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Tiger's Apprentice #1
The Tiger's Apprentice: Book One
A boy and a group of magical animals carry the fate of the world on their shoulders in this fantasy adventure by a two-time Newbery Honor–winning author.It isn’t every day you meet a tiger. And certainly not a tiger in a suit and tie who informs you the fate of the world is in your hands . . . Tom has always felt different from everyone else living in San Francisco’s Chinatown, but he has no idea just how very different he is until he discovers he’s part of a long line of magic-wielding beings called Guardians. For centuries, a Guardian has protected a powerful talisman that can either bring peace to the world or cause its destruction. For centuries, it has been kept safe—until now.The evilest being of all has sent his terrifying minions to lay siege to the talisman and its latest Guardian, a tiger called Mr. Hu. The Guardian has his own allies in the battle, including an outlaw dragon, a mischievous monkey, and his new apprentice—Tom. But Tom doesn’t want to be the tiger’s apprentice. What can he possibly do to help? And can they all stop bickering long enough to unite their powers in time?Now an original animated movie streaming on Paramount+, starring Henry Golding, Lucy Liu, Brandon Soo Hoo, Academy Award–winner Michelle Yeoh, and Golden Globe–winner Sandra Oh.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2003
47 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Yep
120 books295 followersBorn June 14, 1948 in San Francisco, California, Yep was the son of Thomas Gim Yep and Franche Lee Yep. Franche Lee, her family's youngest child, was born in Ohio and raised in West Virginia where her family owned a Chinese laundry. Yep's father, Thomas, was born in China and came to America at the age of ten where he lived, not in Chinatown, but with an Irish friend in a white neighborhood. After troubling times during the Depression, he was able to open a grocery store in an African-American neighborhood. Growing up in San Francisco, Yep felt alienated. He was in his own words his neighborhood's "all-purpose Asian" and did not feel he had a culture of his own. Joanne Ryder, a children's book author, and Yep met and became friends during college while she was his editor. They later married and now live in San Francisco.
Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 8, 2019
I like the concept of the story (Chinese mythology combined with fantasy, set in San Francisco), but overall the story felt curiously flat to me.
May 8, 2022
Just had a hard time getting into this. (Yes, I realize it's a children's book - I'm a retired children's librarian so I'm always looking for ideas to suggest to libraries, literacy programs, and kids in my life.) The idea is interesting, the characters have some depth, but there was just something that didn't grab me in the story.
June 22, 2024
I came here from the movie, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t expect there to be so much depth in the background and intertwining societies of the shapeshifters. The various relationships that Tom develops is also much more rigid but it’s like a tough love type of edge. Bonds born from mutual survival per se. The villains and fight scenes were also really interesting with magic qualities that I know would have entranced me in my youth. It makes for an intriguing story of modern fantasy and Chinese-American folklore. It’s definitely enhanced the world I was introduced to in the film, and I’m curious what the rest of the trilogy has to offer.
February 22, 2024
Guardian of the Phoenix Egg
I needed to read a book that would be made into a movie or TV series so I chose this book. I'll give the movie a try later. As far as the book goes it was just okay. Kind of a mixture of American and Chinese cultures. The book was basically about a boy named Tom whose Grandmother was the Guardian of the sacred Phoenix Egg. Upon her death Tom became the apprentice of Mr Hu who became the Guardian when Tom's grandmother died. It is their job to keep the egg safe. Will they succeed?
I guessed I liked it enough that I will read the next book and watch the movie.
I needed to read a book that would be made into a movie or TV series so I chose this book. I'll give the movie a try later. As far as the book goes it was just okay. Kind of a mixture of American and Chinese cultures. The book was basically about a boy named Tom whose Grandmother was the Guardian of the sacred Phoenix Egg. Upon her death Tom became the apprentice of Mr Hu who became the Guardian when Tom's grandmother died. It is their job to keep the egg safe. Will they succeed?
I guessed I liked it enough that I will read the next book and watch the movie.
July 17, 2009
Yep mixes Chinese and American culture as easily as Rick Riordan mixes Ancient Greek and American culture. Those obsessed with The Lightning Thief series by Riordan will find this series to be the perfect companion.
