Tiger's Quest by Colleen HouckSeries: The Tiger Saga #2
Published by: Sterling on June 7, 2011
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Mythology, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 479
Source: Purchased
Buy on Amazon • Book Details
Rating: ★★★★
Faith. Trust. Desire.
How far would you go to free the one you love?
Kelsey Hayes's eighteenth summer was crazy. The kind of crazy that nobody would ever believe.
Aside from battling immortal sea monkeys and trekking the jungles of India, she fell in love with Ren, a 300-year-old prince.
When danger suddenly forces Kelsey on another Indian quest with Ren's bad-boy brother, Kishan, the unlikely duo begins to question their true destiny. Ren's life hangs in the balance—and so does the truth within Kelsey's heart.
Tiger's Quest, the thrilling second volume in the Tiger's Curse series, brings the trio one step closer to breaking the ancient prophecy that binds them.
This book confused the heck out of me. I barely know how to review it and I have no idea how to rate it. My thought process was something like this: meh, okay this is good, OHMYGOD YUMMY ROMANCE, this love triangle freakin’ sucks, okay I think things will turn around now, awesome adventure, what the fuck is this ending. Despite my many grievances, I was never bored or wishing the book would hurry up and end. I was enjoying reading the book, I just hated a lot of things that were happening. Is that weird?
I feel like the entire first part (~100 pages) of Tiger’s Quest could have been cut. It was basically about Kelsey coming home from India, settling into school, adjusting to life without Ren, and dating other people. I mean it wasn’t painful to sit through, but it felt extremely pointless since we all knew she’d be going back to Ren anyway. There were several times when I was thinking, “Okay, let’s get on with it!”
Then Ren came back and after a while of Kelsey continuing to date other guys and Ren, she finally like decided she wanted to be with Ren (as if she didn’t know that already). That’s when things perked up. Kelsey and Ren had a few weeks of uninterrupted lovin’ time that put me into an “I miss my boyfriend” depression, because their relationship was just so adorable. I have to admit, I’m not really a fan of guys in books who are all into poetry. Maybe that’s “mean” but I just think it’s a little cheesy. Ren is like that, but it didn’t bother me because Kelsey is super into poetry too. That’s why they just felt so perfect for each other! They were always leaving each other cute little poems, and watching movies, and making out… yum.
So in summary so far, Tiger’s Quest started out okay. But then when Kelsey returned to India around page 175-200 or so, I remembered why I fell in love with Tiger’s Curse so much. We return to the awesome Indian culture, myths, stories, and adventures. I’m almost surprised how much I love reading about it!
Unfortunately the love triangle, which was subtle in Tiger’s Curse, is very dominant in Tiger’s Quest. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like how Colleen made me totally fall in love with Ren and Kelsey’s relationship, and then just yanked Ren out of the picture so his brother Kishan could move in on Kelsey. Also, Kelsey did one of the things that I absolutely DESPISE in love triangles. She and Ren were officially dating, but Kishan was crushing on Kelsey and even told her that. Rather than keeping a respectable distance from him (to not lead him on), she was overly kind and affectionate. I’m talking hand-holding, saying things like, “You’re amazing!” or “I’m so glad to see you!!” I know she didn’t mean anything by it, but it’s comments like that that give a guy hope that a relationship might be possible.. despite the fact that she’s already taken. The kinder thing to do is to give the guy a little space so that it’s clear she doesn’t like him more than a friend. But Kelsey so didn’t do that. She was all over Kishan. I mean I wouldn’t want to hold hands with a guy who isn’t my boyfriend, so why the heck does she? And then when he swoops in and kisses her passionately, she’s not pissed. She’s more like, “Now now, try to behave!” Ugh.
However, the adventure in Tiger’s Quest was really fabulous and intriguing. I loved reading about mythical places, traveling across India, hearing about incredible new creatures, and more. These elements were an absolute pleasure to read about and really got me invested in the story.
Then the ending really annoyed me. I had issues with the love triangle, Ren’s absence from most of the book, and Kelsey’s behaviour, but I was holding out for an epic reunion ending. That so didn’t happen. The ending was sad and depressing. It definitely made me emotional; it was certainly heart-wrenching. My mom thoughtfully reminded me that a book that invokes some kind of emotion must be pretty good.. but I just didn’t like what was happening. Which is why I was so stuck on how to rate/review this. So many things about the plot and characters annoyed me, but I still completely devoured the book and wanted to know what happened. Totally contradicting emotions there. I guess I’ll settle for somewhere around 3.5 stars, but round up to 4 because halves scare me.
The Verdict
I started listening to the audio, desperately wanting to get back to the story. But, just as you said the beginning was painfully slow and sometimes a little annoying. Kelsey going out with 3 boys and just ending up comparing them all to Ren??
I know now, that it will get better so I am looking forward reading/listening on. But, I think all her books could be cut a little shorter.
Yeah the adventure/fantasy is totally on par with the first one.. but ugh! That love triangle! And I’m actually on the third book now—Tiger’s Voyage—and it’s the same thing… an even WORSE love triangle (if you can believe it), but even better fantasy. Such a bummer..
Wow, this book sounds like it was all over the place. I wouldn’t like that love triangle relationship either. Hah, I love what you said about halves. Sometimes I feel that way…sometimes I wish our rating system listed halves because it can be hard to narrow things between two of the numbers!
– Jessica @ Book Sake
Jessica, I wish there were halves in the rating system too. Sometimes a book just isn’t a 4, but it’s not really a 3 either. Or maybe I’m just too indecisive. đŸ™‚ Have a great weekend.
Exactly! I guess I could add halves, I’ve just been too lazy! XD Note to self: stop being lazy!
Hey Ashley! I’ve totally read books like that before where I just had no idea what to rate it. Do you think that maybe because you loved the first book in this series and you’d already developed a relationship with the characters was what carried you through this sequel? Thanks so much for sharing this review. I’m hoping to get to Tiger’s curse at some point this year. My damn TBR is too big! LOL
Wishing you a great weekend. ~Ashley
Yeah I loved Tiger’s Curse SO much! That’s definitely what made me want to keep reading. And the fantasy and mythology in all the books had always been amazing! It’s just that darn love triangle! I hate how the author made me fall so in love with Ren and then just pulled that romance out of the story.
I just finished the third book and it’s the same thing. I love the story and the fantasy, but the love triangle got even worse! Sigh.
I’m glad I’m reading the series and I will finish it, it’s just so aggravating! This could be one of my all time favorite series if not for the love triangle.