Scion of the Fox

August 28, 2017
This first installment in a fantasy trilogy by Beiko (The Lake and the Library) has an interesting premise and a lively protagonist but would benefit from stronger worldbuilding. Roan Harken is a sarcastic high school student living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her story begins when she is told by a mystical fox named Sil that she belongs to the fox family, one of five powerful animal families that live among humans. These families are connected to Ancient, the spirit of the universe. Roan and Sil are quick to fall into a steady rhythm of entertaining, though slightly contrived, banter from which Roan learns that she will be the one to overthrow Zabor, a powerful river demon with whom the five families made a desperate pact many years before. Roan must first learn how to wield her newly discovered fire powers and then unite all five families in order to defeat the demon before the coming spring. Although she says she feels unprepared as she gathers allies for the battle, Roan overcomes obstacles with relative ease. The story is entertaining, but the underdeveloped world and cast of characters fail to warrant readers’ full investment.

August 1, 2017
A Winnipeg teenager discovers her magical heritage--and that she's marked for death. Roan, a white girl, was taken in by her uncle and aunt after her parents died in a car accident when she was little. When what seems to be a chronic eye infection explodes into moths, she's nearly taken by the Moth Queen into death and only barely saved by a talking fox who can transform into a woman with a fox head, nine tails, and fire magic. Roan's guided by the fox, Sil, who gives her a crash course in a creation mythology that involves five creatures, now families, who keep peace and balance destructive powers. As Ancient power waned, a Celestial Darkling, Zabor, came into prominence, and a pact to appease her requires the five families to make sacrifices: Roan's been marked as such. Roan must finish the task her mother started--defeating Zabor to end the deal--or she will die. Roan is genre-savvy to the hero's journey, an intelligent heroine who gladly accepts information and help, and she is deeply concerned with avoiding casualties. She must pull together a group with representatives from each family despite the mind-influencing Owls' stubborn, self-appointed duty to ensure their end of the bargain is upheld. Secondary characters are vibrant and multicultural (an Indian best friend and allies that include a black boy who uses a wheelchair and an Inuit girl), and the heroes have refreshingly good hearts. A reveal at the end sets up a sequel. A smart, complex, animal-based fantasy. (Fantasy. 12-16)

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