Although I think this book deserves to be read by everyone, especially abled bodied people without health issues, it probably doesn't come as a surprise that I'm chronically ill myself. So, when I saw the premise of this book I was intrigued, curious and a little anxious to start reading. I ended up requesting a review copy through Netgalley and I was very happy when Scholastic granted me a digital copy of the book.

If you're, like me, a little anxious that the book is confronting and hard and heavy, I can assure you that it's not that bad. Yes, the book is about a society where being ill, sick or disabled means getting locked up in a hospital or being taken away by the vulpine. Yes, there are some remarks and lines that hurt. However, the book does a great job not making the book all doom and gloom. There is hope, there is love, there is warmth and from the very beginning I felt that.

And maybe that's both the good and bad of this book. It's nice that the author doesn't turn those characters into martyrs and people to pity, but in a way a lot of the gruesome things happening in this society happen off page. We hear about it, but we don't get to see it, we don't get to experience it. Since the book is marketed as YA I think the book could have done a little more show when it comes to the horrors that occur, even though I wouldn't wish that upon our heroine of course.

I'm also not entirely sold on the romance. I think that's because of the writing style of the book in general. The writing kept me as a reader a little at a distance. I was there to watch these characters go through everything, but it didn't really feel like I was there with them. I didn't have a strong connection with the heroine, I didn't really feel what she felt and therefore I also didn't really feel a connection with her.

So, I enjoyed the book, the themes and the way things were handled, but especially for a YA I also think the book could have been more.

I am always up for reading a novel set in a dystopia and this book fit that bill so well, it had a great pace which made it flow well and kept me interested all the way through.

I gave this book 3.5 stars. It was an enjoyable read - very YA and beautifully written. I loved how it made me question how we treat people with differences or disabilities in today's society. There are themes of kindness, compassion and awareness. It's fantastic to see disability represented and seen through the eyes of a character who only knew "perfect". Thank you to NetGalley, Scholastic and Polly Crosby for letting me read an advanced copy of this book.

The Vulpine is an unsettling dystopian full of folklore and science fiction goodness. It was so easy to read making it accessible, yet it is also thought provoking. It is a YA read and definitely A⭐️ for a younger reader getting into the genre. There are eerie elements that make your spine tingle but this is balanced out with a sweet romance. The world is interesting, with a similar feel to the Uglies series. The characters are all distinct and relatable. I really appreciated the exploration of disability and how this was portrayed. Overall a dark fantasy for younger readers that’s engaging and interesting. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

The Vulpine by Crosby is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of disability, identity, and the societal pressures to conform to an idealised notion of “perfection.” The book is set in a world where genetic perfection is the standard, and anything deemed “imperfect” is cast aside, leaving those who deviate from this ideal facing discrimination and fear. The protagonist, Ora, lives in a world where illness and disability are stigmatized, and she has been conditioned to view the world through the lens of ableism.

Ora’s life is turned upside down when she discovers that she herself has a genetic illness affecting her lungs, a fact her mother has kept hidden for years. In the wake of this revelation and the disappearance of her best friend Casta’s baby sister, Ora embarks on a journey to find the mythical Vulpine—a group of creatures believed to snatch “imperfect” children. Below the earth, Ora uncovers a hidden world that challenges everything she has ever been taught, forcing her to confront her own perceptions of worth and identity.

Ora is a relatable and endearing protagonist, struggling to reconcile her internal conflict between the expectations of a “perfect” world and her growing realisation of her own imperfection. Her strength, kindness, and compassion shine throughout the story, particularly as she forms connections with others who share her condition and defy societal expectations. These relationships, filled with empathy and understanding, are one of the book’s most compelling aspects. While there could have been more exploration of Ora’s character, her journey of self-discovery is engaging and heartfelt.

The book’s portrayal of an ableist society is both chilling and impactful. Crosby skillfully highlights the discrimination faced by those with chronic and invisible illnesses, creating an emotionally charged narrative that resonates with real-world struggles. The book sends a clear message that perfection is an unattainable ideal and that embracing diversity—especially in terms of illness and disability—is essential. The inclusion of characters with various disabilities adds richness to the story, allowing readers to see different experiences and coping mechanisms. These characters, even in the background, are given depth and meaning, making them memorable.

While the book has a subtle hint of romance, the absence of a central love story is a wise choice. The focus is not on romance but rather on survival, self-acceptance, and finding one’s place in a world that often rejects those who are different. The ending ties up the story well, leaving a sense of closure while still leaving a few questions unanswered, which adds to the story’s overall impact.

