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Other #3
Foxfire
One winter, Tavian Kimura watched his mother—a kitsune, or Japanese fox-spirit—leave him in the snow for the dogs. But that’s a memory buried beneath eleven years, and he has lived most of his life in America with his adoptive family and his girlfriend, Gwen.
Now he’s back. All it took was an invitation to spend New Year’s with his grandparents, and Tavian finds himself in Tokyo with Gwen by his side. It should be a time of celebration, but it becomes a time of nightmares. A faceless ghost haunts Tavian, warning him that “she” is coming. A gang of inugami—fiercely loyal dog-spirits—wants him dead. Why? The inugami believe he strongly resembles one of their most hated enemies, a kitsune named Yukimi.
Is Yukimi the mother who abandoned him? Tavian never knew her true name. He doesn’t even know his own true name, the key to a kitsune’s magic. And soon his untrained magic threatens to kill him, straining his half-human body. Tavian realizes that finding his mother might be the only way to find answers, before it’s too late.
Now he’s back. All it took was an invitation to spend New Year’s with his grandparents, and Tavian finds himself in Tokyo with Gwen by his side. It should be a time of celebration, but it becomes a time of nightmares. A faceless ghost haunts Tavian, warning him that “she” is coming. A gang of inugami—fiercely loyal dog-spirits—wants him dead. Why? The inugami believe he strongly resembles one of their most hated enemies, a kitsune named Yukimi.
Is Yukimi the mother who abandoned him? Tavian never knew her true name. He doesn’t even know his own true name, the key to a kitsune’s magic. And soon his untrained magic threatens to kill him, straining his half-human body. Tavian realizes that finding his mother might be the only way to find answers, before it’s too late.
ebook
First published October 1, 2012
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About the author
Karen Kincy
24 books742 followersKaren Kincy writes books when she isn’t writing code. She has a BA in Linguistics and Literature from The Evergreen State College, and an MS in Computational Linguistics from the University of Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 1, 2015
This was a good book. This book was written in Tavian's point of view where he was going back to Japan to find out about his origins. He felt like he was losing his powers to shape shift and he was getting these weird pains. He was looking for the truth.
It was kind of frustrating to see Tavian struggle. But, as he found answers he got more and more confused. He had to hide things from his grandparents and parents because he didn't want to them to be ashamed of him. However, there was one person he could always be truthful to and that was Gwen. He cared about her a lot. There were times when he trusted people he shouldn't trust and I felt like screaming at him.
There were a lot of Japanese terms in this book I did not understand and I don't think I was supposed to understand. The villains in this book were developed more than the heroes were. I liked the ending to be honest. I felt like it was a nice ending to the series for Tavian to finally do what he loved.
I was expecting a bit more for this book because the other two books were great. I was slightly disappointed but, it was a good book.
It was kind of frustrating to see Tavian struggle. But, as he found answers he got more and more confused. He had to hide things from his grandparents and parents because he didn't want to them to be ashamed of him. However, there was one person he could always be truthful to and that was Gwen. He cared about her a lot. There were times when he trusted people he shouldn't trust and I felt like screaming at him.
There were a lot of Japanese terms in this book I did not understand and I don't think I was supposed to understand. The villains in this book were developed more than the heroes were. I liked the ending to be honest. I felt like it was a nice ending to the series for Tavian to finally do what he loved.
I was expecting a bit more for this book because the other two books were great. I was slightly disappointed but, it was a good book.
wishlist
August 13, 2017I wish this wasn't the third book because I want to read it NOW. Look at that cover! Rawr.
March 25, 2024
Wow, I finally did it. This was not great, and just not what I have been in the mood for. 3.5 overall for the series, definitely not a favorite.
October 22, 2012
See this review and more on The Moonlight Library!
Tavian just wanted to go on a holiday to Japan with his shapeshifter girlfriend Gwen. He had no idea his shapeshifting past would catch up to him upon return to his homeland: his kitsune (fox) mother is looking for him, he is haunted by a faceless ghost, and seemingly around every corner a bunch of gangster shapeshifting dogs are on his heels. Oh, and did I mention that if Tavian doesn’t discover his true name soon, his own shapeshifting power will kill him?
Foxfire was a brilliant book – the third in its series, but I took a risk by not reading the first two. About halfway through reading Foxfire I decided I wanted to read Gwen’s story, because she is a badass. Tavian’s story is a Japanese urban fantasy and as such, the required Japanese words are thrown around a lot – luckily my Kindle dictionary could translate a few of the words that I occasionally forgot. The cool thing about this book is that Karen Kincy has clearly done some research into how the Japanese speak, and how a Japanese-American with little knowledge of his former language would speak as well. I personally felt that too many English words were replaced by the Japanese when an English word was perfectly acceptable, but that’s just a matter of taste. I found the use of the word ‘kitsune’ (which is ‘fox’ in Japanese) to be particularly awesome –a kitsune in Japan is a woman who can turn into a fox. Tavian also provided a lot of translation on the page as well, which was a nice touch.
