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Kavillian Series #1
A Fox in Shadow
Politics in the Kavillian Senate is a dangerous, high-stakes game, and the odds aren’t on Cassie’s side.
As imperial envoy, she’s tasked with adding a new region to the empire. Normally, this is a simple matter for the legions, but rivals want Cassie to fail. Without military support, success will require all her guile and cunning, plus a good dose of luck.
Persuading the local inhabitants won’t be easy, especially in the case of Arian, the king’s sister. Arian is ardent about her people’s independence and traditions. The land is theirs, given by the gods and paid for in blood. She despises both the empire and its envoy, and doesn’t hesitate to say so.
Despite her hostility, Arian is troublingly attractive. Yet Cassie is determined to stay on track and ignore any thoughts of seduction. Things are difficult enough without extra complications—and that’s before the murders start.
As imperial envoy, she’s tasked with adding a new region to the empire. Normally, this is a simple matter for the legions, but rivals want Cassie to fail. Without military support, success will require all her guile and cunning, plus a good dose of luck.
Persuading the local inhabitants won’t be easy, especially in the case of Arian, the king’s sister. Arian is ardent about her people’s independence and traditions. The land is theirs, given by the gods and paid for in blood. She despises both the empire and its envoy, and doesn’t hesitate to say so.
Despite her hostility, Arian is troublingly attractive. Yet Cassie is determined to stay on track and ignore any thoughts of seduction. Things are difficult enough without extra complications—and that’s before the murders start.
312 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2022
10 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Jane Fletcher
21 books201 followersJane Fletcher is a GCLS award-winning writer and has also been short-listed for the Gaylactic Spectrum and Lambda Literary awards. She is author of two ongoing sets of fantasy/romance novels: the Celaeno series—The Walls of Westernfort, Rangers at Roadsend, The Temple at Landfall, Dynasty of Rogues, and Shadow of the Knife; and the Lyremouth Chronicles—The Exile and The Sorcerer, The Traitor and The Chalice, The Empress and The Acolyte, and The High Priest and the Idol.
Her love of fantasy began at the age of seven when she encountered Greek Mythology. This was compounded by a childhood spent clambering over every example of ancient masonry she could find (medieval castles, megalithic monuments, Roman villas). Her resolute ambition was to become an archaeologist when she grew up, so it was something of a surprise when she became a software engineer instead.
Born in Greenwich, London, in 1956, she now lives in southwest England where she keeps herself busy writing both computer software and fiction, although generally not at the same time.
Her love of fantasy began at the age of seven when she encountered Greek Mythology. This was compounded by a childhood spent clambering over every example of ancient masonry she could find (medieval castles, megalithic monuments, Roman villas). Her resolute ambition was to become an archaeologist when she grew up, so it was something of a surprise when she became a software engineer instead.
Born in Greenwich, London, in 1956, she now lives in southwest England where she keeps herself busy writing both computer software and fiction, although generally not at the same time.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 21, 2022
Cassie is dispatched as an Imperial Envoy to help the empire annex a region for its mining industry. The people of the region believe their gods gifted them this land. Cassie’s main goal is to find any weaknesses the empire could exploit in order to achieve their goal. Arian is the king’s sister and mistrusts everything about Cassie and yet she is inexplicably drawn to her.
The world building is Roman inspired with the legions of a precision military, the advancement of their civilization in comparison to others and the empire’s hunger to conquer more lands. Fletcher is a life long student of history and she uses this to her advantage in creating her world. Fletcher’s manipulation with the historical facts gives us a setting which is as fluid as some of the characters who inhabit it.
The story is a political intrigue romance. The cat and mouse games Cassie plays with Arian personally and her country’s power structure is gripping and intense. Fletcher makes sure to keep the reader in the loop until a surprise plot twist at the end.
Fletcher is an author who is new to me although she has fourteen novels in print and is a multiple literary award winner. How I have not known about her books is a mystery. Yet now that I do know and with the superb craftsmanship of the writing and the expertise in storytelling, I have thirteen more books to add to my must read list. And you have this one to add to yours.
P.S. If you want a good chuckle make sure to wander over to janefletcher.co.uk for her home page. Her biography is hilarious!
I received an advance review copy from Bold Stroke Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world building is Roman inspired with the legions of a precision military, the advancement of their civilization in comparison to others and the empire’s hunger to conquer more lands. Fletcher is a life long student of history and she uses this to her advantage in creating her world. Fletcher’s manipulation with the historical facts gives us a setting which is as fluid as some of the characters who inhabit it.
The story is a political intrigue romance. The cat and mouse games Cassie plays with Arian personally and her country’s power structure is gripping and intense. Fletcher makes sure to keep the reader in the loop until a surprise plot twist at the end.
Fletcher is an author who is new to me although she has fourteen novels in print and is a multiple literary award winner. How I have not known about her books is a mystery. Yet now that I do know and with the superb craftsmanship of the writing and the expertise in storytelling, I have thirteen more books to add to my must read list. And you have this one to add to yours.
P.S. If you want a good chuckle make sure to wander over to janefletcher.co.uk for her home page. Her biography is hilarious!
I received an advance review copy from Bold Stroke Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 29, 2022
4.25 stars. I haven’t read a lot of books by Fletcher yet, but I liked those that I read and I was looking forward to this new book. It’s a bit different from previous work as there is less of the fantasy genre involved and I didn’t know very well what to expect after reading the blurb of this book. One thing I didn’t expect was a mystery, so I was positively surprised to get that as well. This book is best described as historical fantasy, and not fantasy in the sense of otherworldly realms with dragons or other fantastical creatures, but a made-up empire that highly resembles ancient Rome and, as the author mentioned, their invasion of England. And let me say how much I like this cover!
