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bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
This was one of those books where I wasn't really into it in the beginning, but it ended on a really strong, beautiful note. More complete review to come.
Full review:
When I first started reading Tiger Lily, I wasn't all that fond of it. In fact, up until about three quarters of the way through the book, I was ready to chalk it up to its just not being a book for me. I didn't have issues with any technical aspects of the book, didn't find any plot holes or characters I didn't like, I simply wasn't connecting with it on a level that makes me care deeply for a book. Then, suddenly, the action ramped up and the emotional impact of the novel really started getting to me. Unfortunately, by that point, it was too late for me to become completely invested in the novel. Spoilers ahead.
I know exactly why I didn't connect with the novel and it is this: I did not like the structure of it. There was nothing wrong with it; it's simply that it was a matter of personal preference. By having Tinker Bell as the narrator, I felt too removed from Tiger Lily to care about her as much as I would have needed to in order for me to really be pulled into the narrative. It seemed this was done to set her up as some sort of impartial narrator and, because I didn't get much insight into what Tiger Lily was thinking and feeling, I also felt impartial. The other downside to this was it pulled me out of the story because I often found myself thinking, "Wait, how could Tinker Bell know Tiger Lily is thinking that? That's impossible!" and then I'd have to remind myself that Tinker Bell could read thoughts. Whenever I'm jolted out of the flow of a book by moments like these, it makes it hard for me to really appreciate that book.
However, once Tinker Bell became more of an active player in the story itself, I found myself drawn in. The ending is so strong and packs such an emotional punch that it was almost as if it was a different book. I didn't really get the feeling that the tension was building, more that it went from Tinker Bell being kind of outside of the events to Tinker Bell suddenly playing an active role. Once she played an active role, the story suddenly became far, far stronger for me than it had been before. In a way, I think Tinker Bell represents the feeling we all have at times, when we can't control the events that are unfolding in our lives, but this didn't really occur to me until at least three quarters of the way through the book. I might have looked at it differently had I had a stronger sense earlier in the book that Tinker Bell was a representation of the futility of life.
Yet this is a pretty substantial book. Anderson tackles issues like gender roles and the impact that missionaries have on native people. This isn't done in a preachy way and it's not necessarily central to the novel, but I thought she did an excellent job of showing how much destruction can be caused by good intentions. That's the crux of this novel, really. It's not so much that the evil in Neverland causes the havoc that later comes--though the evil definitely plays its part--it's more that small errors, little lapses in judgement add up in a very important way. I liked that aspect of this book, liked that it took a critical look at what happens when we're not paying close attention to the events that are unfolding in our lives.
Another thing I really liked about this book was its message about romantic love. Tiger Lily falls for Peter because he is wild, fragile, and broken and she longs to soothe his aches but also to lose herself in his wildness. Though she's not considered conventional in her own society, she lives by its strictures--particularly when it comes to who she will marry--and there's that part of her that longs to break free, which is what makes Peter so attractive. Yet the love Peter has for her is entirely selfish on his part. Peter loves Tiger Lily more for what she can do for him than for what he can do for her. When this is contrasted with the unconditional love and devotion Pine Sap feels, it creates a stark example of the difference between a love that is unhealthy and one that is healthy, a love in which someone loves the idea of a person as contrasted to a love in which someone loves the actual person. I think there's too little of this in YA lit at times, so I'm always happy when I find a book that lays this out clearly.
The writing in this book is also quite lovely, and I thought Anderson dealt with the pain of loss and betrayal in a way that was authentic without being over-the-top. I really felt for Tiger Lily at the end of the novel, and my heart ached for her as I kept turning pages, eager to find out what would happen in the end. And that's why the slow start was such a disappointment for me. Had the entire book hit me in the way the last part of it did, this would have been a five-star novel for me for sure.
