MAGICAL REALISM | Gr 9 Up. Two months before she fell to her death from her own bedroom window, Ana Torres united her sisters in a final, unsuccessful attempt to flee their widower father, a possessive man consumed by his own misery. Now, one year after the accident, the surviving Torres sisters are all but lost to each other in their attempts to cope: pure-hearted Rosa seeks understanding through religion and her almost supernatural connection with animals; dreamy Iridian uses her notebook and pen in an effort to exorcise the memory of harsh words said days before Ana’s death; and sharp-tongued Jessica sets about claiming her sister’s earthly possessions for herself—including Ana’s demanding, abusive boyfriend. But when Ana’s spirit suddenly returns to haunt them, destroying their things and frightening them with her eerie laughter, the Torres girls reunite once more in an attempt to understand their sister’s final message to them.


A fresh, loosely based take on Shakespeare’s King Lear (a tragedy about fathers, daughters, and sisters), this story is a unique, well-written, and uplifting meditation on female introspection and self-discovery in the wake of terrible loss.

Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry is the first book of a new young adult series that felt mostly contemporary while following the lives of a group of sister but also has a touch of fantasy involved. The story changes the point of view between the characters as it goes on to tell of their lives after a tragedy.

A year before there where actually four Torres sisters in the family living with a not so kind father when Ana, the oldest of the daughters, tried to climb out of her window and fell to her death. This left behind the three younger sisters, Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa who after a year since Ana’s passing are still grieving her death daily as they each go about coping in their own ways.

For me Tigers, Not Daughters just did not flow very well and often seemed too scattered for me to really enjoy. Quite honestly in my opinion the characters just weren’t very likable or engaging to me. Then there is also just so much going on in the book that for lack of a better term is just “wrong” and then sort of blown over and not addressed or felt as if shrugged off. With this being marked as a first I probably wouldn’t continue myself although I do seem to be in a minority on this one so anyone interested may want to try it out and form their own opinion.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Mabry's tale of three siblings dealing with grief and family turmoil is tinged with magic realism. Set in San Antonio's latino community, Mabry deals with three sisters who each deal with the death of their oldest sister in differing ways. Compelling.

Life has never been easy for the Torres sisters: their mother died while birthing the youngest of the four girls, and their father has never been a reliable or trustworthy parent. When the eldest, Ana, tragically falls to her death, the family’s grief becomes all-consuming. A year after Ana’s death, her sisters Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa become convinced Ana’s ghost is trying to tell them something – and she seems very angry. Grounded in realistic depictions of grief and teenage angst, but peppered with magical realism, the story will either enchant readers with its surreal descriptions of strange events or infuriate them with perceived plot holes. I personally would have liked a less ambiguous ending, and to see more description on the bonds the sisters had - I never understood why, or if, they liked each other. Characters are described as having dark hair and having Hispanic last names, but no specific ethnicities are given. Perhaps a teen looking for a darker, more modern take on Little Women would enjoy this book.

*I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book took my breath away. It is so raw and honest and just so, so good. The story mainly follows the three Torres sisters in the year following their oldest sister's sudden death. The girls are visited by Ana's ghost in chilling and fantastical ways, and each one deals with this differently. All of the characters seemed so real and visceral. It reminded me of a mix between The Virgin Suicides and Julia Alvarez's works. I feel like this will turn into one of those classic YA books very soon.

Thank you, Algonquin Young Readers, for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I write about the things of which I’m afraid—it’s my way of fighting my fears. — Samantha Mabry

Are you fond of ghost stories? If you’re looking for something mildly creepy to read during this very long quarantine, you’re in the right place. I finished this book in three days, even though my Nintendo Switch kept on distracting me. Haha. But from the get-go, you should know that novels with magical realism are hardly horrific because they make the paranormal seem so…normal.

Tigers, Not Daughters follows three teenage girls: Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa. Their big sister, Ana, died a year ago, and they still haven’t moved on. Ana was the light in the Torres household, the girls’ only hope of escaping their not-so-happy life with their pathetic father in San Antonio. So now that she’s gone, Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa are stuck in the status quo. One day, weird things start happening in their home, and the signs all point to Ana. Has she really come back to haunt them?