When I think of ancient Rome I think of political intrigue and yes that’s what you get with this book and I loved it. The book is not set in the Kavillian empire though, but in the “barbaric” society of the Lycanthi, so it’s not so much the political games you could expect in the refined empire, but it’s focused on how to “play” the rough and untrusting barbarians to get what you want. And this is Cassie’s job who is send as an imperial envoy to the Lycanthi to negotiate a trading agreement (and bigger underlying goals). I loved her character, she’s so very cunning.
I won’t go into much details on the mystery, but the thoughts of the Lycanthi on how to handle the situation are divided and the decisions of the king of the Lycanthi leave a lot of room for improvement. It turns out that some people have their own ambitions and are willing to risk everything for it.
On the Lycanthi side there is Arian, the king’s sister. It took some time to get to like her as she’s really quite naive and somewhat aggressive, not the best combination, but luckily she improves as the story evolves. There is also an enemies to lovers romance between the Arian and Cassie, which I would describe as very light as their feelings and actions are mostly directed towards how they deal with the political games, making the romance a side issue. It also ends on a bit of an open note, a happy for now scenario. I would like to read a sequel with these two characters and switch to the Kavillian empire.
The worldbuilding is easy to follow, there are only two cultures and the Kavillian empire is so familiar that not much info is needed to understand their way of living. More info is given on the Lycanthi culture, but it didn’t feel as an info dump.
All in all, I highly enjoyed reading this book, it’s an excellent book for fans of historical fiction/fantasy and I think that even those that don’t like extensive worldbuilding, but do like political intrigue or mysteries, will enjoy this book.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I think of ancient Rome I think of political intrigue and yes that’s what you get with this book and I loved it. The book is not set in the Kavillian empire though, but in the “barbaric” society of the Lycanthi, so it’s not so much the political games you could expect in the refined empire, but it’s focused on how to “play” the rough and untrusting barbarians to get what you want. And this is Cassie’s job who is send as an imperial envoy to the Lycanthi to negotiate a trading agreement (and bigger underlying goals). I loved her character, she’s so very cunning.
I won’t go into much details on the mystery, but the thoughts of the Lycanthi on how to handle the situation are divided and the decisions of the king of the Lycanthi leave a lot of room for improvement. It turns out that some people have their own ambitions and are willing to risk everything for it.
On the Lycanthi side there is Arian, the king’s sister. It took some time to get to like her as she’s really quite naive and somewhat aggressive, not the best combination, but luckily she improves as the story evolves. There is also an enemies to lovers romance between the Arian and Cassie, which I would describe as very light as their feelings and actions are mostly directed towards how they deal with the political games, making the romance a side issue. It also ends on a bit of an open note, a happy for now scenario. I would like to read a sequel with these two characters and switch to the Kavillian empire.
The worldbuilding is easy to follow, there are only two cultures and the Kavillian empire is so familiar that not much info is needed to understand their way of living. More info is given on the Lycanthi culture, but it didn’t feel as an info dump.
All in all, I highly enjoyed reading this book, it’s an excellent book for fans of historical fiction/fantasy and I think that even those that don’t like extensive worldbuilding, but do like political intrigue or mysteries, will enjoy this book.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2022
4.5 stars
This book is part fantasy, part mystery, part political intrigue and part romance. Fletcher uses her knowledge of the history of the Roman Empire and then twists it a bit to create this imaginative fantasy story. First we have Cassie who is the daughter of a prominent woman Senator in the Kavillian Empire. She’s is sent out to a rural mining town to try and bring them into the Royal empire. As the imperial envoy she must use all her cunning and persuasion for success. The small rural region is home to the Lycanthi and is ruled by a week king who’s aides are working behind his back for their own gain. The king’s sister, Arain, is very loyal to her family and her people. And despises the empire and the Royal envoy and makes no secret of her feelings and dislike.
Cassie is brilliant in her mission to convert the region and is quick to find solutions for the towns problems. Arain doesn’t trust her at all but comes to rely on her once murders of the Lycanthi people begin.
I enjoyed the political intrigue and the little mysteries throughout the book. And the slow burn romance that builds up to a cliffhanger ending.
ARC received from Bold Strokes Books thru NetGalley for a voluntary and honest review.
This book is part fantasy, part mystery, part political intrigue and part romance. Fletcher uses her knowledge of the history of the Roman Empire and then twists it a bit to create this imaginative fantasy story. First we have Cassie who is the daughter of a prominent woman Senator in the Kavillian Empire. She’s is sent out to a rural mining town to try and bring them into the Royal empire. As the imperial envoy she must use all her cunning and persuasion for success. The small rural region is home to the Lycanthi and is ruled by a week king who’s aides are working behind his back for their own gain. The king’s sister, Arain, is very loyal to her family and her people. And despises the empire and the Royal envoy and makes no secret of her feelings and dislike.
Cassie is brilliant in her mission to convert the region and is quick to find solutions for the towns problems. Arain doesn’t trust her at all but comes to rely on her once murders of the Lycanthi people begin.
I enjoyed the political intrigue and the little mysteries throughout the book. And the slow burn romance that builds up to a cliffhanger ending.
ARC received from Bold Strokes Books thru NetGalley for a voluntary and honest review.
October 19, 2024
4 Stars
Is there a handbook on how to be cunning? Because how one of the main characters conducted themselves in the story was so noteworthy. It’s like a game of chess and she knows the counter counter counter counter move 10 steps before the move was made. I am so impressed.
Distinct world building. The “savages” were the blonde and blue eyed people. Their tribal way of living was unique and memorable.
However, I don’t think the story fits as a fantasy story. Yes, the setting was made up, the belief system archaic but there was no magic! I am so confused by this matter.
Is there a handbook on how to be cunning? Because how one of the main characters conducted themselves in the story was so noteworthy. It’s like a game of chess and she knows the counter counter counter counter move 10 steps before the move was made. I am so impressed.
