Me? Fangirling over a new book? I know, you’re shook, right? What is this world coming to?!

Okay, so maybe it’s not that shocking, yet here we all are. I looked at this mammoth book and thought this one’s going to take a while to get through, because it’s a hefty book. Which I can tell because I have it … on my Kindle. Hmm. Well, there were a lot of words, okay? I just knew in my gut and also Goodreads told me so. Despite being super busy, though, I read it in two days, and I still can’t figure out how I managed it, but I did, because it was worth it.

The Tiger at Midnight is a book of betrayal and secrets, with an Indian/Hindu influence and a sexy romance that involves potential stabbiness and one-upmanship.

What more could anyone ask for, really? Okay, yes, I hear you: dragons. Dragons would be nice. But there’s tigers, and tigers are also good, so let’s not split hairs.

1. Indian-inspired setting and culture with Hindu mythology.

I’m happy to say that I’ve been reading more books like this recently, and this thrills me because the setting is always gorgeous, the culture and mythology is rich, and it’s just always a delightful time. Also, there usually tends to be backstabbing and secrets, which I am totally for. And that’s not a commentary on Indian culture at all, because that describes 90% of what I read.

The setting really comes to life with all the jungles, the lavish attire, the exotic animals, and all the mentions of delicious foods that had me drooling all over the (figurative) pages.

Especially with everything going on in the world lately, this provided just the escapism that I needed. Not only that, but the kingdoms in the book are in total turmoil, and if you think we’ve got problems? Eish.

2. Esha is unapologetically a bad-ass, and we need more female protagonists like this.

In a world where men rule and women are considered lesser and often pushed to the background, it was refreshing to read about a woman who used this to her advantage, who was cunning and capable and instilled fear in the hearts of her opponents.

And yet … that wasn’t everything, either. Esha is nicely nuanced, in a way that really made me feel for her. I love her dedication, her willpower, and how committed she is to the job. She takes pride in her work, and that’s important, you know. Even for slippery assassins.

What I loved most about Esha is that she was allowed to fit cleanly into a dual role: into a self-assured, capable assassin that was good at what she did, but also the slightly less confident, confused woman with no real future goals and a murky, at best, grasp of what she truly wants.

Because life decisions are hard, and so is growing up. Esha is really learning about herself in this book and finding herself, all while still doing her bad-ass thing. Women are complicated creatures, and I loved that Esha was simply allowed to be so.

3. The characters are complicated and nuanced and totally gray.

Even the “good” guys have blood on their hands, and regardless of how they want to tote their morals, even they’re aware that they aren’t innocent in everything. And I love it! Good guys are overrated. The plot has so many different perspectives to see things from that even the characters I didn’t agree with, I could usually understand where they were coming from.

There’s just so much mistrust and secrets and danger, all of which builds to a thrilling plot where you never know quite who to trust. If the characters learn anything at all, it’s trust no one … not even yourself.

The arcs of the main characters in this were great, because they’re forced to question everything they thought they knew, especially Kunal, and it lends itself to a better picture of the overall world, but also the complexities of the political situation.

4. The romance is kind of sexy.

This is coming from a person who thinks normal, healthy, wholesome romance is boring, so maybe take this one with a grain of salt, yeah? The blurb likens it to a game of cat-and-mouse, but that doesn’t seem fitting to me, because that implies a power imbalance, a sort of hunter and prey. What’s a comparison where both sides are worthy hunters and they’re just messing with each other, in an endless and potentially fatal game of one-upmanship? I don’t know. Find me that comparison, guys. But that’s what this is.

I always find it irresistible when two strong, capable characters come together, and Esha and Kunal fit the bill. They’re both smart, cunning, resourceful, and filled to the brim with secrets. I just loved the way they played off each other.

And the banter! I’m a sucker for adorable banter, and this book didn’t disappoint. I’ll admit I’m not a huge fan of the love triangle aspect that seems to be creeping into the story (it’s just not something I need, nor am I interested in), but I definitely enjoyed the tit-for-tat game and the way the romance is obviously doomed from the start. But oh how I’m along for this ride!

5. Oh, the backstabbing, betrayal, and secrets! Be still my shriveled, black heart.

Except not really because … well, that usually means death, and that seems a little inconvenient right now. Bad timing and all, with so many books I haven’t had a chance to read yet.

In a nutshell: the kingdoms are in upheaval, the land is dying, people are dying, and no one can be trusted because everyone has secrets. Usually the fun, deadly kind.

Sooo … good times? Let’s be honest, this is really what I mostly show up for these days. I love the tension and the conflict this creates, even as characters are legitimately trying to do the right thing. Sometimes figuring out what is “right” is harder than it seems.