Brief Description – A family, and a headstrong young woman dealing with the pressures of life and love in tropical Singapore.
Having read plenty of Ellen Read books, I knew i would be in for a good story with this latest release. Also, she has lovely formatting and illustrations in her books. I feel that enhances the reading experience.
In The Tiger’s Mark we met a plethora of likeable characters who are full of personality. The ladies wear beautiful dresses and serve tea in the garden of the plantation house. The men were dashing and handsome and I really did like the family.
At the head, was Josh, the grandfather, also known as Datuk and his wife Arabella, known as Nenek. Their children, along with their own off spring, and another family whom they had taken in, all lived comfortably in this large mansion house. It really captured my imagination.
Because there was so many people in the family, some having more than one name, i struggled at times to remember who was who. Ultimately, it didn’t matter too much as the setting and plot had drawn me in.
The two main characters were Oliver and Minerva and grew up together. As they reach their twenties, they realise they love each other. Unfortunately, they friendship is full of misunderstandings, and missed opportunities, so they never quite get it together.
The story leads up to a huge climax, one that left me reeling and it ended on a cliff hanger, which I’m not too fond of. The answers will be in the next instalment, but in the meantime, I’m still wondering who, after the rioting Chinese, will be left to pick up the pieces.
Check out this, the first book in a new exciting trilogy by Ellen Read.
Quotes from the book.
Datuk’s voice boomed out, his arms cutting the air in decisive movements as he emphasised the need for immediate action.
Minnie didn’t like the way the situation was developing. Datuk looked as if he was about to explode, and she’d never seen Oliver so angry.
‘Damn and blast this heat,’ her grandfather bellowed, his voice like the sound of the cannon on top of Government Hill as it boomed out over the sleepy Settlement at various intervals each day.
Blurb
Singapore. Grand mansions. Extravagant lifestyles. Steamy tropical weather. Riots and tiger attacks.
Minerva Edmondson has had the tiger’s mark on her from birth. Her pregnant mother died after being attacked by a tiger. Then at the age of twelve, when a tiger attacks Minerva, leaving its mark on her, her grandmother tells her of a prophecy that has a far-reaching effect on her life.
After a difficult childhood protecting his mother and siblings from his brutal father, Oliver Barrett takes his family to live at Rumah Kebun, the Edmondson’s plantation house.
Oliver is Minnie’s best friend. He loves Minnie and when she’s eighteen years old, awakens her passion. Minerva is torn between Oliver and Julian Sutcliffe who she’s idolised since she was twelve, but she can’t choose.
Then in 1854, the worst riots Singapore has known rage throughout the settlement. Oliver joins his grandfather, Joss Edmondson, and many other men, to quell the rioting. Oliver suspects his father is in league with one of the Chinese secret societies and responsible for stirring up the rioters. Minerva, frustrated that she can’t fight—she’s as good if not a better shot than the men— has to remain at the Edmondson nutmeg plantation.
By the end of ten days of rioting, Minnie has to fight to protect her family and her life.
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