Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny

The Dream Chronicles #1

by Stacie Eirich, Suzanne Hunt (Illustrator )

Wishes fly & dreams be bright,
In warmth of sun & chill of night.
Lost within one Kingdom lies a tome,
Of ancient tales & futures unknown.
Hidden there, a golden sword, a secret stone,
May fairies' wings help guide you home.

Follow Suzie & Jack as they discover Tiger Kingdom, a world of magic, mystery & dreams. Will they be able to find The Book of Destiny and return home? What dark secrets are the Tigers hiding? Enter Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny, a fantasy adventure for middle-grade readers, to find out. Volume 1 of The Dream Chronicles.

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy

82 pages, Paperback

Published December 15, 2016

About the author

Stacie Eirich is an author & mother of two. A former English Instructor and Library Associate, she is the author of Hope Like Sunlight, a memoir (2024), and The Dream Chronicles, a middle-grade fantasy series (2016-2019). Her poems & short fiction have appeared in literary journals, magazines & anthologies.

Stacie's Links:
https://linktr.ee/stacieeirich

Reviews

[Cecily Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful middle grade fantasy that older elementary and middle schoolers as well as adults who love the Narnia universe will enjoy. The poems and illustrations are wonderful additions to this enchanting story, which, fortunately, continues. The Dream Chronicles is the perfect name for this series, as the dreamy quality threads through the prose and poetry as well as the actual storyline. This would be a lovely story to share at bedtime, or for teachers to read during class time to encourage young readers who are reluctant to pick up books, or to redirect/get the attention of a class that needs refocusing. The characters - both human and animal - are believable and compelling, and will capture the attention of any reader who enjoys fairy tales and animal fantasy.

[Davyne DeSye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable middle-grade fantasy, loosely reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series – which is one of the highest of compliments I could give!

Suzie and her twin, Jack, are swept into another world from their school after Suzie has a dream of tigers and finds a magical key.

After befriending two other children in the magical forest, they arrive at the castle which is ruled over by the Tiger King who has a mission for them…

The only drawbacks I saw were, first, the ending… I know this is the first of a series, but as anyone knows who has read any of my previous reviews, I prefer a book to have a satisfying ending, even if there is a follow-on book. This one ended more with a “to be continued.” This is only a personal pet peeve, however, and I know lots of people enjoy the cliffhanger.

Second, I felt that the story was more “happening to” the main characters rather than being shaped by them. Jack, especially, seemed a cipher and I was not always clear why he was even included in the story.

Overall, a delightful read that definitely made me want to race back to some of my middle-grade favorites and brought back memories of reading to my own children…

True rating: 3.5 stars.

[Jaci Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle age fantasy novel, Tiger Kingdom and the Book of Destiny, by Stacie Eirich, is a fun and fantastical journey that is sure to engage the young readers imagination.

Twins, Suzie and Jack, are transported through an enchanted drawing and find themselves in an unknown world, inhabited by strange talking creatures and ruled by a white tiger. The only other humans in this mysterious world are two other siblings, Liam and Elena, who have been lost in this fantasy world for some time. Like the twins, they also find themselves in the same predicament, stuck in a world they don’t understand yet are seemingly connected too, with no idea how to get home. The four set out on a quest that will hopefully ensure peace for the kingdom and a way home for all of them.

Eirich has created a world rich in vibrancy and characters that are likable and relevant. Written for a younger audience, the prose is simple and the storyline moves at a quick pace, keeping the reader engaged. Filled with fantastical birds, a little green dragon, and regal tigers, the story entices the readers imagination and awe in the characters adventures.

Each chapter has a unique poem at the beginning and little illustrations throughout, both of which enhance the chapter content. These unexpected inclusions, promote Eirich’s unique stylized writing and her interesting approach to a fantasy genre propagated to a younger audience. The storyline seems to move through a dreamy state which either foreshadows the series ending or enhances the series “Dream Chronicle” moniker.

Tiger Kingdom and the Book of Destiny is the first book in the Dream Chronicle series and is a short, quick, and easy read, both satisfying in content, and storyline for the age group intended. Although it ends without much fanfare or an intriguing cliffhanger, I suspect that book two may make up for it with an interesting and possibly dangerous adventure in the “villains” homeland. I also hope that the backstories of Liam and Elena are explored, as their presence in this world prior to the twin’s appearance provokes a multitude of questions.