Full review:
When I first started reading Tiger Lily, I wasn't all that fond of it. In fact, up until about three quarters of the way through the book, I was ready to chalk it up to its just not being a book for me. I didn't have issues with any technical aspects of the book, didn't find any plot holes or characters I didn't like, I simply wasn't connecting with it on a level that makes me care deeply for a book. Then, suddenly, the action ramped up and the emotional impact of the novel really started getting to me. Unfortunately, by that point, it was too late for me to become completely invested in the novel. Spoilers ahead.
I know exactly why I didn't connect with the novel and it is this: I did not like the structure of it. There was nothing wrong with it; it's simply that it was a matter of personal preference. By having Tinker Bell as the narrator, I felt too removed from Tiger Lily to care about her as much as I would have needed to in order for me to really be pulled into the narrative. It seemed this was done to set her up as some sort of impartial narrator and, because I didn't get much insight into what Tiger Lily was thinking and feeling, I also felt impartial. The other downside to this was it pulled me out of the story because I often found myself thinking, "Wait, how could Tinker Bell know Tiger Lily is thinking that? That's impossible!" and then I'd have to remind myself that Tinker Bell could read thoughts. Whenever I'm jolted out of the flow of a book by moments like these, it makes it hard for me to really appreciate that book.
However, once Tinker Bell became more of an active player in the story itself, I found myself drawn in. The ending is so strong and packs such an emotional punch that it was almost as if it was a different book. I didn't really get the feeling that the tension was building, more that it went from Tinker Bell being kind of outside of the events to Tinker Bell suddenly playing an active role. Once she played an active role, the story suddenly became far, far stronger for me than it had been before. In a way, I think Tinker Bell represents the feeling we all have at times, when we can't control the events that are unfolding in our lives, but this didn't really occur to me until at least three quarters of the way through the book. I might have looked at it differently had I had a stronger sense earlier in the book that Tinker Bell was a representation of the futility of life.
Yet this is a pretty substantial book. Anderson tackles issues like gender roles and the impact that missionaries have on native people. This isn't done in a preachy way and it's not necessarily central to the novel, but I thought she did an excellent job of showing how much destruction can be caused by good intentions. That's the crux of this novel, really. It's not so much that the evil in Neverland causes the havoc that later comes--though the evil definitely plays its part--it's more that small errors, little lapses in judgement add up in a very important way. I liked that aspect of this book, liked that it took a critical look at what happens when we're not paying close attention to the events that are unfolding in our lives.
Another thing I really liked about this book was its message about romantic love. Tiger Lily falls for Peter because he is wild, fragile, and broken and she longs to soothe his aches but also to lose herself in his wildness. Though she's not considered conventional in her own society, she lives by its strictures--particularly when it comes to who she will marry--and there's that part of her that longs to break free, which is what makes Peter so attractive. Yet the love Peter has for her is entirely selfish on his part. Peter loves Tiger Lily more for what she can do for him than for what he can do for her. When this is contrasted with the unconditional love and devotion Pine Sap feels, it creates a stark example of the difference between a love that is unhealthy and one that is healthy, a love in which someone loves the idea of a person as contrasted to a love in which someone loves the actual person. I think there's too little of this in YA lit at times, so I'm always happy when I find a book that lays this out clearly.
The writing in this book is also quite lovely, and I thought Anderson dealt with the pain of loss and betrayal in a way that was authentic without being over-the-top. I really felt for Tiger Lily at the end of the novel, and my heart ached for her as I kept turning pages, eager to find out what would happen in the end. And that's why the slow start was such a disappointment for me. Had the entire book hit me in the way the last part of it did, this would have been a five-star novel for me for sure.
sredster's review
5.0
This book is one that I will read time and time again. It touched my heart and reopened my love for Neverland and all the characters in it. Tink as the narrator was perfect. You are a fool if you decide to not read this book.
januarysnine's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
thewrongalice's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Domestic abuse
cassandrabee's review against another edition
2.0
Overall, this book was good. I enjoyed the way it embraced darkness but wasn't necessarily unhappy. The end of the book took a really thoughtful and interesting look at the ways in which people's lives change and overlap. There are a lot of stories about young people who meet their one true love and fight to be together in their perfect love forever. It's refreshing to read a story about people who fall in love with each other and other people. It's great to talk about the ways in which our love and feelings change and grow with us.
