The Violet Fox (The Violet Fox, #1)

Oct 17, 2012 Marian rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I first received the email from the author requesting for a review, I admit I wasn't that psyched. Honestly, I was really going to refuse, what with all the schoolwork to keep me busy. But I'd be lying if I said that the reason I said yes to the review request was because I was genuinely interested. At first glance, you wouldn't think highly of this book. But the title captured me.

Violet Fox

I might be a little biased with my title compliment since my favorite color is, as you might have gue...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Kristin (Blood,Sweat, and Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review:

The Violet Fox is a story about a young girl name Kiera Driscoll who lives in the land of Marlenia. Kiera lives underground in the tunnels below Marlenia, her people being forced to do so after a war that took place two hundred years prior. Kiera along with her brother Rordan and best friend Laoise are Fighters, forced to sneak above ground to provide there people with much needed supplies. Kiera's alter-ego is that of The Violet Fox. Kiera's alter-ego is notoriously known to the Guards a...more
Review:

The Violet Fox is a story about a young girl name Kiera Driscoll who lives in the land of Marlenia. Kiera lives underground in the tunnels below Marlenia, her people being forced to do so after a war that took place two hundred years prior. Kiera along with her brother Rordan and best friend Laoise are Fighters, forced to sneak above ground to provide there people with much needed supplies. Kiera's alter-ego is that of The Violet Fox. Kiera's alter-ego is notoriously known to the Guards above but miraculously she has somehow always been able to conceal her identity. One day Kiera is asked by the Elders to undertake a task infiltrating Prince Keegan's Name-day celebrations and steal back an important tome lost to her people long ago. Kiera gladly accepts but what she finds makes her question everything she has ever known.

The Violet Fox was a great book, in fact it is safe to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I truly enjoyed it. The world Clare Marshall has created is brilliant, to me I felt almost like I was reading instead of watching the show Once Upon A Time. It was that vividly detailed. I could imagine the gorgeous gowns and the sights and smells of Marlenia. It was a visual treat for the senses.

The Characters were also great. Kiera is fearless and a bit reckless but I think it really made for a great character. Her persona as The Violet Fox was equally enjoyable to read about, she really truly thought she was doing the best by her people but is able to realize when she was wrong and accept that things are always so black and white. Keegan I found to be a bit arrogant but I also found him to be noble and I loved how Kiera and Keegans relationship unfolded.

My one flaw with this book was perhaps having to read Kiera speaking in her own Dialect. It's a bit rough translating a language into your own when you've never heard it before. It's a small gripe but I thought it should be noted.

Overall this was a great book with fantastic world building, great character development and just a nice touch of romance and mystery thrown in to satisfy even the most picky of readers. I will be rating The Violet Fox by Clare C. Marshall ★★★★.

*I was offered a copy of this book to review for the Blog Tour. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them.(less)

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Oct 12, 2012 Aliraluna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks

My review:

Fifteen-year-old Kiera Driscoll along with other Freetors; her people that lives in the underground; such as her brother Rordan and her friend Laoise, joins The Fighters to help the Freetors to get food and other goods as they were poor, with hunger and cast away by the Marlenian; those who live in the surface; the result of a war that "ended" two hundred years ago, but the hate and issues were far from done.

Kiera steals by bein The Violet Fox; a young woman that uses a violet cape...more My review:

Fifteen-year-old Kiera Driscoll along with other Freetors; her people that lives in the underground; such as her brother Rordan and her friend Laoise, joins The Fighters to help the Freetors to get food and other goods as they were poor, with hunger and cast away by the Marlenian; those who live in the surface; the result of a war that "ended" two hundred years ago, but the hate and issues were far from done.

Kiera steals by bein The Violet Fox; a young woman that uses a violet cape and mask; sneaking in every corner without being caught; but everything changes when she gets the chance to be face-to-face with young and charming Prince Keegan and while fighting to steal one of his brooch that could help those starving down there, but just when she decides to flee she gives him "the violet fox kiss"; a cut in his beautiful face and goes away with her brother. Her life changed when The Council of Elders requested her presence for a secret mission: she has to disguise herself as one of the noblewoman in search of the "love" of the Prince; as he has come to age of marriage; and retrieve something that belonged to the Freetors... is everything true?

Come and uncover the mysteries in this amazing story of Kiera Driscoll!

My thoughts: (SPOILER ALERT!)

