Scan barcode
A review by luxanila
Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard
dark
emotional
slow-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
3.5
3.5/5
This was a really interesting read! I haven't read too many fantasy novellas before, but this book had me really intrigued. The novella sets up the world, politics, and backstory of the main character Thanh really well in just the first pages. The backdrop influenced by Vietnamese culture was described so well, and I love the complexity introduced in the politics and character relationships in just the first few pages. It explores the affects of colonization, and also Thanh's own character development who feels like she's just a pawn for other people to use. I found that part really compelling as she tries to make her own decisions outside of her mother and love interests and find ways of negotiation that can also preserve her nation. I think the novella does a good job of exploring emotional abuse and manipulation really well, and I think the novella accomplished a lot of amazing themes just in this short length. The exploration of colonization in various characters who are more direct through Pharanea with political power and the more sinister and micro level with Eldris through personal relationships was really fascinating as well.
The only thing that sort of let me down was that I think I wanted this to be a tad longer. The last 30 pages in particular felt really rushed. I found that the page length wasn't enough to develop a few of the character relationships particularly between Giang and Thanh. There wasn't enough time between them on page I found to flesh it out, and the ending felt a tad rushed to me. In addition, the romances became so central towards the end, the lack of more development from them was a little disappointing for me. There was a little bit of a feel of insta-love just because of little time there is one the page for the characters to interact.
That being said, this novella gave me a lot of think about, and I do want to return to this novella and give it a reread!
This was a really interesting read! I haven't read too many fantasy novellas before, but this book had me really intrigued. The novella sets up the world, politics, and backstory of the main character Thanh really well in just the first pages. The backdrop influenced by Vietnamese culture was described so well, and I love the complexity introduced in the politics and character relationships in just the first few pages. It explores the affects of colonization, and also Thanh's own character development who feels like she's just a pawn for other people to use. I found that part really compelling as she tries to make her own decisions outside of her mother and love interests and find ways of negotiation that can also preserve her nation. I think the novella does a good job of exploring emotional abuse and manipulation really well, and I think the novella accomplished a lot of amazing themes just in this short length. The exploration of colonization in various characters who are more direct through Pharanea with political power and the more sinister and micro level with Eldris through personal relationships was really fascinating as well.
The only thing that sort of let me down was that I think I wanted this to be a tad longer. The last 30 pages in particular felt really rushed. I found that the page length wasn't enough to develop a few of the character relationships particularly between Giang and Thanh. There wasn't enough time between them on page I found to flesh it out, and the ending felt a tad rushed to me. In addition, the romances became so central towards the end, the lack of more development from them was a little disappointing for me. There was a little bit of a feel of insta-love just because of little time there is one the page for the characters to interact.
That being said, this novella gave me a lot of think about, and I do want to return to this novella and give it a reread!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse