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Fox #1
Shadow Fox
Jared Bruin doesn’t know who he is. He remembers nothing of his early childhood before the age of seven when he was abandoned in a park in St. Louis, left in an unfamiliar world that terrified him. He knows only that he is driven to learn everything he can about swordplay and sixteenth-century combat. Almost twenty years later, as he is battling a heroin addiction, suicidal tendencies and a violent affliction he doesn't understand, he is hired to teach swordplay to an enigmatic woman with secrets of her own, who somehow provides a link to his past. Then a missing journal arrives that provides many answers to Jared’s past, and in it another world is revealed, one of a Goddess, prophecies, elves, a devastating love triangle, and a war in desperate need of a hero.
- GenresFantasyUrban Fantasy
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2010
72 people want to read
About the author
Ashley J. Barnard
9 books29 followersAshley is the author of seven novels, as well as three published stage adaptations of Jane Austen’s books. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and daughter, and up until recently she and her husband ran their own Shakespearean theater company, Actors’ Renaissance Theatre. Shadow Fox (2010 Novel of the Year) and its sequels Fox Rising and Night of the Fox are published by Champagne/BURST Books. In Byron's Shadow and Cast of Illusions are new releases available on Kindle.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 13, 2011
Thoroughly enjoyed this book as it had me glued. The right mix of intrigue and suspense, beautifully stirred with a little bit of magic and fantasy. The two protagonists lives were completely believable as Ashley Barnard carefully detailed their back-story and blended it into the present. There were moments when I felt like jumping into the book to pulverize the 'baddies' and also give the two main characters a wake-up smack on their heads. Great read! I await the sequel, Fox Rising, at the edge of my seat.
January 27, 2011
Jared felt lost in a world he didn't seem to connect with. He was confused, not knowing who he really was, who his family was, or where he came from. He often had dreams or perhaps they were memories he didn't always understand, and painful blackouts that the only solution available to him was to become an addict. Jared was pretty much one of those tortured souls, who made decisions that weren't always in his best interest. But, it was hard to find fault with him. Throughout all that, he had been an inspiring teacher...until he slept with someone he shouldn't have. Oh yeah...he liked his woman. So buh-by job. Then, his supplier wanted the money he felt Jared owed him, which of course he didn't have. Fortunately, an old mentor had told Jared of a job opportunity in America as a Master Swordman. So, naturally, he took it. I really enjoyed Jared's character. Not because he was the hero perse....but, that he had been easy to engage with . He didn't have all the answers, he made mistakes, and he really did try to do the right thing. I loved that he was passionate about his music and his swordsmanship. But most of all, I liked that he was flawed. It was easy to understand his anger and confusions. He never seemed to get a break, and because of that fact, I felt bad for him.
Tarika had been trying to find the best of the best in sword fighting. She pretty much went through everyone, until Jared. She was a kindred spirit to Jared. Both having a past that not only defined them, but will eventually clash with each other. When I first read her character, I was uncertain about her motives. Oh yeah..she had secrets. I even suspected what they were. But by the end of the book, she just flat out pissed me off.
Part of the story's environment felt gritty, harsh, and authentic. Yet, when the character's past and present flowed from current earth to the other world, it was then that the story felt epic and fantastical. I loved the way the author told of Jared's past through a journal. The back story filled in alot of blanks, not to mention, it moved the story forward. The author did an amazing job with the detail and history she put into his father's perspective. It was nice to learn about his past, as Jared did. On the other hand, I didn't care for the deception of Tarika and how her past and her secrets were revealed....but then again, she did pissed me off. I think that should be considered good writing on the authors part, you know.... to pull out such emotion towards a character in a reader.
Overall, Shadow Fox was primarily a dark fantasy, but it did have a paranormal romance twist to it. The action sequences were well done. The plot was not only intriguing, but suspenseful. I couldn't help but wonder, what would happen next. Lastly, the characters are well defined and very compelling. The only thing that really pissed me off...yes, besides Tarika...was the way this book ended. OMG, this author was such a tease. There it was, the story was flowing amazingly smooth, then chomp, cliffhanger. Now, I am going to have to wait anxiously for the next installment, Fox Rising to come out. *sighs* But, I suspect it will be worth it as Shadow Fox was a great beginning to what looks to be a great trilogy
Tarika had been trying to find the best of the best in sword fighting. She pretty much went through everyone, until Jared. She was a kindred spirit to Jared. Both having a past that not only defined them, but will eventually clash with each other. When I first read her character, I was uncertain about her motives. Oh yeah..she had secrets. I even suspected what they were. But by the end of the book, she just flat out pissed me off.
Part of the story's environment felt gritty, harsh, and authentic. Yet, when the character's past and present flowed from current earth to the other world, it was then that the story felt epic and fantastical. I loved the way the author told of Jared's past through a journal. The back story filled in alot of blanks, not to mention, it moved the story forward. The author did an amazing job with the detail and history she put into his father's perspective. It was nice to learn about his past, as Jared did. On the other hand, I didn't care for the deception of Tarika and how her past and her secrets were revealed....but then again, she did pissed me off. I think that should be considered good writing on the authors part, you know.... to pull out such emotion towards a character in a reader.