Distinct world building. The “savages” were the blonde and blue eyed people. Their tribal way of living was unique and memorable.
However, I don’t think the story fits as a fantasy story. Yes, the setting was made up, the belief system archaic but there was no magic! I am so confused by this matter.
June 4, 2022
As an imperial envoy, Cassie finds herself tasked with acquiring a new land for the empire. She finds herself in a land of old fashion weirdos to be quite frank.
Of them are some lovable characters and secrets that Cassie unfortunately finds herself right in the middle of.
This book is kind of a murder mystery mixed with a bit of fantasy. I definitely enjoyed it, though at times a bit hard to understand.
Cassie is definitely one of my favorite characters however, I feel like the author didn’t give as much of an insight into her as she could have. Emotionally wise I feel disconnected from her. She was almost killed and we got almost nothing from that. She basically just shrugged it off and wasn’t even shook.
I’m still kind of undecided on how I feel about Arian but I loved her and Cassie’s chemistry. Not sure how I feel about the ominous note of their ending but still cute regardless.
This book deals with some triggering topics so warning in place; rape, murder (a lot), I guess racism but not really applicable to real life so I don’t really wanna put much emphasis on that as a warning, homophobia
Honestly that being said, this book would’ve been more enjoyable with some more light moments. The moments between Cassie and Arian’s sister were some of the most relaxing moments of reading.
Nevertheless, I liked this author, will check more of her work out and hopefully achieve fulfillment with a plot.
If this doesn’t make sense I’m sorry it’s 6am and I got an exam and just wanted to do this before I forgot… if there’s spelling errors let me know lol
I received this book as an advanced reading copy from NetGalley at the acceptance of the publisher!
Of them are some lovable characters and secrets that Cassie unfortunately finds herself right in the middle of.
This book is kind of a murder mystery mixed with a bit of fantasy. I definitely enjoyed it, though at times a bit hard to understand.
Cassie is definitely one of my favorite characters however, I feel like the author didn’t give as much of an insight into her as she could have. Emotionally wise I feel disconnected from her. She was almost killed and we got almost nothing from that. She basically just shrugged it off and wasn’t even shook.
I’m still kind of undecided on how I feel about Arian but I loved her and Cassie’s chemistry. Not sure how I feel about the ominous note of their ending but still cute regardless.
This book deals with some triggering topics so warning in place; rape, murder (a lot), I guess racism but not really applicable to real life so I don’t really wanna put much emphasis on that as a warning, homophobia
Honestly that being said, this book would’ve been more enjoyable with some more light moments. The moments between Cassie and Arian’s sister were some of the most relaxing moments of reading.
Nevertheless, I liked this author, will check more of her work out and hopefully achieve fulfillment with a plot.
If this doesn’t make sense I’m sorry it’s 6am and I got an exam and just wanted to do this before I forgot… if there’s spelling errors let me know lol
I received this book as an advanced reading copy from NetGalley at the acceptance of the publisher!
June 4, 2022
A Fox in Shadow follows Imperial Envoy Lady Cassilania as she ventures to a neighboring land to try to negotiate mining access for her government. She is well schooled in political games from her experience in her own government's senate and brings her political savvy to a far more simple people. She finds more than she bargained for when she meets the king's sister, Arian, who despises Cassie from their first meeting.
This was the first book I've read by this author and I loved it. Cassie is one of those characters that keeps you on your toes, always a step behind her, surprising you at every turn. Arian is a truly noble person, just as intelligent but with a slight naivety that makes her that much more attractive. Both are trying to do the best thing for their family and their people. The story felt a bit slow to start but once I got into it it felt like a rollercoaster. They go from enemies to friends very slowly and the journey is made interesting with lots of political intrigue, family arguments and secrets. I'd definitely pick up another book by Jane Fletcher in the future as this was truly a fun read.
This was the first book I've read by this author and I loved it. Cassie is one of those characters that keeps you on your toes, always a step behind her, surprising you at every turn. Arian is a truly noble person, just as intelligent but with a slight naivety that makes her that much more attractive. Both are trying to do the best thing for their family and their people. The story felt a bit slow to start but once I got into it it felt like a rollercoaster. They go from enemies to friends very slowly and the journey is made interesting with lots of political intrigue, family arguments and secrets. I'd definitely pick up another book by Jane Fletcher in the future as this was truly a fun read.
May 29, 2022
2.5/5 stars
This was an interesting fantasy book with some great political intrigue and a sapphic romance at its heart. I do love a bit of high-stakes politics, especially in a fantasy book, so I was fully drawn in by the complicated politics. All the characters were also interesting, if not a little bit underdeveloped, although this can easily be improved on in subsequent books in the series. Similar with the romance, I think it gave a great taster of what the romance could develop into.
What I wasn’t a huge fan of were the seeming lack of complexity and thoughtfulness placed into a largely imperial storyline. I just don’t think the underdeveloped barbarian civilisation v. Massive rich and opulent empire is a simple story nor one that should be told without a lot of thought behind it. While it was clear in the beginning, the author included some complexity into the colonised peoples and their traditions, this wasn’t really carried through the entire story. By the end, it felt like most characters wanted to be part of the empire and realised how lacking their own civilisation was. Even the traditions initially developed didn’t hold up to scrutiny, and there was a lot of poor leadership and internal squabbling which seemed inane at best. While the imperial government was definitely not made to seem benevolent, they were written to feel superior in every way, even towards their views on same-sex relations.
A ‘barbaric’ civilisation that was homophobic, lacked important traditions, and with terrible living conditions (that our main character commented on endlessly) just makes the book feel pro-colonialism even if this wasn’t the intention. I just don’t think enough thought or genuine care was placed in to writing a story about colonialism at its centre. If this book does extend into a series, I do have a lot of hope for more development of these themes in a sequel. But as a stand-alone, I don’t think it holds up to much scrutiny.
