Desperate Tigress [Mass Market Paperback]

Jade Lee (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Shi Po has practiced her Taoist beliefs for one purpose: to become an Immortal. But she has failed. And to her utter dismay, she does so in the wake of another, a European of all people, who has attained her goal. It becomes clear to her then that there is nothing more for her but death. All she needs is to choose the way, or so she thinks. Her husband, Kui Yu, vows to remind her that life and love are the true ways to heaven. Desperate Tigress could easily be called Perfection. It's unflinching and unabashed in historic social and cultural detail and in its incredibly intimate portrayal of a husband and wife at once reconnecting and discovering each other for the first time. Elegant complexity and beautifully rendered flaws in Shi Po and Kui Yu elevate the latest novel in Lee's series (White Tigress and Hungry Tigress, 2005) to a new plane of accomplishment. If Lee's skills continue to grow at this rate, it will be she who becomes an Immortal. Nina Davis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 342 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (November 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843955058
• ISBN-13: 978-0843955057
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,537,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jade Lee has broken new ground in multi-cultural romance. Her China-set historical romances are a first in genre history. Her six-book Tigress series stirred reader passions for foreign settings, and her fantasy romances continue to be ground-breaking. Where did she get such innovative ideas? From a mixed cultural heritage that brings unique vision to her fiction.

As the daughter of a Shanghai native and a staunch Indiana Hoosier, Jade Lee struggled to find her own identity somewhere between America and China. Her search has taken her throughout Asian and the United States. In the end, the answer was found not only at home, but in her own head. Her imagination allows her to explore China in her Tigress series, dragon power in her fantasy romance Dragonborn, and of course, the amazing power of love in all of them.

A USA Today bestseller, Jade "Lee has made her mark with sizzling romances whose unique settings, intriguing backdrops and exotic characters lure you into worlds where heaven is reached through the highest meeting of mind and body. It's a world at once mysterious and erotic, secret and mind-expanding." (Romantic Times BOOKreviews on Cornered Tigress)

Jade's also a popular speaker appearing all over the country throughout the year. Her other joys include playing racquetball, rollerblading with a very large golden retriever, and watching her two daughters play volleyball. She loves getting mail from readers, so please e-mail her at [e-mail]. Or visit her on the web at www.jadeleeauthor.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Sensual, November 2, 2005

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desperate Tigress (Mass Market Paperback)

In presenting an interesting premise for a sensual read, the plot centers around the Taoist ideal of `enlightenment through ectasy, through rigid control of the body and mind, etc.'. With this in mind, the reader will not be disappointed.

In 1898 China, Shi Po had devoted her life to that Taoist ideal. As a tantric sex teacher, and a famous Tigress, she had aspired to that ideal of immortality, yet it was two of her students who seemed to have found their way to immortality and heaven. What disturbed her more than anything was that these two former students were white barbarians! Feeling a complete failure, as well as having brought danger to her family by sheltering a monk, her greatest wish was to die. One man would deny her final wish - her husband Tan Kui Yu.

Kui Yu wasn't quite sure why it was so important to him but he knew that he and Shi Po had to attain Heaven together, in spite of the threat of a powerful General who threatened their lives. Being jailed together, gave them the chance to discover that happiness and heaven could only be attained through discovering and admitting to their own secret of love.

*** The portrayal of a woman's life in China was an eye opener and some of the practices of the wealthy, specifically binding a female childs feet was so barbaric that it seemed to take away some of the enjoyment from the romance aspects. Kui Yu, was a strong lead and while he had the utmost respect for his wife - an unusual aspect for an oriental man - he was that rare and unusual type of husband, gentle and kind who would do anything to save his family. The growth of the relationship between Shi Po and Kui Yu was brilliantly built to a satisfying conclusion as he strived to probe the mind of Shi Po. This was very sensual and a good story, but as a stand alone I feel it would have been much more enjoyable and easier to follow if I'd read the prequels first.

3.0 out of 5 stars Dull Tantric Romance, May 9, 2007

By 

Sires "I enjoy mysteries, historical and proc... (Chesapeake, OH, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desperate Tigress (Mass Market Paperback)

Technically the writing isn't bad and if I had read the other books in the series I might have enjoyed this one more. For the most part though, I thought the story of Tantric guru Shi Po and her husband Kui Yu was bland. This is not the first book I have read that used Tantric practices as a jumping off point, but it is the first by Jade Lee.

While the back story is complex and Shi Po and her husband are in danger of their lives I honestly never grew interested in their characters or the story. I like books set in different cultures or even complex imaginary cultures. But most of this book seems to involve the two main characters imprisoned together so it is mostly in flashback that they interact with other characters or their cultures. A cabin romance! But it isn't that exciting. It just seems to drag on and on as Shi Po comes to terms with what she starts out regarding as her failure to attain spiritual transcedence through sex.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific late nineteenth century historical tale, October 25, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desperate Tigress (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1898 China, tantric sex teacher Shi Po has devoted her life to the Taoist dictum of obtaining enlightenment and immortality through ecstasy by strict control of the body and mind. However, Shi is upset that two white heathen students of hers seem to have gained what she strives to achieve. Feeling she has brought shame by her failure and danger to her family by sheltering a monk, Shi wants to die.

Shi's husband Tan Kui Yu believes that together they reach Heaven, but separately never. When the duo is imprisoned, Kui trusts that they can overcome adversity with one another, but first they must accept the love they have for another that is a major step towards reaching Heaven.

DESPERATE TIGRESS is a terrific late nineteenth century historical tale that provides a deep look at Chinese society through the changing relationship between the lead couple and to a lesser degree the general who jails them. The story line focuses on the interactions between a humiliated Shi who believes she is a failure and has shamed her family and Kui a kind gentle soul respecting his wife. Though Jade Lee's tale can be read by itself, reading the previous two related tales (see HUNGRY TIGRESS and WHITE TIGRESS) first will give a more complete picture of the society. Still this is a superb work.

Harriet Klausner