"Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire" — A Bewitching Tale of Growth, Grit, and Grim Magic
- Kim Bartosch
- Aug 8
- 4 min read
There’s something deeply satisfying about finding a YA fantasy that blends darkness and whimsy in equal measure—and Don Martin’s Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire absolutely nails it. With lyrical magic, rich world-building, and a protagonist who’s as fierce as she is flawed, this book cast a spell on me from the very first page.
Following Verity, a young witch apprentice with a voice-powered spell system (yes, she sings nursery rhymes to cast magic—how cool is that?!), readers are pulled into a cursed mountain town cut off from the world, gripped by fear, and haunted by a villain known as Earl—the self-proclaimed King of the Mountain. Add in a missing girl, a talking familiar, and a town full of secrets, and you’ve got the makings of a fantasy that’s as eerie as it is enchanting.
Thank you to the publisher for the book and my honest review. This book tour is sponsored by Toppling Stacks Tours. Rather than just telling you this book is worth your time (it is), let me give you my Top 5 Reasons to Read Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire:
1. 🧙♀️ Verity Vox Is a Standout Heroine
Verity is everything I love in a main character: brave, stubborn, compassionate, and just a little chaotic. Her voice-driven magic isn’t just a fun gimmick—it’s a key part of who she is, tied to her confidence and growth. She starts out unsure and still learning, but over the course of the book, she becomes someone you'd definitely want on your side. What I really appreciated was how her development felt earned. Even the moments I didn’t love at first later made sense as part of her journey.
2. 🏔️ The Setting Is Deliciously Creepy
Foxfire is a mountain town cloaked in mystery, cursed from the inside out, and isolated from the outside world by a vanished bridge and an oppressive magical force. The setting drips with tension and atmosphere—it’s the kind of place that feels like it has its own secrets, its own rules. You can practically smell the damp earth, feel the chill in the air, and hear Earl’s eerie threats echoing off the cliffs.
3. ✍️ The Narrative Voice Is Unique and Engaging
Don Martin’s writing has a voice of its own—confident, vivid, and perfectly suited for YA readers who crave something a little darker. The story is sprinkled with sharp wit, rich emotion, and thoughtful pacing. Yes, some of the lore-heavy sections slow things down a bit, but they also give readers a better understanding of the magic and the stakes, and they're woven into Verity’s learning process.
4. 🧑🤝🧑 Strong Bonds and Found Family Feels
One of the book’s biggest emotional payoffs comes from the way Verity bonds with the people of Foxfire. She's not just checking off boxes on a magical to-do list—she cares. Her friendship with Tacita, her connection to the villagers, and even her relationship with her familiar, Jack, feel real and meaningful. The book balances action and heart beautifully, and it’s easy to root for Verity not just because of what she’s fighting against, but who she’s fighting for.
5. 🔥 A Magic System That’s Fresh Yet Easy to Grasp
Verity’s spellcasting through song is one of the most original and charming aspects of the book. It’s accessible, not overly complex, and integrated well into the story. Plus, as she’s still a witch-in-training, we get to learn the rules of the magic alongside her, making the world feel more immersive. The slower moments during her magical lessons do drag just a bit—but they also serve to highlight her growth, and they’re never boring.
Final Thoughts:
Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire is the kind of fantasy that wraps you in shadow and wonder all at once. If you’re into spooky small towns, determined young witches, and magic systems that sing (literally), you’ll want to grab this one ASAP. It’s dark without being hopeless, magical without being overwhelming, and emotional without ever losing momentum.
This book made me feel—and kept me turning the pages long into the night. I can't wait to see where Verity goes next.
About the book:
Book Title: Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire
Author: Don Martin
Publisher: Page Street YA
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publishing date: August 5, 2025
Synopsis
Witch apprentice Verity Vox has never encountered a problem magic can’t solve. So when a cryptic note invites her to Foxfire, she goes.
With her apprenticeship limiting her services to a year, Foxfire will be her biggest challenge yet. The town has already lost its only bridge, and many loved ones have disappeared in dealings with a shady magic peddler named Earl—leaving the whole town wary of magic.
Even as Verity wins the townsfolk over, she realizes she may not be able to save them. Going after Earl only returns Tacita, the missing girl who summoned Verity, but no one else. And the fight costs Verity the ability to fly and draws her to the old dark magic beneath the mountain.
As Verity hones her powers and grows to care for Tacita, she must learn that not everything can be solved with strength alone.
Meet the author:
Don Martin is the author of Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire, The Dabbler’s Guide to Witchcraft, while I wait to be a god again, and The Playground with more books on the way. He is also the host of the podcast Head On Fire, which speaks to experts in overlooked or misunderstood fields. He lives on a horse ranch just outside Chicago with his husband and their many, many pets. His literary agent is Kate Davids of ARC Literary Management.