Tiger Eye    by Marjorie M. Liu Order:  USA  Can Love Spell, 2005 (2005) Paperback     Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas Who hasn't heard of the famous tale of Aladdin and the genie popping out of a magic lamp? Marjorie M. Liu takes this legend a step further. Exotic weapon-maker Dela Reese is beyond stunned when she opens a Chinese puzzle box in Beijing only to see a seven-feet tall, hunky, sullen shape-shifter materialize in front of her - at her command and waiting to be used and abused like he'd been for centuries. Hari's a creature from a different time, full of deep mistrust. Dela extends compassion and friendship towards him and, despite himself, a tiny hope burgeons in him that this time might be different. It certainly is, as the wicked Magi who condemned him all those years before is still up to his nasty tricks. And non-magical assassins are out to eliminate Dela at all costs. A growing passion, as well as escalating powers of mind and magic, serve to turn this into one complicated and fast-paced plot. With chills and spills, kisses and action-sequences a-plenty, Liu takes readers on a wild, magical carpet ride as exhilarating as it is deadly, and as perplexing as the Chinese puzzle box that started it all. Neither Dela nor Hari is normal by any standards and so, neither are their problems. The troubled duo has more than enough baggage to overcome in their budding relationship, and this makes for emotional reading at times. Magic is in the air, and not just in the form of growing love between a mistress and her slave. When human and superhuman beings and abilities collide, the story keeps characters on their toes as they try to grapple with numerous adversaries concurrently. Liu sets the stage for what promises to be an awesome series, with Tiger Eye a dazzling beginning. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews