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jordandegroot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
reddjena's review against another edition
5.0
This is a very enjoyable, quick read that presents a well-rounded cast of characters. I loved the mythology, the pacing, and the descriptions. It was also fun to read an urban fantasy set in Canada, which I am not up on my geography for, but I don't think that detracted from the story or my enjoyment. Definitely a book to pick and share!
jseymour2000's review against another edition
4.0
Edit #2:
I gave this book 4 stars. Scion of the Fox was unexpected. after trying to read the eARC and having an impossible time doing so, I didn’t have very high hopes for the rest of it. However, the author completely turned that around. I loved this book. It was full of complex characters and the thickest of plots, and a relationship that I’m not sure will ever even happen, but I’m really excited for.
I was kind of stupid and I read someone else’s review before finishing this book. I know, that’s the number 1 no no for book reviewing, but I was looking for something specific (I didn’t find it), but I am happy to report that I didn’t actually agree with this other review of the book. That review was a bit negative, especially about the ending of the book. I however think it ended on a good note. It was left a bit open ended because this is going to be a series and the epilogue was there to get you even more excited for the next book in the series.
Roan was a character that I needed a bit of getting used to, but once that was all said and done with I grew to love her as a character. She wasn’t annoying or overly rude. She had no sense of entitlement or whiny at all. I genuinely liked her as a character. Reading the first chapter snippet of the second book at the end of this book, it doesn’t seem like she’ll be in it, or she may come in later. It really isn’t clear as of yet, but I really hope she is in the next one because I don’t think I’m done with her quite yet.
I like the dynamic going on between Roan and Eli. They spent most of the book hating each other and fighting, not just in the “I like you so I’m going to pick on you” kind of way, I mean the “I’m going to actively try to murder you” kind of way. They have something going on and I am here for it. I could see something possibly happening. Possibly. I would really like it if it did.
What I loved was that it was set in Canada. I find that most books are set in the U.S. and reference a lot of things only Americans are very familiar with such as historical events that are smaller than full-blown wars. It was nice to actually understand what was being referenced for once, such as Red River. Not enough books are set in Canada and usually if they are they take place in Toronto or just Ontario in general. It’s a bit annoying, so this book was very refreshing.
Edit: I have an actual finished copy now and will hopefully get to it soon and actually have a good review.
DNF at 20%
I received an ARC through Netgalley
This is the first time this has ever happened to me, but I found the formatting of the ARC to be so unbearable that I just couldn't read it anymore. Whole sentences and possibly paragraphs would be cut off in the middle and I just couldn't get a proper grasp of what was happening at times that I don't feel that I can give this book a proper review given that terrible ARC. So I won't rate it this one. I might eventually read a finished copy and hopefully get up a useful review, but I don't think I can do that with this copy.
I gave this book 4 stars. Scion of the Fox was unexpected. after trying to read the eARC and having an impossible time doing so, I didn’t have very high hopes for the rest of it. However, the author completely turned that around. I loved this book. It was full of complex characters and the thickest of plots, and a relationship that I’m not sure will ever even happen, but I’m really excited for.
I was kind of stupid and I read someone else’s review before finishing this book. I know, that’s the number 1 no no for book reviewing, but I was looking for something specific (I didn’t find it), but I am happy to report that I didn’t actually agree with this other review of the book. That review was a bit negative, especially about the ending of the book. I however think it ended on a good note. It was left a bit open ended because this is going to be a series and the epilogue was there to get you even more excited for the next book in the series.
Roan was a character that I needed a bit of getting used to, but once that was all said and done with I grew to love her as a character. She wasn’t annoying or overly rude. She had no sense of entitlement or whiny at all. I genuinely liked her as a character. Reading the first chapter snippet of the second book at the end of this book, it doesn’t seem like she’ll be in it, or she may come in later. It really isn’t clear as of yet, but I really hope she is in the next one because I don’t think I’m done with her quite yet.
