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End of Forever #1
The Tiger Catcher
The first novel in a beautiful, heartbreaking new trilogy from Paullina Simons, the international bestselling author of Tully and The Bronze Horseman.
Can true love ever die?
Julian lives a charmed life in Los Angeles. Surrounded by friends, he is young, handsome, and runs a successful business. Everything changes after he has a fateful encounter with a mysterious young woman named Josephine. Julian’s world is turned upside down by a love affair that takes him—and everyone else in his life—by storm. For the two new lovers, the City of Angels is transformed into a magical playground.
But Josephine is not what she seems and carries secrets that threaten to tear them apart—seemingly forever.
A broken man, his faith in tatters, Julian meets a mysterious stranger who tells him how to find Josephine again if he is willing to give up everything and take a death-defying trip from which no one has ever returned.
So begins Julian and Josephine’s extraordinary adventure of love, loss, and the mystical forces that bind people across time and space. It is a journey that propels Julian toward an impossible choice which will lead him to love fulfilled…or to oblivion.
The Tiger Catcher takes readers from the depths of despair to the dizzying heights of joy in the first novel of an unforgettable trilogy of love lost and found. For all fans of Outlander, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Jojo Moyes.
Can true love ever die?
Julian lives a charmed life in Los Angeles. Surrounded by friends, he is young, handsome, and runs a successful business. Everything changes after he has a fateful encounter with a mysterious young woman named Josephine. Julian’s world is turned upside down by a love affair that takes him—and everyone else in his life—by storm. For the two new lovers, the City of Angels is transformed into a magical playground.
But Josephine is not what she seems and carries secrets that threaten to tear them apart—seemingly forever.
A broken man, his faith in tatters, Julian meets a mysterious stranger who tells him how to find Josephine again if he is willing to give up everything and take a death-defying trip from which no one has ever returned.
So begins Julian and Josephine’s extraordinary adventure of love, loss, and the mystical forces that bind people across time and space. It is a journey that propels Julian toward an impossible choice which will lead him to love fulfilled…or to oblivion.
The Tiger Catcher takes readers from the depths of despair to the dizzying heights of joy in the first novel of an unforgettable trilogy of love lost and found. For all fans of Outlander, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Jojo Moyes.
464 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2019
542 people are currently reading
4,208 people want to read
About the author
Paullina Simons
41 books5,200 followersPaullina Simons was born in Leningrad, USSR, in 1963. At the age of ten her family immigrated to the United States. Growing up in Russia Paullina dreamt of someday becoming a writer. Her dream was put on hold as she learned English and overcame the shock of a new culture.
After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullina wrote her first novel Tully. Through word of mouth that book was welcomed by readers all over the world.
She continued with more novels, including Red Leaves, Eleven Hours, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross (also known as Tatiana and Alexander), The Summer Garden and The Girl in Times Square (also known as Lily). Many of Paullina's novels have reached international bestseller lists.
Apart from her novels, Paullina has also written a cookbook, Tatiana's Table, which is a collection of recipes, short stories and recollections from her best selling trilogy of novels, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross, (also known as Tatiana and Alexander) and The Summer Garden.
After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullina wrote her first novel Tully. Through word of mouth that book was welcomed by readers all over the world.
She continued with more novels, including Red Leaves, Eleven Hours, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross (also known as Tatiana and Alexander), The Summer Garden and The Girl in Times Square (also known as Lily). Many of Paullina's novels have reached international bestseller lists.
Apart from her novels, Paullina has also written a cookbook, Tatiana's Table, which is a collection of recipes, short stories and recollections from her best selling trilogy of novels, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross, (also known as Tatiana and Alexander) and The Summer Garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
April 22, 2019
Any book by Paullina Simons is always a guaranteed good read, and The Tiger Catcher was no exception. I wont really go into the plot except to say Julian finds Josephine, loves Josephine, loses Josephine. Then, with the help of a shaman, Julian goes to find Josephine.
A lovely book, full of love, grief and angst, we follow Julian as he staggers through LA and London, and in the end he risks all to find his girl. Beautifully written, Paullina Simons captures Julian and all his emotions intimately. We feel we are on the journey with him as he withdraws from his friends and family. I found this book very hard to put down and I'll be looking out for the next installment to follow the continuing saga of Julian and Josephine. A compelling book, I recommend this one.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A lovely book, full of love, grief and angst, we follow Julian as he staggers through LA and London, and in the end he risks all to find his girl. Beautifully written, Paullina Simons captures Julian and all his emotions intimately. We feel we are on the journey with him as he withdraws from his friends and family. I found this book very hard to put down and I'll be looking out for the next installment to follow the continuing saga of Julian and Josephine. A compelling book, I recommend this one.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2019
Well.
I almost don't know where to start. Considering this author is the author of one of my favourite novels of ALL TIME, i had HIGH hopes. Especially considering this is a trilogy and it was sold as an epic romance. In turn, what i got was a heroine 'Josephine' who was immensely unlikable, vacuous and basically a complete liar? On the flipside, Julian, our 'hero' of the novel was like a lovesick puppy, who dumps all of his friends and commitments when he falls in lust with Josephine. I really really couldn't connect with their romance and barely saw love there, let alone an EPIC love.
Considering all that, i really didn't think it warranted
That being said - i can see where Paullina was trying to go with this story and i really think it could have been something, if it wasn't for these spineless, awful characters at the helm. Don't even get me started on Gwen, Ashton and Riley.. lord they were.. total shits?
Anyway, it really pains me to write this review - i cannot stress that to you enough. I wanted to LOVE this and yell it from the rooftops. Sadly, not.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I almost don't know where to start. Considering this author is the author of one of my favourite novels of ALL TIME, i had HIGH hopes. Especially considering this is a trilogy and it was sold as an epic romance. In turn, what i got was a heroine 'Josephine' who was immensely unlikable, vacuous and basically a complete liar? On the flipside, Julian, our 'hero' of the novel was like a lovesick puppy, who dumps all of his friends and commitments when he falls in lust with Josephine. I really really couldn't connect with their romance and barely saw love there, let alone an EPIC love.
Considering all that, i really didn't think it warranted
That being said - i can see where Paullina was trying to go with this story and i really think it could have been something, if it wasn't for these spineless, awful characters at the helm. Don't even get me started on Gwen, Ashton and Riley.. lord they were.. total shits?
Anyway, it really pains me to write this review - i cannot stress that to you enough. I wanted to LOVE this and yell it from the rooftops. Sadly, not.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2019
Well, this was completely different than anything else I’ve ever read! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Paullina Simons! I have the Bronze Horseman trilogy on my shelves saved for a someday read. I have longed to read it, so hopefully someday comes soon. I can tell you this: reading The Tiger Catcher definitely made me want to grab them right away.
The Tiger Catcher is edgy. It’s the first in a shiny, new trilogy, which is even more exciting because there’s more of this story to be told!
The Tiger Catcher is billed as a romance, but to me, it’s so much more. The story here is an epic one, and it’s much bigger than the love between two people. It’s also bigger than their pain. There’s intense, emotional pain that left me bereft at times.
Julian and Josephine are the “couple.” They live in Los Angeles. Josephine breaks Julian’s heart by leaving. In order to find her again, Julian must take a trip bestowed upon him by a mysterious stranger. What ensues is what can only be described as an adventure. Will Julian ever find his true love again?
You can tell based on the synopsis, there’s a touch of science fiction to this novel. I don’t want to go into it and spoil anything, but just know, in my opinion, it only adds to the story and its marvel.
While I didn’t always find Julian and Josephine to be the most relatable of characters, they are complex and I admired that. Their story hooked me, so I how I felt about them individually didn’t matter as much. I’m talking around this story quite a bit to avoid spoilers, and I’ll conclude with this. We are apparently in luck because the next two installments of this trilogy are already finished and releasing soon in succession, so I don’t have to wait long to find out what’s next! And I am eagerly awaiting whatever that may be!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Paullina Simons! I have the Bronze Horseman trilogy on my shelves saved for a someday read. I have longed to read it, so hopefully someday comes soon. I can tell you this: reading The Tiger Catcher definitely made me want to grab them right away.
The Tiger Catcher is edgy. It’s the first in a shiny, new trilogy, which is even more exciting because there’s more of this story to be told!
The Tiger Catcher is billed as a romance, but to me, it’s so much more. The story here is an epic one, and it’s much bigger than the love between two people. It’s also bigger than their pain. There’s intense, emotional pain that left me bereft at times.