February 16, 2024
Tom Lee is a boy who lives with his grandmother. He struggles with being picked on by his peers and has a tendency to get in fights, mainly over defending his grandmother who is a little quirky and different from everybody else. It turns out his quirky grandmother is not just an ordinary grandmother. She is a powerful magician guarding a “rose” which just happens to be phoenix egg that has the power to change the world. When the enemies attack and kill Tom’s grandmother to find the rose, he has to go be with her former apprentice Mr. Hu. The adventure awaits as they go out to search for the rose with Mr. Hu’s friends: a dragon, a golden monkey, and a flying yellow rat. The search is on and it doesn’t go smoothly! Adventure awaits!
July 26, 2021
I got this from a book subscription box. It was a mystery middle grade. I would not have picked this book up if I saw it in the bookstore. I would have missed out cause this was a cute short little read. I really enjoyed it.
August 30, 2025
3.75 rounded up
Fun little story with likeable characters. Just a little boring for my taste. Really enjoyed the Asian cultural components, animal characters, and found family. Just didn't feel invested in the simple plot and characters. Still a solid middle grade story.
Fun little story with likeable characters. Just a little boring for my taste. Really enjoyed the Asian cultural components, animal characters, and found family. Just didn't feel invested in the simple plot and characters. Still a solid middle grade story.
February 8, 2024
I have always been unsatisfied with western mythology and its human-centric nature, and drawn to eastern mythology, especially as I love dragons and elephants. This was exactly the type of book I wish I had as a child, truly magical and engaging. A great adventure with characters you empathise with but are also awed by. Would highly recommend
November 2, 2023
Co byście zrobili, gdyby pewnego dnia stanął w Waszych drzwiach tygrys ubrany w garnitur i oznajmił, że od Was zależą losy świata?
Właśnie tego dowiedział się Tom, bohater książki „Uczeń tygrysa”. Chłopak chodzi do 7 klasy i mieszka z babcia, z której śmieją się dzieci. Czuje się on zawsze inny niż pozostali mieszkańcy dzielnicy Chinatown w San Francisco. Jego babcia zwana panią Lee uczuła go magicznych rzeczy, ale nigdy nie wiedział po co. Nadszedł w końcu dzień gdy dowiaduje się, że posiada wielki dar, dzięki któremu może ocalić cały świat. Jego babcia była Strażniczką, której uczniem był Pan Hu, nasz tygrys w garniturze. I od teraz to on będzie przygotowywał Toma do starcia z siłami zła. Ich sojusznikami będzie psotna małpa i wyjęta spod prawa smoczyca. Co jednak zrobić gdy chłopak nie ma zamiaru brać udziału w tej walce? Czym jest róża i jaką ma moc? Kto jej szuka? Przekonacie się sami.
Dawno nie czytałam tak dobrej książki dla starszych dzieci. Historia w niej opisana wciągnęła mnie od pierwszej strony i nie mogłam jej odłożyć aż nie poznałam zakończenia. Książka jest ciekawa, dostarcza wiele emocji. Powoduje uczucie napięcia, ale również są zabawne momenty. Bardzo polubiłam Toma i w sumie sama nie wiem jak bym się zachowała jakby jutro miało się okazać, że mam ukryte moce, które mogą uratować cały świat.
Książa nie posiada długiego wstępu. Nie posiada również zbędnych opisów. Od razu wpadamy w sam środek akcji. Lektura posiada za to wspaniałych bohaterów, z którymi nie można nudzić się.
„Uczeń tygrysa” to książka pełna magii o odnajdywaniu swojego przeznaczenia. O przyjaźni, która jest bronią w walce dobra ze złem. Jest również pierwszym tomem wspaniale zapowiadającej się serii. Polecam!
Właśnie tego dowiedział się Tom, bohater książki „Uczeń tygrysa”. Chłopak chodzi do 7 klasy i mieszka z babcia, z której śmieją się dzieci. Czuje się on zawsze inny niż pozostali mieszkańcy dzielnicy Chinatown w San Francisco. Jego babcia zwana panią Lee uczuła go magicznych rzeczy, ale nigdy nie wiedział po co. Nadszedł w końcu dzień gdy dowiaduje się, że posiada wielki dar, dzięki któremu może ocalić cały świat. Jego babcia była Strażniczką, której uczniem był Pan Hu, nasz tygrys w garniturze. I od teraz to on będzie przygotowywał Toma do starcia z siłami zła. Ich sojusznikami będzie psotna małpa i wyjęta spod prawa smoczyca. Co jednak zrobić gdy chłopak nie ma zamiaru brać udziału w tej walce? Czym jest róża i jaką ma moc? Kto jej szuka? Przekonacie się sami.
