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Thousand Worlds #2
Tiger Honor
Sebin, a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan, wants nothing more than to join the Thousand World Space Forces and, like their Uncle Hwan, captain a battle cruiser someday. But when Sebin's acceptance letter finally arrives, it's accompanied by the shocking news that Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently, the captain abandoned his duty to steal a magical artifact, the Dragon Pearl, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes to help clear their hero's name and restore honour to the clan.
Nothing goes according to plan, however. As soon as Sebin arrives for orientation, they are met by a special investigator named Yi and his assistant, a girl named Min. Yi informs Sebin that they must immediately report to the ship Haetae and await further instructions. Sebin finds this highly unusual, but soon all protocol is forgotten when there's an explosion on the ship, the crew is knocked out, and the communication system goes down. It's up to Sebin, three other cadets, and Yi and Min to determine who is sabotaging the battlecruiser. When Sebin is suddenly accused of collaborating with the enemy, the cadet realizes that Min is the most dangerous foe of all...
Nothing goes according to plan, however. As soon as Sebin arrives for orientation, they are met by a special investigator named Yi and his assistant, a girl named Min. Yi informs Sebin that they must immediately report to the ship Haetae and await further instructions. Sebin finds this highly unusual, but soon all protocol is forgotten when there's an explosion on the ship, the crew is knocked out, and the communication system goes down. It's up to Sebin, three other cadets, and Yi and Min to determine who is sabotaging the battlecruiser. When Sebin is suddenly accused of collaborating with the enemy, the cadet realizes that Min is the most dangerous foe of all...
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 4, 2022
119 people are currently reading
3647 people want to read
About the author
Yoon Ha Lee
208 books2,068 followersYoon Ha Lee is an American science fiction writer born on January 26, 1979 in Houston, Texas. His first published story, “The Hundredth Question,” appeared in Fantasy & Science Fiction in 1999; since then, over two dozen further stories have appeared. He lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
November 26, 2023
**3.5-stars rounded up**
Tiger Honor is the second book in the Thousand Worlds series by veteran Sci-Fi writer, Yoon Ha Lee. This series is published through the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.
The first book, Dragon Pearl, was released in 2019 and was my favorite Middle Grade release of that year. At the time when I read it, I thought it was a standalone.
I was so happy when I heard the news that we would be getting more in this world; best described as a Space Opera inspired by Korean mythology.
In this installment we follow a young tiger spirit, Sebin, who dreams of joining the Thousand Worlds Space Forces just like their Uncle Hwan, who they greatly admire.
But on the day that Sebin's acceptance letter arrives, another letter arrives as well and the news it brings is not good.
According to this letter, their Uncle Hwan abandoned his duty in search of the legendary Dragon Pearl and has thusly been branded a traitor. His current whereabouts are unknown.
As Sebin heads off to their orientation, they decide that no matter what, they'll find the truth, hopefully clearing Uncle Hwan's name and returning honor to their clan in the process.
As you may expect, however, things do not go as planned for sweet Sebin.
This story is full of action and a ton of heart. Sebin is such a cinnamon roll, who is easy to become attached to. The pace is super quick, and I'll be honest, at times I found myself a little lost.
Even though that's the case, it always came back around for me and I had a lot of fun reading it.
For me though, this wasn't quite as enjoyable a story as the first book, in that it lacked a bit of the humor that I always felt when following, Min, the protagonist of Dragon Pearl.
Sebin, I would say, is more of an old soul, a bit more serious than Min was, and the narrative reflected that, making this story feel more mature than your average Middle Grade.
With this being said, Lee's writing, as would be expected, is impressive. The complex mix of Sci-Fi with Mythological elements was so well done.
Additionally, the characters Lee develops are extremely likable. You root for them when you're supposed to, you dislike them when you are supposed to and you certainly love them when you are supposed to. Chef's kiss.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney Audio and Rick Riordan Presents, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This one left off in a great place. This could be it, but I am really hoping for more in the Thousand Worlds. There are endless possibilities as to where this series could go!!
Tiger Honor is the second book in the Thousand Worlds series by veteran Sci-Fi writer, Yoon Ha Lee. This series is published through the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.
The first book, Dragon Pearl, was released in 2019 and was my favorite Middle Grade release of that year. At the time when I read it, I thought it was a standalone.
I was so happy when I heard the news that we would be getting more in this world; best described as a Space Opera inspired by Korean mythology.
In this installment we follow a young tiger spirit, Sebin, who dreams of joining the Thousand Worlds Space Forces just like their Uncle Hwan, who they greatly admire.
But on the day that Sebin's acceptance letter arrives, another letter arrives as well and the news it brings is not good.
According to this letter, their Uncle Hwan abandoned his duty in search of the legendary Dragon Pearl and has thusly been branded a traitor. His current whereabouts are unknown.
As Sebin heads off to their orientation, they decide that no matter what, they'll find the truth, hopefully clearing Uncle Hwan's name and returning honor to their clan in the process.
As you may expect, however, things do not go as planned for sweet Sebin.
This story is full of action and a ton of heart. Sebin is such a cinnamon roll, who is easy to become attached to. The pace is super quick, and I'll be honest, at times I found myself a little lost.
Even though that's the case, it always came back around for me and I had a lot of fun reading it.
For me though, this wasn't quite as enjoyable a story as the first book, in that it lacked a bit of the humor that I always felt when following, Min, the protagonist of Dragon Pearl.
Sebin, I would say, is more of an old soul, a bit more serious than Min was, and the narrative reflected that, making this story feel more mature than your average Middle Grade.
With this being said, Lee's writing, as would be expected, is impressive. The complex mix of Sci-Fi with Mythological elements was so well done.
Additionally, the characters Lee develops are extremely likable. You root for them when you're supposed to, you dislike them when you are supposed to and you certainly love them when you are supposed to. Chef's kiss.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney Audio and Rick Riordan Presents, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This one left off in a great place. This could be it, but I am really hoping for more in the Thousand Worlds. There are endless possibilities as to where this series could go!!
February 16, 2023
Tiger Honor is phenonomenal and I definitely liked it better than the first book. It’s somewhat connected to Dragon Pearl, but it can be read as a standalone. It follows Hwan’s nibling and Min is in the book.
The biggest reason why I enjoyed this book so much was because I found it fascinating to be inside Sebin’s head. Sebin is very analytical and they think through every option as they try to solve problems. Their thoughts were really fascinating and I wish more books would include main character’s with similair thought patterns because I get a little tired of main characters acting on just instinct and nerve. It was also really cool to see how Sebin’s views provided an alternative look at gumihos. In the first book, the gumiho Min is the main character and the gumihos are viewed as good creatures from her perspective. Sebin, on the other hand, has a different perspective on gumihos that provided lots of complexity to the morals regarding gumiho’s use of their powers.
While Sebin was definitely one of my favorite characters (if not my absolute favorite), the wide range of supporting characters were just as interesting. Euna, Namkyu, Jee, Yi, Rokuro, and a more grown up Min were a super fun cast of side characters that made this story even more enjoyable. I would love it if future sequels dive more into Euna and her celestial powers.
I loved the pacing of this book. There was tons of action yet it also did a great job of slowing down to clearly explain the worldbuilding when necessary. It worked really well and helped keep my attention throughout the whole story.
I have two minor criticisms of this book to mention. First of all, Yi is misgendered very early on in the book. I don’t think it was intentional and hopefully it was changed in later editions of this book. My other issue was the use of the term “invalids.” Let’s just all agree to stop using that term to refer to injured and disabled people. Coming from someone who’s disabled, that word is extremely dehumanizing and implies that disabled people are less valid humans.
Besides those two issues with this book, I loved Tiger Honor and it’s definitely a new favorite of mine. I can’t wait to read Fox Snare when it comes out.
The biggest reason why I enjoyed this book so much was because I found it fascinating to be inside Sebin’s head. Sebin is very analytical and they think through every option as they try to solve problems. Their thoughts were really fascinating and I wish more books would include main character’s with similair thought patterns because I get a little tired of main characters acting on just instinct and nerve. It was also really cool to see how Sebin’s views provided an alternative look at gumihos. In the first book, the gumiho Min is the main character and the gumihos are viewed as good creatures from her perspective. Sebin, on the other hand, has a different perspective on gumihos that provided lots of complexity to the morals regarding gumiho’s use of their powers.
