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kmfb87a5's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
ghosthermione's review against another edition
5.0
It feels like everyone's been buzzing about this one and they were right!
I've been in love with the cover ever since I first saw it, I loved the concept and not gonna lie, the idea that there are (almost) no men in this book is a nice change.
So anyway, I gave it a read once it came out and... How do I word this. I just??? fucking love it???
I've been in love with the cover ever since I first saw it, I loved the concept and not gonna lie, the idea that there are (almost) no men in this book is a nice change.
So anyway, I gave it a read once it came out and... How do I word this. I just??? fucking love it???
This was a short read, about 2h (I'm a slow reader), but lots of content to enjoy and feelings to unpack. I've read Aliette de Bodard's stuff before and there's no doubt she's great at short stories, but so far I've enjoyed her medium-size writing more. Both the novella at the end of Of Wars etc. , In The Vanishers Palace and The Tea Master and the Detective. With a preference for her fantasy, so this was definitely one I was really looking forward to.
And it did not disappoint.
As advertised, there's only one man (a eunuch), in a minor role. It was really enjoyable to see a world of mainly women, both in positions of power and not, cruel and not. I also had a moment of "where are the fathers" before I remembered the only women thing, and it reminded me of how people often wonder "where are the mothers" in Shakespeare plays, because the dude often forgot to include women. It's a nice reversal.
It's been discussed in better words by others (and by the author herself) but this novella really goes into the themes of abuse and colonialism, and it was really striking. Thanh thinks she's found her way out of an abusive situation (with her mother) only to realise that maybe this is just walking into another more subtle abusive relationship. There was definitely a very realistic buildup in the way that abuse was portrayed (I don't want to give away too much here) and the colonial parallels rang very true. Viet Nam is the clear inspiration for Bình Hải, Thanh's country, and as a French person, it made me think about the fact that I know so little about the occupation of Viet Nam by France, and that's not something I'm proud of.
I don't know what to say about the relationships in the book without spoiling, but I'll just say it's good to see toxic sapphic relationships as well - ones where it's clear the sapphic aspect isn't the problem. And it offers sapphic alternatives too. Not just that, but the relationships made sense, Thanh's reactions made sense and were so relatable, I loved Giang (and loved to hate everyone but those two),and the pacing and flow in the whole novella was... honestly something a lot of writers could learn from.
I'm really impressed by how well-rounded the characters are, how complex the themes in so short a book. I want more but realistically it's perfect as it is and doesn't need anything added to it. Just, wow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
implied sexual assault/rape emotional abuse from family, escalating emotional and physical abuse from partner arguably PTSD. A major house fire is at the centre of the story strong themes of colonialism, racismthebrainglitter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
catapocalypse's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
This is a brief, fiery whirlwind of a story about a princess trying to figure out love and how to secure freedom for herself and for her country. The kingdom is inspired by Vietnam, fending off an encroaching colonizer power. Thanh is a princess who's always been made to feel of lesser import by the Queen, but her past "stay" in imperialist Ephteria has granted her insight into their motives and workings to assist her mother with trade negotiations between the kingdoms. The meetings bring a couple things to light which have haunted Thanh since that stay: Ephterian princess Eldris seeks to reignite their youthful affair, and the fire that burned down the Ephterian palace, almost taking Thanh with it, seems to have followed her home. Neither are entirely what they seem to be.
It's difficult to say too much about a read so short without spoiling things! It's only a quick taste of a compelling world. But it has important things to say about the dynamics between imperial powers and those they work to colonize, and how even a romance between princesses is not exempt from those dynamics.
It's difficult to say too much about a read so short without spoiling things! It's only a quick taste of a compelling world. But it has important things to say about the dynamics between imperial powers and those they work to colonize, and how even a romance between princesses is not exempt from those dynamics.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia
Minor: Blood
mweis's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
ninegladiolus's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Actual rating: 3.5/5
Fireheart Tiger is a short novella that focuses on Thanh, a quiet princess who acts as a diplomat when the nation of Ephteria comes to try and claim more of Thanh’s home country for their own. While I loved the premise and enjoyed some elements of the execution, Fireheart Tiger didn’t quite live up to my (admittedly high) expectations.
