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belockwood's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent world-building and characters that are fun to follow. I really enjoyed reading a fantasy book where the setting and lore wasn’t based on European culture. Some of the choices the characters make are predictable, but that doesn’t make them less interesting. I actually found it made them more relatable. Teerdhala also allows her characters to grow and change in realistic ways. And while it’s not a focus of the book, I enjoyed how inclusive it is. Of course a strong female main character is awesome too!
bookrecsplease's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the foundational ideas of this book and the cat-and-mouse aspect, but then got less and less engaged as the story went on. The characters have the growth you expect from them from literally the VERY beginning of the book and don’t go anywhere deeper. And the two random internal fear la the FMC had partway through the book?? So weirdly contrived and utterly unfounded.
For me, it overexplained the big things and underexplained the little things.
For instance, we hear over and over that the viper’s core attribute is that she’s the most skilled assassin/fighter/etc. and broad statements like how an entire city still talks about the time she went there “in a job” (overexplained), but we NEVER are shown any smaller details of what her missions were, what made people quake at the mention of her name, or any way of showing that supposed prowess. Honestly, I was usually underwhelmed by her abilities. And then there was (I’ll be vague to avoid spoilers) the eagle scene, where she said she was wrapped in wings but then being flown upwards? How could that happen if the eagle’s wings were being used for flight?? Then she fell and then was caught, but, like, how? Did its talons grab her clothes? I think they would have fallen right off and had huge holes from the talons afterwards. Did it grab her arm? Again, major puncture wounds. There’s just so much political/historical stuff that’s repeated a ton, but then scenes like that that just don’t make sense and I want to understand but it truly seems like the author didn’t have a concrete plan of how things would actually happen.
For me, it overexplained the big things and underexplained the little things.
For instance, we hear over and over that the viper’s core attribute is that she’s the most skilled assassin/fighter/etc. and broad statements like how an entire city still talks about the time she went there “in a job” (overexplained), but we NEVER are shown any smaller details of what her missions were, what made people quake at the mention of her name, or any way of showing that supposed prowess. Honestly, I was usually underwhelmed by her abilities. And then there was (I’ll be vague to avoid spoilers) the eagle scene, where she said she was wrapped in wings but then being flown upwards? How could that happen if the eagle’s wings were being used for flight?? Then she fell and then was caught, but, like, how? Did its talons grab her clothes? I think they would have fallen right off and had huge holes from the talons afterwards. Did it grab her arm? Again, major puncture wounds. There’s just so much political/historical stuff that’s repeated a ton, but then scenes like that that just don’t make sense and I want to understand but it truly seems like the author didn’t have a concrete plan of how things would actually happen.
seemadyal50's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
simplymeh's review
3.0
I'm always cheering on fantasy literature from Indian authors. There's such a rich history to draw from and so few authors drawing on it. Kudos to Swati! The book has a few hiccups - some scenes are overly descriptive to the point of redundancy and a detractor from the story. Some areas that were ignored (rebel camp) deserved more of a focus too. But it's a fantastic start to a series I want to read more of. I'm waiting to see how the characters Esha and Kunal develop and the new lands they explore.
wayfaringbibliomaniac's review against another edition
5.0
I really wish I could give more than 5 stars for this one... to say I loved it is an understatement. I need time to mull...
EDIT: Right, so I've mulled...
GIVE ME MORE REBEL ASSASSIN LADIES, NOW, PLEASE!
To say I loved this is an understatement, this story took my breath away. It's so unlike most of what I've been reading lately, and I've always been fascinated by Indian culture and history. I really enjoyed the connection between the two MC's, Esha - the Viper - and Kunal - the soldier. They were so well written and relatable! Both have flaws, but are still such wonderful people. They're actually a lot alike, yet still on separate sides of a conflict.
