Title: Gumiho: Wicked Fox (international edition)
Author: Kat Cho
Publisher: Putnam
Published Date: 25th June 2019
Page Count: 464
ISBN: 978-1984814715
Price: £8.99
Reviewer: Gwendoline SK Terry (17th March 2024)
Blurb
No one in modern-day Seoul believes in the old fables anymore, which makes it the perfect place to for Gu Miyoung and her mother to hide in plain sight. Mihoung is a Gumiho, a nine-tailed fox, who must eat the souls of men to survive. She feeds every full moon–eating the souls of men who have committed crimes, but have evaded justice. Her life is upended when she kills a dokkaebi, a murderous goblin, in the forest just to save the life of a stupid boy. But after Miyoung saves Jihoon’s life, the two develop a tenuous friendship that blooms into romance forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon’s.
Inspired by both K-dramas and Korean folklore, Gumiho: Wicked Fox is an enthralling and romantic urban fantasy set on the streets of Seoul.
Review
Every single page I read played out before my eyes like an exciting K-drama. Vivid, descriptive yet clear and concise, Gumiho: Wicked Fox is a fantastic novel. It’s an absolutely perfect story to be adapted into a TV series. Heart-wrenching yet uplifting, action-packed yet mysterious, warm yet sad, this novel has it all – and it hits you in the feels throughout. Adults and younger teens alike will be hooked by this story.
I loved the folklore sprinkled throughout the story, the charms and rituals, etc. I especially loved the food descriptions. I’m big into Korean food and I could practically smell all the different meals mentioned in the book.
Off the top of my head, the only thing I disliked was how there were a few misunderstandings and issues that would’ve been solved if the characters had just communicated better or spoken up sooner. I didn’t dwell on this too much since this is a common trope in K-dramas and the blurb states the story is inspired by them.
All in all, I will most definitely be buying the next story in the duology, Dokkaebi: Vicious Spirits.
gwensalir 