This was an interesting fantasy book with some great political intrigue and a sapphic romance at its heart. I do love a bit of high-stakes politics, especially in a fantasy book, so I was fully drawn in by the complicated politics. All the characters were also interesting, if not a little bit underdeveloped, although this can easily be improved on in subsequent books in the series. Similar with the romance, I think it gave a great taster of what the romance could develop into.
What I wasn’t a huge fan of were the seeming lack of complexity and thoughtfulness placed into a largely imperial storyline. I just don’t think the underdeveloped barbarian civilisation v. Massive rich and opulent empire is a simple story nor one that should be told without a lot of thought behind it. While it was clear in the beginning, the author included some complexity into the colonised peoples and their traditions, this wasn’t really carried through the entire story. By the end, it felt like most characters wanted to be part of the empire and realised how lacking their own civilisation was. Even the traditions initially developed didn’t hold up to scrutiny, and there was a lot of poor leadership and internal squabbling which seemed inane at best. While the imperial government was definitely not made to seem benevolent, they were written to feel superior in every way, even towards their views on same-sex relations.
A ‘barbaric’ civilisation that was homophobic, lacked important traditions, and with terrible living conditions (that our main character commented on endlessly) just makes the book feel pro-colonialism even if this wasn’t the intention. I just don’t think enough thought or genuine care was placed in to writing a story about colonialism at its centre. If this book does extend into a series, I do have a lot of hope for more development of these themes in a sequel. But as a stand-alone, I don’t think it holds up to much scrutiny.
September 15, 2022
3.75 Stars. This is a nice, if a little slow historical fantasy that relies heavily on political intrigue. It is set in a time an place that feels a lot like Rome (don't ask me what era, because I will get it wrong). We have a sly political lady named Cassie who was effectively banished to an outlying territory because she got too frisky with another high politician's wife. She takes it in stride, however, and is looking to leverage that banishment into a better position for herself and her family. What she doesn't anticipate is the absolutely unstoppable Arian, a local tribeswoman who is rightfully skeptical of the Kavillian politician.
Cassie and Arian have to team up, however when Arian's people start showing up dead and they don't know who the murderers are. Cassie drops the act and Arian lowers her shield to let Cassie in, and what happens after is not what anyone predicted.
I had a lot of fun with this book, especially the play between Arian and Cassie. Arian is from a strict society that doesn't allow for even the thought of same-sex attractions, but there are hints of it everywhere. I love the obvious allusions to Ancient Roman political structures and that Rome itself is simultaneously opened minded about some things while closed about others. It also helps that while also being Rom-Kavillian, Cassie is naturally an arrogant person. Heck there were times where I wanted to get the woman to shut up, but she was fun to read about. Whether she was smoothly navigating political waters, or sticking her foot in her mouth when it came to Arian, I just wanted to see what she did. Arian is interesting, too. Her anger and prejudices are very obviously reactionary but from the stand point of having been part of an oppressed group. She's also simply a strong willed person who is very much confused about her growing attraction to Cassie.
Fletcher creates some of the better fantasy stories in lesfic, and this isn't too far behind. If anything, I think it's a little slow for me, but I do understand that she was setting up a lot of things. I do not think this is going to be a one shot book, as it does leave a lot of things open ended. If there is a second book, I will be there to read it.
*I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Cassie and Arian have to team up, however when Arian's people start showing up dead and they don't know who the murderers are. Cassie drops the act and Arian lowers her shield to let Cassie in, and what happens after is not what anyone predicted.
I had a lot of fun with this book, especially the play between Arian and Cassie. Arian is from a strict society that doesn't allow for even the thought of same-sex attractions, but there are hints of it everywhere. I love the obvious allusions to Ancient Roman political structures and that Rome itself is simultaneously opened minded about some things while closed about others. It also helps that while also being Rom-Kavillian, Cassie is naturally an arrogant person. Heck there were times where I wanted to get the woman to shut up, but she was fun to read about. Whether she was smoothly navigating political waters, or sticking her foot in her mouth when it came to Arian, I just wanted to see what she did. Arian is interesting, too. Her anger and prejudices are very obviously reactionary but from the stand point of having been part of an oppressed group. She's also simply a strong willed person who is very much confused about her growing attraction to Cassie.
Fletcher creates some of the better fantasy stories in lesfic, and this isn't too far behind. If anything, I think it's a little slow for me, but I do understand that she was setting up a lot of things. I do not think this is going to be a one shot book, as it does leave a lot of things open ended. If there is a second book, I will be there to read it.
*I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 18, 2023
The ending is perhaps the best romantic portion. This is a well done politically cunning story. Every action preceeded an intent with a resultant expectation. Thoroughly enjoyed.
We have here a more exposed and experienced coloniser in the form of Greece or is it Rome (not sure) sending a supposed political emissary to an outly and rudimentary settlement with the believe to broker a trade agreement. However the underlying reason is revealed in time having many fun revelations alongside ongoing happenings within the settlement. This writer has me increasingly in awe of her works.
We have here a more exposed and experienced coloniser in the form of Greece or is it Rome (not sure) sending a supposed political emissary to an outly and rudimentary settlement with the believe to broker a trade agreement. However the underlying reason is revealed in time having many fun revelations alongside ongoing happenings within the settlement. This writer has me increasingly in awe of her works.
May 16, 2022
I put down my copy of Heckin’ Lewd from the same publisher and decided it was a fluke. It had to be. Inexperienced fiction editor given too much to do too soon. I walked into this one hopeful it would be much better.