Such a wonderful story; I loved Kiera and the Prince. This story showed me how thought life really is; about hunger, being poor, how rich people spend their money in useless things, cruelty; but also about loyalty and love. I have to say that I adored Prince Keegan since I "met" him. He observed and choosed depending on what he really saw, not only the surface; and I know he felt in love with her at "first" glance and he was truly a gentleman. Can't wait to see what happens next! this really was such a good adventure story and really, I enjoyed the love parts. Thanks to the author for giving me her book to read it and write a review which I am so HAPPY to do so!

5/5

PASS BY MY BLOG WWW.THINGWORLDS.BLOGSPOT.COM for giveaway and more! (october 24, 2012)(less)

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Sep 10, 2012 Christina (Ensconced in YA) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: author-request

I was asked by the author to review this book; this does not bias my review.

The Violet Fox is a fun filled adventure about Kiera, a young spunky girl, who is the masked "Violet Fox" who basically steals from the rich Marlenians in order to feed her people, the poor Freetors. The Elders tell her it is time to infiltrate the castle and get information about hidden magic that may destroy them, so Kiera is sent to the castle in disguise as a beautiful princess from the North. She catches the Prince'...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Allison (Rally the Readers) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, kick-arse-heroines, middle-ages, wizards-and-witches, 2012

Also posted on Rally the Readers.

* A copy was provided by the author for review.

3.5 Stars

I was kind of torn while reading The Violet Fox. There were times when I was wholeheartedly captivated. At other times, I felt as if I were forcing myself to read the book. But the good outweighed the couple of things that I wasn’t so enthusiastic about, and I ended up really enjoying the book.

I guess I'll start with what I wasn’t crazy about. The main issue I had with the book was Kiera. Well, it wasn't rea...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Cecilia (rather barefoot than bookless) rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I first started to read this book, I have to be honest with you, I wasn't all that excited. The cover is not a favorite. However this is a perfect example of how stupid it can be to judge a book by it's cover. And if I am to be honest, I do. Very often I do. This book was amazing, great read and I am happy I said yes to this review because I was hooked after the first chapter.
It was well written and fun. Marshall was great at describing her world and it was easy to visualise it with the lar...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Lee (Rally the Readers) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fantasy, for-review, young-adult

Also posted on Rally the Readers.

* A copy was provided by the author for review.

When I first read the synopsis for The Violet Fox, I immediately thought of Robin Hood. I absolutely love Robin Hood, so I was beyond excited to read this. I was not disappointed! The Violet Fox is a thrilling fantasy packed with adventure, magic, social injustice, and political intrigue, all set against a richly detailed world. In short, it’s exactly my type of fantasy novel.

Hands down, my favorite part of the book...more Also posted on Rally the Readers.

* A copy was provided by the author for review.

When I first read the synopsis for The Violet Fox, I immediately thought of Robin Hood. I absolutely love Robin Hood, so I was beyond excited to read this. I was not disappointed! The Violet Fox is a thrilling fantasy packed with adventure, magic, social injustice, and political intrigue, all set against a richly detailed world. In short, it’s exactly my type of fantasy novel.

Hands down, my favorite part of the book was the world-building. It’s a critical element in any genre, but I think particularly so for fantasy, where you have to be able to believe that things like magic and mythical creatures are real. Marshall does an outstanding job of putting the reader right in the middle of both the opulence of the Marlenian court and the bleakness of the underground Freetor caverns. I also loved how thorough the lore of this world was and how well it was explained. The history between the Marlenians and the Freetors is a key part of the novel, and it’s never overwhelming to absorb.

Although I admired Kiera, whose alter ego is the title character, for her courage and fierce dedication to helping her people, at times I also found her a little too sure of herself. Occasionally her sense of invincibility as the Violet Fox sends her charging headfirst into situations. Kiera does, however, mature a lot over the course of the novel and tempers her swagger. Another character who really grew on me as the book went on was Prince Keegan. At first I wrote him off as a haughty, privileged rich guy with nothing but disdain for those beneath him. Like Kiera though, Keegan learns to see things from the opposing point-of-view, and he proves to be an honorable fellow. Finally, I have to mention Advisor Ivor Ferguson, the right-hand man to Marlenia’s ruler, the Holy One. The Advisor is quite an enigmatic character; I had a lot of fun trying to guess what he was up to.

With its vividly descriptive world, fully drawn characters, and engrossing story, The Violet Fox is a prime example of YA fantasy. I’m eager to see what adventures await Kiera (and the Violet Fox) in the next book, The Silver Spear.(less)

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Oct 16, 2012 Charlene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, review-request

The author sets up the fantasy world of Marlenia and the history behind the Marlenians and the Freetors so well! There is a lot of backstory in the beginning to set up this world and the conflict that makes Kiera's subterfuge necessary - first as the Violet Fox and then as Lady Dominique so that she can find something that has been stolen by the Marlenians and hidden in the castle. The pace is a little slow in the beginning but it moves much faster as the story develops. There is much that Kiera...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Clare Davidson rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Violet Fox is about a young girl called Kiera Driscoll, whose people, the Freetors, were forced underground three hundred years ago and have been persecuted ever since. Forced to steal from the Marlenian surface dwellers to survive, the Freetors aren't exactly in anyone's good books, least of all Keegan's, the Marlenian prince. After a magical tome is stolen, Kiera is sent on a dangerous mission to impersonate a Marlenian princess and gain access to the royal castle, in order to retrieve the...more The Violet Fox is about a young girl called Kiera Driscoll, whose people, the Freetors, were forced underground three hundred years ago and have been persecuted ever since. Forced to steal from the Marlenian surface dwellers to survive, the Freetors aren't exactly in anyone's good books, least of all Keegan's, the Marlenian prince. After a magical tome is stolen, Kiera is sent on a dangerous mission to impersonate a Marlenian princess and gain access to the royal castle, in order to retrieve the tome. Aided by her fiercely loyal and far more sensible brother, Keira goes into the heart of the enemy in order to save her people.

This is definitely a great start to the series and I'm already looking forward to the next book. The story itself is very twisty - every time I thought I'd worked out what was happening, something else cropped up and I realised I was wrong-either entirely or partially. The world is also very vivid-from the underground tunnels that the Freetors live in, to the castle inhabited by Keegan, the settings are beautifully described. The history of the world is also very vivid and scarily believable.

Kiera is a very strong character, which is good as the story is told entirely from her perspective. It's wonderful to see her grow from having a very black and white view of the conflict between the Freetors and the Marlenians, to someone who is willing to accept people for who they are-good or bad. I did at times find her a little impetuous and foolish in her behaviour and actions and I could see why her brother, Rordan, needed to rein her in. Rordan is another very clear character and his frustration at "handling" his sister is very evident and at times amusing. Some of the other characters could have been developed in more detail, but this is often hard when a story is told in the first person, so it's only a minor niggle.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book-it made me laugh, cry and grip the edge of my seat whilst I eagerly turned to pages to discover what was going to happen next. If you enjoy fantasy novels, I recommend that you read The Violet Fox.(less)

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Oct 28, 2012 Mandee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour, for-review, fantasy, paranormal, e-book-version, october-2012-release, i-have-a-copy, review-on-the-blog, ya-lit

The Violet Fox by Clare M. Marshall is set in the fictional land of Marlenia. Kiera Driscoll is a fifteen year old Freetor. She and her people live underground in a series of tunnels and caverns, forced to do so after the war between them and the ruling Marlenians. The war ended two hundred years ago but the hated between the two races is still strong today. Living with Kiera’s group are The Elders, they are able to wield magic and this both frightens and entices the Marlenians who have never be...more The Violet Fox by Clare M. Marshall is set in the fictional land of Marlenia. Kiera Driscoll is a fifteen year old Freetor. She and her people live underground in a series of tunnels and caverns, forced to do so after the war between them and the ruling Marlenians. The war ended two hundred years ago but the hated between the two races is still strong today. Living with Kiera’s group are The Elders, they are able to wield magic and this both frightens and entices the Marlenians who have never been able to do the same. Keira is a Fighter, along with her older brother, Rordan, and best friend, Laoise. Being a Fighter means going above ground, stealing food from the Marlenian merchants and rescuing enslaved Freetors whenever possible. Kiera always goes dressed as the Violet Fox and enjoys taunting the Marlenian guards. One day she meets Prince Keegan and she is about to be captured and taken to the castle dungeons but she manages to escape, injuring Keegan in the process. That same day she is called by The Elders and told of a new mission: impersonate a noblewoman, enter the castle as part of Prince Keegan’s name-day celebrations then locate and steal back a Freetor tome containing information about their magic. Kiera accepts and sets off for the castle. But not everything is as it seems and soon Kiera will be questioning her loyalty.

I was contacted by author, Clare, to see if I wanted to take part in the blog tour for her book, The Violet Fox. The cover immediately had me interested as I liked the old-fashioned look as well as the gorgeous illustration. I’m really glad I accepted because I enjoyed this book a lot! It has mystery, action, romance, strong world building and bonus points for no insta-love and no love-traingles!

