Tiger Eye: The First Dirk & Steele Novel (Dirk & Steele Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

I recently decided to reread the Dirk & Steele series because I have fallen behind and haven't read the last couple books. Since the later world building gets more and more detailed, I figured I had better freshen up so as not to find myself confused by forgotten plot elements. Plus, they're good. How can I say no to a sure thing? :)

If you've read the back of the book and been underwhelmed, just wipe that slate clean. I don't know who wrote that summary (fingers crossed that it wasn't the author, because, awkward!) but it doesn't do the story any justice. The bare bones setup is that Hari, a tiger shifter, has been imprisoned in a puzzle box for the last two thousand years and forced to serve as a slave for whichever master owns him at the moment. Dela buys the box not knowing what it is and finds herself bound to Hari when she opens it.

Let's pause it right there. I can already sense some of you rolling your eyes, but really, this story does not fall into familiar lines. Liu takes the clichéd setup and turns it into something tender and heartwarming.

Hari has been used and abused constantly throughout his time as a slave and he is not happy to have another master. Dela has a magical gift herself, but when she's dropped into this situation with Hari, she has a hard time swallowing it. They both have to find a way to make it work because even though Hari has a hard time believing in her, she can't stomach the thought of making the situation easier for herself by getting rid of him. She didn't want her life tied to some random stranger, but she can't turn away when she sees his suffering. Hari fears trusting her, but he can't keep himself from hoping that she really is different than all the rest.

The romance develops between Hari and Dela in a shorter amount of time than I usually prefer, but it felt right between them. I think a big part of the reason was that in addition to being attracted to each other, they also became friends. That is such an important element for me in a relationship that I'm always thrilled when I find it. Watching Hari and Dela slowly grow closer and closer was so touching. Their love was not the stuff of most Paranormal Romances. Their feelings for each other didn't need drama or fanfare. They recognized and accepted their feelings and treasured the opportunity to be together. Their love was a quiet, tender thing, and I found it lovely.

Although the romance is an integral part of the story, that's not the only focus of the book. The way Liu writes the Dirk & Steele books reminds me of Eileen Wilks's World of the Lupi series. The relationship develops as the events take place as opposed to most romances where the events develop while the romance takes place. It a fine difference, but you'll know it when you read it. If you are fan of that type of book, I strongly urge you to give this series a try. It might just be up your alley.

The writing style itself was at times beautiful and captivating

"She drowned in emotions not her own, lost to the story of the blade, the man. Rolling deep, deeper, into a forest of sharp teeth and steel, cutting her mind on desperation, an echo plunging through the flashing images and sensations of endless battle, violence. Every death had meant something to the man who held this weapon. Every drop of blood was a dark testimony to some terrible heartbreak."

and at other times humorous.

"She showed him his passport, but scowled when she saw the last name Roland has chosen.

"Why am I called Hari Dasypygal?"

Dela growled. "That's the last name Roland gave you. It's an obscure Greek word that means...having hairy buttocks.""

The shifting tones melded together to form an adaptable style that worked well with both the lighter and darker aspects of the book.

I loved getting to meet some of the Dirk & Steele guys. Dela's a part of the organization, but really only because she's family. They're only called into the situation because she needs extra protection. It was nice to see the friendships she had with them, and I especially like Eddie. He is so sweet. Added to that, the other shapeshifters we ended up meeting fascinated me. I'm looking forward to learning more about them, and others like them, as the series continues.

While I loved a lot of things about this book, I still had some issues that kept me from bumping it up to a 5 star grade. One of the biggest things for me was the pacing. The first part was great and the last part was great--although I would have preferred a bit longer ending--but the middle sagged. Once Dela got back to her place things seemed to slow way down. Hari and Dela started talking out some issues and making plans, but I found myself a tad restless during it. The fact that they were actually discussing these things was much appreciated, but paired with slower action, I was left a bit wanting.

Despite the issues mentioned, I enjoyed this book a lot. The reread has only confirmed what I knew before. This is a solid first series entry and it looks like there are a lot more exciting stories to come with other Dirk & Steele members.

Favorite Quote:
"Let me fall into the earth at your side, and I will be content. An eternity, dreaming of you."

*Review also posted on Fiction Vixen*

This is a totally cracky book. It is very much a paranormal romance of the classical vein: A superpowered woman meets and soulbonds with a magical male, danger, peril, backup by her posse, hot sex.

There are some things that set this book apart, though. For one, the heroine is not embittered, and I don't know how old she is, but I think not young. The posse was possibly the most charming set of characters I've met in such a grouping. I was especially taken with Artur, the former Russian gangster and ladies' man.

The romance bothered me because it seemed so ... involuntary. Hari, who had been a slave for a couple millenia, gets a little kindness and decides that this is the one woman of his life. Dela gets this magical hunk dropped on her and within a week of high-stress living, decides that he's the guy she wants to be with. Neither of them seems to be operating from a position of strength, or even sanity.

That said, I read it in a couple days and it was mesmerizingly dramatastic. If what you want is nonstop action, woo-woo, and heroes who might look like Fabio and have a very firm....moral code, this is the book for you.

Read if: You like cracky paranormal romance, you love strong squishy men, and assertive talented women.

Skip if: you mind being able to predict plot points, you are weirded out by shapeshifter sex, violence is not your bag.

I originally bought this book when it first came out. As a big fan of superheroes and adventure fantasy since childhood, I loved it and reread it multiple times. Unfortunately, I loaned my copy out and never got it back. Imagine my joy at seeing it on the Kindle free list! I have read all the books in the series and this is one of my favorites partly because it introduced the Dirk and Steele agency and its unusual agents. I have enjoyed reading each agent's story and learning about the history of the agency as the series progresses. But this one, the first, is one of my "old friends" in books.