The Tiger's Daughter

Starred review from August 14, 2017
Rivera’s wonderfully intricate Asian-inspired epic fantasy debut introduces two young women bound by fate: Shizuka, whose uncle is the Emperor Yoshimoto, and Barsalyya Shefali Alshar, whose mother is Kharsa Burqila, the ruler of the Qorin. Omens are present at the birth of both children, a month apart: a pair of pine needles visible between their eyes. Though they come from very different backgrounds—
Shefali is a horsewoman of the Qorin steppes and Shizuka the pampered heir of the Hokkaran Empire—their mothers determine that the omen means the pair will be lifelong friends. This initial association propels the two young women into grand adventures that become the stuff of legend as they discover the extent of their superhuman powers. Rivera’s immense imagination and finely detailed worldbuilding have produced a series introduction of mammoth scope. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary.

August 1, 2017

Empress Yui of the Hokkaran Empire, O-Shizuka, is struggling to handle her royal duties when a message written in a language that few understand arrives. It is the language of Qorin, the horse traders who live on the steppes (think Mongolia), and the sender is her old friend, the Qorin warrior Barsalayaa Shefali. Born under the same omen of friendship, the two had spent summers together, learning about each other and the world. As they grew older, O-Shizuka discovered how to be an empress-in-waiting to a tyrannical uncle, while Shefali developed a deeper knowledge of demons--for she met them when she was ten. Their ordained friendship also turns into a much deeper--and taboo--love. With both foresworn to protect each other's people, the women work together to defeat the demons to defend their world. Unfortunately, this story is undermined by clumsy cultural references. The use of real Japanese terms such as naginata, along with one-syllable changes of others, will confuse those familiar with Japanese culture. And the physical descriptions and slurs spoken by some characters ("rice-eater" and "ricetongue") will disturb many readers of Asian backgrounds. VERDICT Despite its flaws, this expansive fantasy brings together lush worldbuilding, compelling characters, and an unfolding story that keeps the pages turning. Everyone will have an opinion about this book.--KC

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