Customer Reviews

Hungry Tigress

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An interesting religion, a unique setting a cross-culture romance between an American and a Manchurian all combine to make what would otherwise solid 3-star historical into a delightful 4-star read.

Joanna Crane is a pampered American transplant who rides out to defy her father and join the Boxer rebellion, only to find that the boxers do not differentiate her from any other white oppressor, and seek to treat her accordingly. But the solution carries its own set of problems when Zou Tun, ostensibly a Shaolin Monk, rescues her and finds that she's observational enough to uncover and expose his true secret. With not a lot of options open to him, he hides her at a Taoist temple, and it is there that their journey towards enlightenment begins.

The religion in question is the Taoist ideal of enlightenment through ecstacy...that heaven may only be attained by perfectly balancing a woman's yin with a man's yang. It is a path Joanna and Zou set out on together, leading to a lot of very sensual scenes. Also interwoven is the mystery of Zou's role in powerplays of the empire, and the complexities of an interracial romance.

All in all it's some pretty heavy lifting, but in Hungry Tigress, it's handled well. Lee does an excellent job of creating two likeable protagonists, and - despite what they're put through, and what they put each other through - creating a real tenderness between them. It's easy to relate to the characters as they fight their own individual biases when it comes to race, and love plays an important role not only as the glue that holds them together, but also as the key to their enlightenment.

As for the sensual path to enlightenment: Hungry Tigress is very heavy on the sensuality, but not particularly risque. The sensual scenes flow smoothly, though, and almost never seem forced. Using the Taoist terms for body parts frees the text from a number of wince-worthy romance phrases, but heavy reliance on terms like "his dragon's cloud" and "her cinnabar cave", the terminology comes off as no less cliche'd. In a couple of scenes the spirituality itself is handled a bit more forthrightly than I would have liked, but overall I still enjoyed exploring it: It definitely added an interesting dimension to the story, and I wanted to know more about it.

The plot is at points contrived (possibly there's a bit much fo it for a 400 page book), and the sheer amount of metaphor can occasionally be stilting, but in a sea of historicals set in England, Scotland, and the American west, Hungry Tigress stands out because of its new philosophy and interesting setting. And more importantly, novelty aside it is memorable for its likealbe leads, and the emotional journey they face. Its honest if slightly westernized view of Chinese culture circa 1898 is welcome, and I appreciated the chance to explore somewhere I hand't been before through characters I felt I knew.

4 stars out of 5, and a good chance I'll be reading Desperate Tigress when it comes out.

I am conflicted on how to review this book. Maybe I am disappointed with it because I did the dreadful thing. I began reading it with expectation. I picked it up because it seemed different. Set in Asia, Asian hero, and sensuous. Oh yeah, sounds like the recipe for one great weekend.
I am a lover of romance. I DEVOUR books. In one weekend I will read 4- 5 books if I have nothing planned. A book of her size I would read in 1-2 nights. I bought the book three weeks ago and I am only half way (if that). I am forcing myself to finish it.

Let me first tell you what I like about the book.
1. The story seems pretty cool (if not tedious)
2. The setting is ancient china
3. I love historical and that this is historical Chinese is really cool
4. You can see (if not feel) the sensuality of the book.

I may follow this review with an addendum. Right now I cannot put my finger on what exactly I don't like about the book. It seems to have the right ingredients. But the execution is one to be desired. Curiosity alone would have me pick up another of her books. However, I will be picking it up from the library. I cannot afford to waste more of my money on a book that is sensuous and lacks sensuousness. That is a romance yet lacks the romance. I think it is really the execution because when I lay out all the ingredients it seems like its the recipe for a great book. But it just fell flat.

By 1896 American expatriate Joanna Crane loves the Chinese culture and people after spending the last decade living in China. Feeling obligated to help free her adopted people from the tyranny of the emperor and the westerner imperialist nations, Joanna tries to enlist with the Boxers, but instead is attacked as a foreigner. Shaolin Monk Zou Tan rescues her.

Zou takes Joanna to Tigress Shi Po where he studies the Tigress form of Taoism. Fascinated, she soon joins him in his studies and quickly finds herself in love with her gallant rescuer. When the emperor's troops arrive, Zou, who is not what he seems, moves Joanna to another haven, but doubts he can keep his beloved westerner safe much longer though he willingly would die to do so.

HUNGRY TIGRESS provides an incredible look at customs, religion, and the relationships between the Chinese and the westerners around the time of the Boxer Rebellion. The story line combines plenty of action with a terrific window on the late nineteenth century in China especially through the eyes of the lead couple. Interestingly, Zou is a fabulous protagonist who is a key reason history and eastern religion flows so easily within the fine plot; however, Joanna seems less developed as her motives fail to come across, leaving her a pale imitation of Lydia, the star of the wonderful prequel WHITE TIGRESS. Still fans who appreciate an exotic historical will want to peruse Jade Lee's fabulous novel and look forward to the next entry in 1890s Chinese saga, LAUGHING TIGRESS.

Harriet Klausner

Hungry Tigress is a real treat to read. If you are in search of new ground to explore with your significant other this is the text to start with. Jade Lee presents some very sophistHungry Tigressicated ancient spiritual-sexual practices in a fun romantic format. Great little read to hand to a mate with the opener, "Hon, this sounds fun and ENLIGHTENING." Let's start studying and practicing this ART. Cudoos to Ms. Lee for steppin' up. Great to see a female practitioner speak of advanced practices in novel form. Thank you Jade Lee for your efforts to evolve the communion of Men and Women.