Book Review: Tiger's Quest (The Tiger Saga #2)

Release Date: June 7, 2011
Author: Colleen Houck
Publisher: Splinter Publishing
Length: 479 pages

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.

Review:

Characters: Kelsey Hayes has come a long way from the timid young girl looking for a summer job. She has ventured forth on a journey to break a centuries old curse that inflicts the Indian princes Ren and Kishan, and was changed forever. This new and improved Kelsey first really appears during this book. She has gains a great deal of self-confidence as well as knowledge on the curse and the tigers it controls. Also, in her seeming attempt to make Kelsey a warrior Durga bestows new tools for Kelsey to use and protect herself and those she cares about.

Romance: At the beginning of this book, Kelsey tries desperately to get over Ren and even goes on three dates with three different guys. Even though the same feelings she has for Ren don't present themselves on these dates she decides to give a couple of them another chance. That is, until Ren shows up and moves into the duplex next to hers. In order to give Kelsey a choice and more options he wants her to continue dating to see if she could be happier with someone else.Will Kelsey give up her tiger for a normaler life? And what will happen when Kelsey has to embark on her next quest without Ren and go with his brother Kishan instead?

Mythology: Like the previous installment this book is full of Indian mythology, however that isn't all. There are references to Greek, Chinese, and Norse mythologies as well. The various mythological creatures and stories present in this book are fun to learn about and experience with the characters. 

Predictability: Though this book is packed full of foreshadowing, it was so subtle that you would never really get what was going on until you learn whatever twist or turn had happened. Unlike many books that I've read where there were a plethora of hints, this one was so unpredictable that I couldn't believe that I couldn't see the twists coming.

Ending: Once again the author makes the ending unbearably sad. I couldn't believe an author could be so deliciously cruel to her characters. Though, unlike the previous installment there is a glimmer of hope in our heroine's eyes which alludes to a happier ending in the next installment, Tiger's Voyage. Maybe?

Rating:

I loved this book so much, I really enjoyed seeing these characters develop and interact more, I learned to love more and more of these characters not mention getting to meet new ones.