Tiger's Quest

May 1, 2011

Break out electric fans and warn readers to schedule cool-down periods: Houck cranks the love-o-stat up another notch.

In this sequel, the hypersteamy romance kindled in Tiger's Curse (2011) between American teen Kelsey and immortal Indian were-tiger prince Dhiren flares into epic bouts of agonized soul-searching, inane lovers' games and "hot, melty, smoldering" (but still chaste) make-out sessions. Kelsey also has multiple opportunities to measure her chiseled "warrior-archangel," her peanut-butter–loving "golden-bronze Adonis" against not only several mortal would-be boyfriends but Ren's own nearly as hot and certainly more libidinous younger brother Kishan, also a were-tiger. The actual plot gets under way when, at length, Ren is captured by malign sorcerer Lokesh. Kelsey and Kishan flee from Oregon to India, then set out on an extended journey through hidden Shangri-La and other realms of myth in search of magical weapons to mount a rescue. Putting her background research to thorough use, the author punctuates Kelsey's narrative with Hindu endearments and cultural information, plus encounters with such supernatural entities as the goddess Durga, fairies, wood nymphs, sirens, a gigantic snake ("I ssseennsse your purposssssse is not malicccioussssss. Perhapsssssss you will be succccessssssful") and Odin's ravens. A shocking, heart-rending, soul-tearing, dolorific, tear-starting, hanky-soaking development sets up further barriers to fulfillment in the next episode (due out in Fall 2011).

Perhaps best read as a sendup. (Paranormal romance. 13 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

August 1, 2011

Gr 7 Up-This book follows the successful self-publication of Tiger's Curse (2010) in ebook format (it was named a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award in YA Fiction). Houck credits Stephenie Meyer and Chris Paolini as her inspirations, evidenced in both the florid writing and the supernatural subject matter. After successfully rescuing Ren, an immortal shape-shifting tiger, from his imprisonment in a circus, Kelsey returns to her life as a college student in Oregon. Grieving over their separation, she throws herself into dating and her studies until, to her surprise and joy, Ren appears on her doorstep and declares his devotion. Together at last, their lives seem idyllic; they read Shakespeare together, take martial-arts classes, and bake cookies. But, as they say, the course of true love doesn't run smoothly, and when an ancient sorcerer kidnaps Ren, it's up to Kelsey and the tiger's rapscallion brother to rescue him. This series will appeal to teens who grew up on fairy tales and believe wholeheartedly that the most perfectly ordinary girl will find her handsome prince, have many wonderful adventures, and live happily ever after. If only.-Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2011
Grades 7-12 In this sequel to Tiger's Curse (2011), a brokenhearted Kelsey returns to the U.S. from India following her traumatic breakup with the dreamy but cursed prince Ren, who spends most of his time in tiger form. But then Ren shows up on her doorstep only to be summarily captured by bad guys whowith the evil sorcerer Lokeshare determined to steal Kelsey's curse-breaking powers. Hoping to free the imperiled prince, Kelsey returns to India accompanied by Ren's hotand also cursedbrother Kishan. Two volumes down, three to go in this lightly romantic fantasy series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)