While Sebin was definitely one of my favorite characters (if not my absolute favorite), the wide range of supporting characters were just as interesting. Euna, Namkyu, Jee, Yi, Rokuro, and a more grown up Min were a super fun cast of side characters that made this story even more enjoyable. I would love it if future sequels dive more into Euna and her celestial powers.
I loved the pacing of this book. There was tons of action yet it also did a great job of slowing down to clearly explain the worldbuilding when necessary. It worked really well and helped keep my attention throughout the whole story.
I have two minor criticisms of this book to mention. First of all, Yi is misgendered very early on in the book. I don’t think it was intentional and hopefully it was changed in later editions of this book. My other issue was the use of the term “invalids.” Let’s just all agree to stop using that term to refer to injured and disabled people. Coming from someone who’s disabled, that word is extremely dehumanizing and implies that disabled people are less valid humans.
Besides those two issues with this book, I loved Tiger Honor and it’s definitely a new favorite of mine. I can’t wait to read Fox Snare when it comes out.
February 11, 2022
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
What worked for me:
- Shifters in space! I enjoyed the Thousand Worlds' worldbuilding since Dragon Pearl so it's good to have another perspective from a shifter and their family (a tiger this time! in a Tiger year too)
- the main character who's well, very competent for a 13 year old. But I don't mind, I think age does not limit you (heck knows what lousy decisions I made this week).
What could be better:
- Most of the story occurred in a matter of hours. Some parts were way too lengthy and thus ruined the pace. I think this would have made a good novella/ette.
- The climax, which got me rounding the rating down.
HOWEVER, this is still a very enjoyable middle grade/YA book. I am currently a bit tired of all the heavy-ish SF I read the last couple of months as well as real life situation, so it's a swell entertainment. Definitely will wait and read the other books.
What worked for me:
- Shifters in space! I enjoyed the Thousand Worlds' worldbuilding since Dragon Pearl so it's good to have another perspective from a shifter and their family (a tiger this time! in a Tiger year too)
- the main character who's well, very competent for a 13 year old. But I don't mind, I think age does not limit you (heck knows what lousy decisions I made this week).
What could be better:
- Most of the story occurred in a matter of hours. Some parts were way too lengthy and thus ruined the pace. I think this would have made a good novella/ette.
- The climax, which got me rounding the rating down.
HOWEVER, this is still a very enjoyable middle grade/YA book. I am currently a bit tired of all the heavy-ish SF I read the last couple of months as well as real life situation, so it's a swell entertainment. Definitely will wait and read the other books.
February 8, 2022
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars
Wow! This was absolutely fantastic. Loved the non-binary rep SO much & WHAT AN ADVENTURE INTO SPACE OPERA MEETS KOREAN MYTHOLOGY!!!
Rick Riordan Presents imprint does it AGAIN! Woo!
(Also, Yoon Ha Lee is just an absolutely FANTASTIC writer. She checks just about every box, every time!)
Wow! This was absolutely fantastic. Loved the non-binary rep SO much & WHAT AN ADVENTURE INTO SPACE OPERA MEETS KOREAN MYTHOLOGY!!!
Rick Riordan Presents imprint does it AGAIN! Woo!
(Also, Yoon Ha Lee is just an absolutely FANTASTIC writer. She checks just about every box, every time!)
December 19, 2021
This almost felt like stepping into a new world because I don’t remember much from Dragon Pearl. But that theme of young characters put in perilous situations having to make important decisions persists in this story as well and Sebin has the difficult task of choosing between their family and what they believe to be right. The seamless blending of Korean mythology with sci-fi elements and lots of adventure makes for a very entertaining read and I’m sure younger readers will appreciate it even more than me. And the normalization of various gender identities is such a lovely and organic part of this series. I hope many more authors continue to explore this diversity.
Want to read
May 24, 2021I was apparently so excited for this book that I dreamed of its existence before it was actually announced?? I manifested it yay!
January 2, 2022
Thank you to the publishers for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Tiger Honor picks up about a year after the end of Dragon Pearl, but this time around, instead of following Min, we are following Sebin, a tiger spirit whose uncle was the villain from the first book. All Sebin has ever wanted was to join the Space Forces, and when the day finally comes that they get their invitation to join, they also receive the devastating news that the uncle they've always looked up to is now a fugitive and has been stripped of his captaincy. We follow Sebin as they join the forces as a cadet, and has to figure out for themself what happened to their uncle and what honor and family truly means to them.
This was unfortunately a very disappointing sequel to what is one of my favourite middle grade books of all time. While I loved the representation not only of non-binary and queer characters in this book, but also sign language, good representation does not make a good book, unfortunately.
I think what went wrong here for me personally is that I just don't think Sebin is as charming or as interesting of a character as Min was. I did like the idea of following someone who is on the opposite side of the characters we've come to love from book 1, but I felt like the execution was just not there. Sebin's character growth, while somewhat satisfying to see by the end, did not feel impactful for me because they spent the majority of the book with a huge superiority complex and looking down on everyone else because their family was more prestigious than theirs or they deemed them an inferior species to them. Again, I do think Sebin shows growth by the end of the story, but by that point, I honestly didn't really care.
I also think just by comparison, this book was not as complex and well-developed as the first book. Dragon Pearl was an incredibly fast-paced, charming story that was also thematically rich. This was just not the case in Tiger Honor. It's fundamentally a much simpler story, and the pacing felt a lot slower. It didn't have the bigger picture elements that the first book had and didn't really do much to tie in the events that were happening to the world at large, which I think was one of the greatest strengths of Dragon Pearl.
All in all, I don't think this is a terrible book - it's a pretty okay, singular space adventure. It very much feels more like an episode within a story rather than a fully fleshed out story in and of itself. It's just disappointing since I really think Dragon Pearl is one of the best middle grades out there, and I was really looking forward to this one.
Tiger Honor picks up about a year after the end of Dragon Pearl, but this time around, instead of following Min, we are following Sebin, a tiger spirit whose uncle was the villain from the first book. All Sebin has ever wanted was to join the Space Forces, and when the day finally comes that they get their invitation to join, they also receive the devastating news that the uncle they've always looked up to is now a fugitive and has been stripped of his captaincy. We follow Sebin as they join the forces as a cadet, and has to figure out for themself what happened to their uncle and what honor and family truly means to them.
This was unfortunately a very disappointing sequel to what is one of my favourite middle grade books of all time. While I loved the representation not only of non-binary and queer characters in this book, but also sign language, good representation does not make a good book, unfortunately.
I think what went wrong here for me personally is that I just don't think Sebin is as charming or as interesting of a character as Min was. I did like the idea of following someone who is on the opposite side of the characters we've come to love from book 1, but I felt like the execution was just not there. Sebin's character growth, while somewhat satisfying to see by the end, did not feel impactful for me because they spent the majority of the book with a huge superiority complex and looking down on everyone else because their family was more prestigious than theirs or they deemed them an inferior species to them. Again, I do think Sebin shows growth by the end of the story, but by that point, I honestly didn't really care.
I also think just by comparison, this book was not as complex and well-developed as the first book. Dragon Pearl was an incredibly fast-paced, charming story that was also thematically rich. This was just not the case in Tiger Honor. It's fundamentally a much simpler story, and the pacing felt a lot slower. It didn't have the bigger picture elements that the first book had and didn't really do much to tie in the events that were happening to the world at large, which I think was one of the greatest strengths of Dragon Pearl.
All in all, I don't think this is a terrible book - it's a pretty okay, singular space adventure. It very much feels more like an episode within a story rather than a fully fleshed out story in and of itself. It's just disappointing since I really think Dragon Pearl is one of the best middle grades out there, and I was really looking forward to this one.
January 29, 2022
Ahoy there me mateys! I didn't know that Yoon Ha Lee was going to write a sequel to dragon pearl but I was happy to get me hands on a copy. This series is called the Thousand Worlds and is a young adult science fantasy from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. While this can be read as a standalone, I believe it be better to read these in order as the events in this book take place after book one and have spoilers.
This novel follows Sebin, who is a member of the tiger clan. All they want to do is follow in his uncle's footsteps and become a Spaces Forces captain one day. But then they learn that their uncle has been declared a traitor. Sebin starts his cadet training in uncertainty. And on their first day, everything goes wrong. Sebin will have to choose between his old family and the potential new one.
