Trouble is brewing in the realms beyond the rainbow … and the heir to the throne, proclaims his love for her, Kitsuneko is torn between her duty to the kingdom and her desire for the virtuous prince.
And when Kiro’s kisses leave her breathless, Kitsuneko finds herself — and the kingdom — in mortal danger.
For the peace that Toulacoeur enjoys, maintained through the blessing of Kleon, the Unicorn Guardian, is at risk, and to maintain their rule, the king and queen have arranged for Kiro to marry Ariella, a Warlord’s daughter from a tribe of Gryphon Riders.
Can Kitsuneko and Kiro find a way to be together and keep the kingdom’s peace? Or is their love destined to only lead to destruction?
Kitsuneko is A Companion Novella to The Realms Beyond the Rainbow, a fantasy romance adventure with changelings, rainbow portals, and the US Space Force from award-winning, genre-hopping author C. S. Johnson.
FROM THE BOOK:
I look in the mirror carefully, scrutinizing the smallest details of the face before me. It is the face of a beautiful young woman, serene and striking all at once. I study the rosy cheeks, still youthfully plump while they start to hint at adulthood, while golden hair falls to either side, sweeping long past the pointed chin. My focus fastens onto the nose in wonderment, mesmerized by the size of the little bump that turns up at its end. I press down on it with my finger, and it shrinks, ever so slightly, in size.
Finally, my gaze travels to see the two large, slanted eyes staring back at me; the misty green twinkles, simultaneously bewildered and cautious.
The eyes are mine, even if the rest of the face is not.
Of all the different kinds of changelings, the kitsunefolk are the only ones whose eyes refuse to change. I doubt this is anything but by design; my kinfolk are known for their inner stubbornness as much as they are known for their outward flexibility. Add in the catblood, and that’s me.
I am a changeling from the Honeyspice Lands, a kitsune-neko, and that’s all. That is my only role to play in the grand kingdom of Toulacoeur, and so much so, that’s what they named me.
I am Kitsuneko, slave of King Dario and his wife, Queen Arianna, their full-time substitute for their daughter, Princess Cari.
I smile into the mirror, and the face of Princess Cari smiles back at me.
“Perfect,” I whisper. “You look just like her.”
Or at least, I look like what most people think Princess Cari would look like, if she hadn’t been kidnapped seventeen years ago.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:
“I absolutely love this “tail” of love and tragedy and hope!” ~ Malissa, Audiobook Reviewer
“This is fantasy old school, one adults and kids will enjoy.” ~ William, Goodreads Reviewer
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Kitsuneko by C.S. Johnson was just so beautiful! I loved the unique blend of fantasy on this one, and how it still managed to incorporate Christian themes on to it. I loved getting to know “Kitty” and Kiro (though I’m not sure I’m pronouncing it right), their experience growing up in the castle together over the years, and the descriptions of the kingdom of Toulacoeur. With that being said, my biggest (and only) complaint is that it’s much too short, and it left hanging for the next (or first?) book in the series. Seriously, Can’t. Wait!
Hats off to the author. Well done! 5 stars and recommended 🙂
Chrissy has done it again!
I absolutely love this “tail” of love and tragedy and hope! What a descriptive and alluring story brought to life by the narrator, who did a phenomenal job of expressing what the writer has brilliantly brought to us. I hope to read & listen to so much more from this bookverse.
This might be short, but this is a winner. I have this in audiobook and ebook, and loved it. Get this book you will not be disappointed at all. I was already a fan of C. S. Johnson, and this was the best story I have heard or read from her so far. I really liked the main character and connected with her right away in the first chapter. My emotions changed based on what she was going through in the story. I can not say this enough, buy this audiobook or buy the book!!!
A fairytale that seemed more real because I was listening to the audible book. I really liked the narrator. The story is cute but leaves you wanting more like the next book.
One of my favorite authors has done it again. How does she keep thinking up these great stories that are each a little different. I didn’t see the ending she wrote but I am so ready for the next one to see what happens. Hope I don’t have to wait very long. I received an ARC. This is my voluntary, honest opinion.
“I owe him too much to want to tell him the truth.”
A kitsune-neko,Kitty lives in the kingdom of Toulacoeur, enslaved simply to be a changing substitute for the rulers’ missing daughter. However, as she has “grown up”, she has fallen for Prince Kiro, and he for her. When at his birthday it is announced an alliance with a neighboring warlord means Kiro must marry, he defies his parents, saves Kitty, and together they leave for safer space. Will they survive their escape? And what about the shooting star everyone saw?
This is a short prequel to the forthcoming “Return of the Lost Princess, (Book One of The Realms Beyond the Rainbow) and it’s sweet, and funny, and caring, and just plain lovely. I am a big fan of C.S. Johnson, and anticipate quite a story yet to unfold. Highly recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]
This is a good prequel to an exciting new series. It has some Christian themes. I love the concept of the realms and Kitsuneko the cat-fox changeling. The story has all the right elements of a fantasy romance, but just when I thought it was going to get more intense, it lightened up and came to an end. I want more! I’m looking forward to reading further in the series.
I received an ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.