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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

MICHELLE'S REVIEW: Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck


Title: Tiger's Destiny
Author: Colleen Houck
Format Acquired: Hardcover 
Publication Date: September 4, 2012
Publishing House: Splinter
ISBN: 9781402798436
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary: 

Honor. Sacrifice. Love.


Will the end of everything lead to a new beginning?


After surviving three dramatic, action-packed adventures, Kelsey, Kishan, and Ren now face their final challenge to find the goddess Durga's Rope of Fire. But the tables are turned: the sorcerer Lokesh has kidnapped Kelsey. If she escapes his clutches and successfully breaks the tiger's curse, Kelsey will free her beloved princes. But in doing so, she then must also make the hardest choice of her life.


The path ahead is perilous for all, with even more dangerous beasts to battle and potentially fatal twists that no one could ever have predicted. Only one thing is certain: they cannot escape their true destiny...


Tiger's Destiny spins a deliciously suspenseful tale of enchanted creatures, love-torn hearts, and edge-of-your-seat action as Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan take on their final challenge to break the tiger's curse.



(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review:

You know that scene in the movie Scott Pilgrim VS The World where Scott orders a package from Amazon and then waits in front of door, waiting for the package - nee, Ramona - to arrive? That's pretty much how I was eagerly anticipating this book. Tiger's Destiny is my Ramona.


In Tiger's Destiny, Kelsey and her tiger princes are back to prove that the course of true love mixed in with adventure and ancient curses never did run smoothly. In between dodging the evil Lokesh, being continuously torn between the two brothers, trying to outsmart magical creatures and finally securing the last of Durga's treasures to free her beloved tigers, Kelsey must come to realize that in following her heart, she will undoubtedly find true happiness.

Kelsey is still the same Kelsey that everyone - and I do mean, everyone - falls in love with. With Li, Arnie, Ren, Kishan, Wes already having been / still on the list of her casualties, she also manages to entice Lokesh and a demon lord. The tendency for men - even men of power - to fall all over themselves for her is quite surprising, but it's something that I really don't have any gripe with. The only thing that sometimes irks me is how often people stare at her lustfully like she's the last woman on earth. Some people are just naturally charming, I guess, and to be honest, I think she got to me as well. I have read quite a lot of reviews on how disturbing it is that she flits from guy to guy, as her relationship with the guys are quite touchy-feely. Actually, there were moments throughout the series - but most especially in the book - that I just wanted to shake Kelsey and say, "Holy cow, woman, stop kissing one guy and end up swooning over another!" But Tiger's Destiny has left me all shook up and confused too. I'm a Ren fan all the way, no doubt, but man - if Kishan pulled any moves earlier on like he did during the latter part, I probably would have waved goodbye to Ren in a heartbeat.

Ren was more of a sidekick in this one, and Kishan pretty much ate up all the attention. I think if there's any book where a reader might actually be swayed to rally for Kishan, it would be this one. Kishan may have a wandering eye when it comes to a particular goddess, but his love for Kelsey and for his brother is ferocious and boundless.

As with all the other books in the Tiger Saga, Houck is still on a roll and determined to cram as many adventures and encounters to make sure that there are never dull moments in her books. While all these may sound overpowering and unbearable, Houck proves that she is a magical creature herself for pulling the whole shebang off. Houck surely has a gift to make sure that you lose all rationale, and while there were moments where I had to stop to think about Kelsey's observations, I shook it off like rainwater. After the high though,  I surely still remembered that the impenetrable palace of Lokesh was  easily infiltrated by the brothers, Kelsey accepted a proposal from someone she doesn't love as much as the other, and that she was pretty much flinging one guy's attention to her in front of the fact of the other.

I'm giving this one a 4 out of 5, because I was flipping pages faster than I can imagine, and like I said, I wasn't that disturbed with Kelsey's off-on flirtations. Also, I think it's suffice to say that the ending and the heartache make up for its inconsistencies and flaws.

Tiger's Destiny is delicious and engrossing, and will more than satisfy its already growing readership. If you've never picked up the first, Tiger's Curse, I strongly urge you to go get it, and get lost in the Tiger Saga. 


Tiger's Dream, the last in the Tiger Saga, comes out sometime in 2013.

Rating:
                 




3 comments:

  1. I am glad that despite a few things that your anticipation and waiting was well worth it. I have not read this series, but loved your description of the wait!!! Awesome review!

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    1. Haha, thanks, Kimba. :) If you do pick up the series, I really hope you'll enjoy it!

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