From the first page I was drawn into Kiera’s world. It’s just like any other day for her; she is above ground, attempting to steal from the Marlenians, alongside Rowan and Laoise. (I imagined the opening scene to look like the market scene in Aladdin when they all sing One Jump Ahead, only Kiera doesn’t have a monkey for a side kick!) But unlike most days the Prince is in the market area and she cannot pass up an opportunity to attack his carriage in the hope of killing him. Things don’t go to plan but luckily for Kiera, Rordan is always watching out for her. Kiera is brave, cunning and a little bit reckless. She likes the attention she gets when she wears her Violet Fox mask and cape and enjoys her life as a Fighter. She is willing to do whatever it takes to help her people and she accepts her mission immediately and I admired her for that.

Kiera enters the castle impersonating a noblewoman from the North. She is pretty sure she has her mind made about Prince Keegan but on her first night in the castle the discussion turns to Freetors and he shows compassion when others at the dinner speak with hatred. While voicing her opinions she catches Keegan’s attention and it’s clear that he is taken with her, not only because she’s beautiful but because unlike the other ladies, she is willing to speak her mind. I really enjoyed the way their relationship develops, it felt very realistic. Kiera doesn’t fall in love with Keegan right away as she hates him for being Marlenian, for having so much while she and her people have so little, but he is so kind and interested in her opinions and wants to get to know her that soon her feelings are conflicted.

I never doubted Kiera or Keegan’s actions but there were other characters that made me intensely curious, mostly Rordan and Advisor Ferguson. Both of them had me guessing the whole way through and I was surprised by both of them.

Being a fantasy story there was a good amount of detail regarding the setting, the food, and the clothing but it was never overdone or boring. I enjoyed picturing the world that Clare created and I felt like she’d done adequate research particularly in making sure that the Freetors could survive underground due to the moss growing in the caverns, not just having to rely on stolen bread and fruit.

There was also a message about forgiveness - the hatred between the Freetors and Marlenians felt like a direct comparison to our world, the fact that the prejudice is passed down through the generations and both sides are not willing to look past their differences or forget the past.

Lately I have not been enjoying drama-filled books, particularly when the drama has no real purpose, so I was really pleased when I kept thinking “Oh no, this is going to cause major drama” only to find my guess was been wrong and instead the characters handled things really well. There were many instances where I thought something typical was going to occur and when it didn't, I was surprised and impressed.

The Violet Fox is an intriguing blend of fantasy, mystery, romance, magic and action and I for one can’t wait for book two!

Thanks to Clare for offering me a place in the blog tour!
(less)

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Oct 20, 2012 Helene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, for-review, fall-into-reading-2012

(This review was originally published on helenesworldofbooks.blogspot.com)

Kiera Driscoll is a Freetor. She lives underground with them, like her brother and Laoise, her friend. She joins The Fighters to help the Freetors live, mostly by stealing things. The war between them and the Marlenian, who live above ground, is over for two hundred years, but the hatred is still there.

Kiera goes above ground wearing a violet cape and mask, which gave her the nickname The Violet Fox. The Council of Elders...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: completed-in-2012

Review originally posted on my blog, A Bookish Co-Op

I must admit I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book. I don't usually get into to fantasy because the story lines get confusing and proper nouns and key words are usually way too complicated to pronounce let alone keep straight without a master key while reading. But I was intrigued by the summary none-the-less.

Over all, I very much enjoyed this book. To me it felt like a nice mix between Robin Hood and Cinderella, more s...more Review originally posted on my blog, A Bookish Co-Op

I must admit I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book. I don't usually get into to fantasy because the story lines get confusing and proper nouns and key words are usually way too complicated to pronounce let alone keep straight without a master key while reading. But I was intrigued by the summary none-the-less.

Over all, I very much enjoyed this book. To me it felt like a nice mix between Robin Hood and Cinderella, more specifically the Ever After version with Drew Barrymore (There's a sweet little scene, if you've seen Ever After you'll catch it).
Now that being said, The Violet Fox and I didn't start off as the best of friends. No, ours was more of a progressive love. . .

I went from, "Stealing to fede the hungry, that's nice." *drums fingers on table* "Whoa! Chiquita has got some moves. Wait. She just did what to who? Feisty."
to, "Hm not afraid to tell royalty where they can stick it and yet make it sound polite. You little southern charmer you. Bless your heart. We can be friends."
and ended with a big, "HOLD THE PHONE! He's really- and she- but then this lady- and he and her- but Rordan- and she's gonna- what did he just say?!"
True Story.

I love it when a book keeps me far enough in the loop that I know where I'm going, but still manages to surprise me with a few twists towards the end and that's definitely what we get here.

