Year of the Tiger

by Alison Lloyd

In ancient China, two boys forge an unlikely alliance in an effort to become expert archers and, ultimately, to save their city from invading barbarians.

A coming-of-age adventure story of two boys, the battalion commander's son Ren and noodle seller's son Hu, set during China's Han era against a backdrop of period politics and a dangerous uprising that threatens the stability of the Great Wall.

Genres: Historical Fiction, School, Historical, China, Adventure

228 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2008

About the author

Alison Lloyd is an Australian writer. She writes both fiction and non-fiction -- new words about old worlds.

Alison has had ten books for children published, several of which have won national prizes or been shortlisted.

Alison now writes women's historical fiction with elements of romance, adventure, warmth and wit.

You can find her online, and get her newsletter, at https://alisonlloydauthor.com/ .
Alison Lloyd's site for kids is www.alisonlloyd.com.au

Reviews

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Suddenly, out of the shimmering heat, a fabulous glittering sight appeared …’

This novel is set in China in the second century AD, towards the end of the Han dynasty. In the fictional town of Beicheng, there are two boys who were both born in the Year of the Tiger. Hu is a peasant boy, and his family struggles to survive as performers and by selling noodles. Ren is the son of Commander Zheng, the garrison commander who has been sent by the Emperor to Beicheng to inspect and repair the Great Wall. Hu and his family are close but poor. Ren is privileged but seemingly unable to obtain his father’s approval.

The boys are drawn together when an archery competition is announced. They both want to enter. Ren has access to a bow, but no archery skills, Hu has the skill, but circumstances prevent him having access to a bow. The boys hatch a plan.

The story is told by the boys in alternate chapters. This provides a clear contrast between the lives of the privileged, and of the poor. And when Hu’s father is taken to help repair the Great Wall, things become even more difficult for Hu and his family.

My 12-year-old nephew was reading this novel, and the cover caught my attention. I’ve long enjoyed fiction set in China, and when I returned home, I bought my own copy. I like the way in which Ms Lloyd used this turbulent period towards the end of the Han Dynasty as the backdrop for the adventures of Hu and Ren. And, if you enjoy this novel, the adventures continue in a second instalment called ‘Battle of the Jade Horse’.

While this is a novel for much younger people than I am (say aged between 8 and 12), I found it interesting as well. I hope that my nephew enjoyed the novel as much as I did.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Tomer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is boring at the start. They just talk about how the characters are doing and that all. Then after it all it gets really interesting. They blame the Merchants for steeling grain when one of the Nobels actually stole it. I think that Ren and Hu will tell off the Magastrait and Master Wang will get in trouble for blaming Hu and his family for steeling grain when he did it all along.

[Hayley E · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was very interesting because there was a lot of drama and very good description

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book was a decent read the conclusion was quite short and boring. It took very long for the book to become action packed. Once it did become interesting it was quite enjoyable. All together I would rate this book 6/10.

[Tom Redpath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Year of the tiger is about two accomplished archers, Hu, and Ren who protect the village from "evil forces" in the lead up to the prestigious "archers national cup". This follows both Hu and Ren perspective individually throughout the story as they battle the evil from entering the village. The stories setting is interesting however other aspects lack sophistication for me (14y/o). I recommend this book for someone who enjoys Chinese history and culture and is between 8-12 years old. I give this book 4/5 stars.

[lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m going to write the things I like first.

I liked:
The way it was written
How there was no romance
The vocabulary used

I think it would be better if:
The characters were more likeable
The plot wasn’t so fuzzy
Master Wang was punished
There were less plot lines

[Julian · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was good and showed how people lived in ancient China and there was a good plot with unexpected plot twists

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little adventure story set in China with unlikely allies (Read buddy-cop as an analogy) and then work together to save the day of course. Somewhat obvious but a lot of fun on the way.

[Angel Parada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book it really reminded me of ancient China

Highly recommend, 5 stars!!

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place during the Han Dynasty. I thought back to the lessons we taught a few years ago on the building of the Great Wall of China and how excited those kids were to learn about it. I believe they would really love this book. The story is told in alternating chapters between Hu, a peasant boy and Ren a commander's son. It shows the difference in the life of the privileged and the poor. Hu's family has been performing for a living for years. Money has been tight. When soldiers enter their city to inspect and repair the breach in the Great Wall several things happen. First of all Hu's father is taken to help repair the wall. The commander who came with his son Ren has decided to hold an archer competition. Hu wants to enter so that he can win the prize and help out the family. Fate steps in and Ren and Hu meet. Ren sees Hu practicing and wants him to help him learn to shoot better so he can enter the competition to try to earn his father's respect. Ren overhears an evil plot and through a course of events both he and Hu find themselves in trouble they never expected. Although the characters were not real the time period was. There was a lot to learn about that time period. It seems so elusive.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ren the son of commander zheng views himself as a disappointment to his family after injuring the first deputy, he

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 5-7 195 pgs


Han Dynasty 202 BC -220 AD, China. Hu, a peasant boy, and Ren, Commander Zheng's son, were both born in the Year of the Tiger, but their situations in life couldn't be more different. Hu's family struggles to survive selling noodles, while Ren has everything he could need except his father's approval. When an archery contest is announced, both boys want to enter, but Hu has the skill, but no bow, Ren has no skills, but has access to a bow. Together the boys come up with a plan to enter the contest together.

Good story.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite a good story of two twelve-year-old boys in ancient China. Ren and Hu are from vastly different social backgrounds and first meet when trying to win an archery competition. However, it is the Year of the Tiger and trouble is never far away. Over the next twelve months, the boys learn the meaning of courage, friendship and resilience as China's enemies gather on the other side of the Great Wall ready to attack.

The biggest negative of the story was the use of modern colloquialisms which jarred with 2 A.D. China.

[Alastair Butcher · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think that this book is possibly the worst book I have ever read. We were forced to read this book in Grade 9 for our history assignment and it made my skin crawl. The characters were either generic, or wholly distasteful and the sociocultural setting was so poorly delivered and so far from historical truth that it was a constant pain to watch the story (if one could be generous enough to call it such) unfold. I would advise my friends to avoid this book like the plague.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did like this book, especially for one a book that I only purchased for $1. It wasn't a really quick read but it was very easy to read especially when one has the time to just sit down and enjoy it. I love it switches POV from chapter to chapter. I admit that I would like a little bit more background on some of the characters but overall I did enjoy the book. I highly recommend it for those who are interested in reading about history and different cultures.

[Anton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book about determination and hardwork. It has also shown unlikely friendship between Hu a peasant boy and Ren a boy from upper class family. It also gave a nice background of ancient china history. I love this book!

[Jacinta Sheridan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son's book in grade 5... A lovely story

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars actually.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. It isn't as exciting as others but it is still cool. I read it twice if that says anything. Date down there was the second time.

[Jamie S · Rating 2 out of 5]

The start of the book was boring. Towards the middle it did get interesting, and then the end was great!

[Alistar ON-0004]

Reading this book again because I know in the future that we’re going to do something on it

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good but a bit confusing at the start