Every Torres girl had a distinguishable trait. Jessica was a tough girl in an abusive relationship, Iridian was a budding author who hated emotions, and Rosa was a dreamer who loved animals. I enjoyed all of their perspectives but felt more invested in Iridian’s character development. One of her struggles was that she couldn’t accurately describe things that she hadn’t experienced. And since she disliked going outside (thanks to a traumatic event at school), her experience of the world was limited. As a fellow writer and homebody, I could relate to Iridian’s dilemma. If you want to be a better writer, you really have to widen your horizons.

Jessica was both frustrating and interesting. She had a flaring temper and was obsessed with becoming like Anna. Her obsession led her to date John, her dead sister’s boyfriend. Like…what the heck, girl? And John turned out to be a despicable boyfriend who always wanted to get into Jessica’s pants. Their interactions were mostly terrible, so I was glad every time Peter (Jessica’s kind neighbor/workmate entered the scene. I liked that he returned Jessica’s bitterness with kindness. He made me very excited about Jessica’s redemption.

Rosa, the youngest, had the most whimsical (and mature) point of view. People considered her the most innocent Torres girl, but she was actually capable of protecting her big sisters from bad men, including their dad. In many ways, Rosa deserved the title of the eldest. Without her, the book probably wouldn’t have a satisfying ending.

Ultimately, Tigers, Not Daughters gave me a glimpse of what it’s like to have many sisters. I’m very familiar with the strength of brotherhood, but the beauty of sisterhood is on a different level. This not-so-scary ghost story reminded me that sisters could connect in a uniquely meaningful way. If you have sisters, I hope that they also bring out the best in you.

Tigers, Not Daughters was not what I expected. This haunting book is dark and magical and hopeful and beautiful. I loved the sisters because they are flawed and angry and hurting and filled with grief over the loss of their oldest sister, Ana. I loved them because despite all the darkness and trauma in their lives, nothing can break the bond between them.

Summary:
The Torres sisters dream of escape. Escape from their needy and despotic widowed father, and from their San Antonio neighborhood, full of old San Antonio families and all the traditions and expectations that go along with them. In the summer after her senior year of high school, Ana, the oldest sister, falls to her death from her bedroom window. A year later, her three younger sisters, Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa, are still consumed by grief and haunted by their sister’s memory. Their dream of leaving Southtown now seems out of reach. But then strange things start happening around the house: mysterious laughter, mysterious shadows, mysterious writing on the walls. The sisters begin to wonder if Ana really is haunting them, trying to send them a message—and what exactly she’s trying to say.

Tigers, Not Daughters isn't an easy read because of the weighty subject. The sisters' grief is palpable and heartbreaking. But it is also hopeful because of the love the sisters have for each other and for Ana, even when they are angry with each other. This is a story of girls who stand up and fight back, and I loved all of it.

The Torres sisters dream of escape. Escape from their needy and despotic widowed father, and from their San Antonio neighborhood, full of old San Antonio families and all the traditions and expectations that go along with them. In the summer after her senior year of high school, Ana, the oldest sister, falls to her death from her bedroom window.

A year later, her three younger sisters, Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa, are still consumed by grief and haunted by their sister’s memory. Their dream of leaving Southtown now seems out of reach. But then strange things start happening around the house: mysterious laughter, mysterious shadows, mysterious writing on the walls. The sisters begin to wonder if Ana really is haunting them, trying to send them a message—and what exactly she’s trying to say.- Goodreads

TW: Death

I seem to do better with heavy emotion books when there is some magic in it.  For me it makes the blow easier. This book is as heavy as it can get.  It is told through each sister's POV and I am super thankful for that. You have Iridian, who is angry and trying to escape in her writing. Jessica, who is a walking ball of sadness and responsibility and Rosa, who is trying to be spiritual and magical at the same time. Although all of them were dripping with grief and depression, being able to read each of their POV made the book's topic easier to read.

I can't say that I liked any of the sisters but I enjoyed reading Iridian more. There was a very defined personality despite her grief and she was honest with what was her truth and I enjoyed reading that.

