The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala Natalie Berglind Teerdhala, Swati The Tiger at Midnight. Tegen/HarperCollins, 2019 [496p] Trade ed. IBSN 978-0-06-286921-0 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-06-286923-4 $8.99 Reviewed from galleys Ad Gr. 8-12 Ten years ago, Vardaan Himyad weakened the janma bond that keeps the two lands of Jansa and Dharka prosperous and at peace by taking the Jansa throne by force. Seventeen-year-old Esha is the Viper, an assassin fighting for the rebel cause against Vardaan, and Kunal is a soldier in the usurper's ranks sent to retrieve the assassin. When Esha and Kunal meet, a cat-and-mouse chase ensues; the more they get into sticky situations together, the less they can deny their attraction. As the two become closer and engage in a steamy relationship, they must choose between their loyalty to each other and loyalty to their causes. Unfortunately, this plot takes a well-worn path and does very little with it. It's extremely unrealistic that the convictions Kunal and Esha have fought for their whole lives are so easily discarded in light of their weeks-old love for each other, and reveals such as Kunal's having royal blood compatible with the janma ritual beat readers over the head with obvious foreshadowing. Readers who like enemies-to-lovers romances similar to that of An Ember in the Ashes (BCCB 6/15) may still enjoy this one for its successful amorous tension, though, and the story's Hindu-inspired world building does offer a refreshing backdrop in contrast with American and European fantasies. NB [End Page 362] Copyright © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois