Customer Reviews

The Fox

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I just finished reading The Fox and I have to say...it was truly great. I bought The Fox for my wife as a Christmas present even though this is not the genre she usually reads. She usually prefers more current/real-life type stories. I also don't normally lean toward the historical romance tilt either, but after reading the glowing reviews and listening to the overwhelmingly positive comments from others that had read the novel, I decided to take a leap of faith. Now we are book readers in our house, I'm talking small library here, so if a work is good it will be read, but it was still a chance on my part.

I wrapped the book up and placed it beneath the tree. When she opened it, she said that she liked it, but I could see from her expression that the jury was still out. I wanted to read the book, but since it was her present, I decided to wait until she read it first. On a trip out of town, I was scouring the house for something to read while away and she offered up The Fox. I snagged the book and hit the road. I was not able to finish reading the novel until I returned several days later. I can now say that the jury is most definitely in and they have found Arlene Radasky guilty in the first degree of writing an absolutely fabulous novel.

I dare anyone to read this novel and not cry by the time you've reached the end, I'm not talking sniffles here but a straight out boo-hoo. The story pulls the reader into the novel's world from the beginning, almost without the reader's knowledge.

The book was really great. I never cry when reading a book,never. But this one got me. I thought that the story was a good one, but for me the real beauty of the book is the way the author brought the reader into Jahna and Louvern's world, their day to day life making what would normally be ordinary into something extraordinary. I must say that I feel very privileged to have read The Fox and am glad that Arlene is continuing writing. I think that writing such as this makes the world a better place.

I found Arlene Radasky's The Fox to be a compelling novel ... the characters were very realistic. The author did a fantastic job of going between historic periods in time ... I felt I was right there with many of the characters. I stayed up until 3AM to finish the book ... and was sad when I had to say goodbye to the story.

The Fox is a tale that tells two apparently very different stories that, by the end of the book, come together to show how communities and families are still affected by love, loss and hope in the same way, hundreds of years apart. The character of Jahna has a feisty spirit common with many modern heroines, but works within the bounds of the ancient society portrayed here to make her believable and likeable. Her 21st Century counterpart, Aine, is a more fragile character whose passion for archaeology gradually builds her self-esteem and we see her blossom as she learns lessons from her own life as well as those of the people whose artefacts she digs up.

The shared waking-dreams of these two characters creates an unusual bond between the two time periods that works well within the ancient Druidic lore explored here, bringing in elements of fantasy that are unobtrusive and appropriate. Echoes in the lives of both women reinforce the link; colours, smells and views all overlapping millennia apart.

Despite a tragic end to one part of the story, I finished the book feeling uplifted and positive. The second half of the book really races along once the scenes have been set and I couldn't set it down once I was into the last five chapters. I have come away with a desire to find out more about this period in history, feeling I have already learnt much from the story which has clearly been well-researched. A very enjoyable read all round.

The Fox has everything I look forward to in a book...history, fantasy, a hot sexy man :-), a woman with an independent and strong spirit, drama and even desperation/violence but in an adventure/story telling way. I was totally transported to ancient Scotland and the life of ancient Druids. One of those books you don't want to end and wish would be made into a movie! I hope there's more coming. Great research and writing from Arlene Radasky!!

The Fox by Arlene Radasky is a captivating, fascinating historical romance, a story of ancient people, there traditions, beliefs, customs, and culture. The author paints a word picture rich in breath-taking scenery and unique characters It's a powerful love story full of passion, courage, and tragedy.

The Fox is a tale not unlike Jean Auel's "The Clan of The Cave Bear." Jahna, the heroin of this epic story, like Ayla, the heroin from the Cave Bear series, is a strong, courageous and passionate young woman. This book will stir your emotions.

Aine MacRae is a modern day archeologists working a site in the Highland of Scotland and about to discover the ruins of Jahna's ancient clan site, with help from Johna, herself. But she must find an ancient relic worth stopping the finalization of the sale of the excavation site. She also wants to pick up the shattered pieces of a renewed friendship with an ex-lover.

If you loved the Cave Bear series, you'll love, "The Fox."

The Clan of the Cave BearThe Valley of HorsesThe Shelters of Stone (Earth's Children, Book 5)The Mark of a Druid

THE FOX by author Arlene Radasky shows why it is important to know and appreciate the sacrifices and challenges of the past in order to better understand where we are now and where we can be. With biblical references that enhance the overall story of love, life and liberty, the book takes you into the hearts and minds of characters that all of us either know or have been at one time or another.

Not big on fantasy? Neither am I, but THE FOX doesn't require you to be. All it takes is an open mind and eagerness to learn from others what we might not get from ourselves.

Radasky's ability to entertain, educate and inspire all at once is the mark of a skilled storyteller.

Look, I am 51. I've read, literally, thousands of books. I love books. They are my friends, but after thousands of books it sometimes takes a while for me to get into a story, even stories that were named a Top Twenty Summer Read by Conversations Book Club.

With Fox, it took me about two pages. That's it, two pages. Arlene Ardasky's first novel is a wonder for plot and characterization and writing style, an easy read that frequently has deeper meaning going on behind the scenes. When I first picked up the book I intended to give it a half hour or so and then get back to the important work of studying the inside of my eyelids, but four hours passed before I was able to force myself to set it back down. Do I recommend it? Yes. Wholeheartedly. Without reservation, I give this book a full five.

Mark Eller, author of Traitor, Book 1 of The Turner Chronicles.

The Fox is a wonderful and heart-rending look into the life of Aine MacRae. Definitely bring the tissues, but also be prepared to be riveted by skillful tale-weaving which integrates romance, female empowerment, Druidism, past lives, archaeology and human relation all in one little book.

You'll find yourself drawn into both worlds, aching and loving and living with the main character, learning and coming to understand more than you ever thought to know about Celtic history, archaeology (both the good and the bad!), and the struggle and strength of a woman with a painful past.

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone with any interest in Celtic culture and historic Druidism -- this is a well-researched and well-written survey of both with a helpful balance of all the elements that make for a great story.

The somewhat slow start is an artifact of the process: it's a complicated world that needs to be introduced, and it does take a little while to build it all together. It's definitely worth the momentary confusion, and you'll forget all about it once you get into it.

Radasky has a way of captivating the reader's attention, while capturing the essence of the Celtic spirit and way of life. This story of Love and Sacrifice, Druidry and Archeology, Growing old and Being born will take you there and bring you back. You will not be disappointed, bring the tissue you will need them. Bravo to the author!

I finished The Fox this morning. It went straight into my Kindle keepers file. Of the fifty odd books I have read on my Kindle since I received it for Christmas, I can honestly say that this is my favorite. (It does remind me of Clan of the Cave Bear, as one reviewer noted... It is hard to believe this is a first novel.)

I look forward to reading more of this author's fiction soon.

I do have one hopefully constructive comment to make, however. Having been raised by an English teacher (and member of the original grammar police), I couldn't help but notice a number of typos and/or usage errors in the Kindle edition. It tends to distract a bit from the content for people like me. Despite this, I would give The Fox a solid five out of five stars.