A Fox in Shadow is a lesbian-focused fantasy novel set in the Shadowlands outside the Kavillian Empire. The setting is a pastiche of Rome and Celtic Europe pre-Caesar, cued by senators and elections and earthworks built by proud free folk with vaguely Welsh names. Cassie is a bright, scheming tool of her family’s ambitions who is “banished” from faux Rome to exploit a sex scandal her family orchestrated. She arrives in the hillforts of the unconquered Shadowlands as an envoy to the barbarian Lycanthi tribe and immediately locks horns with Arian, sister of King Gethryn of the Lycanthi. Arian is understandably unimpressed with the colonial officer, but Cassie senses that part of her disdain is located elsewhere. A spate of murders brings the women closer together, and the court intrigue spirals into war.
I am perturbed by the setting. The author hasn’t done much to differentiate the historical edge of empire from the fantasy edition. It feels like the author either wasn’t confident enough to work in a historical setting or didn’t want to bother doing the research. We genuinely don’t know a lot about the structures of Celtic Gaul or Iron Age Britain: it would have been very easy to set the Lycanthi’s matrilineal structure on the Batavii or the Catuvellani. The Kavillian empire is so obviously Rome that it’s just distracting.
As an aside: the colonized limes of an empire has some implications that the worldbuilding isn’t skilled enough to deal with. I’m not sure what to do with the fact that the author created on one side a utopic world without homophobia but with chattel slavery and endemic sexual abuse of said slaves by their masters. I’m not sure the author did the requisite thinking when they made the matrilineal colonized barbarian outlands culturally homophobic. This homophobia doesn’t seem to be expressed in terms harsher than made-up slurs until it suddenly derails a murder investigation.
My main difficulty with this book is that the writing itself is so mechanical. It’s riddled with cliches and a reluctance to show rather than tell. Characters explain plot points to each other over and over again. The plot chugs along competently and then stops dead for Arian to remonstrate with herself. Arian and Cassie don’t act like middle-aged mothers of children but like overbright teenagers trying to one-up each other. Their relationship comes together a little too quickly, as does the climax of the story. The violence (there is a rather graphic execution scene) imply this is a book for adults, but the vocabulary, the coyness about sex, and the general simplistic layout of the world and the subplots drop it down into the lower age range for YA.
I think this publisher is doing a good thing, looking for own voices authors. I just wish the publisher prioritized developing those own voices into readable talent. This book wasn’t offensive, or at least where it was it wasn’t thinking clearly rather than being outright bigoted, but it slides in and off the brain. Teens and young adults might enjoy this as a quick read, but I’d sooner point them towards Memoirs of Hadrian or The Eagle of the Ninth or Ruth Downie’s Medicus series. Or the album The Arcane Dominion by Eluveitie. There’s a very good book in here, but it needed more coaxing to come out in full.
Three stars.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for allowing me to read a copy for review.
A Fox in Shadow is a lesbian-focused fantasy novel set in the Shadowlands outside the Kavillian Empire. The setting is a pastiche of Rome and Celtic Europe pre-Caesar, cued by senators and elections and earthworks built by proud free folk with vaguely Welsh names. Cassie is a bright, scheming tool of her family’s ambitions who is “banished” from faux Rome to exploit a sex scandal her family orchestrated. She arrives in the hillforts of the unconquered Shadowlands as an envoy to the barbarian Lycanthi tribe and immediately locks horns with Arian, sister of King Gethryn of the Lycanthi. Arian is understandably unimpressed with the colonial officer, but Cassie senses that part of her disdain is located elsewhere. A spate of murders brings the women closer together, and the court intrigue spirals into war.
I am perturbed by the setting. The author hasn’t done much to differentiate the historical edge of empire from the fantasy edition. It feels like the author either wasn’t confident enough to work in a historical setting or didn’t want to bother doing the research. We genuinely don’t know a lot about the structures of Celtic Gaul or Iron Age Britain: it would have been very easy to set the Lycanthi’s matrilineal structure on the Batavii or the Catuvellani. The Kavillian empire is so obviously Rome that it’s just distracting.
As an aside: the colonized limes of an empire has some implications that the worldbuilding isn’t skilled enough to deal with. I’m not sure what to do with the fact that the author created on one side a utopic world without homophobia but with chattel slavery and endemic sexual abuse of said slaves by their masters. I’m not sure the author did the requisite thinking when they made the matrilineal colonized barbarian outlands culturally homophobic. This homophobia doesn’t seem to be expressed in terms harsher than made-up slurs until it suddenly derails a murder investigation.
My main difficulty with this book is that the writing itself is so mechanical. It’s riddled with cliches and a reluctance to show rather than tell. Characters explain plot points to each other over and over again. The plot chugs along competently and then stops dead for Arian to remonstrate with herself. Arian and Cassie don’t act like middle-aged mothers of children but like overbright teenagers trying to one-up each other. Their relationship comes together a little too quickly, as does the climax of the story. The violence (there is a rather graphic execution scene) imply this is a book for adults, but the vocabulary, the coyness about sex, and the general simplistic layout of the world and the subplots drop it down into the lower age range for YA.
I think this publisher is doing a good thing, looking for own voices authors. I just wish the publisher prioritized developing those own voices into readable talent. This book wasn’t offensive, or at least where it was it wasn’t thinking clearly rather than being outright bigoted, but it slides in and off the brain. Teens and young adults might enjoy this as a quick read, but I’d sooner point them towards Memoirs of Hadrian or The Eagle of the Ninth or Ruth Downie’s Medicus series. Or the album The Arcane Dominion by Eluveitie. There’s a very good book in here, but it needed more coaxing to come out in full.
Three stars.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for allowing me to read a copy for review.
June 4, 2022
I have enjoyed many of Jane Fletcher’s books in the past, so was pleased to be given this ARC ebook to review, courtesy of Bold Strokes and NetGalley. While I didn’t enjoy Fletcher’s last book, Silver Ravens, I found A Fox in Shadow a return to form and a fun, light, pacy read.
