Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck

The final chapter of Kelsey's journey has arrived, and Kelsey, Ren and Kishan must decide how they will meet their destinies. As the pieces fall into place, Kelsey faces a battle of the heart. 

Even after fighting kappas, metal birds, and dragons this will be the most difficult journey for Durga's champinions. 

The last prophecy leads them to a world of fire, where deception and illusion can only be resolved by truth from the heart. 

Kelsey must determine her fate, but to do so, she will have to make a choice. 

This book was the most exciting of the quartet, and by far the most intense. As Kelsey learns the meaning of inner strength, she grows from the confused girl who began the journey into a determined young woman with an important role to play. 

This was one of those books that subtly hints what's going to happen, but it doesn't hit you until the big reveal. While what I predicted did happen, it didn't happen in the way I expected. 

A part of me is very sad that this series is over. From epic adventure to epic adventure in a modern world, the entire series balanced the elements of the real and majical world. 

I give it five out of five phoenix eggs, and I can't wait for the film adaption of the first book. 

This series was an amazing journey. 

It inspired my writing and gives me hope for my own series. 

Warrior by Sean Golden

This is my Dad's novel, and it's epic! It's a story of magic, myth and adventure that is growing to more than your average hero's quest. It weaves between the philosophies of the world, the ties of myth and the human condition. 

Although he is smart and strong, Lirak is ostracized from most of the Dwon village. His dreams, although useful in hunting, bring great fear to the Elders. With rumors of his missing father and a different looking mother surrounding him, he is able to confide in his older brother Jerok, younger friend Patrick and the fiery Mayrie. At the age of sixteen, he is ready to become a man through the tasks the Elders choose for him, but he has a difficult totem to bear: the Eagle. Those of the Eagle totem are known to journey far and never return, and through their wanderings they can bring with them danger and doom.  

As Lirak grows from a boy to a man, he is destined for a legacy much grander than he can even imagine. Chosen by the goddess Kathoias, both beautiful and ruthless, Lirak begins a grand adventure through the world he once believed to be a mystery. But this adventure requires bravery, intelligence and sacrifice. The more Lirak learns, the more he wonders: is he a pawn of the gods, or is he creating his own legacy?

This story is amazing, and Lirak's journey from a boy to a man is a powerful tale of humanity. What it means to be human, and what it takes to look beyond what you have been told.

I give it five out of five Eagle totems!

I recommend this book to readers of Lord of the Rings, Eragon, Ender's Game, Hyperion, and many more fantasy epics. And it's just the beginning! This book is part of The War Chronicles trilogy, and I can't wait to read book 2! 

Warrior is now available on Kindle here: 

http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-War-Chronicles-Book-I-ebook/dp/B00SGCWXYU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1421799471&sr=8-5&keywords=sean+golden

For more info on Warrior and The War Chronicles: you can visit the brand new website here: 

https://thewarchronicles.wordpress.com

Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck

Here there be dragons, and many more challenges physically, mentally and emotionally for Kelsey, Ren and Kishan. 

As another prophecy unfolds, Kelsey is now at a loss. Ren cannot remember her, and this takes its toll on Kelsey, but more than just matters of the heart are in chaos. Lokesh is determined to find them, and has more of an interest in Kelsey than the princes now. With Durga's guidance, the heroes set of on a voyage, to recover a lost treasure guarded by dragons, and prove themselves worthy as they are challenged from every angle. 

Tiger's Voyage was by far the most exciting book in the series for me. The dragons, and their roles in the tale were very interesting, and a wonderful distarction from the teen angst that Kelsey describes herself as "living a Shakespeare play." 

As the stakes rise higher for the trio, Kelsey must also make her most difficult decision yet, coming to terms with what her heart truly wants, and rising above the turmoil that the fates have set against her. 

This book once again blended many types of mythology together, and it even had a renaissance cameo that was both amusing and frustrating. 

 This was another book I couldn't put down, and I didn't want it to end. 

I give it five out of five dragons. 

Tiger's Quest

"The course of true love never did run smooth." - William Shakespeare

This seems to be the theme of Tiger's Quest as Kelsey tries to make sense of all that has happened around her. She finds comfort in returning home, but something is missing, and as she tries to return to normal everday life, she can never forget her adventures, or the tiger prince. 

As Kelsey tries to avoid her destiny, it follows her, and soon Mr. Kadam, Kishan and Ren are back in her life, but this time, they are in great danger. The powerful wizard, Lokesh- creator of the curse now knows about Kelsey, and he is determined to find her. 

In a desperate attempt to keep her safe, Ren is captured and Kelsey must go on another quest, to save him. 

Kelsey and Kishan, Ren's brother, must follow the propehcy and find where Ren was taken, but along the way, the past threatens to repeat itself, as Kishan develops strong feelings for Kelsey. 

With a new adventure, and a goal to reach, Kelsey must face more tests and overcome more obstacles to save Ren, but in order to save him, something must be sacrificed in return. 

This book was a rollercoaster, from the calm moments in Oregon to the intense challenges of the Spirit World and the threat of Ren's life hanging in the balance. More is at stake in this novel, and Kelsey is tested in matters of the heart and mind as she struggles to save Ren. Kishan is also tested with a different kind of focus, his loyalty. Will he be loyal to his brother, or will he repeat the past? 

With so much threatened in her life, Kelsey takes a stand and decides to stop running from her destiny, but it is no easy task. 

There were many shout outs to different mythologies and they blended together nicely. The Ocean teacher was really cool and a bit of a surprise, and Mount Everest also had a part to play. 

I give this book four out of five tiger lilies. It was a little slow in the beginning with Kelsey and her dating escapades, but the story picks up right where it left off once the tiger princes return. 

This book also has a good cliff-hanger ending which sets the stage for Tiger's Voyage, the next chapter in Kelsey's story. 

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Have you ever read a book, and felt like it was written for you? That you could have wrote it at some point in your life if it wasn't already written? It's almost like a story soul mate. It has everything you love about stories, and the characters are almost real. 

That's what it was like reading Tiger's Curse. 

The prolouge swept me away into this story's world, and I haven't returned :) 

Kelsey Hayes is a recent graduate of High School, and she's looking for a job to help her decide what to do next. Which college should she go too? What is her purpose and destiny?

She finds volunteer work at the local circus, hoping to add some credits to her summer credit requirements. Instead, she finds an adventure more exciting and magical than she could have ever imagined. 

It began with a tiger named Ren. While Kelsey learns how to care for the animal, she discovers he is not as simple as he seems, and he doesn't act like an average tiger. She begins to keep him company, and during her last week of volunteer work, a man from India arrives and tells her a story: a story about two princes, and a curse that began 300 years ago. Then he offers her a choice, to go to India with the Tiger or say her goodbyes. 

Kelsey's choice puts her on a dangerous path where myth and magic are real, and she soon learns that she has more courage and strength than she gives herself credit for. As they travel through India, Kelsey and Ren begin a quest to break the curse, appease the gods, and understand the thread of their destinies. 

This book was a wonderful surprise. I had seen it before on the shelves of the bookstore, but I never picked it up until I recieved a recomendation on iBooks. 

Kelsey is a wonderful main character, and she's no damsel in distress or lovestruck whiny teenager. She's an independent  and smart young woman who won the heart of a tiger. 

Ren is a strong, smart and brave tiger and prince. His struggle between the mind of the tiger and the mind of the man is an interesting one, and he is wise beyond his years. As he tries to understand the tweny-first century and find a way to break his curse, he still has a lot to learn. 

As Ren and Kelsey start their adventure, their back and forth bickering and bantering is almost as entertaining as the mystic path they seem to be on. 

As they try to understand their journey, and their complex relationship they must battle dangerous and challenging foes, talk to ancient dieties and still be able to blend in with everyday life in the twenty-first century. As their list of tasks grows, they must prove their courage, honesty, strength and determination. 

This is only book one of a series, and I'm grateful for it. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure, myth and magic. 

I give it five out of five tiger lilies. 

It is also soon to be a film ^_^