Kitsune: A Little Mermaid Retelling

Tales of Akatsuki, Book 1

By: Nicolette Andrews

Narrated by: Joanna Roddy

Rin is an immortal kitsune, or at least she was until a witch’s curse turned her human. To regain her yokai powers and avoid being turned into a fox, she must make the lord’s son fall in love with her before the next full moon. Her kind has been seducing humans for centuries, and it should be easy, as long as he doesn’t find out she’s a kitsune…except the curse also took her voice.

Hikaru is betrothed to the daughter of a rival lord, and he will fulfill his duty, protecting his clan from others and from the yokai. But when he’s saved by a mysterious red-haired woman, he can’t forget her, try as he might. Then she turns up at his door....

Only it can’t be his savior, since this woman has ebony hair, but there’s something inexplicably bewitching about her. Yet his father’s treaty depends on his marriage to another, and even an innocent dalliance could ruin everything.

Falling in love is dangerous for them both. Not only are they from different worlds, but their time together can only end in heartache. Hikaru’s marriage means security for his clan, and Rin must destroy it or be turned into a fox. And truly loving Hikaru means revealing she’s one of the hated yokai and an immortal. Will they risk it all for love? Or will their two worlds rip them apart for good?

Fans of fairy tale retellings, anime, and manga love Kitsune: A Little Mermaid Retelling, an old tale retold from a fresh perspective.

Dive into a rich world of intrigue and adventure, spirits and humans - get your copy of this heartfelt fantasy romance today!

©2015 Nicolette Andrews (P)2025 Nicolette Andrews

Kitsune

This was a very good audiobook. I love the narration. As I have said before, and will continue to say, a narrator should enhance the story. They should make you see and experience things that you may have missed while reading the book. Well, this narrator did all of that and more. I also loved that it was centered around Japanese culture.

Interesting story

It was a nice story…. Part of the story was slightly confused… nice ending ….

Was not my kind of story….

Creative and unique

This was such an interesting, fresh and unique take on the “little mermaid” story. It was totally different, but in the coolest way. I loved the yokai powers and felt like I was transported to such a different world. The storytelling was excellent and the characters were easy to enjoy. I’m excited for book two! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Interesting

This was definitely an interesting twist of a retelling.
There is so much going on and still so much to learn, hoping for more answers in book 2.

Fun YA Japanese Fairytale Retelling

I found the Japanese Fae side of this story to be really interesting and beautifully described. The story draws you in, the world building and character development was very well done. Basically, Ren, our little mermaid character, is a kitsune which is a fox/person.... She can go between forms and has special powers. The love triangles are more like multiple overlapping love polygons, which of course got very sticky and problematic for the characters and the reader to follow at times. I really had major issues with the fact that the "prince" is married and Ren is cursed by a witch to start a war by seducing him and then must kill him or his wife. The fact that the story tries to make it acceptable for the adulterous relationship is my biggest issue. This is definitely geared towards a more adult crowd with the content.

Parents- PG13-R- more young adult +17 and up
Language: some but no f-bombs
Violence: moderate violence with murders and fight scenes but not overly graphic
Sexual Content- undertones and insinuations, heavy desires, seduction attempts, naked scenes and a few love making scenes (build up, starting and after)

The narrator was great although I thought it was better at 1.3x speed. She had good differentiation between characters and the overall acting was well done.

—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.