Julian and Josephine are the “couple.” They live in Los Angeles. Josephine breaks Julian’s heart by leaving. In order to find her again, Julian must take a trip bestowed upon him by a mysterious stranger. What ensues is what can only be described as an adventure. Will Julian ever find his true love again?
You can tell based on the synopsis, there’s a touch of science fiction to this novel. I don’t want to go into it and spoil anything, but just know, in my opinion, it only adds to the story and its marvel.
While I didn’t always find Julian and Josephine to be the most relatable of characters, they are complex and I admired that. Their story hooked me, so I how I felt about them individually didn’t matter as much. I’m talking around this story quite a bit to avoid spoilers, and I’ll conclude with this. We are apparently in luck because the next two installments of this trilogy are already finished and releasing soon in succession, so I don’t have to wait long to find out what’s next! And I am eagerly awaiting whatever that may be!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
July 26, 2019
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
There'll be another time for you and me.
There'll never be another time for you and me.
In what is a planned trilogy, The Tiger Catcher introduces us to Julian and his love and obsession for Josephine Collins. From the moment he sees her on stage he is captivated and can't believe when he sees her again months later across the country in a book store. Simons' has this couple's story swirling questions of fate, destiny, mere coincidence, or eons of soul searching. Written in an ephemeral tone, the sentences are shorter at times and moments with and between Julian and Josephine felt like short bursts of energy; the texture of the story takes some getting used to.
The majority of the story is told from Julian's point of view which I think hurt my personal connection to Josephine but probably works for what the author is going for in regards to the overall series structure. After Julian reconnects with Josephine, he immediately breaks up with his girlfriend and becomes consumed with her. He has a very close friend named Ashton that from the beginning is very wary of Josephine and at first you'll probably read it as jealousy; Josephine also has a friend, Zakiyyah, that reads the same way. The story takes a turn, however, and details are revealed about Josephine and the bubble Julian has been living in gets popped.
Be careful who you pretend to be.
The beginnings chaotic happiness is contrasted with the middles abject grief and Julian ends up wandering London and addicted to Klonopin as he deals with the loss of his Josephine. With the knowledge the reader now has about Josephine, there won't be much empathy for this character and Julian's views, thoughts, and emotions start to read very skewed; the beginning feeling of soulmates will be questioned. The writing style of this part made it hard for me to really connect to the characters and therefore this extended wallowing made the story drag. If you have read Simons before though, you'll know that little, seemingly innocuous details, can later have high importance, this thinking kept me locked in.
Julian was no one on a river of nothing on the way to nowhere, all because a Hmong shaman said, you want to see her again?
The later half brings in the mystical aspects that the writing style and tone were working for and the pace started to pick up again. I love when author's take real things, like the Prime Meridian and Transit Circle, and infuse them with myth while utilizing them in fantastical ways. The story shifts from grounded in reality to time travel as the Hmong shaman, Devi, Julian fortuitously or destined found his way to, tells him that while Josephine may be lost to him in this world, he can find her in another. The story then shifts to the year 1603.
“But they still won't be cheering for you, Lady Mary,” Julian says. “They'll be applauding for the thing you're putting on for them, for someone else. Don't you want to be loved for the young woman you actually are?”
“Don't speak to me so presumptuously about love,” she says. “And no, I want to be loved for the woman I pretend to be.”
This part of the story I really struggled with, as even though, Mary (aka Josephine) is supposed to be more immature, it makes Julian's obsession with her even more frustrating. If it is the author's intent to make you feel this way because the payoff and understanding develops in the second or third book, I suppose that is understandable since reader's go in knowing this is a trilogy but it still makes this first book a struggle to get through. This latter thirty percent or so, was all Mary being a brat and introducing the idea that maybe we can't change the threads of our fate, predestined is predestined. Heavy questions but not relayed with very enjoyable characters to read about; my relationship with even Julian became very frayed here.
The story ends with Julian leaning toward a possible cataclysmic decision. The fabric of the story and characters was a little murky at times and I wish we could have gotten to know Julian's friend Ashton better (the real love of Julian's life perhaps?). Their friendship was the highlight of the story for me and the only one that rang true. What I found missing could easily be by design because of the trilogy aspect but I'm not sure I connected with or was pulled in enough to read on in the series.
There'll be another time for you and me.
There'll never be another time for you and me.
In what is a planned trilogy, The Tiger Catcher introduces us to Julian and his love and obsession for Josephine Collins. From the moment he sees her on stage he is captivated and can't believe when he sees her again months later across the country in a book store. Simons' has this couple's story swirling questions of fate, destiny, mere coincidence, or eons of soul searching. Written in an ephemeral tone, the sentences are shorter at times and moments with and between Julian and Josephine felt like short bursts of energy; the texture of the story takes some getting used to.
The majority of the story is told from Julian's point of view which I think hurt my personal connection to Josephine but probably works for what the author is going for in regards to the overall series structure. After Julian reconnects with Josephine, he immediately breaks up with his girlfriend and becomes consumed with her. He has a very close friend named Ashton that from the beginning is very wary of Josephine and at first you'll probably read it as jealousy; Josephine also has a friend, Zakiyyah, that reads the same way. The story takes a turn, however, and details are revealed about Josephine and the bubble Julian has been living in gets popped.
Be careful who you pretend to be.
The beginnings chaotic happiness is contrasted with the middles abject grief and Julian ends up wandering London and addicted to Klonopin as he deals with the loss of his Josephine. With the knowledge the reader now has about Josephine, there won't be much empathy for this character and Julian's views, thoughts, and emotions start to read very skewed; the beginning feeling of soulmates will be questioned. The writing style of this part made it hard for me to really connect to the characters and therefore this extended wallowing made the story drag. If you have read Simons before though, you'll know that little, seemingly innocuous details, can later have high importance, this thinking kept me locked in.
Julian was no one on a river of nothing on the way to nowhere, all because a Hmong shaman said, you want to see her again?
The later half brings in the mystical aspects that the writing style and tone were working for and the pace started to pick up again. I love when author's take real things, like the Prime Meridian and Transit Circle, and infuse them with myth while utilizing them in fantastical ways. The story shifts from grounded in reality to time travel as the Hmong shaman, Devi, Julian fortuitously or destined found his way to, tells him that while Josephine may be lost to him in this world, he can find her in another. The story then shifts to the year 1603.
“But they still won't be cheering for you, Lady Mary,” Julian says. “They'll be applauding for the thing you're putting on for them, for someone else. Don't you want to be loved for the young woman you actually are?”
“Don't speak to me so presumptuously about love,” she says. “And no, I want to be loved for the woman I pretend to be.”
This part of the story I really struggled with, as even though, Mary (aka Josephine) is supposed to be more immature, it makes Julian's obsession with her even more frustrating. If it is the author's intent to make you feel this way because the payoff and understanding develops in the second or third book, I suppose that is understandable since reader's go in knowing this is a trilogy but it still makes this first book a struggle to get through. This latter thirty percent or so, was all Mary being a brat and introducing the idea that maybe we can't change the threads of our fate, predestined is predestined. Heavy questions but not relayed with very enjoyable characters to read about; my relationship with even Julian became very frayed here.
The story ends with Julian leaning toward a possible cataclysmic decision. The fabric of the story and characters was a little murky at times and I wish we could have gotten to know Julian's friend Ashton better (the real love of Julian's life perhaps?). Their friendship was the highlight of the story for me and the only one that rang true. What I found missing could easily be by design because of the trilogy aspect but I'm not sure I connected with or was pulled in enough to read on in the series.
November 5, 2022
My hero and the queen of romance is back with this epic first instalment in a new incredible trilogy.
It’s no secret that The Bronze Horseman trilogy are my favourite books of all time— there has not even been a question about that ever since I read them a lifetime ago. And they always will be 🫶 Even so, I’m inclined to say that The Tiger Catcher is Paullina Simons ‘ finest work. Her amazing story telling in this was maybe EVEN a little bit more incredible than usual and the whole book was just pure gold. Simple as that. To read one of Paullina books is a lot like coming home for me or visiting a lovely friend. Always warm and inviting and recognisable.
For an even more magical reading experience; the audiobook with narrator Jeremy Arthur is absolutely fantastic!
Best birthday gift ever! And I really do mean that. This woman is freakishly talanted and turns everything she writes into gold.
Update May 2018-
OMG 🤬🤬🤬 how long do we have to wait for this book??!! I will literally wait forever if I have to but come on!!!
How much patience is a fan supposed to have ⁉️⁉️⁉️‼️
Update July 19.