The book is a great start to what could be an entertaining middle grade series, perfect for fans of the Chronicles of Narnia, the Land of Stories series, or anyone who enjoys getting lost in fantastical worlds full of exciting adventures and delightful characters.

[Lucretia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My love for reading is rooted in fanciful tales, such as my very favorite, Alice in Wonderland. So when I say this has a fantastical quality I mean that as a high complement. There were so many little things about this tale that spoke to my inner child. The opening of each chapter was written in poetic prose, setting the scene and giving a clue as to what was in store for the twins, Suzie and Jack. Even beyond that opening there appears to be careful thought to the melodic tone that gives the entire book a dreamy quality.

I was really taken by the world created, tigers have always been special to me, so it was easy to sink into a world ruled by the majestic creatures. It moved at a fast pace, filled with adventure and action that will hold the attention of the target audience. The magic aspects were fascinating and I look forward to learning more about what awaits Suzie and Jack. I found the end a touch abrupt, even so I would still seek out and read the next part, and recommend it for readers of all ages.

[David Kummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing that struck me about this is the description, which rhymes and is in the shape of a little poem for the first half. I should've seen it coming, but turns out every chapter starts this way, with a little poem in front of it! I absolutely love things like this in books, where the format itself is unique and makes a reader smile. Not only that, but the poetry was pretty well-written, so kudos to the author.

Besides that, the story was also very good. I like how it set up the rest of the series, which promises to be just as good if not even better. It's a pretty short book, but that makes it all the more enjoyable. Such a simple, delicate book, it holds some nice concepts for the middle-grade readers, which seems to be what this is intended for. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it and would recommend this to all types of readers.

[Nikki Landis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiger Kingdom is a wonderful little story about a brother and sister who stumble upon a secret kingdom, find their destiny, and encounter magical beasts in a fantastical universe. Lovely hand drawn illustrations enhance the descriptions and help the reader connect to this strange new world. Age appropriate for younger elementary through middle school and engaging with fun interactions and dialogue. Children in these age ranges will be fascinated by the crazy adventures of Suzie and Jack. In a lot of way I was reminded of Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia. The poems compiled at the end were also a nice little addition. A fun family read to enjoy!!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, quick, and entertaining story! I am a huge fan of fairytales, and Tiger Kingdom and the Book of Destiny was a wonderful adventure to read. The story begins with Suzie being awoken by the sounds of tigers rushing in the streets. Was it a dream? Had the tigers escaped from the circus in town? From the very first page, you are whisked along on a fast-paced ride, following the adventures of Suzie and her twin brother, Jack.

The chapters were quite short, but they were packed with details and wonderful descriptions of the world that Suzie and Jack find themselves in. I would have liked to know a bit more about the other characters, Liam and Elena, as well as the Tiger King. I love fast-paced books, and this story kept me turning the pages, but it ended so quickly. I do wish the story was a bit longer, stretching out the tale so that I could have had more time in the world of the Tiger Kingdom. The poems at the end of the book were a nice surprise, as were the illustrations!

I am not a big fan of cliffhangers, and this book ends on one, BUT I was glad to see that the author is planning to continue the story in the future. Tiger Kingdom and the Book of Destiny was an enjoyable read, and I will definitely read more stories from this author.

[Sergio Tinoco · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny by Stacie Eirich is a delightful story that can be enjoyed by kids, teenagers, and even adults. I couldn’t help but enjoy the short little life lessons found within the story. This is why it can be read by anyone. There are some hidden gems found within the chapters that are ultimately advice that we hear as kids and throughout our lives when it comes to following your dreams and being brave to take the next step forward.

The poems found within the story are an amazing touch and blend well with the depiction of the characters and setting of each chapter. I must say that I was amazed by it and am glad it made me realize that we can never be too old to enjoy a story of kids made for kids.

[Margaret Standafer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short book, the first of an up-coming series, aimed toward kids in grades 3-6. I kept that in mind while reading, but still found myself wishing for something more.

