Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!

I loved every sentence of this book!! ❤️

The story is inspired by the love story of the authors grandparents, and the fact that it was inspired by real events made it even more magical and moving.

Eunji and Seung come from two completely different social backgrounds, Eunji is the daughter of one of the richest and most powerful families in the Tiger Colonies, while Seung is a member of her family's staff. After meeting by chance at the tiger slaying ceremony, the two make a deal, Eunji will help Seung pass the exams and enter the best military school of the Dragon Empire (the nation that has their country under occupation) and Seung will show her the outside world. But that's just the beginning.

Eunji was a very interesting character. She was dynamic and stubborn, and as the years went by in the book, she found her strength and purpose. Some of her decisions may have annoyed me, but I liked her, and I am proud of her and the choices she made in the end.

Seung was my favorite character in the book! He went through so much, to the point where I wondered how much more they would make him suffer. But all the experiences he went through in the book made him even stronger and the reason the tiger chose him.

The magic system of the story was very interesting. I loved how each country's animals (tiger, dragon, serpent) had a different skill that represented each nation.

It was perfect that each chapter opened with a paragraph with the words of their grandmother. This way, we were able to learn the story of the real Seung and Eunji.

The way the plot moved was very unexpected, from one point on things escalated quickly. Within the story we cover a long period of time, the characters we meet at the beginning change so much throughout the book. The first part of the book was the slowest of the three. It helped because we got to learn more about the characters, but the second and the third parts were full of adventure.
I also liked the intertwined plot of Seung and Eunji. How their lives, even when they were far from each other, were connected.

The writing style was clear and easy to read. It was the first time I read an entire book in electronic format, and yet it didn't tire me at all. The pages and chapters flowed by like water.

The side characters, Jin and Kenzo, were very special and interesting . Each had their positive and negative elements. Kenzo was annoying, and some of his actions were unjustified and unforgivable, but what he did at the end made him rise in my eyes. Jin, my girl, had been through a lot, and yet she continued to fight. She is a survivor in every sense of the word. I don't know if the book will have a sequel, but I would really like to know what happened to them.

I really liked how the book showed the will of people to be free, whether from society or from their oppressor, and that as long as there is hope, people will continue to fight for a better tomorrow , no matter how unlikely the possibility of victory may seem. The book also emphasized how, in order to be truly free, we must overcome fear.

Another thing I loved about the book was the way it essentially showed a piece of the history of Korea and its liberation. It was shocking to read all of the things that all of these people endured. The way the authors showed the anger and the will of these people to finally be free at last made me cry.

All in all, I loved reading the story of Eunji and Seung, and I can't wait for the book to come out so more people can appreciate it.

This was a heartbreaking and harrowing portrayal of colonization based on the real-life Japanese occupation of Korea. I liked the worldbuilding, including the system of ki and the various Korean mythological creatures the main characters meet. The plot covered a lot of ground—from Seung and Eunji's initial meeting and days studying for the Exam, to Eunji's graduation from Adachi, to the adventure quest revolving around the titular last tiger. And yet, all of it came together in a cohesive whole.

I enjoyed Seung and Eunji's interweaving plotlines. The portrayal of Eunji's family as Dragon collaborators was, I thought, an important and nuanced one, both exploring what drove colonized people to be collaborators but also not excusing the harm they caused. Jin and Kenzo also turned out to be interesting side characters who added to Seung and Eunji's story.

The writing style of this book does read like it's geared toward a younger audience. On one hand, I would've preferred a slightly older target audience given the subject matter, but on the other hand, I can't be mad that this book exists for younger YA readers. There were a few writing quirks that bothered me, such as too many sentences ending in ellipses or em dashes, as well as the weird choice to have Korean names written family name first but not Japanese names (why "Kenzo Kobayashi" and not "Kobayashi Kenzo"?), but otherwise, I enjoyed this and I'm glad I had a chance to read it.

"The Last Tiger" is a dual POV YA novel (definitely skewed more towards teen audiences) that tells the story of a servant named Seung and a noble girl Eunji whose lives get tangled together.

Though I do not have extensive knowledge of the Korean War, the novel represents aspects of oppression and the brutality of war. Propaganda, Erasure of culture. Manipulation of history. They're all very real events that occur in the world today. Which this novel brings the idea of how history is always questioned and reworked to capture the nuances of the heritage of people's lives.