Tavian was a lovely character to read about and follow his adventures. I am not afraid to admit that I do not often read books from a male perspective, but Tavian was refreshingly honest, mature, sweet, and kind. He had a curiosity to him that I really liked. I didn’t however really get the seriousness of his situation, and I didn’t feel that he was taking his impending death seriously enough. There was a deadline to the story that ended before he was due to fly back to America with Gwen, but I didn’t feel a particular sense of urgency. I also fell in love with his girlfriend, Gwen, the heroine of Book 1. She can shapeshift into any form, whereas Tavian can only turn into a fox. Gwen was feisty, brave, beautiful, and slightly reckless: all the qualities of my favourite girls. I also got the picture that her bravery and recklessness could lead her into a lot of trouble.
Overall I enjoyed reading Foxfire: perhaps it wasn’t my favourite kind of tea, but I still enjoyed the cuppa. The most important thing about reading Book 3 in the series is that it has made me want to read Book 1, and I guess that’s what reading is all about, right?
An advance reader copy was kindly provided by the publisher.
Tavian just wanted to go on a holiday to Japan with his shapeshifter girlfriend Gwen. He had no idea his shapeshifting past would catch up to him upon return to his homeland: his kitsune (fox) mother is looking for him, he is haunted by a faceless ghost, and seemingly around every corner a bunch of gangster shapeshifting dogs are on his heels. Oh, and did I mention that if Tavian doesn’t discover his true name soon, his own shapeshifting power will kill him?
Foxfire was a brilliant book – the third in its series, but I took a risk by not reading the first two. About halfway through reading Foxfire I decided I wanted to read Gwen’s story, because she is a badass. Tavian’s story is a Japanese urban fantasy and as such, the required Japanese words are thrown around a lot – luckily my Kindle dictionary could translate a few of the words that I occasionally forgot. The cool thing about this book is that Karen Kincy has clearly done some research into how the Japanese speak, and how a Japanese-American with little knowledge of his former language would speak as well. I personally felt that too many English words were replaced by the Japanese when an English word was perfectly acceptable, but that’s just a matter of taste. I found the use of the word ‘kitsune’ (which is ‘fox’ in Japanese) to be particularly awesome –a kitsune in Japan is a woman who can turn into a fox. Tavian also provided a lot of translation on the page as well, which was a nice touch.
Tavian was a lovely character to read about and follow his adventures. I am not afraid to admit that I do not often read books from a male perspective, but Tavian was refreshingly honest, mature, sweet, and kind. He had a curiosity to him that I really liked. I didn’t however really get the seriousness of his situation, and I didn’t feel that he was taking his impending death seriously enough. There was a deadline to the story that ended before he was due to fly back to America with Gwen, but I didn’t feel a particular sense of urgency. I also fell in love with his girlfriend, Gwen, the heroine of Book 1. She can shapeshift into any form, whereas Tavian can only turn into a fox. Gwen was feisty, brave, beautiful, and slightly reckless: all the qualities of my favourite girls. I also got the picture that her bravery and recklessness could lead her into a lot of trouble.
Overall I enjoyed reading Foxfire: perhaps it wasn’t my favourite kind of tea, but I still enjoyed the cuppa. The most important thing about reading Book 3 in the series is that it has made me want to read Book 1, and I guess that’s what reading is all about, right?
An advance reader copy was kindly provided by the publisher.
April 16, 2013
Ok I read this book as a standalone having no idea that there was other books in the series. I originally picked it up because I thought the concept was interesting and I wanted to learn more about the Japanese Fox legend having heard about it so many times before. Let me just say I love how the author talks about the culture and environment of Japan. It is probably my favorite part of the book. It was a short read for me, but already I've learned a lot of words in Japanese- such as "kitsune"-fox, and "nogitsune"-field fox. Now I already knew about the fox legend but I did not know about the "nogitsune" or field foxes that are sometimes overlooked by the elite temple foxes. I'm not really into fantasy novels so this was different than what I usually read, but I am into diverse cultures and legends. I was very satisfied with the surprise ending and kind of glad that the author decided to take that root. I feel I would of liked the story more if I read the first two books in the series and would have gotten to know the characters better. Overall, a good book .
By the way I know this may sound odd but I pictured the Noppera-bō "faceless ghosts" as Slendarman. I don't know why but the description of the faceless ghost in a suit seemed accurate to Slendarman. I'm probably the only weirdo who thought of that however, lol.
By the way I know this may sound odd but I pictured the Noppera-bō "faceless ghosts" as Slendarman. I don't know why but the description of the faceless ghost in a suit seemed accurate to Slendarman. I'm probably the only weirdo who thought of that however, lol.
November 30, 2013
Even though this book is the third of a series, it is completely stand alone and I believe the best in the Other trilogy. The story of Tavian is heart breaking but told is such a vivid, concise way. You want him to succeed in his mission to find himself and restore his magic but it is not certain that he will. The many trips to various districts of Tokyo is amazing. The world Kincy creates is enhanced by the delicious smells of Japanese street food and the dangerous underworld of gangs and Others. This story is a wonderful, touching, exciting ride through the streets of Japan. It is a great read!
May 23, 2021
Great conclusion to a paranormal romance series, although I'd love to hear more from these characters. Unlike the US, shifters are revered in japan, where this book takes place. Tavian has to find both his parents to prevent his fox from overwhelming his human body. The mob and snarling dogs threaten him and his family, and why is his mom so secretive?
June 13, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed the rich world that Kincy built up here, and I was especially delighted to learn all about Japanese kitsune folklore. Kincy has a way with words, and I loved how the action, drama, comedy, and looove all blended so well together. Can't wait to read more!
September 13, 2019
It took me eight years, almost to the day, to read the third book in this trilogy after finishing the second back in 2011, but I’m glad I did. After a slow start, I was drawn in by the focus on family, biological and adopted, and Japanese folklore.
Read
May 6, 2017It was a good read and had it's interesting points but it seemed to leave a lot of loose ends. The ending was not fulfilling enough for me.
August 31, 2018
I really loved the book but at times I was very confused because it jumped around a lot with different Japanese words that I did not understand I am sad to see this series come to an end
July 26, 2024
I read this as a teen and the memory came back to me in the middle of the night earlier this week lol. Really loved it, I read it twice, and had no clue it was the third book in the series lmao
June 5, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: Shape shifting travels to Japan, where history and culture add more to the mysteries of the Kitsune.
Opening Sentence: Cold. Bitter, bone-deep cold, the kind that gnaws at your toes and nose.
The Review:
In the third and final installment of the Other trilogy, Karen Kincy brings us Foxfire. I read Foxfire as a standalone, not having read the others. I was worried that I would lose the integrity of the story and miss many things that I would have found relevant if I read the whole series. Gladly that isn’t the case. Kincy did a great job allowing the reader to feel involved in her world from the beginning. I enjoyed the story and the characters, convincing me to go back
In Foxfire, Gwen and Tavian travel to Japan to visit his adopted grandparents for the holidays. Tavian, a kitsune, or a shape shifter who takes a fox form, was born in Japan. His birth mother was also a kitsune, but disappeared when Tavian was only six years old. But as Tavian landed in Japan, he began to see a faceless ghost. He begins to wonder who haunts him, only to be contacted by his estranged mother. Tavian uncovers so many truths about his past, putting him in harm’s way.
Tavian was a voice that was easy to get to know and understand. The first chapter was a flashback to when his mother disappeared. It was heart-breaking, and allowed me to instantly connect with him. There were times when I disliked him and his personality. He always seemed so strong, and here he is so vulnerable and filled with doubt.
The kitsune folklore is one that I knew growing up. Japanese folklore is filled through the pages of Foxfire, blending old history with common day interpretations. Kincy brought an interesting take, one that I enjoyed. From the customs and traditions, it was enjoyable to see how Tavian blended into Japan in present day. It’s not always easy to bring folklore into the present day, but I think Kincy did a good job. Kincy brought a Japan that is filled with wonder, magic, and danger. From the evil doings of the Yakuza, to the deadly traits of the assassins, Foxfire is filled with a lot of action.
Kincy has this quality about her that allows the reader to get lost in the story. You’re quickly immersed into her world, absorbing the different details that she brings forth. I liked the familial dynamic that she portrayed in the story. It brings another layer of this particular plot. Man vs the supernatural is always one of my favorite, and she blends it well with various subplots.
Foxfire is filled with mystery and secrets, culture and history – all elements that make a great story. Foxfire is a good read, something that I recommend to urban fantasy fans.
Notable Scene:
“You are broken,” she says softly, almost as if I wasn’t meant to hear.
I clench my firsts and jaw and stomach, then let the tension go all at once, drawing on the power inside me to push my body from human to fox. My heartbeat stutters, then stops. I gasp and stagger forward. My heartbeat stumbles back, erratic, weak, and I open my eyes. I’m on my hands and knees in the snow, naked. White snow fills my sight. My kitsune mother speaks, but her voice sounds too faraway to hear. My eyes slip shut as the pain gives away to sweet numbness.
FTC Advisory: Flux provided me with a copy of Foxfire. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Shape shifting travels to Japan, where history and culture add more to the mysteries of the Kitsune.
Opening Sentence: Cold. Bitter, bone-deep cold, the kind that gnaws at your toes and nose.
The Review:
In the third and final installment of the Other trilogy, Karen Kincy brings us Foxfire. I read Foxfire as a standalone, not having read the others. I was worried that I would lose the integrity of the story and miss many things that I would have found relevant if I read the whole series. Gladly that isn’t the case. Kincy did a great job allowing the reader to feel involved in her world from the beginning. I enjoyed the story and the characters, convincing me to go back
In Foxfire, Gwen and Tavian travel to Japan to visit his adopted grandparents for the holidays. Tavian, a kitsune, or a shape shifter who takes a fox form, was born in Japan. His birth mother was also a kitsune, but disappeared when Tavian was only six years old. But as Tavian landed in Japan, he began to see a faceless ghost. He begins to wonder who haunts him, only to be contacted by his estranged mother. Tavian uncovers so many truths about his past, putting him in harm’s way.
Tavian was a voice that was easy to get to know and understand. The first chapter was a flashback to when his mother disappeared. It was heart-breaking, and allowed me to instantly connect with him. There were times when I disliked him and his personality. He always seemed so strong, and here he is so vulnerable and filled with doubt.
