“Packed with Chinese mythology, kick-ass action, and sexual tension….A smart, entertaining read.”
—Australian Specific...
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reviews
Jan 02, 2009
Nu
rated it: 
Rather long and dull. Obviously a start to a long trilogy as it felt that a lot of story angles and plot lines were being set up but none were addressed or resolved in the first book.
Lacked a sense of immersion as I never felt that any of the characters were ever truly in any peril and anything that surprised me (read:that wasn't predictable) was only due to the fact that it didn't make sense and came completely from left field.
I feel that anything that needs a 20 page gl More...
Lacked a sense of immersion as I never felt that any of the characters were ever truly in any peril and anything that surprised me (read:that wasn't predictable) was only due to the fact that it didn't make sense and came completely from left field.
I feel that anything that needs a 20 page gl More...
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Dec 16, 2011
Maye
rated it: 
This book is full of vigour and non-stop adventure that has earned itself a well - deserved place in the top charts. Emma, one of the feminist heroes with the most attitude that rivals Hermione Granger of the Harry Potter series, is my absolute favourite character in the book, short of Simone Chen. Action-packed to the right amount so as to not throw the reader of course nor succumb to boredom. Contains intriguing Chinese mythology that is a vital part of this book; without it, the book
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Jan 13, 2012
Courtney
rated it: 
I picked this book up because the title caught my attention. "White Tiger? One of the four guardians? Sweet!" Alright, my thought process wasn't exactly like that, but the gist is there. So I see that. There were also two other books out on the shelves, each with a name similar to the first. Hm. A series. Could be interesting.
Well, then I start reading. Let's get into that.
Emma Donahoe is an Australian living in Hong Kong. She finds herself in the employ of More...
Well, then I start reading. Let's get into that.
Emma Donahoe is an Australian living in Hong Kong. She finds herself in the employ of More...
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Oct 04, 2011
Mlle.
rated it:
I had more problems with WHITE TIGER than I could possible enumerate in a review. It’s not just bad…it’s kind of gross, with the most unappealing heroine I’ve come across in a while.
The novel takes place over a period of a couple of years. For the most part, we’re subjected to the surprisingly boring day-to-day goings on in the household of Mr. Chen, a god of the Chinese pantheon. For the first quarter of the novel or so, our heroine Emma crushes on Mr. Chen while demanding that sh More...
The novel takes place over a period of a couple of years. For the most part, we’re subjected to the surprisingly boring day-to-day goings on in the household of Mr. Chen, a god of the Chinese pantheon. For the first quarter of the novel or so, our heroine Emma crushes on Mr. Chen while demanding that sh More...
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Oct 01, 2011
Bookmom
rated it: 
This urban fantasy is filled with Chinese mythology, gods, demons, magic and ordinary humans, including Emma, an Australian in Hong Kong who after working as a kindergarten teacher and private tutor for four years, accepts the job as full time nanny to four-year old Simone. Emma eventually comes to learn that Simone’s father, John Cheng, is actually Xuan Wu, god of the Northern Heavens and creator of all martial arts. Drained of energy in his human form, he’s only got a few years left to teach
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Sep 25, 2011
Kyle!
rated it:
This book, and the rest of it's series, is amazing. People have been complaining about the fact that there is too much information being presented straight away, but as I did before I read this book, not everyone has knowledge of Chinese Mythology. I most certainly didn't know a thing, but now that I have read the book, I'm seriously interested in Chinese Mythology. Also, all the information that Kylie gives you pretty much adds up to your total understanding of the story. Without some of the in
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Aug 06, 2011
Rhonda
rated it:
Wow I have never heard anything about the mythology of China. Just a little bits here and there. It was confusing for me to get it straight but sounds like others do to or they mean different things in different regions and different names. I enjoyed reading about them.
Emma is a kindergarden teacher in Hong Kong from down under. Emma has one private student she teaches english to Simone. Simone father is Mr. Chen a rich powerful man. The owner of the school Miss Kwok wants Emma to spy on M More...
Emma is a kindergarden teacher in Hong Kong from down under. Emma has one private student she teaches english to Simone. Simone father is Mr. Chen a rich powerful man. The owner of the school Miss Kwok wants Emma to spy on M More...
