ILONA ANDREWS

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Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox

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I have a book for you.

Cove of Tsumiko and the Enslaved FoxTsumiko inherits an ancestral home, a vast fortune, and a butler who isn’t exactly human.

Humanity is rocked by the Emergence of a people who call themselves the Amaranthine. They are our myths and legends come to life. Neither human nor animal, yet embracing qualities of both, the inhuman races inspire both awe and fear. Every newsfeed is clogged with updates about the peace process, but some places don’t concern themselves with worldly affairs. Like the girls’ school run by Saint Midori’s of the Heavenly Lights, where Tsumiko Hajime grew up.

A letter from a long-lost aunt names Tsumiko heiress to an ancestral estate and its accompanying fortune. Only the legacy comes with an aloof heirloom: an inhuman butler. Argent has served the Hajime family for centuries, and Tsumiko must renew the generational bond or he’ll die. Argent hates her for the hold she has over him, but he craves her soul almost as much as he craves his freedom.

I loved this book.

I don’t remember who suggested it, but whoever you are, thank you.

In this world, there are humans and inhuman races: Dogs, Wolves, Horses, Dragons, Foxes, and many others. Inhuman races lived in the shadows for centuries, eluding discovery.  They have great magic powers and they live according to ancient traditions.  They can take human form, but in their true shapes they brush against the tree branches. They call themselves the Amaranthine.

Humans possess something the Amaranthines desperately crave – some of them have radiant souls, so beautiful that the Amaranthines would do anything to remain near. They crave the taste of those souls so much, some of them would devour the human to experience it. For centuries, they did just that until some of these humans bound together and learned to defend themselves through magic.  These people became the first reavers. They are mages and battlers; they set wards, fight, and rescue.

The reavers acted as guardians of the human race for centuries, but now the Amaranthine revealed themselves to the world.  They seek equal rights and acceptance. Their children are going to human schools, their representatives communicate with human governments, and the reaver job has gotten a lot more complicated.

Tsumiko is in her early twenties, a teacher in a school she once attended as a student, when she finds out that she inherited a house and a sizeable fortune from a distant relative.  She arrives to the house and meets the staff: Michael, his lovely wife Sansa, and Argent.  Michael and Sansa are reavers.  Michael is the Ward, a defensive mage, and Sansa is a battler.  She has a giant magic panther she affectionately calls koshka (kitty) in Russian.  Tsumiko is a reaver, too, a rare and particular type, a beacon.  Her soul is so radiant, the Amaranthines will do anything to be near her. She glows like the moon.

Argent is something else entirely.  He is a Fox Amaranthine, and he has been enslaved and bound to Tsumiko’s bloodline.  It’s a long generational curse, reinforced with each new owner.  It hobbles Argent’s strength, and if it’s broken, it will kill him. Argent is incredibly valuable.  People would kill to possess him.

Here is Tsumiko’s take on it:

Tsumiko shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I thought one of the reasons the inhuman races came forward was so that they could be recognized as citizens of our planet, with the same inherent rights as humans.”

“Yes.” Michael’s smile faded. “The leaders of the Five Clans are doing everything they can to establish a place for the Amaranthine. Peace treaties, alliances, registries, amendments, and bills of rights are being negotiated at the international level.”

“Because the Amaranthine are people.”

“They are.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Which part, miss?”

Tsumiko would have thought it obvious. “How can I inherit a person?”

Forthright. Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Amaranthine Saga Book 1) (Kindle Locations 252-259). Twinkle Press. Kindle Edition.

This is Tsumiko.  She is a very low angst heroine, and at first, it’s easy to dismiss her as passive, but there is a quiet moral strength there that is unbreakable.  She decides that Argent’s enslavement is wrong and she never wavers.

Argent… Argent is a seriously complicated hero.  He is a fox, and he is true to being a fox.  He says one thing when he means another. He has incredible power, but can do very little without Tsumiko’s permission. At the start, he is determined to hate her, as he hated all his human owners. But he requires access to her soul.  She has to tend to him or he will die.

Tsumiko takes tending as her duty.  This is what has to be done to make sure Argent lives and ultimately can be freed.  She never asks for anything in return. Her feelings for Argent grow. Watching their relationship unfold is incredibly satisfying.

Flatness was back in his tone, a wary weariness. As if she’d finally done as he expected. As if she’d use him because she could.

“What if I told you—ordered you—to take the night off?” Her fingertips rested on his bare shoulder. “To fly as far as you can, to run wild, to feel the wind in your tails. And to be back in time for breakfast.”

