Review of Aunt Tigress by Emily Yu-Xuan Qin
From the moment I stumbled across Aunt Tigress by Emily Yu-Xuan Qin, I was intrigued by the vibrant blend of the supernatural and the mundane, all set against the backdrop of Calgary. The premise, featuring Tam Lin—part tiger, part human—strikingly captures the essence of feeling like an outsider. As someone who has often found solace in stories about characters navigating their dual identities, I couldn’t resist diving in.
Tam’s journey is a fascinating exploration of her mixed heritage and the violence that comes with it. After the tragic death of her father, we watch her grapple with her animal instincts and the repercussions of her past alongside her chaotic family dynamics. Her relationship with her mother and stepfather is complex, colored by grief and resentment, and her affection for her stepbrother Paul adds a layer of normalcy that contrasts sharply with her tumultuous inner world. The emotional undertones during these familial conflicts felt so relatable; they reminded me of the challenging phases in my own life when navigating complex relationships.
The heart of the story, however, revolves around Tam’s quest to uncover the truth behind Aunt Tigress’s death. This quest pulls her back into a supernatural world she tried to escape. One of the strongest aspects of the novel is how Qin weaves in rich lore about various supernatural beings populating Calgary. The layers of history and characterization shine through in these moments, offering a fascinating glimpse into a world that feels both fantastical and eerily familiar. Yet, I found that the sheer volume of exposition sometimes derailed the pacing, making it challenging to maintain a sense of urgency in Tam’s quest. Instead of building momentum, the narrative often felt like it was bogged down by its own world-building, making me lose track of the plot’s direction.
I’ll be honest; I didn’t warm to Janet, Tam’s love interest, at all. Her brashness and thrill-seeking demeanor felt less like an engaging contrast to Tam’s introversion and more like an unsettling force. Their relationship dynamics made me uneasy, and I often found myself questioning their compatibility. Perhaps it was too reliant on the drama of the supernatural world; I struggled to fully invest in their connection.
I enjoyed alternating between the physical book and the audiobook narrated by Jen Zhao. Her voice was captivating, especially while bringing Aunt Tigress to life. But by the halfway point, I found myself pushing through the chapters more out of obligation than excitement. This was disappointing because the writing was inventive and the world-building was rich in detail.
Ultimately, Aunt Tigress offers a unique exploration of identity, grief, and the struggle between one’s nature and nurture. While I appreciated the creativity and depth in Qin’s storytelling, the pacing challenges held it back for me. If you’re a fan of speculative fiction that plays with family dynamics and supernatural elements, you might find a lot to love here—especially if you enjoy stories that are rooted in place, like this Canadian setting. For me, the experience was a mixed bag: bursting with potential but ultimately leaving me wanting more cohesion.
Thank you to Netgalley, DAW, and Spotify Audiobooks for providing me with these ARCs in exchange for my honest review.