I really enjoyed Sebin and their tiger magic. I also loved his fellow cadets and their developing friendships. Sebin did seem to be a kinda super cadet with skills beyond their years. But Sebin was extremely sympathetic due to the situation they found themselves in. I also loved getting to see Min again. I love the blend of space adventure with magic.
I did think this book has a lot of fun twists and think it is a great sequel. I would read more in this series. Arrrr!
This novel follows Sebin, who is a member of the tiger clan. All they want to do is follow in his uncle's footsteps and become a Spaces Forces captain one day. But then they learn that their uncle has been declared a traitor. Sebin starts his cadet training in uncertainty. And on their first day, everything goes wrong. Sebin will have to choose between his old family and the potential new one.
I really enjoyed Sebin and their tiger magic. I also loved his fellow cadets and their developing friendships. Sebin did seem to be a kinda super cadet with skills beyond their years. But Sebin was extremely sympathetic due to the situation they found themselves in. I also loved getting to see Min again. I love the blend of space adventure with magic.
I did think this book has a lot of fun twists and think it is a great sequel. I would read more in this series. Arrrr!
Read
January 25, 2022“You will go out among the stars, meet comrades great and small, and learn the ways of a warrior. But above all things, the compass that guides you must be the way of the clan.”
~TIGER HONOR
I always get excited when a new title in the Rick Riordan Presents line is released, be it a new series or a continuation of an old favorite. When DRAGON PEARL by Yoon Ha Lee came out in early 2019, it was represented as a stand-alone and different from all the other books in the line, which were all billed as being a series. The announcement of TIGER HONOR was a sweet surprise, and once again broke the mold -- it is a companion novel and not a sequel, though both books are a part of A Thousand Worlds.
So, you may be asking, can you read this without having read DRAGON PEARL? Yes, absolutely! The book is a brand-new adventure with a brand-new main character that doesn't rely on its predecessor. Will the experience be the same if you haven't read them in order? Not exactly, no. The book features a couple of characters who play a huge part in the first book, so in that sense, there are spoilers. The book also doesn't spend a lot of time going over a Gumiho's magical abilities, either. But that's okay, actually, because this time, our main character is a Tiger Spirit, not a Fox Spirt, who doesn't need to know the intricacies of being a Gumiho, but can discover some of them alongside the reader. It's also interesting to see how the reading order can influence the reader's perspective. If you've read DRAGON PEARL, you know certain things about certain characters and assume you know who is a "good guy" and who is a "bad guy." But when you pick up TIGER HONOR, the roles are flipped, and do you really know what you think you know?
Sebin of the Juhwang Clan is from a military family and has dreamed their entire life of becoming a cadet in the Thousand Worlds Space Forces and eventually becoming a captain of their own ship like their legendary Uncle Hwan. They are finally accepted into the program, only to find out that Uncle Hwan has been court martialed and labeled a traitor. Sebin knows this is a mistake, especially after finding out that a devious Gumiho fox spirit is involved and using Charm to influence everyone around her. Obviously she's framing Uncle Hwan for trying to steal the legendary Dragon Pearl for her own nefarious gain. Sebin must help clear their family's name and help their uncle no matter the cost, even if it means defecting and giving up on a life-long dream of their own, right?
It was really interesting to pick up TIGER HONOR and realize the main character was related to Captain Hwan, which, if you've read DRAGON PEARL, you know, and if you don't, well, spoilery things, sorry. It was also interesting to see how much Sebin distrusted Min, who was our spunky main character from DRAGON PEARL, and to see her so differently portrayed through someone else's eyes. While the first book built more on legends and threw Min into a world she didn't know that had knowledge gaps for her, in this book, Sebin is from a military family and we get a lot more insight into the world of a cadet and the fundamentals of their sense of honor.
Korean folklore is peppered throughout both books, as are the nuances of Korean culture, such as wardrobe and food, in ways astute readers will pick up on, immersing them more fully in the culture. It isn't as fully realized as other books in the line, as there are no gods and goddesses playing a part and shaping the journey, but each character is descended from a line of animal spirts that are important in Korean lore. The book also mentions dragons and goblins and shamans and Sapsali. They aren't fleshed out in great detail, though the latter play an important role in TIGER HONOR. If Yoon Ha Lee returns to the world with more books, I wouldn't be surprised to see more companions featuring some of these beings so we can learn more about them and their lore. I would also love a book featuring a Celestial after the glimpses I saw in this book! It will be interesting to see how the world of A Thousand Worlds evolves and grows and comes together with new, unique stories if the series continues after these first two books.
Another great thing about both Rick Riordan and the Rick Riordan Presents line is there is always so much great representation, and it is always so seamless and natural. TIGER HONOR has fantastic non-binary rep. It was in DRAGON PEARL as well, but not nearly as extensively and more in passing, while in this book, several characters are NB, including our main character. There are also nods to sign language and braille that are natural and help acclimate kids who may not know much about either type of language.
The novels of A Thousand Worlds are fun and engaging space adventures that will appeal to any sci-fi lover. They aren't as grounded in "our world" as many other titles in the line and don't take place in the same universe as Camp Half Blood, but that was never a requirement of the line and it isn't the only series to break the mold and go in a completely original direction. Because of this, it may not appeal as much to some readers expecting that formula, while at the same time, it will also appeal even more to a new target audience who hasn't otherwise read the line and are in it for a new space odyssey. So the series appeals in many ways to many types of readers and really helps open up the Presents line and its possibilities even further. The Presents titles are always so much fun and A Thousand Worlds is no exception, so grab this new release and take to the skies!
December 1, 2023
From the book jacket: Sebin is a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan who wants nothing more than to join the Thousand Worlds Space Forces and, like their uncle Hwan, captain a battle cruiser someday. But when Sebin’s acceptance letter finally arrives, it’s accompanied by the shocking news that Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently, the captain abandoned his duty, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes to help clear their hero’s name and restore honor to the clan. Nothing goes according to plan, however.
My Reactions
This is a fast-paced space opera adventure tale. It’s the kind of book my nephew would have loved when he was about 10-12 years old.
Lee has built a fantasy world that includes various shape-shifters, interplanetary travel, military jargon, and various magical elements. Not all the “good guys” are good; not all the “bad guys” are bad. Sebin struggles with conflicting loyalties as he tries to outwit far more experienced adults. He may be a new cadet (and not even sworn in when the battle begins), but he has trained at home for a long time to take his place in the Space Forces. He is a keen observer and frequently thinks several steps ahead. Though relatively inexperienced, he manages to gather a small group of loyal friends to help him. He’s a born leader, and not afraid to bow to another team member’s particular expertise
I haven’t read the first book in the series, so was a little lost in terms of the world-building. I felt I didn’t fully understand the Thousand Worlds setting. Still, it held my attention and I was intrigued enough that I’ll probably read more from this author.
My Reactions
This is a fast-paced space opera adventure tale. It’s the kind of book my nephew would have loved when he was about 10-12 years old.
Lee has built a fantasy world that includes various shape-shifters, interplanetary travel, military jargon, and various magical elements. Not all the “good guys” are good; not all the “bad guys” are bad. Sebin struggles with conflicting loyalties as he tries to outwit far more experienced adults. He may be a new cadet (and not even sworn in when the battle begins), but he has trained at home for a long time to take his place in the Space Forces. He is a keen observer and frequently thinks several steps ahead. Though relatively inexperienced, he manages to gather a small group of loyal friends to help him. He’s a born leader, and not afraid to bow to another team member’s particular expertise
I haven’t read the first book in the series, so was a little lost in terms of the world-building. I felt I didn’t fully understand the Thousand Worlds setting. Still, it held my attention and I was intrigued enough that I’ll probably read more from this author.
January 21, 2022
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
In general, I could read about a million more space middle grade books! So Dragon Pearl and Tiger Honor just make my heart so happy! Tiger Honor is an action packed space adventure that examines difficult questions of loyalty. It begins with action, thrown headfirst into the crossfire, and forces Sebin to unravel this web of lies and conspiracy. Tiger Honor explores what happens when we find out we don't know someone at all. At the end of the day, which loyalties will trump all? Which ones will end up saving the day?
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/blog...
In general, I could read about a million more space middle grade books! So Dragon Pearl and Tiger Honor just make my heart so happy! Tiger Honor is an action packed space adventure that examines difficult questions of loyalty. It begins with action, thrown headfirst into the crossfire, and forces Sebin to unravel this web of lies and conspiracy. Tiger Honor explores what happens when we find out we don't know someone at all. At the end of the day, which loyalties will trump all? Which ones will end up saving the day?
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/blog...
May 7, 2023
Well written but the plot wasn’t believable. One day at training and she rejects her upbringing. I couldn’t buy it.
January 13, 2022
Book 2 in the Thousand Worlds series featuring Korean mythology by Yoon Ha Lee. When I realized that this is book 2, I went and read book 1, Dragon Pearl, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Chronologically, what happens here is after what happens in book 1. So, I would recommend reading the series in order. But, unlike most other books in this genre, this book features a different main character.
This one introduced us to Sebin of the Juhwang Tiger Clan: 13 years old and hoping to get into the Space Forces to follow Uncle Hwan's footsteps. On the day of their acceptance, they also learned that uncle Hwan has been declared a traitor for trying to steal the mythical Dragon Pearl. Then, on their first day as a cadet, before even being sworn in, Uncle Hwan engineered a takeover of the battle cruiser Sebin is in. So, we have a choice between loyalty to the Space Forces or loyalty to family.
As always, the elements of Korean mythology are fascinating and interesting. It's not unusual in this universe to have tiger spirits, fox spirits, celestial beings, and ghosts. We are also introduced to shamans and mercenaries. Sebin has to learn to overcome their innate distrust of foxes, for example, and work together with different beings towards a greater good. The book is action-packed and fast-paced. I could easily imagine this as an animated action-in-space movie.
**Thank you to the publisher for giving me an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review!**
This one introduced us to Sebin of the Juhwang Tiger Clan: 13 years old and hoping to get into the Space Forces to follow Uncle Hwan's footsteps. On the day of their acceptance, they also learned that uncle Hwan has been declared a traitor for trying to steal the mythical Dragon Pearl. Then, on their first day as a cadet, before even being sworn in, Uncle Hwan engineered a takeover of the battle cruiser Sebin is in. So, we have a choice between loyalty to the Space Forces or loyalty to family.
As always, the elements of Korean mythology are fascinating and interesting. It's not unusual in this universe to have tiger spirits, fox spirits, celestial beings, and ghosts. We are also introduced to shamans and mercenaries. Sebin has to learn to overcome their innate distrust of foxes, for example, and work together with different beings towards a greater good. The book is action-packed and fast-paced. I could easily imagine this as an animated action-in-space movie.
**Thank you to the publisher for giving me an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review!**
June 6, 2023
3.5 Rounded Up
This book and I got off to a shaky start. Unlike it's predecessor, Dragon Pearl, I didn't feel an instant spark of connection with Tiger Honor. In fact, I didn't feel the connection until well past the halfway mark, and wasn't exactly convinced I'd ever feel it. Something about the pacing (a bit glacial in places, but too rapid overall) just didn't drag me in and certain complaints I had with the characterization of returning character Min kept me from feeling as excited or entertained as I'd hoped I would be when choosing to dive head-first into the sequel.
Luckily, though, I decided to stick with the story because I loved the first installment so much and liked Sebin from the beginning. I'm happy to say the decision paid off well enough that I'm excited for the conclusion to the trilogy slated for publication later this year.
The second half of the book made up for most of my gripes with the first and painted the issues with Min's characterization in a different light which helped me better understand the author's intent. I'm still disappointed that she ignored her ability to sense emotion through scent and accused Sebin of simply because they're a tiger spirit, but at least it made sense in the new framing when we got a peek beyond just Sebin's point of view. Turns out: Min made bad (and, yes, bigoted) choices because she was so damaged by the awful encounters with , in the previous book. Admittedly, it's a trope I'm kind of tired of seeing - bigotry in people who have faced it themselves (Min especially, as she has to constantly hide her own species to avoid being murdered by people who hate gumiho) and should know better - but it's never going away in fantasy or sci-fi so I'll just settle for being glad it was addressed, explained, and handled as the bad thing it was instead of excused.
By the end, I not only loved Min again but I also had a fondness for Sebin and their crewmates. And, though it comes as absolutely no surprise, I once again loved the pieces of folklore weaved through the world. Getting to see a different side of gumiho (fox spirit) magic was intriguing, and really helped to expose what was easy to overlook in the first book with Min as a protagonist: there's something deeply unsettling about mind control abilities, even when used by a good person with noble intentions. Experiencing the other side of Min's Charm was, at times, downright chilling. I loved it!
That said, though, not enough time was spent on... well, much of anything, in this book. A few scenes felt like they dragged on too long, but most of the time the overall pacing was way too rapid. The entire story takes place over the span of a few hours or perhaps a couple of days - not counting a timeskip or two toward the end - so readers don't get nearly as many opportunities to learn about Sebin's crewmates as we did to learn about Min's in the previous book. For me personally, it's harder to care about characters in dramatic situations when we learn who they are during the life-threatening action rather than before it. Sure, I ended up adoring each and every one of them, but for a hot minute I barely even knew which person was which. And though we get a deeply intriguing peek behind the veil of the Juhwang Tiger Clan - Sebin's and Hwan's family - more questions are left than answers by the end of the book. (I think that might have let me down more than most rushed elements, because I enjoyed the heck out of what we were given in the first couple of chapters and craved more.)
As for the writing itself, I'm torn. It's good, but it's middlegrade good instead of having that amazing balance from Dragon Pearl which made the middlegrade elements - less flow between sentences and scenes, contrived plot points, unrealistic pacing, overpowered children, too much optimism at the end - disappear. In fact, this book almost seemed to draw constant attention to the overall age demographic. The contrived points didn't have a reason to handwave them as 'a side effect of magic' and the impeccable skills of teenagers Jee and Euna felt far less believable with excuses like "she got amazing aim from playing shooting-based video games" and "idk he got to play around a lot with computers so of course he's able to hack Space Force level systems." It's par for the course with the age range and even the genre in general, but it's disappointing after how well things weaved together in the previous instalment of the series. We're given tiny hints that there may be far more to it than that, but without actual answers I'm still left feeling the age demographic of this book more strongly.
The worldbuilding also feels a bit more sloppy, introducing concepts and species without fully exploring them. For example, I'm still not entirely certain what a celestial maiden is, even though one of the prominent crew members is a part-celestial who can survive in the vacuum of space. I also noticed that there was a far more advanced vocabulary in Sebin's narrative, which I assume is an intentional choice, but I can only roll with the assumption because it's never explained or even remarked upon by anyone else. I had to look up a word or two myself, and found many I knew but doubt a middlegrade reader of the target demographic would. Is this a sign that Sebin had a more privileged education, or just a strange dissonance between the target age range and choice of wording? I don't know! I wish I did.
I'm still impressed with the author's ability to weave diversity into the narrative in a way which feels natural and normal rather than exploitative. Once again, we just have characters - including main character Sebin - who are nonbinary and they're all treated as normal people not spectacles. Once again, we just have characters who have two moms or who aren't straight, and that's just mentioned in passing where relevant without anyone gawking. These people are normal in this world, and that brings my little, bisexual and perpetually identity-conflicted heart joy.
There's even a bit of representation for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, with the inclusion of two characters who know sign language - one through having deaf relatives, and the other from being unable to hear. (The latter has contact lenses which do a speech-to-text readout of what's being said, and that's the kind of cool tech that I hope to someday see in the real world.) Rather than making some kind of gimmick out of the use of sign language - or, worse, doing as some things I've read and having people just immediately figure out how to sign after a few minutes of observing - it comes up a few times as something Sebin wishes they knew, and a barrier to communication in a tense situation.
As for characters, I think most of them are well-nuanced, though I felt like Namkyu was woefully under-utilized and a bit under-developed as a result. And I still don't comprehend what could possibly have been Sena's motive for forgoing everything she claims to believe in as a shaman to nor do I feel any closer to understanding what in the world Hwan thought he was doing in this book or the previous one. Everyone else with a significant role, including thedog sapsali, Shield, felt developed enough to seem real. They're not perfect, and that's a good thing. I thrive on characterization!