Silence quavered between them, and suddenly, he was on his knees before her.

Tsumiko didn’t want him abasing himself or begging. She tugged at his arm, protesting, “Don’t!”

But he caught her wrists, held her captive with a look. “Say it,” he said fiercely. His lips brushed her knuckles. “Grant it.”

That hurt. That he thought she’d tease him with a treat, then withhold it. But she set aside her feelings and answered him in kind. Taking his hands, she kissed his knuckles and repeated her order in even tones. “Argent, take tonight for yourself. Fly freely. Run wild. Do as you please.”

His only answer was a shaky exhale.

Then she was in a whirlwind of power and petals, hair whipping up and blinding her. When the storm died, she shivered, for the balcony doors were once more wide-flung, and she was alone.

He was gone. So far gone, she couldn’t feel him.

After months living with the constant press of his presence, he’d left a gaping void, brutal as death, bleak as its aftermath. He was gone. Because that’s all he’d ever wanted. To go.

That also hurt. And Tsumiko’s conscience writhed, for she’d uncovered an uncomfortable truth.

She didn’t want Argent to go.

Forthright. Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Amaranthine Saga Book 1) (Kindle Locations 3014-3030). Twinkle Press. Kindle Edition.

I told you, never wavers.  No matter how difficult it is.

It is a love story, populated with endearing and enigmatic characters, who are trying to deal with all the complications of navigating this new world. The story doesn’t shy away from the uglier aspects.  There are brutal battles.  There is a woman dealing with a pregnancy resulting from rape. But there is a lot of hope.

I loved it.  I feel really beat down lately, by stress, by news, by overworking, and this book appeared at a perfect time for me. Of course, there are flaws – Tsumiko needs a face, some segments felt rushed, etc – but I was willing to forgive them, because the narrative delivered the emotional payoff I was looking for. If you like anime, you will like this.  If you enjoyed the Others by Anne Bishop, you will like this. I want book 2.  Hurry up, Forthright, and drop it already.

A word of warning: this book has a low level of heat but a very high level of intimacy.  The Amaranthines interact in different ways from humans, more like animals: they nest, they pet, they kiss. So if high level of intimacy make you uncomfortable, this might not be your book.

As always, take me with a grain of salt and try samples before buying. Order links: Amazon | BN | I can’t find it anywhere else.

Author’s website.

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thanks for the recommendation, I have been feeling beat down too. Purchased and will dive in tonight.

  2. On my wish list…I always have really good luck with your reading recommendations and I appreciate that you make them. Hope you’re feeling better as each day passes.

  4. Thanks I added it to my wishlist! Seems really different and interesting, which is what I love to dive into.

  7. I’ve been stuck in limbo waiting for sequels to release. I was especially crushed when I thought Magic Triumphs had a July release date. I think I’ll pick this one up to help pass the time.

    • All right, I stayed up until after midnight because I HAD to finish this book. I really enjoyed it.

  8. Sounds like a good one to try, for me, thanks! I know these books were supposed to b fairly popular/well-known, but ya tried RJ Blain’s Playing with Fire? My favorite of her books cuz how do you NOT like a pyro unicorn, haha? “Napalm, napalm, naaaa-palm!”

    • She also writes as Susan Copperfield and has just started a new series – The Royal States. I have read all of them (so far) and am currently working on the “Body Count” series. Obviously, Playing with Fire should be next…

      • Ooh yes. I’ve read all the royal state books. V good and did not know Abt other books..as always reading comments pays off!

      • Excellent I’ve got a couple of the Royal State books, they certainly sound good, though I haven’t read them yet. Will have to check out this new one that Ilona has found 😀

      • Dropping in to correct a tidbit of misinformation. I am not and never have been Susan Copperfield.

        Blushing over all your kind words,

        ~forthy

    • Thank you…thank you…this book has just passed a very long and boring wait for a train. I’d thought I’d give it a go and really enjoyed it!

  9. Thank you for the recommendation. Life is tough these days that’s for sure. I hope you feel better soon.

    • Just finished it. Thoroughly enjoyed it and I will also wait for book 2. More gentle ride than breathless tumble but very satisfying. Thank you for the suggestion.

  11. omg it’s from FORTHRIGHT!!! She’s one of my fave fanfic writers, from the Inuyasha fandom. This is blowing my mind.

    • Omg it didn’t click for me until I saw your comment, I LOVE forthright’s fics too! My mind is also blown, definitely purchasing ASAP.