Overall, The Vulpine is a poignant and thought-provoking book that tackles important issues such as ableism, disability, and self-acceptance. It is a must-read for anyone interested in stories that challenge societal norms and explore the complexities of identity. Crosby’s work is a powerful reminder that being “imperfect” is not a flaw but a part of what makes us human, and the book’s themes are sure to stay with readers long after they turn the last page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic UK for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ora has always been fascinated by chilling fairy stories of the Vulpine – the mythical,
fox-like monsters who live below ground, emerging at night to snatch 'imperfect' babies and children. Because Ora knows that disability and illness have no place in her world. To succeed is to be genetically ‘perfect’, just like her best friend Casta and his family. Then, one day, Casta’s baby sister disappears. And Ora’s mother reveals a long-buried Ora herself has a genetic illness that affects her lungs... And she's about to be found out. Desperate for answers and sanctuary, Ora decides to do the unthinkable and seek out the fabled Vulpine. And below the earth, she discovers a hidden world that turns everything she has been taught upside-down...

Ora feels like she doesn’t belong. Stuck between being Perfect and Imperfect, she struggles with thinking about the future and considering where she is heading in life. Though this all changes when things take a turn. I loved her strength, her kindness and her compassion for those around her. She has been taught to fear the unknown - the Imperfect - yet other than slight hesitation, she is incredibly open and embraces change. I really enjoyed seeing her interactions with others, how she made strong connections with those who were similar to her and strengthened the bonds with those she loves and cares for. I do feel I could have seen a little more out of Ora but she was a great character to read.

As someone with chronic illnesses, I am always on the look out for authors who also deal with them so I can support their work. The moment I saw the blurb for this book, I knew I needed to read it. The plot was very solid. Demonstrating an ableist world and the profound discrimination against anyone “Imperfect” was strong and hits you deep. To have anything wrong with you is a sentence to a worse life in this book - and sometimes it seems that way in the real world too. I can clearly see and feel the emotion that Crosby has put into this story, wanting to prove to everyone that being “Perfect” isn’t realistic nor attainable. We should definitely be far more accepting of illnesses and disabilities (especially chronic and invisible illness!) and this book highlights the reasons why! The characters were great and I absolutely adored having such a dynamic cast. We got to see people with a range and variety of disabilities and conditions - and how they have adapted to live with them! They were all engaging and had their own story to tell. Even the background characters had their moments to shine! There was a hint of romance here but I think its general absence was perfect. This is not some great, big love story. It’s a story of survival, of being different and being proud to show the world who you really are. The ending was pretty good. It rounded up the story nicely, though was left a little bit open. I felt I finished reading with a few questions but on the whole, felt very satisfied.

Overall, The Vulpine is a brilliant story showcasing the struggles those with chronic illnesses and disabilities (both visible and invisible) deal with.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to NetGalley and Scholastic UK for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day and is immediately available on Goodreads

The Vulpine is a dystopian novel that's set in a world where individuals with disabilities or illnesses are classed as Imperfect, and sent to the Hospital. Otherwise, mysterious creatures called the Vulpine will come and snatch them away at night.

Ora has always been fascinated and scared by the Vulpine. Then one day, she discovers that her mother has been hiding a terrible secret. Ora is Imperfect, so in desperation she seeks out the Vulpine.

The concept was interesting, but the prose was wooden, the plot lacks tension and I didn't connect with any of the characters.

The story is pretty predictable. Turns out, the Vulpine aren't as bad as they seemed, and actually it's the government that are the bad guys! All the characters kind of blend together, and there's a lackluster and unconvincing romance. My overwhelming impression of this is just "meh", unfortunately.

Part fairytale, part dystopian fiction, The Vulpine is set in a world in which sickness has allegedly been eradicated, but in truth any baby born with illness or genetic difference is sent to The Hospital where they are "cared for" and "rehabilitated" and never seen again. The alternative is much worse: the Vulpine - fox-like creatures who live underground - are said to steal any "imperfect" children and eat them.

But fifteen-year-old Ora has a fairytale book which leaves clues about the true origin of the Vulpine, and when she realises she has her own imperfection, she decides to seek out the truth. The narrative is exciting and action-packed but it's also thought-provoking, picking out the ableism which permeates our own society and imagining a way through. There's some dark themes but they're handled with great sensitivity - it's a "perfect"* read for teens as well as young adults.

*you see, I'm really careful about how I use that word now!

A really fast-paced adventure! I couldn't put it down!

It could possibly have slowed down slightly, I would have loved to have had more time in the lair and get to know the characters a bit more, stretch it into a trilogy? But understand I'm not the target audience.

I saw Polly talking about this book on Twitter and I was instantly hooked. As someone who is still learning to navigate life with a chronic illness and disability, I am trying to find novels that have characters going through similar things. Growing up, I don't remember having books with disabled characters in, or at least disabled characters as main characters, rather than just a tick boxing exercise or damsel in distress. And by combining that story with the popular dystopian settings, I think Polly has hit on a perfect idea and I couldn't wait to get stuck in.

