An addictive fantasy-romance set in modern-day Seoul.
Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret--she's a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt.
But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead--her gumiho soul--in the process.
Jihoon knows Miyoung is more than just a beautiful girl--he saw her nine tails the night she saved his life. His grandmother used to tell him stories of the gumiho, of their power and the danger they pose to men. He's drawn to her anyway. When he finds her fox bead, he does not realize he holds her life in his hands.
With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung and Jihoon develop a tenuous friendship that blossoms into something more. But when a young shaman tries to reunite Miyoung with her bead, the consequences are disastrous and reignite a generations-old feud . . . forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon's.
Kat Cho used to hide books under the bathroom sink and then sneak in there to read after bedtime. Her parents pretended not to know. This helped when she decided to write a dinosaur time-travel novel at the tender age of nine. Sadly, that book was not published. She currently lives and works in NYC and spends her free time trying to figure out what kind of puppy to adopt.
Praise for Wicked Fox:
An Amazon Best Book – July 2019
An Entertainment Weekly Summer Best Book Pick
A Refinery29 Summer Best Book Pick
A Junior Library Guild Pick
“Vibrant debut novel . . . an utterly original take on the young-adult fantasy.”—Entertainment Weekly
“A romantic and unique read bursting with lush atmosphere.”—BuzzFeed
“This book is a delight from start to finish. It’s everything I adore about the best Korean drama, mixed with a dash of urban fantasy. The chemistry between Miyoung and Jihoon kept me turning the pages into the wee hours of the night. Cho’s prose and pacing are crisp, and the world is utterly transportive.”—Renée Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath & the Dawn
“Full of heart and heat, Wicked Fox is the perfect summer read. If this charming yet emotionally charged novel doesn’t win you over with the supernatural mystery or fraught family drama then the sweeping romance will.” —Tor.com
“A fun read that should have YA enthusiasts hooked.” —Culturess
“This is urban fantasy as readers have not seen it before: steeped in Korean folklore…Fresh and fast paced, weaving together action and romance.” —School Library Journal
“For K-drama addicts everywhere, this book is for you! Romance and suspense that will make you cry, cheer, laugh, and swoon...I seriously loved this book! Now, please, somebody make it into a real K-drama!”—Ellen Oh, children’s author and We Need Diverse Books co-founder and president
“I fell in love with the world of Wicked Fox...Cho’s Miyoung and Jihoon will steal your heart and give it back to you a thousand times fuller. This is a page-turning debut you cannot miss.”—Traci Chee, New York Times bestselling author of The Reader series
“Wicked Fox is a delight from beginning to end. Set against the bustling cityscape of Seoul, this elegant contemporary fantasy explores what it means to be a monster and what we must give up in the pursuit of love, forgiveness, and our truest selves. A triumph!”—Julie C. Dao, author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns
“In this haunting fantasy romance…Korean folklore comes to life in modern-day Seoul as a supernatural creature and human collide…Cho’s debut—driven by anguish, sweet romance, and the need for connection—is a formidable first effort that ends with a promise of further adventures.” —Publishers Weekly
“The story is reminiscent of a K-drama with sweet romantic moments, lovable friends, and impossible obstacles … an addicting read with complex main characters and unexpected twists. This fantasy debut will be eagerly devoured, and readers will clamor for a sequel.” —Kirkus Reviews
“With plentiful Korean words in the text to describe the food, culture, clothing, and family dynamics, Cho establishes an authentic setting. . . The current surge of interest in K-pop, K-drama, and Korean film will draw readers to this fantastical romance set in contemporary Seoul.” —Booklist
“Reading Wicked Fox was like coming home. A gorgeous contemporary fantasy set in modern Seoul, Cho’s compelling debut balances creatures from Korean myths—goblins and immortal foxes—with the everyday lives of teenagers, navigating friendships, family drama, and first love. Suspenseful, romantic, and utterly consuming.” —Axie Oh, author of the New Visions Award–winning Rebel Seoul