  12. One-clicked. I love your recommendations and have been exposed to so many great reads because of them.

    p.s. just got my father hooked on your books b/c I gave him Clean Sweep to read while he was visiting me and sent him off with the next one purchased. His comment after reading a few chapters: “this author writes so well! who is this again?”

  13. Sound good from the excerpt you put up! Downloaded a sample and can’t wait to try it!

  14. Thank you for the rec, I was yearning for a good read and discovering a new (to me) writer is such a treat! Downloaded the sample, bought the book – cannot wait to dive in!

  16. Ooooh. I’m not an anime person typically (but that has more to do w usually hating the way they depict and voice women) but this sounds amazing. Thank you. I think I need a sample.

    • I got the sample. I devoured the sample and went back for more. Just finished and wrote a 5 star review on Amazon bc oh my lands. That was fantastic. I loved that so hard. Thank you so much for the recommendation

  17. Thanks for the recommendation. I need one for my summer reading. In case you want a film recommendation, check out Liza, the Fox-Fairy. Japanese/Hungarian Film — set in the 1970’s in Hungary, and has a feel of Amelie. I saw it at the Seattle International Film Festival in2016 – and it won the Grand Jury award that year. Directed byKároly Ujj-Mészáros – very playful, black comedy.

  18. Thanks for the recommendation. Always looking for a good read. Is it time for the “Magic Triumps” count down clock?

    • This book has now become #1 in the kindle store because of the book devouring board! I’ve just started another series by Seanan McGuire called “Sparrow Hill Road” based on the legend of a murdered hitch hiking prom girl. Spooky.

  20. Off to buy this book! I love when you recommend books as I know I’ll be quite entertained.

    I bought the book your recommended prior about the Midas touch storyline. It was great but it lacked a touch of finesse and/or completeness in the characters… or maybe it was that they lacked the level of character depth I’ve come to find from your books. But it was still a fantastic read.

    This story sounds like a manga storyline so I’m already in love with the snippets you’ve provided. I was planning to start rereading Tokyo Crazy Paradise manga (an annual thing) to hold me over until the next good thing so you’ve got great timing!!

  21. Aw! Two worlds are colliding! I’ve been following Forthy’s stories for years and she never fails to realistically portray a character’s earnest feelings, even in an unlikely or uncanon pairing.

  22. Thanks for the recommendation. If you like it, I’m sure I will, too. Just ordered it and waiting for it to arrive.
    If you want a sweet little fantasy just to relax before bed, “A Dragon’s Guide to the Care And Feeding Of Humans” by Laurence Yep
    is an adorable little bedtime story book for all ages.?

  24. I blasted through 7 chapters (from “Look Inside”) and forced myself to stop.
    I *really* like Tsumiko (sp?). I think I’m going to really like this book (and sequels!).
    Thank you for the recommendation.

  26. The way you describe Tsukimo reminds me of one of my favorite heroes: Maya, The Goblin Emperor whose steady, innate goodness was all he needed to overcome all the bad. The audiobook is a treasure.

    Looking forward to discovering a new author and world. Thank you for the recommend!

    • I, too, loved The Goblin Emperor! Was very wary of it but just had to give it a try and Sooooo glad I did it via Audible as I think I completely avoided all the issues with understanding names/pronunciations, etc. much easier to follow and thoroughly enjoy. L

      • …that would have been wise. I read it by TTS, and my TTS engine had issues with it. I mostly just deal, but I actually stopped and manually entered in pronunciations things were getting so bad.

        • Laughing here. I can’t even imagine. What a great book though. Only bad thing about it is it’s a standalone.

  27. You might also like ‘The One Who Eats Monsters’ by Casey Matthews. It sounds like this, but imagine Argent as an immortal goddess/monster who never grew up and is slowly learning how. Though ‘The One Who Eats Monsters’ is very dark, more horror urban fantasy at times. Fair warning.

    • Yea, it sounds just like Kamisama Kiss (or Kamisama Hajimemashita). It’s a manga and later an anime about a girl who accidentally becomes a Goddess of a small temple. The position comes with her inheriting the Fox familiar/guardian, who just like Argent is powerful but must obey any commands from the Goddess. He also starts out distrusting and doesn’t want to like her.

      It’s one of my favorite manga! Looking forward to Tsumiko!

      • You could also try out the Red Winter Trilogy by Annette Marie, if you like Kamisama Kiss.

    • I know, right?? I knew I couldn’t be the only one! I’ve definitely been picturing Tomoe in my head for Argent ( <3 <3 Tomoe <3 <3 ), though I think Tsumiko is pretty different from Nanami. I've seen some people referencing Inuyasha too but I haven't read/watched that one.

