Tiger Lily Jodi Lynn Anderson Book Review

It amazes me that an author can take a story as light hearted as Peter Pan and make it break your heart wide open, but Jodi Lynn Anderson does it with her latest Tiger Lily, a retelling that focuses on Tiger lily and her relationship with Peter Pan and it’s aftershock. Anderson gives the minor characters of this classic tale nuance and depth and made me, as a reader, care deeply about all of them.

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson | Good Books And Good Wine

Tiger Lily was abandoned in the wilderness as a baby. Tik Tok of the Sky-Eaters, a shaman who embodies dual genders, takes Tiger Lily home and raises her as his own. Tiger Lily is quiet and strong, not particularly feminine, stoic, I guess is the word. She feels outside of the villagers and is treated as so. When Peter enters her world, he is completely different from everyone she’s known and evokes all kinds of new feelings in her — feelings that put her in conflict with her arranged marriage.

Further, Jodi Lynn Anderson’s latest is narrated by Tinker Bell. I loved her perspective, she brings the fascinating view of someone utterly outside of the events she’s describing, but at the same time, deeply involved in those events. And this is morbid and weird, but I liked reading about Tink’s inability to fix or change the situation, even though she knew terrible things and the outcome they would bring. She is a biased voice with her love for Peter Pan and Tiger Lily, her complex, complicated feelings evident in every word, and I LOVE THIS.

I want to also mention the minor characters. Pine Sap is Tiger Lily’s best friend in the Sky-Eater tribe and is another person who is an outsider. Pine Sap is my favorite because even though he is not physically strong and doesn’t particularly look masculine, he’s on Tiger Lily’s side in all the ways that matter. Then there is also Moon Eye, who is a very minor but key character. Everyone thinks she is breakable, yet she surprised even me. Just, keep an eye out for her character.

If anything, I think Jodi Lynn Anderson has mastered mood. Tiger Lily is a book permeated by a melancholy mood. Each word, each sentence feels so heave and makes my heart want to bottom out after reading. I strangely like reading books where I know it can’t end well. I like being compelled to care about characters despite the odds. Seriously, Tiger Lily has an air of ‘Oh no. Oh, no. NOOOOOO!’ and it is wonderful.Yet it will also surprise you in a heartbreaking and more importantly, heart mending way, too.

I know I could go on and on about all the little pieces that make Tiger Lily great – from the carefully crafted writing to the depth of raw emotions on each page to characters I wanted to reach in and hug or shake. Yet, all of this is best experienced and discovered on your own. If you read Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson and feel as I did, feel free to tweet me and we will hash our feelings out.

Disclosure: Received for review.

Other reviews of Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson:

Paranormal Indulgence – “Clogs the passage to the heart that connects to your tear ducts
Literary Exploration – “This book broke my heart.

For an excerpt of Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson Click Here

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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. I seriously cannot wait to read this, fantastic review!

  2. Oh dang. I already REALLY wanted to read this book, but now I want to read it even more. It’s good to know that this book digs deep into ~the feels~. I’m in the mood for a heartbreaking novel and I love Peter Pan, so I’m bumping this up on my TBR list. Also, I totally didn’t know it was narrated by Tinker Bell, so now I’m all the more intrigued…

  3. I’ve never been a big fan of Peter Pan but I’m intrigued to see authors taking on the story and making it their own. This one may end up being too sad for me but if I’m ever in need of a cry, I’ll keep it in mind.

  4. I know Peter Pan, but haven’t read the original, and I’d like to pick it up before I read this one. I’m pumped to pick up TIGER LILY. Awesome review!

  5. WORD! My copy came in the mail yesterday and I am looking forward to reading it so much! Peter Pan was always one of my favorite stories growing up, so I’m DYING to read this one, even though it sounds intense and dark. I’m just so fascinated by the idea of it, you know? Awesome review!

  6. I wasn’t sure when I first read the blurb if this was something I wanted to read but…yes. I’m completely on board now. Peter Pan is a great story and I’ve always been intrigued with Tiger Lily–can’t wait to read her story!

  7. This sounds amazing. Your review is making me want to pick it up right now! I love that it’s narrated by Tinker bell. Seriously can’t wait to read this one. Great review!

  8. Oh man. I have a copy of this at home and I am just a bit scared to read it. It sounds wonderful and I appreciate that you point out it’s heart mending too. That makes me a bit more brave 😉 I don’t know if I cna handle heartbreaking!

  9. Sounds great! I love it when an author has a new take on a classic tale! Thanks for the review!

  10. I must must read this. I’m a huge fan of Peter & the Starcatcher as a prequel to Peter Pan so… I’m wondering and hoping I enjoy this as well. Peter Pan seems to be a popular tale retell or reconfigure which is interesting to me. Thanks for the great review!

  11. I have wanted to read this book since I first heard of it – it sounds absolutely FANTASTIC. And I can’t wait to check it out!

  12. Book sounds really good!
    I love the idea of Peter Pan but I actually have conflicts every time I try to approach the story, but Tiger Lily sounds to be quite a breathtaking story, though I’m not sure I like reading stories that sound like they can’t end well.

  13. I’ve been really curious about this one. I mean, Peter Pan?! How can you not be intrigued? I’ve heard some mixed things though. So, it’s great to hear that you liked it.

  14. I completely agree with you that the minor characters totally shine in this one – ESPECIALLY Moon Eye. It’s fantastic when a book has such a diverse yet developed cast of characters. And I didn’t mention it in my own review, but after reading yours I realized how right you are about the mood captured in the book. It’s just excellent!

    Brenna from Esther’s Ever After

  15. I’ve seen you rave about this book on Twitter, and I’m so so convinced that I need to read this as soon as possible! I like fairytale retellings from a different aspect, not just from the main characters. Thanks for the rec!

  16. I need to read this book, don’t I? I was hoping to pass it by because I CAN’T KEEP ADDING BOOKS TO MY TBR, but that’s not going to happen. Tik Tok is the kind of character you don’t find a lot, and who was I kidding when I thought I could not read a Peter Pan retelling.

  17. Fantastic review, hun! I don’t know much about Peter Pan, the only version I’ve seen is the Disney one which is obviously different to this, but I am a fan of books like this too, I don’t mind knowing that it’s going to be sad and heartbreaking, I enjoy feeling those emotions while following the actions of the characters. Definitely giving this a go!

  18. I felt the same way! Like my heart was being torn in two
    it was done so beautifully I loved it! Haha

  19. I haven’t watched peter pan in ages. I think I remember not liking tiger lily much. I thought she was a snooty little thing. I’m super interested in reading this to see her side. I never thought much about how she was feeling, but then again, I was like 10 so I didn’t care. lol.

    Just curious, would you recommend watching it before reading? it’s been so many years ago, I can’t even remember most of the side characters or all that’s happened.

    Keep seeing great reviews for this. dying to get my hands on it.

  20. I must be living under a rock because I haven’t heard of this book until the past week or so. So adding it to my tbr. I’m ready for the surprise of reading this book. I’m so glad you’ve reviewed it or else I might have passed it by.

  21. I just finished Tiger Lily late last night, and I was balling my eyes out! I completely agree with everything you’ve said in your review – this book is truly something! As always, brilliant review! 😀~Zoe

Trackbacks

  1. […] post the trailer for it this week (and because I love the book).  I read a review for Tiger Lily @ Good Books and Good Wine not too long ago, and since then it’s been on my mind.  The review sold me on the book, so […]

  2. […] April from Good Books and Good Wine’s review encouraged me to pick this one up! Love the concept and only $1.99 on kindle! […]