OMG OMG 😯 I think I just fainted. I just found out that End of forever is actually a triology and the titles are THE TIGAR CATCHER, A BEGGARS KINGDOM and INEXPRESSIBLE ISLAND
I can’t tell you how excited this makes me! Finally a new book from PS. Not one, but three, and they are apparently already done! SQUEE!!!!!
April 22, 2019
Sorry, but this book left me disappointed. There was a brief moment about halfway through when I had a “oooh, now it’s going to get good” but alas, it then went back to disjointed and quite frankly, boring. I didn’t like any of the characters, and didn’t feel there was much of a love story to begin with. I’m gutted because Paullina is one of my “go-to” authors for escapism romance stories. I won’t be purchasing the remaining two books of the trilogy.
July 26, 2019
3,5 STARS
This isn't exactly what I was expected but still it was good, I enjoyed most of it!There were so many times in this one that I was frustrated with the characters and I stopped reading it until I was feeling it again.This is an insta love story which sometimes works with me , here it wasn't a big problem.
This isn't exactly what I was expected but still it was good, I enjoyed most of it!There were so many times in this one that I was frustrated with the characters and I stopped reading it until I was feeling it again.This is an insta love story which sometimes works with me , here it wasn't a big problem.
February 7, 2023
After falling in love with The Bronze Horseman, I was certain I'd love anything written by Paullina Simons. I picked up The Tiger Catcher, hoping to be swept up in an epic saga, and I hate comparing, but it didn't hold up to the previous books.
This is the story of four friends attending a play. When one of them, Julian, lays eyes on the understudy, Joshephine, (playing a man) he is immersed, curious about this strange, unhinged character. He happens to come across her at a bookstore, and the rest as they say, 'is history.'
Julian is drawn to Josephine. Her beauty, her charm, her independence, her entire being. He breaks up with his current girlfriend and falls into an insta-love type story. Then, something tragic happens and the book takes a
I mean downright depressing, and I wasn't ready for that.
Then, the story turns in the direction of Shamans, crystals, and time travel. It was a bit exhaustive and compounding. Julian is suddenly in the 1600's, trying to find the love of his life, or so he thinks. Who is Josephine? Is that even her name?
What I did like about the book, all the side characters. I liked the shaman, Devi--his banter and eccentric personality. He's a east Southasian man helping Julian time travel. I also enjoyed the character of Ashton, Julian's best friend who never gives up on him, no matter what.
If someone asked me my overall impression of this book, I'd say it's a hodgepodge of three different stories meshing into one, disjointed.
I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it. I kept reading because I felt something for Julian. He seemed like a character that deserved more.
Are you prepared to risk everything to gain nothing?
I didn't like Josephine at all and I probably won't read the subsequent books, because Josephine is NOTHING but selfish, self-centered.
A flush 3/5 stars
This is the story of four friends attending a play. When one of them, Julian, lays eyes on the understudy, Joshephine, (playing a man) he is immersed, curious about this strange, unhinged character. He happens to come across her at a bookstore, and the rest as they say, 'is history.'
Julian is drawn to Josephine. Her beauty, her charm, her independence, her entire being. He breaks up with his current girlfriend and falls into an insta-love type story. Then, something tragic happens and the book takes a
deep...
deep...
dive...
I mean downright depressing, and I wasn't ready for that.
Suffering separates us from love. During our life, it separates our souls from our bodies since the two are intimately connected
Then, the story turns in the direction of Shamans, crystals, and time travel. It was a bit exhaustive and compounding. Julian is suddenly in the 1600's, trying to find the love of his life, or so he thinks. Who is Josephine? Is that even her name?
What I did like about the book, all the side characters. I liked the shaman, Devi--his banter and eccentric personality. He's a east Southasian man helping Julian time travel. I also enjoyed the character of Ashton, Julian's best friend who never gives up on him, no matter what.
You think the things that are out of your control are in your control. That's your hubris, your irrevocable pride talking. To think you can control whether another human being lives or dies. Its the most difficult lesson for us to learn
If someone asked me my overall impression of this book, I'd say it's a hodgepodge of three different stories meshing into one, disjointed.
I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it. I kept reading because I felt something for Julian. He seemed like a character that deserved more.
Are you prepared to risk everything to gain nothing?
I didn't like Josephine at all and I probably won't read the subsequent books, because Josephine is NOTHING but selfish, self-centered.
A flush 3/5 stars
May 30, 2019
The Tiger Catcher is the first book in the End of Forever trilogy.
This book is divided into three parts. The narrator of this book is Julian (3rd person POV).
The book starts with an intriguing and unusual prologue set some time in the future.
The main characters in this book are best friends Julian and Ashton. And a woman Julian meets named Josephine.
I really wanted an epic romance. And I can see that the author wanted this romance to be amazing. But unfortunately the heroine was very self-centered. And the hero was so obsessed with her that he basically ignored his friends and job. I guess you could call it insta-love. But I was a bit confused how Julian felt so much for her.
There were some really good characters in the book. I really liked Julian's best friend Ashton. He was such a good friend and really did more than any one person would be expected to do. My favorite/the most interesting character was the shaman, Devi. He was such a unique and different character. And even though his part of the story was not what I was expecting ... I really enjoyed him a lot.
This book is filled with tragedy and adventure. And the story definitely took an unexpected turn after part one.
I don't usually like to know too much about a story before reading it. But in this case I think that it is important to know that this story is not a regular contemporary romance. There are fantastical elements. And I'm not exactly sure how I feel about that part of the story. It made the story original. But it also made the story seem impossible.
Overall this was an interesting first book. I am curious about the next book. Will it be only from Ashton's POV?
Thanks to edelweiss and William Morrow Paperbacks for allowing me to read this book.
This book is divided into three parts. The narrator of this book is Julian (3rd person POV).
The book starts with an intriguing and unusual prologue set some time in the future.
The main characters in this book are best friends Julian and Ashton. And a woman Julian meets named Josephine.
I really wanted an epic romance. And I can see that the author wanted this romance to be amazing. But unfortunately the heroine was very self-centered. And the hero was so obsessed with her that he basically ignored his friends and job. I guess you could call it insta-love. But I was a bit confused how Julian felt so much for her.
There were some really good characters in the book. I really liked Julian's best friend Ashton. He was such a good friend and really did more than any one person would be expected to do. My favorite/the most interesting character was the shaman, Devi. He was such a unique and different character. And even though his part of the story was not what I was expecting ... I really enjoyed him a lot.
This book is filled with tragedy and adventure. And the story definitely took an unexpected turn after part one.
I don't usually like to know too much about a story before reading it. But in this case I think that it is important to know that this story is not a regular contemporary romance. There are fantastical elements. And I'm not exactly sure how I feel about that part of the story. It made the story original. But it also made the story seem impossible.
Overall this was an interesting first book. I am curious about the next book. Will it be only from Ashton's POV?
Thanks to edelweiss and William Morrow Paperbacks for allowing me to read this book.
June 6, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘True love never dies’
This is the tagline featured on the front cover of The Tiger Catcher, written by Paullina Simons, best known for her international bestselling novel, The Bronze Horseman. The Tiger Catcher is the first novel in the End of Forever saga and all three books in this series will be released this year. The Tiger Catcher is a novel that delivers a love story like no other, suspended by time, adventure and hope.
Beginning with Julian, a young man who resides in Los Angeles, Julian’s world is forever changed when he embarks on a fateful love affair with a woman named Josephine. Julian is consumed by Josephine, dropping all of his friends and commitments to be with the woman he loves. But Josephine is a woman with a bevy of secrets and these secrets will determine the couple’s final fate. Paullina Simons presents a contemporary love story with a strange twist, issuing her readers with the ultimate adventure story that crosses time, place and space. It reminds us that love often knows no bounds and for Julian in particular, his love for Josephine is going to take him to places he never would have imagined. The Tiger Catcher is a book that really sends the reader off kilter, on trek towards true love, heartbreak and hope.
Paullina Simons has a firm position in this reader’s heart. Her well known book, The Bronze Horseman has remained my favourite book of all time, despite the fact that I read it over 10 years ago. It seems some time has passed since we had a Paullina novel. In an unusual move, the release of The Tiger Catcher is to be followed by the quick succession of two more books in the new End of Forever saga and all three books in this new series will be released by the close of the year.
I wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to respond to this novel, I do know I had high hopes, being a long standing Paullina fan. However, a fellow book blogger did warn me about the narrative twist in this book. I won’t go into explaining the nitty gritty of this aspect of the novel, as I would hate to venture in spoiler territory for potential readers of this series going in blind. I will say that there are subtle hints to the fantastical, mystical world, perhaps even sci fi. You do need to have quite an open mind for The Tiger Catcher, but it is well worth venturing into this wonderfully conjured world of magic and impossibility – for just a short while. I appreciated to chance to step into another world, creatively composed by Paullina Simons.
If love at first sight romance stories are your weakness, I am sure that The Tiger Catcher will draw plenty of appeal. I do love these kind of stories and I enjoyed walking in the shoes of the couple of this story. Julian and Josephine reminded me just how skilled Paullina Simons is at portraying those grand, once in lifetime style love stories. The epic, heart pounding, can’t sleep or eat kind of romances. Julian and Josephine’s love is presented extremely well by Simons and although they are not a touch on Tatiana and Alexander, I still enjoyed their journey.
In The Tiger Catcher Julian is determined to find his way back to the girl, Josephine and he downright refuses to forget her. This is where the influence of a guru of sorts, Devi, comes in the picture. Devi, along with many of the supporting cast are fleshed out well by Simons. This is where the book takes quite a dive into a completely different narrative direction.
The Tiger Catcher is certainly an emotional, swirling and mind boggling novel. It has moments of airy light and gentle humour, along with darker moment of loss and intense aching for that one person that defined your life. However, underneath it all is a strong message of hope and longing that dreams can come true, if close your eyes and wish hard enough!
The Tiger Catcher marks a very different novel from a much loved author. I am confident that The Tiger Catcher and the following two books in the End of Forever series will be embraced by readers worldwide.
*I wish to thank Harper Collins Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
‘True love never dies’
This is the tagline featured on the front cover of The Tiger Catcher, written by Paullina Simons, best known for her international bestselling novel, The Bronze Horseman. The Tiger Catcher is the first novel in the End of Forever saga and all three books in this series will be released this year. The Tiger Catcher is a novel that delivers a love story like no other, suspended by time, adventure and hope.
Beginning with Julian, a young man who resides in Los Angeles, Julian’s world is forever changed when he embarks on a fateful love affair with a woman named Josephine. Julian is consumed by Josephine, dropping all of his friends and commitments to be with the woman he loves. But Josephine is a woman with a bevy of secrets and these secrets will determine the couple’s final fate. Paullina Simons presents a contemporary love story with a strange twist, issuing her readers with the ultimate adventure story that crosses time, place and space. It reminds us that love often knows no bounds and for Julian in particular, his love for Josephine is going to take him to places he never would have imagined. The Tiger Catcher is a book that really sends the reader off kilter, on trek towards true love, heartbreak and hope.
Paullina Simons has a firm position in this reader’s heart. Her well known book, The Bronze Horseman has remained my favourite book of all time, despite the fact that I read it over 10 years ago. It seems some time has passed since we had a Paullina novel. In an unusual move, the release of The Tiger Catcher is to be followed by the quick succession of two more books in the new End of Forever saga and all three books in this new series will be released by the close of the year.
I wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to respond to this novel, I do know I had high hopes, being a long standing Paullina fan. However, a fellow book blogger did warn me about the narrative twist in this book. I won’t go into explaining the nitty gritty of this aspect of the novel, as I would hate to venture in spoiler territory for potential readers of this series going in blind. I will say that there are subtle hints to the fantastical, mystical world, perhaps even sci fi. You do need to have quite an open mind for The Tiger Catcher, but it is well worth venturing into this wonderfully conjured world of magic and impossibility – for just a short while. I appreciated to chance to step into another world, creatively composed by Paullina Simons.
If love at first sight romance stories are your weakness, I am sure that The Tiger Catcher will draw plenty of appeal. I do love these kind of stories and I enjoyed walking in the shoes of the couple of this story. Julian and Josephine reminded me just how skilled Paullina Simons is at portraying those grand, once in lifetime style love stories. The epic, heart pounding, can’t sleep or eat kind of romances. Julian and Josephine’s love is presented extremely well by Simons and although they are not a touch on Tatiana and Alexander, I still enjoyed their journey.
In The Tiger Catcher Julian is determined to find his way back to the girl, Josephine and he downright refuses to forget her. This is where the influence of a guru of sorts, Devi, comes in the picture. Devi, along with many of the supporting cast are fleshed out well by Simons. This is where the book takes quite a dive into a completely different narrative direction.
The Tiger Catcher is certainly an emotional, swirling and mind boggling novel. It has moments of airy light and gentle humour, along with darker moment of loss and intense aching for that one person that defined your life. However, underneath it all is a strong message of hope and longing that dreams can come true, if close your eyes and wish hard enough!
The Tiger Catcher marks a very different novel from a much loved author. I am confident that The Tiger Catcher and the following two books in the End of Forever series will be embraced by readers worldwide.
*I wish to thank Harper Collins Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
June 7, 2019
“I should have kissed you.”
OMG!!! That was truly epic!!! I’m a fan of this author for life now. And I haven’t even read ‘The Bronze Horseman’ yet!
If you told me I would love a time travel romance and historical romance, I probably would have laughed. And judging by the wildly diverse reviews of this book, I would also say that theaudiobook is a must! Jeremy Arthur literally brought this fantastic journey to life.
This was am intriguing and mysterious story to me. Julian is a blogger living in California and meets the mysterious actress, Josephine. The first part of the book is building their intense love but what I loved most was that Josephine was not an entirely likable character. Yet I was compelled to keep going to see where this exquisitely detailed story would lead me.
What started as a Hollywood love story then changed into something else and I was stunned! I am so glad the blurb is so vague. I am also thrilled that this will be a three-book series because I NEED MORE! I felt the intense longing and deep love that Julian felt for his Josephine and completely understood why he felt compelled to chase her literally across time.
“Listen to me very carefully,” Devi said. “Take your assumptions about what you know and throw them all out the window. All of them. You need to learn a new language. The language of the meridian, of universal time, of hope, and of faith."
The author obviously spent an enormous about of time researching the details in this book. I loved all the minute details and felt that everything was an important clue to be remembered for later. This is going to be a spoiler-free review but suffice to say that I felt every emotion while listening to the audio book of 'The Tiger Catcher' - fear, love, passion, loss, heartbreak and hope.
This book deals with some difficult themes but the story is unforgettable. The characters were all very flawed and real and I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
“Are you prepared to risk everything to gain nothing...but there was another outcome...couldn’t he risk everything, and gain everything?”
OMG!!! That was truly epic!!! I’m a fan of this author for life now. And I haven’t even read ‘The Bronze Horseman’ yet!
If you told me I would love a time travel romance and historical romance, I probably would have laughed. And judging by the wildly diverse reviews of this book, I would also say that theaudiobook is a must! Jeremy Arthur literally brought this fantastic journey to life.
This was am intriguing and mysterious story to me. Julian is a blogger living in California and meets the mysterious actress, Josephine. The first part of the book is building their intense love but what I loved most was that Josephine was not an entirely likable character. Yet I was compelled to keep going to see where this exquisitely detailed story would lead me.
What started as a Hollywood love story then changed into something else and I was stunned! I am so glad the blurb is so vague. I am also thrilled that this will be a three-book series because I NEED MORE! I felt the intense longing and deep love that Julian felt for his Josephine and completely understood why he felt compelled to chase her literally across time.
“Listen to me very carefully,” Devi said. “Take your assumptions about what you know and throw them all out the window. All of them. You need to learn a new language. The language of the meridian, of universal time, of hope, and of faith."
The author obviously spent an enormous about of time researching the details in this book. I loved all the minute details and felt that everything was an important clue to be remembered for later. This is going to be a spoiler-free review but suffice to say that I felt every emotion while listening to the audio book of 'The Tiger Catcher' - fear, love, passion, loss, heartbreak and hope.
This book deals with some difficult themes but the story is unforgettable. The characters were all very flawed and real and I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
“Are you prepared to risk everything to gain nothing...but there was another outcome...couldn’t he risk everything, and gain everything?”
April 20, 2019
I was so looking forward to this book from my favourite author, but have been left disappointed. The characters were very unlikeable, their "love" story unbelieveable, and overall I was actually a little bored. I'll still definitely read the next book, however don't have high hopes...
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May 28, 2019
4.5 stars
I am a huge Paullina Simons fan and I have been waiting for her next book with impatience and trepidation. I could not wait to read The Tiger Catcher and I was very happy when I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher. I devoured this book! The Tiger Catcher has Paullina's beautiful and unique writing style, complex and interesting characters, and an impossible love story (as to be expected from her books). It also has time travel which I knew about and a reincarnation theme, which I didn't. I am fascinated by the reincarnation topic, I am always looking for more stories about it, so to find it in a book by my favorite author was such a great surprise and made me love The Tiger Catcher even more.
