For ages war has smoldered between the Anui and Hulin peoples. Amidst the chaos, shrine maiden Shen finds herself wedded to a cursed foreign lord, Kisho, and must use her secret power to navigate enemy territory and her own inner struggles. But when a greater tragedy strikes, Shen and Kisho must unite to end the blights wreaking havoc on their war-torn lands. Set in a detailed Asian-inspired world, S. K. Ehra’s The Fox and The Dragon teems with high-stakes combat against formidable foes, yet serves an epic love story with richly developed characters.

Best for: Adult fans of high fantasy.

Discern: Mentions of plurality of “gods,” some adult romantic themes, divination, rituals, violence during fights, graphic descriptions of violence, a few curse words.