The War and the Fox

The Calatians #3

by Tim Susman, Laura Garabedian (Illustrator)

The American Revolution of 1817 has begun, and Kip Penfold’s talents as a fire sorcerer make him a valuable weapon. He and his friends are swept into the conflict, taking the side of the rebels because they hope to win a better life in the new country. But an old enemy of Kip’s pursues him through the war, taking greater and greater steps to capture his power. It takes all the fox’s cunning to stay one step ahead—and then the rebellion betrays the Calatian people. Now Kip must decide which war he wants to win.

Genres: Fantasy

431 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2019

Reviews

[Cameron Galloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this installment of the "Calatians" series a marked improvement over the last two. My biggest complaint with the first book (and the second, although I didn't formally review it b/c my feelings were the same for both) was that it was repetitive. The conflicts were predictable, and the themes—while relevant, with a necessary message of inclusivity vs. bigotry—somewhat lacking in nuance. They weren't BAD books, by any stretch, but they didn't do much for me.

This book however was much more engaging. The reasons for this can be boiled down to a couple things: 1. Moving from the school setting. 2. Upping the pace, and the stakes. 3. Adding complexity to the issues. By moving away from the doldrums of school life and into the world abroad, the characters become a lot more proactive and interesting. Each new situation they're forced to contend with is fresh, forcing them to think outside the box and utilize their magic in novel ways in order to succeed in their missions. And the worldbuilding itself starts playing an important role in shaping the plot, and not just being interesting background detail, as we get to see how other countries operate with sorcery and the existence of Calatians.

And speaking of the Calatians, I really liked how they were used in the story. Instead of being an excuse to have furry characters in this historical fiction setting, they become an important fulcrum not just for the development of the plot, but also the themes. Before, the Calatians were treated as just another minority race to be sympathized with—to be compared with other forms of bigotry including sexism and racism. In-story, the Calatians are important for the humans because their blood gives sorcerers a boost in their powers, so their lives end up becoming something of a commodity. Even the Americans, who ostensibly want to give the Calatians more rights, still use them as such, which presents an interesting view on how minorities can be used as work fodder for more powerful industries. This becomes a source of contention for Kip, who has to question whether winning the war will even create a better opportunity for his race ... and if it doesn't, what other alternatives are there?

While I could nitpick and point out how the story somewhat simplifies the politics and complexities of the American Revolution and the war, the important thing for me was that I wasn't bored. The characters are still likable, and the premise truly engaging this time around.

[J.F.R. Coates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite the shift from the previous two in the series. This book really delves deep into the war, as the title suggests. Despite my general lack of knowledge about the American war of Independence, I never really felt too lost in this story, as the events of the bigger picture aren't really necessary. They seem to be more of a starting point for Tim Susman's own version of events to take place.
I don't think the battles and war elements of the book are Tim Susman's strong point, but his strengths lie in his characters, and they are more than enough to make up for any minor lacks in battle. The core characters are all enjoyable and made me really invested in the story. Some of the minor characters can be a little interchangeable at times, but there's nothing really wrong with this.

And as for the last line of the book. I can't tell if that's something that will be crucially important or not.

[GuineaPigFalconer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give this book 4.5 stars, but I’m feeling generous so I’ll round it up! This is easily the strongest book in the series so far, with well-planned battle scenes, international intrigue, and deeper relationships. I look forward to the next (final?) book in the series.

[Shiloh Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

You might want to continue this series if you:

-want to see how magic functions in war
-are ready for some action and violence
-want to see Kip's friends back in action
-are a revolutionary war buff
-hate Andrew Jackson

I have looked forward to this entry in the Calatians series ever since accidentally reading the first line of the book description: "The American revolution of 1817 has begun." Such an interesting alternate history line made me eager to get to this entry, and I'm pleased to say I was not disappointed.

As that line states, the revolutionary war is on, if a bit late in the timeline. Kip and his friends are drafted into the army as sorcerers, funneling them into exciting battles and daring missions. All the while, the rules of magic on the battlefield are explored, and their limits tested, just as Kip and his friends test the limits of what the army demands from them.

It's a far more action packed and violent story than the first two books, but it nevertheless retains the dynamics between characters that the first two books excelled in. I'm happy to see that The War and the Fox still has the flavor of a Calatians book even with the chaos that has now broken out in the story.

I loved seeing these characters thrown into that chaos, with stakes so much higher than they're used to. It put Kip and his friends to the test, drawing out more of who they are and what they're capable of. Meanwhile, Kip's relationship with magic continues to grow in complexity, which is something I really enjoyed in the first two books, so I'm glad to see it continue. It also seems like some gayness is being set up throughout this book, which I of course always appreciate.

For the first time, we also see how these characters cope with death and killing, which leads us to my one complaint about the book. While I appreciated how Kip's sorrow over death makes some deadly scenes more impactful, his discussions and ruminations about it become a bit repetitive at times. I can't say they're not realistic and necessary; Kip is an inquisitive young adult forced to kill, after all, and he'd be deeply affected by it. But there isn't much done with that issue here that hasn't been done in many other stories. As a result, this moral dilemma of "death = bad" feels like it's only present because it's expected to be, and it weighed down the surrounding story for me as a result.

Regardless, The War and the Fox is my favorite entry in the series so far. This book puts the limits of its magic and characters to the test with explosive results. Alas, the fourth audiobook isn't out yet, so it may be a while before I finally get to read and review it, but I'll be waiting to do so the instant that audiobook drops.

[Jay Lonewolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait for book four

Once again Mr Susman has captivated me with his ability to spin a tale. He does a wonderful job of bringing the reader into the works he has created and then putting you through the emotional wringer. The only reason it didn't get a five star from me (not that that means much to anyone) is that it seemed too short, and wrapped up too quickly. That being said, it is still a wonderful read and I highly recommend it. If at all possible, get the first two parts to this series and read them all back to back.