Apr 12, 2011
Alison
rated it: 
White Tiger is a delightfully original story, not only blending east and west, but also blending fantasy and romance in ways I’ve never truly encountered before; Kylie Chan shows how perfectly it really can be done.
Although at times the dialogue seemed a little stilted, rather than being distracting it actually fit in with the story and location, giving credence to the language flow, dialogue and accent of Chinese speaking English. Of course, as the story progressed this became less an More...
Although at times the dialogue seemed a little stilted, rather than being distracting it actually fit in with the story and location, giving credence to the language flow, dialogue and accent of Chinese speaking English. Of course, as the story progressed this became less an More...
Dec 02, 2009
Becky
rated it:
I bought this book believing it would be a gripping, fast paced, action packed story with martial arts, Chinese culture and mythology.
Basically, it's not.
It's someone who has experienced chinese culture, and wanted to write a book about it. However, they cannot write a story and it has ended up reading more like a non fiction book.
The actual story is completely ridiculous; The development of the plot and the characters were stupid to the point where I was actuall More...
Basically, it's not.
It's someone who has experienced chinese culture, and wanted to write a book about it. However, they cannot write a story and it has ended up reading more like a non fiction book.
The actual story is completely ridiculous; The development of the plot and the characters were stupid to the point where I was actuall More...
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Aug 31, 2011
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
rated it:
Well, I haven't read an adult fantasy romance in a while. This one was pretty interesting and, by and large, I enjoyed it, but I do feel compelled to mention that this is more about the fantasy and less about the romance (in the harlequin, sexy fabio on the cover sense). If you are in this for sexy scenes, you will be woefully disappointed. They have to happen sometime, but not yet.
The plot of this novel was largely setup, with little actually resolved, although there is a definite nar More...
The plot of this novel was largely setup, with little actually resolved, although there is a definite nar More...
Aug 18, 2011
Pam
rated it:
Emma is an Australian in Hong Kong. She’s been working as an English teacher at a local Kindergarten as well as taking on private clients. One of these clients is Simone the four year old daughter of a very wealthy Hong Kong businessman. When Emma quits her kindergarten job, Mr. Chen, Simone’s Dad, hires her as Simone’s full-time, live-in, nanny.
Upon moving into Mr. Chen’s home, Emma starts to discover strange goings on…Leo, Mr. Chen’s driver is actually more like a body guard, and M More...
Upon moving into Mr. Chen’s home, Emma starts to discover strange goings on…Leo, Mr. Chen’s driver is actually more like a body guard, and M More...
Jan 24, 2012
Nancy
rated it:
Lots of potential, greatly disappointing
This book is like popcorn. It's hard to stop eating even though you know it's not good for you, and at some point you'll realize that you should have stopped some time ago.
There's are some really interesting ideas in here, especially the idea of using Chinese mythology for urban fantasy instead of the usual vampire thing, but really, it's still cut and paste urban fantasy. We have a smart-ass first person viewpoint from a female ma More...
This book is like popcorn. It's hard to stop eating even though you know it's not good for you, and at some point you'll realize that you should have stopped some time ago.
There's are some really interesting ideas in here, especially the idea of using Chinese mythology for urban fantasy instead of the usual vampire thing, but really, it's still cut and paste urban fantasy. We have a smart-ass first person viewpoint from a female ma More...
Mar 15, 2010
Lexie
rated it:
Ordinarily there's a couple of things in White Tiger that would make me get frustrated pretty quickly. Rapid fire information dump, multiple radical changes in a character's life in less than a dozen pages and abrupt transitions. What saves White Tiger however comes down to 2 important details: 1) I've been waiting for this series to have domestic publication in America for four years and 2) contextually a lot is explained because of the character's personality. I probably would have forgiven
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Feb 03, 2012
Jeffrey
rated it:
There are some books that I have difficulty summarizing in one statement, books that aren't necessarily about anything in particular, but instead explore emotion or thought or being. This is not one of those books. In short: "Jane Eyre, the Hong Kong Action Movie" is a fun tale of an Australian woman, named Emma who is hired to become the governess for a mysterious Chinese widower's daughter.
Soon her life is put at risk as she becomes closely involved with the family's aff More...
Soon her life is put at risk as she becomes closely involved with the family's aff More...
Aug 30, 2011
Kara-karina
rated it:
How can I describe the sense of wonder I experienced when I finished this book? I can not. This was a wonderful, glorious journey, but this book is not for everyone.
