Synopsis
In the shadows of the forest, two shape-shifting kitsune prowl: Kuro, content with the solitude of the mountains, and his only ally Jaden, a demon with dark dreams for their future.
When a figure from Kuro’s past snaps a photograph of the demon fox, the kitsune are forced to leave their home behind and follow him to Asheville in a bid to prevent its publication.
But trouble has a way of accumulating around Kuro. When police secretary Caroline Lahey sees the kitsune from the top of her barn, she doesn’t hesitate to shoot. Captured, Kuro knows that killing her is his only chance at freedom…but it would also turn him into something he’s not, something that repels and disgusts him.
Someone like Jaden.
As Jaden tries to pull Kuro further into his world of violence, Kuro realizes he can no longer stomach the thought of bloodshed, but neither can he bring himself to reveal everything to Caroline. Forced to rely on her soul for his survival, his life becomes a precarious balancing act of hiding her existence from Jaden…and hiding Jaden’s violence from Caroline.
Soon, Kuro finds himself trapped by his own lies, and when his balancing act fails, Jaden knows that Kuro will do anything to protect the woman he’s fallen in love with.
Even, at last, kill.
A Black and Solemn Silence is a slowburn, paranormal, enemies-to-lovers urban fantasyand the first book in the adult Color by Numbers series. It includes adult themes and ends on a cliff-hanger. The Color by Numbers series is perfect for grown-up readers of the Gumiho duology and The Red Winter trilogy.
Review
This book is a debut novel following two kitsune; mythical demon-foxes from Japanese folklore. Kurt and Jaden have been inhabiting the human world for many years but know little about their own kind. They live on the outskirts of humanity, never really joining in fully. This story starts after Kuro accidentally gets photographed by someone and in an attempt to keep themselves hidden they work to get the photo back before it is shown to the wider world.
I loved the mix of elements the author used in this book. It has mythology, urban fantasy, romance, thriller and also mystery and crime elements too, as well as cosy feel to it at many points as well. That may sound like a bit of a chaotic mix, however the author really pulls it off. I loved the tone of this book overall, both cute and light while also having much darker undertones that keep driving the story forward.
The writing style was really captivating to me. The way the author writes the slow blend of the mythical world with the human world was great. The world building was done in a subtle way, without any feeling of confusion or overwhelm at any point. There are some great moments of description that I loved too.
Kuro is the main character and I loved following his turmoil and struggle with his internal conflicts throughout the book.
I’m looking forward to the next book a lot. Loved this one and would definitely recommend if any of the above elements I named appeal to you. An impressive debut novel for sure.
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