Very rarely I will want to read a book all over again after I have finished it. Mostly because I have a photographic memory so I remember things for way too long, but also because rarely do I come across a book that makes me love it so much I cannot bear to put it back on its shelf.
When I picked up 'Tiger's Curse' by Colleen Houck, I was with Scott in a bookstore on an evening jaunt in the city. I was disappointed since I had yet to find a book truly worth splurging on and in a desperate sort of grab and partly because the tiger on the cover I reached for what would become a very loved book. Extremely cheap (in Australia nothing is "cheap", it shocks me how much money I spend in this country) and although the blurb did little to interest me I bought 'Tiger's Curse' and its sequel 'Tiger's Quest' (reviewed next). And proceeded to ignore them for months.
A few weeks back, lonely and craving to be home in Sri Lanka I thought 'Tiger's Curse' might give me slight comfort as it has some of its story in India. I read the prologue then put it back on the shelf, somehow unsure of whether the time was right for me to read it. A while later I picked it up and proceeded to read the first chapter which had me sticking my nose up slightly but pushing myself on I read chapter after chapter...until I found it was well past my bedtime and I had no intention of putting the book down!
A slow start and not exactly the best writing in the first chapter, Houck comes into her writing throughout the book (either that or I got used to her style...which I doubt since I am a VERY picky bookworm) and the story unfolds to be pretty predictable but mesmerizing all the same.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS FROM NOW ON.
The prologue gives a hint of what is to unravel throughout the book, a tragic story of two brothers and a hint of mystery. Suddenly, the reader is thrown into modern day America with the lead character, Kelsey who is looking for a job. Mmm, excitement. After a rather quickly written job search and interview (possibly Houck was a little too keen to launch into the fabulous part of her tale?) Kelsey finds a job and to make it short, one of her responsibilities is a white tiger called Dhiren.
From there, Kelsey discovers that the tiger she is so very fond of has quite the story and soon she is on a journey of a lifetime, leaving America for India where she discovers mystery, family, love and more.
That is a very lazy summary on my part but hopefully enough to interest you. For me, this book has been amazing - it is an easy read but still complicated enough that you need to focus a little on what you are reading in case you miss out on details. The story, although as I said is predictable, is still captivating and made me daydream as well as dream about tigers for quite a while every time I put the book down.
What I love the most is how Houck has taken the time to research Indian culture, language, religion and food and has written about it all in the most attractive manner, I definitely approve and love that she hasn't just thrown together a few references to make her story a little exotic. This story is exotic and makes for a lovely daydream that it could happen to someone as average as us readers...or maybe that is just me?
Looking for something that will fill the void and craving for something a little supernatural (like a boyfriend who is a little more than ordinary)? Then definitely give this book a chance.
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