Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

The story follows Yumeko, a half kitsune half human raised by monks meant to suppress her yokai side. Then the only home she has ever known is destroyed and the only family she knows is brutally murdered. Yumeko, under a dying wish, flees with the temple's most important secret a piece of an ancient scroll. Along the way, Yumeko meets Kage Tatsumi, a samurai under orders to retrieve the scroll, no matter what it costs. 

This novel felt like a cross between Airbender and InuYasha. There was plenty of action but sometimes I wondered about the relevance of the fights. I guess it showed how resourceful each individual character was, but to me it was like reading a different InuYasha episode in each chapter.

I liked Yumeko, but I disliked most of the monks that raised her. One in particular would say she was evil because she was half kitsune. I really don't believe in nature winning out over nurture. I think a person makes their own decisions based on their own mind. Everyone can have a mischievious side to them. Yumeko had it but I felt it was outshined by her awkwardness. Having never seen anything beyond the temple walls, I don't think the monks gave her much of a chance to decide who she was, or wanted to be. Thus, I felt scared for her on her journey because I did not think she was adequately prepared.

I also like Tatsumi. This time, I hated the people who raised him. I will never understand why people say some emotions are evil and others are good. Having all emotions is what makes us human. I think this group also raised him wrong. If he had worked with his emotions and the sword, then I think he might have been a different type of samurai. I think the ending would have been different. (Side note: this is how I feel when I watch Star Wars, and my husband refuses after I ranted for hours about the Jedi council.)

Over all I enjoyed the novel. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars because I feel it could have, and potentially should have, ended differently. But I also am anxiously awaiting the next book.