The kitsune folklore is one that I knew growing up. Japanese folklore is filled through the pages of Foxfire, blending old history with common day interpretations. Kincy brought an interesting take, one that I enjoyed. From the customs and traditions, it was enjoyable to see how Tavian blended into Japan in present day. It’s not always easy to bring folklore into the present day, but I think Kincy did a good job. Kincy brought a Japan that is filled with wonder, magic, and danger. From the evil doings of the Yakuza, to the deadly traits of the assassins, Foxfire is filled with a lot of action.
Kincy has this quality about her that allows the reader to get lost in the story. You’re quickly immersed into her world, absorbing the different details that she brings forth. I liked the familial dynamic that she portrayed in the story. It brings another layer of this particular plot. Man vs the supernatural is always one of my favorite, and she blends it well with various subplots.
Foxfire is filled with mystery and secrets, culture and history – all elements that make a great story. Foxfire is a good read, something that I recommend to urban fantasy fans.
Notable Scene:
“You are broken,” she says softly, almost as if I wasn’t meant to hear.
I clench my firsts and jaw and stomach, then let the tension go all at once, drawing on the power inside me to push my body from human to fox. My heartbeat stutters, then stops. I gasp and stagger forward. My heartbeat stumbles back, erratic, weak, and I open my eyes. I’m on my hands and knees in the snow, naked. White snow fills my sight. My kitsune mother speaks, but her voice sounds too faraway to hear. My eyes slip shut as the pain gives away to sweet numbness.
FTC Advisory: Flux provided me with a copy of Foxfire. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
August 9, 2012
My overall impression I liked this book and honestly I hadn’t read the previous books in this series so I had no idea what to expect. That can be a double edge sword sometimes if the story is too involved, you would need to read the previous titles to catch up and understand what is going on. But in this case it wasn’t a concern which I loved that I could read Foxfire as a stand alone and not be at a loss. The premises intrigued me the world of Others, shape shifters was new for me. The idea of Others seemed too far dipped in fantasy and I wasn’t sure writer Kincy could pull it off but she did. In a urban setting in this case Japan, her descriptions each place Tavain went I could see myself there. As I was reading I noticed how attentive writer Kincy was I could tell she really liked Japan. The Others in Japan exist in a secret world with rules and their own system, mythology, and ways to function in everyday life.
As for for the characters Tavain I liked him and it was nice to read a story from a male protagonist prospective for once. Since YA is so saturated with female leads. Foxfire's characters were well rounded and had their own distinctive personalities. Gwen the hot tempered red head ready for anything, was typically relegated to the role of the protective girlfriend. Tavin's grandparents traditional and strict but it was obvious how much he was loved by them. Yukimi, his mother was my favorite character misunderstood on the surface rough and kick ass but beneath she was caring, and had a good heart.
Her fierce love for her son lead her to make the ultimate sacrifice more than once, that's why I liked her. And the villain his yakuza grandfather wasn't much of one there was potential for great malice but all the grey emotions clouded things up a lot which didn't mean he didn't try to scare Tavin. Those situations made for some gripping scenes. When you add to the mix the element of Tavin's adoption it gives heart to the story and some thought provoking emotions are neatly addressed. It's natural to wonder where you come from what are your people like, he's curious and wants answers as he should.
I love that writer Kincy addresses all of these story arcs and still maintains the story's balance while entertaining the reader. What I didn't like was the ending it felt like a cop out with the fast forward in time the time jump was big enough to leave me scratching my head. Left a few unanswered questions what happened between his yakuza grandfather and him? How did he get to the temple? Can be the temple fox Shizuka be trusted? If Yukimi was alive how did she survive? Too many unanswered questions I wished the ending was neater. For these reasons I couldn't give Foxfire more than three and half stars the ending seemed rushed and the story suffered for it. Even so I enjoyed being in Tavain world for awhile. I would like to see some of the questions answered in the next book in this series.
As for for the characters Tavain I liked him and it was nice to read a story from a male protagonist prospective for once. Since YA is so saturated with female leads. Foxfire's characters were well rounded and had their own distinctive personalities. Gwen the hot tempered red head ready for anything, was typically relegated to the role of the protective girlfriend. Tavin's grandparents traditional and strict but it was obvious how much he was loved by them. Yukimi, his mother was my favorite character misunderstood on the surface rough and kick ass but beneath she was caring, and had a good heart.
Her fierce love for her son lead her to make the ultimate sacrifice more than once, that's why I liked her. And the villain his yakuza grandfather wasn't much of one there was potential for great malice but all the grey emotions clouded things up a lot which didn't mean he didn't try to scare Tavin. Those situations made for some gripping scenes. When you add to the mix the element of Tavin's adoption it gives heart to the story and some thought provoking emotions are neatly addressed. It's natural to wonder where you come from what are your people like, he's curious and wants answers as he should.
I love that writer Kincy addresses all of these story arcs and still maintains the story's balance while entertaining the reader. What I didn't like was the ending it felt like a cop out with the fast forward in time the time jump was big enough to leave me scratching my head. Left a few unanswered questions what happened between his yakuza grandfather and him? How did he get to the temple? Can be the temple fox Shizuka be trusted? If Yukimi was alive how did she survive? Too many unanswered questions I wished the ending was neater. For these reasons I couldn't give Foxfire more than three and half stars the ending seemed rushed and the story suffered for it. Even so I enjoyed being in Tavain world for awhile. I would like to see some of the questions answered in the next book in this series.
January 20, 2013
“I don’t keep track of time. Im lost in the sameness of the stale air and humming of the plane. My eyelids keep slipping down, but whenever I close them, all I see is the white of snow. I don’t want to return to that dream. I already know what happens next, when that winter night blurred into an eternity. Frigid fear seeps through me now, like I never closed the door on that part of my life. Believe me, I’ve tried.
My mother left me to the snow and the dogs. I was six years old.”
First things first. What I liked:
I enjoyed imagining Tavian as a wee little baby ball of fur :D
-I loooved the romantic parts with Gwen and Tavian, although there definitely could have been more.
“We lie together, then, warm in the chill of the night. Outside, in the amber glow of the streetlights, it begins to snow. Gwen’s breathing slips into the slow rhythm of sleep. I glance at the door. I know I should go back to my own bedroom, but…just a little while longer, Gwen feels so good in my arms, like a puzzle piece clicking into place.”
-The interactions with his mother Yukimi were so bittersweet; I could really feel the pain and hurt that went though Tavian when he spoke to his mother and the short combative conversations between them really developed their relationship.
“There’s something beautiful about forgetting, about letting your thoughts melt into wordless blur of scents unwinding on the wind and paws skimming the ground and a belly full of a stolen bite of tofu, of a rice flour candy given by the ragged woman in the park. In return for the candy, we gave her a blanket, an illusion strong enough to keep her warm through the snowy night”.
Just beautiful.
Now for what I did not like…
• I wish there was more Gwen involved! I value that this was Tavian’s story but still..
• This story definitely either needed to be longer or needed some major cleaning up,
• There were scenes that did not seem to fit into the rising and falling action I found the very ending passages to not lead into another novel so I don’t know where these answers are going to come from. Maybe another Other novel about Gwen’s fathers story?
But after all the downfalls, I loved this story, just enjoying the quirky sarcasm from Tavian is enough to read this book ( I have such a BIG fictional character crush :]) And I feel these books don’t get the hype they deserve!
My mother left me to the snow and the dogs. I was six years old.”
First things first. What I liked:
I enjoyed imagining Tavian as a wee little baby ball of fur :D
-I loooved the romantic parts with Gwen and Tavian, although there definitely could have been more.
“We lie together, then, warm in the chill of the night. Outside, in the amber glow of the streetlights, it begins to snow. Gwen’s breathing slips into the slow rhythm of sleep. I glance at the door. I know I should go back to my own bedroom, but…just a little while longer, Gwen feels so good in my arms, like a puzzle piece clicking into place.”
-The interactions with his mother Yukimi were so bittersweet; I could really feel the pain and hurt that went though Tavian when he spoke to his mother and the short combative conversations between them really developed their relationship.
“There’s something beautiful about forgetting, about letting your thoughts melt into wordless blur of scents unwinding on the wind and paws skimming the ground and a belly full of a stolen bite of tofu, of a rice flour candy given by the ragged woman in the park. In return for the candy, we gave her a blanket, an illusion strong enough to keep her warm through the snowy night”.
Just beautiful.
Now for what I did not like…
• I wish there was more Gwen involved! I value that this was Tavian’s story but still..
• This story definitely either needed to be longer or needed some major cleaning up,
• There were scenes that did not seem to fit into the rising and falling action I found the very ending passages to not lead into another novel so I don’t know where these answers are going to come from. Maybe another Other novel about Gwen’s fathers story?
But after all the downfalls, I loved this story, just enjoying the quirky sarcasm from Tavian is enough to read this book ( I have such a BIG fictional character crush :]) And I feel these books don’t get the hype they deserve!
June 3, 2013
Posted on Dark Faerie Tales.
In the third and final installment of the Other trilogy, Karen Kincy brings us Foxfire. I read Foxfire as a standalone, not having read the others. I was worried that I would lose the integrity of the story and miss many things that I would have found relevant if I read the whole series. Gladly that isn't the case. Kincy did a great job allowing the reader to feel involved in her world from the beginning. I enjoyed the story and the characters, convincing me to go back
In Foxfire, Gwen and Tavian travel to Japan to visit his adopted grandparents for the holidays. Tavian, a kitsune, or a shape shifter who takes a fox form, was born in Japan. His birth mother was also a kitsune, but disappeared when Tavian was only six years old. But as Tavian landed in Japan, he began to see a faceless ghost. He begins to wonder who haunts him, only to be contacted by his estranged mother. Tavian uncovers so many truths about his past, putting him in harm's way.
Tavian was a voice that was easy to get to know and understand. The first chapter was a flashback to when his mother disappeared. It was heart-breaking, and allowed me to instantly connect with him. There were times when I disliked him and his personality. He always seemed so strong, and here he is so vulnerable and filled with doubt.
The kitsune folklore is one that I knew growing up. Japanese folklore is filled through the pages of Foxfire, blending old history with common day interpretations. Kincy brought an interesting take, one that I enjoyed. From the customs and traditions, it was enjoyable to see how Tavian blended into Japan in present day. It's not always easy to bring folklore into the present day, but I think Kincy did a good job. Kincy brought a Japan that is filled with wonder, magic, and danger. From the evil doings of the Yakuza, to the deadly traits of the assassins, Foxfire is filled with a lot of action.