  29. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve been in a reading funk after I finished a re-read of your entire published catalog over the last few months. I’m desperately waiting on Kate 10 and the rest and the description you provided has actually gotten me looking forward to something not written by you and Gordon for the first time in 3 months!

  30. Aww, I remember this story from its very very different first version – and of course I love forthright’s works, *exactly* because they work so much on developing knowledge (familiarity?intimacy?) between the characters!

  31. Sounds like a good read – is it maybe in print, too? (I have split vision, and don’t do well with e-readers.)

    Totally left field: bubbles, the kind you can get at the dollar store. No danger of burns like sparklers, although you may have to warn your pups and kits not to eat the shiny, floaty things. Peaceful. (Maybe even a little Zen.)

    • Yes, it is in print, but it’s a higher price for it. I know it’s sold through Amazon, but I don’t know if anyone else has it, too. I don’t think B&N does.

  32. I’ve downloaded a sample and am getting ready to read it but thought I would share a bit of information. At the time I downloaded the sample the book’s Kindle ranking was 52,926 which was about an hour and a half ago. Just checked it and its ranking is down to 2,316. Talk about the power of a recommendation to the BDH…

    Anne in Virginia

  34. Thanks for the recommendation! I just finished the book and greatly appreciated the tone and story environment! Thou I must admit the main characters left an imprint of Julie and Derek in my mind- that or I am just craving the novelle of theirs! 🙂

  36. Thanks for the recommendation! I’m a voracious reader who prefers series over stand-alones and complex world building so this sounds up my alley.

    Have you by chance read Sarah Maas’ Throne of Glass series? I’m not sure why it’s marked YA fantasy when the relationships are far more adult than most fantasy I read. Maas’ heroine reminds me a your Maud’s strategic mind and the world-building reminds me of Anne Bishop’s Black Jewel Series (though I dearly hope for a better finale).

  37. Like everyone else…thank you for the recommendation. I clicked on the B&N link, and downloaded the sample. It reads like Grace Draven’s Radiance. I’ll buy it. 🙂

  39. I’ve finished the first eight chapters and I am loving this. What a unique idea and very well executed so far. Forthright will only get better with practice. Thanks for the recommendation.

  40. Thank you! I will look forward to reading this. I’m also enjoying Subnautica.

  42. You introduced me to Grace Draven, whose work I very much enjoy, so based on that, your recommendation and the description of the book, I too just downloaded the Kindle version…. Thanks

  43. Thank you! I’m an anime fan and I already love what I’ve read, sort of reminds me of Kanisama KISS, one of my favorite animes.

  45. I liked it but it was kind of like reading a slightly more romantic version of Natsume Yuujinchou.

    FYI, highly recommend the anime if you haven’t watched it.

  47. I just bought and read it! Great recommendation, I loved the world and character-building. My way of whetting my fantasy appetite before “Magic Triumphs” comes out!

  48. What a very thoughtful review. This book sounds right up my ally as I’m a sucker for a love story. I’m dealing with a ton of stress at home and with extended family and work so my brain just is not turning off. Last week though I went on a mission trip serving families who are dealing with cancer. It was fantastic and not sad really. The surprising thing is that all my stresses melted away. Good luck with your hands and take care of you and your family. Thanks for your blog as well ☺️.

  49. I’m excited to read the book! Thank you!

    I was recently encouraged by the thought, “There is time for everything.” It’s easy to feel overburdened, stressed and tired. Instead, say to yourself, “There is time for everything (instead of the opposite)”. I hope you relax confidently into your power to use time to heal, play, work and enjoy life.

    All the best, Ariel

  50. I really enjoyed it – thanks for the suggestion! It broke me out of my raksura – touchstone – murderbot – others loop for which my entire household thanks you!

  51. Added to the list! (Which is a weird slow list atm.)

    …just finished listening to Iron and Magic, which was a reminder of what a different experience audiobooks are than reading.* Hugh just resonates for me (and Steve West’s performance is amazing). Though having the post battle of Aberdine sex scene come up while I was doing plymetric abwork was both awesome and hilariously wrong. Both times I hit the passing reference to pantry moths and remembered my epic with pantry moths in my second apartment (I ended up re-painting the entire kitchen. And I still and fanatic about sealed containers. Worse than weavils!) And I made crepes last night, if savory ones.

