Title: Nine TailedAuthor: Jayci Lee
Series: Realm of Four Kingdoms #1
Pages: 346
Publication Date: Aug. 1, 2024
Publisher: Montlake
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
An enemy on her tails, an innocent at her side, and a dangerous power within her that could destroy them all. Jayci Lee melds Korean folklore with modern Americana in this fiery new series.
In a race to stop an ancient evil from destroying the worlds as they know them, Sunny comes to a startling, heartbreaking if she chooses love—everything will burn.
Sunny Cho aspires to be the dullest, least interesting person in any given room, which can be challenging for a nine-tailed fox spirit. So she drifts from city to city—staying clear of any and all attachment—and keeps her fox buried deep inside her. It is better this way. She would rather live as half of herself than risk losing control of her terrible powers.
Ethan Lee, a friend she left behind eight years ago, is a brilliant and distractingly hot PI. When he tracks her down and asks her to help him find his brother’s murderer, Sunny knows her uneventful life is about to be turned upside down.
Traversing the mortal realm and the world of gods, Sunny and Ethan discover their quest is much more dire than mere vengeance, and their friendship might be…more. An ancient evil is stirring, and Sunny is faced with an impossible save the worlds from annihilation or claim the love fated by the heavens.
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Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee is an entertaining romantasy that follows Sunny Cho, a nine-tailed fox spirit (gumiho), who has spent years hiding her true identity to avoid the potentially deadly consequences of her power. But when Ethan Lee, a PI and an old friend, re-enters her life, she is pulled into a dangerous quest to avenge his brother’s death. As they delve deeper and navigate between the mortal realm and a world of gods, they discover that their task is far more dangerous than they imagined, and as their pasts come to light again, their lives and the world as they know it are at risk.
This is such a unique YA fantasy. I love the author’s writing style and how easily I was pulled into the story. Something else I really like is how Lee seamlessly integrates Korean mythology into the narrative. The way the author introduces us to a world teeming with magical beings and ancient powers is fantastic and it was great to learn more about the folklore in such a vivid and immersive way. The different worlds are also richly described, and I could easily picture them, from the recognizable cities to the unique worlds of gods and more.
Sunny and Ethan are the heart of this story, and I found myself deeply invested in both of them. Over a century old, Sunny (love her!) works hard to hide her true nature as a gumiho, and her fear of losing control over her immense power is always at the forefront of her mind. She’s tough, resourceful, and fiercely independent, but there’s also a vulnerability to her that adds so much to her character. She, like Ethan, has an interesting backstory that becomes pivotal in her present situation.
Ethan is a perfect complement to Sunny. He’s confident and determined, yet there’s a depth to him that goes beyond the typical “hot PI” trope. Not to say he isn’t a hot PI because he totally is! lol His loyalty to Sunny, despite the years they’ve spent apart, and his own journey of self-discovery, made him a character I couldn’t help but root for. His story is so intriguing, and there’s a lot more to him and his brother’s death than meets the eye. It’s interesting to see how both he and Sunny deal with these surprising revelations.
The chemistry between Ethan and Sunny is fantastic! I didn’t love that they first met when he was 16 even though nothing happened between them. It definitely sets up their friendship and highlights how strong Sunny’s friendship was with Ethan’s older brother. Their shared history and unresolved feelings create a palpable and sexy tension, and the deep connection and respect between them are undeniable. Ultimately, I loved watching their relationship evolve from old friends to something more.
Overall, Nine Tailed is an engrossing blend of action, mythology, and romance that kept me hooked from start to finish. The fast-paced plot, combined with layered characters I couldn’t help but fall in love with (not just Sunny and Ethan. There are some AMAZING secondary characters too!), rich settings, and the swoon-worthy love story makes it such an entertaining read, and by the time I finished, I was already itching to find out what happens next in Sunny and Ethan’s journey. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! Special thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
The folklore.
- The romance.
- The world building.
- The characters.
“Love is fleeting, Ethan,” I lie woodenly. “I’ve lived a hundred thirty-two years. I would know.”
“Let me love you for a thousand years and prove you wrong,” he says, his voice breaking.
- found family
- second chance romance
- hidden royalty
- age gap
Jayci Lee writes poignant, sexy, and laugh-out-loud romance featuring Korean American main characters. Her books have been in O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood Reporter, E! News, and Women’s World. Jayci is retired from her fifteen-year career as a litigator because of all the badass heroines and drool worthy heroes demanding to have their stories told. Food, wine and travel are her jam. She makes her home in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome husband, two amazing boys, and a fluffy rescue.
This one keeps catching my eye – that cover is so beautiful. Great review!
Thanks, Rebecca! I love the cover – definitely what drew me to the book!