The plot concerns the political machinations of a powerful imperial family and the small, independent kingdom on the borders of a large empire, roughly analogous to Rome. Cassie is sent north, ostensibly to negotiate a trade deal, but naturally that’s not all she’s after.
Waiting for her in the north is her love interest Arian, the sister of the king. This is a definite enemies to lovers situation as Arian, like most of her people, hates the Empire and everything about it, particularly their laissez-faire attitude to queer intimacy, though in Arian’s case this is definitely an example of the lady protesting too much…
Just when you think you’re going to be treated to a slow tale of trade negotiations and occasional flirting, the bodies start piling up. Time for this to book to become a murder mystery! And I do enjoy a good murder, it has to be said. Cassie investigates the murder of the king’s heir and immediately realises that this situation is a bomb waiting for a spark, and she is happy to provide that spark. If she can avoid being killed herself along the way.
The romance between the lead characters progresses at a good pace in my opinion, and it has a little bit of an edge to it due to Arian’s cultural taboos against same-sex attraction and Cassie’s political machinations that are always at the forefront of her mind. The ending is somewhat open-ended, but satisfying nonetheless.
Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and would recommend it to new readers of Jane Fletcher’s work, as well as returning fans - particularly those who enjoyed Rangers at Roadsend or Shadow of the Knife.
The plot concerns the political machinations of a powerful imperial family and the small, independent kingdom on the borders of a large empire, roughly analogous to Rome. Cassie is sent north, ostensibly to negotiate a trade deal, but naturally that’s not all she’s after.
Waiting for her in the north is her love interest Arian, the sister of the king. This is a definite enemies to lovers situation as Arian, like most of her people, hates the Empire and everything about it, particularly their laissez-faire attitude to queer intimacy, though in Arian’s case this is definitely an example of the lady protesting too much…
Just when you think you’re going to be treated to a slow tale of trade negotiations and occasional flirting, the bodies start piling up. Time for this to book to become a murder mystery! And I do enjoy a good murder, it has to be said. Cassie investigates the murder of the king’s heir and immediately realises that this situation is a bomb waiting for a spark, and she is happy to provide that spark. If she can avoid being killed herself along the way.
The romance between the lead characters progresses at a good pace in my opinion, and it has a little bit of an edge to it due to Arian’s cultural taboos against same-sex attraction and Cassie’s political machinations that are always at the forefront of her mind. The ending is somewhat open-ended, but satisfying nonetheless.
Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and would recommend it to new readers of Jane Fletcher’s work, as well as returning fans - particularly those who enjoyed Rangers at Roadsend or Shadow of the Knife.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2026
Off my longterm Libby tbr list. In A Fox in Shadow, cynical and sophisticated Cassie is sent as an envoy to a tiny barbarian country to avoid a scandal in the capital. Once ensconced in the locals' hill-fort, Cassie is immediately embroiled in a murder that may be tied to a local succession dispute—as well as with the king's headstrong conservative sister, Arian.
This book is set in another thinly veiled historical setting, where Cassie's Kavillian empire is an obvious stand-in for Rome and Arian's kingdom for a Germanic tribe. Cassie sees the place very literally as a glorified pigsty, and as much as I hate to agree with her, the setting was depressing. The murders are obvious, brutal, and lacking any of the subtlety of the Golden Age classic standard. Arian's world, as much as she loves it, is muddy, ugly, and utterly absorbed in killing their youths in constant pointless wars against their neighbors.
I liked the sapphic romance aspect of the plot, but I wasn't particularly sold on either of the characters. Cassie is arrogant, immediately identifies Arian as gay before she herself realizes it, and uses the information to toy with her. Arian is a deeply conservative backwater aristocrat, blind to the class divisions that Cassie immediately exploits. However, I thought it was an interesting choice that both women have children from unions of convenience. Many fantasy novels avoid making their late twenties or thirties female characters from being something as uncool as mothers, even when it might make sense for the setting.
There's a lot of interesting elements floating around here: sapphic romance, internal succession politics, Cassie's cold maneuvers to bring the country under her empire's rule. Ultimately, the execution wasn't quite to my taste, but I think this is a pretty solid sapphic political fantasy, even if I don't feel compelled to read the sequel.
This book is set in another thinly veiled historical setting, where Cassie's Kavillian empire is an obvious stand-in for Rome and Arian's kingdom for a Germanic tribe. Cassie sees the place very literally as a glorified pigsty, and as much as I hate to agree with her, the setting was depressing. The murders are obvious, brutal, and lacking any of the subtlety of the Golden Age classic standard. Arian's world, as much as she loves it, is muddy, ugly, and utterly absorbed in killing their youths in constant pointless wars against their neighbors.
I liked the sapphic romance aspect of the plot, but I wasn't particularly sold on either of the characters. Cassie is arrogant, immediately identifies Arian as gay before she herself realizes it, and uses the information to toy with her. Arian is a deeply conservative backwater aristocrat, blind to the class divisions that Cassie immediately exploits. However, I thought it was an interesting choice that both women have children from unions of convenience. Many fantasy novels avoid making their late twenties or thirties female characters from being something as uncool as mothers, even when it might make sense for the setting.
There's a lot of interesting elements floating around here: sapphic romance, internal succession politics, Cassie's cold maneuvers to bring the country under her empire's rule. Ultimately, the execution wasn't quite to my taste, but I think this is a pretty solid sapphic political fantasy, even if I don't feel compelled to read the sequel.
June 10, 2022
Four stars.
This was intriguing. For the first few pages, I was worried I would find it a slog, but I was quickly drawn in. It was fun to be in Cassie's head, although I would have liked for her walls to crumble even a little bit at the end. It was annoying for her to not give herself away at all, despite falling for Arian. Still, she's seen so much more than Arian that it makes sense for her to be so jaded.
