Call Forth a Fox

March 15, 2024
Grades 10-12 Four years after their father dies, Ro, almost 16, and her sister, Eirwyn, almost 18, are spending one last winter in their village before joining their mother across the river in the town of Poppy. Ro dreads the thought of leaving her father's gardens and the woods where she forages, but when she encounters a red fox behaving strangely and decides to follow it, she finds herself in the middle of a contest between a fox and a bear, both of whom are actually teens cursed by faeries. The bear is a boy named Brend, pale with messy brown hair, while the fox is really Colette, a girl with brown skin, honey eyes, and tight black curls who immediately catches Ro's interest and, soon, her lips. Grabo's debut novel is a Celtic-inspired, queer retelling of ""Snow-White and Rose-Red"" with Ro caught between fox and bear, human and faerie, boy and girl, but discovering that sometimes decisions aren't either/or. Romantasy fans will be ensorcelled and left begging for more.

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March 15, 2024
In this retelling of "Snow White and Rose Red," a 15-year-old girl is drawn into a faerie conflict that will change her life forever. The villagers of Sugar Maple Village stay away from the western wood, which is rumored to be full of vengeful faeries. Quiet Ro, who prefers trees to people, has never believed in those stories. She spends her days foraging in the forest to supplement her family's sparse pantry, avoiding everyone but her bookish sister, Eirwyn. Besides, her visits to the square are full of unwelcome questions. Folks ask, "Do you fancy Lucy Mackenzie's boy, or is it the older sister who draws your eye?" Ro wonders, why must it "be one or the other"? Then, one night, her solitude is broken. In order to save a beautiful fox, Ro throws herself in front of a bear. Just before the bear strikes a killing blow, Eirwyn shoots him with an arrow. When the bear transforms into a human boy who doesn't have any memories, Ro and her sister are pulled, against their will, into a high-stakes faerie intrigue. Incorporating beats from the original tale into intriguing new worldbuilding, this novel will satisfy fans of the genre even as it veers from convention. Ro and Eirwyn have pale skin and auburn and blond hair, respectively; supporting characters are diverse in appearance. An enchanting adventure anchored by a queer romance; this is a welcome spin on a familiar story. (Fantasy. 13-18)

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June 14, 2024

Gr 9 Up-In Grabo's debut, readers dive into a heartwarming sapphic twist on the classic Snow White and Rose Red. Ro, a young woman raised on her father's fantastical stories, must trade her enchanted forest home for the cold reality of the city. While venturing out for supplies, she stumbles upon a thrilling encounter: a fox desperately fleeing a monstrous bear. But the true shock comes when the bear transforms into a boy. With no memory of who they are, this mysterious creature declares that they must battle the fox. It's up to Ro and this mysterious boy to figure out and break the curse of the forest. Grabo's unique magic system breathes fresh life into the world of magic, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The fast-paced plot makes the book impossible to put down, leaving readers enthralled with each turn of the page. VERDICT With its enchanting atmosphere, captivating plot, and unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for any fantasy fan.-Allia Nisa

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