darkndani's review against another edition
4.0
I was recommended this book by a friend who fell in love with the story in high school, which was well over 10 years ago. And after seeing the other reviews I was skeptical. Maybe she loved it as a teenager but as an adult it wouldn’t be the same? But a few chapters in, I was hooked! I listened to the audiobook, which might have made a difference in how I felt about it. But overall the story was magical, adventurous and romantic. The love story alone was enough to keep me wanting more! If you like a good young adult fantasy romance, I suggest this book.
hgranger's review against another edition
2.0
It begins with such promise: a strong heroine with a sad past, a gorgeous tiger, a magical curse, a journey. And then it devolves into terrible sappy sap. Oh I want him, I can't have him, he's too beautiful for me. Gag. The adventure drowns in the childish constant whininess that Kelsey portrays. Ren, who of course is the most beautiful hero who ever heroed, vacillates between being excessively shy and passive and being arrogant and assertive - and btw how does he not need any adjustment period at all after being a tiger for 300 years?!
I'm not sure of the last part of the book annoyed me so much because I was fed up with the whiny fabricated drama or because it truly was vexing, but little things like waiting until sunset to "break up" when they were all alone all day - why?? Added to this is the stilted way Kelsey speaks at times. Which 17 year old actually says in a conversation "I feel sad for so and so." Awkward and unnatural. Finally, just because I'm on a cranky roll here, it irked me quite a ridiculous amount that they had peanut butter sandwiches. They don't sell that in most foreign countries, so I should believe that Mr Kaddam imported this one most precious of all items for Kelsey? Argh!!
Someone tell me if finishing this series is worth my time!
I'm not sure of the last part of the book annoyed me so much because I was fed up with the whiny fabricated drama or because it truly was vexing, but little things like waiting until sunset to "break up" when they were all alone all day - why?? Added to this is the stilted way Kelsey speaks at times. Which 17 year old actually says in a conversation "I feel sad for so and so." Awkward and unnatural. Finally, just because I'm on a cranky roll here, it irked me quite a ridiculous amount that they had peanut butter sandwiches. They don't sell that in most foreign countries, so I should believe that Mr Kaddam imported this one most precious of all items for Kelsey? Argh!!
Someone tell me if finishing this series is worth my time!
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked it, but I didn't; but I liked it enough to be eager to read the second in the series.
The beginning was a little wearing on me. I felt like it took too long to get to the actual story. I was actually at the point of giving the book one more chapter to persuade me to keep reading; luckily that was where the story finally picked up.
I felt there was something left to be desired in the writing style. The sentence structure was very simple, and the plot progression seemed a bit choppy; things worked out too easily to seem realistic to me. It may sound strange to expect what is very much a fairy-tale to be "realistic," but I don't know how else to describe it. Things seemed to happen a little randomly, and people just rolled with it a little too complacently for my taste, I guess. There were also some fairly lamely written chapter and section endings. Once things picked up, though, I enjoyed the story enough to overlook the writing, although I'm hoping that works itself out in the 4 books that follow.
The story was good, though. In fact, the story was great; a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, with Indian mythology and magic woven in quite well. And Ren is quite the man to fall for, even if Kelsey got a bit annoying with her whole "I'm not good enough for you, when will you realize you don't actually want me" phase. That got old fast. Mayhap this is the only book it will be in though. One can hope.
I am very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
The beginning was a little wearing on me. I felt like it took too long to get to the actual story. I was actually at the point of giving the book one more chapter to persuade me to keep reading; luckily that was where the story finally picked up.
I felt there was something left to be desired in the writing style. The sentence structure was very simple, and the plot progression seemed a bit choppy; things worked out too easily to seem realistic to me. It may sound strange to expect what is very much a fairy-tale to be "realistic," but I don't know how else to describe it. Things seemed to happen a little randomly, and people just rolled with it a little too complacently for my taste, I guess. There were also some fairly lamely written chapter and section endings. Once things picked up, though, I enjoyed the story enough to overlook the writing, although I'm hoping that works itself out in the 4 books that follow.
The story was good, though. In fact, the story was great; a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, with Indian mythology and magic woven in quite well. And Ren is quite the man to fall for, even if Kelsey got a bit annoying with her whole "I'm not good enough for you, when will you realize you don't actually want me" phase. That got old fast. Mayhap this is the only book it will be in though. One can hope.
I am very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Death
Minor: Death of parent
matsu_library's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
rockbison's review against another edition
4.0
*-* tigers... *sigh*
This book is awesome! In the beginning it was a bit confuse and kinda pretentious the friendship between Kells and Ren, but I liked it and Mr. Kadam maked this reading a lot more fun. To say that Colleen's writing is magnificent is something of an understatement, the story, the miths. I can say that India has a place in my heart now. Its good to know about others beliefs even if they are a little distorted.
This book is awesome! In the beginning it was a bit confuse and kinda pretentious the friendship between Kells and Ren, but I liked it and Mr. Kadam maked this reading a lot more fun. To say that Colleen's writing is magnificent is something of an understatement, the story, the miths. I can say that India has a place in my heart now. Its good to know about others beliefs even if they are a little distorted.
kuromiandstitch13's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The book was intriguing but there were some places that it felt like boundaries were definitely crossed. It felt very ignorant to Indian culture and that Kelsey had a white savior complex. The main character was very frustrating in how she handled all her problems. It had a good plot but it could definitely have used more work before publishing.
misshugsalot's review against another edition
I picked this book because I thought, "Cool indian curse. I love me some strong badass brown queen. " Only to find out that the FMC is a white american teenager, still I kept waiting for her to have some indian in her blood. But nope, nada. And get this, after only ONE WEEK of working in the circus she gets offered a job to take care of the tiger, during a journey to india, all expenses payed. After one week. With zero previous experience of working with animals. But no worries, she has another week to hone her skills, that should be enough. And the fact that all the people around her were like, "Yeah, cool, travelling to india with a total stranger, who will take care of all of your expenses is a very good idea. That's not at all how white girls end up as sex slaves across the sea". Seriously!!
karitkeiffer's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5