This was why I wondered if the two of them are a good match. They are so different, and not just in the superficial ways: they have almost opposite beliefs about people and about the world. They think so differently that it seems like Cassie's always having to tell Arian what's "really happening." By the end, Arian is willing to go all in while Cassie clearly isn't, even if it's probably too late to protect her heart.
Half a star deducted because I couldn't bring myself to care about the battle scene, nor figure out why it seemed to end quickly after pages and pages of build-up.
Lastly, this was my first Jane Fletcher novel, so I don't know if this sort of ending is typical for her, but it didn't sit right with me. Maybe I'm more of a sucker for a HEA than I thought, but you do kind of look for that in WLW. Logically, I probably agree with the assessment that they won't be together forever, but that's just not the deflated, dissatisfying vibe I want to take away. The ending is why I'm so ready to move on from the book that writing this review was almost too much, and I just don't foresee A Fox in Shadow being a book I'll be thinking about after I put it down.
This was intriguing. For the first few pages, I was worried I would find it a slog, but I was quickly drawn in. It was fun to be in Cassie's head, although I would have liked for her walls to crumble even a little bit at the end. It was annoying for her to not give herself away at all, despite falling for Arian. Still, she's seen so much more than Arian that it makes sense for her to be so jaded.
This was why I wondered if the two of them are a good match. They are so different, and not just in the superficial ways: they have almost opposite beliefs about people and about the world. They think so differently that it seems like Cassie's always having to tell Arian what's "really happening." By the end, Arian is willing to go all in while Cassie clearly isn't, even if it's probably too late to protect her heart.
Half a star deducted because I couldn't bring myself to care about the battle scene, nor figure out why it seemed to end quickly after pages and pages of build-up.
Lastly, this was my first Jane Fletcher novel, so I don't know if this sort of ending is typical for her, but it didn't sit right with me. Maybe I'm more of a sucker for a HEA than I thought, but you do kind of look for that in WLW. Logically, I probably agree with the assessment that they won't be together forever, but that's just not the deflated, dissatisfying vibe I want to take away. The ending is why I'm so ready to move on from the book that writing this review was almost too much, and I just don't foresee A Fox in Shadow being a book I'll be thinking about after I put it down.
July 5, 2022
Historical-inspired F/F with politics should have been my jam but this one left very little impression on me alas... Most of my reaction going thru this book was a :[ face because I really think "huge powerful empire meddling in barbarian politics" is a trope that carries, hm, a lot of connotations. There was some work put into making both countries seem extremely imperfect, especially towards the beginning, but by the end it really just seems like the barbarian country thinks the empire is great and comes neatly to heel. I might have been down for this if the existential horror of the situation was played up more but the book seemed unmotivated to explore this.
The F/F relationship was an interesting one in that I spent the whole book going :/ But are they REALLY good for each other? and then the ending basically affirms that they probably won't stay together so lol I guess I was correct to think they were not very well suited. This is one of the few times I was actually down for the non-HEA ending because I'd spent so much time being sceptical of our main couple which I guess is a decent testament to my media literacy but at the same time I don't know if it was a very pleasant experience. Constantly sceptical and then on the last page I got a brief burst of validation for my troubles. I probably won't remember this book in a week, sorry. Thanks NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The F/F relationship was an interesting one in that I spent the whole book going :/ But are they REALLY good for each other? and then the ending basically affirms that they probably won't stay together so lol I guess I was correct to think they were not very well suited. This is one of the few times I was actually down for the non-HEA ending because I'd spent so much time being sceptical of our main couple which I guess is a decent testament to my media literacy but at the same time I don't know if it was a very pleasant experience. Constantly sceptical and then on the last page I got a brief burst of validation for my troubles. I probably won't remember this book in a week, sorry. Thanks NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2022
As always, Jane Fletcher offers us a solid work, with well defined worldbuilding, rich characters and an enticing story. I dare say it's one of their best book so far.
And, by the way, in my headcannon Cassie is wrong at the end, as the future shows her. I won't listen to any other version.
And, by the way, in my headcannon Cassie is wrong at the end, as the future shows her. I won't listen to any other version.
July 27, 2022
This one can definitely be counted among Jane Fletcher's hits -- tricky political machinations, and both romance and nuanced conflict between the two main characters, all in a lived-in feeling historical fantasy setting. I liked it a lot.
November 25, 2025
I REALLY REALLY enjoyed this book and the ending left a lot opening for a sequel so I'm definitely hoping Jane decides to bless us with one.
June 30, 2022
Brilliant
If there isnt a follow-up book, I will be devastated. This was frustrating, magical, strategic and just so so good
If there isnt a follow-up book, I will be devastated. This was frustrating, magical, strategic and just so so good
May 31, 2022
Alternate history mixing Romans with Romance
This can count either as a fantasy with the world heavily modelled on Romans vs. Britons or an alternate history. I rather liked the clash of the Empire‘s advanced art of political intrigue and manouvering in the person of Cassie, the empire‘s envoy, and a simpler, more direct and directly brutal world represented by Arian, the sister of the king. Sometimes the depiction of the two worlds is almost too simple - the refinement of the Empire vs. the squalor of the outside world but as another fellow history geek unfortunately there might be much truth in it. The two worlds are woven together in many ways e.g. by the enemies to lovers romance between the two main characters or by Arian‘s sister who lived in both worlds or the questioning of matrilinear heritage vs. patrilinear. I liked the thoughtful end - not all roses, but not all thornes either. I enjoyed the glimpses into local customs, gods, etc.
The storytelling is well done, the story moves on a good clip and at the same time fills in a lot of details of living conditions and attitudes. I sometimes missed a bit of humour - something I have come to relish with Fletcher. Note to publisher: The final proofing could have been better.
Trigger Warning: Some graphic violence (what you expect with swords, battles, questioning of prisoners).