The grandparent's tale was woven well into the narrative--comes to show that all fictional pieces contain fragments of reality. It created more depth the main characters stories. The characters written were very real, especially the side characters. They were well written and had very strong goals. Though that being said, I wished Jin's backstory was fleshed out more.

I found the ending to be slightly abrupt and the onomatopoeia was a little off-putting but that's just a personal opinion </3

Overall, it was a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC!

The Last Tiger is a wonderful young adult novel following the intertwined lives of two people on opposite sides of a class divide, but who both ultimately suffer by the hands of the same oppressors. There were a lot of well thought out concepts presented through this book, and the prose was welcoming to read.

It was a very fast read, and I'd personally argue some pacing adjustments are needed; the first third is far slower than the rest- which works in most cases- but the rest moves by so quickly that it feels as though you're given very little breathing space to settle into what's happening. I believe if this book was just a touch longer- truly only an extra 20 pages or so could have helped massively- or only focused on one main character instead of both, then this would have bumped my rating up to the full five stars.

Having said this, it was still an incredibly fun read that I think young adult audiences will enjoy. Every one of the major characters- the two POVs and their two respective companions- felt very well fleshed out and thoroughly interesting. I would gladly read this book again sometime.

This was an early DNF. I could tell early on that this book was full of telling and no showing. I could see this maybe working for a younger audience, but it holds no weight to mid to upper YA, and most certainly adults wouldn’t vibe with it either. Overall, more juvenile than I was expecting. -2 stars

2.25-2.5 stars

to me, this story felt underdeveloped. for the amount of politics and magic appearing in this book, they all had a surprisingly little amount of detail and information. i wish there was more subtle worldbuilding that was incorporated into the story. the idea of different animal ki for different nations was intriguing, but i also didn’t understand a lot of the magical scenes. i swear a dragon would randomly appear, and then a differnt monster would appear for a few pages but wasn’t really mentioned anywhere else, and half the time when someone used magic all the text was italicized for seemingly no reason.

my biggest qualm with this book is the writing. for the vast majority of the time, the authors would tell and not show. most pieces of dialogue were the characters directly voicing their thoughts and feelings, so nothing was left for the reader to interpret and it was boring at times. there were so many important themes and interesting character relationships that died because of the writing. take a random line, “but you don’t really care what happens to me. you’re just helping yourself.” like, did we need to say that out loud? to me it sounds childish. the story is from the viewpoint of 18 year olds but it’s narrated like they’re 14, which threw me off.

there were small things that made me pause, like during every exciting moment the authors would use “—” and it kind of interrupted the flow of the story. also, the story is narrated from two viewpoints, which was nice at the beginning when the mcs were in different places, but at one point they kind of went on the same journey and their narrating voices felt too similar. sometimes i’d even forget who’s pov it was, which made it hard to stay focused while reading. from the scale of seung/eunji's mission, you’d think that this is high stakes, but surprisingly it doesn’t feel that way.

there were a lot of themes about power, colonialism, and oppression were touched on at times but glanced over at other times (maybe because this is a ya book?). there were times when characters were really making a statement, but also times when those themes were riding in the backseat. also, one of the characters had a really traumatic experience, and i feel that wasn’t written about with enough sensitivity.

i did like the characters, though it would fit better if they were younger. their relationship was cute in a refreshing way, and i thought their friendship was really sweet. i don’t think there was enough scenes of them bonding for me to truly believe they were in love, and i was actually rooting for kenzo. this definitely isn’t enemies-to-lovers, more like friends-to-close-friends in my opinion. i also think they had believable conflicting morals, which added more tension.

i really wish that this was a win, especially because it was inspired by the authors’ grandparents’ story, which is so sweet. we got to see snippets of their emails at the beginning of each chapter. their story is amazing, and i’m happy julia riew and brad riew told some of that through this book. thank you netgalley, PENGUIN GROUP penguin young readers group, and julia riew and brad riew for the e-arc! #TheLastTiger #NetGalley

this was a cinema. i loved my babies seung and eunji!!!!! i want more of them please!!!!!
got to learn about the korean history in new light and my hate for "DRAGONS" multiplied 10x
epilogue shouldve been 50 pages more😔😔

(pls tell me i was not the only one who liked kenzo pls😭😭)

While this book leans more towards a YA style, that's not a bad thing at all. The romance, while present, isn't the main focus. The true star of the show is the magic system, which is both interesting and easy to follow.

