Ask a Bookseller: “Auditions for the Fox” by Martin Cahill

In The Thread’s Ask a Bookseller series, we talk to independent booksellers across the country to find out which books they’re most interested in right now.

Liz Bernosky of Poor Richard’s Books in Frankfort, Kentucky, recommends writing a fantasy novel set in an animal world whose actions provide hope for its human readers.

Tests for the Fox is the debut novel by science fiction/fantasy short story writer Martin Cahill. The tale appealed to Bernosky for its emphasis on the power of individual acts of kindness.

Here’s the scenario: Nessie, a young girl of sacred blood, chooses to audition for the Trick Fox. He wasn’t her first choice as a divine patron, but she’s running out of options.

While she expected to be challenged with clever games and perhaps a staring contest, Nesi got an audition that seemed really high-stakes. She finds herself sent back in time 300 years to a land occupied by a pack of cruel ruling wolves. Convincing the fox means leading a revolution.

Bernowski says the writing in this book is “delightful” and contains interesting characters.

“The wolves are mean and cruel. The fox is very smart. Nessie fights the revolution not with violence, but with kindness. That’s what attracted me so much, (the idea) that things can change when someone is kind to someone else.”