Review: Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:
With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections--leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.



Fraught with danger, filled with magic, and packed with romance, TIger's Voyage brings Kelsey and her two tiger princes one step closer to breaking the curse.

Book 3 in the Tiger series

Aaah! Ms Houck, what are you doing to me??!! In Tiger's Quest you broke my heart, and in Tiger's Voyage you've squeezed it, stomped on it, and put it through a meat grinder!!


To say that this book is emotional is a gross understatement. It is really REALLY emotional. And moving, heart-warming, heart-breaking, action-packed... and wonderful. I just love this series, these characters and their adventures together. The bonds between them all are complex and powerful, and I want to live in this story all the time.


In book 1 Kelsey and cursed Indian prince Ren, set off on a quest to try to break the curse and let Ren be mortal and a man. In book 2, Kelsey and Kishan have to complete a quest together, and each time they have returned, the curse is lifted a little more, giving Ren and Kishan more hours of the day free of their tiger forms. Tiger's Voyage- book 3 in the series, continues on this same vein of adventure, and mystical places and creatures, while keeping up the same standard of beautiful writing, attention to detail, and vivid descriptions of setting and place.


This time, their quest is on and under the ocean, where they must meet and outsmart five dragons, and the challenges they face are more dangerous and difficult than ever. This is definitely a beautifully complex quest story- the way all fantasy books should be- with added magic and mythical creatures, but in such a way that it feels real. Just the beauty of the places that they travel to and the stories and legends behind them, makes it feel like what they see could really happen. To start with, Kelsey is just an ordinary young woman from Oregon, but transplanted into this new mystical place amongst centuries old cursed tiger/princes, she grows into this courageous and powerful person.


On top of everything that they have to accomplish to complete their newest quest is the turmoil of the mixed feelings that Kelsey has for the two brothers, her tigers. She loves them both, and can't imagine her life without either of them, but with Ren's memory of Kelsey gone because of Lokesh's torture, it is Kishan that Kelsey starts to grow closer to. Added to this drama of the confusion of her love life, is the threat of seriously evil bad-guy Lokesh hunting them. He wants the power of their amulets, but also sees potential in Kelsey, firstly as a way to hurt Ren, and secondly as a powerful mother to his future heir.


The story goes through so many changes, and you can never be sure of a smooth outcome for them. These books make me laugh and cry, with a heart pounding adventure, and real character driven plotlines. And heartbreak (did I mention the heartbreak already?). I love the way that these books really stir up all my emotions and make me feel so strongly for these characters. I just love these books, these people and these beautiful stories so much. Seriously, if you haven't already- go and read this series!


Rest of the series:

 

• Book 1- Tigers Curse. Read my review of it here.
• Book 2- Tiger's Quest. Read my review of it here.
• Book 4- Tiger's Destiny is due out late 2012 (not soon enough!)

Also, according to Colleen's blog, Paramount have just optioned the film rights to the book, so hopefully I will be able to swoon at the movie very soon!