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing a copy of this novel!
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were just all so good. They were all memorable and distinct. I also loved the story and the world. While the main focus was the journey through hell, it was also intermixed with journal entries and some mythology. I thought each of these portions was great. The journal entries were short, but they helped to show some of Sonam's inner feelings. I also was already lightly familiar with the mythology portions, and I liked the way it was tied into the plot.
Even though I liked everything about this book, Yue and Sonam's relationship is where it really shines! Watching their relationship slowly shift from enemies to reluctant allies to friends to lovers was just so well done. I think this is the first "enemies to lovers" book I've read that wasn't just two hot people bickering while lusting after each other. It was so great. They actually talked and got to know each other and grew to care for each other as people first. I feel like this should be the bare minimum in romance, but I feel like I never see it.
This was such a wonderful story with a beautiful romance. I'm going to have to make sure I read Kwan's other books!
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were just all so good. They were all memorable and distinct. I also loved the story and the world. While the main focus was the journey through hell, it was also intermixed with journal entries and some mythology. I thought each of these portions was great. The journal entries were short, but they helped to show some of Sonam's inner feelings. I also was already lightly familiar with the mythology portions, and I liked the way it was tied into the plot.
Even though I liked everything about this book, Yue and Sonam's relationship is where it really shines! Watching their relationship slowly shift from enemies to reluctant allies to friends to lovers was just so well done. I think this is the first "enemies to lovers" book I've read that wasn't just two hot people bickering while lusting after each other. It was so great. They actually talked and got to know each other and grew to care for each other as people first. I feel like this should be the bare minimum in romance, but I feel like I never see it.
This was such a wonderful story with a beautiful romance. I'm going to have to make sure I read Kwan's other books!
March 1, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
thank you to simon & schuster canada for the arc!
one of my most anticipated fantasy of this year and it did NOT disappoint! i didn’t think it could get any better after the last dragon of the east, cause what can top dragons?? but, this was such an exciting book and it reminded me how much i love fantasy! the plot and pacing of this book was very straightforward so it captured my attention immediately and i never got bored at all. i sped through the whole thing pretty quickly and absolutely ruined my sleep schedule because my 30 mins of reading before bed turned into 2 hours. also, i loved reading about the chinese mythology, especially the retelling of hou yi and chang’e, it was completely unique in comparison to other retellings i’ve read. for the characters, i absolutely adored yue and sonam! they were both very three dimensional and had great chemistry together, but i do wish we got to know just a little more of their past and backgrounds. and of course, the best part of the book is the found family, the chaos and supportiveness between yue, sonam, sooah, and wen is everything!! overall, this book was a very fun read and i highly recommend if you’re looking for a fast and fun fantasy.
thank you to simon & schuster canada for the arc!
one of my most anticipated fantasy of this year and it did NOT disappoint! i didn’t think it could get any better after the last dragon of the east, cause what can top dragons?? but, this was such an exciting book and it reminded me how much i love fantasy! the plot and pacing of this book was very straightforward so it captured my attention immediately and i never got bored at all. i sped through the whole thing pretty quickly and absolutely ruined my sleep schedule because my 30 mins of reading before bed turned into 2 hours. also, i loved reading about the chinese mythology, especially the retelling of hou yi and chang’e, it was completely unique in comparison to other retellings i’ve read. for the characters, i absolutely adored yue and sonam! they were both very three dimensional and had great chemistry together, but i do wish we got to know just a little more of their past and backgrounds. and of course, the best part of the book is the found family, the chaos and supportiveness between yue, sonam, sooah, and wen is everything!! overall, this book was a very fun read and i highly recommend if you’re looking for a fast and fun fantasy.
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