The story begins with Suzie waking from a dream to see tigers running down the street in front of her house. She wakes her twin brother, Jack, who tells her it was all just a dream. From this point on, I wasn’t ever sure if all that happened was a dream or if we were to believe the children had been transported to a magical kingdom with a tiger king, talking birds, and two other children who also find themselves trapped and looking for a way to escape the kingdom. Yes, this this a fantasy book, and yes, I loved The Chronicles of Narnia to which this book bears a striking resemblance, but whereas that book made it clear what was happening, Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny never really moves the reader from a dreamy, hazy sort of state where there are more questions than answers. Perhaps this will be cleared up in future books in the series.

There were times when the writing was strong, especially with the original poems the author uses to begin each chapter. I enjoyed reading these lyrical overviews of the upcoming chapter but wonder if kids in the targeted age group would understand or appreciate them. There are also charming drawings interspersed throughout the book. Disappointing, however, was when the book ended very abruptly. I felt as though nothing had really happened yet and what I had just read was more of a long introduction than a complete story.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny is a portal fantasy for young readers that has a Narnia vibe, while still retaining its originality. The book opens with a scene that’s exciting and deeply intriguing: white tigers running down the street. It seems only Suzie saw them. Did she invent them? Were they actually there or a vision meant only for her? And why would such a strange sight appear to a seemingly ordinary ten year old girl? With these questions circling in my mind, I plunged forward, eager to discover what lay in the pages ahead of me.

I was not disappointed.
As the plot unfolds, more little mysteries are offered up for the reader to solve alongside Suzie and jack. Plenty of imaginative devices entreat the senses, but many touchstones of reality are sprinkles throughout to help readers make connections. The addition of circus themes was a good touch and provided an element of whimsy. Elena and Liam were my favorite characters - Elena for her wistful secretiveness and Liam for his steadfastness and intelligence. I’m eager to see what the next book has in store for them.

Every time I get my hands on a work intended for younger readers, I find myself slipping into teacher mode. Sometimes books intended for children are dumbed-down, but that is definitely not the case here. Readers are given opportunities to expand their vocabularies, draw conclusions, and make predictions while immersing themselves in world rich with beautiful imagery. It was maybe a bit short for my tastes and could have used a little fleshing out in some areas, but the length is probably perfectly fine for the intended audience.

[Jacqueline Hodder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny (The Dream Chronicles, #1) is such a sweet book with lovely illustrations to match.

It is the story of Suzie (who has a very vivid connection with tigers) and Jack (her brother) who, at first, is unconvinced as to Suzie's strange dream of tigers. The reader is then swept into the dreamy world of tigers, birds and other children trying to escape the kingdom.

The story is strong in parts but could do with some tight editing to ensure the story moves at a greater pace, although with the lyrical nature of the story, perhaps this is not what the writer is hoping for. However, with children these days bombarded with distractions on all sides, a bit of tightening may help keep the reader engaged throughout.

I would like to see a rounded off story in this first book. I remember reading a middle-grade novel some years back that ended suddenly (as does Tiger Kingdom) and feeling as if I'd been short-changed as I would have to buy the next book to find out more. Most series do have some resolutions at the end with trails leading to possible other books but readers do prefer to have some satisfaction for their efforts, with some loose ends tied up.

Overall this was a very sweet book with delightful drawings that speak to a delightful imagination and transportation to a world far away - wonderful escapism.

[Gita Reddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story begins with a dream about a girl, a white tiger, and a boy. The tiger tells the girl that she needn’t arm herself; she has the power to fight within her.

Suzie wakes up from the dream to see tigers running down her street. She shakes her brother awake and tells him about the tigers but he doesn’t believe her and tells her that it was a dream. The next day, in school, Suzie starts drawing tigers and is transported into a magical kingdom. Or is she?
The story continues with Suzie and her brother who also magically appears beside her. She learns that her purpose is to help the displaced tiger queen regain her throne for which the Book of Destiny needs to be recovered. Another brother-sister duo joins the siblings in the quest, and later, in their attempt to return to their world.

The story has similarities to The Chronicles of Narnia but lacks its pace, its well-defined characters, and its cohesiveness. The story meanders like a stilted river, and suddenly dries up. I felt cheated when the book came to an abrupt end. The only reason I have given it three stars and not two is because the author has interspersed the prose with the verse, and as an author, I always appreciate new ways of telling a story.

Do I recommend the book? Not really.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I initially read The Dream Chronicles out of order, it was fun to return and read this again.

Stacie Eirich has taken us to a world filled with magic and wonder, danger and heroics. This first book introduces the characters and also sends them on their quest to return things stolen from the Tiger King, Sampson.

I love that Eirich injects poetry and artwork into the narrative to further enhance the storytelling.

These books would be a delightful gift for the tween girls in your lives.

Highly recommended.

[Franca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An out of this world tale...

I can see a lot of young readers liking this series. It was fun and full of adventure for the young characters of this story. The world building is good and makes you feel like you’re right there. I only wish the story was longer, as it ended a bit too abruptly. However, it does keep you wanting to know more.

[L.N. Denison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although, I had read the second book of the series first, that little inconvenience didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.

The story itself follows Suzie and her brother, Jack on a wild adventure in another kingdom. It's almost like a 'Lion, Witch and Wardrobe' scenario. One minute Suzie is sitting in a classroom, and the next...walking through a dark forest with her brother. I loved that. It took some strange occurrences to get that point, but they played out well.

From their arrival in the forest, the duo encounter some wonderful creatures, and pick up a couple of allies along the way. Characters I recognised from the second book in the series. I love the way the book was set out with a mixture of story and poetry...and the small string of illustrations that were scattered about the pages.

All in all, this is a well written story that I would recommend to anyone.

[Darrell Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick fun read that knows what it wants to be.
To me this book hit all the right marks for bedtime reading with the kids. (Disclaimer: I don't have kids). Had the fascination with a strange and new world, and moved quickly. A sense of wonderment, without anything that might scare the kids.
It reminded me of books I loved as a kid. For that reason I'm giving it 5 stars.

[James Hockley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Merging poetry and prose, this is a really nice little story intended for a mid-grade younger audience. It has a real dreamy quality to it, which is heightened by the poetry, and therefore fits together nicely. If I had one observation, I would be that the ending is a touch abrupt – and a bit too early in my mind. It felt like it had only just got going, and then we ended, with a promise of a second volume in 2017. Hopefully there’s not too long to wait!

To set the scene, I am not a particular aficionado of poetry, and perhaps more than that, I am not a mid-grade teenager. But I am certainly not mature for my age, so it was not hard to throw myself into this little story! And overall I liked it.

The story focusses on twins (Suzie & Jack) who end up being magically transported to another world that is ruled by tigers. There they face some dangers, but ultimately find sanctuary with the white tiger king (Sampson). They then determine that what they need to return to their world (the real world?) is to venture out into the wider magical world and recover a book, as-well as a big precious stone. Of course, recovering these items will not be as easy as just finding them…

The story is told through the eyes of Suzie, and already we see that the main arc will come through her development in this magical realm. However, we do dip into the eyes of others for the prologue and interlogue, though this didn’t feel crucial.

And overall the story has a nice feel to it: the writing is good and it hits a reasonable pace. The poetry is distributed at various points throughout the prose, and though the poetry is relevant to the action, it never quite felt part of the story. I have no idea how one could better incorporate it, but that is how it felt to me. Is the poetry good? It probably is, yes (it reads easily enough), but I don’t think I was best placed to appreciate it! It did certainly add to the somewhat misty quality of the writing, and I think this worked well. It seems an excellent interpretation of how Suzie’s mind works – she is a daydreamer.

My main qualm with the book is probably to do with its progression. This story feels like it is something akin to the “Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” in terms of its design, and that is no bad thing. There is certainly the start of a good plot line, and the magical world is beautifully imagined. The problem is that by the end of the novel, it didn’t feel like we’d really made much progress. To use an analogy, it feels like we’ve just gone through the wardrobe and met Aslan, but then it ends. In my mind that represents the point where the story gets going (let the adventure begin!), but we have to wait. Indeed, without the poetry, this is actually a very short story, which I think reinforces the point. It is part of a whole. I have no doubt that the sequels will give rise to a very compelling and magical story, but it would have been nice to step a bit further down the road in this book.

So there we have it. This is lining up to be a really nice little story, and Suzie and Jack have lots of adventures ahead of them. Let’s hope they come thick and fast!

