The tiger and the wolf - The Library of the Uncommons

589 pages

English language

Published Dec. 27, 2016

ISBN:: 978-1-4472-3457-9
OCLC Number:: 960846657

(1 review)

In the bleak northern crown of the world, war is coming Maniye's father is the Wolf clan's chieftain, but she's an outcast. Her mother was queen of the Tiger and these tribes have been enemies for generations. Maniye also hides a deadly secret. All can shift into their clan's animal form, but Maniye can take on tiger and wolf shapes. She refuses to disown half her soul so escapes, rescuing a prisoner of the Wolf clan in the process. The killer Broken Axe is set on their trail, to drag them back for retribution. The Wolf chieftain plots to rule the north and controlling his daughter is crucial to his schemes. However, other tribes also prepare for strife. Strangers from the far south appear too, seeking allies in their own conflict. It's a season for omens as priests foresee danger and a darkness falling across the land. Some say a …

In the bleak northern crown of the world, war is coming Maniye's father is the Wolf clan's chieftain, but she's an outcast. Her mother was queen of the Tiger and these tribes have been enemies for generations. Maniye also hides a deadly secret. All can shift into their clan's animal form, but Maniye can take on tiger and wolf shapes. She refuses to disown half her soul so escapes, rescuing a prisoner of the Wolf clan in the process. The killer Broken Axe is set on their trail, to drag them back for retribution. The Wolf chieftain plots to rule the north and controlling his daughter is crucial to his schemes. However, other tribes also prepare for strife. Strangers from the far south appear too, seeking allies in their own conflict. It's a season for omens as priests foresee danger and a darkness falling across the land. Some say a great war is coming, overshadowing even Wolf ambitions.

2 editions

Paul reviewed The tiger and the wolf by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Review of 'The tiger and the wolf' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

With it's teenage protagonist trying to find her place in a hostile world, this book does have a bit of a YA feel to it. But what sets it apart is the sense of something much greater happening in the background and the world building. And what a world it is.

This is a fantasy novel that successfully ignores all of the pseudo-medieval tropes in favour of a world on the cusp of entering its iron age (some tribes have reached this and are guarding their secrets jealously). And all of the humans are shape shifters -- and this is integral to both the story and its themes.

Ultimately, this is a superbly original fantasy, populated with characters that are both believable and sympathetic all wrapped up in a thoroughly compelling narrative.

Subjects

Tribes
Fiction