But... y'know, Sebin maybe could have done with a bit less of the near-constant waffling between loyalties. While completely understandable as a child being confused and overwhelmed, it was more than a little frustrating to read sometimes. There were moments when Sebin would reconsider their loyalties (and morality) three or four times in the span of a page or two! Totally realistic, yes, but also not the most entertaining thing to experience as a reader. I'd go so far as to say it was even a bit exhausting at times and led me to do the unthinkable thrice: put down a book in the middle of a chapter without an immediate, pressing issue forcing me to do so.
Actually, I think the moment I felt the spark with this book may have been roughly around the moment Sebin picked a side and stuck with it. I hadn't ever disliked them as a character, but I do believe the see-sawing moral dilemma had a severe impact on how much I connected to the story as a whole. I suspect that prior knowledge gained from Dragon Pearl had some impact on this, though, so I don't know if it could have been avoided without sacrificing the realism of Sebin's inner turmoil.
Either way, I think I've begun to ramble. I probably should have used a list format, but I didn't really have the mental energy for that.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, just nowhere near as much as its predecessor. It was good for the demographic, but not as good as I had hoped - until about the final quarter, when I absolutely fell in love with it. I'm very glad I stuck through to the end, and I'm looking forward to the upcoming final instalment of the trilogy... as well as reading some more of this author's work. (I'm especially eager to see how good the stuff aimed more toward my age demographic is!)
If you loved Dragon Pearl, I think you should temper your expectations slightly before diving into Tiger Honor, but otherwise I do think it's worth reading. Most of the best aspects of the Thousand Worlds setting are there, and they get expanded upon to some degree.
This book and I got off to a shaky start. Unlike it's predecessor, Dragon Pearl, I didn't feel an instant spark of connection with Tiger Honor. In fact, I didn't feel the connection until well past the halfway mark, and wasn't exactly convinced I'd ever feel it. Something about the pacing (a bit glacial in places, but too rapid overall) just didn't drag me in and certain complaints I had with the characterization of returning character Min kept me from feeling as excited or entertained as I'd hoped I would be when choosing to dive head-first into the sequel.
Luckily, though, I decided to stick with the story because I loved the first installment so much and liked Sebin from the beginning. I'm happy to say the decision paid off well enough that I'm excited for the conclusion to the trilogy slated for publication later this year.
The second half of the book made up for most of my gripes with the first and painted the issues with Min's characterization in a different light which helped me better understand the author's intent. I'm still disappointed that she ignored her ability to sense emotion through scent and accused Sebin of simply because they're a tiger spirit, but at least it made sense in the new framing when we got a peek beyond just Sebin's point of view. Turns out: Min made bad (and, yes, bigoted) choices because she was so damaged by the awful encounters with , in the previous book. Admittedly, it's a trope I'm kind of tired of seeing - bigotry in people who have faced it themselves (Min especially, as she has to constantly hide her own species to avoid being murdered by people who hate gumiho) and should know better - but it's never going away in fantasy or sci-fi so I'll just settle for being glad it was addressed, explained, and handled as the bad thing it was instead of excused.
By the end, I not only loved Min again but I also had a fondness for Sebin and their crewmates. And, though it comes as absolutely no surprise, I once again loved the pieces of folklore weaved through the world. Getting to see a different side of gumiho (fox spirit) magic was intriguing, and really helped to expose what was easy to overlook in the first book with Min as a protagonist: there's something deeply unsettling about mind control abilities, even when used by a good person with noble intentions. Experiencing the other side of Min's Charm was, at times, downright chilling. I loved it!
That said, though, not enough time was spent on... well, much of anything, in this book. A few scenes felt like they dragged on too long, but most of the time the overall pacing was way too rapid. The entire story takes place over the span of a few hours or perhaps a couple of days - not counting a timeskip or two toward the end - so readers don't get nearly as many opportunities to learn about Sebin's crewmates as we did to learn about Min's in the previous book. For me personally, it's harder to care about characters in dramatic situations when we learn who they are during the life-threatening action rather than before it. Sure, I ended up adoring each and every one of them, but for a hot minute I barely even knew which person was which. And though we get a deeply intriguing peek behind the veil of the Juhwang Tiger Clan - Sebin's and Hwan's family - more questions are left than answers by the end of the book. (I think that might have let me down more than most rushed elements, because I enjoyed the heck out of what we were given in the first couple of chapters and craved more.)
As for the writing itself, I'm torn. It's good, but it's middlegrade good instead of having that amazing balance from Dragon Pearl which made the middlegrade elements - less flow between sentences and scenes, contrived plot points, unrealistic pacing, overpowered children, too much optimism at the end - disappear. In fact, this book almost seemed to draw constant attention to the overall age demographic. The contrived points didn't have a reason to handwave them as 'a side effect of magic' and the impeccable skills of teenagers Jee and Euna felt far less believable with excuses like "she got amazing aim from playing shooting-based video games" and "idk he got to play around a lot with computers so of course he's able to hack Space Force level systems." It's par for the course with the age range and even the genre in general, but it's disappointing after how well things weaved together in the previous instalment of the series. We're given tiny hints that there may be far more to it than that, but without actual answers I'm still left feeling the age demographic of this book more strongly.
The worldbuilding also feels a bit more sloppy, introducing concepts and species without fully exploring them. For example, I'm still not entirely certain what a celestial maiden is, even though one of the prominent crew members is a part-celestial who can survive in the vacuum of space. I also noticed that there was a far more advanced vocabulary in Sebin's narrative, which I assume is an intentional choice, but I can only roll with the assumption because it's never explained or even remarked upon by anyone else. I had to look up a word or two myself, and found many I knew but doubt a middlegrade reader of the target demographic would. Is this a sign that Sebin had a more privileged education, or just a strange dissonance between the target age range and choice of wording? I don't know! I wish I did.
I'm still impressed with the author's ability to weave diversity into the narrative in a way which feels natural and normal rather than exploitative. Once again, we just have characters - including main character Sebin - who are nonbinary and they're all treated as normal people not spectacles. Once again, we just have characters who have two moms or who aren't straight, and that's just mentioned in passing where relevant without anyone gawking. These people are normal in this world, and that brings my little, bisexual and perpetually identity-conflicted heart joy.
There's even a bit of representation for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, with the inclusion of two characters who know sign language - one through having deaf relatives, and the other from being unable to hear. (The latter has contact lenses which do a speech-to-text readout of what's being said, and that's the kind of cool tech that I hope to someday see in the real world.) Rather than making some kind of gimmick out of the use of sign language - or, worse, doing as some things I've read and having people just immediately figure out how to sign after a few minutes of observing - it comes up a few times as something Sebin wishes they knew, and a barrier to communication in a tense situation.
As for characters, I think most of them are well-nuanced, though I felt like Namkyu was woefully under-utilized and a bit under-developed as a result. And I still don't comprehend what could possibly have been Sena's motive for forgoing everything she claims to believe in as a shaman to nor do I feel any closer to understanding what in the world Hwan thought he was doing in this book or the previous one. Everyone else with a significant role, including the
But... y'know, Sebin maybe could have done with a bit less of the near-constant waffling between loyalties. While completely understandable as a child being confused and overwhelmed, it was more than a little frustrating to read sometimes. There were moments when Sebin would reconsider their loyalties (and morality) three or four times in the span of a page or two! Totally realistic, yes, but also not the most entertaining thing to experience as a reader. I'd go so far as to say it was even a bit exhausting at times and led me to do the unthinkable thrice: put down a book in the middle of a chapter without an immediate, pressing issue forcing me to do so.
Actually, I think the moment I felt the spark with this book may have been roughly around the moment Sebin picked a side and stuck with it. I hadn't ever disliked them as a character, but I do believe the see-sawing moral dilemma had a severe impact on how much I connected to the story as a whole. I suspect that prior knowledge gained from Dragon Pearl had some impact on this, though, so I don't know if it could have been avoided without sacrificing the realism of Sebin's inner turmoil.
