Twin princess Kelindi and Aridani live a lavish life in The Tiger’s Claw, a mountain formed two hundred years ago when the queen used powers gifted to her by a unique bonding to her white tiger companion to create a place where her people could be safe. Traditionally the leader of the Tiger’s People rule the land. However, unbeknownst to the twins, who are the subjects of a prophecy from the tigers, the kingdom is on the edge of civil war.
The Tiger’s People came to lands already occupied by the river people, and have been using their power to maintain a bloody rule. After the last uprising, which the twin’s father suppressed with horrendous acts on the people, the discontent is rising again.
And the twins themselves, who had the secret of the prophecy hidden from them, are confronted with their fate to battle each other for the throne at what they expected to be Kelindi’s coronation. Facing this betrayal from their father, they are unaware that their whole lives exist on the pain and suffering of others.
The Tiger’s Tongue is the first in a series that is set to openly confront themes of colonialism, racism and oppression, as well as all the way our parents fail us. It’s a very interesting tale, with fabulous art and a lush, exotic setting. I highly recommend it for public collections looking to expand past cosmic super heroes and traditional white storytellers.