Blog Tour: Shadow of the Fox - Julie Kagawa

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa, published by HarperCollins on 1st November 2018

Goodreads synopsis:
A single wish will spark a new dawn. Every millennium, one age ends and another age dawns...and whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers holds the power to call the great Kami Dragon from the sea and ask for any one wish. The time is near and the missing pieces of the scroll will be sought throughout the land of Iwagoto. The holder of the first piece is a humble, unknown peasant girl with a dangerous secret. Demons have burned the temple Yumeko was raised in to the ground, killing everyone within, including the master who trained her to both use and hide her kitsune powers. Yumeko escapes with the temple's greatest treasure - one part of the ancient scroll. Fate thrusts her into the path of a mysterious samurai, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan. Yumeko knows he seeks what she has and is under orders to kill anything and anyone who stands between him and the scroll.  

Review:
Julie Kagawa is one of my favourite YA authors of paranormal/fantasy. She's someone whose books I always look forward to reading and she's a familiar name on my auto-buy list. Although I find her a phenomenal writer, just occasionally I've been a bit love/hate with her. I absolutely adored the Talon and Blood of Eden series but I wasn't such a fan of the Iron Fey books, which is a shame because I know a lot of people love them. I was unbelievably excited about reading 'Shadow of the Fox' but I could tell after the first few chapters that this wasn't going to be a hit with me. It's hard to put my finger on exactly why but I think I found the Japanese mythology too overwhelming and complicated. The world building was so hard to follow that it meant I lost my connection to the characters and their destinies. I had to keep going back to read parts again because I couldn't always work out what was happening or how everything linked together. For instance, the first chapter threw me completely because it didn't seem to have any relation to the story that followed. I found it bewildering and an odd opening to the story, although later on in the book, it did admittedly slot into place.

The characters are extremely unusual. Yumeko is a kitsue - part human and part fox. Kage Tatsumi is a samurai, deadly and dangerous. The two are brought together when their paths cross, involving the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers - an ancient artefact which is being hunted by many of the people in the book. The big problem I had was that I didn't particularly care for either Yumeko or Tatsumi. Yumeko was intriguing in the beginning but then she became a bit one-dimensional and was far too quick to fall under the spell of Tatsumi, rather than standing on her own two feet. I wanted to see her be more independent and develop over the course of the novel, which just didn't happen.

The pace of the novel was very slow and I found the plot oddly disjointed. I ended up putting the book down for several days, before starting it again, which isn't normally my style of reading. If I'm enjoying a book then I like to devour it in one sitting. I'm afraid 'Shadow of the Fox' just didn't excite me or keep me hooked in the way that some of Julie Kagawa's other series have. I desperately wanted to love it but found little to entice me into wanting to continue with the rest of the series.

Check out the rest of the blog tour stops for 'Shadow of the Fox'.

 

Review: Inferno - Julie Kagawa

Inferno by Julie Kagawa, published by HarperCollins on 3rd May 2018

Goodreads synopsis:
Ember Hill has learned a shocking truth about herself: she is the blood of the Elder Wyrm, the ancient dragon who leads Talon and who is on the verge of world domination. With the Order of St. George destroyed, Ember, Riley and Garret journey to the Amazon jungle in search of one who might hold the key to take down the Elder Wyrm and Talon—if they can survive the encounter.

Meanwhile, Ember’s brother, Dante, will travel to China with a message for the last Eastern dragons: join Talon or die. With the stakes rising and the Elder Wyrm declaring war, time is running out for the rogues and any dragon not allied with Talon.

The final battle approaches. And if Talon is victorious, the world will burn.

Review:
'Inferno' is the final book in Julie Kagawa's Talon series which is based around the idea that dragons exist today and are living among us.  I have been a huge fan of this series from the very beginning and have been excitedly awaiting the finale for months.  It didn't take me long to get stuck into the book and engrossed in the ultimate showdown between the rogues and the Talon organisation.

The story was everything I was hoping it was going to be.  Fast-paced and high-octane, it was a thrilling roller-coaster conclusion.  Ember, Garret and Riley are determined to finally put a stop to Talon once and for all, especially now that Ember has learnt that she is the blood of the Elder Wyrm, The latter is after world domination and immortality and must be stopped at all costs. With most of the Order of St. George destroyed, new friends and allies have to be sought if they are to stand any chance of taking Talon down and freeing the world of them.  There are many who still don't trust the dragons but Ember, as always, is hugely persuasive and determined to do everything in her power to convince people to fight alongside her.

