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maggies's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Adorable, interesting story! An easy read but balanced with some fantastic world building. Really enjoyable.
debbilynn42's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
fkshg8465's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Started out thinking I would DNF it. So glad I finished it. Super cute, and have already started the sequel. Really happy I found this author at the library. To date, I’ve read through three genres by her - humor, thriller, and now children’s fantasy. Her breadth is impressive, and I’m really enjoying getting to know her works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
hweezbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
This was a highly imaginative tale set in a world where magic has been invented and is fueled by “cirth”, something you can buy to do any manner of tasks.
Theo Tan loses his brother Jamie to an accident, and inherits his companion, a fox spirit named Kai. The two have long nursed a jealousy for the other.
Theo discovers that Jamie has left him some clues, which lead him to the Reapling, a corporation that sells “cirth” and is ostensibly running a summer programme for young Asian Americans to “discover their roots”.
Jesse Q Sutanto’s genius comes through brilliantly. She builds a world which blends the ancestral realms from Asian and western lore and history — and which Theo and his friends have to navigate to solve the mystery. In fact, it is the young ones who are more able to wield the old magic “qi” — which turns out to be much more powerful.
The scenes are a sight to behold, you’ll never look at a car valet the same way again.😮 I think Sutanto had a field day writing from Kai’s POV with a wry British humour, and sarcastic footnotes. For most of this adventure she keeps a low profile…as a melodramatic fish 😂
Add to this Theo’s poor grasp of his hanyu pinyin tones, which er, could be a problem with incantations 🤔 and we have a rollicking adventure!
📚: @definitelybookskids
Theo Tan loses his brother Jamie to an accident, and inherits his companion, a fox spirit named Kai. The two have long nursed a jealousy for the other.
Theo discovers that Jamie has left him some clues, which lead him to the Reapling, a corporation that sells “cirth” and is ostensibly running a summer programme for young Asian Americans to “discover their roots”.
Jesse Q Sutanto’s genius comes through brilliantly. She builds a world which blends the ancestral realms from Asian and western lore and history — and which Theo and his friends have to navigate to solve the mystery. In fact, it is the young ones who are more able to wield the old magic “qi” — which turns out to be much more powerful.
The scenes are a sight to behold, you’ll never look at a car valet the same way again.😮 I think Sutanto had a field day writing from Kai’s POV with a wry British humour, and sarcastic footnotes. For most of this adventure she keeps a low profile…as a melodramatic fish 😂
Add to this Theo’s poor grasp of his hanyu pinyin tones, which er, could be a problem with incantations 🤔 and we have a rollicking adventure!
📚: @definitelybookskids
tjwallace04's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit" is a cute, quick-moving, heartwarming middle grade fantasy. I was really glad I listened to the audiobook because I think hearing some of the words pronounced was helpful, especially since Chinese language and pronunciation were a major plot point!
Premise: Theo adores his older brother Jamie but hates Jamie's fox spirit, Kai, who is a trickster and doesn't want to share Jamie's love. But when Jamie dies under mysterious circumstances, Theo and Kai are unexpectedly thrown together in their own spirit bond. Can they figure out how to work together to solve the clues that Jamie left about a horrifying plot that could endanger the whole city?
There was a lot to love about this book. I really appreciated the message about embracing your heritage; the characters were likable; and there were a few parts that were laugh-out-loud funny (to me. I enjoy scatalogical humor...much like middle schoolers). The part where Kai is talking about "undie panties" - I snortled multiple times. I also enjoyed learning more about Chinese culture and language.
"Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit" definitely feels like a lot of the contemporary middle grade fantasy books I have read recently - glossy and frenetic, with an emphasis on non-stop action and not as much time spent in solid world building or character work.
But it was overall a pleasant read, and I will probably read the sequel sometime soon. The ending was not a serious cliffhanger, but there were some unanswered questions. And I think this is a series that could mature nicely. The groundwork is there.
Premise: Theo adores his older brother Jamie but hates Jamie's fox spirit, Kai, who is a trickster and doesn't want to share Jamie's love. But when Jamie dies under mysterious circumstances, Theo and Kai are unexpectedly thrown together in their own spirit bond. Can they figure out how to work together to solve the clues that Jamie left about a horrifying plot that could endanger the whole city?
There was a lot to love about this book. I really appreciated the message about embracing your heritage; the characters were likable; and there were a few parts that were laugh-out-loud funny (to me. I enjoy scatalogical humor...much like middle schoolers). The part where Kai is talking about "undie panties" - I snortled multiple times. I also enjoyed learning more about Chinese culture and language.
"Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit" definitely feels like a lot of the contemporary middle grade fantasy books I have read recently - glossy and frenetic, with an emphasis on non-stop action and not as much time spent in solid world building or character work.
But it was overall a pleasant read, and I will probably read the sequel sometime soon. The ending was not a serious cliffhanger, but there were some unanswered questions. And I think this is a series that could mature nicely. The groundwork is there.
scienceworks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
emmybird86's review against another edition
5.0
What a great story! I just loved Kai and Theo. Kai made me laugh and smile so much while reading. I loved the lore in the story. I was pulled in from the start and did not want to put my book down. I cannot wait to read the next one, I just love this author.
nicoleceballos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
daanin's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes