At first I wasn't sure that I was going to like this that much but the last half of the book saved it.  The concept is similar to another ARC that I recently read so I was hoping that it wouldn't run along the same lines and bore me.  

Kateri is the daughter of the King of Achra.  Her goal is to fulfill the promise that she made to her mother before she died, to take care of her people.  She is not to automatically inherit the crown.  She must literally fight for her place on the throne and that means defeating a suitor every month of her 16th year.  If she fails, the suitor becomes king, marries her, and leaves her with no power.  When her father announces her final opponent, she knows that being the highly trained fighter that she is, she cannot beat him.  So Kateri does the only thing she knows may give her a chance of winning.  She flees to seek out the one person who can train her to beat Roderic, her enemy, Cion, the leader of the Desert Boys.

The story kept up a steady pace and although I enjoyed the first half, the second half had me totally engrossed in the story.  I adore Cion and his dedication to helping the people of Achra.  He agrees to train Kateri even though he sees her as the enemy, because they both have a greater one in common.  

From what I can gather this is a stand alone, and from what I read, a very good one.

*Posting on Aug. 5, 2019 on my blog http://pastmidnight.home.blog**

Thank you to Blink and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this eArc.

Here we have another story about a Princess, who needs to prove herself in order to be the next ruler of her kingdom. There are so many similar books out there so I started reading Tiger Queen without any expectations and I was pleasantly surprised.

Princess Kateri can kick-butt. Kateri has to be the best fighter because the only way her father will let her rule is she has to defeat royals in the arena. Rodric, the captain of the guard and a ruthless fighter himself, is her trainer and then some. Now the enemy in this story is supposedly the Desert Boys, a group of stealthy urchins who steal water from the wells of Achra. Being a desert kingdom, water is precious, water is life, and when there is not enough to go around, the person who controls water, rules the people.

When Kateri finds out the truth about what is going on in her kingdom, she learns she has to be able to beat the last opponent in the arena or else she will lose her dreams of ruling and helping her people. She starts her training in the desert and only the strong survive there.

Achra is not a place I would like to visit. I am not someone who is seduced by sand, unless it comes with an ocean.  😅 Just knowing the people in this book were so thirsty made me feel parch reading this book. I can definitely understand and feel the desperation these characters have for water. And another reason I wouldn’t enjoy Achra? Oh the snakes, poisonous lizards, blood beetles and scorpions that seem to be everywhere in this landscape. And if avoiding them is a problem, well – guess what is on the menu in Achra? Yup, snakes, lizards, scorpions…😂. I thought it was actually really funny how most books usually make me hungry with their description of food but nope, not this book!

There is a lot of action in this book and the fighting and training scenes were really exciting. This book moves at a fast pace which was nice. The story is predictable but not in a bad way, I still found it enjoyable even though I knew what was going to happen. I also loved that there was no magic in this book, the characters had to rely on just skills and learning the ways of the desert. I love magic, but sometimes it’s just cool to see people fighting with their wits.

The stakes are high in Tiger Queen because who can live without water? No one. I enjoyed this story a lot and I think if you like desert landscapes in books, then you will really like it too.

The story line was so catching to my eye as soon as I read the description. I loved reading about this character and their journey to prove that they are able to rule the kingdom. I loved that it wasn’t easy for the character, considering a lot of YA novels tend to wash it all down and make everything easier to do.

Tiger Queen is a standalone fantasy inspired by the famous short story "The Lady, or the Tiger?" and it was filled with action, heart-stopping romance, and most importantly, real stakes. Kateri is a hero that i can get behind because her character actually develops as she learns new information. This was such a satisfying read with a conclusive ending.

I really enjoyed A Touch of Gold, so I was sad when Tiger Queen didn’t wow me.

My main problem was the predictability of the story. There are so many YA fantasies like this one—royals vs rebels, fierce princess, evil dad and suitor...and it doesn’t help that the very first plot twist I guessed one chapter into the story. 

It was hard for me to connect with Ketari as well. Again, I think it’s because so many YA fantasy heroines are like her. There was no connection to the villains either. 

I think those who are new to the genre would enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me.

This was a good story. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did I could not put it down! I love the strength of Princess Kateri. All of the character development was great. 



**Provided by NetGalley for review***

This thrilling YA novel, by Annie Sullivan, is an expansive, adventurous retelling of Frank Stockton's short story "The Lady, or the Tiger?", which is one of my favorite short stories. I enjoyed the fast pacing of this story, the well-rounded character development, and the political mysteries of the desert kingdom Achra. The story left me constantly thinking about it, and I had to have my water nearby because I was always thirsty. The descriptions and dialogue were clear and compelling. It is a worthy retelling.

I think the strongest part of this book is the character development. Our main character, Kateri, starts off as a villain. She is a strong fighter, trained to beat her suitors in an arena to prove she is the strongest in the kingdom. But difficult circumstances mold and shape her into a completely different character, and I grew to love her. I do wish other characters in this book had as strong of a character arc. And I do wish that the romance wasn't so slow burning. 

All in all, I liked this book. I would recommend this book to those who love retellings, and settings in mythical deserts.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, NetGalley and Blink, for the ARC!  This book will be released on September 10, 2019.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blink Publishers via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The fight scenes were great and had me on the edge. I especially liked the close bonds Kateri had to her family and people and her willingness to make great sacrifices for them. I enjoyed the twist on the short story "The Lady or the Tiger." Princess Kateri is such an all-around strong character.

With that being said...the prose is good, the characters compelling, but neither was fantastic, so I'm left kind of meh. Additionally, very little happened in this book that was surprising.

The synopsis of this book intrigued me and I went into it expecting a lot. On some aspects it delivered and others I felt it didn't quite meet the mark. Princess Kateri was a wonderful character and seemed to be richly thought through, with a realistic portrayal, having plenty of strengths and positives but also some weaknesses and negatives. This all made her more realistic to my reading. The world building was also good and compelling. The other characters and interaction between characters seemed a bit too shallow to really stand up to the story as a whole. This was a small detraction. Overall this is a wonderful read and recommended to fantasy lovers.

#TigerQueen #NetGalley

I haven’t read a stand-alone in such a long time and this book was just amazing! I loved the world, the characters and the twists. I live for those  jaw dropping moments. This is my first book by Annie Sullivan and can’t wait  to pick her last book A Touch of Gold.
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review 😊.

Tiger Queen is a retelling of Frank Stockton's famous short story, "The Lady, or the Tiger?", which is one of my all time favorites, so this book was a must read for me! It is an interesting take on a classic that I highly recommend!

I don’t know what to say after reading this story besides wow.  This tale was based upon the short story of A Lady, or the Tiger and I feel that Annie Sullivan has done the story justice by creating a world in which a princess learns that life is meant to be filled with family, love, and the strength that comes from the spirit as well as the body.
This tale is phenomenal and I would definitely recommend it.  The author lives up to her first book by continuing the creation of wonderful stories based upon previous works.

This book surprised me quite a bit. I went in thinking I would love it. I mean, a strong female lead, story based around a fairytale/myth, a unique world...how could I not love it? But at first, I just couldn't get into the story. I still wanted to finish the book, but I wasn't dying to pick it up every spare second. It took me three chapters before something clicked. Then, to my surprise, I suddenly couldn't put the book down. I devoured the rest and was so sad when I read the last page. 

I mentioned before that this was a unique world. It was so interesting to read about a city who's society is impacted so heavily on water, or lack there of. I had so much fun learning about the people and the history.

I think what hung me up at first was the characters. It was hard for me to really get a read on them at first. They were all interesting, but I just didn't feel like I had any connection to them. But once I began to feel that connection, I couldn't wait to see what would happen with them.

So, all in all, I'd recommend giving this one a read. It's a somewhat short book, and a standalone! I had so much

All the heart eyes for this book. I first requested to review this book because of Sullivan's first novel, which I loved. This one was no different. I read it in one sitting and adored it.
The character growth was amazing to see in Kateri. She changed from a spoiled princess to a confident queen. She learned what friendship means and that strong has more than one meaning.
As for the setting, it was easy to understand and the descriptions painted an image in the reader's mind. The world-building was not too complicated, nor was it lacking.
I found the 'bad guy' quite villain like, but I kept on wanting to know how he turned out the way he did. (No names here!)
This book is one that will eventually take a place of honor on my shelves when I'm not rereading it.

Rating: 5 Stars
Content: 3 Stars

*I received a complementary copy of this novel from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

Hardcover
$ 17.99 
This title will be released on September 10, 2019
 We get another great book from Annie Sullivan (A Touch of Gold). Here is another YA fantasy tale that tells the story of a fierce princess in the desert battling to save her kingdom.

In the desert kingdom of Achra, an ancient law forces Princess Kateri who is 16 to fight in the arena to prove her right to rule. She also made a promise to her late mother to protect her people, who are struggling through windstorms and drought. Where her father had put a limit on how much water a family can have in a day. The situation became worse by a gang of Desert Boys that raid the city wells. The punishment for stealing water is a choice between 2 doors: behind one lies freedom, and behind the other is a tiger.
 Kateri’s final opponent is announced, she knows she cannot win. In desperation, she turns to the desert and the one person she never thought she’d side with the leader of the desert boys. What Kateri discovers twists her world and her heart upside down. Her future is now behind two doors only she’s not sure which holds the key to keeping her kingdom and which releases the tiger.
 This book will leave you wanting more. The love story that happened in the end is beautiful. The writing couldn't have been better. The way everything was written and described was remarkable. I'm kind of sad there's not another book but this author did an amazing job telling this story. Definitely, a 5 star read.
**Got as an arc from netgalley**

I really loved the idea of taking The Lady or the Tiger and turning it into this grand YA story! Kateri was a really great protagonist and I loved the twists and darkness in this story, and her journey to discovering right from wrong and learning what she needed to do for her people.

Cion was the greatest and I really adored the Desert Boys (and they low key reminded me of the Lost Boys for some reason?) and everything they were doing to help the people of Achra, how they were willing to risk themselves for everyone else.

The desert world in this story was really fantastically built and i loved how Cion and the Desert Boys knew how to navigate things that the Achrans did not.

