emileereadsbooks 's review for:

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

4.25

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

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I loved how this book wove in Korean culture with this coming of age magical realism book. Centered around familial relationships and identity, this book packs a punch in the tear jerker department. Using storytelling (especially folk stories) as a device, this book centers around the main character of Lily as she comes to terms with who she wants to be in the world and the fact that her Halmoni (grandmother) is dying. 

“As you get older, you collect more information and you see things from different perspectives. So, naturally, sometimes the stories you tell yourself…can change.”

I loved the perspective shift of Lily as she takes in more information from the world around her to realize who she really is and what is really happening. This is a powerful book told in a special way.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Grief