I think Tik Tok is the best character in this book. His story and the background story of Phillip's influence over the tribe are heartbreaking and powerful. It was fascinating to read about Tiger Lily and the villagers coming back together after all of the changes.
I really didn't like that this book was narrated by Tinker Bell. It resulted in us reading from many different points of view in a cheap way. It was more confusing and limiting than it was a gateway into the minds of each character. It was weird that she kept telling us how everyone felt.
This book is good, but I didn't really love it. There is a lot of introduction and explanation, so it took about 60 pages for things to start picking up. It took me forever to finish reading this even though it is a pretty easy read.
I think Tik Tok is the best character in this book. His story and the background story of Phillip's influence over the tribe are heartbreaking and powerful. It was fascinating to read about Tiger Lily and the villagers coming back together after all of the changes.
I really didn't like that this book was narrated by Tinker Bell. It resulted in us reading from many different points of view in a cheap way. It was more confusing and limiting than it was a gateway into the minds of each character. It was weird that she kept telling us how everyone felt.
This book is good, but I didn't really love it. There is a lot of introduction and explanation, so it took about 60 pages for things to start picking up. It took me forever to finish reading this even though it is a pretty easy read.
qinnydapooh's review
5.0
I can not begin to express my fondness for this book, I binge read it in one sitting! I want to start off by saying I love Tiger Lily. She is such a strong female protagonist and that's a breath of fresh air after reading countless stories with weak willed heroines.And while she did have a few moments where I cringed at her decisions, she nonetheless always redeemed herself. I can sing her praises all day, but lets not forget the rest of the cast who were also phenomenal. Tink was a true friend through and through, I have such a new found respect for her.I definitely recommend this book!
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
3.0
This is a love story, but not like any you've ever heard. The boy and the girl are far from innocent. Dear lives are lost. And good doesn't win.
3.5
They weren’t joking when they said that this was a tearjerker.
I never really cried, but would like to think that I would’ve, had I been the type who cries because of a novel.
Nonetheless, this book left me utterly destroyed and defenseless.
Tiger Lily is a beautiful, tragic book. It’s easy to see why it’s gotten so much hype; the lovely, delicate prose is magnificent, the characters intriguing and broken.
It’s a quiet and lonely story, told through the eyes of the constant observer; Tinker Bell.
Lyrical writing can always make wonders for a story, but this ended up being somewhere between half-decent and amazing. So here’s my reason for rating it 3 stars: There were moments of brilliance sprinkled here and there throughout this otherwise average book.
The writing - no matter how wonderful it is - cannot make up for the nearly plotless story that struggled to kept me interested.
The pacing is on the slow side, and not much happens.
The characters are all extremely distant and it’s hard to pinpoint their personalities.
This creates a fascinating mystery around them, and yet was to the book’s disadvantage.
As the story goes on and we continue to get zero details, my interest wavered.
Tiger Lily is a seemingly cold character, and it took a while before I warmed up to her mysterious and dreamy personality. Once I did, the disappointment was a fact. We follow her everywhere; in her darkest moments and in her best ones. And yet, I couldn’t fully connect with her or any of the other characters, no matter how charming or intriguing they were.
Just like the narrator Tinker Bell, I was nothing but an observer.
Still, the longer I was around her, the more I could see the colors of her mind and the recesses of her heart. There was a beast in there. But there was also a girl who was afraid of being a beast, and who wondered if other people had beasts in their hearts too. There was strength, and there was also just the determination to look strong. She guarded herself like a secret.
There’s the word I’m searching for: guarded. No matter how long I thought of these people, they never got to me. The story itself made me very emotional, but indifferent towards most of the characters.
