Matt McAvoy Book Review

There is definitely an interesting story in this genre-hopping fantasy thriller, though in some ways quite a lot going on which makes it feel somewhat convoluted.  It is enjoyable, for sure, and the author Willow Healy undoubtedly has a clear passion for and knowledge of Japanese history and traditional culture – I suspect the main inspiration for the book.  However, because the story is simultaneously mythical fantasy and modern-day noir, it does take some serious imagination on the part of the reader to immerse fully, at times.  Don’t get me wrong, Willow is a vivid and engaging writer, and there is nothing wrong with crossing genres at all – I think it’s great – but I did feel at times that the crossover between past and present, fairytale and contemporary grit, was slightly imbalanced.  There is certainly a long period in the book where we become so immersed in the modern-day mystery that the relevance of events from history starts to become a little blurred.  It is a great tale overall, telling two stories in timelines over a century apart, which profoundly intertwine.

Honestly, it is difficult to ascertain which of the two narratives was more intriguing, and indeed whether they always worked effectively together.  For example, the mystical human-fox figure seemed a little bizarre, in truth, particularly in the context of a conventional Yakuza-linked murder-mystery.  I think that there are many cultures in the world – Japan being one of them – which are considered to be unquestioningly, fantastically mystical and mythical, but also wonder if the higher aspects of this fantasy can be suitably applied in a real-world setting of seedy businessmen, working escorts and killings.  I won’t give away the story; I will say that Willow weaves it together well in the end; as a sum of its parts, the book probably works, but I have to admit that there were times when I had my doubts.

Willow Healy is a talent, and takes the opportunity to showcase her knowledge of Japan; I’m sure she is exceptionally well travelled and has a lingering love affair with the region.  More importantly, though, she crafts a decent story and writes well.  If you like books which cross genres between the contemporary and the mystical – and in a way far more traditionally creative than the current trend of urban fantasy – this might be for you.  Also, if you are someone with an interest in Japanese culture, you’ll also find The Nine-Tailed Fox entertaining.  Myself, I liked elements of it, but I’m still considering my thoughts on the project as a whole.  I liked it a lot, though at times I was left wondering about its construction – and still find myself doing so, some time after reading.  In that respect, of course, the blurb is spot on.  I recommend taking a look for yourself.  There are readers that will undoubtedly love it, for sure – just perhaps ensure that it ticks the right boxes for you first.