    * and a pox on whatever relative deciding that a speed reading class was a great idea when I was… eight? I mean it’s great for some things, I suppose, but not for savoring. :-p

    • I was taught speed reading from 1st through 4th grades. Yes, you burn through books, but the good ones you reread. My comprehension is excellent, although I catch grammatical errors faster than nuance sometimes. There are usually fun Easter eggs and layers on subsequent reads. It has just occurred to me that this is probably why I can’t read certain kinds of books. I require layers for enjoyment.

      • This was more or less how I approached reading, until some years back when I realized my schedule was such that I was getting a couple of pages of fiction each night before passing out – that’s just not healthy. (And now, using my actual eyeballs to read, and not being able to do other things drives me a little nuts.)

        I’m also slightly dyslexic, though I compensated for it well so no one ever tried to do anything about it, and the speed reading encouraged some weird processing habits… it’s not bad as much as a mixed bag, though I’m an actively bad copy editor. (Ugh, trying to get this through my current PI’s head… yes, I write well. No, you will not be able to make me into a good copy editor. I already have a lot of tricks, please stop.)

  52. Got it and will start it immediately- though I really should sleep. 🙂

    Another book I read and enjoyed that reminded me of Anne Bishop’s ‘Others’ series is ‘Trail of Lightning’ by Rebecca Roanhorse. It is set in an ecological post-apocalypse in which the magic, monsters and deities of the Navajo (and probably other indigenous peoples) have returned and technology and the world economy aren’t fairing well. I really enjoyed the characters, the mythos and the cadence of the writing. I had a serious issue with chapter 2, but it is worth carrying on and I REALLY want the next book!

  53. Happy you found something to engage you and give you some relief from all the madness. Much like your books do for others.

  54. I am so happy you found this book, loved it, and are recommending it to your fans! I have been following and enjoying this author’s work for years and she’s finally now delving into the realm of self publishing. Thrilled to see one of my favorite authors promoting another of my favorites. <3

  56. That sounds so good! Have you read Marjorie Liu’s Dirk and Steele series? In Tiger Eye, Dela, a swordsmith, finds that the small box she bought at the bazaar holds Hari, who has been cursed for two millennia to serve whomever holds the box. As she tries to break the curse, she and Hari find themselves pursed by the mage who cursed Hari as well as the Chinese syndicate. The whole series is great but this first one is my favorite.

    • Yes, I love her work! Marjorie M Liu’s Hunter Kiss series is my favorite. Have all the Dirk & Steele books and novellas since I started with those first with her, but HK is more layered for me. They remind me of Eilieen Wilkes’ Lupi series which I also love.

  58. Thanks for the recommendation, have added it to my Holiday reading wish list! Your advice regarding Jessie Mihalik was excellent and I am sure this book will be good too.

    I really enjoy and thoroughly recommend the St Mary’s series by Jodi Taylor. Slightly-in-the-future modern day setting, based in England about time travelling historians (sorry, research in a contemporaneous setting, they don’t like calling it time travel!) and is clever, well researched, witty, extremely funny and yet can be emotionally devastating as well. Whilst I am a huge fan and, like the rest of the BDH, would probably read the back of a cereal box if you had written it, as I am in England, it is refreshing to read about somewhere I am more familiar with. Oh, and in the same vein, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch is an amazing UPN series combined with police procedural. I’ll stop now ….

    • If you start the Rivers of London series, you will be kicking yourself for not doing it earlier. Aaronovitch is awesome.

      • Another BDH reader led me to Jodi Taylor last year and I was very glad. So I will definitely check out Aaronovitch. My reading list has slowed to a trickle to this year so thank you!

        • Aaronovitch is great… particularly if you know London (but even if you don’t). Enjoy!

  59. Thank you for this. I’ve read all of her works and she’s an amazing writer. I’m actually surprised it took her so long to get published. I was hooked on her fanfics

    • Touchstone stories are good, but book from Andrea Höst that keeps returning to me is “And All the Stars.”

    • And she has expanded the trilogy with the wonderful Gratituitous Epilogue and the follow up with the main character’s mom. Her work is a joy. And All the Stars as another noted is so good as are others. Also from Australia, the Linesmen series by 2 sisters SK Dunstall is great.

    • Her duology (Eferum??) that includes Stained Glass Monsters is great. And the new series – the Trifold Age – very very promising. Andrea Höst is a find.

  63. Now I’m regretting leaving my Nook at home. We are at the beach, and it is supposed to rain for the next 24 hours straight. I’m going to finish my reread of Shining Silver shortly, and I have John Scalzi and N.K. Jemisin with me, but if it keeps up much longer I will finish them as well. There is a bookstore though!

