Tiger Lily by Noel-Anne Brennan follows the story of Lily, a shape-shifting tiger living a life of secrecy in Rhode Island. Balancing her dual nature with the ordinary challenges of being a single mother, she faces mounting dangers as her world collides with supernatural threats involving soul-eating creatures and governmental Psi Disease Centers. The novel blends the mundane with the mystical, exploring Lily’s need to protect her daughter, Beth, while uncovering secrets that threaten both her family and the world she’s trying to protect.

From the start, I was hooked by Brennan’s atmospheric writing. The opening scene, where Lily is in her tiger form, beautifully sets the tone. Her transformation from tiger back to human was so vividly described that I could feel the contrast between the primal freedom of being a tiger and the vulnerability of her human self. This duality is key to the story and is skillfully handled throughout. The internal tension Lily experiences—her love for her daughter and her fear of what she might become—is a constant thread that gives the narrative depth and emotional resonance. Lily’s interactions with her daughter, Beth, felt incredibly real, especially during moments like Beth pleading to stay longer at her friend’s house. It grounded the supernatural elements, giving the reader a sense of real stakes. Even the side characters, like Stan, the geeky postdoctoral student, and John, Lily’s intimidating ex, were fleshed out with enough detail to make their presence impactful. The relationship dynamics, particularly between Lily and John, revealed layers of fear, love, and distrust that made the story more complex. I found parts of the book a bit slow, especially when it came to the exposition of the Psi Diseases and the government’s involvement. While the premise of shape-shifters being part of a broader psi-disease outbreak was fascinating, some of the scientific explanations felt a bit heavy-handed and interrupted the flow of the narrative. That being said, the cultural and supernatural mythology surrounding the Hmong shamans and soul-eating tigers added an intriguing layer that kept me invested in the plot, especially as Lily tries to unravel how she fits into this bigger mystery.

Tiger Lily is a well-crafted blend of supernatural suspense, family drama, and cultural mythology. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy urban fantasy with a strong emotional core, especially those who like stories about shape-shifters or complex mother-daughter relationships. It’s an engrossing read that tackles both the magical and the mundane in a way that feels fresh and immersive.

Pages: 303 | ASIN : B0CM1K3MRF