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Thank you to Kid Lit Exchange for providing me with a free advanced copy of Tiger Kingdom and the Book of Destiny by Stacie Eirich in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Reminiscent of The Chronicles of Narnia, Tiger Kingdom and The Book of Destiny is a middle grade read for kiddos who want to be transported into another land. Twins Suzie and Jack find themselves in Tiger Kingdom’s enchanted forest filled with talking animals and creatures. As they continue exploring they learn that they aren’t the only humans in the land and that they have been called to help find Queen Mohini and her cubs. The Tiger King, Sampson, sends them on a quest to find the Book of Destiny to help restore the Queen to her home.

This was a short read, but it was engaging. I found myself wanting to know more and more as each chapter progressed. I was disappointed to find that the story ends right as the plot begins to thicken! However, I did find that the short poems included at the beginning of each chapter was a great way to introduce free-verse poetry to younger readers. I could see many teachers using this in their classrooms as an example of poetry used to tell a story and as a “finish the story” writing prompt.

Stacie Eirich has a great start to the story-and I’m anxious to know if there will be more! I’m giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of five because of the abrupt ending.

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, the beginning was somewhat relatable, Suzie had a dream about tigers and told it to her twin brother. But then, she went to school and while she was in a creative class, she was transported to this other world, and as I was trying to get my head around it, there appears her twin brother and I can't connect the dot, how did this brother get there too. Is it all in her head? but, it isn't. Half way through, I started to enjoy the book, I loved the white tiger kingdom and King Sampson and how things worked there real proper fantasy. But then, the book ended abruptly while they were going to find a book and King Sampson's Queen. I know a lot more adventures will crop up in the next book. I rated it a 3 because some things weren't so believable even for a fantasy but I applaud the author for her work.

[Bibliophile Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiger Kingdom is a fun read that I picked up first for myself, and now I’m letting my children enjoy the work. Eirich does a wonderful job of merging fantasy and reality to create an exciting world for her readers. I enjoyed the ‘twin’ aspect in the novel. Even through there is a dream-like quality to the book, having a sibling makes it somehow more real and substantial for me, and I enjoyed the thought that this wonderful magical adventure could take place instead of just being in Suzie’s imagination. Jack also made the adventure seem somehow safer and put me more at ease with Suzie’s journey to another land where dangers do exist. Our family will look forward to the continuing saga of the Dream Chronicles.

[Aitch Diamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked best about this book was also what ultimately lost it one star in my opinion. The ideas and characters were all created using original poetry, an interesting way of conceiving a story, from separate ideas and dreams. At intervals, mostly at the beginning of chapters, the landscape or dreamscape was described using poetry or poetic prose and for me were the most rich and descriptive parts of the story. Perhaps it is due to the nature of poetry being a thing unto itself and not necessarily having a beginning, middle and end, that this story is also so, and that while we dip our toe in this dream world it is over too soon to 'feel' anything about it.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lyrical surreal fantasy full of poems and beautiful description. A portal story, our young protagonists go into another world and meet with dragons, fancy birds and of course a king tiger. There’s a number of interesting characters and we get a full sense of wonder through the main character Suzie. I did not like the non-ending, and especially at a place where not much has yet happened and there has been no resolution for established plot threads. It felt like the book was cut into pieces so the author could sell more books, and I always feel bothered by that.

I think younger readers would enjoy the wonder and place of Tiger Kingdom.

3.5 stars

[Garfield Whyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh to be an 8 year old again! I thought I was going to read this and fall asleep….but not so…it was such a delightful read I couldn’t put it down. Nice sort of bedtime story for kids but no… I enjoyed it so much, I felt like it was so nice to feel like I am an eight year old again. Kids adventure, kids suspense, never a dull moment and poetry interspersed brings it up a couple of notches… really nice. Nice cover…nice illustrations, a joy to read. A solid 5 star.

[Shari Branning · Rating 2 out of 5]

Twins Suzie and Jack are whisked away to a magical land of tiger, and bear, dragon and phoenix, where they meet another brother-sister duo and embark on an adventure. From tigers racing down a shadowy street to emerald jungles and frozen wasteland, this book is a whimsical journey with a little bit of everything.