Either way, I think I've begun to ramble. I probably should have used a list format, but I didn't really have the mental energy for that.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, just nowhere near as much as its predecessor. It was good for the demographic, but not as good as I had hoped - until about the final quarter, when I absolutely fell in love with it. I'm very glad I stuck through to the end, and I'm looking forward to the upcoming final instalment of the trilogy... as well as reading some more of this author's work. (I'm especially eager to see how good the stuff aimed more toward my age demographic is!)
If you loved Dragon Pearl, I think you should temper your expectations slightly before diving into Tiger Honor, but otherwise I do think it's worth reading. Most of the best aspects of the Thousand Worlds setting are there, and they get expanded upon to some degree.
Want to read
August 15, 2022I HAD TO FIND OUT ABOUT A RICK RIORDAN IMPRINT BOOK STARRING A NONBINARY TEEN FROM *TARGET*???
January 1, 2023
Al igual que con el anterior siempre me quedo con ganas de saber mas sobre este mundo y sus personajes; En definitiva una muy buena secuela al primer libro.
January 31, 2022
A copy of the book was provided for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore does not affect the opinion or content of the review.
I remember virtually nothing from Dragon Pearl, the first book in the Thousand Worlds series and predecessor to Tiger Honor, possibly just because it was published in 2019 and it's currently 2022. (Three years is a long time, friends.) So really, the big question going into this novel for me was, "do I remember anything that happened, and does this even matter in the long run?"
Yoon Ha Lee's latest novel follows Sebin, a nonbinary tiger spirit who aspires to join the Space Forces and become a captain one day like their Uncle Hwan, complete with a battlecruiser. But when they receive their acceptance letter to join as a cadet, they also receive news Uncle Hwan has been deemed a traitor for attempting to steal the Dragon Pearl and a search is currently out for him. Sebin joins in the hopes of proving Hwan's innocence and bringing back honor to the Juhwang clan.
But nothing really goes to their plan, though, and they quickly find themselves improvising despite wanting to follow everything by the book - in the training they had growing up and through the stories from their role model. It definitely shows in the way Sebin observes their surroundings and makes notes of them.
I had a lot of fun reading Tiger Honor; I found the pacing a lot better balanced than in Dragon Pearl and just as adventurous with a dose of humor all set in space mixed with Korean mythology. I also felt as though I was missing important information from the first novel, and ended up backtracking to snag a copy of Dragon Pearl to recap since there isn't one in Tiger Honor. While it's unnecessary to read the first before diving into this one, I highly recommend it if you're like me and prefer to go in with some context. (I'm sure I would've been fine if I kept going, but unfortunately, it's not exactly my style.) In a way, it's both a sequel to Min's story and being primarily Sebin's story as both her and Uncle Hwan play important parts in the plot.
Lee's latest novel asks, what happens when you find out you don't know someone as much as you think you do? Just how far will you go for them when you find out they're in the wrong, even if they're your family and you've looked up to them all your life? Throughout the book, Sebin is forced to confront everything they know and grow up believing in and use that information to determine whose side they should take at the end of the day.
Tiger Honor was a fun trip back into the Thousand Worlds universe Lee initially set up in Dragon Pearl. With new and old characters alike, we're taken back into the Space Forces and introduced to familiar and new aspects of Korean mythology.
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts.
I remember virtually nothing from Dragon Pearl, the first book in the Thousand Worlds series and predecessor to Tiger Honor, possibly just because it was published in 2019 and it's currently 2022. (Three years is a long time, friends.) So really, the big question going into this novel for me was, "do I remember anything that happened, and does this even matter in the long run?"
Yoon Ha Lee's latest novel follows Sebin, a nonbinary tiger spirit who aspires to join the Space Forces and become a captain one day like their Uncle Hwan, complete with a battlecruiser. But when they receive their acceptance letter to join as a cadet, they also receive news Uncle Hwan has been deemed a traitor for attempting to steal the Dragon Pearl and a search is currently out for him. Sebin joins in the hopes of proving Hwan's innocence and bringing back honor to the Juhwang clan.
But nothing really goes to their plan, though, and they quickly find themselves improvising despite wanting to follow everything by the book - in the training they had growing up and through the stories from their role model. It definitely shows in the way Sebin observes their surroundings and makes notes of them.
I had a lot of fun reading Tiger Honor; I found the pacing a lot better balanced than in Dragon Pearl and just as adventurous with a dose of humor all set in space mixed with Korean mythology. I also felt as though I was missing important information from the first novel, and ended up backtracking to snag a copy of Dragon Pearl to recap since there isn't one in Tiger Honor. While it's unnecessary to read the first before diving into this one, I highly recommend it if you're like me and prefer to go in with some context. (I'm sure I would've been fine if I kept going, but unfortunately, it's not exactly my style.) In a way, it's both a sequel to Min's story and being primarily Sebin's story as both her and Uncle Hwan play important parts in the plot.
Lee's latest novel asks, what happens when you find out you don't know someone as much as you think you do? Just how far will you go for them when you find out they're in the wrong, even if they're your family and you've looked up to them all your life? Throughout the book, Sebin is forced to confront everything they know and grow up believing in and use that information to determine whose side they should take at the end of the day.
Tiger Honor was a fun trip back into the Thousand Worlds universe Lee initially set up in Dragon Pearl. With new and old characters alike, we're taken back into the Space Forces and introduced to familiar and new aspects of Korean mythology.
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts.
October 29, 2022
I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to see that there would be another book set in the world of Dragon Pearl! I absolutely loved that book when I read it awhile back and have been patiently awaiting Tiger Honor’s release.
Yoon Ha Lee’s Tiger Honor follows Sebin, a tiger spirit who wants to join the Thousand World Space Forces. They look up to their Uncle Hwan and cannot wait to be the captain of their own battle cruiser one day. Sebin is shocked and confused when news arrives declaring Hwan a traitor. The timing of this along with their acceptance letter to the Space Forces raises some suspicion. Sebin hopes to clear their uncle’s name, but nothing really goes according to plan.
This was such a fun read. I absolutely love the author’s writing style and how every detail is crafted in a way that holds your attention. I loved the world building and learning more about the mythology behind the story and characters.
I really enjoyed seeing Min’s character again. I had no idea how the interactions between Sebin and Min would play out, but I could not help rooting for both of them. It was interesting to see Sebin’s growth throughout the book as well, especially considering how they struggled with the duty to family versus the Space Forces.
I also liked all of the other cadets and how they truly worked together as a team. Seeing them gradually build a friendship was really cool. They all had their own strengths that added to the team dynamic.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
I was so excited to see that there would be another book set in the world of Dragon Pearl! I absolutely loved that book when I read it awhile back and have been patiently awaiting Tiger Honor’s release.
Yoon Ha Lee’s Tiger Honor follows Sebin, a tiger spirit who wants to join the Thousand World Space Forces. They look up to their Uncle Hwan and cannot wait to be the captain of their own battle cruiser one day. Sebin is shocked and confused when news arrives declaring Hwan a traitor. The timing of this along with their acceptance letter to the Space Forces raises some suspicion. Sebin hopes to clear their uncle’s name, but nothing really goes according to plan.
This was such a fun read. I absolutely love the author’s writing style and how every detail is crafted in a way that holds your attention. I loved the world building and learning more about the mythology behind the story and characters.
I really enjoyed seeing Min’s character again. I had no idea how the interactions between Sebin and Min would play out, but I could not help rooting for both of them. It was interesting to see Sebin’s growth throughout the book as well, especially considering how they struggled with the duty to family versus the Space Forces.
I also liked all of the other cadets and how they truly worked together as a team. Seeing them gradually build a friendship was really cool. They all had their own strengths that added to the team dynamic.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 23, 2021
Excellent companion novel to Dragon Pearl! I loved diving back into Korean folklore in space. Sebin can't wait to get sworn into the Thousand World Space Forces, but doesn't expect to battle their traitorous uncle, Hwan in the process. Sebin has to make the decision that will save themselves and others, but end their career before it starts or join forces with their uncle and turn their back on their dream. A great story between loyalty to blood family and the family you create, Great sci-fi for middle school classrooms.
Thanks NetGalley and Disney Publishing
Thanks NetGalley and Disney Publishing
June 18, 2023
Sebin wasn't as compelling to me as Min's, but it was still a great book. I like the themes of honor, family and morals and I think it explored them really well.