I think that people who like me grew up on enormous amount of Hong Kong movies will love it. People who went to Asia and saw with their own eyes that alien for Westerners multi-layered culture will love it. For everyone else it's a gamble.
I spent 9 months in Asia, and still pretty much don't know anything of t More...
I think that people who like me grew up on enormous amount of Hong Kong movies will love it. People who went to Asia and saw with their own eyes that alien for Westerners multi-layered culture will love it. For everyone else it's a gamble.
I spent 9 months in Asia, and still pretty much don't know anything of t More...
Jul 06, 2011
David
rated it:
Set in Hong Kong, this book tells the story of Emma Donahoe, an Australian nanny, and her new employer, a very rich Hong Kong businessman. The blurb talks about the possible targeting of his daughter Simone by kidnappers and Emma's entry into a world of martial arts, magic and extreme danger.
Emma is a bossy young women who thinks that the world should revolve around her. In spite of the fact that she has absolutely no personal charm, the world seems to comply. Inexplicable really. She More...
Emma is a bossy young women who thinks that the world should revolve around her. In spite of the fact that she has absolutely no personal charm, the world seems to comply. Inexplicable really. She More...
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Feb 17, 2011
Starfire
rated it:
OK, I can see why many of the reviewers below complained so bitterly about this book. It *does* read as though written by a fairly young author who's writing her very first novel; and especially towards the last third of the book, the Mary-Sueing with the main character (whom everyone loves and everyone is always praising, and who's just perfect at martial arts and energy work to the point that *I* wanted to slap the author upside the head) starts bordering on obnoxious.
And I also un More...
And I also un More...
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Dec 31, 2011
Tara
rated it:
This review was originally posted here on my blog, Hey, Tara.
What drew me to this book was that it was based around Chinese mythology – a subject that I’ve always found somewhat interesting. I’d been looking at it for a while, and when it went into the Kindle sale, I downloaded it immediately!
The story centers around Emma Donahoe, an Australian living in Hong Kong who ends up becoming a full-time live-in nanny working for Mr. Chen and his delightful young daughter, Simone More...
What drew me to this book was that it was based around Chinese mythology – a subject that I’ve always found somewhat interesting. I’d been looking at it for a while, and when it went into the Kindle sale, I downloaded it immediately!
The story centers around Emma Donahoe, an Australian living in Hong Kong who ends up becoming a full-time live-in nanny working for Mr. Chen and his delightful young daughter, Simone More...
Feb 19, 2011
Tahlia
rated it:
I loved this. Set in Hong Kong, it moves from a very normal situation deeper and deeper into the world of Taoist Gods and demons. Great stuff. It would make an awesome KUng Fu movie.
The heroine is gutsy and very Australian in her openness and directness and the other characters are all just plain gorgeous. Strong and oozing love and devotion to each other. That's a very powerful state of mind/heart. I finished this one and had to go out and get the next in the series straight away. I j More...
The heroine is gutsy and very Australian in her openness and directness and the other characters are all just plain gorgeous. Strong and oozing love and devotion to each other. That's a very powerful state of mind/heart. I finished this one and had to go out and get the next in the series straight away. I j More...
Oct 23, 2011
Shoshana
rated it:
I picked up this book on a whim, and I'm quite glad I did! Don't get me wrong, the book isn't perfect. The beginning is a bit stiff, and the book itself ends abruptly and awkwardly(as if the author had all three books in the series written at once and had to find a stopping point for book one--this being the best one). There were also moments when I thought "man, this book is dragging on just a little". At the same time, the plot and characters are very engaging, unexpectedly so. And I
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Oct 08, 2011
Dianne
rated it:
A twist of fate puts Australian Emma Donahoe, into a prime position in the John Chen household. As a part time teacher of John's daughter Simone when there is a problem with Mr. Chen's nanny and he needs a new one, Emma steps into the fray. She should have known things were not what they seemed. Mr. Chen is no ordinary Chinese executive. He is ultra rich, highly secretive, ultra worried about his daughters' safety, skilled in Martial Arts and various swords and other tools of the Art More...