I like the dynamic going on between Roan and Eli. They spent most of the book hating each other and fighting, not just in the “I like you so I’m going to pick on you” kind of way, I mean the “I’m going to actively try to murder you” kind of way. They have something going on and I am here for it. I could see something possibly happening. Possibly. I would really like it if it did.
What I loved was that it was set in Canada. I find that most books are set in the U.S. and reference a lot of things only Americans are very familiar with such as historical events that are smaller than full-blown wars. It was nice to actually understand what was being referenced for once, such as Red River. Not enough books are set in Canada and usually if they are they take place in Toronto or just Ontario in general. It’s a bit annoying, so this book was very refreshing.
Edit: I have an actual finished copy now and will hopefully get to it soon and actually have a good review.
DNF at 20%
I received an ARC through Netgalley
This is the first time this has ever happened to me, but I found the formatting of the ARC to be so unbearable that I just couldn't read it anymore. Whole sentences and possibly paragraphs would be cut off in the middle and I just couldn't get a proper grasp of what was happening at times that I don't feel that I can give this book a proper review given that terrible ARC. So I won't rate it this one. I might eventually read a finished copy and hopefully get up a useful review, but I don't think I can do that with this copy.
sassenachthebookwizard's review
3.0
I'm having a hard time putting together a coherent written review so instead I'll just link my review video when it comes out
errantdreams's review against another edition
5.0
The characters have a fair amount of depth to them. There are no one-dimensional evil people (unless you count Zabor, who’s more of a force of nature); everybody has reasons for the things they do and some people can even be redeemed. Each friend Roan picks up has their own unique personality. Even the creepy stalkers Zabor sends after Roan develop some interest to them. I enjoyed the fact that the main female character did not become part of a romantic coupling–it’s nice now and then to see a young woman who doesn’t have to be paired off.
The worldbuilding is wonderful. The particular animals Ms. Beiko chose to use were not a stereotypical spread, and she put a great deal of originality into how she used them. I did find myself wondering, since the number of Denizens living among humans was dropping (particularly among the Deer), how it was that they had enough children available to sacrifice one from each Family each year.
The plot seems simple, if daunting: unite the power of the Five Families, collect a magical artifact from another realm, defeat Zabor before spring, and survive. Of course it’s a lot harder than it seems. The agreement that’s kept Zabor at bay for all of these years is fiercely enforced by the Owls, and no one wants to upset the apple cart and be responsible for the entire city flooding. So there are few potential allies among the Families. The artifact Roan needs is in a bloody realm that claimed her mother’s life, and she needs access to a very well-guarded gate to get there. Then she’ll still have to defeat Zabor with the help of her friends–and Zabor is not exactly a small or low-powered creature. So many things can (and do) go wrong, and there are plenty of surprises awaiting our heroes.
I definitely recommend this adventure story, and I look forward to reading the sequel!
Consider my rating a 4.5
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/01/review-scion-of-the-fox-s-m-beiko/
The worldbuilding is wonderful. The particular animals Ms. Beiko chose to use were not a stereotypical spread, and she put a great deal of originality into how she used them. I did find myself wondering, since the number of Denizens living among humans was dropping (particularly among the Deer), how it was that they had enough children available to sacrifice one from each Family each year.
The plot seems simple, if daunting: unite the power of the Five Families, collect a magical artifact from another realm, defeat Zabor before spring, and survive. Of course it’s a lot harder than it seems. The agreement that’s kept Zabor at bay for all of these years is fiercely enforced by the Owls, and no one wants to upset the apple cart and be responsible for the entire city flooding. So there are few potential allies among the Families. The artifact Roan needs is in a bloody realm that claimed her mother’s life, and she needs access to a very well-guarded gate to get there. Then she’ll still have to defeat Zabor with the help of her friends–and Zabor is not exactly a small or low-powered creature. So many things can (and do) go wrong, and there are plenty of surprises awaiting our heroes.
I definitely recommend this adventure story, and I look forward to reading the sequel!
