When Tora's father, Tomaso, is murdered before he can reveal a plot against the Emperor, Tora vows vengeance.  Unflaggingly loyal to her father and the Emperor, Tora, known as the White Tiger for her fighting style and her repore with animals, sets out to solve the mystery behind her father's murder and the conspiracy that threatens to undermine the Kingdom.  But, before she is able to discover the identity of her father's assassin, war breaks out and Tora, Commander of the legendary White Tiger Company, is called upon to take up sword and shield for her country's defense.  The brilliant and beautiful Tora soon finds herself under the command of Major Kilian, a ruthless hedon, who cares more for his own prestige than for the good of his troops or his country.  Almost immediately, Tora is conflicted--patriotic to her country and Company, can she serve under such an openly cruel commander?

The war itself, against the barbarian Zerkers, is bloody and brutal.  The Zerkers, always known for their feral natures, seem even more reckless and bloodthirsty.  Is it the influence of the strange mushroom-derived drug, Mosh, that is feeding their fury?  Or do they have some new ally who is driving them to new heights of bloody passion?  Tora knows that her father was murdered by a man with a big cat, but several sinister soldiers with feline counterparts frequent the war-camp.  There's Charos, the vicious beastmaster, who has access to many felines, as well as Major Kilian himself, whose beautiful panther seldom strays from his side. 

The mystery deepens when a tall, dark stranger, Dragomir, approaches Tora with information that there is a traitor in their midst.  When Tora demands how he knows this information, he reveals that he is a Mutant, a child of the elusive Godds that rule humanity, and that he can reveal no more.  Tora's attraction to Dragomir is immediate and relentless.  Should she believe his tale of intrigue and treachery?  Will she find her father's murderer and save the kingdom?  Is the traitor who Dragomir assures her has sold them to the Zerkers the same man who slew Tomaso?  Tora is torn between duty, vengeance, and emotion.  Her unlooked for passion for this stranger, a Mutant who is forbidden to love a human, complicates matters even further.  What's a girl to do when danger lurks around every corner and even in her own heart? 

WHITE TIGER is a brilliant tale of intrigue, fantasy, and romance.  Although there are no "happily ever afters" in this war-torn world, the ending is satisfying and a surprise worth waiting for.  Tora and Dragomir, the heroine and hero, are compassionate, adventurous, loyal, and witty.  The characters of WHITE TIGER, be they hero or villain, are well-reasoned and complex.  The dialogue is clever and the mystery is tense.  This is a real page-turner!  Whether you are a fan of fantasy, adventure, sci-fi, or romance, WHITE TIGER is a book you can't pass up.  Give yourself a Christmas treat and run out and purchase this clever thriller this November!  Finally, a fantasy book with a strong female lead--a girl that doesn't have to be rescued, but who sets out to do the rescuing herself.  Good work, Ms. Schartz--I look forward to the next book in this intriguing series.