This is a story of a people's struggle with being oppressed and need for independence interwoven with a love story based on the author's grandparents. This fantasy was easy to follow with a magic system that is easily understood. The romance between Lee and Choi is very sweet, and is appropriate for middle school readers.

Reading the blurb of this book got me really excited to read it since I love books that are inspired by/retellings of Asian folklore. I didn't actually know that much about the Japanese colonization of Korea going into this book and I loved learning more about it, and how it affected the people living through it, through the lens of the characters in The Last Tiger.

The historical fantasy aspect of the book was probably my favorite, and I loved the addition of the authors' grandparent's real correspondence. The mirroring of the real world conflict and the story was immaculate and kept me immersed in the story while simultaneously reminding me of the realities of the real-world inspiration.

The tone of this book is definitely more YA than adult, in my opinion, but I didn't have a problem with that reading this book. The magic system in The Last Tiger was easily understandable and integrated itself well into the struggle for freedom and fight against colonial oppression.

I really enjoyed the friends to enemies to lovers relationship between the MCs. I felt as though it added a lot of depth to what might have been a typical friends to lovers relationship and allowed for proper, justified conflict between the main characters.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I feel like it would be a great read for any YA reader interested in historical fantasy, or an adult reader who doesn't mind YA writing!

beautiful, emotional read influenced by true stories and korean history. a powerful narrative portraying colonial oppression and it's consequences. this book touches on subjects such as defying tradition, oppression and the fight for freedom in a sensitive, respectful way. the fantasy elements were well crafted and i loved the use of the tigers to represent the heart and soul of a nation. the story focuses on both main characters struggles and longing for freedom. the forbidden romance was well written and the connection felt real and genuine. overall this was a great read about the power of love, resilience and strength of people.

The first half was really good. We follow two povs but there are also I think emails from the authors grandparents.. This was really cool because we get to see the real history and the fantasy world inspired by that time. I’m Japanese so some of it was uncomfortable because I really needed to see the horror my country has done.
Honestly the two povs felt like the same person and the magic aspect got confusing which made me lose interest by the end. The grandparents story was way more interesting, and makes you believe in soulmates. The two characters are never really enemies it’s more like a distrust that hones on for 3 pages, so don’t go into this with hopes of an enemies to lovers.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

I really loved the premise of this book, and the relation between historical events and a fantasy plot. The ties between the Japanese occupation of Korea and this fantastical world using tigers and dragons worked really well. The addition of ki magic made a great fantasy plot. The fact that the love story was based on their grandparents' lives made me that much more invested.

That being said, I wish the book had been stronger for me because I was so invested in the story. There needed to be a little clarity in the world-building...is this historical fantasy or dystopian fantasy or...? My initial understanding was that the setting was more historical, based on the costume and housing descriptions. But then later there are mentions of trucks and a man in charge of an electronics company, so I assumed it was more of a dystopian world. Until they later unveiled a "new invention" which ended up being a lightbulb...but wouldn't electricity already exist if there was an electronics company? That was confusing.

Overall, this book felt like it was aimed for a younger audience, though there were some inconsistencies there too. I wasn't a fan of the inclusion of phrases like "dude" and "tight". The dialogue overall could be refined more -- i.e. using words like "gonna" and "buddy" felt out of place with the story. I understand that it's YA but the theme of the story is so historically important and didn't really deserve to be lightened by the MMC getting teased with the name "Lover Boy". I think that there is still an appropriate way of presenting these events to a YA crowd. There were mentions of rape and starvation, but they were thrown into the story rather bluntly without much finesse for the fact that a younger audience will be reading it.
Unfortunately I wanted more from this book and it did fall short. And while on the surface it could be blamed on the fact that it's a YA book, but some of the best books I've read were YA.

