Title: Tiger Magic
Series: Shifters Unbound, Book 5
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality Rating: Sensual
Source: NetGalley
Published: June 4, 2013 by Berkley Sensation
He was once a captive, but his urges were never caged. Now he’ll release them on a beautiful stranger whose own secret desires are longing to be sated…
He doesn’t have a name. He doesn’t have a clan. The humans who held him prisoner for forty years have taken them away. He knew nothing but captivity until nearly a year ago, when he was released into the light. Now Tiger lives in the Austin Shiftertown, where he struggles to belong and searches for an identity.
Carly Randal thinks her fabulous life is complete—until her car breaks down on the side of the road, and a wild-looking Shifter is the only one to help her. Tiger takes one look at Carly and knows instantly—she will be his mate. As Carly is drawn into his Shifter world, she risks everything she has for that forbidden something she still wants: passionate love.
Reviewed By: J9
In a Nutshell: This became my favorite installment in this series because of the heartfelt and simple romance and the stellar secondary characters within the world building.
The Set Up: Tiger was held captive and tortured for forty years in Area 51 until he was rescued by fellow shifters. Now living in the Austin Shiftertown, Tiger is out running as his animal when he comes upon Carly who’s broke down on the side of the road. Tiger knows their mates but they’ve got problems: Carly’s got a two-timing fiancé and Tiger is being hunted by both the Shifter Bureau and his fellow shifters.
Why I Read this Book: I’ve enjoyed the early novels in this series and really liked a few of the novellas but didn’t finish the book directly preceding this one. This series was on a short leash for me—until this book renewed my interest.
What I Liked: Tiger and Carly are great characters. Tiger has an innocence and naivety that is rare in heroes that I enjoyed tremendously. His captivity for forty years kept him removed from both the human and shifter worlds so he’s got a simplicity about his needs and desire for Carly that I just loved. Carly wasn’t the usual heroine I liked either with her Texan charm and Barbie-girl persona but I quickly loved her. She’s honest and earnest in her desire for Tiger and truly wants to do right by him. I loved their sexual chemistry as well as how well their emotional connection was developed. These two are gentle, kind and protective of each other and I loved seeing a drama-free romance. Yes, this romance happens within a few days but it was such an eventful few days for both Tiger and Carly that I didn’t even mind how quickly everything developed.
What I Also Liked: One of my big complaints with the previous book was that it didn’t take place in the Austin Shiftertown with the familiar characters but this book is set in this Shfitertown that I love. The Morrissey family whom I adore plays big roles, as well as the characters from my beloved novellas, Ronan the bear, Ellison the wolf, Spike the Jaguar and their respective mates and families. This community is why the series is so beloved, at least for me, and I want them included in every book.
The plot of who is after Tiger and why is suspenseful and forces Carly and Tiger together. I was kept in the dark along with the characters about what exactly Tiger is and why he’s so valuable but of course, when the reveal happens it’s precisely what I wanted and makes sense in the context of the story. Carly and Tiger’s love for each other and their firm commitment to each other never waivers in the face of many dangers and I loved this.
What I Didn’t Like: This is a great paranormal read. I’m always leery of the insta-mate/love in paranormal romances but in this it totally worked for me because Tiger was more concerned about Carly than getting what he wants and Carly was more worried about Tiger’s needs than her own.
IMO: Tiger Magic redeemed the series for me after I nearly gave up on it after the last book. New readers should be able jump in here and enjoy Tiger and Carly’s romance and series readers will be reminded why they continue the series.
J9’s Rating:
Nice review J9!
ReplyDeleteI think the insta-mate/love worked for me in this book because that's just kid of how it was. Tiger announced it, Carley was like WTF but didn't really fight it, and then they moved on. It wasn't over the top or shoved down my throat so I was on board :-)
Paranormal Haven
I think you're right that we aren't beat over head with all the "mate" claiming so it worked.
DeleteNice review! Now, I can't wait to get my copy from Amazon. :)
ReplyDeleteLMK how you like it when you read it.
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