I adored this book! I abolutely love Amelie Wen Zhao's world and characters so very much. I strongly feel for Ana and am truly excited for the last book in this series. This is my favorite YA Sequel of the year so far! I love them so very much! I cannot recommend this book enough!

This is one of the most imaginative and engaging series I have ever read! Second book builds on the characters and events of the first, and I appreciated finally getting some more character background and development. Ramson really grew on me in this one, while Ana was as fierce and bold as ever.

Book 2 in the Blood Heir trilogy, I actually liked this book better than the first. I think the author was able to develop her style of storytelling more so that as a reader I truly can appreciate where she’s going with it, and even though she still has a lot of tropes in the book, she delivers the story itself better. I’m definitely excited to see where this trilogy ends and look forward to reading that third book.

The Red Tigress throws the reader right into more action from page one. The book follows three perspectives that become intertwined as the story progresses. I felt that the story was much more streamlined than the first book. Every chapter was interesting and tied into the overall arch of the story. The characters were all enjoyable to read and I felt that their character arcs were much more intriguing than in the first book.

I loved seeing Ana come to accept her power and master it. She was much more regal and acted like an empress and her growth was realistic and it made me like her as a character much more than before.

Overall, this book was an exciting adventure and I very much enjoyed it. I felt that the segment of Ana’s story in this book wrapped itself up well while still setting a stage for an exciting follow up. I look forward to the next book!

This was so precious. I might go ahead and just say that I maybe loved this one more than the first book. And Ramson, oh my precious little morally grey baby. I cannot wait for the last book!

Just like the first one, this book is absolutely wonderful! More intriguing and even better than the first book! So much character growth in this book and I really am hoping for a third book!

Red Tigress is fantastic! I was delighted to read about familiar mcs as
well as some new faces but I especially loved that the plot had some unexpected twists. Your standard YA fantasy often features mcs who have to save the world, even as its obvious they don't know as much as they should, before/during their plan and I really appreciated how, in Red Tigress, the "big plan" didn’t quite work like everyone thought it would and paved the way for the next book in a non-forced "here is a last minute cliffhanger!" way. I hope this book brings more readers to this series as it really deserves them!

I know I’m a bit late with this review but I finally managed to finish this novel. Second in the series, Red Tigress came out on March 1st, 2021 but I managed to get an early release of it via Netgalley for an honest review.

Shortly before getting this book, I finished Blood Witch (Which was a #DTReadalong novel) and I thoroughly enjoyed that story. It had a great set up for the sequel and I wa eager to read it.

Although, as I started to read this, my excitement started to wane. This book isn’t bad by any stretch of the means but its also not as fun to read as its prequel. However, in my experience with series books, the middle books are the least fun to read. Anybody agree with me?

Now, Red Tigress does have some exciting moments and one thing that this author does is write action scenes very well. They read as if they’re for an action movie and they were probably the best parts of this book. Red Tigress although has a lot of what many middle books have - set up. As you read through the novel, you can see pieces falling and towards the end everything is set up for another book.

I did enjoy Ana’s character progression though. You witness her coming to terms with her Affinity. The reader also gets to experience her growing into the monarch that she needs to be for her country as she strives to get it back.

Ramson also has an interesting character arc. Without spoiling too much, Ramson’s backstory is revealed quite a bit in this book and the guy comes to terms with some things. Anymore than that...and a lot of his arc is spoiled so that’s all I can give you all.

The main thing I disliked is the jumping of POV’s from chapter to chapter. I just felt like there were too many characters in the rotation and I found myself trying to figure out what was going on. Granted, I usually read this book while I was winding down from the day and half-asleep at times but I don’t usually have that much trouble following a plot line.

Overall, Red Tigress is a good book but not one that I would probably re-read. I am looking forward to the eventual sequel — Crimson Reign. It doesn’t have a release date quite yet but I’m interested in seeing how this story wraps up!

Until the next page turn!

Red Tigress is the second novel in Amelie Wen Zhao's Blood Heir Trilogy, and I have a confession to make: I'm already counting down the days for the next installment. It's that addictive.

Ana Mikhailov is the last surviving member of her family, the royal family of Cyrilia. She's gone through so much already in the hopes of taking back what is rightfully hers. And she has further to go.

With no army and little resources, Ana's best chance of defeating Morganya is to seek an alliance. Unfortunately, all of those options come with plenty of complications of their own—the sort of complications that can get people killed.

“She was Anastacya Mikhailov, blood Affinite and rightful Empress of Cyrilia. And she would fight for her people.”

It feels like I've been waiting an eternity for Red Tigress when it hasn't actually been that long in reality. It's just my impatient reader's mind speaking! That being said, this book was worth the wait!

Ana's story is one that captivated me from the very first moment. It feels both familiar and unique all at the same time, and I think that's one reason why I've been so curious to see where it leads. Okay, the infusion of magic certainly doesn't hurt anything!