Dawno nie czytałam tak dobrej książki dla starszych dzieci. Historia w niej opisana wciągnęła mnie od pierwszej strony i nie mogłam jej odłożyć aż nie poznałam zakończenia. Książka jest ciekawa, dostarcza wiele emocji. Powoduje uczucie napięcia, ale również są zabawne momenty. Bardzo polubiłam Toma i w sumie sama nie wiem jak bym się zachowała jakby jutro miało się okazać, że mam ukryte moce, które mogą uratować cały świat.
Książa nie posiada długiego wstępu. Nie posiada również zbędnych opisów. Od razu wpadamy w sam środek akcji. Lektura posiada za to wspaniałych bohaterów, z którymi nie można nudzić się.
„Uczeń tygrysa” to książka pełna magii o odnajdywaniu swojego przeznaczenia. O przyjaźni, która jest bronią w walce dobra ze złem. Jest również pierwszym tomem wspaniale zapowiadającej się serii. Polecam!
February 13, 2024
Spotted the preview on for the streaming adaptation on YouTube and had no idea this was book until then. I have read a couple of other of Yep's books as kids, but haven't done so in years. I did enjoy the idea of this young boy in San Francisco discovering he has magical abilities and must join a ragtag team of guardian spirits to help protect an ancient talisman to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. A normal childhood experience, haha.
So when Tom finds Mr. Hu, a tiger, must guard this dragon egg, he also of course must learn and go through the training and trials and tribulations of being a hero in training. It is not really a new story, although it was fun and interesting to see the Chinese mythology (which I am not familiar with) mixed in with the relatively modern day setting.
I had to agree with the low ratings. I thought I'd enjoy this since I did like the original Percy Jackson series, but this was pretty dull and the trailer for the Paramount movie looks way better and did a better job of explaining the story. I could not really get into this, which surprised me because while I do not really recall the other Yep books I read, I remember liking them as a kid. Did I outgrow the author? Is this just not the right book or time for me to read it? I don't know.
In any case, it may be just one of those books that works better as an adaptation and I do look forward to it. This still also might be a good read for the Percy Jackson fan in your life and/or someone interested in Chinese mythology. I'll still watch the movie, too.
Got this as a bargain buy and that was fine. I would guess it should be available at the library or bookstore, especially with the movie being released, too.
So when Tom finds Mr. Hu, a tiger, must guard this dragon egg, he also of course must learn and go through the training and trials and tribulations of being a hero in training. It is not really a new story, although it was fun and interesting to see the Chinese mythology (which I am not familiar with) mixed in with the relatively modern day setting.
I had to agree with the low ratings. I thought I'd enjoy this since I did like the original Percy Jackson series, but this was pretty dull and the trailer for the Paramount movie looks way better and did a better job of explaining the story. I could not really get into this, which surprised me because while I do not really recall the other Yep books I read, I remember liking them as a kid. Did I outgrow the author? Is this just not the right book or time for me to read it? I don't know.
In any case, it may be just one of those books that works better as an adaptation and I do look forward to it. This still also might be a good read for the Percy Jackson fan in your life and/or someone interested in Chinese mythology. I'll still watch the movie, too.
Got this as a bargain buy and that was fine. I would guess it should be available at the library or bookstore, especially with the movie being released, too.
October 28, 2023
"Uczeń tygrysa"
Uwielbiam czytać książki, nawet nie tyle młodzieżowe, ale i dziecięce. Tyle, że chodzi mi o takie starsze dzieci. Książki dla nich są zawsze lekkie, wesołe i pełne ciepła. Świetnie nadają się na zastój czytelniczy czy jesienną handre. Myślę, że z tego powodu sięgnęłam po historię Toma i Pana Hu. Opowiada ona o młodym chłopaku, który pewnego dnia dowiaduje się, że jego zadaniem w przyszłości będzie opieka nad drogocennym talizmanem, ale aby sprostać temu zadaniu musi się jeszcze dużo nauczyć. Z tego powodu trafia w ręce Tygrysa, to właśnie Pan Hu ma go nauczyć jak bronić skarbu, ale zanim w ogóle za naukę taką się wezmą nadchodzi niebezpieczeństwo. Teraz talizman jest zagrożony, na szczęście na pomoc przychodzi pewna smoczyca i niesforna małpa, na nieszczęście mimo lat znajomości, nie są oni tak zgrani jak powinni i daleko im do drużyny idealnej.