Kincy has this quality about her that allows the reader to get lost in the story. You're quickly immersed into her world, absorbing the different details that she brings forth. I liked the familial dynamic that she portrayed in the story. It brings another layer of this particular plot. Man vs the supernatural is always one of my favorite, and she blends it well with various subplots.
Foxfire is filled with mystery and secrets, culture and history - all elements that make a great story. Foxfire is a good read, something that I recommend to urban fantasy fans.
In the third and final installment of the Other trilogy, Karen Kincy brings us Foxfire. I read Foxfire as a standalone, not having read the others. I was worried that I would lose the integrity of the story and miss many things that I would have found relevant if I read the whole series. Gladly that isn't the case. Kincy did a great job allowing the reader to feel involved in her world from the beginning. I enjoyed the story and the characters, convincing me to go back
In Foxfire, Gwen and Tavian travel to Japan to visit his adopted grandparents for the holidays. Tavian, a kitsune, or a shape shifter who takes a fox form, was born in Japan. His birth mother was also a kitsune, but disappeared when Tavian was only six years old. But as Tavian landed in Japan, he began to see a faceless ghost. He begins to wonder who haunts him, only to be contacted by his estranged mother. Tavian uncovers so many truths about his past, putting him in harm's way.
Tavian was a voice that was easy to get to know and understand. The first chapter was a flashback to when his mother disappeared. It was heart-breaking, and allowed me to instantly connect with him. There were times when I disliked him and his personality. He always seemed so strong, and here he is so vulnerable and filled with doubt.
The kitsune folklore is one that I knew growing up. Japanese folklore is filled through the pages of Foxfire, blending old history with common day interpretations. Kincy brought an interesting take, one that I enjoyed. From the customs and traditions, it was enjoyable to see how Tavian blended into Japan in present day. It's not always easy to bring folklore into the present day, but I think Kincy did a good job. Kincy brought a Japan that is filled with wonder, magic, and danger. From the evil doings of the Yakuza, to the deadly traits of the assassins, Foxfire is filled with a lot of action.
Kincy has this quality about her that allows the reader to get lost in the story. You're quickly immersed into her world, absorbing the different details that she brings forth. I liked the familial dynamic that she portrayed in the story. It brings another layer of this particular plot. Man vs the supernatural is always one of my favorite, and she blends it well with various subplots.
Foxfire is filled with mystery and secrets, culture and history - all elements that make a great story. Foxfire is a good read, something that I recommend to urban fantasy fans.
July 25, 2012
The minute I saw the cover, I wanted to read this book. I enjoyed Other and really liked Tavian’s character in that installment. He’s just sweet and adorable! I don’t want to say too much about the plot of Foxfire because it’s biggest strength, in my opinion, is the mystery surrounding the main character. I think fans of this series will really enjoy Tavian’s journey. To me, it was a really interesting story about identity and the importance of knowing where you come from. The story starts off on a really interesting glimpse at Tavian’s childhood and the plot builds slowly from there.
The first third of Foxfire was fairly slow. However, the were bits of action and mystery that helped to hold my attention. The story hit it’s stride a little bit before I was halfway through. At that point, pages started to fly by. I really like Gwen and Tavian as characters. They’re interesting and intriguing. They kept me emotionally invested in the story and I think that‘s really important. I was really taken with the mystery of Tavian’s mother. The void there plays a big part in his life and as a reader I was just as anxious to get answers about Tavian’s mother and to see how this schism of sorts he was having would resolve itself.
The writing for Foxfire was really good. The author uses imagery well, especially in the first few chapters. My only complaint is that it’s a little heavy on description in parts. It helped that I’m completely obsessed with Japanese culture. I enjoyed reading bits of a language I'm studying and hearing about certain aspects of the culture that I’m familiar with. As such, the setting of the story was a plus for me. All in all, Foxfire is a pretty good mystery with a solid plot and good ending. I definitely recommend this to those intrigued by the summary and/or those that have read and enjoyed the other books in the series.
The first third of Foxfire was fairly slow. However, the were bits of action and mystery that helped to hold my attention. The story hit it’s stride a little bit before I was halfway through. At that point, pages started to fly by. I really like Gwen and Tavian as characters. They’re interesting and intriguing. They kept me emotionally invested in the story and I think that‘s really important. I was really taken with the mystery of Tavian’s mother. The void there plays a big part in his life and as a reader I was just as anxious to get answers about Tavian’s mother and to see how this schism of sorts he was having would resolve itself.
The writing for Foxfire was really good. The author uses imagery well, especially in the first few chapters. My only complaint is that it’s a little heavy on description in parts. It helped that I’m completely obsessed with Japanese culture. I enjoyed reading bits of a language I'm studying and hearing about certain aspects of the culture that I’m familiar with. As such, the setting of the story was a plus for me. All in all, Foxfire is a pretty good mystery with a solid plot and good ending. I definitely recommend this to those intrigued by the summary and/or those that have read and enjoyed the other books in the series.
