Reviews

Tyger by SF Said

lizzillia's review

4.5

Longlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2024. This book also won the 2023 British Book Award for Children's Fiction Book of the Year. This book gave me William Blake vibes with its ideas of spirituality, and of course Tyger. Set in an alternative history, we are in a London where the Empire never ended, where slavery was never abolished, where 'foreigners' live in a ghetto and the rich and powerful control everything. Although London born, because of their parentage, Adam and Zadie are made to feel like outsiders in a world where the rich spit upon those who are different and who hang those who cannot repay debts. When Adam finds a mythical creature - Tyger - who is not only injured but is also being hunted, a friendship grows. Tyger leads Adam, and Zadie, on a spiritual journey to help them to unlock the powers that are inside them and once these powers/these gifts have been awakened, then the two children have to display the utmost courage to protect Tyger and to help her to reach safety as a mob rages through the city, determined to rid the city of the 'foreigner', blaming them for the oppression that they live under, when in truth it is the lords and ladies, the pale men in charge who are the oppressors and not those in the ghetto. There is a magic in this story, and the illustrations are gorgeous. And of course - we have Tyger, and aren't all stories better with a tiger in them? The book is listed as being for 8-12s but I wonder, because of the execution scenes in here and themes of racism and prejudice, 8 might be a little too young. 

fiona8768's review

3.0

A dark story set in London with a lot of slavery and racism, I feel like I had a lot of unanswered questions and the main 'enemy' of the story didn't have a lot of depth. However, the illustrations throughout the book were beautiful.

scott_you_reading's review

adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense fast-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

5.0

booknerdjo's review

4.0

This is a very lyrical and magical book, inspired heavily by the works of William Blake - not just The Tyger but also London, a poem which highlights the poverty and inequality of Victorian London.

The book is set in a version of 21st century London in a world where slavery was never abolished and London is a filthy industrial city, where foreigners all live in a ghetto and the power and wealth is wielded by a handful of rich white men.

In a rubbish dump in the centre of London, Adam finds a Tyger - a creature long extinct. But this is no ordinary Tyger - she is an immortal, and she teaches Adam and his friend Zadie how to use the powers within themselves to reconnect their world with infinite other worlds and thus restore balance and save their civilisation.

Beautifully written and illustrated, it is a story about how we are all part of something bigger and how important these connections are. It is also about friendship, freedom and using the power inside you to make the world a better place.

meestair_chrees's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

4.5

waddlealot's review

inspiring mysterious 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

4.75

acarolinasmartins's review

adventurous inspiring medium-paced

4.0

smitchy's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This would be an interesting classroom read for middle grade kids to open discussion on empires, history, slavery, or racism. Set in alternate London where slavery was never outlawed, the British Empire never failed and the upper crust are still firmly in charge. 
Adam is a free British citizen but his dark skin means he will never be treated with equality. He lives with his family in the Soho Ghetto -  a place where free citizens and former slaves are permitted to live in central London. One day while out delivering, someone tries to rob Adam and he take refuge in an abandoned building and meets Tyger. Tyger is not of this world, she is an immortal being who was chased and trapped here by her enemy and she needs Adam's help. But how can an 11-year old boy help, especially when he himself is one accusation or lost paper away from prison or slavery? 

With a message of courage, self-belief, and claiming your heritage without fear or shame this magical story will empower middle grade readers. 

carolineroche's review against another edition

I absolutely adored this book! I had heard so much hype about it - and it lived up to it all. Part fantasy, part philosophy, this beautiful story will capture your heart, and should be read by every child from 10 upwards. On my list of one of the best books I have read.

maireadh's review

adventurous emotional inspiring 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? No

4.25