By Jordan Sunkel
Round Table editor

When I was little, my grandmother took me to the circus. I don’t remember much except that I won a giant red helium balloon. I also remember riding an elephant they had for a few short moments. Now that I’m older, I wish I had seen a really big circus, with exotic animals and exciting acts.

Kelsey, searching for a temporary job, gets hired at a circus to help out and take care of the white tiger, Dhiren. Instantly she feels connected to the tiger, and starts spending all her time with him.

As her time with the circus comes to a close, a mysterious man buys Ren to take him to a tiger reserve. Seeing Kelsey’s deep connection to the tiger, Mr. Kadam offers to bring her along to take care of the tiger.

Unable to resist the offer, Kelsey agrees to go to India with Ren and Mr. Kadam. However, while on the way to the reserve, she gets abandoned with the tiger in a jungle. Unsure of what to do, she follows him into the jungle, into a curse that is nearly older than time.

Kelsey must choose between helping break the curse or safety. The challenges put in front of her are life-threatening and scary, but it is only she that can break the curse. If she doesn’t, Ren will be stuck the way he is forever.

Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck is one of the most phenomenal books I’ve ever read. It is absolutely captivating, from start to finish, I couldn’t put it down.

The characters in this story are fantastically written. Every single person in the novel captured my heart in some sort of way. The personal struggles faced by each character pulls on the heartstrings of every reader.

While the hardcover is 448 pages, the novel is such a fast read that the pages fly by. From the moment Tiger’s Curse is picked up, it won’t be put down. From beginning to end, the entire story keeps up the pace; there is never a dull moment.

Houck is a fantastic writer and author. Tiger’s Curse is her first novel, released on Jan 11, and it has already made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list.

The story both breaks and warms the heart. It brings all different kinds of emotions into play and causes the reader to laugh and smile with joy, while also experiencing heartbreak and loss.

Finishing the book in a breathtaking way, Houck leaves the reader completely wanting more. The projected date for Tiger’s Quest, the next book, is June 7, and it will be no surprise when it hits the bestseller list too.