Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - The Night Tiger

This book was so good from start to finish. Yangsze Choo does such an amazing job of setting up the story and making you feel/envision exactly what she wants you to. The tone, pacing, setting, atmosphere, all of it was done so well. 1930s Malaya is a period I’m unfamiliar with but reading this book it felt like I was transported to that time and place. Absolutely terrible for me in the end because now I just miss Malaysian food so bad.

I know the romance isn’t gonna be for everyone, but I have a low bar so I don’t care and I loved it. I love them together and I wish I got to see more of them just being together!! I truly am sad that I finished. The ending was so good and hopeful I didn’t want to be done. I want a second book but not to see another plot with problems and solution, but just to keep up with Shin, Ji Lin, and Ren. Basically I want a 50 page epilogue.

I’m going to reread The Ghost Bride now.

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turtlebrainlibrarian's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious 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

4.0

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mantnam's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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perditorian's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious 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

3.25

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kari_f's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

The Night Tiger

Enigmatic, enthralling, complex, and beautiful. I felt almost instantly transported into the setting of this story, 1930’s Malaysia, and I wasn’t quite ready to leave at the end! This book was equal parts a coming of age tale, a mystery, and a historical fiction story tied together with elements of cultural superstition, romantic entanglement, sibling connection, local legend, and magical mysticism.

I did find the mystery and ending to be quite predictable, but it was one of those books that was so mesmerizing that this didn’t really bother me much. The author writes so vividly that it’s easy to visualize the lush jungle setting and smell the oleanders blooming. While there were some character decisions I’m not sure I loved, I understood them and I wish we could follow their stories further! If you’re a fan of magical realism, this one was a fun read.

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bebidocrimes's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book was well written with an intriguing plot and interesting characters. It lost me though because of the heavy incest subplot. I don't care if they're "technically not related cause they're step siblings" it's gross and ruined this book for me. The weak justification that her stepfather technically never adopted her is not okay. Every other aspect was well formed, and I will forever love Ren, but come on, there is no reason that needed to be part of this. Not to mention the stepbrother is possessive, aggressive, and borderline rapey. Fantastic writing, wish it was put to better use.

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