The Fox and The Devil

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: Fantasy

Sub-genre: Historical / Folklore-inspired

Synopsis:

After her father’s death, Anneke is drawn into a hunt for the woman responsible—one that takes her across Europe and deeper into something far more dangerous than she expected. As she gets closer to her target, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur in unsettling ways.

Review:

This is one of those books where the dynamic between the two central characters completely carries the story.

At its core, it’s a chase—but not a straightforward one. The relationship between Anneke and the woman she’s pursuing feels tense, layered, and increasingly personal. It’s not just about revenge or justice; there’s this underlying pull between them that adds a strange kind of intimacy to the whole thing. That tension is what kept me reading more than anything else.

The tone leans heavily into gothic atmosphere—dark, a little unsettling, and always hinting that something is slightly off. It doesn’t rely on constant action, but instead builds unease through mood and the slow reveal of information. There’s a consistent sense that you’re not seeing the full picture, which works really well for this kind of story.

I also liked how the book doesn’t try to make things neat or morally clear. The characters exist in a very grey space, and their motivations aren’t always easy to pin down. That ambiguity makes the story more interesting, even if it means you don’t always feel fully “comfortable” with where things are going.

That said, the pacing isn’t perfect. There are stretches where the momentum dips a little, especially when the focus moves away from the central dynamic. Those parts aren’t bad, but they don’t hit with the same intensity as the core storyline.

Final Thoughts:

A dark, character-driven story that works best when it leans into its tension and atmosphere. Not perfect, but definitely memorable for the relationship at its center.

Rating:

★★★★

Similar books:

✦ A Dowry of Blood — S.T. Gibson

✦ The Death of Jane Lawrence — Caitlin Starling

✦ House of Hollow — Krystal Sutherland