I found the prose gorgeous in Fireheart Tiger—there were so many turns of phrase I highlighted for their elegance and beauty. The overall atmosphere and the glimpses we get of the worldbuilding were some of my favourite parts, though I definitely wanted more worldbuilding. Thanh as a main character in particular shines in my opinion, and her personal arc through the novella was engaging and satisfying.
However, I think I went into the novella expecting a more lighthearted sapphic fantasy romance, but that wasn’t what I got. I think the path Fireheart Tiger takes has important messages and this didn’t knock down my rating; it handles more serious topics like colonization, abuse, trauma, and self-discovery quite well. What did knock down my rating was a lack of clear character motivation and rushed character development; there was a bit of whiplash in moving from one situation to the next without sufficient grounds to establish it. Were the novella a little longer to let the characters and world breathe more, I think it would have been a full 4 stars for me.
Overall, I still think this was a solid read that many will enjoy, particularly if you (like me) have been vibing with the non-Eurocentric queer fantasy we’ve been blessed with in the last couple years; I haven’t seen Vietnamese-inspired fantasy much at all and I’m glad it’s in the world!
Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Fireheart Tiger is a short novella that focuses on Thanh, a quiet princess who acts as a diplomat when the nation of Ephteria comes to try and claim more of Thanh’s home country for their own. While I loved the premise and enjoyed some elements of the execution, Fireheart Tiger didn’t quite live up to my (admittedly high) expectations.
I found the prose gorgeous in Fireheart Tiger—there were so many turns of phrase I highlighted for their elegance and beauty. The overall atmosphere and the glimpses we get of the worldbuilding were some of my favourite parts, though I definitely wanted more worldbuilding. Thanh as a main character in particular shines in my opinion, and her personal arc through the novella was engaging and satisfying.
However, I think I went into the novella expecting a more lighthearted sapphic fantasy romance, but that wasn’t what I got. I think the path Fireheart Tiger takes has important messages and this didn’t knock down my rating; it handles more serious topics like colonization, abuse, trauma, and self-discovery quite well. What did knock down my rating was a lack of clear character motivation and rushed character development; there was a bit of whiplash in moving from one situation to the next without sufficient grounds to establish it. Were the novella a little longer to let the characters and world breathe more, I think it would have been a full 4 stars for me.
Overall, I still think this was a solid read that many will enjoy, particularly if you (like me) have been vibing with the non-Eurocentric queer fantasy we’ve been blessed with in the last couple years; I haven’t seen Vietnamese-inspired fantasy much at all and I’m glad it’s in the world!
Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
wordwilderness's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such an emotional and surprising story. I related to the main character immediately, especially her need to feel worthy of love. I loved how the story addressed abuse; I think it was a realistic portrayal of how it makes us doubt ourselves, even if the truth is right in front of us.
My only disappointment was that the story wasn't longer. While I loved the direction the story took, I think the end felt a bit rushed.
My only disappointment was that the story wasn't longer. While I loved the direction the story took, I think the end felt a bit rushed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Xenophobia
entazis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
This is a very fast read. I finished it in two hours and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I was hooked with the beginning, this princess of a beleaguered kingdom, having some deep trauma regarding fire after a childhood accident, now constantly followed by a curious fact that some things around her burst in the small fires without obvious cause. Her kingdom is also under a not so subtle threat of the other much stronger kingdom and on top of it her ex is a princess of that other place.
It's a story about self worth, finding the inner strength, recognizing how real love looks versus possessive and abusive relationship, and lastly, colonization.
It's vibrant like always with Aliette de Bodards writing, descriptions so vivid I was just in a constant awe.
Also it's all about lesbian ladies. Sword lesbians, princesses and fire elementals. Btw I'm totally in love with the queen. That's all.
I was hooked with the beginning, this princess of a beleaguered kingdom, having some deep trauma regarding fire after a childhood accident, now constantly followed by a curious fact that some things around her burst in the small fires without obvious cause. Her kingdom is also under a not so subtle threat of the other much stronger kingdom and on top of it her ex is a princess of that other place.
It's a story about self worth, finding the inner strength, recognizing how real love looks versus possessive and abusive relationship, and lastly, colonization.
It's vibrant like always with Aliette de Bodards writing, descriptions so vivid I was just in a constant awe.
Also it's all about lesbian ladies. Sword lesbians, princesses and fire elementals. Btw I'm totally in love with the queen. That's all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
endlesswonder's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
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