Overall, Shadow Fox was primarily a dark fantasy, but it did have a paranormal romance twist to it. The action sequences were well done. The plot was not only intriguing, but suspenseful. I couldn't help but wonder, what would happen next. Lastly, the characters are well defined and very compelling. The only thing that really pissed me off...yes, besides Tarika...was the way this book ended. OMG, this author was such a tease. There it was, the story was flowing amazingly smooth, then chomp, cliffhanger. Now, I am going to have to wait anxiously for the next installment, Fox Rising to come out. *sighs* But, I suspect it will be worth it as Shadow Fox was a great beginning to what looks to be a great trilogy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2010
This is the first book that I bought when I received my new Amazon Kindle and it would seem that hit gold on my first strike. Shadow Fox is a Paranormal Romance/Fantasy novel along the lines of Kelly Armstrong, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Kim Harrison. I can not express enough how much I really enjoyed this book. The story gripped me from the first page and putting it down at three in the morning was a real struggle. It is rare that a book holds my attention so well. I found myself totally in love with the characters and caring what would happen to them. Jared the main hero of this story often seems like his own greatest enemy but you can't help yourself feeling deeply for him. A deeply troubled and damaged individual with a drug addiction he is an unlikely leading character in a story so deeply steeped in romance, but this is much of his charm. The tale delves into the feeling most of us have had at one time or another, that no matter how bad our life is or how mundane, that some how we are different from everyone else, we are special and one day we will find out how.
Ashley Barnard has done a fantastic job in detailing her new world and her writing style is excellent. For a first novel it is a masterpiece and I believe that Ashley will become a name that is mentioned in the same breath as many of the greats in the Paranormal Romance genre. This is a first book in a trilogy and if the next two novels are halfway as decent as this one then this series will become a classic in its own time.
The book is published by Champagne Books which is a publishing house that I have not come across before. On the strength of this book I will be checking out other titles and authors in their range and of course I will share my findings here.
At the moment Shadow Fox is only available in the UK as an ebook but with luck we will see it on the shelves of our book stores soon. I urge you to give this book a go and if you like it then make some noise, either here or places like Amazon. Ashley is a new author that I think deserves our support so if you want to support a budding new writer then take a break from the familiar names and hunt out Shadow Fox.
Ashley Barnard has done a fantastic job in detailing her new world and her writing style is excellent. For a first novel it is a masterpiece and I believe that Ashley will become a name that is mentioned in the same breath as many of the greats in the Paranormal Romance genre. This is a first book in a trilogy and if the next two novels are halfway as decent as this one then this series will become a classic in its own time.
The book is published by Champagne Books which is a publishing house that I have not come across before. On the strength of this book I will be checking out other titles and authors in their range and of course I will share my findings here.
At the moment Shadow Fox is only available in the UK as an ebook but with luck we will see it on the shelves of our book stores soon. I urge you to give this book a go and if you like it then make some noise, either here or places like Amazon. Ashley is a new author that I think deserves our support so if you want to support a budding new writer then take a break from the familiar names and hunt out Shadow Fox.
February 2, 2013
While many authors have tried to mix romance into Fantasy fiction or fantasy into a Victorian-style Romance novel; none that I have read have successfully combined both the Romance Novel (yes, I read a few of my Mother's during Summerbreak back in college - hey, I was bored & it beat Thermodynamics...) and hardcore alternate universe fantasy novel, like Ashley has.
Now granted, I'm very biased (first cousin) - but I thought it was Freakkin' AWESOME!
Now granted, I'm very biased (first cousin) - but I thought it was Freakkin' AWESOME!
July 28, 2011
This book is addicting and I didn't want to put it down! The story is very well written and I fell in love with all of the characters. If you are considering reading this and enjoy paranormal fiction and fantasy (ah, and romance!) - do it!! You won't be disappointed.
Now I need B&N to put Fox Rising on their nook book list so I can downlown it.
Now I need B&N to put Fox Rising on their nook book list so I can downlown it.
June 23, 2011
What a fun romp through a mix of fantasy and romance. Ashley Barnard's imagination brought me back to my own teen feelings of romantic otherworlds.
July 28, 2011
Above all else I enjoy a fun easy read. This was it. Good flow. Allowed me to follow and get involved. A+ work. I am betting Ashley's writing and this series just gets better and better. :)
August 1, 2011
I really enjoyed Shadow Fox. The characters were amazing & always kept you guessing as to their pasts. It is a great combination of today & an unknown realm. I look forward to more in the series.
August 11, 2011
This was a great read!
April 30, 2011
4½ Stars - For this book—Shadow Fox—the blurb sounded intriguing, to the point where I could hardly wait to read it. Unfortunately life stepped in and I didn’t get to it as soon as I had wanted but now that I’ve finished it... hoo boy! The story? Well, once I got into it, it was nigh on addictive and the further I read the more addictive it became.
I somehow missed the bit where it says that Shadow Fox is the first volume of a completed trilogy because, while the ending to this story is satisfying—or as satisfying as the ending in the first of three books can be—I know that there is a LOT more to come.