Powiem szczerze książkę czytało się super. Fajny pomysł, ciekawe postaci i dużo akcji. Jedna rzecz mnie lekko denerwowała. Mimo dużej ilości scen akcji były one za mało rozwinięte. Przez co działo się dużo, ale szybko, a to nie dało mi się do końca wczuć chociażby w nie które sceny walk. Mimo wszystko muszę brać pod uwagę, że jest to książka dla dzieci. Nie może ona posiadać 500 stron z czego na 300 będą rozpisane sceny walk, aczkolwiek, wolałabym chyba mniej scen walk a bardziej rozbudowane, niż wiele krótkich nie znaczących (albo tak przedstawionych) walk. Mimo wszystko, uważam książkę za świetną. Bardzo dobrze się bawiłam i wspaniale było oglądać relacje jakie wiążą się między postaciami, jak się budują i zmieniają. Czekam na kolejne części, bo po otwartym zakończeniu mam nadzieje, że będą kolejne.
Uwielbiam czytać książki, nawet nie tyle młodzieżowe, ale i dziecięce. Tyle, że chodzi mi o takie starsze dzieci. Książki dla nich są zawsze lekkie, wesołe i pełne ciepła. Świetnie nadają się na zastój czytelniczy czy jesienną handre. Myślę, że z tego powodu sięgnęłam po historię Toma i Pana Hu. Opowiada ona o młodym chłopaku, który pewnego dnia dowiaduje się, że jego zadaniem w przyszłości będzie opieka nad drogocennym talizmanem, ale aby sprostać temu zadaniu musi się jeszcze dużo nauczyć. Z tego powodu trafia w ręce Tygrysa, to właśnie Pan Hu ma go nauczyć jak bronić skarbu, ale zanim w ogóle za naukę taką się wezmą nadchodzi niebezpieczeństwo. Teraz talizman jest zagrożony, na szczęście na pomoc przychodzi pewna smoczyca i niesforna małpa, na nieszczęście mimo lat znajomości, nie są oni tak zgrani jak powinni i daleko im do drużyny idealnej.
Powiem szczerze książkę czytało się super. Fajny pomysł, ciekawe postaci i dużo akcji. Jedna rzecz mnie lekko denerwowała. Mimo dużej ilości scen akcji były one za mało rozwinięte. Przez co działo się dużo, ale szybko, a to nie dało mi się do końca wczuć chociażby w nie które sceny walk. Mimo wszystko muszę brać pod uwagę, że jest to książka dla dzieci. Nie może ona posiadać 500 stron z czego na 300 będą rozpisane sceny walk, aczkolwiek, wolałabym chyba mniej scen walk a bardziej rozbudowane, niż wiele krótkich nie znaczących (albo tak przedstawionych) walk. Mimo wszystko, uważam książkę za świetną. Bardzo dobrze się bawiłam i wspaniale było oglądać relacje jakie wiążą się między postaciami, jak się budują i zmieniają. Czekam na kolejne części, bo po otwartym zakończeniu mam nadzieje, że będą kolejne.
July 22, 2022
Tom's grandmother has been teaching him the basics of magic, but he has not been the most attentive of learners. That all changes when Mr. Hu shows up and is revealed to be a talking tiger. Mr. Hu had come to warn Mistress Lee, the Guardian of the Phoenix Egg, but his warning was too late. Mistress Lee gives the Phoenix Egg to Mr. Hu, appointing him the new Guardian, and tells him to protect and teach Tom, to train him for the role.
And thus begins an adventure to protect the magical egg, keeping it from falling into the hands of the enemy.
This book was fast-paced, which isn't surprising given its length. Even with that, there was still enough time dedicated to the character development of not only Mr. Hu and Tom but also Mistrel, the Monkey King, and Sidney. They made up somewhat of a rag-tag crew, but one could see the friendship that was there.
I am hoping that the rest of the trilogy will be released as an ebook sometime soon because I would definitely like to find out what happens next. Though the book didn't end on a huge cliff-hanger, resolving the major plot points by the end, there were smaller plot lines with questions still left open for the future.
If you are looking for a fun adventure book with magic based on Chinese mythologies, then give this book a try.
And thus begins an adventure to protect the magical egg, keeping it from falling into the hands of the enemy.
