The Fox Wife

This book is a slow burn, but if you can hang in there it is SO worth it.

This is ultimately a story about revenge. It's told from dual perspectives, one is a young female fox shifter and the other is an older man that is working as an investigator. Since this is not a plot-driven story, you really get to know these two characters and everyone they meet along the way.

It is such a beautiful story based on Asian mythology and I'm glad I stuck with it.

I thought I was going to love this book, and while it was quite enjoyable, it left me underwhelmed.

What I liked:

-The descriptions of the places where the story takes place are really good. That plus the historical setting create an immersive experience while reading.

-Bao, Tagtaa and Snow are all likable characters. Especially Bao and Tagtaa, I was really rooting for them to be reunited. Snow has her flaws, but I’ll talk about it later.

-All the magical/fantastical elements were fascinating. I’m not familiar with the mythology about foxes but after reading this book I’d like to research more about it.

Now to the parts I didn’t like so much:

-Like I said before, Snow is a great heroine. She’s on a revenge mission and she’s smart, resourceful and kind. But at times she’s too cynical and her wisdom is often kinda on the nose. I guess it goes with her character’s history, SPOILER: I mean her child was killed, I think that’s a fair justification.

-The mystery ends up being so obvious at certain point in the book. There was just no subtlety and it made the revelations less satisfying. For a moment I thought there was going to be a big twist, which never came.

Bektu Nikan is so elusive for almost half of the story, I really thought he was being kept in a veil of mystery for so long because he would turn out a be a supernatural being as well, but he was just a regular (horrible) person. Also, the resolution around his character is so anticlimactic! 

There are other things we never truly find out (SPOILERS)

who killed Bektu? Who killed Chen? What happened with the curse in Tagtaa’s family about the first male child always dying? Was it really Shiro who killed Feng and why did he do it? I also thought we would get some clarification of who saved Bao when he was a child or how he got his ability to detect lies.

(END OF SPOILERS)

-I would’ve loved if the book dove deeper in the magical aspects of foxes. We don’t learn that much about the extent of their powers, how they improve their abilities, etc.

I’d still recommend this book if you’re looking for something enjoyable with a touch of magic and mystery to pass the time.

I've finally finished The Fox Wife, and I think this is the longest I've ever taken to complete a book of this size. (For reference, I've managed to read 800 pages in a week before!)

Set in 1908 across China and Japan, The Fox Wife explores the legend of fox spirits—creatures seen by some as omens and by others as curses. The story centers on Snow, a mother who is actually a fox spirit walking among humans. She's on a quest for vengeance, seeking the murderer of her child. Alongside her story, we follow Bao, a detective investigating a death. Their paths are destined to intertwine, but how and when? That's for you to discover.

The Good:
The premise is really intriguing. A mother's journey for revenge is always a compelling tale, and it's what drew me to this book in the first place. Writing from two distinct perspectives is no easy feat, but Yangsze Choo pulls it off with skill. The writing is accessible and easy to follow, without feeling too simplistic.

The Bad:
While the setup is promising, I felt the execution fell a little flat. The story just didn't engage me, and I found it hard to get through for long stretches. It wasn't that the book was bad, but it didn't capture my attention the way I'd hoped. When I finished, I couldn't help but ask myself, “Did Bao's narrative really add much?” For me, not really. The story could have focused solely on Snow, and I think it would have made just as much impact.

Overall, The Fox Wife is an okay read. Perhaps it wasn't for me because I couldn't connect with the concept of fox spirits, but it might resonate more with other readers who are drawn to that mythology.

Graceful, evocative, and tender. Also annoyingly clumsy at times.

The story is lovely, as is the storytelling: alternating short chapters following two wildly disconnected characters, one perspective first-person, the other third-person, each of them intriguing complex people who grow ever more fascinating over the course of the book; both as we learn about their past, and as they navigate their present. Exquisitely paced.

Marred by too much dependence on serendipity. Fortuitous encounters, perfect timing, too many of these to count. So many, that I started just expecting them: okay, now’s a good time for a deus ex machina. That kills tension... but I kept reading, enjoying myself nonetheless. The story is original, the setting rich and new to me.

Book Review: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

Rating: 4 stars

“The Fox Wife” by Yangsze Choo is a captivating blend of mystery, folklore, and historical fiction set in early 1900s Manchuria. The story follows the mysterious death of a young woman rumored to be involved with foxes, mythical beings capable of transforming into humans. Bao, a skilled detective, is tasked with unraveling the secrets surrounding her demise.

From the very beginning, the book draws readers in with its enchanting cover and intricate storytelling. While the pacing may be slow, the richly detailed setting of Manchuria during the last years of the Qing dynasty immerses readers in a world filled with tradition and intrigue. Choo's elegant prose brings to life a cast of well-developed characters, each with their own secrets.

At the heart of the novel is Snow, a grieving mother seeking justice for her child's death. Her journey intertwines with Bao's investigation, blending themes of loss, revenge, and redemption. Bao's unique ability to uncover lies adds intrigue to the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the mystery unfolds.

“The Fox Wife” excels in weaving Chinese folklore and magical realism into its narrative, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment. Choo's writing skillfully balances emotion, wit, and suspense, making this a truly enjoyable read.

Overall, “The Fox Wife” is a beautifully crafted novel that transports readers to a world where myths and reality collide. Fans of character-driven stories with a touch of mystery will find this book a spellbinding read.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Snow, a fox, is looking for someone who escaped her long ago. Bao, a private investigator in his retirement years, is hired to learn the name of a woman whose body was found at the steps of restaurant. Obsessed with foxes, he's lured into the larger mystery when he realizes foxes are at every turn of his investigation.

This is a dual POV (one 1st person, the other 3rd) historical fiction fantasy that drew me in for the fox mythology. Both POVs are looking for something, but it's Bao's POV I was wholly invested in. The mystery was great, he as a character was interesting and layered, and the fox mythology from the view of non-foxes was fascinating and always present. I struggled with Snow's POV until a third of the way, but still Bao carried me through. I can see how some might be invested in Snow, who slyly navigates the patriarchal norms and dangers around her. I did like Snow, especially in the last quarter, which was a gratifying closing overall.

For those interested in the historical fiction, this takes place at the time of anti-imperial sentiments and revolutionary movement against the Qing government in the early 1900's. Through both POVs we see the low attitudes towards and poor treatment of women, including accepted imprisonment.

Content warnings for repeated mentions of grief around loss of child, sexual harassment, mentions of imprisonment.