The story is told through alternating POV's chapter to chapter, so you get a lot of information regarding each side. I really loved that sometimes you would read one chapter and go through an entire scene from one POV, but then the next chapter would backtrack a bit to the beginning of the same scene. So you would get the other character's POV and oftentimes more information that explained motivations and actions you wouldn't have gotten from just the one POV. It made for a more complete picture of what was happening.
Now, I don't know if you know this about me, but I absolutely love multi-dimensional characters. Especially when their various sides seem mildly incompatible. For example, KUNAL - THE SOLDIER - LOVES TO PAINT! He's an artist, not a killer, forced into the solider life because of events in his childhood. My heart is crying for this child and I want to cuddle him. Although, I think Esha is taking care of that quite nicely! And Esha, she is just one of my favourite characters ever! She's so wily and slippery like a snake (see what I did there?) hehehehe
There's also a huge connection between Esha and Kunal, which I loved. They wrecked my heart and I enjoyed every minute! The connection goes deeper than just romance and I really adored the way Swati Teerdhala approached their story. It wasn't the focus, but added nicely to the rest of the story.
100% a FIVE STAR read for me, and I wish I could rate it higher!
There's also a pre-order campaign at Swati's site
See this and other reviews on my blog
EDIT: Right, so I've mulled...
GIVE ME MORE REBEL ASSASSIN LADIES, NOW, PLEASE!
To say I loved this is an understatement, this story took my breath away. It's so unlike most of what I've been reading lately, and I've always been fascinated by Indian culture and history. I really enjoyed the connection between the two MC's, Esha - the Viper - and Kunal - the soldier. They were so well written and relatable! Both have flaws, but are still such wonderful people. They're actually a lot alike, yet still on separate sides of a conflict.
The story is told through alternating POV's chapter to chapter, so you get a lot of information regarding each side. I really loved that sometimes you would read one chapter and go through an entire scene from one POV, but then the next chapter would backtrack a bit to the beginning of the same scene. So you would get the other character's POV and oftentimes more information that explained motivations and actions you wouldn't have gotten from just the one POV. It made for a more complete picture of what was happening.
Now, I don't know if you know this about me, but I absolutely love multi-dimensional characters. Especially when their various sides seem mildly incompatible. For example, KUNAL - THE SOLDIER - LOVES TO PAINT! He's an artist, not a killer, forced into the solider life because of events in his childhood. My heart is crying for this child and I want to cuddle him. Although, I think Esha is taking care of that quite nicely! And Esha, she is just one of my favourite characters ever! She's so wily and slippery like a snake (see what I did there?) hehehehe
There's also a huge connection between Esha and Kunal, which I loved. They wrecked my heart and I enjoyed every minute! The connection goes deeper than just romance and I really adored the way Swati Teerdhala approached their story. It wasn't the focus, but added nicely to the rest of the story.
100% a FIVE STAR read for me, and I wish I could rate it higher!
There's also a pre-order campaign at Swati's site
See this and other reviews on my blog
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
When it comes to YA fantasy I do always have to suspend belief, as the teens are always the best in the world at something ;) But hey you can still enjoy the ride.
Esha, is 16-17, and the fiercest deadliest assassin spy in the world. Everyone fears the Viper. Did I feel that it as shown, nah, not really, she makes mistakes and sure I can see her take out someone, she has trained after all, but best in the land? No. Also why send a kid to take out the general? Best in the land *snickers*
She lusts for vengeance and I liked that she truly was a grey person. She kills without remorse.
Kunal is also supposed to be this great soldier, and I do say that his tracking skills are awesome, but otherwise he is a bit of a bumbling fool. Omg the times he gets hit over the head, this poor guy must have brain damage! When I think about it it felt a bit, look, women are just superior than men, look at this silly man.
But I liked Kunal, he is nice, he was a follower but he learns some hard truths.
Again, I get that it is YA, but why are always the best fighters kids? Why do they always send out kids? Srsly, are there no adults with like 20 year experience that would fare better? That will always be my issues with YA. Kunal is sent out with some other guys to track down the Viper, sure, send out the 16 year old boys, I am sure all the adult soldiers are dead.
