Parents' Guide to

Tiger's Quest: Tiger's Curse, Book 2

By Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Romantic fantasy sequel has more violence than first book.

Book Colleen Houck Romance 2011
Tiger's Quest: Tiger's Curse, Book 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

abbacus
abbacus Adult
October 30, 2013
age 13+

Really good!

I really liked this book! I thought it was a bit better than the first, which I also found very enjoyable. The first part of the book annoyed me a little, but once the action started and romance began developing again the story picked up and I liked it then. Of the two main male characters I like Kishan better than Ren. The first book had Ren in it most of the time and this one switched and had Kishan in it more, which I liked better. The thing I don't like about Ren is that he is described as being "absolutely perfect in every way" where Kishan has faults and vulnerabilities and actually shows them. I also just find his personality more interesting. This book also had less Indiana Jones type action which was okay with me. TQ wasn't really more violent than book 1 but the nature of the violence was definitely more disturbing. One character is tortured for literally months before being rescued. There is also more kissing and discussion of such things in this book than the first. Overall, if you liked Tigers Curse (book 1 in the saga) I' will tell you to keep reading. If you haven't read TC I'd tell you to go ahead and pick it up. I hope the series keeps up with this pattern of improvement over the last book because it has amazing potential!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

When Kelsey returns to Oregon, she assumes that Ren will get over her fast. She starts college, taking courses to prepare for the next of the four tasks she must complete to break the Tiger's Curse. She makes it through one semester -- and even tries to date -- but when Ren shows up at her door, she's smitten all over again. But while Ren courts Kelsey afresh, danger lurks: Evil Lokesh is back and after a magic amulet in their possession. He finally tracks them down, capturing Ren and forcing Kelsey and Ren's brother, Kishan, to tackle the next task alone. After consulting the goddess Durga again, they set off to find spirit gates that contain a magical object. Trials include sirens, giant angry birds, and Kishan's continued advances as he opens up to Kelsey about his feelings for her.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (8 ):

As with the last book, readers will be left hanging and bit heartbroken at the end -- which is sure to keep them anticipating the next installment.

Twilight fans will also notice a pattern here. Just like in New Moon, this sequel introduces Team Ren and Team Kishan. Only it seems the author was afraid to simply write out Ren for most of the book, so she crammed in 150 pretty boring pages at the beginning so that readers could experience Kelsey and Ren dating, reading love poems, making cookies, reading more love poems, and fighting off other unworthy suitors. Oh, and then reading more love poems.

When Ren is finally kidnapped, his torture begins -- but it's over for readers. Now the story gets going, with suspenseful moments involving both the central task and the development of the characters. The ancient mythology weaved into the story is really well done, and the complex relationship between Kelsey and Kishan is expertly explored (especially given the overdramatic relationship between Kelsey and Ren at the book's beginning).

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about popular love stories. What makes a good romance? Is there always lots of adversity? Danger? Jealousy? How do these stories shape our expectations of love?

  • Do you think this book will be as popular as Tiger's Curse, or do you think readers will be disappointed that, like in the second Twilight book, the romantic lead is absent for much of the book?

  • What do you think about Kishan and Kelsey's relationship? Do you think Kishan should be "stealing kisses" against her wishes? Can you think of other "romantic" books or movies where lines are similarly crossed?

Book Details

  • Author: Colleen Houck
  • Genre: Romance
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Sterling Publishing
  • Publication date: June 7, 2011
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 17
  • Number of pages: 496
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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