Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox

Amaranthine Saga Series, Book 1

By: Forthright

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

Tsumiko inherits an ancestral home, a vast fortune, and a butler who isn't exactly human.  

Humanity is rocked by the Emergence of a people who call themselves the Amaranthine. They are our myths and legends come to life. Neither human nor animal, yet embracing qualities of both, the inhuman races inspire both awe and fear. Every newsfeed is clogged with updates about the peace process, but some places don't concern themselves with worldly affairs. Like the girls' school run by Saint Midori's of the Heavenly Lights, where Tsumiko Hajime grew up.   

A letter from a long-lost aunt names Tsumiko heiress to an ancestral estate and its accompanying fortune. Only the legacy comes with an aloof heirloom: an inhuman butler. Argent has served the Hajime family for centuries, and Tsumiko must renew the generational bond or he'll die. Argent hates her for the hold she has over him, but he craves her soul almost as much as he craves his freedom.

©2018 FORTHRIGHT (P)2019 Tantor

Don't Know Who I'm Mad at More: The Author or Me

Reading this turned me into Gandalf the White. And yes, I listened to this book, beginning to end. Or I fought a Balrog and fell into a deep pit for eternity. Can't remember which.

What gets me is this book has a lot going for it. The writing mechanics are perfect. Layout, dialog, exposition, narration by Travis Baldree: all strengths. But then why was my soul screaming for it to end?

1) Who the $#&! is this supposed to be for?
Trying to come up with an answer that sounds less judgmental and failing. Furries.
I read across genres. Good writing is what I like. And this author is a good writer! A storyteller? In time. She needs to read "Story" by Robert McKee, and then with her writing talent, would become one hell of a writer.

2) Story needs conflict. There is zero.
Girl meets boy. In a good story, girl expects boy to say A, he says B. They want to come together, or don't. Then conflict, rising action, resolution, and voila: they are together.
In this book, someone says "Do you trust me?" "Yes." "Okay." And the character was right to. Because everything works out. No one is at cross purposes.

3) Tending. The magic mechanic in this fantasy setting is a euphemism for First Base.
There were... so many tending scenes. I feel like a victim of a war crime painfully but dutifully reliving my experience, so the next generation of reader can live a better life.
These scenes just wouldn't end. Then, the next scene had tending! Which is describing a transfer of soul energy through touching. Surely, the book is going to end in the next five minutes? *Checks Audible player* "Two more hours..." More tending. I know. At this point it's more my fault than the author's. Audible lets us return books. I didn't. I will carry this burden with me for a long time.
Guantanamo Bay guards read these scenes to prisoners ever since waterboarding was outlawed.

Overall, just... What was the author hoping to get across? When writing this book, was there an idea, or -- I guess I want to know what made the writer get up in the morning and type out a word count? NaNoWriMo? Because nothing happened! Nothing, I'm not exaggerating!

Whyyyyyy

part manga-fairytale-romance

Tsumiko inherits an estate and an Amaranthine, one of the newly revealed human shifters. She is shocked to find out he is bonded to her family line and, basically, a slave. Tsumiko is determined to have him freed and has help from Michael and his wife, housemates at Stately Manor. Lovely and fun, and with a Japanese sensibility.
I completely enjoyed the author’s writing style and the story, which falls somewhere between manga, a fairytale and, lastly, a romance. The world building is only sketched out as needed, but interesting enough to keep the story moving along.
I’m a fan of Ilona Andrews and she mentioned this book on her blog. I read this on Kindle first, and I’ve bought additional books.
Baldree did a decent enough job of narration. The recording would have benefited with the editing out of some mispronunciations.
Recommend.

finally the audiobook

I've been waiting and hoping for this since I pre-ordered the hard copie. I love this story it's a new kind of fairy tale. and I can't wait for the rest of the series. the narration is not what my brain thought of when I read the book, but it's still good.

Not for me

I love Japan, and from the high reviews, was excited to read a love story based on Japanese folklore. Not much happens here, characters are rather undeveloped, a lot of tell with not enough show, and some rather uncomfortable creepy moments.

Very unique

Unique story- I’ve not read anything like it before & I read a lot. Perfect for anime fans or fans of kitsune mythology.

very well narrated

I think the narrator did a very good job. Love the story, on the book and bought the audio to listen to it while I was working.

You won't be able to stop

Absolutely fabulous narration. Travis does such a great job on the voices. Excellent storyline. Definitely favorite audiobook and book right now. Loved it so much I listened to it two times in a row and within less than a year again. Excellent and highly recommend.

Love it!

I could listen to this love story over and over again! I love the unique characters and wonderful world!

love it!

great story, and great narration! Travis baldree is perfect for this! I was not expecting this kind of story, but I was pleasantly surprised

Creative and different

This story has the imaginative touch of many Japanese animated movies. It is a bit like princess mononoke, a bit like twilight. The author puts together an alternate reality which is enjoyable to spend some time in. There were times I felt the story wasn't as deep as it could be, but overall a good read.