Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Quest (tiger's Saga #2) by Colleen Houck

On shelves now!
Tiger's Quest (The Tiger Saga, #2)Published by Splinter
recieved from the author for an honest review
Reviewed by: YA-Sisterhood's mom


Back in Oregon, Kelsey tries to pick up the pieces of her life and push aside her feelings for Ren. But danger lurks around the corner, forcing her to return to India where she embarks on a second quest--this time with Ren's dark, bad-boy brother Kishan, who has also fallen prey to the Tiger's Curse. Fraught with danger, spellbinding dreams, and choices of the heart, TIGER'S QUEST brings the trio one step closer to breaking the spell that binds them.



“The hunt” and all the ambiguity that surrounds the word—that’s what Colleen Houck’s Tiger’s Quest entails.  First there is the hunt for that soul mate, where two hearts can beat as one.  The reader is pulled back and forth much like Kelsey’s heartstrings as she searches for her desire, and just like her, we feel the anguish and confusion of choice.  Do we choose Ren or Kishan? Or maybe even Li, Jason, or Artie—who we definitely know are not the right choices, but with whom we also definitely know that no matter how hard we try, “if you can’t have the one you love, love the one you’re with” is not an option. 

But for those action seeking males and females who think this book is only a romance; please join Ms. Houck for the literal hunt, complete with unique weapons, real intrigue, utter world creatures, and of course stalking the prey.  However, you often find your heart beating in both terror and thrill as you are wrapped up in the mind and emotion of both the hunter and the hunted.

Furthermore, if you feel reading is more than just an escape, but a right of learning also, then you will appreciate the mythology of not just Greek and Roman culture, but an interesting sampling of known and unknown.  For those of you who believe that all religions are basically tied together in origin, her revelation of blended stories from several different cultures is quite thought provoking. 

The only thing that brought me frustration was that I really felt like Kelsey and Ren were separated for several WEEKS as the book states instead of the few hours that it took me to read the book. However, I guess we all need our hearts wrenched occasionally to wring out the excessive emotion so that we are ready to absorb more.  AND I am ready for more.  Perhaps the best part of finishing the book was knowing, as Houck reminds us, that the “story wasn’t over,” so I’m drawing this review to a close so that I can leap right into Tiger’s Voyage!