Tiger's Destiny (Book 4 in the Tiger's Curse Series) Hardcover – September 4, 2012

This book was so hard to put down.I can't wait to read the next book.Loved learning about Indian mythology so mmuch

So, I finally decided it was time to read Tiger’s Destiny by Colleen Houck. I had tried to start it a couple of times previously, but I guess the timing wasn't right as I never got more than a chapter into the book. The final book starts in a less than an ideal situation that made me profoundly unhappy, so I chose to deal with it as best I could, by just turning away. It was unfortunate then, but I think now I was finally in a place where I could lend my full attention to the story and allow it to take me where it wanted me to go.Oh yes, I railed. I was in a book-flinging mood for most of the story. I despaired of ever getting to my desired outcome for all the characters, my friends and family, for that’s what they had become after four books. I believe in just desserts. I also believe that those that are unworthy do not always receive their comeuppance. Sometimes the bad guys win and the good guys get the shaft. I didn't want to see that happen to the characters I had come to love so much.The entire series was fraught with so much tension. So much misery befell our friends and sometimes it was hard to read on. I believed, though. No matter what our heroes encountered, of what fate had destined for them, no matter the hardship or heartbreak, and there was a lot, I never stopped believing that good would triumph in the end and everyone, both good and bad, would get what they deserved.I will not tell you the outcome. Spoilers! And I will not give a scene by scene recitation. What I will tell you is why I am so passionate about this series. Warning: This is not my normal format for a review!!First, I loved the world the author created. The majority of the story takes place in India now, but there are a lot of flashback sequences to fill in the back story on our Tiger princes and how they came to be cursed. It was a rich and vibrant canvas woven, every weft and weave clearly illuminated in the minutest detail. It is a beautiful world, one that I have enjoyed being in every minute of the journey.Second, I loved the characters. They were open and honest to the reader. I felt I could understand them, I could feel their full range of emotions. I became absorbed in their lives. I took joy in their triumphs and despaired in their setbacks and I could feel their pain. I found I was talking to them, well, I say talking, I really mean yelling. Well, when I say characters, I mean only one. Specifically, Kelsey. She made me so angry most of the time, I found that I was yelling at her, for her stupidity, her stubbornness, her blindness, any number of things. I was so invested in their lives that I found it hard to step back.The story itself was also so well constructed. There were ups and downs, victories and setbacks, love and hatred. It’s a mystery and a quest. How did the princes become cursed and how could the curse be broken? And how to succeed when the embodiment of all that is unholy is hot on your tail? Literally. I found I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen next. And once things started happening that were not according to my desires, I had to keep reading to see if the book would get back on track, if I could somehow affect the series unfolding on the page by the passion and strength of my will.The emotions the story drew forth were very real and palpable. I felt angry at the misfortune beset upon our heroes and the acts of evil perpetrated upon them by the villain of the story. My heart raced at the danger my friends faced and I felt elated when they triumphed. I felt their heartbreak from love gone wrong. I was truly invested in their story and the outcome of their quest.The story was so wonderfully written from beginning to end and I knew I would be despondent upon finishing the tale. As it turns out, after I started reading this final chapter, I saw that Ms. Houck is going to be adding another chapter to the story, Tiger’s Dream. And I cannot wait for that one to come out!

*May contain spoilers from previous booksIn the last book, Kelsey was kidnapped by Lokesh. Kelsey scrambles and tries to distract Lokesh and convince him that she has power, but the power really comes from Durga’s gifts. She doesn’t know how long she can keep up the ruse so Ren and Kishan can save her. Eventually, she is reunited with Nilima and Mr. Kadam. Mr. Kadam and Nilima disappeared suddenly during Lokesh’s attack in the last book, and Mr. Kadam seems somber and changed by something he has seen and acts as if he is hiding something from them all.Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan will have many perilous adventures in front of them and have to face even more sacrifices as they obtain the Rope of Fire and complete the prophecy. All of them will face more things than they have bargained for. To defeat Lokesh, the trio will have to face him in another time. Will Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan get the endings that the dream for?Kelsey is still in a relationship with Kishan but that definitely doesn’t stop Ren from making it know he cares about Kelsey and will always be there for her. She wants Kishan to have a happy ending, but still wants Ren in her life because she can’t see herself living without either one.I have been rooting for Ren ever since I found out who he was. I have always felt the chemistry in Kelsey’s and Ren’s banter, blow-ups, make-ups. I feel like Kishan just needed someone to build him back up and Kelsey took on that role. I still really like Kishan because he is so patient and is in Kelsey’s words, “safe.”Kelsey has been a lot through her quest to help the brother’s and Kishan provides her the stability she needs while Ren makes her feel unsteady and her life unpredictable. This logic follows most of Kelsey’s turmoil when choosing one brother over the other. Like Kelsey, I want Kishan to be happy. Both of the brothers have been trapped for too long and need someone to complete them.As other reviews have mentioned, there have been moments of foreshadowing sprinkled not only in this book but throughout the series. I’m the type of reader that feels in the moment and doesn’t really put too much though in what will happen. The ending definitely made sense, but I am torn how I feel about. At times, I feel like a storm has raced through my emotions leaving me raw, but other times I find some peace.The Tiger series has made my heart soar and crash so many times. The action, the adventure, the romance, the struggle, just everything about this book was moving in some way. This series made a huge impression on me and am sad that I finished. Not many books impact in this way and I felt sad knowing I was finished and that I was no longer a part of the world that Colleen has cleverly crafted.It’s made me want to get back into my writing. I can’t wait until Reawakened, her Egyptian book, will be out next year. I also need to get my hands on a physical copy of Tiger’s Promise, the prequel to the series, because it has a chapter on Tiger’s Dream, the fifth book in the series. I have no clue what Colleen has in store for that book and I’m anxious to find out.

I must admit that I expected better things in this book. I was disappointed with the way Durga, a goddess manipulated the situation at the expense of Ren, Kishan and Kelsey.I felt that Colleen let herself down a little in this book. I liked the way the story ended but still disappointed with some of the content.I would still recommend this very different YA novel.

I enjoyed the tiger adventures and it leads to grand finale where everything is explained. I like Colleen Houck fantasy about magic in our world and mix between fantasy and history. It was also good for learning certain India myths so the reader can learn more about this exotic country.

Colleen Houck does it again, another awesome book in her Tiger Sage. Great thing about this series is none of the books feel rushed and the quality doesn't go down after each continuation in the series like sadly, a lot of others do. This is my all time favourite series and this ending was sad and yet perfect at the same time.

WOW this book has everything I couldn't put it down absolutely love it. Sorry to be at the end but will be on my list to re-read

This is the fourth and final book in this series. Read them all twice and highly recommend them if you wish to escape from everyday life.