tlfuller13's review against another edition
4.0
The book I've been waiting for from Yangsze Choo after her wonderful debut novel, The Ghost Bride is an exciting adventure, with a magical realism twist and ghostly suspense.
Without spoiling too much, I wawas very glad that Choo connected both books together in a beautiful yet subtle way. I love it when authors do this, why wouldn't you want a world you created, even if it's based on historical places and time, to connect somehow? So sweet to see them intertwined no matter how subtle.
The characters are all put together in such a way, when I closed the book, my heart was sad their stories were over, even though there is room for my own imagination to finish. The setting is done in a curious way, descriptive but not overdone so I was driven to Google to get myself more immersed in the tropical environment.
I wish the night tiger itself made a bigger appearance, I felt that the mystery shrouding the finger was just a bit more on the backburner, leaving too much to my interpretation. However the names was an exciting way to connect the characters.
Without spoiling too much, I wawas very glad that Choo connected both books together in a beautiful yet subtle way. I love it when authors do this, why wouldn't you want a world you created, even if it's based on historical places and time, to connect somehow? So sweet to see them intertwined no matter how subtle.
The characters are all put together in such a way, when I closed the book, my heart was sad their stories were over, even though there is room for my own imagination to finish. The setting is done in a curious way, descriptive but not overdone so I was driven to Google to get myself more immersed in the tropical environment.
I wish the night tiger itself made a bigger appearance, I felt that the mystery shrouding the finger was just a bit more on the backburner, leaving too much to my interpretation. However the names was an exciting way to connect the characters.
shaelinsans's review against another edition
Honestly I don't know how to rate this book. Like I enjoyed the plot and the mystery surrounding these characters, and I love how they are all intertwined with each other, with the names of them being 5 virtues and how it kind of supports the plot. I also enjoyed the plot twists at the end, even though after being fed with these stories, the ending was kind of... underwhelming.
BUT. this book disturbed me quite a bit especially because of the romance between. It was creepy. Not a big fan. I really hope the author gave us that one subplot for the readers for "thinking" purposes and not because she wants us to root for them.
Not giving it a rating as of now because I just don't know how to rate this. I didn't necessarily hate it because outside of the romance, I really did like the plot and I also liked Jin Li and Ren, but I was also just so disturbed while reading this.
BUT. this book disturbed me quite a bit especially because of the romance between
Spoiler
Jin Li and Shin because they're step siblings. Like at first I didn't catch on because they were basically each other's best friends during childhood BUT. BUT. it got worse during the main story and I'm just so weirded out because their dynamic is so wrong and even in Jin Li's POV it was like her admiring Shin and saying she has feelings for her stepbrother (the way it's always written like this to make it clear that they are, in fact, stepsiblings).Not giving it a rating as of now because I just don't know how to rate this. I didn't necessarily hate it because outside of the romance, I really did like the plot and I also liked Jin Li and Ren, but I was also just so disturbed while reading this.
starryeved's review against another edition
3.0
They say a tiger that devours too many humans can take the form of a man and walk among us...
Evocative, captivating storytelling of mythical proportions, set in 1930s Malaya, featuring enthralling writing, a very lush Asian setting, and a barrage of Chinese-Malaysian folklore and superstitions. Very cool in theory, yes?
There is a lot overlapping in this story. It's ambitious, bold, and enchantingly adventurous in that mysterious, heavy, confusing way many big striking epic stories are. With all the subplots and plotlines, it was actually difficult to keep track of what was going on. Even now, I'm not quite sure what I read, but I'll assume it was very good—hence the extra star.
If you're in for a wondrous mix between folklore, magical realism, and all the recurring themes of a daring adventure (although daring may be overselling it) between life and death—and you're willing to forgive an incredibly slow burn, both plot-wise and romantically (be warned: the romance can be off-putting to many audiences)—give The Night Tiger a try. After all, if Reese Witherspoon liked it, it can't be that bad.
carolita1128's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ruinedbyreading's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kelseylyss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
hoosgracie's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story set in early 1930s Malaysia. It has a good mix of culture, history, and mythology - with a touch of magical realism. Highly recommend.
suzieellis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0