Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

2 reviews

uranaishi's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Death of parent, Child death, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Classism, Death, Mental illness, Medical content, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infidelity, and Murder

Minor: Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Trafficking, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Bullying, Cancer, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, Pedophilia, War, and Alcohol

nukie19's review

adventurous emotional informative mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Like her other books, Choo weaves Chinese fantasy and historical events for a beautifully written story about a Fox who is out to avenge the death of her daughter. This is a very slow burn novel that alternates viewpoints between Snow, the fox who spends most the story as a beautiful woman, and Bao, a detective investigating a murder but who has a long history of interest in foxes.

There are a lot of high points but overall I felt this novel falls short of the high expectations that Choo set with her first two novels. The alternating viewpoints take a very long time to come together even though the two big reveals are pretty well choreographed early. She also spends some time explaining the Chinese folklore as events transpire, which is great for context but occasionally is a bit disruptive. Overall, a solid read for those who enjoy magical realism, especially in historical contexts.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Animal death, Confinement, Alcohol, Death, Child death, Blood, and Grief