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