Kiera is a wonderful character even if she is a bit too reckless. She kept me on my toes because I kept expecting her to get caught. At times though she did come off a bit arrogant. I can understand wanting to show off and best the Marlenian guards day after day, but even Batman knows when to hold back.

I really liked how see Kiera grow through out the story. She starts off as this cape crusader doing what was right for her people, but learns that its not all sunshine and lollipops for the other side either. I also liked Keira and Keegan's relationship. It was a little fast, but sweet. I definitely smiled and giggled more than once, though I really wanted to pull Keegan off to the side at the end and say, "You do remember that time in chapter 1 when you had like 4 lips because of this girl right? You do? Ok, good just checking. Heart you both!"

Over all I definitely recommend The Violet Fox if you're looking for a fun, fast paced read.(less)

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Nov 07, 2012 Hayley G rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved The Violet Fox! Clare really blends the popular genres, Dystopian and Romance, well together.

At times it felt like I was reading Grave Mercy by LaFevers, the world Clare has created for Kiera is very similar to the one Ismae inhabits. However, I enjoyed The Violet Fox so much more the characters were all relatable and their actions, understandable. I find that Clare keeps a certain realistic tone in her unrealistic/fantastical writing. She's created a society of US versus THEM, or Freet...more I loved The Violet Fox! Clare really blends the popular genres, Dystopian and Romance, well together.

At times it felt like I was reading Grave Mercy by LaFevers, the world Clare has created for Kiera is very similar to the one Ismae inhabits. However, I enjoyed The Violet Fox so much more the characters were all relatable and their actions, understandable. I find that Clare keeps a certain realistic tone in her unrealistic/fantastical writing. She's created a society of US versus THEM, or Freetors versus Marlenians.

I enjoyed Kiera as a character. She embodies all the attributes a YA heroine must; courage, brains, strength, wit, modesty (well in MOST cases at least haha) and she has a good heart. We see her bravery as she undertakes the mission to save her people, Freetors, from those who live on the surface, Marlenians by joining forces with said enemy.

The action in this story is non-stop. Kiera's always getting herself into some sort spectacle whether she's Kiera or the Violet Fox. There are many fight scenes in this book, which should please those who enjoy strong action in their YA, but I think what I really enjoyed the most, was the interplay between the characters. I loved the sibling bond that Kiera and her brother, Rordan shared. Clare does a great job of showcasing the commitment these two share for each other and their Freetor people, through their courageous and selfless actions throughout the book. I will admit that there is a scene in this book that had me in tears because I didn't want to believe what I was reading was actually happening. I will say this about Clare's writing, she keeps it real. Sometimes not every story will have a happy ending and I can appreciate this, but the fact that I was crying for these characters just goes to show how well-developed her characters truly are. You feel their pain and loss, just as you feel joy for their victories.

On a happier note, I LOVED Prince Keegan! He's the dashing Prince Charming that every girl dreams of, even Kiera. I couldn't help but fall for this man as he relentlessly chased after Kiera, who refused to acknowledge his advances. The witty dialogue between these two kept me flipping the pages and had me crossing my fingers that they'd end up together. (Do they? Well you'll just have to read to find out :)). The star-crossed romance between these two, gives The Violet Fox a Cinderella-like vibe, in an environment closer to that of Katniss. Haha can you imagine Katniss as Cinderella? As funny as that sounds, it totally works with this book- there's even an evil step-sister character (who's not really a step-sister but you get my drift).

I can't wait for the sequel, The Silver Spear. With the way things are left off in The Violet Fox, vengeance is on the mind, the only question is, WHO will get the revenge they seek?

Cannot recommend this one enough to any fan of YA, it's amazing and I will be re-reading it over and over! Thanks so much Clare!

Happy Reading!!!(less)

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Oct 28, 2012 Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-tour, owned-e-books, favorites, giveaway

Be sure to check out the ongoing book tour, I have a review, first 3 chapters, and a giveaway at my stop, there is a fun scavenger hunt as well.

This book really impressed me, it really left an impression on me as well, it was so well written, it pulled me in right from the first few pages. It had me thinking about it for a week. In fact, before I decided to do the book tour, I read the first 3 chapters that is up free by the author, for anyone to get a taste, and I was hooked, I signed up right...more

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Oct 26, 2012 Meganm922 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: requests-completed, series-i-want-to-finish

I loved this book. To me, it was sort of Robin Hood mixed with Mockingjay mixed with a fairy tale with a little bit of The Time Machine sprinkled in all rolled up into one story. I had no idea what to expect and while there were tons of elements from other popular stories, I thought it was a unique and well executed idea with a strong female heroine. The cover is also stunning and caught my eye when I was asked to participate in the blog tour.