January 6, 2022
RATING:
4.5 STARS
Happy year of the Tiger, everyone! I was so excited to hear that Yoon Ha Lee’s first book in the Rick Riordan Presents Imprint, Dragon Pearl was getting a sequel/companion book. I had high hopes going into Tiger Honor after how amazing the first book was, and I’m happy to announce that the author did not disappoint. As a note, because Tiger Honor is not a direct follow-up to the events of Dragon Pearl, you could start with this book (but I highly recommend reading them in order as there are pieces of world-building and character dynamics you will otherwise miss out on).
Tiger Honor follows Sebin, a non-binary tiger spirit who has dreamed of joining the Space Force and following in their uncle’s footsteps. Their happiness when they receive their acceptance letter is eclipsed by the news that their beloved Uncle Hwan has been branded a traitor and stripped of their rank. Determined to honor their duty to their clan as well as pursue their passion, Sebin heads off to cadet orientation. Things (as one might expect) do not go to plan.
As a fan of mythology, I enjoyed how Yoon Ha Lee blended the sci-fi genre with references to Korean Mythology. There are tons of nods to different figures like dragons, celestials, and goblins. I enjoyed how the animal spirit of each of the protagonists in the Thousand Worlds series played into their nature and character. Min and Sebin are fiercely loyal, filled with heart and determination. Min is more of a lighter, humorous spirit which I think is due to the nature of foxes. On the other hand, Sebin is an old soul. They’ve had discipline and training drilled into them by the tiger clan, which gave this story more of a sense of maturity that Dragon Pearl didn’t have.
I’m a huge fan of how the culture of the Thousand Worlds is respectful to different disabilities and different gender identities. For example, Sebin is a non-binary character who uses they/them pronouns. The Space Force acknowledges them and other members who are non-binary by having everyone wear pins on their uniform featuring their pronouns. Another example of the respect to differences in citizens and those with disabilities is how the government transmissions in the Thousand Worlds are required to have sign language interpreters. And a final example is how space stations featured accommodations for those who are blind or color blind. I wish similar measures were more commonplace in the United States.
Overall, Tiger Honor is a fun action-packed space adventure inspired by Korean mythology. I hope the author explores other species in the future (I would love to see a book where the main character is a dragon). I would happily recommend this book to young science fiction readers who want to have an introduction to the culture of other mythologies. I would also recommend it to readers who want an introduction to the concept of gender as a spectrum and those who identify as non-binary.
Thank you to the author Yoon Ha Lee, Jaime at Rockstar Book Tours, and Disney Books for providing me with a complimentary review copy of Tiger Honor as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed Tiger Honor. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.
Happy year of the Tiger, everyone! I was so excited to hear that Yoon Ha Lee’s first book in the Rick Riordan Presents Imprint, Dragon Pearl was getting a sequel/companion book. I had high hopes going into Tiger Honor after how amazing the first book was, and I’m happy to announce that the author did not disappoint. As a note, because Tiger Honor is not a direct follow-up to the events of Dragon Pearl, you could start with this book (but I highly recommend reading them in order as there are pieces of world-building and character dynamics you will otherwise miss out on).
Tiger Honor follows Sebin, a non-binary tiger spirit who has dreamed of joining the Space Force and following in their uncle’s footsteps. Their happiness when they receive their acceptance letter is eclipsed by the news that their beloved Uncle Hwan has been branded a traitor and stripped of their rank. Determined to honor their duty to their clan as well as pursue their passion, Sebin heads off to cadet orientation. Things (as one might expect) do not go to plan.
As a fan of mythology, I enjoyed how Yoon Ha Lee blended the sci-fi genre with references to Korean Mythology. There are tons of nods to different figures like dragons, celestials, and goblins. I enjoyed how the animal spirit of each of the protagonists in the Thousand Worlds series played into their nature and character. Min and Sebin are fiercely loyal, filled with heart and determination. Min is more of a lighter, humorous spirit which I think is due to the nature of foxes. On the other hand, Sebin is an old soul. They’ve had discipline and training drilled into them by the tiger clan, which gave this story more of a sense of maturity that Dragon Pearl didn’t have.
I’m a huge fan of how the culture of the Thousand Worlds is respectful to different disabilities and different gender identities. For example, Sebin is a non-binary character who uses they/them pronouns. The Space Force acknowledges them and other members who are non-binary by having everyone wear pins on their uniform featuring their pronouns. Another example of the respect to differences in citizens and those with disabilities is how the government transmissions in the Thousand Worlds are required to have sign language interpreters. And a final example is how space stations featured accommodations for those who are blind or color blind. I wish similar measures were more commonplace in the United States.
Overall, Tiger Honor is a fun action-packed space adventure inspired by Korean mythology. I hope the author explores other species in the future (I would love to see a book where the main character is a dragon). I would happily recommend this book to young science fiction readers who want to have an introduction to the culture of other mythologies. I would also recommend it to readers who want an introduction to the concept of gender as a spectrum and those who identify as non-binary.
Thank you to the author Yoon Ha Lee, Jaime at Rockstar Book Tours, and Disney Books for providing me with a complimentary review copy of Tiger Honor as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed Tiger Honor. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.
March 2, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Tiger Honor
Author: Yoon Ha Lee
Book Series: Thousand Worlds Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Korean Characters, Nonbinary Character mentioned, Deaf Sapphic Characters mentioned
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, sci-fi, Chinese mythology inspired and based
Publication Date: January 4, 2022
Genre: MG Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, abandonment)
Explanation of CWs: There is some violence in this book. There is also some abandonment of family in this book.
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 247
Synopsis: Sebin, a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan, wants nothing more than to join the Thousand World Space Forces and, like their Uncle Hwan, captain a battle cruiser someday. But when Sebin's acceptance letter finally arrives, it's accompanied by the shocking news that Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently, the captain abandoned his duty to steal a magical artifact, the Dragon Pearl, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes to help clear their hero's name and restore honour to the clan.
Nothing goes according to plan, however. As soon as Sebin arrives for orientation, they are met by a special investigator named Yi and his assistant, a girl named Min. Yi informs Sebin that they must immediately report to the ship Haetae and await further instructions. Sebin finds this highly unusual, but soon all protocol is forgotten when there's an explosion on the ship, the crew is knocked out, and the communication system goes down. It's up to Sebin, three other cadets, and Yi and Min to determine who is sabotaging the battlecruiser. When Sebin is suddenly accused of collaborating with the enemy, the cadet realizes that Min is the most dangerous foe of all...
Review: This is a wonderful sequel to Dragon Pearl! I loved seeing Min again and I am excited to see how Sebin will fit into the story. The book is inspired by Chinese mythology and I loved seeing Sebin’s backstory and how his family clan is female led. The book had a great plotline and I loved seeing Sebin’s development. The character development is great. The world building is marvelous. And I can’t wait for the next book!
The only thing I didn’t like is the pacing is a bit too fast in places and I wanted more of Sebin’s inner conflict and the end scene.
Verdict: It’s great! Highly Recommend.
Book: Tiger Honor
Author: Yoon Ha Lee
Book Series: Thousand Worlds Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Korean Characters, Nonbinary Character mentioned, Deaf Sapphic Characters mentioned
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, sci-fi, Chinese mythology inspired and based
Publication Date: January 4, 2022
Genre: MG Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, abandonment)
Explanation of CWs: There is some violence in this book. There is also some abandonment of family in this book.
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 247
Synopsis: Sebin, a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan, wants nothing more than to join the Thousand World Space Forces and, like their Uncle Hwan, captain a battle cruiser someday. But when Sebin's acceptance letter finally arrives, it's accompanied by the shocking news that Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently, the captain abandoned his duty to steal a magical artifact, the Dragon Pearl, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes to help clear their hero's name and restore honour to the clan.
Nothing goes according to plan, however. As soon as Sebin arrives for orientation, they are met by a special investigator named Yi and his assistant, a girl named Min. Yi informs Sebin that they must immediately report to the ship Haetae and await further instructions. Sebin finds this highly unusual, but soon all protocol is forgotten when there's an explosion on the ship, the crew is knocked out, and the communication system goes down. It's up to Sebin, three other cadets, and Yi and Min to determine who is sabotaging the battlecruiser. When Sebin is suddenly accused of collaborating with the enemy, the cadet realizes that Min is the most dangerous foe of all...