Honestly, I just can't get over how wonderfully Amelie Wen Zhao has described this world. It feels real – the good and the bad, the beautiful and the horrifying. I just can't get enough of it or of the challenges that Ana finds herself facing.

“He would turn his back, once and for all, on this strange chapter of a story he’d never meant to play in and a princess he’d never meant to fall for.”

I have to confess that there is one point in this story where I broke down and cried. I'm not going to tell you if they were tears of relief, or pure depression, because edges too close to spoiler territory! But I will say that clearly, Amelie Wen Zhao's writing got under my skin and forced a connection between me and this story.

Red Tigress is a fantasy sequel that I've been waiting for, and it sincerely did not disappoint. If anything, I found myself loving this novel more than the original (is that even possible??). I can't wait to see what happens in the final installment!

Thanks to Delacorte Press and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This series is absolutely amazing!! Without giving spoilers, I loved this story!! This book has everything the first book did and then some. I can’t wait for the third book to be released!!

This second installment to The Blood Heir series is top-notch. Many sophomore efforts suffer from the second book syndrome, but not this one. The story was addicting, and Ana was fierce as ever. I was absolutely blown away.

I was surprised how much I liked this book. After reading Blood Heir, I wasn't that excited to read Red Tigress, but I'm definitely glad I did. The sequel was better written and kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm excited to read the final book of the series when it comes out.

I finished Blood Heir and plunged right into the review copy of Red Tigress provided via NetGalley, and I wasn’t disappointed. Red Tigress is an action-packed story that sent my heart into my throat and made my head spin. I thought I had some idea of where the story might go, but never guessed the way the plot would unfold. The plot is relentless and the characters are real and vibrant, and compel us to root for them.

Amelie Wen Zhao builds on her storytelling strengths from book 1. She gives us more POV characters and uses the POV shifts to build suspense and weave strands of the plot together effectively. This allows us access to multiple settings, which are fleshed out. I never felt like I was stepping into nothingness; the author paints clear images of the settings without overdoing the descriptions and stopping the action.

Wen Zhao also effectively develops the motives of each POV character. She effectively writes between the lines, hinting at feelings and thoughts and confirming them through actions when appropriate. This part of the storytelling worked effectively for me, because it built up my anticipation. It also allowed us to speculate about some characters’ true intentions, because there were reasons to distrust them. This approach added to the tension and paid off with revelations that affected the plot.

One of the real strengths of this series comes from the two primary characters. Ana is the sole surviving member of Cyrilia’s royal family and is determined to reclaim the throne and save her people from slaughter. Ramson is the bastard son of the navy Admiral from a country to the south. While Ana’s been raised to be a leader, Ramson has spent years as a criminal, doing what he must to survive. They might sound like opposites when viewed superficially, but they’re fleshed out, and it’s soon apparent they have more in common than one might think. Ana is an Affinite, which means she has a unique power. Her ability involves blood, and when it manifested the first time she unintentionally killed several people. Consequently, she was shut away and isolated from the public, and ultimately had to flee when she was framed for her father’s murder. Her isolation and regret fuels her self-loathing. During book 1, she has to learn to understand that it isn’t having a special power that defines her. What matters is what she does with that power.

Ramson has also experienced rejection and loss. His complex relationship with his biological father has fueled his actions for years, and he’s determined to think only of himself to survive. His father taught him love makes you weak. He shields himself from commitments and promises, but he also doesn’t want to be like his father.

Together, Ana and Ramson are two broken individuals who are making critical decisions about who they are and who they want to be. They’re both confronted by pain and regret, and they both have things about themselves they despise. The thought of a criminal bastard and the heir to the throne being friends may seem unrealistic, but they slowly build a genuine friendship throughout the first book, and that friendship grows in the second book. There’s a strong foundation of trust that develops between them, and in their own way, they help each other heal.

They also continue to grow as individuals in book 2. Ana’s confronted by questions about leadership and the kind of leader she’d be, and she must assess her own goals and motives to determine what’s best for Cyrilia’s future.

In book 1, Ana and Ramson’s journey took her to her childhood home, so it’s only fitting that book 2 would take us to Ramson’s nation and force him to confront his father and half-sister. Their quest may seem simple enough, but a lot’s changed in Ransom’s homeland since he departed, and unseen dangers threaten Ana’s mission and their lives. I don’t want to give away what happens. It was earned in the text, but the author still made some shocking revelations.

I also really enjoyed getting to spend more time with Linn and seeing her character grow. I hope we get to spend plenty of time with Linn and Kais in book 3.

Blood Heir effectively offered resolution of a primary objective, while setting the stage for the developments in Red Trigress. As book 2 in a trilogy, Red Tigress sets the stage for what’s to come in the third and final installment in the Blood Heir Trilogy. There’s still a sense of resolution because the clearly established objective has been met, but there’s the promise of what’s to come as well.