I also loved the cover. It was so simple but striking and immediately caught my eye.

It is such a powerful book. At first glance it looks "just" like another dystopian YA book, full of young teenagers at school, going through relationships, angst with their parents, sneaking out etc. But this has such a deeper message, and whilst I appreciate that it is "just" a fictional story, I think it could become a very important read.

Amazon says it's aimed at readers 12+ (and at 31 I am a little over that, but still loved it). Hopefully it'll show children and young adults that illnesses and disabilities are not something to be feared or disgusted by. Children - and adults - who are "different " deserve to be treated exactly the same. And whilst it might be an extreme situation, this book shows the danger that comes from segregating them, and how the world is a much richer place for its diversity.

I admit I felt the pacing was slightly off at times, some bits drawn out and others not as much. For example, I felt the ending was a bit rushed and would like it to have been drawn out slightly longer. That's a minor thing that I think would have taken this book from great to amazing. It didn't spoil the reading or enjoyment of it in any way though.

It's got everything really - it's magical, dystopian, fantastical, there's some romance, light comedy, and action.

I read it in a matter of hours. Ironically, I was reading it whilst in the waiting room of a hospital for my own illness! I could definitely see it being made into a YA series or film. I think the settings especially would work well on screen. I'm not the intended audience but I really loved it and would definitely watch it.

Polly has an illness of her own and whilst I only found that out after I'd read it, you can tell there's something personal there, because of how sensitive it is, how powerful it is, that could only come from real experience.

I have read a lot of books in my life - we're talking 200-300 a year - and I have read every kind of plot going, but I don't recall ever reading something quite like this, which was a lovely surprise.

Wow! This is the first time I have read a Polly Crosby book, and I am absolutely in love with the worldbuilding, the writing style, the emotions. Everything was on point. It was a fast-paced, gripping book that has me on the edge of my seat.

This book follows Ora who lives in a dystopian society that values perfection. Ora is far from perfect, but she never regarded herself as imperfect until the medication her parents were secretly slipping her to hide her condition ran out. Because in a perfect society, medication is not really necessary. I loved this idea of perfection and how far people go to attain it. And to hide it. Because at the heart of this perfect society is a hospital for the imperfect that has very sinister vibes.

The heart of this book is about survival despite the odds. It’s about learning to find out where you fit into the world and seeing yourself differently. When Ora learns she’s imperfect (it’s not mentioned by name, but she has cystic fibrosis) she also learns that her lungs are stronger than normal because they have been working harder, and that gives her the ability to climb a shoot and infiltrate a government building. There are people who are blind who have no trouble getting around in the dark, where those who rely on their sight struggle. There are people with limb differences who can suddenly run and jump faster and higher than people with full limbs because of prosthetics. I loved that their differences were celebrated. And I especially loved the slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance.

If you love dystopian books that hold a mirror to society, you will love this book. If you want beautifully eerie sentences and chilling worldbuilding, definitely pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed.

In a world where people with illnesses and disabilities are seen as imperfect, we follow Ora, a teen protagonist in her quest to self and societal discovery.
The prose is well-flowing, easy-to-follow and engaging. It is fitting for a YA dystopian novel.
Plot 3/5
Characterisation 3/5
Premise 3/5
Themes 4/5
Prose 3.5/5

Yet, for the target audience, the premise can be more exciting and authentic.
3 stars for those who are avid dystopian literature readers, 4 stars for younger readers or those who have not read books with similar themes and premises.

I got to read an advance copy of The Vulpine by Polly Crosby recently (due for release in mid-January). I was drawn in my the dystopian premise: a world in which anyone with an “imperfect” body (chronic illness, disease, disability) is sent to The Hospital, never to be seen by their families again. The Vulpine are a group depicted by the government as monsters, who snatch imperfect babies from their homes if they aren’t turned over to The Hospital. The story was quite a simplistic one, following a teen protagonist who learns that her parents have been covering her chronic health conditions by sneaking medication into her food her whole life. The novel gave me YA vibes (nothing wrong with that!) and I feel it could have gone darker… which probably says more about my tastes than the book. I did however fly through the story in a day, so there was clearly something in it that kept me needing to know what happens next!

