Tiger, Tiger Vol. 1

Tiger, Tiger #1

by Petra Erika Nordlund

Ludovica Bonnaire, a pampered Victorian noble, dreams of adventure. Spurred by her desire to learn more about the world outside her sheltered existence, she steals her brother's identity (along with his ship) and heads out on a journey to find love, excitement, and enough material to write a book about her favorite aquatic creatures, sea sponges. Before long, she realizes life at sea isn't as simple as the romantic novels made it seem...and there are many sinister things lurking in the depths below.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Queer, LGBT, Adventure, Young Adult

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Mads · Rating 5 out of 5]

she's just like me for real

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a fan of Nordlund's illustrations since I was a teenager and reading Prague Race online, and I absolutely loved this! If you enjoy Our Flag Means Death, but wish it had a little more fantasy elements in, then you'd probably love this.

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best graphic novels I read. I didn't want it to end. Can't wait for volume 2.

[Deliaddcerio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bióloga marina aristócrata roba la identidad y el barco de su hermano para estudiar esponjas de mar y sin querer crea un lazo espiritual con Satanás. Bonus: un perrete (?) muy mono y un himbo que es un amor.

[that girl who reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh I loved this so much!! Absolute perfection, I loved everything about it! Pirates, Queer representation, humour, adventure, quirky characters, cute sea monsters, beautiful illustration. Can't wait to read more!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! And can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Leeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiger, Tiger on aika lähellä täydellistä sarjakuvaa. Nordlundin piirrostyyli on upea ja ilmeikäs, ja se sopii niin koomisiin kuin vakaviinkin hetkiin. Vaivattoman queeria meininkiä ja seikkailuhenkeä. Haluaisin jo lukea tämä ensimmäisen osan uusiksi sekä hankkia sen omaan hyllyyni, aivan ilmiömäinen teos!

[Can Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

GORGEOUS art and intruiging narrative! It's so refreshing to see a modern (non-manga) comic get published in black and white, since greyscale gets really underutilised as a visual storytelling style in a lot of modern English language works! Nordland renders scenes of the sea so beautifully, with so much drama and dynamism, and their style of drawing expressions is simply lovely!
As a transmasc person, I often find it hard to gel with some of the beats that end up in "girl crossdresses as a boy for adventure" stories, but thus far Tiger Tiger offers a really unique take and vibe on this kind of narrative that realy really keeps me engaged!

I'm a huge fan of webcomics as a medium - particularly independent ones with their own site that are just one artist with a stylus and a dream - but I also generally try to get away from screens when I can during my reading time! I'd been following Petra Nordlund and their art for years, but had yet to get into their webcomics (either Tigers or their previous, now-defunct, webcomic Prague Race) so I jumped on the opportunity to grab this in print! I'll be sure to catch up on the rest now that I've had this hefty taste of it in print

[jasminks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never been so excited to read/finish/linger on a comic book in my life! It was funny, it was endearing, it was thrilling, and the art was -phenomenal-. My new favourite graphic novel, liked everything about it, CAN’T WAIT to read more!!

[Naomi]

this was super cool!!!

the mythology/religion in here was so interesting, and I loved the characters

this isn't exactly a spoiler since im not revealing who, but the queer rep !!? im invested. need volume 2 nowwwww

[Angel Ant · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting world with ships, sea life and lots of adventure.

It was close to what I expected while reading the abstract, but there are small details and circumstances that make it unique and interesting.
I especially enjoyed the fourth chapter, where Ludovica, the protagonist, reads her brother’s diary. The narrative makes an interesting back and forth that adds a charm.

The art is beautiful and neat, the characters enjoyable and a very good read (and look) indeed!

[S.Ravkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of my reading-of-the-world project (Finland). If you enjoy graphic novels, it is absolutely delightful. The art is beautiful and the world-building is fresh and compelling. Although the characters are well-developed, they are a bit stereotypical and I hope to see a bit more depth to them as the series progresses. But overall, an enjoyable read.

[Sophie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fantastic.

[Raine · Rating 5 out of 5]

that's what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

DUDEEEEEE need the next volume

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eindelijk up to date! Hele leuke webcomic en echt super mooi getekend, kan niet wachten op meer!!!

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I rate this greater than five stars? I’m obsessed.

[Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comic is so gorgeous and the writing is phenomenal. I became obsessed so quickly!! I cannot wait to read the rest of it.

[Bente · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new favourite graphic novel/webcomic and i love all of them a giant amount they are so precious to mEEE

[Mads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

I have seen Tiger, Tiger on my tumblr feed before and was intrigued by the first chapter, and I devoured the first volume in a few hours after borrowing it from the library!

I really love the art style and the way the characters interact with each other! I’m looking forward to reading more!

[Eu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! The art is already really well executed in grayscale, but I bet it would look amazing in color as well!