The ending left me both satisfied and heartbroken that I’ll have to wait another year to find out what happens to Ana, Ramson, and the other characters.

I was so excited to get to read this one and it did not disappoint! I loved the first one and couldn't wait to get back to the story. My favorite thing about this story is the characters. They are so quick witted and complex. Both Ana and Ramson have grown and matured in this book and I loved to see that. Too often middle books fall to trying to set up for book three and end up feeling forced and slow but that was not the case with this one. It was still action packed and full of intrigue. the scenery was very well described without being overdone and I loved the unique magic system. Definitely recommend this one!

Red Tigress is a compelling story based on oppression, prejudice, and overcoming familial expectations. Ana is known to the world as a blood witch and seen as a monster. Her family even kept her hidden away from the rest of the world until one day she escapes and attempts to prove everyone wrong. Affinites are people who have powers and are condemned to a terrible life or are used as puppets. Seeking revenge for the death of her family, she finds a stranger along the way who is seeking to destroy the same person. But maybe something more evolves out of what they both share.

"Some rulers’ reigns were forged with steel, some with gold, and some with might.
And mine, Ana thought, closing her eyes. Mine is forged by blood."

Morganya has taken over Ana's rightful throne. Ana's only chance to take back what is hers is to find an ancient weapon that if found in the wrong hands, will change Cyrilia as they know it and change normal people into Affinites. Once again, Ana and Ramson cross paths on their way to Ramson's home country, Bregon, where Affinites are being trafficked. 

After arriving in Bregon, things start to go haywire. Looking for an alliance with Bregon, Ana finds herself revealing the true identity of Ramson, who was actually behind the Affinite trafficking and how it was all strategically planned out, and who is controlling the puppet King of Bregon. Who can be trusted? How can everyone work together to fulfill their own agendas? Along the way, Ana starts to figure out who she is.

My one complaint is that it was hard to re-figure out the characters since it has been a while since reading The Blood Heir. I had a hard time remembering the role everyone played in the last installment and what their end goals were.

"I will always choose what's best for Cyrilia"

Red Tigress was a twisted story of betrayal about one girl discovering who she really is. Readers who love loyalty, deception, and a twisted plot will love Red Tigress.

Super exited to have had the opportunity to have read this book much sooner than anticipated.
Recalling the time when the first book came out - i devoured the first book in a matter of a day or two. Amelie brings back our favorite characters on a more exiting adventure picking up from the last book's cliff hanger.

You can tell that Amelie really put a lot of work on the second book, there were so many moments where i was swooning for both Ramson and Ana. The chemistry between both Ramson and Ana really got me to turn the pages quicker!

I dare to say i enjoyed the second book much more than the first. Ana's character has grown so much with me that I can see her the same way i meet her in the first book... oh and that ending... Amelie is making us wait too long for the third installment!

5/5 starts. Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC for an honest review

I received this and as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for giving me access.

This picked up right where Blood Heir left off. If you loved the fist and all the twist and turns, then you will love this one just as much. Zhao does a great job of world building and and character growth. This time we follow not only Ana and Ransom, but Linn as well. Not all is what is seems and sided will be chosen by some unexpected characters. Can't wait to read the next book!

I had the pleasure of getting an early e-galley of both of these books before their respective release dates and I could not have been more enthralled with the world this author created.

Red Tigress picks up right where we left Ana in Blood Heir which thank goodness for that cause that cliffhanger at the end of the first book left me just needing more.

Ana Mikhailov’s identity has at last come to light and with it the desperation to help her people by fighting for her throne.

If you thought the first book was thrilling, you are in for it with this second book as all the twist and turns and intrigue just leave you at the edge of your seat wanting more. And yes, there is another cliffhanger! Which just means I’ll be anxiously awaiting the third installment by stalking NetGalley and the author’s Instagram religiously. 😂

I absolutely loved this sequel even though the romance wa as slow burn.

Amelie has such good world-building, characters, etc. and I cannot wait for the final installment

Red Tigress is enchanting continuation of the tale of Anastacya, “Ana”, and her journey to heal the afflictions of her stolen empire and those within herself. Amélie Wen Zhao’s writing style is cinematic and lush. Her writing continues to improve and mature. Don’t get me wrong, Blood Heir was wonderful, but Red Tigress is just absolutely delightful and impressive. The world building is phenomenal. The plot is adventure packed and kept me happily on the edge of my seat. The characters are dynamic, engaging, and exhibit tremendous growth. And Ramson, how could I love him even more?! Zhao is certainly a promising young author that delivers everything I look for in YA; a strong heroine, characters coming of age while learning to navigate a complex and often deeply flawed world, a compelling story, and hope. I look forward to reading more of her future work.

Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of Red Tigress! I loved every minute of it.