Shape-shifters have always walked the earth. Shrouded in myth and folklore, hiding in the shadows, watching and waiting. Advances in modern science are now about to reveal them to the world. Kai Tenzin is the self appointed leader of the Pari people. He and his kind evolved from the most reclusive predators on earth. They live and hunt in the most fearsome and rugged terrain known to man, the Himalayas. Kai leaves his small village where the mountains touch the heavens, determined to do anything to protect his people. When he is forced to enlist the aid of the beautiful American scientist Dr. Rae Hales, the last thing he expects to find is a woman who will ensnare his heart and endanger them all. Their action-packed adventure will take them around the world to discover the truth behind the legends and reveal the future of humanity.
My Review ~ Dr. Rae Hales had been research assistant to Dr. Vadim Leonidov before she became his colleague in what she'd always thought was the research and PRESERVATION of the elusive Asian Snow Leopard. That all changed the day she found out that the man she'd trusted ~ yes, the man she'd even had a relationship with ~ had gone behind her back and requested a permit to KILL four of the very animals they'd dedicated their lives to saving. It was too much for her, so she quit her postion and flew back to the states...where she was at loose ends as to what to do, for she'd really dedicated her life to those Leopards.
She's suspicious and astounded when Kai Tenzin of The Shan Trust hunts her down in a fast food restaurant and offers her a position making more money than she'd EVER thought to make to become a researcher for his company ~ but with little more detail. Rae is not one to take things at face value, so she begins to research Kai and The Shan Trust...and finds that they are shrouded in mystery and rumors. As Kai sees that Rae is about to refuse his offer, and offer that he feels his people, The Shan, the Snow Leopard shifters, MUST seal to help them make it to future, Kai reveals himself to Rae as what he truly is. Rae, being the scientist she is, at first doesn't take the news well, but then is intrigued, and no way can turn down this offer...and the adventure begins.
As Rae delves into helping Kai and The Shan Trust figure out a way to help their women live longer lives, chaos explodes around them. Kai is drawn to this woman whom he's shared secrets with that he'd never shared with any human, but can he really TRUST her? And have The Shan people kept themselves hidden from the outside world to the point that they've kept blinders on for all these years?
At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like to this one ~ kind of dry going on, and a lot of POV bouncing, which was hard to get past. But I'm so glad I stuck with it, because it really was a good story. Kai & The Shan people were interesting and different shifters, and I enjoyed how Rae reacted to them and theory she came up with as how they'd actually become shifters in the first place...AND how she immediately knew it probably wasn't isolated to just the Snow Leopards. You'll have to read it to know all the deets, but she wasn't wrong. This book was moving and thought provoking, and a good read. I enjoyed it!
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ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Melissa. I find that at times I can get easily confused when the POV jumps around, especially early on in a story--before I get to know all the players. I appreciate knowing up front so I can pay attention!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review - I've been intrigued by the cover for this book but wasn't sure it was something I would enjoy - sounds just like I might.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post today. POV ping pong can be a little tricky. LOL Glad you were able to stay with it to enjoy the story. I knew I wanted to tell a story with lots of world building and texture, but as a debut, self published author wasn't sure about the right mix. Is it perfect? No, I doubt any self published debut novel in any genre is. I do read reviews and they all help me to grow as a writer. Thanks for taking the time to read Tasting Fire, I glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review and participating!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review Melissa!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! Books with switching POVs can either be great or just plain frustrating, it is good to know that this one eventually worked out :).
ReplyDelete--Alicia
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