Book Review: Tiger's Destiny (The Tiger Saga #4)

Release Date: September 4, 2012
Author: Colleen Houck
Publisher: Splinter Publishing
Length: 464 pages

With three of the goddess Durga's quests behind them, only one prophecy now stands in the way of Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan breaking the tiger's curse. But the trio's greatest challenge awaits them: A life-endangering pursuit in search of Durga's final gift, the Rope of Fire, on the Adaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal.

It's a race against time--and the evil sorcerer Lokesh--in this eagerly anticipated fourth volume of the bestselling Tiger's Curse series, which pits good against evil, tests the bonds of love and loyalty, and finally reveals the tiger's' true destiny once and for all.

Review:


Characters: Once a young, vibrant high school graduate, Kelsey Hayes has grown into beautiful young woman who has entranced all those who have crossed her path. Though she would never admit it Kelsey has become a strong and resilient warrior, and in this book her skills are put to the ultimate test. While trapped by the evil sorcerer Lokesh, Kelsey has to keep her calm and pool her knowledge in order to escape. While she is trapped, Kelsey learns the history of Lokesh, how he came to possess three pieces of the Damon Amulet, and the malevolent acts he carried out to achieve his prize. 


Romance: The romance in this installment is more tame than the previous one. However, Kelsey is forced to face realities that she cannot alone. Through some divine help, she learns the truth of her feelings and learns who she truly wishes to be with.


Destiny: I knew by the title that destiny plays a large part in this installment, just as the curse and its introduction was in the first, the quests in the second, and the voyage in the third, but unlike those destiny is a much larger part played throughout the entirety of this installment. It is not just the tigers who's destiny is revealed, but that of Lokesh, Kelsey, and Durga.


Mythology: A common theme among every installment is the mythological background featured. Unlike previous installments though I was less entranced by the tales and mythological creatures. This is because as readers we will finally learn how Durga came to be and of her creation. I have to applaud Colleen Houck. She weaved a beautiful tale centered around Indian mythology.


Predictability: Like the previous installments this one is full of foreshadowing and hints as to upcoming  twists. I was also surprised to notice that previous installments also held foreshadowing clues as to what will transpire in this jaw dropping, heart-pounding, and breathtaking volume.


Ending: I was a bit disappointed by the end of this book, while it tied everything up many of the important choices were left to  be decided by some sort of cop-out reason instead of the characters actually making the decisions for themselves. I felt a bit cheated out of a real ending and am hoping this ending will be redeemed in the next installment/spin-off/full-length epilogue, Tiger's Dream.

Rating:

While my eyes were glued to every page and I was pained when I had to put the book down, the ending was too dissapointing to warrent this book 5 crests. Either way I'd still say if you love this series you won't regret reading this installment. Be sure to buy it from Barnes and Noble or Amazon