BOOK REVIEW: TIGER'S CURSE BY: COLLEEN HOUCK

✮✮✮

First Published: 2011

Pages: 403

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synposis

Tiger's Curse follows 18 year old Kelsey Hayes - an ordinary girl trenching through her summer. She teams up with a mysterious white tiger named Ren heading face to face with dark forces in a mystical world to piece together a prophecy in order to break an ancient curse forever.

Thoughts

If you own the physical book then you'll know how gorgeous this cover. It has a beautiful metallic sheen to it. I honestly want all of the books in the series because of how beautiful they are lined up together. But any who, back to the story.

When you read the beginning the pacing is good. It did have the cliche introduction of characters. You have the heroine who is "chosen" to fulfill a prophecy/find their destiny. And you have the hot shot handsome love interest that is the finest of the land. When it comes to the dynamic and dialogue between the characters specifically Kelsey and Ren - just .. what. Pure awkwardness. I don't know if the aim was supposed to be quirky and adorable but the vibe I got was awkwardness:

“But it won’t work out.” I finished. There, it was out.

Ren looked confused. “Why not?”

“Because I’m too attracted to you.”

“I don’t understand what you are saying. How can your being attracted to me be a problem? I would think that’s a good thing.”

“For normal people… it is,” I stated.

“So I’m not normal?”

“No. Let me explain it this way. It’s like this… a starving man would gladly eat a radish, right? In fact, a radish would be a feast if that’s all he had. But if he had a buffet in front of him, the radish would never be chosen.”

Ren paused for a moment. “I don’t get it. What are you saying?”

“I’m saying…I’m the radish.”

“And what am I? The buffet?”

I tried to explain it further. “No…you’re the man. Now…I don’t really want to be the radish. I mean, who does? But I’m grounded enough to know what I am, and I am not a buffet. I mean, you could be having chocolate éclairs for heaven’s sake.”

“But not radishes.”

“No.” 

____________________

What initially drew my attention was the unique background - Indian folklore entwined with fantasy. As the story progressed the story itself started to go downhill. The story really had potential and I have to admit I had moments where I was like:

But that slowly dissipated halfway through the book. It seemed like there were just too many unnecessary details that weighed down the story, which I ended up pulling myself through the book to finish it.

I really wanted to love this book but it fell short. I may give the second book a chance, but I have a feeling I might not be able to pick it up anytime soon.

Overall,  If you don't mind a story with very many details and cheesy eye-rolling scenes  but also an unique concept involving indian culture, a mystical world, and adventure then this is a read for you.

“I wrapped the unyielding woman I loved in my arms & kissed her slowly, hoping that some part of her would sense my absolute devotion.

BOOK REVIEW: SPLINTERED (SPLINTERED #1) BY: A.G HOWARD

Rating: ✮✮

Published: 2013

Pages: 371

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synposis

Splintered is a rendition of the classic Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.Splintered follows the original descendant of Alice Liddell, Alyssa Gardner - a girl who seems to hear the voices from flowers and bugs. A family curse has been passed down from generation to generation all leading to ancestor Alice Liddell.

Alyssa must find a way back into Wonderland, which is much more disturbing and twisted then what the classic tale seems to be. She must face different tasks, in order to break the family curse. Which was created from the mistakes Alice Liddell had made during her last trip to Wonderland.

Thoughts

First off, the cover of this book ... BEAUTIFUL! I definitely bought this book because of the cover. The bold red of her lips and of the title, just soars off the page. I couldn't take my eyes off this book every time I walked past the shelves.

As I read the synopsis, my initial thought was "A twist on Alice in Wonderland? This has got to be interesting." After reading the book, it was indeed quite interesting.

What I liked about the book was the plot, I loved the fact that Howard uses Alice from the classic story we all love and continue on from it. I honestly believe that the storyline of Splintered is an amazing concept.

The creatures that Alyssa encountered along her journey were quite crooked, compared to the latest film of Alice directed by Tim Burton, his creatures had nothing compared to the beasts in this novel. Throughout the book, Howard connects scenes that we all love in Alice in Wonderland and takes it to another level.

What I disliked was the characterization, specifically Jeb. Jeb is the main love interest and how I wish he weren't. His character development was a roller coaster ride that just went downhill. I tried to understand and love his character and failed. But as for Alyssa, I actually saw her characterization pick up and develop quite nicely once she entered Wonderland. Although there wasn't a significant amount of character development where I was left there like, "That's my girl! DAMN JEB!".

I honestly believe that the book would've gone a better path if there was no love connection between Alyssa and Jeb. Their chemistry felt like it was an unnatural romance, which didn't make me hop onto their love boat.

I would even have to say there was just a bit too much description, so much description I didn't know how to piece the imagery together anymore.

Overall, Splintered will definitely keep your imagination going. If you can overcome a bad romance for a twisted eminent universe of a classic tale, a tale that will have Wonderland leaping off the pages, by all means go for it. But sadly, this book just wasn't my cup of tea.