October 7, 2012
This third book in the Others series finds Gwen and Tavian visiting his adoptive grandparents in Japan. Tavian is ill and unable to shift to his fox form. He has to find a way to get his name so that he can control his kitsune powers without destroying his human body. His grandparents take him to a temple where the fox maiden in charge offers to help him for a consideration. However, the temple foxes look down on the nogitsune - the field foxes - like Tavian's mother.
Since arriving in Japan Tavian is having dreams about the mother who abandoned him when he was six and a faceless ghost who just might be his father. This faceless ghost -- a noppera-bo -- can assume the form of anyone.
Tavian meets his mother who is still intent on keeping secrets from Tavian though she says she is protecting him. In order to get his name, Tavian needs to know his mother's true name and have some of her blood. Tavian also needs to know his father's name and have some of his blood.
Tavian also runs afoul of a group of inugami - dog spirits - who are part of the yakuza - the Japanese mafia. They are chasing him all over Tokyo both because they have a grudge against his mother and to capture him to bring him to the head of the yakuza.
Tavian learns a lot about himself in this story as he tries to unravel the secrets of his past. Gwen is here mainly as moral support and is good for a timely rescue now and again. I like the relationship between the two of them. They are clearly in love with each other.
Fans of this series and those who want a different sort of paranormal adventure will enjoy this story.
Since arriving in Japan Tavian is having dreams about the mother who abandoned him when he was six and a faceless ghost who just might be his father. This faceless ghost -- a noppera-bo -- can assume the form of anyone.
Tavian meets his mother who is still intent on keeping secrets from Tavian though she says she is protecting him. In order to get his name, Tavian needs to know his mother's true name and have some of her blood. Tavian also needs to know his father's name and have some of his blood.
Tavian also runs afoul of a group of inugami - dog spirits - who are part of the yakuza - the Japanese mafia. They are chasing him all over Tokyo both because they have a grudge against his mother and to capture him to bring him to the head of the yakuza.
Tavian learns a lot about himself in this story as he tries to unravel the secrets of his past. Gwen is here mainly as moral support and is good for a timely rescue now and again. I like the relationship between the two of them. They are clearly in love with each other.
Fans of this series and those who want a different sort of paranormal adventure will enjoy this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2015
When Tavian heads to Japan to spend New Year's with his grandparents, he discovers that his mother who abandoned him as a child is very much alive, and his hate for her hits its boiling point. When his powers threaten to kill him because of his human half, he has to move quickly to track down his parents so he can cure himself. Tavian finds himself mixed up in a whole lot of problems; faceless ghosts stalking him, mysteries, his own shapeshifting ailments and the pack of shapeshifting dogs who intend to take a bite out of him while they pursue his mother. But no one can prepare him for just where his father fits into it all.
This was overall a fun, emotional read with delightful characters and action throughout. I wanted to see more of the foxfire magic, but with Tavian `broken' a lot of the time, watching his girlfriend kick butt where necessary was equally entertaining. Although I have not read the previous two books to this series, I was very comfortable in this fantasy world rich with Japanese mythology and culture. The only loss I felt for not reading the previous two books was more time to see Tavian's and Gwen's relationship develop cause they are so cute together!
Foxes do have all the fun, and Foxfire will make you believe just that. I look forward to reading the next book (and backtracking through the previous two to see everything I missed)!
This was overall a fun, emotional read with delightful characters and action throughout. I wanted to see more of the foxfire magic, but with Tavian `broken' a lot of the time, watching his girlfriend kick butt where necessary was equally entertaining. Although I have not read the previous two books to this series, I was very comfortable in this fantasy world rich with Japanese mythology and culture. The only loss I felt for not reading the previous two books was more time to see Tavian's and Gwen's relationship develop cause they are so cute together!
Foxes do have all the fun, and Foxfire will make you believe just that. I look forward to reading the next book (and backtracking through the previous two to see everything I missed)!
September 22, 2012
This may just be my favorite book in this series. Granted, I fell in-love with Gwen and Tavian in book 1, so it wasn't hard to love them even more in book 3, but still, this story had so much depth and adventure, and we got to see different sides of them both.
Gwen, who's this extremely strong lead character had to take on somewhat of a side kick role, but she is still such a powerful player in the story - she enhances Tavian's role in the best of ways. Tavian's back story was full of mystery and sorrow and surprise. And Gwen and Tavian's relationship isn't weighed down with forced romance, their connection is obvious and the issues Tavian is facing are too serious to be "playing" around. The ending offers a sweet surprise that makes it even better than I thought it'd be.
If the plot and characters aren't enough to sell you, Karen's writing is almost magical. She paints beautiful imagery with her words and draws Japan so realistically that I wonder if she's been there herself. This book won't let you down. I can't wait to see what Karen writes next!
Gwen, who's this extremely strong lead character had to take on somewhat of a side kick role, but she is still such a powerful player in the story - she enhances Tavian's role in the best of ways. Tavian's back story was full of mystery and sorrow and surprise. And Gwen and Tavian's relationship isn't weighed down with forced romance, their connection is obvious and the issues Tavian is facing are too serious to be "playing" around. The ending offers a sweet surprise that makes it even better than I thought it'd be.
If the plot and characters aren't enough to sell you, Karen's writing is almost magical. She paints beautiful imagery with her words and draws Japan so realistically that I wonder if she's been there herself. This book won't let you down. I can't wait to see what Karen writes next!
