Today I have a review of The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo, now available from Flatiron Books!
My Thoughts:
We first meet 11-year-old Ren, a servant to a doctor. Before the doctor dies, he charges Ren with one request: to find his severed finger, missing from years ago, and place it with his deceased body. The doctor says there are only 49 days in which to accomplish this task, or else because his body is incomplete, and his soul will roam the earth forever.
Ji Lin is an apprentice dressmaker in 1930s Malaysia, who wants nothing more than to be a doctor, but she is forced to work secretly in a dance hall to pay her mother’s debts from Mahjong. When a dance hall partner leaves her a severed finger, Ji Lin is convinced it will bring bad luck on her family. She asks her stepbrother to help her find the owner of the finger.
The days are flying by, and a tiger is endangering the town. Around this time, Ji Lin and Ren’s paths cross, and I can say nothing more about that.
Overall, The Night Tiger is a divinely told story that reads like a realistic fairy tale. The suspense makes it a page-turner, and the history makes it so absorbing. I knew little of Maylasia’s colonial history, and I found it all fascinating. Also consuming was the Chinese folklore included and that suspenseful mystery again. The atmosphere in this book is most impactful, and I was completely lost in this story and its characters. I’ll definitely be reading The Ghost Bride by this author soon!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
A sweeping historical novel about a dancehall girl and an orphan boy whose fates entangle over an old Chinese superstition about men who turn into tigers.
When 11-year-old Ren’s master dies, he makes one last request of his Chinese houseboy: that Ren find his severed finger, lost years ago in an accident, and reunite it with his body. Ren has 49 days, or else his master’s soul will roam the earth, unable to rest in peace.
Ji Lin always wanted to be a doctor, but as a girl in 1930s Malaysia, apprentice dressmaker is a more suitable occupation. Secretly, though, Ji Lin also moonlights as a dancehall girl to help pay off her beloved mother’s Mahjong debts. One night, Ji Lin’s dance partner leaves her with a gruesome souvenir: a severed finger. Convinced the finger is bad luck, Ji Lin enlists the help of her erstwhile stepbrother to return it to its rightful owner.
As the 49 days tick down, and a prowling tiger wreaks havoc on the town, Ji Lin and Ren’s lives intertwine in ways they could never have imagined. Propulsive and lushly written, The Night Tiger explores colonialism and independence, ancient superstition and modern ambition, sibling rivalry and first love. Braided through with Chinese folklore and a tantalizing mystery, this novel is a page-turner of the highest order.
Have you read The Night Tiger, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Very interesting, Jen! I like the premise here. Glad you enjoyed it because have it added. Love your review. 😉
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Thanks, favorite M! This is such a good story! You just fall right into it and I loved all the culture! ♥️
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Great review, Jennifer. I like the different elements in this book from culture to tigers. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Thanks, Diana! Me, too! It’s steeped in some fascinating cultural elements.
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I do have this book on my list. I am happy to read how wonderful it is. I loved reading your review, as always, Jennifer.
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Thank you, Marialyce! I have a feeling this will be a great read for you too! I look forward to your thoughts! ♥️
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Excellent review and picture, Jennifer! I enjoy cultural reads and added this one to my tbr list. Thanks, Jennifer and Happy Reading to you, too! 🌺🌹❤️📚💐🌸😍
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Thank you, Virginia! This is another one I think you’ll enjoy! I hope you had a nice Thursday! 💗
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Awesome Review Jen! I can’t wait to read this one! It sounds very interesting and different!
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Thanks, Heather! I hope you love this! It’s a bit different from what I’ve seen you read, but it’s so GOOD, so fascinating! ♥️
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This is already on my TBR, and I think yours is the first review I’ve seen. Now I cannot wait to read it!
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Thanks, Tammy! I am so excited for you to read this and to read your take on it. I hope you enjoy the fantasy touches!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it because I just bought it! It sounds wonderful. I love all the different elements and am sure I’ll love it too. Wonderful review, my friend! ❤
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Did you get it from BOTM? You are going to LOVE this! It’s such good storytelling! So much culture! Thanks so much, Steph! ♥️
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Yes! How did you guess, lol! I sure did (and 2 other books that I’m going to try and hide, haha)! You’re welcome!! ♥
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😂 Don’t feel guilty! I get three every time, and then I don’t read them! I’m the worst!