  67. Thanks Ilona this looks to be a good read
    I picked it up and started reading,
    To quote Murray from the play 1000 Clowns
    “Face reality Murray …Morreys response “ Only as a tourist…”.

  68. I just finished this after ignoring my husband all evening and not getting any sleep last night. To quote my hubby “Good book??” YES!!! Thank you for the recommendation. I had just finished Alwyn Hamilton’s Rebel of the Sands series (also great) and was going through book withdrawal. This was BRILLIANT! Again thank you for the rec, so so so good!!

  70. Just finished it. This was a great read and I LOOOOVED it.

    The story and characters really felt like I was reading an Inuyasha alternate universe story. Sango and Kirara as Sansa and Minx, Miroku as Micheal, Argent as Inuyasha, and the binding etc. Even her cousin Kyoko is in this story and so many more character or story ties. I couldn’t stop picturing their voices and faces and mannerisms as I was reading the book. Not sure if it’s a good or bad thing but for me it ended up being super easy to visualize the entire story so a good thing!

  71. I stayed up way to late last night finishing this book! What an amazing read!
    Thank you for the recommendation, I’ve been so bored with the books I’ve found lately.

  72. Have you tried “Uprooted” by Naomi Novik? I loved it and just picked up her latest book, “Spinning Silver’.

  73. Well. This sounds like something I will enjoy!! Could use something to really get in to, and I tend to prefer intimacy over heat and the snippets have me interested. Thanks for the tip!

  74. So I went ahead and got the sample …and the then bought the book. I liked it quite a bit. It reminded me a lot of the series I recommended on here last week. The Red Winter Trilogy by Annette Marie. I think I misquoted the name of the series in earlier comments. The Japanese setting and mythology combined with what I can only describe as a tranquility of spirit ( not to be confused with passivity) in the main character was similar to this book. I feel the world building is better in Marie’s series though. I also like the romance. It’s a slow burn throughout the series but not quite as delicate as as this book.
    The series is complete and on KU. I really hope you get a chance to try it

  75. Got it. Read it. Liked it. Hopefully the next one comes out soon. I’m not finding any information on it.

  76. So Ilona,
    I am well into this book and I love it!
    I came in from riding my Husband Throughbred Echo,who takes a lot of my energy,between arthritis and pushing 68, anyway…, dove into This book at 11:30 AM and just now took a break to bring Echo and Dante,my Andalusian in off grass so they could have some hay under the fans in their stalls,and I am about to dive back in the book
    There needs to be a lot better description as you mentioned of the main character but also the surroundings, but the characters draw one in fast ,and the read is engrossing..loving it over all,Just that I like a lot of description …so missing that.
    I love the cultural weaving and for a moment in the beginning it reminded me of one of The late great Terry Pratchetts books about the (counter weight contenannt’ on the disk World,…I think there was a law firm of I paraphrase,something like Chang,Chang,Chang and Mactavish…..

  77. Here’s an FYI for Barnes & Noble/Nook users. I downloaded the book but around p.163 it started locking up. Then I would get the message box “Activity Reader application not responding. [select] Wait or Force Quit”. Something like that. Anyway, the whole thing would shut down then. Archiving then Unarchiving didn’t help. I called Barnes and Noble Nook Content support and it did the same thing for them too. So, Support said that they would send a message to the publisher and it might take 1-2 weeks for the publisher to fix it. Bottom line: try again in 2 weeks. Obviously, this is outside any one’s control here, but I thought other Nook users might want to know.

  78. Thank you for the recommendation, I stayed up all night to read it so needless to say that I enjoyed the story!

  80. Great recommendation! Thank you. I bought the book as soon as I saw your post, and am well into it despite working looooong hours this week. Thanks for passing it along!

  81. Enjoyed the book, thanks for the recommendation! Gave it a 4 out of 5 star rating due to some of the character/pacing issues. Probably would never have known about it w/o this teaser, so thanks! Love a new story and esp one w such a diverse mix of culture, which put me in mind of Wen Spencer’s 1000 Gods, a bit. Will be checking out the sequel.

    • I have that book, read it when it came out. I sort of remember not being able to get a firm “grip” on the story but I had a lot going on then. Maybe I’ll try again to see if it rereads better for me. Still like the Tinker books best.

    • I loved Spencer’s 1000 Gods though to me the only element that seemed similar was the use of Japanese mythology. 1000 Gods is a very detailed complicated read with a lot of moving parts in it but well worth it (at least to me). Apparently anyone familiar with the anime character “Inuyasha” (also ref in The Edge series) might sense more similarity (?) but since I’m entirely unfamiliar this was fresh and fun! Give 1000 Gods another try you might really enjoy it.

