An action-packed YA contemporary fantasy debut that brings vibrant Malaysian folklore to life.For five years, Caroline Chua has lived in exile from her home and family in Malaysia at a magical academy in New York City--far enough away that she can’t hurt the people she loves. That is until she is abruptly summoned home in an emergency—her beloved older brother, Aaron, who is next in line to become the Protector of the Island, has vanished. And now back in Penang, she can’t help but notice that things don’t feel the same as they once did and it’s unclear if she’s changed, or the island.
Despite her family’s desire to keep her close and the Council’s explicit instructions to stay out of trouble, stubborn, self-sufficient Caroline is hell-bent on saving her brother with or without anyone’s help. But when it turns out that Aaron has been kidnapped by vengeful ghosts with a centuries-old grudge, even Caroline must admit she’s in over her head and will need the help of the friends she had abandoned, including her first love, J.J.
The ghosts’ goals are simple: break the barriers between the ghost and mortal realms during the Hungry Ghost Festival using Aaron to take the island’s magic, and cement their rightful place as the true—albeit dead—rulers of the island. With only seven days before the barrier weakens, Caroline is in a race against time to save her brother. But as enemies stack up, always one step ahead, Caroline can’t help but wonder if she’s strong enough for this battle. Or is she doomed to repeat the mistakes that sent her away all those years ago?
PRODIGAL TIGER is a rich, cinematic celebration of Malaysian magic and folklore, as well as an emotional exploration of never quite feeling like your whole self after living in the diaspora.
On sale: March 17, 2026
Age: 12 and up
Grade: Grade 7 & Up
Page count: 352 Pages
ISBN: 9780593860106
Samantha Chong is a versatile cross-platform storyteller. Originally from Malaysia, she knits her multilingual and diverse backgrounds into every story she weaves. Her work has been published in
BBC Travel,
Gastro Obscura, OpenTable, and the Guggenheim. In Sam's free time, you’ll find her eating her way through any city or losing track of time while falling down Wikipedia rabbit holes.
“Chong weaves a vivid tapestry of captivating magic and myth in this fast-paced Malaysian fantasy that’s full of heart and humor, with imaginative worldbuilding and a fierce heroine that readers will root for.”--June CL Tan, #1 UK
Sunday Times bestselling author of
Darker by Four and
Jade Fire Gold
“Samantha Chong takes readers on a thrilling and tumultuous ride in a lush world where forests bloom with ghosts and characters discover new strengths as they grapple with internal and external monsters.”--Nafiza Azad, author of T
he Candle and the Flame
“Pulsing with the same magic of the island, Prodigal Tiger is a luscious exploration of inheritance, legacy, and the liminal grief of diaspora.”--Hien Nguyen, author of
Twin Tides
“Chong blends family drama, supernatural suspense, and teen angst with Malaysian folklore in this arresting debut…An experience of forging one’s own path while managing expectations is sensitively rendered alongside propulsive action sequences, dynamic plot twists, and affecting interpersonal conflict involving forgiveness, friendship, and self-advocacy.”—
Publishers Weekly