The world building in this novel was superb. I felt...more I loved this book. To me, it was sort of Robin Hood mixed with Mockingjay mixed with a fairy tale with a little bit of The Time Machine sprinkled in all rolled up into one story. I had no idea what to expect and while there were tons of elements from other popular stories, I thought it was a unique and well executed idea with a strong female heroine. The cover is also stunning and caught my eye when I was asked to participate in the blog tour.

The world building in this novel was superb. I felt like I really understood the way people lived and thought and the prejudices they kept. The characters were also well done and complex and believable. I loved Kiera as a character. She was strong and valiant and opinionated and cared a lot about her people, enough to become The Violet Fox, a symbol for her people. I say that the story reminds me a bit of Mockingjay and there are similarities that I think other readers will enjoy between Katniss and Kiera. I prefer Kiera mostly because even though they were both strong symbols of revolt in their worlds, Katniss was accidentally symbolic and Kiera was The Violet Fox on purpose.

The Violet Fox was a bit of a superhero and a Robin Hood and I loved that Kiera had the guts to go onto the surface with the Marlenian people dressed in violet and wearing a mask, despite being the most wanted Freetor. She got herself into some sticky situations, but she had no fear. I also loved the close relationship she had with her brother, who kept her grounded. When she took on the mission to stay in the castle as a noblewoman, I realized how little fear she really had. As long as she was doing the right thing for her people, she was fearless. She chose to be the Violet Fox, but she didn't hide behind a mask or a persona. She truly wanted to help her people and did what she had to do. She learned the ways of the Marlenian people enough to fit in flawlessly and that’s where the story really took some twists and turns.

Kiera grew as a character as she was imitating a Marlenian. She finally saw things from their point of view and it changed her in many ways. Still, she continued to do the right thing and kept close to her brother. She questioned many of the actions of the Marlenians and drew the attention of the prince, who was intrigued by her outbursts. This is where Kiera's convictions aren't quite so clear to her and she struggles with preconcieved notions. From this point, I felt like the characters were believable and the story was real because of the decisions and emotions all of the characters had to deal with and overcome.

This story had tons of eventful scenes and adventure, but the thing I liked most about it was how the characters grew and how different elements came together at the end. It was well written and descriptive from Kiera’s point of view. There were a lot of twists as the story progressed, making it entirely unpredictable to me. Even when I thought I had things figured out, I was wrong.

I would definitely recommend this to others. Kiera’s strength as a female character was refreshing. I cannot wait to read the sequel. While this book ends at a good stopping point, I am excited that there will more to the story!(less)

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Oct 24, 2012 Courtney Reads A Lot rated it 4 of 5 stars

**3.5 stars**

First off, violet is my favorite color. So, that detail drew me in from the start.

The Violet Fox was a delightful read. When I first read the premise, I knew this was my type of read. It has action, adventure, romance, and a strong heroine. Kiera is far from a weakling. She takes many risks, stealing as the Violet Fox, so that her people won't starve. Times are rough in the Undercity where the Freetors live. Food is scarce, and Fighters have to go on missions to the surface to steal...more **3.5 stars**

First off, violet is my favorite color. So, that detail drew me in from the start.

The Violet Fox was a delightful read. When I first read the premise, I knew this was my type of read. It has action, adventure, romance, and a strong heroine. Kiera is far from a weakling. She takes many risks, stealing as the Violet Fox, so that her people won't starve. Times are rough in the Undercity where the Freetors live. Food is scarce, and Fighters have to go on missions to the surface to steal food. The little food they steal is then rationed. If a Freetor is caught above, they are enslaved, left in the dungeon to rot, or killed in a public execution. Despite all of these dangers, Kiera continues to put her life on the line out of her concern for others. She may be reckless at times, but you have to admire her bravery and toughness. I certainly did. She seemed so much older than her fifteen years.

The Violet Fox does a great job of exploring the deep-seated animosity that exists between two different peoples. The Marlenians hate the Freetors because they refuse to hand over their magical secrets, and the Freetors hate the Marlenians because the Marlenians have exiled their people underground. Time and time again, we have seen prejudice rear its ugly head, and The Violet Fox is a perfect example of a centuries long feud. I felt the hatred between the Freetors and Marlenians was clearly shown, and it was often disturbing in its extent.