This can count either as a fantasy with the world heavily modelled on Romans vs. Britons or an alternate history. I rather liked the clash of the Empire‘s advanced art of political intrigue and manouvering in the person of Cassie, the empire‘s envoy, and a simpler, more direct and directly brutal world represented by Arian, the sister of the king. Sometimes the depiction of the two worlds is almost too simple - the refinement of the Empire vs. the squalor of the outside world but as another fellow history geek unfortunately there might be much truth in it. The two worlds are woven together in many ways e.g. by the enemies to lovers romance between the two main characters or by Arian‘s sister who lived in both worlds or the questioning of matrilinear heritage vs. patrilinear. I liked the thoughtful end - not all roses, but not all thornes either. I enjoyed the glimpses into local customs, gods, etc.
The storytelling is well done, the story moves on a good clip and at the same time fills in a lot of details of living conditions and attitudes. I sometimes missed a bit of humour - something I have come to relish with Fletcher. Note to publisher: The final proofing could have been better.
Trigger Warning: Some graphic violence (what you expect with swords, battles, questioning of prisoners).
July 9, 2023
Another disappointment from one of my lifelong favourite authors. I have loved her work since the Caelano series, but the last few novels have been increasingly disappointing.
I have never been fond of the sapphic Enemies-to-Lovers trope, but I couldnt really relate to either of the women, or see them as having any future as a couple. The moments of professing 'love' did not ring true. Just transient casual lust, which is fine, but the depictions of emotional angst was jarring in that context. Cassie got on my nerves with her arrogance, and Arian a wimp.
The friendship with Meriel seemed more real. In that respect, the ending almost made sense.
My greatest issue, was probably basing the world-building on a bare outline sketch of the historical Roman Empire. The men characters were all awful cliche stereotypes. The political intrigues following Cassie, in her job of imperial spymaster/diplomat in ensuring the colonising or conquering of a 'barbarian' country for its resources, werent very entertaining either.
I have never been fond of the sapphic Enemies-to-Lovers trope, but I couldnt really relate to either of the women, or see them as having any future as a couple. The moments of professing 'love' did not ring true. Just transient casual lust, which is fine, but the depictions of emotional angst was jarring in that context. Cassie got on my nerves with her arrogance, and Arian a wimp.
The friendship with Meriel seemed more real. In that respect, the ending almost made sense.
My greatest issue, was probably basing the world-building on a bare outline sketch of the historical Roman Empire. The men characters were all awful cliche stereotypes. The political intrigues following Cassie, in her job of imperial spymaster/diplomat in ensuring the colonising or conquering of a 'barbarian' country for its resources, werent very entertaining either.
December 2, 2025
At this point I've read most of Jane Fletcher's novels, and this is my favorite so far. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the Roman Empire/ancient Europe vibes. Also, I think Cassie is my favorite of her lead characters I've met, though Riki in Dynasty of Rogues comes close. Who doesn't love a an amoral manipulator with a secret weakness for honest, honorable women?
The setting also feels very well-realized. There aren't a lot of world-building details, but there's enough to fill in the blanks, and everything feels very believable. The characters act like people of their cultures and places, with beliefs, desires, and goals to match. Cassie truly believes that being conquered by the empire is the best thing that can happen to these poor benighted barbarians; but she'd try to engineer that outcome even if she didn't, simply to serve the interests of her family. And Arian knows that her family has a sacred trust with the land, that hers is the blood of gods, kings, and heroes, and the empire represents all that is dishonorable, decadent, and wicked.
The setting also feels very well-realized. There aren't a lot of world-building details, but there's enough to fill in the blanks, and everything feels very believable. The characters act like people of their cultures and places, with beliefs, desires, and goals to match. Cassie truly believes that being conquered by the empire is the best thing that can happen to these poor benighted barbarians; but she'd try to engineer that outcome even if she didn't, simply to serve the interests of her family. And Arian knows that her family has a sacred trust with the land, that hers is the blood of gods, kings, and heroes, and the empire represents all that is dishonorable, decadent, and wicked.
August 4, 2022
**ARC received from NetGalley**
I absolutely loved this book. Sapphic, enemies to lovers, highland romance? Fuck yes. The pacing was terrific. The story is intriguing. The characters are well written and you get connected to them very quickly. Having the who did it a mystery as well made the book even better. The main romancing pairing is absolutely sweet and I love seeing romance between what seem to be two older women (though they never quite state their age so this is how I perceived them.) And of course, I was very satisfied with the end, no cliffhanger HEA. It left me smiling.
It was just all-around a wonderful book.
I absolutely loved this book. Sapphic, enemies to lovers, highland romance? Fuck yes. The pacing was terrific. The story is intriguing. The characters are well written and you get connected to them very quickly. Having the who did it a mystery as well made the book even better. The main romancing pairing is absolutely sweet and I love seeing romance between what seem to be two older women (though they never quite state their age so this is how I perceived them.) And of course, I was very satisfied with the end, no cliffhanger HEA. It left me smiling.
It was just all-around a wonderful book.
June 18, 2022
Wonderful..Exciting..Fantastic
I began many years ago with print books of the Celeano Series and am always thrilled and surprised when Jane publishes a new story. It is a delight to visit these worlds and note the similarities to our current reality..though that is sadden. It has been a great adventure on a very very hot not quite summer day in Georgia USA. Thanks so very much.
I began many years ago with print books of the Celeano Series and am always thrilled and surprised when Jane publishes a new story. It is a delight to visit these worlds and note the similarities to our current reality..though that is sadden. It has been a great adventure on a very very hot not quite summer day in Georgia USA. Thanks so very much.
Read
October 29, 2022DNF @ p. 95. Just not vibing with it.
July 11, 2023
I really liked the mistery and the politcal plots and scheming, the romance is well pace, and the worldbuilding is interesting
February 24, 2024
Good I'd read more. Lol more descriptions of the sex pls tho; it's descriptive and nice (& queer) but wish it went deeper
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