Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Brides of RuHaren by J.R. McRae/Andrea Alemanno is a collection of verses that tells a story based on the Japanese legend of the fox women. Foxes or 'kitsune,' as they are termed in the Japanese language, are a common topic of Japanese folklore. Here the author knits a beautiful tale loosely based on that concept with a good play on words, and the fantasy and whimsy in her expressions will keep readers fascinated till the end. The opening scene where moonbeams are streaming down the leaves, and the rest of the description of the surroundings, sets the tone for the verses to follow and gives readers a visual treat of the Fox of RuHaren. This book is a delight, filled with magic, fantasy, beautiful descriptions, and exquisite use of language.

I like the idea of narrating a story using verses and it gives a good flow and lyrical feel as the words roll from one page to the next. The verses are enthralling and the poet’s eye for details using minimalist words, coupled with colorful yet toned down illustrations in the background, makes it both an entertaining book and a visual feast for readers. The pictures on each page go well with the verses and make the narration and the legendary tale more attractive. The original style of writing, the author's courage to experiment by breaking away from the usual, and the presentation make the book appealing to everyone and not just poetry lovers. I have just one word for this book: fabulous!