A review by takeiteasypolicy
Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna

Did not finish book.

2.0

I picked this book up because my mom is from Coorg and I was excited to read something that was set in the estates and hills I've spent summers in. At first I enjoyed reading all the little Kodava words and terms my mom uses at home but once Devi is raped, everything goes downhill. It kept me engaged for a while hoping her love story with Machu would somehow work out but once Machu died I really lost interest. It seemed like these plot twists weren't going to take an upswing at all. I stopped reading when I saw a section about Appu, Machu's son and how Devi adopts him and I couldn't prevent an eye roll. I felt like it was going to become one of those multi generation K Serial sagas and I just didn't have the patience to go through it. As a another reviewer said, there are more interesting things out there to read. I skipped to the last page and it seemed like Nanju also had a fairly depressing life so thanks but no thanks.

As for the writing itself, it's not bad. The descriptions of the settings are good and there were some moments which really did make me feel the emotion that was being described. But all the characters are unlikeable in their own ways and the themes and emotions also become repetitive. Glad I gave it a shot but would not recommend.