Creative Reviews discussion

Also posted over at my blog, The YA Cover.

Halfway through this I realized none of the characters were interesting enough to continue reading about, which is a shame because I did want to like this book. The story itself isn’t too bad but it shares the same blandness with its characters.

I don’t know about you, but I find “Tea” as a moniker slightly irritating—especially if you get sidetracked by its other meaning whenever it comes up.

I’ll just refer to her as Teagan so I don’t get the urge to make myself a cuppa.

The beginning of Tyger Tyger is promising and surprised a few laughs out of me. Teagan is a funny and engaging narrator. Unfortunately as soon as Finn becomes a permanent fixture in the story, Teagan becomes invisible in the dialogue between Finn and Aiden, her little brother. This was a very sore point for me because I’m all for strong and independent heroines; as well as being invisible, Teagan relies on Finn to save Aiden and her whenever they’re in danger from the goblins. She never takes the initiative herself. Maybe this changes later on, but I don’t think I want to find out because right now I can’t get over how demeaning the story is to Teagan.

The mythology was passably interesting but as the book wore on it came to the point where I was forcing myself to try to remember details here and there. At that point I realized that if they weren’t interesting enough to remember, then it wasn’t worth finishing.

The writing style is better suited to a contemporary novel instead of soft fantasy. It works great in the beginning because the element of magic hasn’t been introduced yet but afterwards turns stilted and awkward.

Overall, Tyger Tyger is a disappointing read that fails to live up to its great beginning. I’m sure for some people it’s right up their alley, but it just couldn’t hold my attention.

Advance reader copy provided courtesy of Netgalley.