The narrative voice alternates between Ember, Garret and Riley, as they pull out all the stops in the run up to the final battle.  Riley has always been a huge favourite of mine and that didn't change the whole way through.  I must admit that I've always wanted to see him and Ember together but I will say that I really enjoyed the direction that Julie Kagawa took his character and I was ultimately very happy with how he ended up. I was also glad to see the end of the love triangle between him, Ember and Garret as I think it was getting a little tired and it was time that it was concluded at last.

Ember's brother Dante also gets his turn in the book as he begins to learn the truths that have so far been concealed from him.  On Talon's orders, he ends up travelling to China to the council of Eastern dragons to convince them to join their cause.  He gradually discovers that things are not as he had thought and that there may be a different fate in store for him. 

I thoroughly enjoyed 'Inferno' which was an exciting, action packed and high octane read.  Julie Kagawa doesn't take her foot off the pedal for one second as she plunges her characters into one life and death situation after another.  I was gripped from start to finish and was so happy that this epic series went out with a bang.     

Review: Soldier - Julie Kagawa

Soldier by Julie Kagawa, published by Mira Ink on 5th May 2016

Goodreads synopsis:
When forced to choose between safety with the dragon organization Talon and being hunted forever as an outcast, Ember Hill chose to stand with Riley and his band of rogue dragons rather than become an assassin for Talon. She’s lost any contact with her twin brother, Dante, a Talon devotee, as well as Garret, the former-enemy soldier who challenged her beliefs about her human side.

As Ember and Riley hide and regroup to fight another day, Garret journeys alone to the United Kingdom, birthplace of the ancient and secret Order of St. George, to spy on his former brothers and uncover deadly and shocking secrets that will shake the foundations of dragons and dragonslayers alike and place them all in imminent danger as Talon’s new order rises.

Review:
'Soldier' is the third book in the Talon saga.  I really enjoy this series and I continually marvel that Julie Kagawa seems to be able to turn her hand to any subject she fancies and turn it into an amazing story. The first two books in this series were beyond fantastic, so I had high hopes about this one.

Once again we get different insights from multiple characters,  Ember, Riley, Garret and Dante all narrate various chapters throughout the book.  Ember is still torn between her dragon and human sides, Riley is desperate to convince Ember that she belongs with him, Garret is searching for the truth, wherever it may take him and Dante is involved in a terrifying Talon experiment which spells danger for them all.  A lot more is revealed about Talon and the Order of St George in the book, which I enjoyed finding out about.   

Julie Kagawa most certainly isn't afraid to make difficult choices with her characters or place them in all manner of dangerous situations.  One of these left me absolutely stunned, although looking back at it now, I can see why she made the decision and how this will allow other characters to get their own resolutions.   

Fast-paced action throughout kept me turning the pages well into the night.  This is definitely a title you will want to read in one sitting.  The story was thrilling and exciting and crammed full of tense, nail-biting moments and explosive revelations.  There is one almighty big secret revealed at the very end which will have you in despair at having to wait for the next instalment of the series. 

I am so anxious to find out what will happen next that I just can't bear it.  Here's hoping that the wait for book four, 'Legion' won't be a long one. 


 

Review: Rogue - Julie Kagawa

Rogue by Julie Kagawa, published by Mira Ink on 7th May 2015

Goodreads synopsis:
Ember Hill left the dragon organization Talon to take her chances with rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues. But Ember can't forget the sacrifice made for her by the human boy who could have killed her—Garret Xavier Sebastian, a soldier of the dragonslaying Order of St. George, the boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, knowing that by doing so, he'd signed his own death warrant.

Determined to save Garret from execution, Ember must convince Cobalt to help her break into the Order's headquarters. With assassins after them and Ember's own brother helping Talon with the hunt, the rogues find an unexpected ally in Garret and a new perspective on the underground battle between Talon and St. George.