[Edit] A more extended review below:

Tiger, Tiger is the first print volume of the 2019 Eisner-nominated webcomic (ongoing) of the same name, by Petra Erika Nordlund. Nordlund, a Finnish comic creator, is also the author/artist of the webcomic Prague Race. Gorgeously illustrated, Tiger, Tiger is a swashbuckling fantasy adventure story about a young noble named Ludovica, who dreams of the marine world far from her mansion home. One day, she sneaks out of an opulent party celebrating the return of her twin brother, Remy, and absconds with his ship and his identity in order to study her beloved sea sponges. Accompanying her as a reluctant but concerned accomplice is Jamis, Remy's best friend (and Ludo's fiance). However, as Ludo learns more about life at sea, she begins to realize that the world as she knows it may be more complex than it seems.

Depicted in beautifully rendered grayscale (with a vibrantly colored cover), Tiger, Tiger contains both whimsical, bubbly humor, and dramatic hints foreshadowing the monsters to come. The worldbuilding is intricate and the characters lovable, while the lore (and Ludo's fascination with sea sponges) are an ode to the beauty and mystery of the sea. Nordlund also includes bonus gag comics between each chapter as lighthearted interludes.

Fans of Tiger, Tiger may also enjoy: Monstress by Marjorie Liu, The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz, Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama, The Girl from the Sea by Molly Ostertag, and The Girl from the Other Side by Nagabe.

[Class_Wizard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why do I keep picking up graphic novels and missing the little (1) on the cover? WHERE IS THE REST?????

[s david · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST COMIC EVER!!! cannot wait to hold it in my greedy hands….
remy my love soon I will have you

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't click with me, unfortunately. The main character is a little too naive and immature for my taste, and I'm not invested in the world either.

[LinaD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had already read through the released webcomic of this twice by the time of receiving the physical version and however many times I read this comic I will never get bored of it.

Every aspect of it is perfect. The artstyle for starters is gorgeous, with so many details sprinkled throughout the countless beautiful illustrations. I already loved it in the webcomic version and having it in front of me in a physical book to scrutinize over every single page for hours on end is even better.

Continuing on I love the world this story takes place in. The worldbuilding is done in a way that's understandable and got me immersed into the story from the first page. In particular the story the theater troupe performs on chapter three did a great job of explaining the lore of the pantheon of this world even if explaining something via a performance is cliche (albeit one of my particular favorite clichés when it's done well).

I also love the characters. Ludovica is our headstrong protagonist looking to discover the mysteries of sea sponges by stealing her brother's ship and venturing on a trip she has barely any idea how to handle. She is a delightful protagonist, naive but at the same time extremely smart and resourceful and her struggles as a female of the victorian age are portrayed excellently. Remy is a character we don't see much of beyond his appearance in chapter one and his diary entries in chapter four but he too is as interesting as his sister to discover. Jamis is a gigantic himbo and I love him for it, I also love the fact that he wasn't always the kind hearted guy we meet through the first chapters and we get to see his old self and what drove him to change for the better.

This story is one of my favorites for obvious reasons. It's artstyle is beautiful, it's well written, it's funny, the world is interesting and lastly the characters get me immersed (get it?) in their stories and make me want to see them succeed (or fail in Rakkatak's case). Overall this story has been with me through a lot of things and it's inspired me for many more, I am looking forward to seeing how it ends and really wishing more people pick it up and discover how amazing it is.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

Ludovica Bonnaire is pretty, pampered, and a noblewoman, but that’s not what she wants out of life. She wants freedom. She wants adventure! She wants to set out on the great sea and explore the creatures of the ocean. But that’s not what gentle ladies do.

This dream becomes too big to contain, so Ludovica devises a crazy plan to steal her brother’s identity and his spot on the family ship. She hopes this journey will bring her love and knowledge in equal measure.

Review:

Tiger, Tiger Vol. 1 is a bold adventure full of even bolder characters. In short, it's perfect! But seriously, I loved Lucovica's dedication to her passion, which includes exploration and the sea.

Yes, this book is about seafaring adventure, personal drama, and surprises. It's an outstanding balance, giving a little bit of something for everyone. I can see why it was nominated for an Eisner award.

Aside from the story itself, one of my favorite parts about Tiger, Tiger Vol. 1, would have to be the art. It's as bold as the characters, and I've already said enough on that front. The colors are vibrant and fun, while the details are luscious.

I picked Tiger, Tiger Vol. 1 because I was working my way through a reading challenge, and I'm so grateful for that challenge. I may have completely missed out on this adventure otherwise, and that would have been a shame.

Highlights:
Ocean Adventure
Historical Fiction
Originally a webcomic
LGBTQ+
Eisner-nominated

You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Tumblr | Reedsy

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read in 2026 and it might end up being my favorite in 2026.