This book was fast-paced, which isn't surprising given its length. Even with that, there was still enough time dedicated to the character development of not only Mr. Hu and Tom but also Mistrel, the Monkey King, and Sidney. They made up somewhat of a rag-tag crew, but one could see the friendship that was there.
I am hoping that the rest of the trilogy will be released as an ebook sometime soon because I would definitely like to find out what happens next. Though the book didn't end on a huge cliff-hanger, resolving the major plot points by the end, there were smaller plot lines with questions still left open for the future.
If you are looking for a fun adventure book with magic based on Chinese mythologies, then give this book a try.
November 8, 2023
It was ok. it was hard for me to get into the plot sometimes. I kind of felt the characters were a little bit shallow and not touched on that much, as well as the book being a little unevenly paced. I didn't really like Tom because I feel a lot of the times he was put in danger was him being foolish and risking his life for no reason and getting in the way of the other characters. I found that annoying after the third time he did it. The other characters feel sad and like it was their fault when Tom was the one acting like the airhead getting himself into the battles with no combat experience or formidable powers.
I'm trying to figure out why the story felt flat to me. Maybe the world wasn't touched on that much? The villain was very generic and not really that threatening. Maybe the book as overstuffed with too much characters. Or maybe it was just very generic, just with a mix of Asian mythology. I just feel the book wanted to check off certain plot beats rather than focusing on character development or interesting world building. Even the dialogue felt flat to me. I wanted to like this book, but I couldn't get into it sadly. I probably won't read the sequel.
I'm trying to figure out why the story felt flat to me. Maybe the world wasn't touched on that much? The villain was very generic and not really that threatening. Maybe the book as overstuffed with too much characters. Or maybe it was just very generic, just with a mix of Asian mythology. I just feel the book wanted to check off certain plot beats rather than focusing on character development or interesting world building. Even the dialogue felt flat to me. I wanted to like this book, but I couldn't get into it sadly. I probably won't read the sequel.
November 6, 2023
Co byś zrobi**, gdyby przyszedł do Ciebie ktoś o głowie tygrysa, w dodatku ubrany w garnitur?
Tom, zwykły z pozoru nastolatek, który jest outsiderem, staje przed takim dylematem.
Na dodatek okazuje się, że ma niezwykły dar a losy świata spoczywają w jego rękach.
Musi zacząć szkolenie i zostać Strażnikiem magii.
Z wielką przyjemnością zagłębiłam się w wierzenia chińskiej ludności, mity i legendy a także to co lubię najbardziej, czyli magię.
Fantastyczne stworzenia, siły zła i kung-fu - to wszystko tu znajdziecie ale jest także o wiele więcej.
Powieść zawiera w sobie mądrości i skłania do refleksji.
Bardzo się cieszę, że mogę odkryć ten fantastyczny świat pełen magicznych stworzeń wraz z moim dzieckiem, książka dała dużo radości także mnie samej.
Myślę, że miło by było zobaczyć ekranizację w postaci animowanej.
Serdecznie polecam Wam ten piękny, fascynujący świat magicznych przygód z nietuzinkowymi bohaterami.
Tom, zwykły z pozoru nastolatek, który jest outsiderem, staje przed takim dylematem.
Na dodatek okazuje się, że ma niezwykły dar a losy świata spoczywają w jego rękach.
Musi zacząć szkolenie i zostać Strażnikiem magii.
Z wielką przyjemnością zagłębiłam się w wierzenia chińskiej ludności, mity i legendy a także to co lubię najbardziej, czyli magię.
Fantastyczne stworzenia, siły zła i kung-fu - to wszystko tu znajdziecie ale jest także o wiele więcej.
Powieść zawiera w sobie mądrości i skłania do refleksji.
Bardzo się cieszę, że mogę odkryć ten fantastyczny świat pełen magicznych stworzeń wraz z moim dzieckiem, książka dała dużo radości także mnie samej.
Myślę, że miło by było zobaczyć ekranizację w postaci animowanej.
Serdecznie polecam Wam ten piękny, fascynujący świat magicznych przygód z nietuzinkowymi bohaterami.
July 4, 2024
Just to be clear, I am a teacher therefore my review will be solely based on that perspective.
I read this novel in an intervention group with late 3-early 4 level readers, and I watched their love of reading grow to immense heights. This book pulls in Chinese mythology and various cultural elements that not only drew my students in, but also exposed them to various cultural archetypes, mannerisms, and values.
