The Tiger's Tongue

by Olivia Stephens, Diansakhu Banton-Perry (Illustrator)

Overview

HEED THE TIGER’S TONGUE, AND YOU WILL NOT BE LED ASTRAY.

Under the militant rule of The Tiger’s People, empowered by their animal familiars, the Claw is on the brink of war. At the precipice of adulthood, twin princesses Kelindi and Aridani hold the future of the Claw in their hands. Kelindi would sue for peace with The River’s People, those who were subjugated “to bring order,” while Aridani has never aspired to rule. But an ancient prophecy is revealed that’ll force fate’s hand for the sisters...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781545816004
Publisher:	Mad Cave Studios
Publication date:	02/18/2025
Pages:	120
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Olivia Stephens is a graphic novelist, illustrator, and writer from the Pacific Northwest. She earned her BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2017. Olivia has created work for a number of sites and publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and FIYAH Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction. Her debut graphic novel, Artie and the Wolf Moon, comes out from Lerner Books in Fall 2021.

Diansakhu Banton-Perry is a 2D Illustrator and Character Designer. She is a 2019 graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Communication Arts degree, with a focus in Concept Design. She creates characters for a variety of genres, but is mainly inspired by science fiction and fantasy.

Editorial Reviews

01/23/2023

A warrior saves a magical tiger from death, unleashing a fast-paced plot in this uneven fabulist series opener from Stephens (Artie and the Wolf Moon) and newcomer artist Banton-Perry. The “Grand Tiger” bestows elemental and other supernatural abilities to the warrior’s village and claims them as The Tiger’s People, warning of an ancient prophecy. Their ambitious monarch creates the Claw, a mountain forged by subsuming a river and oppressing the natives of the river land. Centuries later, twin princesses Kelindi and Aridani prepare to ascend the throne while The River’s People protest their dynastic tyrannical rulers. Kelindi’s a warrior with fire powers who sympathizes with the rebels; undisciplined Aridani speaks the Tiger’s tongue, but doesn’t want the crown. The prophecy forces the twins to “battle” to determine the future of The Tiger’s People. As the pair undergo three harrowing trials (of the mind, body, and spirit), their personalities and motivations transform. Inconsistent body proportions and sloppy details in the artwork distract, but a rich palette of earth tones and vibrant reds by colorist Bex Glendining infuses dynamism into the flat drawings. Showdowns culminate in an emotional conclusion as hubris meets personal sacrifice. The twists will keep readers on their toes in what proves a captivating tale. Agent: (for Stephens) Jennifer Azantian, Azantian Literary Agency. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

"A brilliant transformative tale [...]"

Geek Vibes Nation

"Looks like nothing else out there right now."

Bleeding Cool - Rich Johnston

"The story is vibrant and fresh, just what the comic book world needs [...] It’s smart, refreshing, and a great addition to the already great library Mad Cave has amassed."

Pastrami Nation

"This story will be unlike any other comic you find on the shelves at your local store. This will be one that really catches your attention and I would definitely recommend giving it a read. The premise seems unique, the art is eye-catching, and every page is worth a turn."

Media Mallrat

"The Tiger’s Tongue is incredibly natural, with genuine emotional stakes and motivations behind characters that engage the reader."

BiffBamPop!

"Creators Olivia Stephens and talented artist Diansakhu Banton-Perry have created a allegorical fairy tale that both enchants and teaches."

GVN

"The Tiger’s Tongue is incredibly natural, with genuine emotional stakes and motivations behind characters that engage the reader."

Biff Bam Pop