Review: Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Synopsis from Goodreads:
The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world.

But that’s exactly what happened.
Face-to-face with dark forces, spell- binding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Book 1 in the Tiger series

A-mazing book! This book is the perfect example of the way novels are supposed to be- original, very in depth, with a rich plot-line and lovable well-developed characters. This is easily one of the best books I've read this year. I could re-read it over and over. Love it!


The story focuses on 17 year-old Kelsey, who finds a temporary job working with a circus for the summer before she is due to leave for university. Among the many duties she performs, her favourite task is working with the white tiger, who she has a terrific rapport with. When a wealthy benefactor buys the tiger- Dhiren- he offers Kelsey a job escorting the tiger back to a sanctuary in India, offering to pay all her expenses, first class travel, and take care of all the plans for her. It turns out that the tiger is an Indian prince who has been cursed for hundreds of years, and can only be a man for 20 minutes of each day. Dhiren (nicknamed Ren by Kelsey) is warm, kind and determined to lift the curse upon him with Kelsey's help, and become a man again permanently. He is crazy about Kelsey and although he sometimes puts her in danger in their quest through caves, and tunnels, and enchanted forests, he is also extremely protective and would never want to see her hurt.


The two of them travel through India, deciphering a prophecy, and trekking through jungles hunting for lost treasure from the stories that can help them to break the curse. They also have to look for Ren's brother Kishan who was also cursed to be a tiger but who has preferred to stay hidden. He is cheekier than Ren, and perhaps where he has been left alone for so long it has made him coarser and a little rough around the edges. But I did enjoy the rivalry between the two brothers and the bickering between them, but also the loyalty that is there.


The best thing about this novel is the vivid detailing and the rich descriptions of the places, and people. We get such a constant insight into Kelsey's thoughts and feelings, and why she is always so conflicted. I also enjoyed all the myths and legends woven into the tale, and the old Indian stories that Kelsey is told, which had an impact on what was happening with her and Ren, and which sometimes gave them some clues as to how to break the curse. All the old stories of the magic are interwoven with the modern day, and a strong modern heroine.


I love Ren, the cursed Indian prince/ white tiger, and the slow boil of their affection for each other as they gradually learn to trust each other and the friendship between them turns to love. It's not all plain sailing between them however, and Kelsey is determined to keep her head rather than let herself be swept away, and is constantly questioning her feelings, and the right course of action. Ren though is everything you want the romantic lead to be, thoughtful and with a good heart (and sexy of course!)


I adored this book so much! This is everything that books are supposed to be- well written, descriptive, thrilling, heart-breakingly romantic, and full of action and magic. This book blew me away! Everything from the characters, the setting and the story just kept me engrossed in this beautiful and mystical world. I want the next one NOW!




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