Would you risk it all to change your destiny?
The last thing 17-year old 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.
The Short Story? - Tiger's Curse is the poster child for ' Don't Judge the Book by it's Cover'. I'll eat my own words about never being wrong about a book because Tiger's Curse was Epic ( with a capital E). Captivating plot, dangerously exciting and one of the best romances I'm yet to read! Beautifully written, Houck you've proved me wrong, Tiger's Curse is a winner.
The Long Story? - I feel awful. I made the mistake of judging this book by the cover and I hope by reading this review, you guys won't make the same mistake. Let's face it, the cover is kind of ugly, with all the pretty covers out there, I wouldn't have given this novel a second glance at the bookshop but - and I'm utterly serious about this - Tiger's Curse is one of the best books I have ever read. I feel like gushing about how good it is.
The plot blew me away, right of my feet, gone with the wind. The right mix of action, adventure and romance, if metaphorically speaking books were cakes, Tiger's Curse would be the cake that's perfect, no matter how much you eat ( or in this case read) it, you'll never get sick of it. I have to give credit to Houck's originality and the amount of research that would have gone into this novel. Houck's written a brilliant novel, a combination of Indian mythology and culture mixed with aspects of fantasy, a hot love interest and a American protagonist, Tiger's Curse is right up there on my list of favourite book next to Vampire Academy and Mortal Instruments. Fast-paced, action-packed and well-written, Tiger's Curse is Indiana Jones with better romance for teens!
The characterisation was beyond perfect. Character's were very well developed and portrayed uniquely. Our protagonist, Kelsey was very likable. We clicked almost instantly, she's definitely one of my favourite heroine's of the year. She was shy and kind but also brave and stubborn, she was someone I grew to admire throughout the novel. Ren, our poor cursed Indian Prince is someone I fell in love with immediately. Not only is he extremely smexy but he's considerate, kind and brave, plus he's totally in love with Kelsey (awwww). Even more surprising than the fact that I can't pick out one flaw in our main characters is that I didn't dislike any of the minor characters, NOT ONE. A brilliant cast that's hard not to love.
I recently wrote a post about Marketed Romance in YA, I admitted that while I love any kind of romance it would be great if I could read something other than recycled romance lines once in while and wish granted, Tiger's Curse appeared. One of the best romances I have read, Kelsey and Ren definitely tops my favourites couples of the year ( sorry, Lucas and Helen). It's so easy to pick up the undeniable attraction between them yet they refuse to be together or more like Kelsey refuses to be with Ren ( for good reasons but still). It's frustrating yet so engrossing, this passionate romance between the two led me to turn faster and faster to see where this mutual attraction takes them.
Tiger's Curse is YA written at it's best. It's one for all the enjoy, whether you like to stick to your contemporary or you're a paranormal lover like me, Tiger's Curse is novel I would recommend everyone to read. Exciting, romantic, adventurous and captivating, Tiger's Curse is refreshingly original. I can't make you read it but do yourself a favour and pick a copy because this one's a keeper, this is going to be the novel that you'll go back to read again and again, it's the novel that you'll dream about, it's the novel that lingers long after the last page.
Rating - 6/5 ( Because it's out of this world :P)
Badass Bookie xx
Wow, I need to buy this book now. Great review! Seriously, I'm adding it to my "to buy" list right now. :P
ReplyDeleteI almost bought this on Saturday but the middle-gradeness of the cover put me off. (A pet hate is middle grade masquerading as YA. Wrong. Just wrong.) Looks like I'll have to go back and get it.
ReplyDeleteI actually think the covers to this series are beautiful, and it attracted me to them. :)
ReplyDeleteI need to read this! I've had it on my tbr pile forever and yours is definitely not the first awesome review of it! While I don't dislike the covers, I do think they make the books look more like an MG series than YA.
ReplyDeleteIt’s waiting for me on my shelf. I must get to it!....MOVE ASIDE GALLEYS!
ReplyDeleteI liked this book as well :) I disagree with you about the cover though, I love this cover!
ReplyDeleteLadybug from Escape In A Book
Okay, you've convinced me. I'd been tossing up about this one, but it's decided. I guess I'll have to make another visit to the book store haha. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI have this and the sequel sitting on my bookshelf (I was lucky enough to meet the author at ALA) and I'm excited to get to them. And I have to agree with Kristin Rae...I love the cover!
ReplyDeleteI've read all three......and love all the covers. In fact it's the reason I checked the first one out at the library.
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