The Last Tiger

Praise for The Last Tiger by Julia Riew and Brad Riew:

July/August 2025 Kids’ Indie Next Read List (Young Adult)
“A gripping story with inspiring familial roots that champions the deeply human need for love.…[a] captivating YA historical fantasy.” — Shelf Awareness

★ “A reminder that knowledge and kindness are powerful tools.” —Booklist, starred review

“… the story vividly highlights the plight of Koreans during a traumatic era.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The sibling ­authors imbue their extensive fantasy worldbuilding with a mixture of real history and folkloric symbolism.” — School Library Journal

Seung and Eunji's relationship evolves from begrudging accomplices to bitter adversaries as they soon find themselves on opposite sides of the battle over the last tiger - a symbol of their people's lost freedom and key to the liberation of their country. As the ties between Seung and Eunji are complicated by their conflicting loyalties, tensions rise, especially when a charming princeling of the empire begins to rival for Eunji's affection.

In this friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story of forbidden romance, antagonists turned allies, oppression and liberation, neither Seung or Eunji can abandon their mission ... or each other. And as they embark on separate quests to find the elusive last tiger, each must also find the power within themselves to make their own destiny.

Inspired by true stories from the authors’ grandparents’ lives during one of the darkest periods in Korean history, The Last Tiger is a debut young adult fantasy novel about the power of love to give voice to a broken people.

What readers are saying on goodreads:

*****
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint! I loved this book and thought it was such a fascinating story.
A's Reviews

*****
Wow tf did I just read? In a good way. This book touched me and moved me! Everyone needs to read this book!
Amy Boo

*****
The Last Tiger is a MUST-READ YA romantic fantasy!!! I absolutely inhaled this book. Siblings Julia and Brad Riew wrote this story together, inspired by the real life love story of the grandparents who lived through Korea's occupation. You can feel the love the authors have for this story on every page
Caitlyn
*****
I wish I could give this book 10 stars. The attention to detail with the use of Ki and Korean mythology is so so good. I haven’t finished a book crying in a while and that’s how I know it’s good.
Lexi

*****
This story swept me up and didn’t let me go until the very last page.
Emma

*****
I loved this book. It gripped me from start to finish, with the right amount of conflict to keep the story going, and compelling characters who I couldn’t help but want to see succeed.
A.R. Hellbender