Prodigal Tiger

by Samantha Chong

An action-packed YA contemporary fantasy debut that brings vibrant Malaysian folklore to life.

For five years, Caroline Chua has lived in exile from her home and family in Malaysia at a magical academy in New York City--far enough away that she can’t hurt the people she loves. That is until she is abruptly summoned home in an emergency—her beloved older brother, Aaron, who is next in line to become the Protector of the Island, has vanished. And now back in Penang, she can’t help but notice that things don’t feel the same as they once did and it’s unclear if she’s changed, or the island.

Despite her family’s desire to keep her close and the Council’s explicit instructions to stay out of trouble, stubborn, self-sufficient Caroline is hell-bent on saving her brother with or without anyone’s help. But when it turns out that Aaron has been kidnapped by vengeful ghosts with a centuries-old grudge, even Caroline must admit she’s in over her head and will need the help of the friends she had abandoned, including her first love, J.J.

The ghosts’ goals are simple: break the barriers between the ghost and mortal realms during the Hungry Ghost Festival using Aaron to take the island’s magic, and cement their rightful place as the true—albeit dead—rulers of the island. With only seven days before the barrier weakens, Caroline is in a race against time to save her brother. But as enemies stack up, always one step ahead, Caroline can’t help but wonder if she’s strong enough for this battle. Or is she doomed to repeat the mistakes that sent her away all those years ago?

PRODIGAL TIGER is a rich, cinematic celebration of Malaysian magic and folklore, as well as an emotional exploration of never quite feeling like your whole self after living in the diaspora.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Mythology, Young Adult Fantasy, Asian Literature, Magic, Contemporary

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 17, 2026

About the author

Samantha Chong is a Malaysian fiction writer, and her debut YA novel, Prodigal Tiger, will be published by Putnam Children’s in spring 2026. Samantha is constantly exploring what it means to belong, whether that’s tied to places, people, or the myriad of ways that someone can carve out their space in an increasingly shifting world. When she’s not writing, Samantha is out looking for hidden histories, cooing over cats, or attempting to whip up culinary creations.

Reviews

[Zana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

"Everyone gets a choice to tell their own story, no matter their last name. What legacy do you want to have for yourself?"

This was a really fun book! It's a great YA fantasy adventure story set in the real world and would be perfect for kids who like books like the Percy Jackson series. But this story is self-contained so there's no need to commit.

I'm not usually into young YA, but I was sold on the Malay folklore. And honestly, the rep was awesome. I don't usually see Malay folklore in trad pubbed novels, so I was pretty excited. And the Malay words littered throughout the story were chef's kiss.

As an adult, this would probably be a 3-star read for me. Everything is pretty predictable, including the main plot and the characters' actions, and the novel follows fantasy story beats to a T. It's definitely a soft magic system, so there's nothing too confusing for young readers. But as a kid who was starving for representation in stories, this would've made me happy.

While this isn't for my adult self, I would definitely gift this to a kid sibling or my nieces/nephews.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.

[ting]

southeast asian fantasy? SIGN ME UPP

[Sleepy Zirka · Rating 3 out of 5]

✧˖°.˗ˏˋ PRODIGAL TIGER ˊ˗˖°.✧
----- ----- ----- ----- -----

[ Quote will be revealed on the 17 March 2026! ]

----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Characters: ★★★☆☆
World Building: ★★★★☆
Plot: ★★★☆☆
Tension: ★★☆☆☆
Writing style: ★★★☆☆
Entertainment: ★★★☆☆

Overall Score: ★ 3.1/5.0 ★ 6/10 ★

˗ˏˋ ✧ I will thank NetGalley and the publisher 'Penguin Young Readers Group' for this unique chance to get a early glimpse into this story in form of an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy)! Please note, no quotes will be provided, until the (polished) official release! ✧ˊ˗

THIS IS MY EASTERN YA-NOVEL ERA. Gimme these goods, i just left a Thai inspired fantasy, lets delve into a Malaysian inspired one (Hey! Geographically they are close! Munch Munch)
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
˗ˏˋ The Story ˊ˗

After a long and extended time away from her home, Caroline Chua returns to her Malaysian family and island homeland. Certainly this detour from her plans didn't bring her much pleasure... Her older brother had gone missing under mysterious circumstances and Once landed on safe land, she is encaptured into the old island life. On top of this, her brothers duties as a Being dragged around, after all this didn't up as a nice vacation trip for her...