I really didn't get this book.
The Dream Chronicles" seems like an apt title. Whimsical, imaginative, lyrical and beautiful in places...it's all those things, yet for me it lacked the ability hold them together and make them mean something. I love reading children's books occasionally, but this one I just couldn't connect with at all. Things kept happening abruptly and with no apparent reason or explanation. Actually, I could find very little reason for most of the events and interactions, to the point where it comes across as incoherent at times. "Dreamlike" is the one word that sums it up perfectly. Like a dream, there were moments of intensely realized, fantastical wonderment, paired with displacement and abrupt shifts in setting and atmosphere. And the characters never acted or felt half so displaced as I, the reader, did. Is this supposed to be a dream narrative? If so, I suppose it's done really well. Or is it a portal fantasy? Or a bit of both? There were poems at the beginning of each chapter as well, which is most definitely not my favorite thing, though it will appeal to many, I'm sure.

The blend of fantastical, dreamlike elements, poetry, and illustrations create a unique experience in this book. Less like reading a story, and more like strolling through a theme park. For really young children this might be just the thing to capture their imaginations with beautiful word pictures and mysterious, talking animals. An adventure that flits from one exotic, unknown and exciting reality to the next. For me, sadly, it lacked the coherence my adult brain needed to be able to follow and enjoy it, and the undeveloped characters left nothing for me to connect with emotionally. But for the right child, it will be a fun and imaginative adventure.

[Angel Leya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzie is awakened one night by tigers, chasing through the streets, though her twin brother, Jack, dismisses the notion. Still, she can't seem to get them out of her mind, and when a school assignment promises the winner tickets to the circus - a circus with tigers - Suzie sets to creating. But she's pulled into another world instead. Along with her brother Jack, they must figure out where they are and why in order to return home.

The story started out so promising. The writing is great, the story interesting, pulling you into the mystery. I know it is part one in a series, but I found the ending to be a bit abrupt, and the story not as full as I would have liked. It seemed to me that only one question was answered, and it wasn't any of the ones asked by the characters (or the reader).

In addition, the real world leading up to the transition lacked solidity. I got very little sense of the house, family, or life they came from.

Each chapter is prefaced by a poem. The poems are pretty, but I found it a little confusing, as sometimes they appeared to be referred to in the story (the song stopped...) but most of the time they were not. And the change in voice was a little jarring. I wonder if the author's poetry would make for an interesting epic poem, as a companion piece to the original story...

But the chapters are short, and the Tiger Kingdom is vivid. Really a beautiful story and I just wish it had continued a bit further before dropping us on the edge of the cliff.

[Scott Spotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dream world is very magical, enchanting, and imaginative and I loved seeing the wonder of the two twins (brother and sister) as they enter this fantasy realm. I concluded that it must be a dream, which is great, since the portal into the magic is unclear and it simply says they entered it, and a lot of reference is made to sleeping in bed and going off into dreamland. If so, I like it, and this book celebrates a lot about childhood and that imagination that we once had.

The only two drawbacks I would suggest are; the abrupt ending to this book, which isn't even a cliffhanger, and secondly, the poetry was set off into italics and were separated out from the story with ample spacing, but sometimes to me didn't feel like poetry, just very soaring prose. I'm no expert in poetry, heaven forbid, but I like to think I can tell the difference, just like I look at art without being well-versed.

For example, the short verse in Chapter 15 that begins with "Wishes fly..." -- that feels like poetry, but conversely, not many of the other, longer verses. I'm just thinking out loud, but I don't think poetry tells a story--it just evokes feeling, a unique moment, or whatever, but it does not merely tell a story in a more fancy or even poetic way.

Overall, a very charming story that's not afraid, but rather celebrates wonder and magic and embraces what it's like to be a child. And again, I think the story, being short enough as it is, should conclude to its natural end.

[S.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy for Young Readers

This first book in this young, middle-grade series, should be read first before the other books that follow. It's a fantasy that takes the young reader into a magical world of talking tigers, bears, and more.

It all begins with a dream. Suzie wakes, tells her twin brother about it, they go to school and she finds a magic key that transports them into a fantasy realm where they are surrounded by magic. On the way to the Tiger King's castle, they meet another boy and girl to join them on their adventure. Once they arrive at the castle, the Tiger King sends them on a mission of great importance.