This was a magnificent story and I loved Kateri and Cion <3

Loved the story and the world and the characters. I could not stop reading and did so in one sitting. I loved the whole desert setting and the Desert Boys were some of my favorite characters and scenes. They reminded me so much of the Lost Boys. Definitely a new favorite and will be recommending.

I really enjoyed Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan. I was intrigued by the synopsis, and the story didn't disappoint.

The pages seemed to fly by; the book kept a steady pace with no lulls or dull moments that I can recall.

I especially liked the band of Desert Boys, and the time Kateri spent with them and Cion was one of my favorite parts of the book.

I also enjoyed the desert sayings  that were spoken as blessings and well wishes.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of Tiger Queen for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I chose Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan as one of my vacation books as the premise was interesting, and it was a standalone book. What I had expected was a tale of mystery, deception, and overall an epic tale. Tiger Queen was not that. instead it was extremely generic. The twists and turns did not add much to the story. Given the synposis and the actual story, I was surprised by the overwhelming positive reviews on Goodreads.

Princess Kateri is a tough and headstrong princess. Kateri has spent most of her life fighting in the arena against opponents to win her independence and to become the next ruler of the Kingdom of Achra. The protagonist has a lot at stake to lose. From a young age, Kateri has sought out validation and love from her father, the king. She fights to prove that she is capable as many of the rulers are males. Her life is not made easy due to the severe drought and windstorms that effect the life of her subjects. The protagonist wishes to resolve the issues of her kingdom by seeking to eliminate the Desert Boy, a gang that is responsible for killing her mother, and stealing water from the reserves. Kateri places all the blame on the Desert Boys, rather than seek different solutions to maintain her kingdom. Though she seeks the Desert Boys, Kateri wants to get revenge for the pain they have caused her. She believes that the Desert Boys are making the lives of her people difficult, when that’s not the case. She believes her people love her, but her subjects view her as privilege and greedy.

Kateri has a difficult time adjusting to the truth of the matter. Kateri wishes to uphold her mother’s promise by protecting her people. The drought makes this promise difficult to fulfill. The people of Archa does not see that Kateri suffers in her position. The King expects Kateri to be perfect. Any mistake tarnishes her father’s views of her. Kateri longs to become close to her father, but he is cold and distant. Regardless of their familial bond, Kateri never gives up on her father. Though her life may not be perfect, she endures physical and emotional suffering under her tutor’s lessons. After learning that her tutor, Rodric, Kateri feels completely dismayed by her circumstances. She knows that there is no way to defeat Rodric. The princess understands that to beat her tutor, she has to seek an alliance with her enemies.

As I’ve mentioned, the book is quite generic when it comes to the villains. The actions of the king and Rodric were highly suspicious. I had a feeling each man was evil due to their ambitions and greed. Although Kateri loved her father, he despised his daughter. The king did not seek ways to repair his relationship with his daughter. Kateri was always left out of the loop when it came to the problems of her kingdom. What felt frustrating was that the motives of the villains were obvious. I did not have to look hard for the villains. Instead of having complex characters, the readers are made aware of the goals of each character by the remaining half of the book. The secrets that were revealed were not shocking.

As for the romance, I was not a major fan. I cared more about Kateri’s journey to win her throne. It seemed that the romance between Kateri and Cion was going to be a slow burn. Kateri does not trust Cion as she sought the help of the Desert Boys. She gradually falls for the leader of the gang and begins to learn what real love is. The banter between the characters was cute, but that’s about it. I don’t have much to say about Cion. But I will say is that I am glad there was not a love triangle nor a possible romance between Kateri and Rodric.

Overall, I felt this book was okay. The world building was really good, Kateri made a compelling character, but everything else fell short.

Rating: ★★★

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me an opportunity to give a review to Tiger Queen.  This book was a signed giveaway from the author herself at BookCon. The copies disappeared very quickly. I imagine the same occurred at the ALAAC 2019.  Reading some of the reviews, I had come to learn that this was a re-telling of a short story. I never heard of it and, in a way, I was thankful so as not to re-read a story whose ending I would already have been aware of. The setting is a city in an arid/ desert portion of the world. Think of Arabian Nights run amuck. You have Princess Kateri, who is heir to the throne and her father that is preparing her to be the ruler he feels she needs to be. In order to gain the throne, she needs to show her people that she is capable of defending the town and therefore must show her fighting skills by beating in combat all the men her father picks to fight against her. Should she lose, she must marry the victor and then he becomes the new ruler. From the beginning you clearly get the sense that Kateri’s dad is not going to get any Father of the Year awards anytime soon. He is an uber control freak ruling a city in times of severe drought and the need for rationing precious water. So what is a child to when the father elects Kateri’s combat instructor to be the next contestant (a person who clearly has an ulterior motive to steal the throne away from her)? The best choice is to seek help from the unlikeliest of people. From there it becomes a story of understanding, learning, knowing all the people you meet in life both good and bad and, in turn, learning some life lessons and truths about one’s own self as well as one’s own family. Things may not appear to be what they seem. Oh, and yes, let’s not forget, there are tigers.