Review: This is a wonderful sequel to Dragon Pearl! I loved seeing Min again and I am excited to see how Sebin will fit into the story. The book is inspired by Chinese mythology and I loved seeing Sebin’s backstory and how his family clan is female led. The book had a great plotline and I loved seeing Sebin’s development. The character development is great. The world building is marvelous. And I can’t wait for the next book!
The only thing I didn’t like is the pacing is a bit too fast in places and I wanted more of Sebin’s inner conflict and the end scene.
Verdict: It’s great! Highly Recommend.
January 6, 2022
*Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*
I've wanted a sequel to Dragon Pearl basically since it first came out, so I'm thrilled Yoon Ha Lee has returned to this world. Tiger Honor is part sequel part companion novel set after the events of Dragon Pearl but from the POV of a completely new character. Segin is a tiger spirit who wants to follow in the footsteps of their uncle, a ship captain in the space forces readers will recognize as the guy that tried to steal the dragon pearl in the first book. Segin's first day in the forces goes off the rails very quickly when they're pulled onto a ship by a special investigator and their assistant Min (from book one as well) that is quickly attacked and taken over by their uncle. Segin has to decide where their loyalities lie and whether or not they can trust their fellow cadets in this high stakes situation. This book had all the excitement and charm of the first book, set in the kind of insanely fascinating and alway unique worlds that Lee is a master at creating. The mix of Korean mythology with scifi elements is great and provides alot of interesting worldbuilding and characters. My only real complaint is that I wish it were longer just to get more of a sense of the other characters, many of whom are super intriguing but don't have as much time to shine.
I've wanted a sequel to Dragon Pearl basically since it first came out, so I'm thrilled Yoon Ha Lee has returned to this world. Tiger Honor is part sequel part companion novel set after the events of Dragon Pearl but from the POV of a completely new character. Segin is a tiger spirit who wants to follow in the footsteps of their uncle, a ship captain in the space forces readers will recognize as the guy that tried to steal the dragon pearl in the first book. Segin's first day in the forces goes off the rails very quickly when they're pulled onto a ship by a special investigator and their assistant Min (from book one as well) that is quickly attacked and taken over by their uncle. Segin has to decide where their loyalities lie and whether or not they can trust their fellow cadets in this high stakes situation. This book had all the excitement and charm of the first book, set in the kind of insanely fascinating and alway unique worlds that Lee is a master at creating. The mix of Korean mythology with scifi elements is great and provides alot of interesting worldbuilding and characters. My only real complaint is that I wish it were longer just to get more of a sense of the other characters, many of whom are super intriguing but don't have as much time to shine.
February 21, 2024
This review (and a giveaway!) can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Tiger Honor is a mythological sci-fi adventure that explores the bounds of loyalty and the complications of competing interests. The main character Sebin has to decide if their oaths to their family outweigh their dedication to the Space Force. They want to do what’s right, but the real trick is figuring out what the right thing even is.
This is a follow-up to Dragon Pearl, and while you don’t necessarily need to read the first book to enjoy this one, I did sometimes find myself wishing I remembered the first book better—just because I felt like I was always on the edge of remembering something important. (You don’t get real reminders about what happened until about halfway through the book.) Still, I was able to set that aside in my mind and simply enjoy this book on its own.
The book is full of action and intrigue, and it’s easy to root for Sebin as they try to sort out who the true villains are. And all of this on a spaceship. What’s more fun than that?
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Rockstar Book Tours so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Tiger Honor is a mythological sci-fi adventure that explores the bounds of loyalty and the complications of competing interests. The main character Sebin has to decide if their oaths to their family outweigh their dedication to the Space Force. They want to do what’s right, but the real trick is figuring out what the right thing even is.
This is a follow-up to Dragon Pearl, and while you don’t necessarily need to read the first book to enjoy this one, I did sometimes find myself wishing I remembered the first book better—just because I felt like I was always on the edge of remembering something important. (You don’t get real reminders about what happened until about halfway through the book.) Still, I was able to set that aside in my mind and simply enjoy this book on its own.
The book is full of action and intrigue, and it’s easy to root for Sebin as they try to sort out who the true villains are. And all of this on a spaceship. What’s more fun than that?
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Rockstar Book Tours so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
January 8, 2022
This was surprisingly complex. Sebin has been looking forward to joining the military patrol their whole life. They have been trained as part of a family of shapeshifters, a tiger clan. Sebin has a lot of hard fast thinking to do when he encounters the uncle they have hero worshipped their entire life and found that things aren’t the way they thought they were. What choice will Sebin end up making? Will they give their allegiance to family or to the military patrol? And what will happen to their uncle? Who does he give his loyalty to, and for what reason? How to make a decision that might go in the face of the whole way they were raised?
I certainly hope this is a trilogy since there are lots of unanswered questions! I appreciate the moral complexity and where Sebin choice to put their allegiance. I also enjoyed seeing Kim Mee again. She and Jun do not seem to be making much progress with their tour of the worlds which will hopefully change! I was fortunate to hear the author speak and there are plans for sequels to both of the first two books in the Thousand Worlds universe to my joy!
I certainly hope this is a trilogy since there are lots of unanswered questions! I appreciate the moral complexity and where Sebin choice to put their allegiance. I also enjoyed seeing Kim Mee again. She and Jun do not seem to be making much progress with their tour of the worlds which will hopefully change! I was fortunate to hear the author speak and there are plans for sequels to both of the first two books in the Thousand Worlds universe to my joy!
August 9, 2021
ARC Review from NetGalley
An absolutely brilliant way to continue a series! I have been anticipating the followup to the Dragon Pearl; Tiger Honor did not disappoint. I was confused through the beginning chapters, until I realized the witty way the author chose to introduce a new main character, Sebin, and the tiger lore while widening the scope of the world - which eventually included Min and Jun from the first book. I appreciated the condensed timeline for the story, which gave a sense of immediacy for decisions and plot turns. Overall, this book is a fantastic second novel and a great asset to the Rick Riordan presents series. I am even more excited for book three to see what method the author uses to deliver another level to the storyline.
An absolutely brilliant way to continue a series! I have been anticipating the followup to the Dragon Pearl; Tiger Honor did not disappoint. I was confused through the beginning chapters, until I realized the witty way the author chose to introduce a new main character, Sebin, and the tiger lore while widening the scope of the world - which eventually included Min and Jun from the first book. I appreciated the condensed timeline for the story, which gave a sense of immediacy for decisions and plot turns. Overall, this book is a fantastic second novel and a great asset to the Rick Riordan presents series. I am even more excited for book three to see what method the author uses to deliver another level to the storyline.
December 24, 2021
This is such a solid sequel to Dragon Pearl. Following a new main character, the events after the first book flow easily into this book, and even though it's been awhile since I read Dragon Pearl, I found myself jumping back into the world with ease. I appreciated the character growth of Sebin, and seeing a new lens into the world with the Tiger spirits. All in all, definitely pick this up if you've picked up the Dragon Pearl. If you haven't read the Dragon Pearl yet, I will always recommend it for those looking for a heartfelt middle-grade sci-fi with really cool folklore magic intertwined with the sci-fi technology. Thank you Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide/Rick Riordan Presents for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 8, 2022
This is the second book by Yoon Ha Lee in the Thousand Worlds series under the Rick Riordan Presents banner. This time we have the perspective of a Tiger. But not just any Tiger. The nephew of our villian from the last book. This twist on sequels worked wonderfully and adds a complex layer to the world building. The Korean mythology is once again done well and manages to imbue the entire world without being forced or out of place. One I will continue to recommend to my students!
Thank you to Yoon Ha Lee, Disney Publishing, and Netgalley for an advanced ecopy in exchange for an honest opinion.
Thank you to Yoon Ha Lee, Disney Publishing, and Netgalley for an advanced ecopy in exchange for an honest opinion.
February 13, 2023
Probably better than book one (Dragon Pearl). Every book I read by Yoon Ha Lee impresses me more than the last, honestly. And I *really* loved Phoenix Extravagant. I adore Sebin. Nonbinary protagonists are my JAM, always. MG with no romance is also chef's kiss. If you like SF, mythology, or complicated families, give this series a shot. I do recommend book 1 before this one, though.
Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the eaudio & ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the eaudio & ebook in exchange for an honest review.
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