 Review:
If you're looking for a scorching hot read, then look no further than 'Rogue' by Julie Kagawa, the follow-up to the brilliant 'Talon'.  The second book in this fantastic series manages to do what few books can and that is to be even more gripping and captivating than it's predecessor.  There's no case of second book syndrome here, as Julie Kagawa cranks up the action, ramps up the tension a couple of notches and leads the reader on a breathless journey of rescue, capture and escape.  'Talon' held me in thrall from the opening chapter and this was one book that I was most definitely going to finish reading in one sitting.

The story picks up after the action of 'Rogue' with Ember and Riley on the run and Garret held to account for his actions by the Order of St. George.  It didn't take me long to get reacquainted with all the characters and the plot threads and I was soon immersed back into the world of dragons.  I have read a lot of dragon books, going through quite a phase when I was in my teens, but this is the first series I've read where the author is spot on with the mythology and the world building.  I love the idea of dragons assimilating themselves into the human world and walking amongst us without anyone realising.     

The commentary is shared between Ember, Garret, Riley and Dante, with occasional flashbacks to twelve years ago when Riley, as rebel dragon Cobalt, was still working for the organisation he now despises.  I wasn't too sure about Riley in the last book but he has suddenly become my number one favourite character.  It was great discovering more about him and his past and I really enjoyed all the scenes between not only him and Ember but also him and Wes, his right-hand man.  The love triangle between Riley, Ember and Garret continues to play out and while I feel strongly that I know which way it's going to end up, I am still firmly shipping Riley and Ember as a couple.  They are great together and share a real understanding and bond.   

There are some terrific action sequences in the book, particularly in the second-half of the story and I was on the edge of my seat throughout these.  I honestly had no idea if everyone was going to make it to the end of the book alive.  There is also a humongous revelation right at the end of the last chapter which leaves the reader on a massive cliff-hanger.  I need to know now what is going to happen next! 

The third book in the series, 'Soldier' will be published in 2016 unless my wish is granted and it gets an earlier release date!

Review: Talon - Julie Kagawa

Talon by Julie Kagawa, published by Mira Ink on 15th January 2015

Goodreads synopsis:
Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Review:
'Talon' is the first book in a brilliant new Dragon series.  I'm absolutely convinced that Julie Kagawa can turn her hand to any paranormal/supernatural subject and weave a captivating story around them.  Faeries, vampires and now dragons all get her special treatment, making this an extremely hard to put down title.  I thought it was going to be gripping and exciting and boy, it certainly was!

The central heroine, Ember, is sent to Crescent Beach along with her twin Dante to assimilate themselves into the human world.  Ember and Dante are both dragons but in their human forms they get to experience a sense of freedom for the very first time.  Although Talon keeps them on a tight leash, Ember gets to enjoy sun, sea and sand, as she makes new friends and begins to question the organisation that she has always obeyed. 

Ember's point of view alternates with that of Garrett, a St George Soldier who is tasked with hunting and killing dragons.  He and Ember are both used to following orders, but after they meet, Garrett's long-held beliefs start to waver.  I liked the way that we got to see the perspective of both the hunter and prey but before long I was starting to question which might be which. 

Love may be on the cards between Ember and Garrett but then there's a rogue dragon on the scene who might just come between them.  Yes, there's something of a love triangle in the book but don't worry because it's not your typical boy loves girl, who loves other boy.  This is a love triangle with a twist which will keep you guessing.  I'm not sure who I wanted Ember to end up with more as there are elements to both male characters that I liked.  I'm sure other readers will be equally torn.   

Fast paced, exciting and with a strikingly gorgeous cover, this was a fantastic paranormal read to kick off the new year.  The sequel, 'Rogue' is due out later in 2015 and I shall be queuing up to get a copy.

Review: The Forever Song - Julie Kagawa

The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa, published by Mira Ink on 2nd May 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

Review:
This is probably THE vampire series I've enjoyed the most in the last couple of years.  I love Julie Kagawa's writing and the characters she has created.  There is a real grittiness to the series and it has kept me engrossed throughout all three books in the trilogy, with some genuine shocks and surprises along the way.  I was so excited to start reading 'The Forever Song' which was absolutely absorbing.  I was relieved that I started it on a Saturday morning because it meant that I could curl up for a long, uninterrupted reading session.

