Tiger's Curse- Colleen Houck

Title: Tiger's Curse

Author: Colleen Houck

Format: Hardcover

Source: Borrow from the library

Goodreads Summary:

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.
Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.
“. . . a sweet romance and heart-pounding adventure. I found myself cheering, squealing, and biting my nails — all within a few pages. In short, Tiger’s Curse is magical." -Becca Fitzpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of Hush, Hush.

****This review contains spoilers****

The idea of this story is unique. I have not read much about India or its culture. I liked the mythology behind it and the explanation for the different beliefs and the statues. The mythology of this book was my favourite part. The curse is complex and the rules of the curse seem to be shifting. It’s not simply doing this and then the curse is lifted and you can start living your life. I enjoyed that part and I can see how Houck could continue the series with this idea in mind. The cover is of course amazing. The beautiful design is also on the pages which I enjoyed. I also like how if you hold it a certain way the design comes out more.

I’m not sure if I like Kelsey. She frustrated me a lot and I wanted to yell at her to stop acting like a child. I did enjoy that Houck choose older characters for her book who are entering college. I think that makes it easier for me personally to relate to and it made me want to read further. Kelsey still acts like a teenage girl through. I thought her pushing Ren away constantly was a little frustrating. The whole I love you but I can’t be with you because you’ll break my heart got annoying. I understood where she was coming from with not wanting to be left behind by Ren while he adjusted but I didn’t like how she treated him. She allowed herself to fall for him and wanted to be with him until the ending then she seems to suddenly change her mind, although she took the things he offered her just fine. When she thought it was Mr. Kadam she wanted to give it back but once she found out it was Ren she sort just said oh well okay I will keep his stuff.

Oh Ren you were one of my favourite characters. I truly felt bad for him. First being cursed for hundreds of years then once you find someone you can trust and love after being hurt by you fiancée and your brother have her turn you away and leave you. In a way I feel he was taken advantage of, first by his brother, Kishan before the curse then by Kelsey after he returns to his home in India. He saved her life numerous times and she seemed to disregard this and just left him in India. I usually side with the girl but I am on Ren’s side completely. In a way I hope he finds someone else.

Mr. Kadam was my second favourite. He devoted his life to Ren and Kishan and seems content to do it. He was selfless and brave. I loved how he spoke of his family. He plays a major part in the story as a background character. He’s not always there but his influence is clear.

I would read the sequel but I am not in a rush to read it.  I love the back story but I was really disappointed the in the main heroine in the story. I felt she was a weak character. I hope that she improves in the next book.