Non-Spoiler Review: Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
Going into Kat Cho’s debut novel, Wicked Fox, I knew that I would probably enjoy it. I’m a sucker for a good YA, and Cho’s first novel promised that and more. What solidified it on my shelf was Cho’s love of Korean dramas. In multiple interviews before the book came out, Cho commented on how they played a role in this book. I ended up reading it the first weekend it was out.
(Be sure to read to the end for your chance to win a free copy of Wicked Fox!)
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Synopsis
The story follows Gu Miyoung, an eighteen-year-old gumiho who has been forced to uproot her life to keep her secret identity hidden. She lives with her mother, Yena, who is a powerful older gumiho. But when a chance encounter with a human forces her to reveal her secret and save his life, she is inadvertently connected to him.
Review
Wicked Fox is a solid YA urban fantasy novel on a whole. Cho creates a great picture of Miyoung as a teenager trying to fit in and deal with growing up. All the while having the responsibility of being a creature. Her decisions and moral compass lead to drastic consequences for not just her, but her mother as well.
The backdrop of modern-day Seoul adds to the book. I feel many older tales can become stagnant as the plot is forced into an older time period. But by being set now, the gumiho myth has a different feel. It’s interesting and engaging.
The KDrama Influence
The book is filled with many references to KDramas. I was surprised by how many actually were present. It was apparent that Cho not only used KDramas as a plot device, but she is also a fan of them herself. A lot of the normal drama tropes are present throughout the book. From first aid kits to buses, fall-catches to puppy male leads, it has it all.
Since I was not the target audience, I find that sometimes it’s hard to really establish a connection with young adult books. That was not the case with this book as Cho’s ability to tie KDramas with the genre worked well within the book. With every reference that followed the standard KDrama formula, I found the book more fun to read.
The Gumihos Mythology
Another story aspect I enjoyed was how the gumiho folktale was intertwined. Cho was able to share the gumiho tale in a way that was natural and fit alongside the main storyline. As if you were hearing the tale being passed down to you, Cho used breaks throughout to write about the gumihos. It gives insight into the myth of a gumiho without taking away from the main storyline.
The use of the tales adds additional layers to the characters. Miyoung is different from these older stories, her story is now. It is also shown throughout by her actions. Although a vicious creature that has to kill to survive, she evolves by eating only terrible men. She has a conscience, and the juxtaposition of her version of gumiho and those in the tale work well together.
Conclusion
All-in-all Wicked Fox is an enjoyable book that I highly recommend. Even if you are not necessarily a YA reader, I think you’ll find some enjoyment in the book, and as a KDrama viewer, the book will keep your interest. The number of references that tie into dramas makes the story fun and interesting. Cho has written solid main characters that could show up in any drama. With an entertaining plot to keep you engaged, Wicked Fox is a definite read.
The book can be found online here: Amazon, Abebooks.
Giveaway!
In celebration of DramaCurrent’s anniversary, we will be giving away one copy of Wicked Fox to a lucky reader! Log in to the Rafflecopter box below to find out how to enter.
Have you read the book or have it on your list to read? Let us know in the comments below!