The whole series has culminated in Allie's determination to kill Sarren and stop him once and for all.  She won't allow him to infect and kill the people of Eden - the last safe zone on earth, and she wants to make him pay for robbing her of the person she loved the most.  Without Zeke by her side she struggles to overcome the monster living within her but she has incredible strength and won't give in without a fight. 

Not only do I love the character of Allie but Jackal remains a big favourite of mine too.  He has really undergone an almost 360 degree personality change from the start of the series and has developed a new found compassion for others.  He is however still the sarcastic, wise-cracking Jackal that I've come to know and love.  He is very much an anti-hero and definitely gets all of the best lines!  Kanin is another brilliant character and always tried to show Allie and Jackal the right path, whilst giving them the freedom to make their own choices and mistakes.   

There are some massive surprises throughout the book and I felt like I was continually kept on my toes by Julie Kagawa's ingenious plotting.  She threw me for a loop on more than one occasion which was one of the key elements I enjoyed about the story.  This was such an exciting and well written conclusion to the Blood of Eden trilogy.  The final ending was absolutely perfect and the best way to finish what has been such a stellar series.      

Review: The Eternity Cure - Julie Kagawa

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa, published by Mira Ink on 3rd May 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood

She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever-and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago-and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make.

Review:
'The Eternity Cure' is the second book in the Blood of Eden series and in my opinion, a stellar follow-up.

It's been quite a while since I read 'The Immortal Rules' and although I loved it, I was a bit apprehensive about remembering all the plot points.  This meant that I really appreciated Julie Kagawa providing a handy recap of events throughout the first few chapters.  It helped to get me absorbed back into the story and soon enough I was right back up to speed with the characters and the plot. 

The story focuses on Allie's quest to rescue her sire Kanin from Sarren, as well as her unexpectedly teaming up with Jackal to try and find the cure for rabidism.  Who would have thought that Allie and Jackal would ever end up working together?!  But that's one of the things that's so great about Julie's writing - she's never afraid to surprise you or take things in a different direction and those characters you thought you hated...well you're about to love them now. 

Jackal turned out to be one of my favourite characters in the book which believe me, I never thought would happen.  He has some of the smartest and snappiest lines and when he briefly disappeared for a while, I couldn't wait for him to come back.  I still suspect that he may have some kind of ulterior motive, but for the moment, he proves he can work together with Allie if necessary and he provides some light relief throughout the story.

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I've never been a big fan of the Allie/Zeke relationship.  It was however interesting to see them explore this further and delve into the dynamics of how and if a vampire and a human can ever truly be together, 

The ending is so tantalising that I couldn't believe that the story finished where it did.  I kept checking to make sure that I hadn't missed any pages.  You can bet that I'm going to be waiting impatiently now for the next in the series.        

Review: The Immortal Rules - Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, published by Mira Ink on 4th May 2012

Goodreads synopsis:

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Review:
'The Immortal Rules' is a stunningly imaginative story from author Julie Kagawa.  Adopting a fresh approach to the traditional tale of vampires, she has managed to bring something new to this popular genre.  Having seen rave reviews of this book I had high expectations which were met in every single way.  I was completely engrossed in the story which was brilliantly written and proves once again what a fabulous talent Kagawa is.

At nearly five hundred pages long this is a big book but it's pure entertainment the whole way through.  The story is set in a future world where the main protagonist Allison Sekemoto is living on the fringes of society, an Unregistered, who is determined never to be used as a meal ticket by the vampires who rule the city.  After she and her friends are discovered, life for Allison will never be the same again as her whole existence changes.

The world which Kagawa has created is incredible.  A large proportion of the first section of the book concentrates on filling the reader in on the background history of the vampire hierarchy and this was fascinating.  It did mean digesting a lot of information within the first hundred pages but helped to set the scene for the rest of the story.  The amount of detail was truly amazing and the use of imagery allowed me to conjure up characters and places really vividly in my head.

Allison develops some interesting relationships in the book, particularly with her mentor Kanin and with Zeke.  Even after her life changes though, she's still Allison and determined to remain so, protecting others and making sure that those she cares about are safe.  I liked the way the story was split into sections, each one showing a different side to Allison and leading her down her future path.

This was a superb book which I found difficult to put down.  It's full of adventure and excitement, plus a generous amount of blood and gore, so probably not for the faint-hearted.  I'm already dying for the sequel which can't come soon enough!