There was not a slow part in this book, as I was entertained by the subterfuge and political intrigue. I loved the description of the ladies at court, and it was amusing to have all their faults clearly displayed. I also appreciated the vivid detailing of the castle's interior, including its tapestries showing battle scenes from history. I would like to learn even more about the human god and their religion because I found it fascinating.

While I thought the romance that developed between Prince Keegan and Kiera was touching and adorable, it progressed faster than expected. When the book began, Kiera felt nothing but hatred for the prince. Yet her feelings for Keegan appear quite suddenly. There were a few holes in the plot or at least a couple of things that bugged me, but not overmuch. I wish that all of the Freetors had learned magic, instead of just the Elders and the Elder apprentices in training. I was hoping that since magic was the main reason behind the Marlenians and Freetors being enemies, that there would be more magic throughout the book. But magic doesn't really happen until the end. It was hard for me to think of the Freetors as a threat, when only select individuals know how to use magic. Though, yes, they do steal from the Marlenians and hurt the economy. In all honesty, the Freetors' lack of defenses made me wonder why they hadn't been crushed before. But there are reasons given.

I am not a fan of main characters speaking in a dialect. Even though Kiera was in disguise, I hated having to read what she said in a Northern accent. It was very distracting.

Overall though, this book was a fast, wonderful read. I'm happy I had the chance to read it, and look forward to the sequel, especially after a couple of twists at the end.(less)

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Oct 22, 2012 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Giveaway on my blog! http://somelikeitparanormall.blogspot...

Fantasy is a real hit or miss with me and I'm so happy this was such a hit! Kiera is a Freetor, living under the surface, having to steal from the Marlenians above in order to eat and survive. Two hundred years ago there was a war which drove her people underground. The elders have the power of magic and must keep it protected since it is the one thing the Marlenians fear. When a tome holding the secret of Freetor magic goes misssing,...more Giveaway on my blog! http://somelikeitparanormall.blogspot...

Fantasy is a real hit or miss with me and I'm so happy this was such a hit! Kiera is a Freetor, living under the surface, having to steal from the Marlenians above in order to eat and survive. Two hundred years ago there was a war which drove her people underground. The elders have the power of magic and must keep it protected since it is the one thing the Marlenians fear. When a tome holding the secret of Freetor magic goes misssing, Kiera must pretend to be a Marlenian noble woman to find it and return it. Living as the enemy becomes a problem as she begins falling for the Marlenian Prince Keegan.

Kiera was a very strong character. She put herself at risk daily to help bring in food for her people and to free slaves. She wore the Violet Fox costume to raise hope and to show the Marlenians that the Freetors were a strong force and would never back down. Though to be fair there was a lot of mistreatment and prejudices on both sides. The Marlenians were doing horrible things but the Freetors did some horrible things back. Like kidnapping Lady Dominique so Kiera could take her place. Lady Dominique was indeed an awful girl but probably did not deserve to be held captive. But then Lady Dominique would mention cutting out Freetor tongues and I would understand where Kiera was coming from. Right and wrong can be hard to decide when your people and family are murdered and starving.

Kiera becomes Lady Dominique and heads to Prince Keegan's birthday celebration. Kiera takes along her brother Rordan and other Freetors undercover. Kiera tried to pretend to be the Marlenian hating noble woman but can't help challenging Keegan's beliefs. Keegan begins to see why a Freetor may act the way they do and how they are just trying to survive. Keegan began to seem like a great guy but when he thought Rordan was Kiera's lover I thought he became kind of selfish. Kiera asked him to help protect Rordan and I didn't feel like he tried hard enough. At first I excused this because I thought The Advisor was to blame. Keegan couldn't go against him. But then when secrets and twists came out about The Advisor I blamed him for the awful things that happened. It was just such a huge thing and I felt like Kiera should have held them more responsible since I was pretty upset! I'm kind of off on a tangent that probably makes no sense until you read it and because I'm trying not to spoil it, but I just wanted a bigger reaction out of Kiera for something so horrible that happened to someone close to her. I did understand that there was a lot of pressure to stick with the mission and to keep her cover as a Marlenian.

The Violet Fox was a very exciting fantasy with great world building. I could picture their underground home perfectly. The romance had a very realistic feel and I was happy there was no love triangle. Plenty of action kept me turning the pages and there were lots of twists, one big one I especially did not see coming at all! And I am not easily shocked with plots twists. I also really felt the emotion through the characters and one really shocking and depressing scene literally had me in tears. I'm still upset lol But there was humor as well to offset the somewhat depressing plot. Seeing Kiera go from rags to riches and impersonating a noble woman had me laughing at times. The ending was a nice wrap up of the events of book one but also set up all the work Kiera and Keegan have for the next book. Very excited to see where the series goes next!

