For the newcomers: Alexa, DJ, Kristin and I unofficially formed the Paranormal Book Club and the goal is to re-read (or in some cases, read for the first time) old YA paranormal books. The plan is to read a book/series per season (which I'm tracking here) and after, we'll answer five questions.
So far we've read The Iron Fey, Beautiful Creatures, Sweet Evil, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Born Wicked together and today I'll be talking about our latest read: Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck.
Here are my thoughts:
- What were your initial thoughts about the book? Were you excited to read it?
Back when this series first came out, I enjoyed it so much. I loved the setting and the concept of the story. It's about Kelsey Hayes who gets a summer job at a circus after she graduates from high school and she begins bonding with a white tiger there named Ren. But since this is a paranormal romance, everything is not as it seems and before you know it, she's on an adventure in India to break a 300-year-old curse. What I remember about that first-time reading experience from 2011-2012 is that I eventually started to feel frustrated with Kelsey and quite frankly, I didn't quite agree with the endgame. So I never expected to re-read this series and yet here I was, suggesting our book club read it. I was just really curious all of a sudden. And I'm so glad I did because the first book held up and in fact, I really liked it. A few things were definitely dated and the writing felt a bit juvenile at times but the story was still very fun. - What was your favorite quote or passage, and why did it resonate with you?
"You need to know that you can survive without me. That's there's more to life than just me. You need to see this world that's opened up to you and know that you have choices. I refuse to be your cage." This stood out to me because I didn't expect it and had forgotten this moment of surprising maturity and awareness. - Which character did you relate to the most, and what was it about them that you connected with?
I don't know if I necessarily related to anyone but if I had to choose, probably Kelsey. Re-reading it as a much older adult, I feel like I have more sympathy and understanding for the overwhelming situation that Kelsey was in. Going overseas for the first time, falling in love for the first time and just having all sorts of doubts. I still have doubts in my 30s so how much more so for an 18-year old. - Was there anything you wanted to see more of in the book, like more page time for a secondary character or a plot point you wish was explored more?
As I was reading, I definitely laughed at Kelsey's rather quick acceptance of everything. Like fly to India, why not? Break a tiger's curse, sure I'll do that. I definitely just suspended my disbelief and went with it but I think the book would've been stronger if had spent just a bit more time developing that aspect of it. - What are your final thoughts? Would you read this book again and/or continue with the series? Would you read another book written by the same author?
As I mentioned, it held up surprisingly well and I enjoyed reading it! I actually do want to continue reading the series. I don't know when that will happen but it's going to.
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had to say about Tiger's Curse!
And if you want to learn more about
Paranormal Book club and our past reads, go here.
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