Where did I get it? I bought it a few months ago when I realised there was a 4th in the series. I am not always the most up to date! I do know there's a fifth and final book, and I've ordered it already!
What's it about? We pick up just after the action of F.O.X.E.S where Shafeen got a phone call about his father. Aadhish has had a heart attack in India so Shafeen and Greer head off immediately to see him and the princess, Shafeen's mother. Greer does firstly have a conversation about the secret order of F.O.X.E.S. who are working to bring down S.T.A.G.S. with Abbott Ridley, the new abbot of the school. He, like her, has the M brand on his thumb meaning he is a Manslayer. Greer is still unsure about who to trust which turns out to be a good thing because like in previous books you're never sure who to trust and who is working for whom.
Then we're in India, where Greer has been previously so it's not a total shock to her, but it wasn't shown in a previous book. She and Shafeen are staying at the family's home in Jaipur, where there's a driver at their beck and call and an Untouchable for a servant. Aadhish is unresponsive in his hospital room, and Greer wonders if he will actually survive. It turns out he was at the Tiger Club when he had his heart attack, so Shafeen and Greer head over to it to see what they can uncover. It's a hang over from the British Raj in India, complete with stuffy Colonel and so on.
Greer and Shafeen later discover Aadhish's diary, telling about how, in 1969, he was invited to Longcourt by Rollo de Warlencourt, like Shafeen and Greer and Nel were way back in S.T.A.G.S., and how he became the hunted one, hunted by the Medievals for their entertainment. There's also another part to his story, which I won't spoil, but which explains the heart attack and brings the whole thing together.
I really enjoyed this book, I liked the Indian setting and I liked how Greer learnt more about the British's role there and the different class systems within Indian society. It felt like a good way of introducing those concepts to readers who may not know much about it. I loved Aadhish's diary and what was contained within. This is a great book, I think it's my favourite since S.T.A.G.S.
(Please see here for my review of S.T.A.G.S. and here for my review of D.O.G.S.)
What age range is it for? 14+
Are any main characters LGBTQ+? Spoilers!
Are any main characters people of colour? Yes, Shafeen is Indian obviously, and as I say I liked how Indian society and the different castes and privileges within it were portrayed.
Are any main characters disabled either mentally or physically? No
Is there any sex stuff? No
Are drugs mentioned or used? No
Is there any talk of death? Yes, some of it is a little graphic
Are there swear words? No
What criticisms do I have? Almost none - it's so good as the fourth book because it feels like it's culminating towards an ending but still being a completed and satisfying book in its own right
Would I recommend the book? Absolutely if you've read the rest in the series
Why did I choose to read it at this point in life? Because I needed to know what happened next!
What do I think of the cover? Hah I was actually reading this while outside at a gig that my partner was playing and a couple of people commented on the tiger on the cover. There's a lot of tigers in the book, including a subplot about a real tiger hunt that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip went on.
How many stars? Five out of five
Where is the book
going now? I'll keep it - I do keep hoping I'll meet M A Bennett one day!
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