My rating: 4/5
A heartfelt novel that encapsulates the depth of despair that war can cause in a community, Darkness Calls the Tiger by Janyre Tromp intertwines themes of sorrow, survival, hopelessness, and forgiveness into an enthralling story.
Darkness Calls the Tiger includes two main characters, Kailyn Moran and Ryan McDonough, whose points of views are captured in intermittent chapters throughout the story. Born to American parents, Kailyn is raised in the village of Tingrabum and is the daughter of a missionary leader. She has grown feeling like an outcast, due to her appearance, education, and unfortunate experiences that cause her to bear the weight of dejection. During the onslaught of World War II, Japanese forces invade her village with merciless violence and unapologetic savagery. Kailyn experiences devastating losses that harden her heart, fueling an insatiable desire for revenge. Her ruthless and calloused heart leads to her abandonment of her faith in God and causes her to question the sovereignty of the Lord.
Ryan McDonough is an American born missionary living with the Tingrabum community. Ryan becomes regarded as the leader of the community, when a devastating loss forces him into the leadership role. However, when his orchestrated plan for the community to flee the oncoming Japanese forces fails, Ryan is left disheartened, frustrated, and defeated. His despondency causes him to question the love and protection of the Lord. Following the raid, both Ryan and Kailyn each embark on a tumultuous journey individually, that will require impeccable survival skills, faith in God, and a sheer will to live.
“…trusting life to be good in the light ain’t nothing. But if you have to trust in the dark, well now, that is faith” (Darkness Calls the Tiger).
This character driven story includes memorable characters, that makes the melancholic tone of the novel tolerable. Although the subject matter of war, violence, and revenge can be a bit heavy to read at times, the inclusion of hope, forgiveness, and love made the story intriguing. There was Christian faith content included in the plot; however, it was largely depicted by characters who questioned their faith for most of the story, with few characters portrayed with solid faith. I would have enjoyed seeing the progression of the main characters as they reestablished their faith in Christ. Ultimately, I enjoyed this book and its display of the importance of forgiveness as well as the sovereignty of the Lord. If you enjoy Christian historical novels surrounding World War II, I recommend this book.