---
My shoes touched a soft surface, and I was momentarily set off balance. I stopped and stared at the red surface, testing it gingerly with my pointed shoe.
"It's called carpet, Sis." Rordan muttered. "Let's keep going."
"It's like...grass," I whispered. "But it's inside."

"The court never allows a lady to reveal herself," Keegan replied. "Please...allow me to know you."

---
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*(less)

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Nov 01, 2012 Tracey (YA Book Addict) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Some months back I was involved in the cover reveal for The Violet Fox and while the cover is eye catching the original synopsis didn't really give too much away.

Run.
That’s what instinct told me.
But in order to save the secrets of my people
and to protect my brother
I have to become the enemy.

That always tends to leave me intrigued, so I added it to my huge TBR pile and thought that it would be something that I would eventually get around to reading. Well, then I was contacted by the author who a...more Some months back I was involved in the cover reveal for The Violet Fox and while the cover is eye catching the original synopsis didn't really give too much away.

Run.
That’s what instinct told me.
But in order to save the secrets of my people
and to protect my brother
I have to become the enemy.

That always tends to leave me intrigued, so I added it to my huge TBR pile and thought that it would be something that I would eventually get around to reading. Well, then I was contacted by the author who asked me to be a part of her blog tour. Clare C. Marshall is so sweet and so enthusiastic that it was impossible not to get involved and share in her excitement. So that lead to The Violet Fox being on top of that TBR pile much sooner than I anticipated and all I can say is, thank you to Clare because her book is awesome!!!!

The world is full of different classes of people and so it is in The Violet Fox. You have the Freetors who live underground and you have the Marlenians who live above ground. The Freetors are forced to steal and scrounge for what they need to survive and the Marlenians live off the land, run the businesses and live a completely different existence to the Freetors. Kiera Driscoll and her brother Rordan are fighters which is a section of Freetors who are sent above ground to steal food and wares to provide for the rest of the Freetor population. But Keira is much more than just your average fighter. She is The Violet Fox. Dressed in her cape and mask, she exudes confidence which comes from the fact that the Marlenians have never been able to catch her.

But Keira is about to be sent on a mission which will change her life and the lives of many. She is to go above ground and infiltrate the castle disguised as a Marlenian noblewoman. It is there that she catches the eye of Prince Keegan. But how will he feel once he learns that she is a Freetor who has deceived him and everyone else.

I absolutely loved the world and the strong and interesting characters that the author has created. Keira is so strong and confident as The Violet Fox but I loved that we got to see her vulnerable side as the story progressed. Rordan was such a protective brother and the direction that his storyline took threw me for six!! The romance between Keira and Prince Keegan was sweet and adorable. But I also loved that there were things that made me laugh. The authors description of Keira being prepared to infiltrate the castle was hilarious as were her descriptions of the ladies in court. I also have to say a huge thank you for not leaving us with a massive cliffhanger. Despite there being another book in the series, this one was finished off nicely by wrapping things up but also leaving us with a feeling of "what will happen next"!!

A fantastic start to the series!! If you like your books to have action, suspense, magic, romance, evil and kick ass characters, then you can't go wrong with The Violet Fox!! I'm so happy that I got to read this much sooner than anticipated and am really looking forward to reading what happens next!!

4.5/5 Stars!!

Review first poted at YA Book Addict... http://youngadultbookaddict.blogspot....(less)

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Feb 26, 2013 Kaitlyn Wilson rated it 5 of 5 stars

A great adventure/romance by a great writer. Like a mixture of Twilight and The Mask Of Zorro, but better! I highly recommend this great book

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Oct 29, 2012 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fantasy

This was a well written original tale with a little mix of Robin Hood and Cinderella. I am very intrigued and looking forward to the next one. It is so refreshing to get a good book for under $5!

1 like · like · see review

Dec 06, 2012 Peregrine rated it 1 of 5 stars

just...meh.

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Nov 02, 2012 Cecilia Robert rated it 5 of 5 stars

LOVED this book! Will review this in a bit

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May 22, 2013 Stacey Brown marked it as to-read

May 20, 2013 Diantha Jones marked it as to-read

Shelves: young-adult, giveaway-win

May 19, 2013 L.T. Getty marked it as to-read

May 19, 2013 S.Cu'Anam Policar marked it as to-read

May 17, 2013 Mariacris98 marked it as to-read

May 15, 2013 Isabel Vazquez marked it as to-read

May 13, 2013 Merisha28 marked it as to-read

May 13, 2013 Amanda marked it as to-read

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