Yet Fairly shortly into her stay, the missing case returned, yet everything seems just off, the details not clicking into place, as if he was replaced by an entity... Now it is up to her and her friend J.J. to find out what the real motive of the ghost is and what they had planned for her brothers fate. Travelling here and there... even deep into enemy territory.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
˗ˏˋ My Two Cents ˊ˗

We really get thrown into the magical dark atmosphere! Starting from page one we get a feel for the ghosts and that they seem as the... good guys of this world. And i could sense that Caro wasnt too thrilled to be back in her home. In itself the book has a rather quick pace, bringing new characters and settings up constantly, whilst Caro and J.J. are retrieving/searching clues. It could be condensed to mini Arcs inside the main story, which in itself is not bad, but it made the little parts feel repetitive.

The fantasy aspect and the Malaysian folklore, do make a intriguing and refreshing basis for a urban fantasy setting. Having many creatures readers from the western world are not as familiar, might set a ground stone for exploring eastern inspired and eastern literature. Personally i can speak that i liked certain aspects and characters, but couldn't really fall in love or empathize with them too much.

ALSO, personal favorite, SNEK! Theres a Naga! *points in the distance* (۶•̀ᴗ•́)۶ ♡

Although i am also not the main audience for these books, this might not be too much of a diminishing factor for a younger readership. *caugh* not like i didnt hit my 20s yet *caugh* Regardless. Will i actually pick this book up, when i see in in a book store? Not particularly at full price and not day one, but This was a pretty good upbeat for a debut novel for a new author, i will keep my eyes peeled and ready if i see any other releases.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----

[Fanna]

this contemporary fantasy inspired by malaysian lore and culture, and exploring the diaspora life sounds so good

[Alli]

Does the cover art look like a fiercer version of the tiger from K-Pop Demon Hunter? Yes.

Is that why I decided to read it? Only partly.

[tiana ♡]

pre-read notes:
Got the ARC for this! Malaysian folklore and a stunning cover! 🩵

[Paula Sena · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Even though it contains many Malaysian words and folklore that I didn't understand, I didn't mind not connecting with that part as much. It didn't take away from my experience.

I absolutely loved the magic system and the characters. Caroline's interactions with her brother were one of my favorite parts of the story. They truly acted like siblings, with all the warmth and banter that come with that. I also enjoyed the way she interacted with the other characters.
Her relationship with J.J. was cute, but I wish we had seen more development instead of just being told they used to like each other and still do. A little more buildup would've made their connection even stronger.

One thing that didn't fully work for me was the beginning. There was a lot of telling instead of showing, and it made the pacing feel a bit rushed. Plot-wise, a lot is happening, not necessarily in a bad way, but some events felt a bit too close together, like the story didn't have enough breathing room between big moments. When the action started, it didn't stop anymore.

Still, despite that, I had a great time reading this. The characters, the worldbuilding, and the magic system more than made up for the slower start, and I'm excited to see what the author will do next.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️
I enjoyed this Asian inspired fantasy which takes place in Malaysia. I did think that the beginning was rushed and not much explanation about the magic system, only that they have magic. We’re just told a few details and we have to roll with it. I prefer when there’s a detailed magic system as it helps me understand better the characters, the world they live in and their motivations.
Caroline comes back to Malaysia after 5 years away. We don’t know at first why she left, but she is coming back because her brother is missing. The pace is quick.
There’s also a little romance between Caroline and J.J. Since we didn’t know much about their past, it did feel a bit rushed to just pick up right where they left 5 years ago after not speaking during that time. I like that there were plot twists. There were a lot of references to Malaysian folklore, since I’m unfamiliar with them, it was a bit hard to picture, but it was interesting nonetheless.
Overall, it could’ve been a really great book, but it was lacking some details around some of the characters past which made it a bit hard to connect with them.
That’s my personal preferences but perhaps another reader won’t mind this!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.

[brontësaurus]

pre-read
hell yeah.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

First holiday read, I took draft notes on phone while on airplane so forgive a choppier review than usual. Prodigal Tiger is a YA love letter to Malaysian culture and mythology in an urban-fantasy package.

It had an excellent start, I could really feel the disconnect of not belonging anywhere, of loving a place but not feeling welcome anymore or things always being a little too hard when home should be easy. I could also feel the author’s love for her culture, from the foods and clothes to the language, it suffused the early novel.

Sadly a few issues emerged once we moved into the ‘action’ portion of the novel. It became a constant cycle of “try to find knowledge/person/thing, get attacked by bad guys, big magical battle, we start losing and have to teleport away to safety, downtime where we talk about needing a plan but never make a plan, council is overbearing and useless, try to find knowledge/person/thing, get attacked, big magical battle…’ and this continued for the entire rest of the novel (excluding the denouement scenes and epilogue). The repetition made it drag. At one point the action felt like it should have been the 3/4 ‘darkest hour’ moment but I checked the kindle status and it was barely 50% in. The pacing is definitely off, and the novel could have been tightened to have less magical battles over and over.

