Thank you to Balzer + Bray for sending me a copy of The Fox Maidens in exchange for an honest review.
Kai Song longs to become a warrior like her father, the commander of the Royal Legion. But in 16th-century Korea, society resists the idea of female rumors. After battling rumors that she’s the granddaughter of the infamous nine-tailed fox demon her father killed, Kai faces a revelation about her mother’s past that shatters her world.
Determined to shape her own destiny, Kai embarks on a journey of self-discovery. War looms on the horizon, but she may find unexpected compassion and love amid her struggles.
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The Fox Maidens is an enduring and impactful tale of persevering for your position in the world, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Robin Ha’s new graphic novel is richly infused with Korean folklore, full of gorgeous art and a unique, atmospheric setting. While my copy was mostly in black and white, the final version will be in full color.
I loved following Kai from childhood as she grew into her own. She’s fiercely determined and full of heart. She’s also a great example of the struggles and triumphs in breaking free from generational trauma. Kai’s parents suffered as children and into adulthood, and this has lasting effects on who Kai grows up to be.
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Like many books recently, The Fox Maidens suffers from a rushed third act. While there are time jumps throughout, the early ones didn’t make me feel like I missed out on any development. The last few chapters, however, cover a lot of ground and relationship growth that needed to be seen on the page to have an impact.
The problems with pacing also make it misleading to market this as a sapphic romance. While there is a queer relationship, it isn’t the focus of the book and isn’t brought up as a possibility until the very end. The romance plot is really more tangential to the overall story.
Overall, The Fox Maidens is an atmospheric graphic novel full of depth and heart. If you’re interested in a story dealing with generational trauma, gender inequality, queerness and fighting for your place in the world, then I highly recommend you check this one out.
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The Fox Maidens comes out on February 13 and is available for preorder from your local independent bookstore or Bookshop.org.
TW: abandonment, animal death, blood, bullying, classism, death (of a parent, child), domestic abuse, grief, injury/injury detail, misogyny, murder, pedophilia, physical abuse, pregnancy, sexism, sexual harassment, suicidal thoughts, war
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/new-book-releases-february-6-2024/
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