I have to say that if you are going through something right now in your life or recently went through the motions, you might want to put a pause on this. Ana's death is described with clear imagery. You know what happen. You know the rumors around her death and you know what lead to it. If you are struggling with grief, I can't recommend this book to you.

However, if you are not and love an emotional family read then this is for you.  Mabry, the author, does a great job telling this story. The pace is wonderful and the book is detailed. The way the magic in this novel is written is a mix of creepy and realistic. You feel it and I think that is what the author was going for.

Overall, this was a solid book that changes the way magical realism in YA is done.

3.5 Pickles

This book is a moving story of sisterly-love and a powerful demonstration that love can get you through anything, and you'll be stronger at the end. I completely devoured the book in 2 days, and had goosebumps often from everything that happens to the Torres girls.

I find it fascinating to see that there are so many different ways to mourn. Grief is a powerful emotion, and everyone reacts differently to the death of a loved one. It was marvellous too to see the tight bond between the sisters.

Teenagers being teenagers, this tale brings tw for bullying, and physical abuse.

I felt hope reading this book. You will too.

Many thanks to Algonquin for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such a lovely, haunting little story. I have always adored magical realism, and this was such a fantastic tale and so true-to-form. The author deftly weaved her ghost story without sacrificing the human elements of a contemporary novel, without sacrificing the real issues this family was experiencing, and the result was a perfectly crafted book Each voice so unique and gripping that the reader is able to so easily slide into the narrative, and the structure kept you on your toes as well. It took me in many a direction that I really didn’t expect, but I was so, so glad by the end that it had taken me there. Overall, I greatly enjoyed it, and I think this one will stick in my brain for a long while.

I love, love, loved the way the story started by introducing you first to the neighborhood boys and their collective narrative. To look from the outside onto the girls, and then to become wrapped up in their narratives, was an incredible move. I was hesitant, however, because the boys’ narrative and their actions were very reminiscent of the boys in The Virgin Suicides, and in that first chapter, the Torres sisters—Ana, especially—walked that line of becoming a Manic Pixie Dream Girl. However, as the book continued, it became clear that what sets this apart from The Virgin Suicides is the real care and attention the boys showed the Torres sisters, care and attention which played a surprisingly significant role.

The sisters themselves all had such unique voices and roles to play, and I loved how they each carved their own path but came together for the crucial moments. It felt like realistic character growth. I was a bit frustrated by Iridian throughout, but I understood her. Rosa, though a quieter presence in the novel, also grew to be a favorite of mine by the end. However, it was Jessica’s narrative that really stole the show for me. Her arc was so compelling, and the way it touched on domestic violence was heartfelt and truthful.

My one problem with this book was that I wish Ana had been more of a presence. I wish I had seen her ghost get up to more tricks, interact more directly with the girls, and make herself known more to them. At the same time, however, her ghost haunted the book in a subtle way very similar to how it haunted the Torres girls, which I adored. I just wish I had gotten some more answers from/about her, but I see why they weren’t necessary. The ending, too, really threw me for a loop. It genuinely stunned me, but I was so glad to see the girls’ story did not end in more tragedy.

Ultimately, I loved this. While everything didn’t click for me in all the right places, and I was longing for more Ana, I do think it was a perfectly crafted story. I’m really, really looking forward to where things go for the Torres girls.

Tigers, Not Daughters was a disturbing read, but I loved it. It follows the lives of the three Torres sisters after the loss of their eldest sibling, Ana, and explores their reaction to both the tragedy and their troubled home life/relationships.

The odd, imperfect personalities of the sisters kept the novel interesting and unpredictable throughout, and their behaviour, along with the paranormal/magical realism vibes surrounding the loss of Ana, had me hooked. I agree with the comparisons to Little Women and love that it twisted that template on its head by having the Torres sisters be so psychologically disrupted from the tragedy of losing Ana. Their grief, guilt, pain and fear is palpable throughout the book, and is made worse by the tormenting supernatural return of Ana's 'spirit'. Each girl perceives her presence differently, therefore exposing their guilt, their pain and disbelief or their rage, and the deeper reasons behind it.