Paullina Simons doesn't shy away from writing unlikable and problematic characters, characters who make bad decisions and stupid mistakes. But she makes her readers care and root for them regardless. Josephine and Julian's relationship is all consuming and destructive, they both hurt other people in order to be together and have to recon with the consequences of their selfish behavior. But their love is so great, it will take them on a journey across space and time. On this journey they will have to learn from their mistakes and avoid the same disastrous pattern that tore them apart in the fist place. Will they find each other and their HEA? I very much hope so! I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, A Beggar's Kingdom.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss
I am a huge Paullina Simons fan and I have been waiting for her next book with impatience and trepidation. I could not wait to read The Tiger Catcher and I was very happy when I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher. I devoured this book! The Tiger Catcher has Paullina's beautiful and unique writing style, complex and interesting characters, and an impossible love story (as to be expected from her books). It also has time travel which I knew about and a reincarnation theme, which I didn't. I am fascinated by the reincarnation topic, I am always looking for more stories about it, so to find it in a book by my favorite author was such a great surprise and made me love The Tiger Catcher even more.
Paullina Simons doesn't shy away from writing unlikable and problematic characters, characters who make bad decisions and stupid mistakes. But she makes her readers care and root for them regardless. Josephine and Julian's relationship is all consuming and destructive, they both hurt other people in order to be together and have to recon with the consequences of their selfish behavior. But their love is so great, it will take them on a journey across space and time. On this journey they will have to learn from their mistakes and avoid the same disastrous pattern that tore them apart in the fist place. Will they find each other and their HEA? I very much hope so! I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, A Beggar's Kingdom.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss
April 8, 2019
So, this book is about a guy (Julian) who meets a woman (Josephine) and they fall in love.
The first two thirds of the book I quite enjoyed. Yes, the couple felt like infatuation, rather than love, but that works with the plot. Then the whole thing goes crazy. Now, the fact that this book is compared to The time Travellers Wife and Outlander probably gives a hint as to what happens next. The main problem for me is that I found the main female character vacuous, manipulative and irritating. The "hero" is so wrapped up in his idea of her that he cannot even consider the reality. So, the question the book is claiming to try and answer "Can true love ever die?" is the wrong question. This is insta-love, it's based on lies and it undermines what Paulina Simons is trying to do.
I do thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first two thirds of the book I quite enjoyed. Yes, the couple felt like infatuation, rather than love, but that works with the plot. Then the whole thing goes crazy. Now, the fact that this book is compared to The time Travellers Wife and Outlander probably gives a hint as to what happens next. The main problem for me is that I found the main female character vacuous, manipulative and irritating. The "hero" is so wrapped up in his idea of her that he cannot even consider the reality. So, the question the book is claiming to try and answer "Can true love ever die?" is the wrong question. This is insta-love, it's based on lies and it undermines what Paulina Simons is trying to do.
I do thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2019
I've been waiting so so long for paulinna simons new book and I bought it the day it was released. I was so disappointed in this book - I feel like we didn't really get to know Julian's character before he met 'Josephine' and their relationship began too quickly. I had trouble knowing what the time frame was of their relationship also, I found it jumpy. I would have liked to have known a bit more about his family, his brothers and parents. I wondered where abouts his money came from because he didn't seem to work?? I found their romance was unbelievable and she wasn't a likeable character. Even when he found her so very easily in the past, I didn't feel like she was truthful at all, I never knew if she really did love him or it was a farce. I was actually waiting for the girl 'krea' to be the one in the dark in his room! Towards the last few pages of reading 'the bronze horseman' I was left absolutely devastated because of how much I loved and felt the love of both Alexander and Tatiana - didn't feel this way at all in this book and wasn't sad at all when Josephine died 😬. There was more than enough written about the shamen and I found it boring. I fear that by the end of the 3rd book I'm going to find out it was a drug induced dream. I'll certainly buy her next books though in the hope that they make me take it all back!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2019
It pains me to rate a Paullina Simons book so low, given that she is one of my favourite contemporary authors.
If I had known that this story was a sci-fi, I would not have picked it up. I don't like stories that aren't real-life - that's just me. Perhaps at a later date when my tastes have evolved, I'll finish this book.
There were other things too. The writing was not so good. The characters were shallow, unlikable and unrelatable. The plot was jumpy and confusing. With the setting, I was only told that it was magical and romantic but it didn't really feel like any of these things.
I couldn't invest in the love between the characters because I couldn't understand it - how it had come to be such a deep love? It felt like insta-love/infatuation.
There were glimpses of Paullina's beautiful, creative prose in some lines, but just not enough of it to truly transport me and get me invested.
I'm really sorry to leave this review. However, I still think Paullina Simons is an excellent, esteemed author who I have a lot of respect for. The Bronze Horseman and Tully are two of my favourites. I just don't think that this series works, at least not for me. Hopefully other people will enjoy it more than I did.
If I had known that this story was a sci-fi, I would not have picked it up. I don't like stories that aren't real-life - that's just me. Perhaps at a later date when my tastes have evolved, I'll finish this book.
There were other things too. The writing was not so good. The characters were shallow, unlikable and unrelatable. The plot was jumpy and confusing. With the setting, I was only told that it was magical and romantic but it didn't really feel like any of these things.
I couldn't invest in the love between the characters because I couldn't understand it - how it had come to be such a deep love? It felt like insta-love/infatuation.
There were glimpses of Paullina's beautiful, creative prose in some lines, but just not enough of it to truly transport me and get me invested.
I'm really sorry to leave this review. However, I still think Paullina Simons is an excellent, esteemed author who I have a lot of respect for. The Bronze Horseman and Tully are two of my favourites. I just don't think that this series works, at least not for me. Hopefully other people will enjoy it more than I did.
February 12, 2023
Paullina Simmons is my favorite author (the bronze horseman, girl in time square, red leaves, 11hours). She’s also had some duds (road to paradise, song in daylight) due to unlikeable characters.
The Tiger Catcher regrettably falls into the second category. Josephine is awful, Julian is irritating and their love story was not even.
Please let the next installment be better.
The Tiger Catcher regrettably falls into the second category. Josephine is awful, Julian is irritating and their love story was not even.
Please let the next installment be better.
May 25, 2023
4.5 stars
May 2, 2019
Yep, the queen is back!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK WITH ALL MY HEART!!! So very different than her other books but so equally epic and amazing. I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK2!!! Full review to come closer to publication day!!
September 17, 2019
The first 150 pages began to bore me silly, and I almost quite reading! The ending was much better, but I could only give this one a 3. Sorry.
July 29, 2019
So….I just bought this Paullina Simons book purely on the basis of how awesome The Bronze Horseman trilogy is. Did not even read the blurb on the back that was how confident I was! So… I was hugely shocked that this first book in a her new trilogy is soooo different – waay on the other end of the spectrum different – that I was gobsmacked there for a while. So this is a time travel book – didn’t even pick that from looking at the cover. Thankfully I don’t mind a good time travel, and this one is done extremely well. Although I didn’t really like the main characters (mainly Josephine – Julian was ok except he ditches his friends for Josephine constantly which did annoy me also!), I was totally hooked and even getting about my normal day to day routine I was wanting to rush back and see what was going to happen next. And thankfully again, when the time travel bit happens we are then taken to the 1600’s which is one of my favourite historical periods. Dropping a star purely because I didn’t like Josephine much and didn’t feel how much she loved Julian really. So story goes, Julian meets Josephine whensecrets and consequent events separate them, and with Julian unable to move on, needs to get to Josephine at all costs. And yes, I am very much looking forward to diving head first into book 2 to see what happens next – which thankfully has just been released! A solid 4 for me….
May 13, 2019
Paullina Simons is an author whose novels I always enjoy. Each new story from her is unique; she doesn’t seem to write to a formula, which is really rare nowadays, particularly with those big named authors who are backed by big publishers. There’s a certain type of safety in sticking to what works, I suppose, but I crave unique books, stories that are edgy, funny as well as heartbreaking, and in this, Paullina Simons never fails to deliver. In her latest release, The Tiger Catcher, she brings to us the first in a new trilogy, and this is as different as it comes. Of course, I loved every bit of it. I thought I’d include her author’s note at the beginning of this review, to set the scene, so to speak.
‘I have taken a few liberties with mathematics, longitude, geography, various disciplines of science, the calendar, and the English language. There will also undoubtedly be some unintended tiny errors of fact. For all this, I beg your indulgence. As for the tale’s more fantastical assertions, I stand behind them. First, tiger catching is a real thing. Second, shame toast is crazy delicious. And, when properly applied, love can accomplish remarkable feats.’ – Author’s Note.
I am totally on board with all of that! Some people may find this novel a bit too different, particularly those who are dedicated The Bronze Horseman fans. The Tiger Catcher is nothing like that one. It’s fiction in its purest form, not based on a real event, not set against the backdrop of something that actually happened, nor is it inspired by the life of a remarkable person. I enjoy all of those things, but there’s something to be said for a novel that is pure fiction – a totally out there adventure with a speculative edge that challenges the reader to just let go and suspend belief for the sake of a good read. And that’s exactly what this is. Now, before I go any further, I need to tell you something very important, because I know that for many of you, this can be make or break: this novel has time travel in it. I’m not spoiling anything by telling you this, but I will be if I tell you more, so my lips are now sealed on that topic. Except to say that I LOVE time travel. It’s my favourite sort of science fiction, and while I wouldn’t go so far as to label The Tiger Catcher as science fiction, it certainly has elements of it.
“Listen to me very carefully,” Devi said. “Take your assumptions about what you know and throw them all out the window. All of them. You need to learn a new language. The language of the meridian, of universal time, of hope, and of faith. That’s your missing first principle right there.” Devi drew his finger in a straight line along the counter. “One of the many fallacies in your thinking comes from drawing time with a ruler on a flat surface. That’s not what time is. That’s not what the meridian is.” Devi formed his hands into a ball. “In the space-time beyond this earth, the meridian is not a line but a celestial sphere. What’s another name for celestial? Heavenly. Spiritual. Otherworldly. Godly.”
“Or planetary.” Trying to be scientific about it.
“Yes,” Devi said. “Pertaining to planets. By definition, outside our known world. To make sense of the physical contradiction that is time, certainly to alter it requires an observer and a mover, like an axle in a wheel. It requires a soul. It requires you.”
The heart of The Tiger Catcher beats with a love story, but it’s by no means a romance. What often accompanies great love? Pain. Epic, splintering, grounding pain. And the pain takes just as much of a centre stage as the love in this novel. Which is another reason why I enjoyed it so much. No, I’m not addicted to pain and suffering; it’s just that I’m a sucker for a grand love story. And all the great ones have pain, at some point, and in spades. If it’s worth having, it’s worth bleeding over. In Julian, Paullina Simons has created a man that every woman will want to hug and comfort. You’ll all be secretly wishing for your own Julian, a man who crosses the dimensions of time on the off chance he’ll breathe the same air as his beloved Josephine again. And he’s perfectly imperfect. I don’t know how she did it, but she nailed it with Julian. There’s also a fantastic supporting cast propelling this story along. And it’s so funny, more sharp wit than slapstick comedic, but it all works so well. This is vivid, sensory writing, an immersive experience for the reader and a bit of a masterclass for the writer.
‘Shock grinds down human beings. They can’t act, react, can’t speak, can’t feel. Sometimes they hear agony so unbearable that their minds block it out. You hear that sound, you know something terrible has happened. Someone has suffered an unsurvivable wound. Screaming like an uncontained blaze that obliterates everything. Sometimes you must close your ears and eyes to it, you must close your heart to it if you are to survive yourself.’
The best part about this novel? The end is temporary because book two, A Beggar’s Kingdom, comes out towards the end of July, and the third book, Inexpressible Island, will be released some time in November. How exciting – and refreshing! – to not have to wait a year in between each instalment. I highly recommend The Tiger Catcher and have already begun my count down for book two.
Thanks is extended to HarperCollins Publishers Australia via NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Tiger Catcher for review.
‘I have taken a few liberties with mathematics, longitude, geography, various disciplines of science, the calendar, and the English language. There will also undoubtedly be some unintended tiny errors of fact. For all this, I beg your indulgence. As for the tale’s more fantastical assertions, I stand behind them. First, tiger catching is a real thing. Second, shame toast is crazy delicious. And, when properly applied, love can accomplish remarkable feats.’ – Author’s Note.
I am totally on board with all of that! Some people may find this novel a bit too different, particularly those who are dedicated The Bronze Horseman fans. The Tiger Catcher is nothing like that one. It’s fiction in its purest form, not based on a real event, not set against the backdrop of something that actually happened, nor is it inspired by the life of a remarkable person. I enjoy all of those things, but there’s something to be said for a novel that is pure fiction – a totally out there adventure with a speculative edge that challenges the reader to just let go and suspend belief for the sake of a good read. And that’s exactly what this is. Now, before I go any further, I need to tell you something very important, because I know that for many of you, this can be make or break: this novel has time travel in it. I’m not spoiling anything by telling you this, but I will be if I tell you more, so my lips are now sealed on that topic. Except to say that I LOVE time travel. It’s my favourite sort of science fiction, and while I wouldn’t go so far as to label The Tiger Catcher as science fiction, it certainly has elements of it.
“Listen to me very carefully,” Devi said. “Take your assumptions about what you know and throw them all out the window. All of them. You need to learn a new language. The language of the meridian, of universal time, of hope, and of faith. That’s your missing first principle right there.” Devi drew his finger in a straight line along the counter. “One of the many fallacies in your thinking comes from drawing time with a ruler on a flat surface. That’s not what time is. That’s not what the meridian is.” Devi formed his hands into a ball. “In the space-time beyond this earth, the meridian is not a line but a celestial sphere. What’s another name for celestial? Heavenly. Spiritual. Otherworldly. Godly.”
“Or planetary.” Trying to be scientific about it.
“Yes,” Devi said. “Pertaining to planets. By definition, outside our known world. To make sense of the physical contradiction that is time, certainly to alter it requires an observer and a mover, like an axle in a wheel. It requires a soul. It requires you.”
The heart of The Tiger Catcher beats with a love story, but it’s by no means a romance. What often accompanies great love? Pain. Epic, splintering, grounding pain. And the pain takes just as much of a centre stage as the love in this novel. Which is another reason why I enjoyed it so much. No, I’m not addicted to pain and suffering; it’s just that I’m a sucker for a grand love story. And all the great ones have pain, at some point, and in spades. If it’s worth having, it’s worth bleeding over. In Julian, Paullina Simons has created a man that every woman will want to hug and comfort. You’ll all be secretly wishing for your own Julian, a man who crosses the dimensions of time on the off chance he’ll breathe the same air as his beloved Josephine again. And he’s perfectly imperfect. I don’t know how she did it, but she nailed it with Julian. There’s also a fantastic supporting cast propelling this story along. And it’s so funny, more sharp wit than slapstick comedic, but it all works so well. This is vivid, sensory writing, an immersive experience for the reader and a bit of a masterclass for the writer.
‘Shock grinds down human beings. They can’t act, react, can’t speak, can’t feel. Sometimes they hear agony so unbearable that their minds block it out. You hear that sound, you know something terrible has happened. Someone has suffered an unsurvivable wound. Screaming like an uncontained blaze that obliterates everything. Sometimes you must close your ears and eyes to it, you must close your heart to it if you are to survive yourself.’
The best part about this novel? The end is temporary because book two, A Beggar’s Kingdom, comes out towards the end of July, and the third book, Inexpressible Island, will be released some time in November. How exciting – and refreshing! – to not have to wait a year in between each instalment. I highly recommend The Tiger Catcher and have already begun my count down for book two.
Thanks is extended to HarperCollins Publishers Australia via NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Tiger Catcher for review.
Want to read
March 12, 2019
May 14, 2019
‘“I’m dead, then. Good.” Those were the first words she said to him.’
Meet Julian. He is handsome, young and runs a successful business. And then he meets Josephine. Julian falls head over heels in love with Josephine. His world revolves around her, everything else in his life becomes secondary. But Josephine is a complex and mysterious woman and she has secrets.
Events and secrets separate Julian and Josephine, but he is unable to accept that he is separated from Josephine for ever. He sees Josephine everywhere; he wants to be reunited with her. In his search, Julian moves from the USA to the UK. His friends, whom he’s pushed away, worry about him. Julian has hit rock-bottom, when he meets a mysterious stranger who tells him he may be able to find Josephine again. He will need to give up everything. Sometimes, love requires taking risks.
‘There’s an essential conflict built into time’s very nature—that each and every event was once future, is now present and has since passed.’
Julian’s quest to find Josephine involves time travel and while time travel doesn’t always work for me, it does (mostly) in this story.
‘While Julian ate, Devi talked to him about the art of catching tigers.
“You must be quiet and motionless. A tiger is a fearsome, awe-inspiring, lethal force of nature. To catch him will require everything you have. You must become fearsome and awe-inspiring yourself.”’
I don’t want to write more about the story, to spoil it for intending readers. If you are prepared to jump feet first into a work of fiction, to assume that anything may be possible and that (perhaps) true love will triumph, then you may also enjoy this novel. Just imagine. I found this novel very different from Ms Simon’s other novels, enjoyable in a different way. This is the first novel in a trilogy, and I’m very keen to read the next instalment.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Meet Julian. He is handsome, young and runs a successful business. And then he meets Josephine. Julian falls head over heels in love with Josephine. His world revolves around her, everything else in his life becomes secondary. But Josephine is a complex and mysterious woman and she has secrets.
Events and secrets separate Julian and Josephine, but he is unable to accept that he is separated from Josephine for ever. He sees Josephine everywhere; he wants to be reunited with her. In his search, Julian moves from the USA to the UK. His friends, whom he’s pushed away, worry about him. Julian has hit rock-bottom, when he meets a mysterious stranger who tells him he may be able to find Josephine again. He will need to give up everything. Sometimes, love requires taking risks.
‘There’s an essential conflict built into time’s very nature—that each and every event was once future, is now present and has since passed.’
Julian’s quest to find Josephine involves time travel and while time travel doesn’t always work for me, it does (mostly) in this story.
‘While Julian ate, Devi talked to him about the art of catching tigers.
“You must be quiet and motionless. A tiger is a fearsome, awe-inspiring, lethal force of nature. To catch him will require everything you have. You must become fearsome and awe-inspiring yourself.”’
I don’t want to write more about the story, to spoil it for intending readers. If you are prepared to jump feet first into a work of fiction, to assume that anything may be possible and that (perhaps) true love will triumph, then you may also enjoy this novel. Just imagine. I found this novel very different from Ms Simon’s other novels, enjoyable in a different way. This is the first novel in a trilogy, and I’m very keen to read the next instalment.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
April 27, 2021
Prima di iniziare la lettura di questo libro, vi consiglio di non far caso al logo della casa editrice e non considerare il nome dell’autrice ma di leggere la storia senza nessuna influenza di nessun tipo.
Il libro comincia come un classico romanzo rosa dove c’è un colpo di fulmine d’amore. Nello specifico Julian vede Josephine a una recita teatrale e ne rimane subito colpito e, quando per caso la rincontra nella sua città, si trova travolto da un tornado dagli occhi vispi.
Lui è affascinato da quella giovane vivace, molto chiacchierona e piena di vita che è esattamente il suo opposto.
Josephin parla citando frasi cinematografiche, paragonando i comportamenti a quelli di personaggi dello schermo e cita a memoria parti teatrali. Sembra che la sua passione per la recitazione si estenda anche sul quotidiano facendo sorridere, o solleticare l’ammirazione, di chi le sta accanto. La sua frivolezza stona tantissimo con quello che è attorno ma lei sembra non preoccuparsi.
Julian ha smesso di sperare in una vita differente, cercando di condurne una più sensata e sotto controllo e credere in un amore sensato. Quello che lui definisce la persona giusta.
Ogni week-end viaggia con il suo amico Aston, la sua ragazza Gwen e l’amica Riley alla scoperta di nuove città e luoghi, visitando musei o andando semplicemente a teatro, È come il non voler fermarsi mai a pensare e stare sempre occupati fisicamente e mentalmente.
Julian è alla ricerca della sua anima perfetta, si sente che gli manca qualcosa e solo dopo il secondo incontro con Josephine capisce che lei è quella giusta.
Tiene un blog dove dispensa consigli ed è proprietario di un negozio, assieme ad Aston, di oggetti, abiti e mobili di scena. Josephine lo considera un’insegnante, uno scrittore e un imprenditore, di certo l’uomo è cresciuto in un ambiente che ne ha saputo valorizzare le potenzialità intellettive, unite alla sua fragilità e sensibilità.
Dal loro secondo incontro. Julian e Josephine si sentono completi anche se qualcosa, grazie a piccoli indizi che l’autrice inserisce, stona. Non è l’opposizione o le ritrosie di chi è loro accanto, ma è qualcosa che viene da loro e che resiste al viversi pienamente.
Sono le cose taciute e le verità scomode da confessare che il tempo porta a conoscenza che destabilizzano e mettono in bilico l’amore.
Anche se l’amore c’è.
Una nota di elogio per la caratterizzazione dei due personaggi principali. Onestamente ho fatto fatica a comprenderli poiché li ho trovati articolati, contorti e non lineari. Probabilmente il mio errore è stato quello di credere di leggere una ‘normale‘ storia d’amore mentre invece mi sono trovata dentro a qualcosa di molto diverso. Credo che la parola allucinogeno sia quella più calzante.
I personaggi secondari, sia quelli che si muovono sulla scena che quelli che vengono semplicemente nominati, sono ben delineati e inseriti nel contesto. Di certo l’autrice ha un pieno controllo delle personalità e individualità di ognuno di loro, dando al lettore l’impressione di una immediata riconoscibilità nei dialoghi.
L’ambientazione di Los Angeles è solare da un lato, ma anche cruda e reale dall’altra, poiché non viene romanzata ai fini narrativi ma utilizzata per aumentare la percezione dell’atmosfera del libro.
L’andamento narrativo non è lineare: si trovano momenti frenetici, a tratti quasi isterici, alternati a passaggi lenti e ipnotici. Mi è capitato alcune volte di dover tornare indietro per rileggere alcuni estratti perché avevo la sensazione di aver perso il filo del discorso o, peggio, l’aver saltato qualcosa.
Il nome di Paullina Simons è spesso associato al libro ‘Il cavaliere d’inverno‘, libro presente nella libreria da circa due anni (…) ma che non ho ancora avuto il tempo di leggere. Sul suo stile ci sono pareri contrastanti e ci si divide fra chi la osanna e chi critica evidenziando il suo stile prolisso e articolato.
Dopo aver letto questo libro mi trovo dalla parte di chi la critica eppure è una lettura che consiglio proprio perché diversa da tante altre, strutturata in maniera strana e a cui bisogna dare una possibilità.
Il libro comincia come un classico romanzo rosa dove c’è un colpo di fulmine d’amore. Nello specifico Julian vede Josephine a una recita teatrale e ne rimane subito colpito e, quando per caso la rincontra nella sua città, si trova travolto da un tornado dagli occhi vispi.
Lui è affascinato da quella giovane vivace, molto chiacchierona e piena di vita che è esattamente il suo opposto.
Josephin parla citando frasi cinematografiche, paragonando i comportamenti a quelli di personaggi dello schermo e cita a memoria parti teatrali. Sembra che la sua passione per la recitazione si estenda anche sul quotidiano facendo sorridere, o solleticare l’ammirazione, di chi le sta accanto. La sua frivolezza stona tantissimo con quello che è attorno ma lei sembra non preoccuparsi.
Julian ha smesso di sperare in una vita differente, cercando di condurne una più sensata e sotto controllo e credere in un amore sensato. Quello che lui definisce la persona giusta.
Ogni week-end viaggia con il suo amico Aston, la sua ragazza Gwen e l’amica Riley alla scoperta di nuove città e luoghi, visitando musei o andando semplicemente a teatro, È come il non voler fermarsi mai a pensare e stare sempre occupati fisicamente e mentalmente.
Julian è alla ricerca della sua anima perfetta, si sente che gli manca qualcosa e solo dopo il secondo incontro con Josephine capisce che lei è quella giusta.
Tiene un blog dove dispensa consigli ed è proprietario di un negozio, assieme ad Aston, di oggetti, abiti e mobili di scena. Josephine lo considera un’insegnante, uno scrittore e un imprenditore, di certo l’uomo è cresciuto in un ambiente che ne ha saputo valorizzare le potenzialità intellettive, unite alla sua fragilità e sensibilità.
Dal loro secondo incontro. Julian e Josephine si sentono completi anche se qualcosa, grazie a piccoli indizi che l’autrice inserisce, stona. Non è l’opposizione o le ritrosie di chi è loro accanto, ma è qualcosa che viene da loro e che resiste al viversi pienamente.
Sono le cose taciute e le verità scomode da confessare che il tempo porta a conoscenza che destabilizzano e mettono in bilico l’amore.
Anche se l’amore c’è.
Una nota di elogio per la caratterizzazione dei due personaggi principali. Onestamente ho fatto fatica a comprenderli poiché li ho trovati articolati, contorti e non lineari. Probabilmente il mio errore è stato quello di credere di leggere una ‘normale‘ storia d’amore mentre invece mi sono trovata dentro a qualcosa di molto diverso. Credo che la parola allucinogeno sia quella più calzante.
I personaggi secondari, sia quelli che si muovono sulla scena che quelli che vengono semplicemente nominati, sono ben delineati e inseriti nel contesto. Di certo l’autrice ha un pieno controllo delle personalità e individualità di ognuno di loro, dando al lettore l’impressione di una immediata riconoscibilità nei dialoghi.
L’ambientazione di Los Angeles è solare da un lato, ma anche cruda e reale dall’altra, poiché non viene romanzata ai fini narrativi ma utilizzata per aumentare la percezione dell’atmosfera del libro.
L’andamento narrativo non è lineare: si trovano momenti frenetici, a tratti quasi isterici, alternati a passaggi lenti e ipnotici. Mi è capitato alcune volte di dover tornare indietro per rileggere alcuni estratti perché avevo la sensazione di aver perso il filo del discorso o, peggio, l’aver saltato qualcosa.
Il nome di Paullina Simons è spesso associato al libro ‘Il cavaliere d’inverno‘, libro presente nella libreria da circa due anni (…) ma che non ho ancora avuto il tempo di leggere. Sul suo stile ci sono pareri contrastanti e ci si divide fra chi la osanna e chi critica evidenziando il suo stile prolisso e articolato.
Dopo aver letto questo libro mi trovo dalla parte di chi la critica eppure è una lettura che consiglio proprio perché diversa da tante altre, strutturata in maniera strana e a cui bisogna dare una possibilità.
May 31, 2019
My thoughts are all over the place. Bear with me.
After the epicness of The Bronze Horseman I was expecting something similar. This was not it. Was there emotion? Yeah. Will I read the next books? Most definitely. But I have so many mixed feelings right now, it’s hard to put into words.
The Tiger Catcher seemed light hearted and almost a rom com. If you want this epic story that’ll leave you breathless, then you’ll definitely be surprised.
The main heroine was snarky and at times I wanted to shake her. She was selfish and not very appealing. The hero did all the right things and yet his heart was still broken. He is the only reason I’m here. I need him to find his HEA
It was a good story, just not what I was expecting. A magical feel is interwoven throughout this. This is not a straightforward romance. Theirs was a romance through space and time... I tossed between 3.5 and 4 stars. Once I stopped comparing it to TBH, I realized it still was still a very good story, if not a bit different.
I look forward to the next one.
After the epicness of The Bronze Horseman I was expecting something similar. This was not it. Was there emotion? Yeah. Will I read the next books? Most definitely. But I have so many mixed feelings right now, it’s hard to put into words.
The Tiger Catcher seemed light hearted and almost a rom com. If you want this epic story that’ll leave you breathless, then you’ll definitely be surprised.
The main heroine was snarky and at times I wanted to shake her. She was selfish and not very appealing. The hero did all the right things and yet his heart was still broken. He is the only reason I’m here. I need him to find his HEA
It was a good story, just not what I was expecting. A magical feel is interwoven throughout this. This is not a straightforward romance. Theirs was a romance through space and time... I tossed between 3.5 and 4 stars. Once I stopped comparing it to TBH, I realized it still was still a very good story, if not a bit different.
I look forward to the next one.
November 23, 2023
Lots of stars for the writing and the research and the imagination… but the story and the love and the premise...
How can you have a beautiful, heartbreaking new trilogy without love? I did not see or feel the love. I read about the whir of lust and the wilful blindness of infatuation. Mostly I spent quite a few hours with two characters that did not seem to have many redeemable qualities. What was there to love?
The prose, as always, was enchanting, mesmerising. That was to love. Who else can lay words on a page in such a beautiful, magical way?
But the whole book to me felt like a construct because the love lacked any real foundation. I understand a writer has to write what’s in their hearts, what speaks to them and that hopefully will connect with enough of the reading public. Sadly, in this case I am not one of them. The person I most felt for was Ashton for having such an a-h of a friend. The whole book just left me on a downer.
With the years and dreams that go into writing a trilogy, it truly pains me to write this. All I can say is that I hope many others enjoy this a lot more than I did. Maybe I was in the wrong time and place when I read it. Paullina, you are still one of my favourite writers, just not this book of yours. xo
How can you have a beautiful, heartbreaking new trilogy without love? I did not see or feel the love. I read about the whir of lust and the wilful blindness of infatuation. Mostly I spent quite a few hours with two characters that did not seem to have many redeemable qualities. What was there to love?
The prose, as always, was enchanting, mesmerising. That was to love. Who else can lay words on a page in such a beautiful, magical way?
But the whole book to me felt like a construct because the love lacked any real foundation. I understand a writer has to write what’s in their hearts, what speaks to them and that hopefully will connect with enough of the reading public. Sadly, in this case I am not one of them. The person I most felt for was Ashton for having such an a-h of a friend. The whole book just left me on a downer.
With the years and dreams that go into writing a trilogy, it truly pains me to write this. All I can say is that I hope many others enjoy this a lot more than I did. Maybe I was in the wrong time and place when I read it. Paullina, you are still one of my favourite writers, just not this book of yours. xo
September 1, 2019
I've never read a book by Paullina Simons before but I've heard great things about The Bronze Horseman so I honestly expected to love this one. Unfortunately it just didn't work for me at all. Full disclosure I only managed to read the first 10 chapters (80 pages) & it was a slog to get that far. I put it to one side nearly a month ago and I have absolutely zero interest in picking it back up so I'm going to put it on the DNF shelf.
My main issue was the absolutely ridiculous romance. Considering this is a 576 page first book in a trilogy I was expecting some kind of epic love story. That kind of page time gives you loads of room for a realistic slow burn romance that could have been incredible but instead we get an instant connection between the main leads. Julian is literally obsessed with Josephine after seeing her acting on stage in a play. Then he meets her face to face weeks later and within hours he's dumping his girlfriend of years because he's head over heels in love with another woman.
Fair play to Julian he isn't a cheater so he gets bonus points for that but the instant love was just INSANE. He drops all of his friends and pretty much his entire life to spend time with a woman he just met and I can't even figure out what he likes about her. There's nothing about either of them that makes me interested in where there lives are going to go from here, I don't find either of them particularly likeable and I just can't face another 500 pages of this book, let alone another 2 full books afterwards.
I'm sure this series will have plenty of fans but unfortunately I'm never going to be one of them.
My main issue was the absolutely ridiculous romance. Considering this is a 576 page first book in a trilogy I was expecting some kind of epic love story. That kind of page time gives you loads of room for a realistic slow burn romance that could have been incredible but instead we get an instant connection between the main leads. Julian is literally obsessed with Josephine after seeing her acting on stage in a play. Then he meets her face to face weeks later and within hours he's dumping his girlfriend of years because he's head over heels in love with another woman.
Fair play to Julian he isn't a cheater so he gets bonus points for that but the instant love was just INSANE. He drops all of his friends and pretty much his entire life to spend time with a woman he just met and I can't even figure out what he likes about her. There's nothing about either of them that makes me interested in where there lives are going to go from here, I don't find either of them particularly likeable and I just can't face another 500 pages of this book, let alone another 2 full books afterwards.
I'm sure this series will have plenty of fans but unfortunately I'm never going to be one of them.
May 5, 2019
I’m still unsure if I love this book or hate this book. The first 25% I questioned my ability to continue. The characters annoyed me, the story seemed to be going nowhere. I was confused by how boring this novel was, especially a novel from one of my favourite authors.
What happened after the 25% really shocked me and then the surprises kept rolling.
Paullina Simons is a fantastic author and I’ve read most of her novels. The one thing I dislike about this book is the characters. The two main characters made my blood boil. I thought they might improve, they did not. I just wish this novel had characters more likeable, so that I could relate and really feel the feelings. Instead, I was left frustrated and not fully able to love this story.
What happened after the 25% really shocked me and then the surprises kept rolling.
Paullina Simons is a fantastic author and I’ve read most of her novels. The one thing I dislike about this book is the characters. The two main characters made my blood boil. I thought they might improve, they did not. I just wish this novel had characters more likeable, so that I could relate and really feel the feelings. Instead, I was left frustrated and not fully able to love this story.
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