Another two reasons the magical battles started to bore me. First: there is magical healing so the wounds taken never mean anything, just take a potion, lie down for a few hours, and everything is fixed. Second: the magic, and how people use it, is never really explained properly. Healing requires potions and ingredients and exact recipes except for when it doesn’t. Some magic effects refer to weaving or knots, while others seem to Just Happen as soon as the wizard wills it. Sometimes hurting someone’s magic directly hurts them (eg. cut on a tiger immediately making the same wound on the wizard), but sometimes it doesn’t. It’s hard to tell what takes time or effort versus what is easy and immediate, or what is dangerous/deadly. So the big battles have a bunch of spells flying around but readers can’t tell what the cost or effect or danger level of any of them are.

I enjoyed the protagonist and her friends, and most of their allies. I liked the idea of the romance between Caro and JJ but I never felt much actual chemistry between them - they seemed to start dating just because they used to date and still found each other attractive. Which is realistic, I guess, but not the most compelling relationship to read. The antagonists far too often had either no motivation or motivation that didn’t make sense (eg. having a goal to "rewrite the world" but... how? why? your life honestly seems really good, seriously why?). The main villain spends most of the final battle cackling and shouting cliche phrases, including the priceless gem that Caro may have beaten him three times already but she’ll never manage a fourth time 😹😮‍💨 It sounded so silly that I felt like I was reading a different novel to the one I started.

I applaud the author for the post-climax problems and decisions (apart from the fact that it took so long to force improvements on the council). I think it would have been easy to fix all Caro’s problems, to make drawing magic from the island easy, to have her feel completely at home and accepted again. But she’s 18 and it’s so natural and believable for her to still feel out of place and not know which world she belongs in, and to want more time to figure it out.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Rating: 3.5 stars, rounding down as always -- Loved the Malaysian urban fantasy aspect, but a repetitive second half drags the novel down.

[Karis · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC!~~

4.5/5 stars rounded down!

This was such a pleasant surprise. Even though this really feels like standalone, I'd really love if this became a series, for the potential for further exploration is so massive.

Malaysia is a country I know very little about, and although Chong didn't dive too deeply into the precise mythology behind certain aspects besides ghosts (They were the antagonists, afterall), I still managed to get enough information to enjoy the lore that was presented to me. What really interested me was the worldwide implications of magic outside Malaysia and how the wizards regardless of culture hid in plain sight from the non-magic users. Despite me wanting to see all that, the story's primary focus in Caro's world and community was already fascinating enough.

Caro and the cast were my favorite aspects of the book. There's so much banter that's filled to the brim with wit and sarcasm, but the serious moments that held a lot more weight and stake in the relationships is what really solidified my love for these kids. I also related a lot to Caro's struggles, of being so afraid to drag loved ones into my problems in fear of them getting hurt or punished on my behalf, so it was easier to go alone than to ask for help. The narrative really forced her to confront this flaw of hers, and the way it was handled, especially between her childhood friends Zati and J.J., was s well done. I especially love the bond she and her brother had once he came back into the picture; it was really sweet how much they loved each other. There's also two specific twists regarding the villains I don't want to spoil, but the way they were both subtly hinted at throughout the story was a point of craftmanship on Chong's part.

The only thing I didn't like as much was the action. It's written well for the most part, but the pace of it was long, especially if the same fight dragged over a couple chapters. I also had a hard time visualizing it, because sometimes the words were vague, like using words such as 'spell' and 'curse' when I felt the distinguishment between the two wasn't exactly clear. The only aspect of magic/wizardry that felt more fleshed out was the medical treatments that often took place after the fights (So many people got hurt), particularly because J.J. was a healer and Caro described what he was doing/using for the most part.

All in all, I really liked this. Chong's grabbed my attention, and I wanna see what she plans on doing next!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome start not only sets the mood of the book, but it also tells the reader what to expect: grim, dark encounters with horrible creatures, action, and dealing with spiritual worlds and underworld ghosts that are invisible to common, non-magical humans but are leaking.
Caroline is the granddaughter of the most famous hero, and he is returning home after being away for years in New York. We sense immediately that she isn't 100% happy about it, that she feels like she is lacking in some way to be of help. Her magic has taken the shape of a tiger, she is powerful sometimes too much making her dangerous.

Her brother, Aaron, the next in line to be the head of the council is missing. Which means if he is gone, she will have to take his place. That is a nightmare for Caroline. She must do everything in her power to find her brother. From here, it's a non-stop chain of events. Very cool characters and epic moments. I love asian mythology and lore (in this case, Malaysian) fantasy novels.

Easy to visualize the characters, action, and scenes. The team is great, I love when different characters join forces for a quest or journey. The villain is awesome because she has her (valid) reasons. And having access to vivid memories and past events enriches the plot. 
amazing cover

I won a goodreads giveaway arc copy and my opinion is my own.
posting to insta here therearenobadbooks

[june on · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the ARC on NetGalley.