Overall, Tigers was an enjoyable read and I will be recommending it. Big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-book in exchange for a review!

This YA Contemporary addresses themes of domestic violence, grief, family dynamics, love, and friendship.

Stories that are written with bits of magical realism are some of my favorite and most powerful reads. This one is definitely one of them.

This book includes different points of view from each sister left behind after the death of their sister Anna. You’ll get an inside view of how each one is grieving with her loss and Mabry does a good job of making you feel what they feel.

There are some scenes that include levels of domestic and emotional abuse that may be difficult for some people.

This book was smart and dark, with beautiful moments of sisterhood and perseverance. I liked the subtle nods to characters from the classic Little Women. The characters were so raw and real, fully formed. I especially loved how flawed and relatable all the young women were - they were so believable, and I saw myself in there hopes and dreams and failures. This is perfect for fans of Anna Marie McLemore. Highly recommend.

Tigers, Not Daughters is about 4 sisters and their efforts to escape their lives with their emotionally and financially absent father. The story takes place a year after the oldest sister, Ana, tragically dies from a fall. Mabry does an excellent job of making you feel the emotions of the sisters, especially Jessica and Iridian. Rosa was the sister with a calming affect. There is a trigger warning for domestic violence.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I will be recommending this to my YA readers.

They were four, now they are three. Iridium, Jessica and Rosa are grieving the loss of their oldest sister Ana. The storyline follows the family a year after Ana dies and how they cope with the loss. Each person in the family are quite different from each other, which is also reflected in the way that they deal with the loss of a loved one. For instance Jessica misses her sister so much that she tries to take her place by using her clothes and even start dating her boyfriend. On the other hand Rosa goes on excursions out of the house alone in search for an escaped hyena from a zoo.

Strange things starts happening around the family like mysterious shadows and writing on the wall, which make the sisters wonder if Ana has come back to haunting them. With their widowed, despotic father being lost in grief and despair the girls have to take care of themselves. This also includes trying to figure out why Ana is hunting them. Does she have any unfinished business with them or anyone else? Or does she want to force them to run away?

I really enjoyed the style of writing in this book. Each of the girls are giving enough room for the reader to get to know them, and there is no doubt that there is a strong connection between the sisters. I really liked that while the story is mainly told by the girls we also get the point of view from other characters which add on to the depth of the story.

This book is not an action packed and scary read, but there are enough mysterious elements that keeps you wondering what will happen next. I also need to take a minute to gush over the cover! This is what initially caught my attention and made me read the synopsis!

Even before I began reading the book, I was very curious to know the exact meaning of the title because it is a reference from King Lear ( I never read it) and it’s used as an insult, hurled by Albany at Lear’s selfish and disobedient daughters. This intrigued me more as the publisher sold this book as Little Women meets The Virgin Suicides. The novel is vicious and gorgeously crafted. The story is weave through the perspectives of four sisters pull in this paranormal magical story that explores the steadfast examination of grief, depression, and sisterhood.

The story explores sisterly love as it begins with the Torres (Ana, Iridian, Jessica, and Rosa living in a small miserable town they want to be free from. When one of the Torres sisters dies the family, they struggle with each of their own grief and depression, struggling with their own torments and healing as too protect each other. A year after the loss, strange uncanny events occur that become more disturbing and haunting. As the sisters are consumed with their own grief as they struggle to understand the hauntings and meaning behind them.

I enjoy the lyrical and honest writing style. It is a short novel of a half and half drama love story with a comforting touch of magical realism. Mabry writes how deep emotional response to multifaceted inner lives of sisterhood and a great loss is.

As much as I enjoy the book, I struggle with the execution of having multiple perspectives. It felt very tight and collided with how much time you have with each character; getting to know them. There was also an unnecessary interloper that I felt less inclined to feel a connection too.

Overall, I am impressed with Tigers, Not Daughters. This is the perfect novel for readers wanting to be introduced to magical realism, and those looking for books with Shakespearean inspiration and paranormal elements.

Despite the fact that this novel is being marketed as a modern version of Little Women (there are four sisters after all), that’s the only resemblance the novel had with the literary classic we all know and love. Instead, this novel reminded me more of The Virgin Suicides with the ongoing ennui that the Torres sisters have to deal with after the death of their beloved older sister, Ana. The fact that a group of neighborhood boys are always watching and obsessing over the sisters, adds on to the resemblance between the two novels. Some reviewers have considered this novel as a retelling of King Lear, since the father figure in this book is quite questionable, unreliable, and just lacks any real parenting skills.

However, with all these comparisons being made, Tigers, Not Daughters is a unique ghost story. Because ultimately, this is what the book is about, the ghost of Ana Torres haunting the lives and house of the remaining Torres sisters, Iridian, Jessica, and Rosa. The book is told in four points of views, from Peter’s (one of the boys that’s always hanging out at Hector’s house who lives fairly close to the Torres family as they have a good view of all the happenings that go on in the household), Rosa, Iridian, and Jessica.

I’ll admit that I enjoyed Iridian’s and Jessica’s points of view much more than the other two. Iridian was obsessed with Anne Rice’s novel The Witching Hour, and spent most of the novel re-reading that book and trying to write her own supernatural romance, while Jessica was the so-called mean sister filled with anger, but that after Ana’s death tried to fit into the void that Ana left behind to the point of wearing her sister’s makeup, taking up residence in her former room, and even going as far as dating Ana’s boyfriend.

The haunting is slow like a Southern Gothic novel (although it takes place in San Antonio in a predominantly Latino community). There are a lot of creepy moments and an underlying feeling of dread that coats this novel in a claustrophobic clutch and doesn’t let you go till the very end.

You don’t read this novel merely for the plot alone, but rather to live through the dark chilling ride that it provides.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I have read Mabry's other book, A Fierce and Subtle Poison and I remember it being beautifully written and magical much like the feelings I got while reading Tigers, Not Daughters. Mabry just has a way of writing where even though it might be full of poetic phrases and instances that border on the unbelievable, its still seems so vividly real. This book was a little bit different in the sense that it dealt with some very heavy topics, but at the same time it was also such a beautiful story that centered around the bond between sisters that can overcome even the hardest times.

After the death of their older sister, the three younger Torres sisters must learn to deal with their grief and all that comes with such a huge loss. Told from multiple POV, you get to know each sister and other important characters that all play a role in the story in their own way. As things begin to happen around the house that can only be from their sister Ana, the girls come together in the most unlikely of circumstances. With little bits of magical realism and some spooky aspects, this book was a treat to read and kept me coming back for more.

In the letter written from the author that came with the ARC, Mabry writes that the line "Tigers, Not Daughters" is a phrase from Shakespeare's King Lear and that in the play it is used as an insult. But she wanted to find a way to make this as a praise. She also mentions how some parents deserve to be disobeyed. This struck me hard when reading this book because I think she did the title justice by creating three strong willed sisters that find the strength in each other to face all the difficulties thrown at them and learn to heal from their emotional wounds. And they definitely have a parent that deserves to be disobeyed.

I think that this book will strike home in the hearts of many people young and old, and it has aspects that can speak to us all. Even with the tougher topics, Mabry has elegantly told a story that will keep you intrigued and make your heart feel for the vivid characters and all they go through in the span of these pages. Make sure to take note of sone of the topics if you have particular triggers, but know that they are all dealt with in a respectful way that didn't leave me feeling icky or put off. This book might be just what someone needs. To learn to heal, and move on even in the most difficult circumstances.

Tigers not daughters is one of the best books I have read this year. This is the story of four latina sisters and how they live after their big sister Ana dies.
One year after Ana's death, mysterious things begin to happen which make the Torres sisters think Ana is trying to send them a message.
Overall the book writing is beautiful and unique, i love the hints of magical realism that were included in the story. i couldn't put it down.
Trigger warnings: death, abusive relationship, abusive family
5 stars
thanks to netgalley and Algonquin young readers for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

A magical, Latina Little Woman! It was freaking savage. I love a good sisterhood book and this delivered. tenfold. Jessica ripped my heart into pieces.