A review by mypacificroad
The Tiger and the Wolf by Adrian Tchaikovsky

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was my first read of 2024 💃🏽 it was a solid Epic Fantasy, I would even call it a classical Fantasy if that makes sense? 

The story is set in the Bronze Age and everyone is a shapeshifter. People are divided into clans depending on what animal they can shapeshift into and this is where Maniye’s life gets complicated. 

Her father is the chief of the Winter Runner Wolf Clan and her mother the Queen of the Tiger Clan. During the Tiger-Wolf war, the wolf chief captured the Tiger Queen and murdered her after forcing her to have a child. Now Maniye has two souls inside of her who are constantly at war with each other, and must choose one before they destroy her. 

But who will she choose? The Tiger Clan who are unaware of her existence? Or the Wolf Clan who have never treated her respectfully?

This was a good solid Fantasy. Tchaikovsky manages to create a very complex world without being infodumpy. There is quite a lot of fighting which may or may not be your thing your thing. It did take me a while to get into the story but what made me enjoy it were the characters and the friendships they develop with each other. 

I was very much expecting the ending, but now I am very curious as to where Tchaikovsky is taking the story.