Consider my rating a 4.5
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/01/review-scion-of-the-fox-s-m-beiko/
editorbrenna's review against another edition
3.0
This book is different from anything I’ve read so far. It’s refreshing to read fantasy set in modern-day Canada, rather than in some mystical far-away land. I enjoyed the world that Beiko creates through her mythology, with the Five Families and the overlapping spirit world; however, I did not love the book as a whole. The protagonist, Roan, bothers me, mostly because of the ways in which Beiko develops her character. I also find that some of the other characters lack characterization. I also do not enjoy the way in which the plot progresses; it seems rushed at times, and underdeveloped. I will say, though, that Beiko is not afraid to write disturbing scenes, which is commendable on some level. I’m torn between wanting to read the second book when it comes out, and wanting to simply savour this taste of the story.
tonstantweader's review against another edition
4.0
Scion of the Fox is the story of Roan Harken, a high school student in Winnipeg, who lives with her uncle and aunt in her grandmother’s house after her parents died in a car accident. Suddenly all sorts of odd things begin happening. A new student joins her class and when she looks at him she sees a disturbing vision of a rabbit. She sees a talking fox who wants to train her to save the world. Is she losing touch with reality or is reality not what it seems?
This is a fantasy novel, so clearly the latter.
In Scion of the Fox we find an entirely new world, but one that is the one we live in today, only with the revelation of ancient magical people, the Denizens. We discover a rich mythology involving the ancient animal gods with great power who together protected society until slowly driven underground and into hiding by the spread of humans, or Mundanes as they are called.
Roan discovers she was marked from infancy as a sacrifice to another ancient, a magical monster who lives in the river and to whom a blood sacrifice is made every year to keep the monster from wreaking havoc with floods and storms. Can she find allies from the other denizens who will help her defeat this ancient power and end the practice of blood sacrifice?
Scion of the Fox is a great start to what I think will be an excellent fantasy series. I think the most important element in fantasy is world-building and Beiko gets it right. She starts where we are and takes us to a completely new and different creation myth with far different implications, but they make as much sense as the various creation mythologies of history and of today. I like the characters who have a good mix of “I can’t believe this is happening” and “I’m in to save the world” courage, the kind of courage that is natural to adolescence.
What I like best about Scion of the Fox is that it is not comparable to “Harry Potter” or “Lord of the Rings” or any other fantasy series I have read. I am eager to read more.
Scion of the Fox is the first in the fantasy series “The Realms of Ancient”
Scion of the Fox at ECW Press
S. M. Beiko author site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2019/10/18/9781770414310/
This is a fantasy novel, so clearly the latter.
In Scion of the Fox we find an entirely new world, but one that is the one we live in today, only with the revelation of ancient magical people, the Denizens. We discover a rich mythology involving the ancient animal gods with great power who together protected society until slowly driven underground and into hiding by the spread of humans, or Mundanes as they are called.
Roan discovers she was marked from infancy as a sacrifice to another ancient, a magical monster who lives in the river and to whom a blood sacrifice is made every year to keep the monster from wreaking havoc with floods and storms. Can she find allies from the other denizens who will help her defeat this ancient power and end the practice of blood sacrifice?
Scion of the Fox is a great start to what I think will be an excellent fantasy series. I think the most important element in fantasy is world-building and Beiko gets it right. She starts where we are and takes us to a completely new and different creation myth with far different implications, but they make as much sense as the various creation mythologies of history and of today. I like the characters who have a good mix of “I can’t believe this is happening” and “I’m in to save the world” courage, the kind of courage that is natural to adolescence.
What I like best about Scion of the Fox is that it is not comparable to “Harry Potter” or “Lord of the Rings” or any other fantasy series I have read. I am eager to read more.
Scion of the Fox is the first in the fantasy series “The Realms of Ancient”
Scion of the Fox at ECW Press
S. M. Beiko author site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2019/10/18/9781770414310/
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
4.0
There is so much happening in this book. I was excited to find out it's set in Canada! It's really well written and the storyline is amazing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a review copy.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a review copy.