Um, can you say impatient?? *sigh* I don’t do patience very well.
Anyway, Ashley J. Barnard has definitely got a fan... and one who really wants to know how everything is going to turn out for Jared.
So much of his life in this first book is dark and very nearly depressing. Angst can’t even begin to describe the feel of it because that at least implies, to me anyways, some energy. Poor Jared; his life is one big question mark and even when he starts to be able to put some pieces together he’s still left on his own and out in the cold. How he survived I’ll never know.
But lest you be put off by all this, let me assure you that things will get much, much better...but they’re going to get pretty awful too.
Tortured heroes aren’t usually my thing, but Jared is much, much more than a tortured hero; he’s a man with strength beyond comprehension and there is something, somewhere that seems to be looking out for him.
And yes, even though I have many, many questions I’m also very sure that at the end of the trilogy I’ll not only have all the answers but an ending that is going to blow the roof off... and I can hardly wait!
There is a lot of background—especially in Jared’s life—that we have to go through and it does take some time. At just over 300 pages you’re not going to race through this story, but even though it may seem that you’ll never get past ‘this part’ or ‘that part’ believe me, before you know it things will come together. From that point on you better hold onto your hat because the ride not only gets bumpy but it speeds along like you’d not believe. Believe it!
While it did seem that at times there was too much explanation, too much back story, by the time things began to gel I realised that, indeed, Ashley J. Barnard knew exactly what she was doing. And I was sincerely glad for the amount of information we’d been given... it sure make things a lot easier to understand at the end. And really, you *could* call this book ‘the end’ but it’s obvious that there is much more to come and I, frankly, don’t want to miss a word.
So if you are into sagas where there is a world of development and action; if you enjoy tortured heroes; if you love getting lost in a story, to the point that re-entering your life is a bit of a challenge or if you are just plain intrigued as was I by the story summary, then you will want to get to know Jared and the people that are in, and out, of his life. And finding a new-to-me author that knows how to weave a web of magic, well that’s definitely icing on the cake!
Originally posted on Dark Divas Reviews
I somehow missed the bit where it says that Shadow Fox is the first volume of a completed trilogy because, while the ending to this story is satisfying—or as satisfying as the ending in the first of three books can be—I know that there is a LOT more to come.
Um, can you say impatient?? *sigh* I don’t do patience very well.
Anyway, Ashley J. Barnard has definitely got a fan... and one who really wants to know how everything is going to turn out for Jared.
So much of his life in this first book is dark and very nearly depressing. Angst can’t even begin to describe the feel of it because that at least implies, to me anyways, some energy. Poor Jared; his life is one big question mark and even when he starts to be able to put some pieces together he’s still left on his own and out in the cold. How he survived I’ll never know.
But lest you be put off by all this, let me assure you that things will get much, much better...but they’re going to get pretty awful too.
Tortured heroes aren’t usually my thing, but Jared is much, much more than a tortured hero; he’s a man with strength beyond comprehension and there is something, somewhere that seems to be looking out for him.
And yes, even though I have many, many questions I’m also very sure that at the end of the trilogy I’ll not only have all the answers but an ending that is going to blow the roof off... and I can hardly wait!
There is a lot of background—especially in Jared’s life—that we have to go through and it does take some time. At just over 300 pages you’re not going to race through this story, but even though it may seem that you’ll never get past ‘this part’ or ‘that part’ believe me, before you know it things will come together. From that point on you better hold onto your hat because the ride not only gets bumpy but it speeds along like you’d not believe. Believe it!
While it did seem that at times there was too much explanation, too much back story, by the time things began to gel I realised that, indeed, Ashley J. Barnard knew exactly what she was doing. And I was sincerely glad for the amount of information we’d been given... it sure make things a lot easier to understand at the end. And really, you *could* call this book ‘the end’ but it’s obvious that there is much more to come and I, frankly, don’t want to miss a word.
So if you are into sagas where there is a world of development and action; if you enjoy tortured heroes; if you love getting lost in a story, to the point that re-entering your life is a bit of a challenge or if you are just plain intrigued as was I by the story summary, then you will want to get to know Jared and the people that are in, and out, of his life. And finding a new-to-me author that knows how to weave a web of magic, well that’s definitely icing on the cake!
Originally posted on Dark Divas Reviews
March 27, 2015
Shadow Fox is the first in a trilogy, so my review is really for the series. Jared Bruin is a sometimes suicidal musician, addict, and weapons master. He has no idea why he's drawn to swordplay, he has no memory of his life before seven years old, and he uses heroin to quell a strange, violent affliction. When he's hired to teach weapons play to a young woman, he begins to discover the secrets of his past and understand his purpose for the future. This is a gritty, violent, dark fantasy, and is really well done. I appreciate that the ending wasn't happy, but it was satisfying, and I read all three books in a week. I'd have given this series 4.5 stars, but I don't know how to do that here on Goodreads!
April 5, 2011
Read this book!
May 20, 2012
Urban Fantasy is not normally my first choice - but this novel surpassed my expectations as both a fantasy novel and as a love story. My only nit-noids were preference.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews