Review--Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

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, spellbinding 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.

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.


So I finally read Colleen Houck's Tiger's Curse! I had heard good things about it. Especially at RT this past year, when people were going crazy over the chance to win an ARC of book 4, so I was happy to have received a free copy of this one later on! And I even managed it in three days and it was just over 400 pages! Yay! Feels like the old days I'm telling you! Although, having finished it now, I can't truly say I loved it, but I feel I have the potential to love it! I'll explain more as I review!

Kelsey Hayes just graduated high school and is looking for a summer job to save up for college. She lives with her adopted parents after hers died her freshman year in high school. I can't be sure if this was just back story buildup or if this is actually going to mean something more later on. I only just finished book 1! She goes to a temp agency and lands a job at the circus! For realses!! She does the mundane tasks, sell tickets, sell souvenirs, tend to the dogs and later she is to care for the tiger, Ren.

Kelsey's story begins there. She begins to grow quite fond of this tiger who looks at her with intelligent blue eyes. Then one day a man comes to the circus and wants to buy the tiger and put him on a reserve, where he'll be free and cared for. Kelsey is offered the opportunity of a lifetime to travel with Mr. Kadam, the buyer, and see Ren safely to the conservation in India. But things go horribly awry once she touches the native country and she soon finds herself wandering lost in the jungle with the tiger, Ren. But then suddenly she sees that he is no longer a tiger.

Ren's story goes way back over 300 years ago when he was cursed. We learn of his story through the prequel and some of Ren's tellings. But he comes to believe that Kelsey is the one to break his curse so that he may become man again. As it is, he can only turn into a man for 24 minutes every day. A strange arrangement and surprisingly Kelsey takes this all in stride. Sure, she has a little freakout and some questions, but not nearly as many or as big of a freakout as I would have expected, or had myself!

Then begins Kelsey and Ren's journey looking for pieces of the age long puzzle that will sent Ren free. Along the way, Kelsey learns that he has a brother, Kishan, who is under the same curse as well. Their journey is fraught with many perils and dangers and yet Kelsey manages to get through it all, with help from Ren of course--which isn't much of a spoiler since we're up to book 4. Obviously the two made it through!

Then there's the romance. Sparks were bound to fly between Kelsey and Ren and boy do they! Ren is a very caring and considerate person. He's wise beyond his year, obviously since he's lived for over 300. But for some reason, somewhere along the lines Kelsey gets weird. She suddenly doesn't want to be with Ren because she believes she'll get hurt in the end because Ren will find someone else. She is after all the first girl he's had contact with in 300 years. While I can understand some of her hesitation, it soon blows way out of proportion. 

And then of course Kishan comes into the picture and we are presented with the ill fated love triangle once again. *eye roll* Which is history repeating itself in some ways, from what we learn in the back story.

But overall, the story was good. Houck is an excellent storyteller, weaving together this intricate tale set in a country far away. It was simply put, beautifully done! The scenery was rich and colorful, the history thick and nourishing...yes, strange words, but I'm grasping here trying to find words I think best describe the story!

And of course the ending leaves you with a nice cliffhanger. I was screaming at Kelsey one moment than had my jaw dropped open by the next whopper! I may be going to the next book sooner rather than later!! Tiger's Curse was definitely a worthwhile read that sweeps you off to a land of magic and (get ready for another cheesy line!) possibly true love! (lol, couldn't resist!!)


Overall rating 4/5 stars