A faerie heart is different from a human heart. Human hearts are elastic. They have room for all sorts of passions, and they can break and heal and love again and again. Faerie hearts are evolutionarily less sophisticated. They are small and hard, like tiny grains of sand. Our hearts are too small to love more than one person in a lifetime.
I would lie if I said this book didn’t affect me emotionally, severely even.
It hits you, every single thing that these poor characters go through makes you want to hug them. Hug these sad personalities who you care about, even if you barely know them.
The atmosphere gives you a sense of helplessness; you all know the story about Peter Pan, don’t you? You see the ending coming, and yet it shocks you.
Tiger Lily is a dark, heartbreaking little book. It is the definition of bittersweet. I won’t tell any secrets, but let’s simply say that the ending is happy and hopeful, and at the same time very tragic.
Final verdict:
I think I loved this book. And severely disliked it at the same time. It deserves more than a trivial three-star rating, for it affected me deeply.
Tiger Lily is not a novel that will make it to my favorites list. It will not even sit on my favorites shelf of this year. Yet, it is a story that will always stay with me, and one I will return to.
Just read it, and maybe then you will understand.
3.5
They weren’t joking when they said that this was a tearjerker.
I never really cried, but would like to think that I would’ve, had I been the type who cries because of a novel.
Nonetheless, this book left me utterly destroyed and defenseless.
Tiger Lily is a beautiful, tragic book. It’s easy to see why it’s gotten so much hype; the lovely, delicate prose is magnificent, the characters intriguing and broken.
It’s a quiet and lonely story, told through the eyes of the constant observer; Tinker Bell.
Lyrical writing can always make wonders for a story, but this ended up being somewhere between half-decent and amazing. So here’s my reason for rating it 3 stars: There were moments of brilliance sprinkled here and there throughout this otherwise average book.
The writing - no matter how wonderful it is - cannot make up for the nearly plotless story that struggled to kept me interested.
The pacing is on the slow side, and not much happens.
The characters are all extremely distant and it’s hard to pinpoint their personalities.
This creates a fascinating mystery around them, and yet was to the book’s disadvantage.
As the story goes on and we continue to get zero details, my interest wavered.
Tiger Lily is a seemingly cold character, and it took a while before I warmed up to her mysterious and dreamy personality. Once I did, the disappointment was a fact. We follow her everywhere; in her darkest moments and in her best ones. And yet, I couldn’t fully connect with her or any of the other characters, no matter how charming or intriguing they were.
Just like the narrator Tinker Bell, I was nothing but an observer.
Still, the longer I was around her, the more I could see the colors of her mind and the recesses of her heart. There was a beast in there. But there was also a girl who was afraid of being a beast, and who wondered if other people had beasts in their hearts too. There was strength, and there was also just the determination to look strong. She guarded herself like a secret.
There’s the word I’m searching for: guarded. No matter how long I thought of these people, they never got to me. The story itself made me very emotional, but indifferent towards most of the characters.
A faerie heart is different from a human heart. Human hearts are elastic. They have room for all sorts of passions, and they can break and heal and love again and again. Faerie hearts are evolutionarily less sophisticated. They are small and hard, like tiny grains of sand. Our hearts are too small to love more than one person in a lifetime.
I would lie if I said this book didn’t affect me emotionally, severely even.
It hits you, every single thing that these poor characters go through makes you want to hug them. Hug these sad personalities who you care about, even if you barely know them.
The atmosphere gives you a sense of helplessness; you all know the story about Peter Pan, don’t you? You see the ending coming, and yet it shocks you.
Tiger Lily is a dark, heartbreaking little book. It is the definition of bittersweet. I won’t tell any secrets, but let’s simply say that the ending is happy and hopeful, and at the same time very tragic.
Final verdict:
I think I loved this book. And severely disliked it at the same time. It deserves more than a trivial three-star rating, for it affected me deeply.
Tiger Lily is not a novel that will make it to my favorites list. It will not even sit on my favorites shelf of this year. Yet, it is a story that will always stay with me, and one I will return to.
Just read it, and maybe then you will understand.