In The Red Fox Ran by December Knight, each chapter starts with a snippet of musing by the Red Fox; he’s in the future looking back. Then the chapter unfolds the story of what happened to him. Bay Haven has fierce red hair and unreal blue eyes, and the combination makes him quite remarkable, but they’re not the most interesting things about him. You see, he has a secret past, another life, but he’s trying to leave that all behind and fit into the everyday life of the school, puzzling out homework and lessons and getting to know his fellow students. One, in particular, is Abby. There’s something about her that makes Bay want to stay here forever. But if he does, what will happen to him and his friends?

The Red Fox Ran is a character-driven story where conversations move the plot forward. Although we know from the beginning that Bay is a fox, we don’t know what happened in his past. December Knight does an excellent job of building tension and mystery, keeping me turning pages. Her writing style is extremely eloquent, and her prose has the touch of someone becoming a master in her craft. Only when the Red Fox starts seeing himself differently does his life change—and that’s the heart of this marvelous young adult Christian fantasy. Is Bay what people say he is… or can his true self be revealed? Mystery pulls this imaginative story along. What will happen when his past catches up with him, and will his friends still like him when it does?

On the first day of high school as a sophomore, Bay Haven meets Abby and immediately befriends her. Then he meets Felix and Sasha. Bay was never meant to care for others as he is very dangerous to everyone he gets close to. He is an outsider pressing his way in, forcing himself somewhere he doesn't fit. He should pull back. He can't stay near his friends. He can't tell them what he is, where he comes from, what is expected of him, and the danger that awaits with every step he takes. Now it's too late, and Bay wishes he had the chance to go back and change things. He hopes his brother and friends will forgive him for his last mistake. Now that his secret is exposed, what will happen to him and his loved ones? You can learn more about it in December Knight's book, The Red Fox Ran.

The Red Fox Ran is an excellent book that deeply explores feelings of guilt, regret, and belonging. It's about the true nature of humans and the concept that we can choose who we are and what we do. What stands out the most is how it constantly generates suspense by delaying the reader's quest to discover the protagonist's darkest secret. December Knight expertly blends mystery, friendship, and the threat of believing you are who others say you are. This novel surpassed my expectations. It's thought-provoking and brilliantly plotted. Prepare to fall in love with a most exceptional fox. The Red Fox Ran has enough tension, mystery, and peril to please all fans of psychological fiction and The Hunger Games.

In the novel The Red Fox Ran by December Knight, the shy and reserved Bay develops friendships at school, particularly with Abby, but struggles with secrets about his family's past. When his past catches up to him, he and his friends are captured by tribal people connected to the mysterious Babel Islands. He's selected for a deadly ritual game and, despite conflicts and a fraught atmosphere, he maintains hope, even agreeing to a deal from a mysterious figure to save his friends. The tension and fear of the outcome are intense and grip everyone as Bay makes a desperate dash for survival while everyone watches on remotely. An absolutely shocking twist impacts everyone who is present, forcing questions about circumstances and the meaning of their actions.

The Red Fox Ran by December Knight is a marvel in its exploration of complex relationships and their intricacies, anchored in the evolving friendship between Bay and Abby. Knight blends the confusing time when we come of age with a different, much more violent version of the Babel Islands and the ritual of the Hunt. Bay's connection reveals a strong sense of place, culture, and identity that was completely unexpected to me as a reader. I loved how the book was able to weave deep moral debates and societal commentary, particularly in a scene where Bay confronts his oppressors. Through Bay's voice, the characters and the reader are prompted to reflect on what defines normalcy and offer introspection beyond a conventional narrative. Very highly recommended.

The Red Fox Ran by December Knight is a Christian supernatural novel about Bay, an outsider at his new high school who finds friendships that offer a sense of belonging and love. Encountering both ordinary teen struggles and unnerving events, he learns to confide in his friends, especially Abby, whom he loves. An old friend, Finn, tries to lure him away, but Bay's loyalty to his current friends prevails. A series of escalating threats climax with Bay and his friends being kidnapped and taken to the Babel Islands, Bay's homeland. They're forced into a brutal tradition known as the Hunt, revealing Bay's hidden origins. Despite the abuse and captivity, Bay fights to protect his friends, taking on a seemingly impossible task. During the Hunt, Bay collapses despite his efforts, with his friends' fate hanging in the balance.

Where December Knight excels in The Red Fox Ran storytelling is in the tug-of-war Bay has because he is straddling a fence between two worlds. This was exemplified in a scene where Bay and Blaze argue about moving with Bay's resistance and Blaze's determination showing differing attitudes and personalities. The involvement of Abby, whose innocent suggestion unintentionally backs Bay into a corner, hints at unspoken connections and potential consequences for the future. If Bay had been open with Abby she would never take that stance. The transformation of Bay into a Christian is subtle and when he is in the Hunt, his sacrifice, survival, and faith are underpinned by his plea, "God, please help me do it. Please, Christ, help me do it.” The build-up to this is so nuanced that when it happens it is explosive. I have no doubt this book will resonate with readers and I am a new fan of December Knight.