Vulpine Summer - Comments

WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO DAMN LONG TO NOTICE THAT YOU'VE BEEN WRITING ANOTHER STORY?! Well, it's given me something to binge read (which I am grateful for). So I've made it to chapter 19 and I love it! I love the stark differences between Esme and Fox and their general disdain toward each other. I love this new world that you have created and the spirits and sprites that roam around.

I shall continue my binge... OH - I think you may have posted ch. 9 twice. Or my laptop did something funky to the layout when it loaded.

Well, would you look at that! Too many chapters that I haven't commented on yet. To begin with, the chapter where Reynard was stealthily making his way through that manor to grab the Eye was very nicely paced. It felt exciting to follow him as he run around knocking guards out and evading those poor dogs he seems to hate so much. Good use of tension, too. And how poetic to name a jewel Eye of the Autumn! The idea of the glove with the three setting sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, by the way. Have you by any chance watched Avatar: The Legend of Korra? There were lots of electric-shock gloves going around there. Anyway. Where was I? Ah, yes. I have to say I totally agree with Fox's view on the uselessness of countless rooms in filthy rich houses. I imagine trying to find one's way in them would trouble even the people living there. It was pretty funny to see him "barely" fighting off the urge to snatch away any of the expensive items conveniently waiting for him, too. :D But why oh why couldn't he keep his hands away from Esme's Grimoire? To be fair, I would have had trouble doing that, as well. It would be incredibly tempting to pick up a beautiful and mysterious book off the ground. Moving on to the Oak River Spirit now, I was touched by her fierce devotion to Esme and her insistence on keeping her safe. In a way, it is Esme's character that kept her alive, in the sense that neither Absolon nor River Oak would have bothered helping her if she hadn't been kind to them in the past. River Oak might appear a little bit angry and unforgiving like her waters, but in the end she is just as loyal towards those who have done her good. I love the dynamics between her and the Spirit of Lake Tranquil, too. There was something really sweet about the way he held her close and wrapped his tail around hers to calm her down (see what you've done to me? I'm shipping even spirits now, lol!). And Absolon is such a precious little creature, giggling while hiding things in his belly and trying to comfort fox-Esme while she was struggling to realize her situation. Speaking of, I would have never guessed Suellen planned on using the shapeshifting curse to alter Esme's memories and make her believe she actually killed her aunt. How could anyone escape that?? You just wouldn't be able to defend yourself! It's horrifying. I think it's quite brave of Esme to conceive such a bold plan and blackmail the Fox, although it was hilarious to see her staring holes in his back while trailing after him like a stalker in the streets. She sees you when you're sleeping, she knows when you're awake, she knows if you've been good or bad, so be good for goodness sake! xD And all the poor thief wanted was to be friendly to a wandering fox. I guess her punishment was trying in vain to find a clean spot to stand in his place :D She did pull off the blackmailing business spectacularly for a timid and scared young woman, though. But the real surprise here was Elenor. Courtesan, a set of eyes and ears for the Doe AND an illegal Wizard / Occultist? How exciting! I wonder how different Occultists are to Wizards, now. And Elenor is definitely the gutsy type, trying to pick a fight with River Oak and Lake Tranquil like that. She wouldn't stand a chance, but still.

It's kind of funny how much I relate to Esme after reading about her being outside during a hot summer day, lol. It's been so hot here lately...Where's my ice-cream? All I need is a cute sprite like Absolon to share it with and I'm set :P But seriously, there's a lot about her that I find relatable, from her desire to simply move away to a place where nobody will know her enough to judge her, to feeling out of place among the people she already knows and wanting to travel and live an adventure. There's also something really calming about the way you have described her little trip downtown. I wish there was a movie version of this chapter, so that I could see with my own eyes all those lovely buildings, the lively streets and the differences between the richer and poorer districts. The view she had while in the tram-car would have been a wonderful sight too. And who would have known? She can do magic, and yet mechanical contraptions seem odd to her? Fancy that! Another part that stood out to me was the one where she wished she could have a friendship that doesn't feel like a business meeting... Sadly, I too have had my fair share of those. I imagine it's even worse for those in the real world that, much like Esme, had to face obstacles like differences in status and social class while trying to befriend the right people in the 1920's.

Cassandra's character was a pleasant surprise as well. She sounded like a wonderful aunt, despite her dislike for Esme's father. Her enthusiasm about helping Esme learn to like who she is and spread her wings was so sweet! Too bad we won't be seeing more of her :( Why do all the nice people have to die? I know it is needed to keep the story going, but still...Let's just hope Suellen will get what she deserves for killing her. I'm counting on Esme for that. Her trying to protect Cassandra yet being unable to do anything was heartbreaking enough. I do wonder what Suellen planned to do with her, though. Perhaps use some sort of amnesia spell? Or use her connection via blood to Cassandra, so that Esme would nullify the towers instead? Hmmm...

Last but not least, is it wrong that I find the Doe calling Reynard "little kit" to be the cutest thing ever?! Not to mention how he was called Fox thanks to his red hair and name Todd xD Ethel sounds like an awfully cool old lady so far and I kind of want to live in her book shop (being surrounded by books 24/7 AND being at the center of a secret operation? Sign me up!). I LOVE the whole idea of being an Obtainer, too. Sure, it seems risky, but it's bound to be an interesting profession. I do wonder though, how can Reynard remain unnoticed with such a hair color? Doesn't he stand out? And these lines right here are pure gold, lmao; "Fox wasn't keen on the six week journey back and forth. It was a lot of effort and, while he wasn't fussed about the brunette of the bar and emerald eyed women at the bakery, he'd miss out on the blond."
I doubt he'd stand a chance with the aforementioned blond if she ever caught sight of his messy apartment, however. xD Now all that's left to do is figure out how are Fox and Esme going to meet.

Oh my God! Finally, a new story! I can't wait to see what you have in store this time! It all looks so very promising, judging from the prologue. A fantasy romance adventure set in the 1920's?! *fangirls on the inside* And may I just say I love the idea of having a major character be a thief in this setting? I'm not sure why, but it fits in well with the overall theme. Plus, I'm very fond of foxes. Such beautiful, clever creatures. Are you by any chance familiar with Japanese stories about kitsune, the fox shape-shifting spirits?