March 7, 2015
My Teen Book Club is totally awesome and picked a book that seems like it was written just for me. People who shape-shift into foxes? Sign me up! We didn't realize when we chose it that this is actually the third book in a series, but it fortunately ended up not mattering -- this one totally stands on its own.
It was nice to read a book that wasn't set in America! Teens at my library are just TOTALLY OBSESSED with Japan, so I now have a book I can recommend to them that is actually set in Japan, and is super steeped in Japanese culture. I loved all the mythology behind the story -- kitsune and dog spirits and scary faceless ghosts are all totally my speed.
The story itself was kinda...meh. Characters were...fine. This one was all about setting and world-building for me -- I'm not sure whether or not I'm intrigued enough to read the other two in the series.
It was nice to read a book that wasn't set in America! Teens at my library are just TOTALLY OBSESSED with Japan, so I now have a book I can recommend to them that is actually set in Japan, and is super steeped in Japanese culture. I loved all the mythology behind the story -- kitsune and dog spirits and scary faceless ghosts are all totally my speed.
The story itself was kinda...meh. Characters were...fine. This one was all about setting and world-building for me -- I'm not sure whether or not I'm intrigued enough to read the other two in the series.
December 7, 2012
I liked Foxfire, don't get me wrong I really did. It's just that it didn't really stick with me that same way Other and Bloodborn did. I don't know, it just seemed like Tavian was a tiny but self centered the whole time. He didn't spend a whole lot of time thinking about other people like Gwen and even Brock did, I mean the thing probably gets him off the hook for it but still. He could have thought about his adoptive family and Gwen a bit more. Plus he really didn't change all that much, he seemed like the same person throughout the whole book. In Other and Bloodborn both main characters changed for the better by the end of the book, but Tavian was still the same Tavian by the end.
March 9, 2013
I was unfortunate in not being able to read the first book in the series before the third, but reading this one makes me really want to read the first book now. It was short to me, because I'm used to reading books of a longer length, but I really liked reading about a nogitsune shapeshifter, in Japan, since it is one of my favorite cultures. I also appreciated the few Japanese words thrown in there, as well. I like how it is from a male point of view, and we see how much he appreciates his girlfriend and relies upon her, and how much of a jerk he is not, and not full of himself. Now I need to see how their romance started in the first place!
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November 11, 2012This book is from the POV of Tavian, a kitsune (fox shifter). He goes back to Japan to visit his grandparents and has to confront his own past / present serious issues. I read 73 pages and pretty much decided that I just didn't care enough. I liked the first two in this series overall (with some caveats). This one does not at all seem _bad_, but it also doesn't actually feel worth reading for me.
I'm getting a little frustrated that I can't seem to finish books this month. This week, I'm receiving a pre-order that I'm convinced will change the current... :D
I'm getting a little frustrated that I can't seem to finish books this month. This week, I'm receiving a pre-order that I'm convinced will change the current... :D
January 24, 2014
I picked this up because it sounded interesting. The first two in the series didn't sound quite as good, so I took a chance on reading them out of order.
This works really well as a standalone. I was given just enough details on events to not get confused or feel left behind. It is a very interesting world that Kincy has created and despite the oddities, it felt normal.
I didn't like the repeated pointing out that the characters were using Foxfire. By the end of the book, we can definitely tell what Foxfire looks like.
I'll have to check out the other Other books soon ;)
This works really well as a standalone. I was given just enough details on events to not get confused or feel left behind. It is a very interesting world that Kincy has created and despite the oddities, it felt normal.
I didn't like the repeated pointing out that the characters were using Foxfire. By the end of the book, we can definitely tell what Foxfire looks like.
I'll have to check out the other Other books soon ;)
November 13, 2012
This was an amazing book.
Kitsune and other shapeshifters living and warring in the human world without being out of place.
Great details of Japan.
The only minus I found was the ending that came a bit too quickly considering the speed that the story was going through ... easy riding and then a frantic ending.
All in all a really good book that I would recomment to YA.
Kitsune and other shapeshifters living and warring in the human world without being out of place.
Great details of Japan.
The only minus I found was the ending that came a bit too quickly considering the speed that the story was going through ... easy riding and then a frantic ending.
All in all a really good book that I would recomment to YA.
October 16, 2012
This novel about Tavian's journey to Japan to find his "name" , try to find a cure for his sickness, and his learning about his family was good. It showed us that some journeys are more spiritual than physical, though this one has plenty of both.Having someone by your side to help you through it is always a plus.Everyone needs a Gwen.
March 10, 2013
I really like this. it was a good companion/sequel to the first book that was about Gwen. It was nice getting some realy good background info on Tavian. I kind of wish that they author would follow them until they decide to get married or break up or something.
December 12, 2012
Oh my gosh, I love this book. It was amazing and perfect to me. I read it all in almost one day and was hooked the moment I started. I love Gwen and Tavians relantionship so much. They're amazing together. I love Gwens pooka moments and I expecially love Tavian's name. Beautiful story!
February 20, 2013
Gotta say wasn't that great! I'm not always really hard on books, they are all great in their own little way. But this just wasn't it. I reviewed it for the library and I gotta say she's a great writer but japan isn't where she should be writing!
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