This book is a wild ride! Having grown up and lived in Penang, where PRODIGAL TIGER takes place, I was immediately endeared by its portrayal of familiar landmarks, people, cultures and folklore. The author blends them all seamlessly into a magical world and casts them in new roles, adding novelty to Penang's familiar society and landscape in ways that I didn't expect. The story and characters carry with them pieces of cultures I adore. For instance, the Hokkien-drama-esque approach to the Chua's family's past and secrets, which shocked me just as much as it intrigued me.

The pacing is fast, with quiet moments in between, some breathing room before each battle. There are some brilliant fight scenes, but due to my preference, my favorite parts are still the 'quieter' scenes where Caroline ruminates on her struggle or scenes with important dialogues.

Beyond the vengeful ghosts, mythical creatures, and high-stake battles, this is a story about family, the burden of legacy (and responsibilities), and belongings. The magic system really helps drive these messages home and made me think about what it means to be connected to a place/community. I thought of those who grew up far from home, or never left, or have found themselves somewhere in between. This is a book for us.

[Laney · Rating 4 out of 5]

After years away from home, Caroline returns after learning of her brother’s disappearance. In coming back, she’s reunited with old friends and forced to confront both the past she left behind and the challenges now facing the island.

Samantha Chong has created such a vibrant world, complete with a rich and immersive magic system. The characters (even the ghosts) felt fully alive on the page, each with a presence that lingered. I loved the twists and turns of Caroline’s journey, especially how the story weaves together Malaysian magic and folklore in a way that feels both fantastical and real. The magic-filled fight scenes were especially vivid, so much so that they felt like they were unfolding right in front of me.

What stood out most to me was how Caroline’s struggles weren’t just external. Alongside the fight for the island, she grapples with her relationships and her sense of belonging after so many years away. I did find myself wishing we’d gone a little deeper in some of the dialogue, but it never detracted significantly from the experience.

Overall, this was a great read, paired with a truly beautiful cover.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Samantha Chong for the opportunity to read this book and provide my honest review!

[Aryn Tang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prodigal Tigers is an intricate tale of family, friendships and Malaysian mythology packed into a theme of discovering one's identity and their connection with their heritage. While there were times I didn't agree with Caroline's actions (mostly because I don't read YA as much) it made sense due to her backstory of being outcasted due to a mistake she made as a pre-teen.

I thoroughly enjoyed the worldbuilding, with the mythology reference of the Naga, down to the cultural bits like food and real-world Malaysian locations being mentioned. It was very action-packed as well and came together to create an intricate tale of family, betrayal, and what it means to sacrifice for your home and the ones you love.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Samantha for providing the arc!

[Cathy Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF @ 50%, but it's mainly because the writing style just didn't click with me. The story is really interesting, with solid world-building! I loved the integration of Malaysian culture and language into the story, and I think this was done very well. Some of the characters were easy to love, but some of the villains especially seemed a little too cartoonishly evil (or, in the case of Athena, too cartoonishly angry all the time). The prose and dialogue were a little awkward and unnatural, but not too bad, and not the entire book. I think the target audience of younger readers will eagerly devour this book, so I'm keeping the rating high. For personal taste I'd rate it closer to 3 stars than 4.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

[Aashna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love mythology and folklore inspired books and this was no different. The characters were engaging and likable. The plot moved quickly and was well thought out. I liked the writing style and enjoyed that the references to Malaysian folklore and culture weren't forced and were a natural part of the book. This was one of those books that I didn't want to put down so I finished it really quickly and am looking forward to more in the series and by this author.

[Alex Pulliam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read if you want something with HP vibes but without the problematic author, but I found several plot points too convenient.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher as a Goodreads Giveaway. A review was requested but not required and the content and star rating are both my own. The edition I received was an Advanced Reader Copy and may differ from the published version.

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me want to research the original folklore. The writing style left me with so much beautiful imagery, i was in head movie heaven. The characters are so motivating and strong. The world is action packed and always moving with all of the trials and tribulations. I wish it was a bit more graphic, that’s probably my only thing.

[booksandnina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I read a book so rich in mythology, and Malaysian one at that, that reading this felt like a special occasion. The story pulled me in right away, and “the end” came way too soon.

*I received a reader copy & this is my honest, voluntary opinion.*

[Lila S.]

Pre-read:

September 8, 2025

Omg this cover is so gorgeous. That combined with Malaysian folklore I am so excited for this book!

[ARR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greatest

[Ghvvhv Chinprai · Rating 1 out of 5]

T

[savvy!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!

Such a cute story!! <33

[Mai H.]

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers