Riew, Julia, and Brad Riew. The Last Tiger. Kokila, 2025. 979-8-217-00204-7. 395 p.$21.99. Grades 8-10.

This beautifully decorated young adult novel by two siblings blends history and fantasy. The story takes place in Korea in what can be perceived as the years preceding and during World War II, though all conflict is confined to within the borders of Korea. Japan has invaded Korea and suppressed all signs of Korean culture. Class lines break into two camps: the wealthy who ally themselves with the Japanese leaders and the poor who are extorted and treated inhumanely. It is the Dragon Empire vs. the Tiger Empire, and just to prove their dominance, the Japanese are intent on killing all the tigers. In fact, it is at one such slaying that the house cleaner Lee Seung  meets the rich Eunji Choi. She’s in disguise, yearning for adventure; he is in the marketplace trying to bargain for just a bit more rice for his starving family. To assure his silence, Eunji  makes a deal with Seung: she will tutor him for the exam that gives him a chance to attend the prestigious Adachi Training Academy, a military school where students become experts in the mystical, powerful Dragon Ki. As each chapter progresses with the two main characters voicing their perspectives, the reader sees a fated friendship develop. Seung does not pass his exam, and after his father dies, he meets up with Jin, a jaded, passionate leader of the Resistance, who helps Seung activate his Tiger Ki. Eunji, on the other hand, excels at the Adachi, graduating first in her class, but is destined to marry the arrogant son of the Japanese general, Kenzo Kobayashi, as an outward sign of the alliance between Japan and Korea. The strong-willed Eunji carries a torch for Seung and detests Kenzo, so she leaves him at the altar and goes on the run. The key to freedom is either slaying or saving the last tiger. All the players meet up in pursuit of their goals as love and self preservation hang in the balance. The action-packed fight scenes will keep readers spellbound, and the love triangle will keep them guessing. Relatable dialogue laced with wit will hold their interest. The historical background of this novel gives gravity to the magical elements of a story that will appeal to fantasy lovers.

THOUGHTS: The foreword and afterword of this book informs the reader that the inspiration for the story came from their grandparents, who came from two different classes during the Japanese occupation of Korea, but fell in love, married, and emigrated to the United States. The grandfather kept a notebook of his memories from that time. Hand this book to readers who like a lot of action mixed with fantasy. The writing is elevated; the story is compelling. Those who love fantasy will like this book. For me, the historical aspect and the uneven relationship between the two main characters was a more interesting draw.

Fantasy 

This story follows two “star crossed” teens, Lee Seung and Choi Eunji, who are both members of the oppressed Tiger Colonies. Seung is a poor servant boy, and Eunji is a noble girl from a wealthy family who has ingratiated themselves with the ruling Dragon Empire. When Seung catches Eunji out in public during a Tiger Slaying ceremony, Eunji agrees to tutor him for the upcoming entrance exam to the prestigious training academy in exchange for his silence about her secret exploration. When Seung fails the exam, he starts working in the coal mines while Eunji attends the academy and develops her dragon ki (powers). Despite their feelings for each other, they go their separate ways. Seung becomes fed up with his poor, difficult life and teams up with Jin, a leader in the resistance. Together they try to gain freedom for the oppressed people in the Tiger colony. At the same time, Eunji escapes from her arranged marriage and soon she and Seung find themselves on opposite sides of a battle over the last tiger. Will they come together for the sake of the Tiger people, or will their individual quests drive them further apart? 

THOUGHTS: This fantasy novel was inspired by the authors’ (brother and sister team Julia Riew and Brad Riew) grandparents’ lives during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 1900’s.  With the Dragon Empire representing Japan and the Tiger Colony representing Korea, they have successfully created a novel that incorporates historical context and relevant folklore.

Fantasy