What fantastic art. I actually SCREAMED at page 126 (no, seriously). You're telling me, after thirty-five years of watching anime and hearing interviews from artists like Ryoko Kui who say "I think Senshi has more body hair, but I am omitting it", you're telling me that FINALLY, IT'S -MY TURN- FOR SOME GOSH-DARN FAN SERVICE? ??? ???? Every character's design and expressions and coloring and shading is just WONDERFUL. They're all unique and distinct (even the siblings who look similar otherwise!!), I absolutely adore the art direction in this series and that's very important for this visual medium.

What relatable characters. I already had a crush on Arlesi from page 126 and then we see the backstory chapters and, oh MAN, does that feel like a relatable person and it was so satisfying to watch him change and watch the brother be challenged too. I feel like all these characters genuinely act like real people I know. Ludovica is a contagious protagonist, I both love to watch her learn tricky lessons AND deeply want her to succeed and want people to support her.

The plot is well-paced and has a good balance of silly funny antics, backstory/lore flashbacks that are sometimes silly and sometimes serious, and also, high-stakes monsters and brewing issues.

Arguably-minor content warning, there's a point near the end that talks about the death of cats and that is a big squick for me personally. Fortunately it's not graphic here (you can see bones and a monster chewing a bone but not like... THE violence actually happening), but it did take me out of the moment and if I ever get the courage to re-read this (....I want to.....) I'll have to get 'un-immersed' and skip that part, which is too bad and a bit of a fun-killer. But for anyone who isn't as bothered by animal death, it probably won't be too graphic.

[cedarluv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly such a wonderful book!!! Sometimes graphic novels will have amazing art while lacking in plot, or vice versa. But the art is just gorgeous all the way through, there’s not a single dull moment in the linework, the black and white inking, the expressive characters, the environments, the clothing, the variety in panels, im just obsessed!!! And the story itself had me intrigued the whole way through. It jumps around a lot if I had to be honest, but I didn’t feel myself too lost. It’s not completely linear and the times that break away from the plot helps get to know characters who aren’t involved in the present (like Remy, such a mysterious guy).
Ludovica is such a fun protagonist. It’s easy to fall into the trap of making a naive, starry eyed character just annoying and even offensive when these character traits are linked to gender. But I don’t find Ludovica’s idealist mindset to be demeaning to her as a person. She’s very well aware of her ignorance in being a man, a captain, and just general life outside of her aristocrat bubble. It’s interesting to see how she confronts the challenges she’s aware of and those that only become apparent to her in the moment.
The worldbuilding in this is also soooo interesting. The story of the gods, just…. Omg?!!! This story is just sooo good at sprinkling in little hints of the larger picture of this world that the reader is unaware of, like the repeated symbol of gargantuan that’s adorned on plates and jewelry.
Man I can’t even begin to describe how much I enjoyed this book and how sad I am to know this is the only volume that’s currently out!!!!! Got it from the library but I’m hoping to get myself a copy of this eventually <3

[Hannah MacLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a start to a series! I don't even know where to begin.

Probably that I've seen this listed as YA in a few places and um... not really. We don't get the exact ages of any of the characters but there is nudity, so... YMMV?

Ludo is naive in some things due to how she's been raised, but she's a quick learner who reads voraciously so that kept her inexperience from ever getting annoying rather than endearing. I personally loved her and her passions for sea sponges. In fact the cast is really excellent all around, you really start to love or loathe all of them, not a meh character in the bunch.

The art is gorgeous, but the character designs are sometimes way too similar to tell people apart. I really struggled when we shifted POVs but encountered some similar-looking characters. I always knew the difference between Ludo & Remy, but they're also never in a scene together while she's disguised as him. I think I eventually caught on to who was who over time, but that was definitely a struggle.

This book also introduces a LOT of plot threads in rapid succession, so some - like our monster - don't get enough time on page as I'd like. We're told an extensive creation myth that I thought was very beautiful in both writing and art, but very little of the plot after that relies on that knowledge. I feel like there are certain plot elements and lore that could have waited for a subsequent volume.

Will definitely continue the series though! I need to know if Ludo achieves her dream! If any of the queer crushes work out! If our monster eats everybody (rip ship cats)! It was so much fun.

[Kayt O'Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Ludovica Bonnaire, pampered Victorian noble, dreams of adventure instead of being confined inside with only books and other people's stories. So she steals her twin brother's identity and his ship in order to to go on an adventure. Sounds simple, right?

First off, this graphic novel--the printed version of an ongoing webcomic--is lovely. The size is such that the art can be admired, big enough that its thickness (over an inch) isn't a problem. I loved the art, which is detailed, able to convey settings well (artist is very good at backgrounds!) as well as humor. The art really sets the tone, with its detail.

The story, which is really just getting started in this volume, shows a lot of promise and I'm excited to read further. The main story is Ludovica's desire to adventure...but she quickly realizes, in her guise as brother Remy, that life on a ship has more danger...and tedium...than expected. Secondary is her relationship with her brother's first mate, a man who is also Ludovica's fiancee (how both parties feel about this is complicated). And, although we get only a glimpse, it's clear that there are some larger, more supernatural entities in this world, though how they will affect the humans has yet to be seen.