The struggle for freedom and identity in "The Last Tiger"

I had the opportunity to read "The Last Tiger" before its release through an E-ARC (Advanced Reading Copy), allowing me to experience firsthand this powerful narrative by Julia Riew and Brad Riew. This young adult fantasy novel blends historical events with magical elements to explore themes such as oppression, resistance, and destiny. Inspired by their grandparents' experiences during one of the darkest periods in Korean history, the authors craft a story in which the last tiger—a creature both mythical and symbolic—becomes the focal point of a people's fight for freedom. Through the perspectives of two protagonists from opposing social backgrounds, the book offers a profound reflection on colonization, identity, and the choices that shape the future.

The protagonists, Lee Seung and Choi Eunji, come from completely different worlds: Seung is a servant who longs to escape his condition, while Eunji, a young noblewoman, defies the expectations imposed upon her. Their paths cross when they realize that their personal struggles are connected to the fate of the last tiger, a symbol of resistance against colonization. Initially allies out of necessity, their relationship becomes increasingly complex, turning them from accomplices into adversaries as their loyalties come into conflict.

The novel stands out for its portrayal of colonial oppression and its consequences, using the extinction of tigers as a metaphor for cultural loss and the destruction of national identity. The introduction of magical elements enhances the narrative universe and reinforces the idea that the fight for freedom is not limited to the physical realm but also involves the preservation of memory and tradition. This fusion of reality and fantasy allows the story to balance social critique with epic adventure in an engaging way.

Another compelling aspect of the novel is its exploration of interpersonal relationships, particularly the "friends to enemies to lovers" dynamic between Seung and Eunji. Their romance does not follow a predictable path but unfolds naturally, influenced by the political and personal circumstances surrounding them. The introduction of a third character, a princeling from the colonizing empire, adds even more tension to the plot, forcing Eunji to question her own convictions and allegiances.

The Riews’ writing is immersive and captivating, with rich descriptions that transport the reader to a Korea marked by occupation and the spirit of resistance. The pacing of the novel is well-structured, balancing moments of introspection with intense action scenes. The historical setting, combined with the construction of an engaging fantasy world, adds emotional depth to the narrative and enhances its reflective impact.

In conclusion, "The Last Tiger" goes beyond the young adult fantasy genre by addressing historical and social issues with sensitivity and depth. By telling a story of struggle and identity through two compelling protagonists and the symbolism of an endangered creature, Julia Riew and Brad Riew create a powerful narrative about resistance and the importance of memory. Having early access to the book through the E-ARC was an enriching experience, allowing me to engage with this impactful story before its official release. With its blend of magic, history, and emotion, "The Last Tiger" stands out as an essential read for those seeking not only an engaging romance but also a thoughtful exploration of resilience and the strength of a people.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

DNFed at 50%. I don’t think there’s necessarily anything wrong with this book, but I do think it’s tailored towards a younger reader. It very much does a lot of telling and not showing. I was pretty excited to read this because the lore sounded so interested. I didn’t know that the Korean government wiped out all the tigers, so I was curious to see how the authors incorporated that history into this fantasy world. I also loved the idea that the love story is based on a real couple. But overall, the execution didn’t work for me. I expected something a little more advanced, but this would fit well for a younger reader.

What a beautifully written story. I loved reading about how Lee and Choi’s relationship evolved.

You can tell how much they truly cared for each other. And I was really rooting for both of them. They both had difficult lives in different ways but they seemed to bring out the best in each other.
Unfortunately they must go separate ways because she is set up to marry Kenzo, even though she doesn’t want that. What will she do?

Both Lee and Choi learn that they need to make their own destiny.

“I know now that sometimes you have to be willing to step away from power to truly find your own”.- Choi

I loved the ending of the book! If you love forbidden romance or books based on true stories, I would recommend this book. It was really good. I can see myself reading this again.

Thank you so much NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Julia Riew and Brad Riew for the ARC!

Publication Date: July 29 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NetGalley #TheLastTiger

Friends to enemies to lovers and and forbidden romance in a fantasy setting...everything you could want. I love that it's based on the authors grandparents lives in Korea. As a Korean American I can't get enough of these books. The representation was done respectfully and in such a great way. This is definitely going to stay as one of my top reads of the year!

Based off the authors grandparents love story, this book is captivating! I love the cover so much! Such a beautifully written forbidden romance!

The story didn’t hold the attention of my class. We tried but most were disengaged. The cover was attractive and seemed interesting