Tiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga, #1) in Ask Colleen Houck

May 28, 2013 Angela rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

The first time I read this was years ago. It was one of my first YA book series after Twilight so it holds a special place in my heart. Then, it had taken me so long to get through. I was proud of myself if I got through 5 chapters in one day because I wasn't really a huge reader then. Now, I feel like I read it so fast (except for the few days I took as break because I was super busy). And it feels like I rushed through everything. I would read something and then be like "I thought this didn't ...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Varia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, ultimate-favourites

This is my third time reading this book and although i remembered a lot, i am also happy for all that i have forgotten as i reread this rich story.
I finish this with content. It is truly i think the only series that has a strong sentiment to me. I love it and everything it encompasses.

The only thing i might say is how kelsey for at least half the book had such a standard personality. Or just standard conversation minus her sarcastic remarks. Like i felt as if there was so much personality that ...more

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Dec 04, 2012 Kelsey Mouhot rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. First things first, just because I have given this book four stars does not mean I think it is the one of the greatest books ever written. That would be putting it on level with Pride and Prejudice, War and Peace, and quite frankly Harry Potter (say whatever you want HP haters, it sold millions and I dare you to whip a book out of your a$$ and do better) which it simply isn't. I feel people like to rate books on a far too general scale and forget that they need to remember the context (and targe First things first, just because I have given this book four stars does not mean I think it is the one of the greatest books ever written. That would be putting it on level with Pride and Prejudice, War and Peace, and quite frankly Harry Potter (say whatever you want HP haters, it sold millions and I dare you to whip a book out of your a$$ and do better) which it simply isn't. I feel people like to rate books on a far too general scale and forget that they need to remember the context (and target audience) of whatever book they're rating.

That being said, 'Tiger's Curse' is a refreshing story that weaves modern and ancient middle eastern Indian culture into a fantastic...well, fantasy. Pardon my redundancy. It was a bit strange (but still fun) for me to read, since the MC and I share the same first name. I found myself constantly holding my place just to take a close look at the front cover of the book expecting to see Auryn (for those of you who are confused, that's the snake pendant on the cover of 'The Neverending Story') haha. Anyway, from the prologue to the last page and to the rest of the series I was alternately enchanted, confused, frustrated, confused again, heartbroken, and every other emotion that could come in between any of the above. Mrs. Houck did a fantastic job of sucking me in hook line and sinker for these books.

Granted that yes, there are some bits that might not quite add up in reality (and not the obviously impossible bits). But hey, it's fantasy, if you want reality go to Wal-Mart (or as I like to call it, 'Darwin's waiting room' as it always seems to be filled with people who clearly didn't quite make it to humanity on the chain of evolution). Anyway, Kelsey is similar to a typical 'slightly more mature for her age' young adult. She has a general knowledge of where she wants to go in life, and while having no clue how to get there, tries to be very practical. Her adventure begins in an unbelievable fashion, and continues on as such. You'll hardly ever see what's coming.

Before she knows it, she gets sucked into an unbelievable world of 300 year old Indian princes that can transform into tigers, unfathomable powers, an intriguing Goddess, and a generally crazy ride that throws her knowledge of the world into complete chaos.

*SPOILERS*
She is honestly a fairly cardboard cut out of a person, but what sets her apart is her ability to so selflessly care for others, even and especially animals. It is not a very common person who sees a tiger bored in his cage and wholeheartedly wishes he could be free. Think about it, at the zoo when you see a bored tiger you think 'Wow, he has it made! AW LOOK! He's yawning! Quick take a picture!' And not, 'God he looks bored. He should be on a reserve not pent up in a cage, no matter how nice it is.' That is what made her the 'favored one', that alone set her apart. (And yes we all know there are those people out there, I am one of them, who just generally think that all wild cats belong in the wild.) Her opinion is solely formed from her emotional bond to this one particular tiger, she wishes HE could be free. Not every tiger ever placed or born into captivity.

Not only that but she finds herself romantically enthralled with one of said princes and has some serious reservations of whether or not it is a good idea to be as such. It does get very frustrating the whole series that she fights so hard for something she so plainly wants. But we are all fools, in love. And being tossed into a whirl wind adventure with a hot prince before you even finish your college applications, can't make it any easier.

The only real problem I had with these books was the (now, incredibly over-used) 'love triangle'. Twilight did it, The Mortal Instruments did it, hell even House of Night did it, as well as many others. Few with brothers though, and even less done with such understandable application. Cliché? Yes. Done poorly? Absolutely not!
*END SPOILERS*

All in all, though maybe not one of the finest pieces of literature ever written, these books are quite enjoyable. Especially for animal, mythology, angsty romance, and adventure lovers!

...more

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May 28, 2013 Brooke Messmer rated it it was amazing

SPOILERS! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colleen Houck has my style of writing: broad on unimportant parts, and descriptive enough to cover the whole idea without an overload of description. I found Tiger's Curse an easy read and enjoyed reading it.
When Kelsey pushes Ren away, I looked up to the Heavens and thanked God for not letting this be another mushy gooshy romance novel. I absolutely LOVED the fact she fought with herself over Ren. The fact that we women play hard to get are translated ...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Amber Curtis rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, own

LOVED LOVED LOVED! This book sucked me into the series and I had to read them all in a week. I was so sad when it ended. Great writing and fabulous characters!

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Sep 25, 2012 Danielle rated it it was amazing

This is the best book I have read all year. It has a little bit of everything, and you get to learn about India in a exciting way. I absolutely LOVE IT!!!

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