The plot kept me entertained… granted I am a big fantasy fan… nevertheless, it was worth the read. It is definitely hefty and requires a lot of pre-teaching about Chinese mythology, geography, and vocabulary but seeing my students develop into confident, interested readers was worth it all!!!!!
I read this novel in an intervention group with late 3-early 4 level readers, and I watched their love of reading grow to immense heights. This book pulls in Chinese mythology and various cultural elements that not only drew my students in, but also exposed them to various cultural archetypes, mannerisms, and values.
The plot kept me entertained… granted I am a big fantasy fan… nevertheless, it was worth the read. It is definitely hefty and requires a lot of pre-teaching about Chinese mythology, geography, and vocabulary but seeing my students develop into confident, interested readers was worth it all!!!!!
June 8, 2024
Tom lives with his grandmom who is considered weird in the San Francisco community. He comes home one day to find a very fancy guy in their house and it turns out to be a previous student of his grandmom’s. Before this progresses very far, someone attacks the house. The stranger, on orders from grandmom grabs the secret treasure she had been guarding, and Tom, and flees the house.
This is clearly the beginning of a series. I thought the band of allies rather interesting: a rat who tries to scam people, a dragon who is forbidden the sea, an ape, Mr. Hu, a Tiger and Tom. They all can transform between their human selves and their mythical self. I’m looking forward to reading the next book.
This is clearly the beginning of a series. I thought the band of allies rather interesting: a rat who tries to scam people, a dragon who is forbidden the sea, an ape, Mr. Hu, a Tiger and Tom. They all can transform between their human selves and their mythical self. I’m looking forward to reading the next book.
January 14, 2021
Tom's grandmother was the Guardian of the sacred Phoenix egg until she is attacked by the evil Vatten, a powerful monster who seeks the egg in order to control the universe. Tom is left in the care of Grandmom's apprentice Mr. Hu, a talking tiger. With the help of a magical monkey, dragon and rat, they seek to stop Vatten and recover the egg. This is the first of a trilogy based on Chinese folk tales.
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February 26, 2021Great premise. I love the secondary characters - tiger, dragon, monkey. I would have liked a little more world building. I felt the mc's relationship with his grandmother and the tiger were well done, but would have also liked a little more of an arc for the mc. I think when this came out, there more limitations on word count for middle-grade books, which may have prevented building out the world more or the character arc though.
July 22, 2023
I’ve read & enjoyed quite a few Asian folklore books over the years because I enjoy all the mythology and creatures/beings. The Tiger’s Apprentice might be for tweens/teens, but adults will like it too. It’s perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson series. The writing style was engaging and definitely captured what it’s like at that age. I also just found out that it is being made into a movie (out in early 2024), so I’ll have plenty of time to read the other two books in the series.
June 8, 2020
This was different from what I would read normally maybe that why I gave it a low rating or because I force my self to read it just because I own it.And last but not least I would not continue this series at all ,This would be the first book that I don't like to read the series after reading the first book.
February 5, 2024
I'm in a book challenge and I needed to read a book that was being turned into a TV show/movie in 2024. I saw this advertised and figured I'd read the book. The book and movie are quite a bit different. I would describe both as just ok. This is the story of a young boy who has to figure out his way with a Tiger as a mentor as they try to fight evil.
May 1, 2022
A surprisingly plain book from an author I usually like a lot. I found this one slow, confusing, and I didn't engage with the characters. The Asian mythos is nice to see in a fantasy novel, I just couldn't get into this one.
May 1, 2025
I can’t believe I’m reading this book 20 years later and many years into librarianship. It’s a readalike for all those Harry Potter Rick Riorsan books and not thousands of pages long. Great story!! Kudos to Yep for crafting this story.
January 16, 2020
I love cliche orphan gets an unexpected father figure stories!!!
November 5, 2021
Really not worth the time. The story was very cursory.
June 9, 2022
This is a fantastically magical YA book full of Chinese mythology which would be wonderful for fans of Rick Riordan and other authors who share international mythology.
March 11, 2024
Not bad, easy English for beginners
May 8, 2024
The scenes are a little long winded but I loved the lore and Chinese history bits before each chapter. I really liked the mythical characters and story.
August 25, 2024
2.5 stars, this was pretty mid for a middle grade. The writing was sluggish and the characters felt very flat.
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