Tiger Queen

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this title.

Tiger Queen was such an adventure, from start to finish. The world building was happening all around you along with the story, creating the perfect pacing that kept me hooked until the end.

I initially began reading this title while I was trying to barrel through a different title which had grown a little stale. Tiger Queen became my bargaining chip; if I read 5% of the other title I would allow myself a few chapters. While some of the twists were expected, how they all came together was magical. Based on this title I will be seeking out other titles by this author.

Princess Kateri lives in a trying world. A decade long drought has lead to water being rationed and families being restricted to just two children. The Desert Boys, a gang of water thieves threaten the people that she loves by raiding the wells and taking water into the desert for themselves. Kateri's father has a simple judicial system when a water thief is captured. They are brought into an arena and given the option of two doors. One to freedom, and the other hiding a tiger hungry for blood.

Kateri herself is no stranger to this arena. She has currently faced 11 of the 12 suitors that she must face to prove that the desert has chosen her to become the next queen. If she fails, she must marry the winner and sit idly by as a powerless queen. When her father announces her last suitor as none other than his captain of the guard, Rodric, Kateri is fearful for her kingdom. Rodric was said to be brought up by the desert itself and had been in charge of training Kateri. After experiencing his cruelty first hand she vows to do anything to keep her kingdom from him, even if that means working with the Desert Boys she so despises.

Kateri sets off to find the Desert Boys' leader, Cion, to train her over the next month. But upon meeting Cion and his merry band of boys, it becomes apparent to Kateri that her true enemy could have been staring her in the face all along.

I can't say enough good about this title. I loved everything about Kateri, Cion, and the Desert Boys. Rodric was a formidable foe throughout the book and all the plot twists and turns were exciting. I'm a bit sad that this book was wrapped up so neatly and that it was very likely the last I've read of Kateri and her adventures. This will be one I pick up to keep on my shelf as this title is very re-readable(is that a word?) Thank you, Annie Sullivan for creating such a fun ride with such great characters!

Tiger Queen follows the story of a young princess fighting for her right to the throne. So far she has beaten 11 suitors with only one more to go, but when her last champion is announced she knows she cannot win. Princess Kateri does the one thing she never thought she would do. She runs away and seeks out the help of the Desert Boys, the scourge of her kingdom, to train her. Once she is there she learns that much of what she has known is not true at all.

This book was so good. The character development, plot, and overall story was just so well done. Annie Sullivan is a new author to me so I did not know what to expect but I was not disappointed at all.

Kateri is an amazing protagonist. She is one of the strongest people in the kingdom and never backs down or shows fear. Her character development was also really well done. We see her hatred turn to kindness and we also see her thoughts change to better her kingdom. She wants to keep her promise to her mother to help their people and we really see her do everything she can to achieve that dream.

There are many other great characters in this book but I think they are better kept a surprise so I won't mention them.

The plot was great. It was always action packed mixed with the perfect amount of chill moments. This book also had one of my favorite things: a slow burn romance. Not just slow burn but extremely slow burn. While some of the plot twists were easy for me to guess, I was always unsure and kept on my toes. My only complaint is that there were some inconsistencies in the timeline.

This is the story of growth, feminism, and power. I 10/10 recommend.

In Achra sixteen-year-old Princess Kateri must win a series of battles to secure her place on the throne. When she is met with the final battle her father decides that the tyrant who is her trainer will be her final suitor. Under his rule Achra will crumble. She knows that to best him she must take extraordinary measures. She must find the Desert Boys who killed her mother and brother. When the Desert Boys accuse her father of controlling the drought, she knows that is just not possible. Or, is it?

This wonderful fantasy by Annie Sullivan will grasp readers attention. The main characters are complex and face the truth to become great. The action scenes are fast paced and flow well. This is a great read alike for fans of the Rebel of the Sands, Royal Bastards, Fire and Thorns, or Flame in the Mist. Review copy provided by NetGalley and Blink.

The short story, "The Lady or the Tiger," has been one of my favorites since I read it in high school. It is one piece of literature that has stayed with me since. I've gone back and forth in my mind for many years wondering which door was chosen. Reading Tiger Queen was like visiting a friend from long ago! Annie Sullivan put a new, but believable, twist on this story. I cannot wait to recommend this book to my high school students who have read the short story. A combination of mystery, adventure, and a little romance makes this a great read. And now I know "The Rest of the Story!"

I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.

Thank you to Netgalley and Blink Publishing! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Princess Kateri of the desert city Archra is a warrior, fighting for her right to rule inside of an arena surrounded by blood thirsty spectators and even hungrier tigers. But more deep seated than her need to win is her hatred for the infamous Desert Boys - a group of rebels with a reputation of greed and destruction.

When Kateri is unfairly forced up against an opponent she knows she can't beat (and risking her future in the process), she has no choice but to turn to the one person she's been told to hate her whole life - Cion - leader of the Desert Boys.

With neither trusting the other, a tenuous relationship forms as Kateri is trained, conditioned, taught the skills and knowledge to take her foe down once and for all. But in the darkness within the cave walls and under the heat of the desert sun, revelations are made and secrets are revealed that cuts Kateri deeper than the sharpest tiger claw ever could.

I really loved Tiger Queen! While I'm familiar with the original story 'The Lady or the Tiger", I haven't read any retellings of it so I was super excited going in!

Kateri is a solid female lead - she's fierce, brave, steadfast and you just really root for her to put the pieces together and go handle her business. Her story especially was heartbreaking.

Cion! Cion is achingly reserved, patient, and of course frustrating in the beginning and then as you get deeper into the story, he starts to not only open up to Kateri but the reader as well - and he is awesome!

The relationship between Cion and Kateri is strained at best, but eventually it unravels into this deep understanding. The romance is one of the slowest slow burns ever to the point that I thought it wasn't going to even happen. I mean, dang! But it gets there - so just stay with it!

The secondary characters are pretty great too - the Desert Boys were especially fun - and the baddies were just plain despicable. I could not wait for Kateri to get her hands on them.

All in all there wasn't one thing I disliked to the point that it ruined the story for me. Not one! If you're in need of a thrilling, fast paced, action in your face fantasy with a sprinkle of romance, this is definitely for you!