  82. Read this based on your rec and absolutely loved it. I’m also bombarded with life happenings, and twas exactly what I needed.

    Also really enjoyed the non-sexual intimacy between characters in this book. I think it’s rare to find that.

  83. I purchased the book, but have come to realize that it is a poorly hidden Inu-Yasha fanfic. I see great potential and look forward to an original work.

  85. And the Illona Andrews book recommendation strikes again! I’ve been craving a new story, probably because spring, summer, and fall are just gogogo and I generally have little time to read. This is hitting the spot; thank-you!

  87. Thanks for the recommendation – read it last night and really enjoyed it. The pacing and writing sort of remind me of one of Charles De Lint’s early books, Riddle of the Wren.

  88. Kind of sounds a bit like Kamisama Kiss (manga / anime). Girl is gifted a shrine and made a god-to-be so can suddenly see all the spirits. One of the shrine attendants is the old god’s familiar, a fox yokai.
    She ends up binding the familiar to her to save him and eventually they fall in love.

  89. Thank for the recommendations. Several books included here that I can’t wait to read including Tsumiku.

    Here is my recommendation: a first effort by a new author – “Taxing Courtship” by Jaycee Jarvis. Fantasy/Romance – tax collector meets his match in a thief who is more than meets the eye. I thought the book was entertaining and am looking forward to the next in Jaycee’s “Hands of Destin” series.

  91. OK, this was just lovely lovely fun and thank you so much for the recommendation! I noticed in Forthright’s blog that they referenced two Anime characters that came up in The Edge series. Now I am probably going to fall down that rabbit hole of reading. Devoured this book and can’t wait for more. Thanks Author Lords for the tip!

  92. Thank you for this recommendation! I really enjoyed this book and felt it was the best new PNR I have read in quite a while. Very original!

  95. Thanks for the recommendation. I really enjoyed it and I’m eager to see where the story goes next. It did remind me of Anne Bishops Others series but I mostly thought of Lian Hearn’s “Tales of the Otori”. Very different type of story but the cultural aspects brought it to mind. Haven’t thought of that series in awhile; might be time to revisit it.

  96. To completely change the subject, any clue on when Silent Blade will be republished? I ran across your comment in 2016 that it and Silent Shark were being updated and I realize you have a lot on your plate but just thought I’d ask and now I’m going to back away quietly and take my Kindle off line lest SS also disappears… best to you collectively. 🙂

  99. Thank you so much for this recommendation.
    I just finished reading it and adored it.

    I am looking forward to the next six books as they explore this endearing world.

  100. Read this in a blur. Your recommendations have never steered me wrong. A refreshing yet enchanting read, indeed. Thank you so much, Authorlords!

  101. Thanks so much for the rec! Been in a book hangover for a while and was only reading continuations of previous series but could not pick up anything new.

    But the excerpts you shared were super intriguing and lo and behold, I got the book and finished it in one day 😀 Highly recommend it!

  102. Thank you for this book recommendation. I enjoyed it and eagerly am awaiting the next. I think it great you take the time to read and pass along good books besides your own. Hoping your hands are healing well so you can knit for your quiet time.

    • I enjoyed this book recommendation too. I really needed a good book. I was doing some re-reading of old favorites. The past several books I tried reading left me frustrated and unhappy. I’m starting to feel like a the book asshole… I don’t remember increasing my standards but many books lately have falling short. I refuse to lower my expectations ?

    • I started it somewhere around 11pm and then because I have terrible self control I finished it at 4am. I need the next one!

  103. I loved this book, and can’t stop thinking about it. So far I’ve loved every one of your recommendations. I’m pretty sure I should save the time of reading the sample and just order any books you like enough to recommend on the blog.

  104. “I want book 2. Hurry up, Forthright, and drop it already”
    Uh-onh, sounds like someone is morphing into a member of a BDH! I also very much enjoyed this one. Thanks for the recommendation.

  105. Great recommendation! I finished it last night and look forward to learning more about these characters. I also cut/pasted all of the other great recommendations from the BDH. Thanks all!

  106. Thanks for recommending this! I pretty much devoured it. I may have to send it on to my nephew who enjoys fantasy and just spent a semester in Japan.

  107. Thank you for recommending this book, loved the sample download so much I’ve bought the book. Something about the writing reminds me of Anne Bishop’s Black Jewel novels, completely unputdownable (rather like that author who writes about shapeshifters, wild magic and something to do with inns and brooms ?).
    Hope your hands are healing, you must be suffering yarn withdrawal… Does crochet hurt them as much as knitting?

  108. Got this one. Rereading all HL just because. Thinking of you kindly. 108 degrees here. Filthy air. Wildfires. Wonky moon. My hands are killing me. Cannot close them. Preparing Paraffin Bath watching “Isle of Dogs” then CBD oil rub and compression gloves. Two hrs Ill never get back. Maintenance sux.

  109. Thank you for the recommendation! I loved it so much I’m working my way through her fanfics as well.

  110. Thanks heaps. I’ve just read it and it was amazing. Sooo looking forward to the next one! If you ever need regular book recommendations try Jenny Crusie’s blog arghink.com. She has Good Book Thursday and everyone pitches in with what they’ve read/are reading – Ilona Andrews often appears:-)

    • thanks for the reminder – i’d stopped following Jenny out of despair from lack of new books but i need to remember to visit now and then.

  111. I was a tad skeptical of the anime aspect and downloaded the sample first. I also thought it a bit high priced, to be honest. After inhaling the sample I stumbled over my fingers to buy it.

    Gorgeous!!! Is it too goofy of me to describe it as ‘beautiful prose?’ It reminds me very much of some of the great British classic love stories where I so enjoyed the more drawn out character and personality development with deep intimacy of spirit.

    I love the non-traditional elements brought by the Amaranthine. I am a huge fan of mixed, unusual lore and species and it’s so hard to find really high quality in that genre. Everybody and his uncle being on that bandwagon now.

    This was just beautiful. Thanks so MUCH for the recommendation!!!

    Wow, and it’s now
    #5 in Books>Science Fiction & Fantasy>Fantasy>Romantic
    #12 in Kindle>SciFi>Fantasy> Paranormal & Urban
    #13 in Kindle>Romance>Paranormal >Werewolves & Shifters

    Interesting classifications.

  112. Loved this book. It was exactly what I needed.

    It reminded me a bit of Grace Draven’s Radiance, in so far as there are two people from differing species who are thrown together for “reasons”, and they slowly come to like and respect the other’s differences and slowly fall in love. I adore books like that.

    It was lovely.

  113. Thank you for recommending this book! I really enjoyed it!

    I hope you both are able to take some down down to recover and heal. You’ve given your readers so many wonderful stories, but geez you’ve been maintaining a killer writing schedule. While as a voracious reader, I am thankful, I’d be most happy with fewer books and knowing you’re both healthy and taking care of yourselves and each other.

  114. Exellent! The author has a tender touch i really, really like.
    I searched for book 2 but… yeah i have to wait till its out.

    You have to wait for good authors – thats the truth as i know it.

    Thank you for sharing 🙂

  115. The plotline reminds me a tad bit of an anime I enjoyed called Kamisama Hajimemashita. I will give this a try!!!

  116. I’ve been following this writer’s fics since their days on fanfiction.net; it comes as a complete surprise to me that they’ve got a book published! So glad for them!

    Definite supporter and thank you Ilona for posting this! Would have missed the book if not for this recommendation. Can’t wait for book 2!

  117. Loved this book – read it in a day.
    Thank you so much for the recommendation! It’s really nice to read fiction from other cultures; especially fantasy or sci fi (such as Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin).

  118. Thank you for the recommendation.

    I noticed that the amount of “pages” differs drastically from paperback to kindle ebook to nook ebook. Can anyone confirm that the nook ebook isn’t missing anything? Thank you.

  120. Loved it. Hope you have the chance to enjoy some other fun books while on vacation and that your hands have a chance to rest and recover.

  122. I usually love your recs and amaranthine is such a pretty word. 🙂 trying this one out.

  124. Thank you so much for the recommendation! I loved this books so much and could hardly put it down. I am impatiently awaiting the next book in the series. Waiting is always the hardest part

  126. This looks very interesting! I do love The Others series so I’ll be getting this as soon as I get home. 🙂

Trackbacks

  1. […] Zaczęliśmy od informacji wydawniczych, gdyż tak gwoli prawdy na blogu IA niewiele się ostatnio dzieje. Na początku tygodnia Ilona polecała książkę pt.: „Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox” autora występującego pod pseudonimem Forthright. O możliwości wydania tej pozycji u nas nic nie słychać, więc wszystkich zainteresowanych i dobrze czujących się w kontakcie z językiem Shakespeare’a odsyłamy do wspomnianego wpisu. […]

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