Ok, dang, this sounds so negative now! No no! I enjoyed this book, what else could the author do, this is YA, they have to be best and young.
I liked the Indian fantasy setting, I never see that in fantasy. I liked the feel of the lush jungle, tigers sneaking around and the talk of food and customs. I liked how the countries need a woman ruler and a man ruler in their own country. And now there are two male rulers and one country is suffering. It was fascinating. She created this amazing world.
And when it ended, arghhh, why is there no blurb for book 2? I need to know what happens to Kunal and Esha, mostly Kunal cos I like that bumbling fool
Narration
She has this smooth voice that I enjoyed listening too. The accents were really fitting and went so well with the characters. Nice distinctive voices too
I'd listen to more by her,even if she sounded older I'd say she was perfect for YA.
Esha, is 16-17, and the fiercest deadliest assassin spy in the world. Everyone fears the Viper. Did I feel that it as shown, nah, not really, she makes mistakes and sure I can see her take out someone, she has trained after all, but best in the land? No. Also why send a kid to take out the general? Best in the land *snickers*
She lusts for vengeance and I liked that she truly was a grey person. She kills without remorse.
Kunal is also supposed to be this great soldier, and I do say that his tracking skills are awesome, but otherwise he is a bit of a bumbling fool. Omg the times he gets hit over the head, this poor guy must have brain damage! When I think about it it felt a bit, look, women are just superior than men, look at this silly man.
But I liked Kunal, he is nice, he was a follower but he learns some hard truths.
Again, I get that it is YA, but why are always the best fighters kids? Why do they always send out kids? Srsly, are there no adults with like 20 year experience that would fare better? That will always be my issues with YA. Kunal is sent out with some other guys to track down the Viper, sure, send out the 16 year old boys, I am sure all the adult soldiers are dead.
Ok, dang, this sounds so negative now! No no! I enjoyed this book, what else could the author do, this is YA, they have to be best and young.
I liked the Indian fantasy setting, I never see that in fantasy. I liked the feel of the lush jungle, tigers sneaking around and the talk of food and customs. I liked how the countries need a woman ruler and a man ruler in their own country. And now there are two male rulers and one country is suffering. It was fascinating. She created this amazing world.
And when it ended, arghhh, why is there no blurb for book 2? I need to know what happens to Kunal and Esha, mostly Kunal cos I like that bumbling fool
Narration
She has this smooth voice that I enjoyed listening too. The accents were really fitting and went so well with the characters. Nice distinctive voices too
I'd listen to more by her,even if she sounded older I'd say she was perfect for YA.
_camk_'s review against another edition
3.0
The Tiger at Midnight was better than I thought it would be after reading reviews but not as good as the blurb made it out to be.
I was hoping one badass female lease, exciting chases and run-ins with smoldering tension between Kunal and Esha but it wasn't like that at all.
It's a passive book that that is set in a what could be a vibrant world but had a bland execution.
I was hoping one badass female lease, exciting chases and run-ins with smoldering tension between Kunal and Esha but it wasn't like that at all.
It's a passive book that that is set in a what could be a vibrant world but had a bland execution.
reaganshoe's review against another edition
2.0
Two stars for the decent writing, the great world-building, and the interesting plot idea. Minus three stars for being entirely "meh". The entire book was barely ok. The characters fell flat and didn't live up to their reputations. For being "The Viper", Esha did not portray a cunning viper-like assassin at all. Kunal had the same issue. Lots of time spent running, flirting, and general shirking of duties without furthering the plot along made this book draaaaaaag. This book had potential and fell completely flat.
To be honest...I am only writing this review so that, when I inevitably forget about this book later, I have this reminder to avoid this book ever again.
To be honest...I am only writing this review so that, when I inevitably forget about this book later, I have this reminder to avoid this book ever again.