Ora lives in a society where all illnesses and disabilities have been eradicated. Scientists are employed in DNA sequencing, and all four-year-olds undergo a grading. Any children failing the ‘Prefect Test’ or babies born with obvious ‘defects’ go to live in the Hospital, which supposedly cares for them behind closed doors. Parents who don’t hand over their children risk having them stolen and eaten by the mythical Vulpine.
When I read this book, I thought of three things: the underground community in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang that protects children from the Child Catcher employed by the child-hating monarchy; the 2017 children’s novel A Place Called Perfect by Helena Duggan, in which villainous leaders drug the population into overvaluing perfection; and the utterly chilling documentary I once saw about the repugnant experiments Josef Mengele carried out on disabled children in Nazi concentration camps. Although The Vulpine touches on all of these (and allusions to real-life proponents of eugenics is particularly chilling), what makes it different is how Crosby makes the ‘Imperfect’ the central characters. They live in a community adapted to diverse needs, where they are able to develop their strengths and flourish. Each person is depicted as an individual. More than the sum of their disabilities or illnesses, they are variously brave, intelligent, bitter, foolish, suspicious, kind or cunning. They are also the agents of their own lives and societal change.
The novel is marketed as YA – and that fits with the age of the protagonists (15 and 16), the hint of romance and the on-page violence and death – but the passages from the rhyming ‘Vulpine Storybook’ and the dressing up as monsters suggested a younger readership. Perhaps ten-year-olds who have enjoyed A Place Called Perfect will enjoy moving on to The Vulpine at eleven.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Upon publication, I will post this review on my blog and on GoodReads.

I really like Polly Crosby's novels, in particular her latest works. She writes about what she knows best: Cystic Fibrosis and manages to create a different narrative each time. "The Vulpine" is a dystopian take where the population are split into the Perfect and the Imperfect. The Imperfect go to the hospital or even worse, the Vulpine take them. Ticks all the boxes of a dystopian novel: a great horror, people living on the margins of society and a glimmer of hope in the future.

I really loved this book. I like the way that the book blurb doesn’t make it clear whether you’re reading magical reality or dystopian fiction I felt begin with that I was reading a fairytale. I rather love that element of the novel particularly the children’s storybook a lead character finds that tells her about the Vulpine it sets
the story perfectly and starts her on her adventure. I found the way that this was handled really skilful. The dystopian world was just believable as I believe every good dystopian novel must be .Our search for perfection in human life is central to a lot of eugenics movements and on many occasions has gone too far. Think the third Reich and its treatment of disabled children as well as the way black people were forcefully sterilised or experimented on in the USA not so long ago
The characters are real and believable the author has the skill to carefully describe in individual characters and make them develop in an entirely believable way throughout the story
The story exciting enough to maintain your interest and I read it in one sitting this was one of those books that when I first woke up in the morning and remembered I had to finish it I couldn’t wait to open the book and start reading
There Is a sweet love story in the middle of the novel, however it doesn’t dominate it something that might’ve taken the book into the YA category
I loved the authors note at the end of the book ,as a doctor I had picked up at the potential diagnosis for the lead character was cystic fibrosis but it was nice to have this confirmed .As a non-medical reader. It didn’t matter what the illness was just that it was an “imperfection”In the context if the story .I rather liked the fact that she had a late onset medical condition which led to her reclassification and that the physical disabilities mentioned during the story seemed real and believable
When I started reviewing books five years ago, it was unusual to have main characters with medical or developmental even psychological conditions . As I read more I’ve come across more books with neuro diverse characters but reading about somebody with a medical condition and that not being the whole subject of the novel was lovely. I would imagine that themselves had cystic fibrosis would find this novel fabulous and nice to find themselves represented. I always appreciate when I read a novel which has something personal to the author in it there is nothing better than lived experienced to make the story feel entirely authentic
The author has clear flowing writing style making the novel and refreshing enjoyable read. I had previously read her novel Vita and the birds. I read this quite some time ago but the picture of the glasshouse in the salts marshes still comes to mind from time to time. She’s written a number of other novels including the illustrated Child the unravelling and the house of fever and I note that there is a Young Adult This tale is forbidden in 2024.
I’m trying to think of similar books but currently struggling to find one that is quite like this book. Pass me I really love to stay your novels and will gravitate to these if given a free choice in reading I’ve read a large number of these novels mostly newly published in the last five years and would say that this book is among the best of them ..

The novel is very descriptive in its setting and I think it would make a fabulous film if I was a film developer I would grab the rights to it .I hope to see it on Netflix soon !
There is something similar in the ethos of this novel with the book The Girl with All the Gifts by MR Carey or The power by Naomi Alderman If you liked either of these books and I think you will enjoy this novel .


Whilst this isn’t badged as a YA novel I think it would be entirely appropriate for teenagers to read and I would’ve loved to read it myself as an early reader.
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published in January 2025 by Scholastic
This review will appear on NetGalley UK. Goodreads and my book blog bionicsarahsbooks.wordpress.com.After publication it will also appear on Amazon UK.

3.5 stars

I'm fairly sure I've read all of Polly Crosbys work, and enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to this one.
It has some really good ideas, especially when you add the own voices element in, which I did not know about until the acknowledgement.
A dystopian future where illness is no-one, sounds too good to be true.
And it is.
Some good twists, and characters I could get behind.
I enjoyed this one.
I'm not the target audience, and there were a few times it felt too young for me, buy it never detracted from the story.
Enjoyable