Aug 18, 2010
Stephanie
rated it:
White Tiger is the first in the Dark Heavens trilogy, which was first published by Orbit in Australia, and is now being reissued through Angry Robot, the new ‘SF, F, and WTF’ imprint of HarperCollins UK*. Angry Robot was kind enough to send me an ARC of the book to review, and given the nature of this blog, a review is exactly what you’ll get, although today with bonus ramble!
I’ll be honest and say that my very first impression of this book was a feeling of relief that the rather ex More...
I’ll be honest and say that my very first impression of this book was a feeling of relief that the rather ex More...
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Mar 28, 2011
Libby
rated it:
I really liked this story, although I can understand where people are coming from with regards to the authors writing style. At times it seems like the only reason some things are mentioned in the story are just because the author happened to know a 'fun-fact' and wanted to include it... It almost comes across as a "ha! I know more about chinese culture than normal people" type of feel, when really the things that are being said aren't that profound or exclusive... ANYWAY, the story,
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Feb 25, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
It's addictive. I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to go to Hong Kong immediately, even if only to smack the heroine on the head because she veered waaaaay into Mary Sue territory with no hope of extraction.
From my review:
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Ever read a book that drove you nuts in some parts, to the point that you wanted to roll your eyes for a solid hour, but yet you were compelled by curiosity, fascination, and plain old WTF to keep going? This is one of those books. I could not
Sep 09, 2011
Rachael
rated it:
I picked up this book and I loved it from the get go. Simone the kid that everyone loves I admit sounded a bit wishie washie but it was about right. From what I gather the author does know about chinese culture having lived as an english teacher herself for many years.
It was a well written book and I enjoyed the triology as well.
It was a well written book and I enjoyed the triology as well.
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Feb 09, 2012
~.*!emilytaylor!*.~
rated it:
I've seen this author quite a few times at SuperNova, so when i finally got my hands on this book I was quite thrilled.
And I wasn't disappointed.
What Chan lacks in strong imagery, she owns in amazing, developed characters with strong voices and a kick ass storyline.
I read in a review that it was disappointing that the majority of the book was developing Emma's MAA (mixed marcel arts), and powers, and it was a waste that she didn't use it in the climax. That's true, but this is More...
And I wasn't disappointed.
What Chan lacks in strong imagery, she owns in amazing, developed characters with strong voices and a kick ass storyline.
I read in a review that it was disappointing that the majority of the book was developing Emma's MAA (mixed marcel arts), and powers, and it was a waste that she didn't use it in the climax. That's true, but this is More...
Mar 12, 2011
Tracey
rated it:
This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I have to admit it's not one I would have selected myself. I don't know why, but I rarely read books that contain martial arts. Given that this book has a woman performing martial arts on the cover accompanied by Chinese lettering, I never would have picked it up.
Having said all of that though, I enjoyed this book by Kylie Chan. What drew me in were the 'supernatural themes' and it was a surprise to me to find that I enjoyed the martial More...
Having said all of that though, I enjoyed this book by Kylie Chan. What drew me in were the 'supernatural themes' and it was a surprise to me to find that I enjoyed the martial More...
Dec 04, 2011
Leslie
rated it:
I enjoyed White Tiger for the simple reminders of my childhood in a Cantonese neighborhood. I've been to Hong Kong and the descriptions made me feel nostalgic. And I've never read much about Asian mythology, so this was another treat.
After the initial pleasantries, the story unfolds pretty straightforwardly. If you are a genre fan of urban fantasy and action, then I think the book is satisfying.
One of the caveats of the lead protagonist is her flat character. The in stor More...
After the initial pleasantries, the story unfolds pretty straightforwardly. If you are a genre fan of urban fantasy and action, then I think the book is satisfying.
One of the caveats of the lead protagonist is her flat character. The in stor More...
Apr 27, 2010
Leslie (That Chick That Reads)
rated it:
The author is very knowledgeable about Chinese Mythology and martial arts. It was very interesting to learn about it because it’s new territory for me. I loved some, not all the characters though. I loved the little girl, she was just a cute character and a very strong one as well. Although I really wish that the author would have explored her character a little more. It has a pretty awesome storyline, although it kind of drifted off coarse here and there but it got right back on. Ok on to some
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Sep 04, 2010
Kyra
rated it:
This is the First book of the Dark Heavens Trilogy and I would highly reccomend to any one who loves fantasy, romance and action, you will get it all in this book and the other two books in the series so far.
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