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Haha! I don’t feel so bad now. I can’t remember the last BOTM I read unless it was Still Me! I even canceled my membership a few months ago but then restarted it. I’ve got to get another bookshelf. 😂
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I could fill a whole tall shelf with my BOTM picks! I love them so, but I need to read them! 😂 ♥️
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I think I could too. It’s funny. Several of my BOTM are books for my Popsugar challenge prompts, so I’ll at least get a few read that way! 😂❤
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Wonderful review Jen! Have an awesome night and enjoy the beautiful weather! Rain tomorrow so leave the sandals home!😂☔💜
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Thanks, Sus! I enjoyed those sandals today and yesterday though! 😂 ♥️ (I may still try to wear them- the 50s are warm enough! 😆)
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I was thinking more about raindrops between your toes!! Haha🤷♀️💜
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Yeah, it’s raining a little too heavy along with the cold, probably won’t do it. But if warmer, I would! I have sandals that are ok in the rain. 😂
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I have this one on my Wish List to buy, having crossed paths with it last month, as something I want to read. I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I can’t wait to read it too.
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Thanks so much, Alexandra! I can’t wait to hear what you think of this one. I’m considering buying it to have on hand for a re-read. It’s a beautiful book!
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It’s getting a lot of positive reviews and attention, and I love it’s set in a country I lived in as a child.
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Oh, that will definitely connect you to the story even more, Alexandra! I hope you love it!
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Love your review! I have this on audio to review and I keep pushing it aside for other books, I just need to buckle down and read it it looks so good and now that it is Reese’s pick this month, how can I not?
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Thanks, Berit! Yes, Reese knows what she is doing! It’s a beautiful book! A little different from your typical reads, so I’m curious on what you’ll think. Enjoy! ♥️
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On my TBR. Thanks for the review!
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Thanks so much, David! I hope you enjoy it too!
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I hadn’t heard of this book until Reese’s selection as her book club pick. I’m so grateful for your lovely review as I wasn’t certain if this was my kind of story💜
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Thanks, Jonetta! It’s a bit outside your already eclectic reads, but there’s so much here I think you’ll enjoy. It’s a learning experience without feeling that way due to the culture and then the author is a magnificent storyteller. Can’t sit to hear what you think! ♥️
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I’m so pleased you enjoyed this one. I loved it too, for all the reasons you give – the picture of colonial Malay, the Chinese folklore, the great characters! I’m looking forward to reading The Ghost Bride sometime too (if my TBR lets me 😉 ) and to seeing what she gives us in the future… 😀
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You had mentioned to me you thought I would love this, and you were absolutely right. So much here to love. I hope your TBR lets you add The Ghost Bride. It seems like that one is even more well-loved than this one, and I definitely can’t pass it by!
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I love how you’ve described the fairytale like aspects to the story and how the author weaves in elements regarding local folklore and colonial history. I’ve def added this to my list! ☺️ 🐯
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It’s such a terrific story, LP! One to get completely lost in! I hope you get a chance to read it!
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This sounds incredible. Definitely one to add to my TBR!
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Thanks, Chrissi! It’s a wonderful one to add!
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Okay WOW, you had me at “realistic fairy tale”! And at every sentence, really. 😉 This sounds so exquisite and unlike anything I’ve read recently. Definitely one for the pile!
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I could imagine you loving this one, Kathy! It’s such an engaging and well-told story with some magic! I hope you get a chance to read it! Her The Ghost Bride is also extremely popular! ♥️
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I can’t wait to read this one. I LOVED The Ghost Bride.
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Yay, Lisa! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, and if it lives up to The Ghost Bride!
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Lovely review Jenni, glad you enjoyed it! 😁
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Thanks, Beth! Me, too! I think you read this, too, and yours had that gorgeous cover?! ♥️
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I sure did! 😁
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I’m so happy to see this book receives high marks from you. I just bought a copy yesterday while I was out running errands and can’t wait to dive into it!
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Yay, I hope you enjoy it, Suzanne! I bet the cover is gorgeous in person!
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