Each chapter begins with a poem and is best read aloud. Which makes this a great story for a teacher to read to a class. The poems are lovely. I was a voracious reader at the age of the novel's intended audience (4th-5th grade) and admit I skipped reading poems at the beginning of chapters. But I would have loved the magic.
The one thing I didn't like about this book is that it ended abruptly with a cliffhanger—a to be continued scenario. Most readers are satisfied with some form of resolution when they finish a book. For this to happen with this story, you will need to get the next book—or perhaps the next-next book.
Other than this, the book is a lovely story for young readers. They will enjoy the magic, the fast-paced writing, and spending time with kids their age on a quest they'll wish they could have joined.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

With beautiful, vivid descriptions, and a lush fantasy world where children are whisked into a kingdom inhabited by talking animals, this story will appeal to fans of the Narnia series. I was dazzled by author Stacie Eirich’s visual painting of the night sky, drawn into the mystery of a gentle talking white tiger and a lost queen, and Suzie and Jack as they discover a magic key, try to help new friends and discover a way home. After finding themselves lost in their new fantasy world, can they find a way out?

A wonderful tale for young readers or to enjoy at bedtime! Descriptions and poetry are lovely. My one small critique might have been that the ending left us in a rather unfinished place… I would have perhaps preferred a story that felt complete in itself, even if clearly Suzie and Jack have many more adventures ahead of them, and new kingdoms to explore, but that is a small flaw, and I look forward to reading on in this world!

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This is a review for the audiobook version of this story*

Overall: 4 (I really liked it)
Story: 3 (I liked it)
Performance: 5 (It was amazing)

Tiger Kingdom is the first book in “The Dream Chronicles” series written by Stacie Eirich and performed by Deva Marie Gregory. The cover gave me a “Magic Treehouse” vibe but while it does include some world traveling, the story is unique. It is also not a series of standalone books; this is a traditional series of books that requires the second book to continue the story. Thank goodness that second book is already out and ready for listening! (It’s titled Bear Kingdom & the Golden Sword). On to the review!

This imaginative novel is set in a myriad of different worlds, the two most imperative to this novel being “our” world and the Tiger Kingdom. We start with an introduction to the main protagonist, 12-year-old Suzie, and her twin brother, Jack, in their bedroom when Suzie wakes up and sees a tiger outside. Then, while drawing a picture of the tiger at school the next day, Suzie is transported to a new world. Her brother joins her on her adventure where they meet some interesting (and some scary!) creatures and find their way to the tiger kingdom.

This book vividly depicted the landscapes of each world, almost like poetry. But, where the descriptions astounded, the underlying plot was unclear for the majority of the novel. This doesn’t necessarily detract because it is such a short story that it doesn’t take long to come across that plot. However, by the time I was really drawn into their adventure the story was coming to its close. As it is, this was a good first book and I’m intrigued to see how the next one builds off of it! I’d especially like to learn more about the antagonists!

While the setting was well portrayed, it felt like a couple of the characters kept getting lost. Suzie would be focusing on and/or enjoying what she was doing but then Jack would appear and suddenly she was focused on how Jack was finally with her and she could relax, but there was no indication that she was worried in the first place. And, while the story was told from first person through Suzie’s eyes, her voice seemed to get lost in the descriptions. I also noted that several sentences started with present participles (words ending in -ing), which isn’t my favorite writing style, but that is more about a specific preference than a general opinion.

Deva Marie Gregory, the narrator, was magnificent and I have only praise for her. Her tone was great, her singing was beautiful, and she really brought the story to life. It was a pleasure to listen to her performance!

While this story is about 12-year-olds I would say that the writing style and brevity of the book appeals to both elementary and middle school students. It was an easy to read, classic fantasy adventure.

**I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review**

[Faye Carlisle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to my 8-year-old son and we enjoyed the fairy-tale elements of the story. I particularly liked the scene where Suzie falls into a drawing she is doing and into another world. The illustrations are also good and fit the story. I liked the little green dragon character and the story had an Alice in Wonderland feel as it was quite surreal. However, my son did find the poems difficult to understand and some parts of the story hard to follow. Therefore, I would recommend the book for slightly older children than my son. My son rated this book as three stars.