Curse of the Tiger Prince Review

Curse of the Tiger Prince: A Twisted Spicy Fairytale Retelling by Heather D. Grace
Series: Spicy and Twisted Urban Fairytales
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Retelling, Urban Fantasy
Format: eARC
Source: Provided by author for honest review
Goodreads

Her father chose her husband. Fate chose her mate.

Her arranged marriage coming soon, Aisling will soon be trapped in a life of velvet cages and polished lies. Then a thief crashes into her world—feral, infuriating, and impossible to forget.

Fin is a tiger by day. A man by night.

A cursed, bastard prince with blood on his hands and a heart that still knows how to protect. His crew is a found family, bonded from their years as orphaned magic kids. In a kingdom that hunts magic, him and his ominous visions are the only reasons they’re still breathing.

But Fin tells her a truth she’s not ready to believe.

Aisling is his Twin Flame. His fated mate. And their magic combined is the only thing strong enough to break his curse—and stop the dark, great animal threatening the kingdoms.

If Aisling runs from her father’s command, she’ll be handing her kingdom straight into Morrigan’s black magic and destruction, though the arranged marriage to her son may kill Aisling anyway. 

But if she gives in to the bond burning between her and Fin…the very magic that should save him, may drain his life first.

Love was never part of the plan… Now it’s the most dangerous choice she can make.

Julie’s Review of Curse of the Tiger Prince: A Twisted Spicy Fairytale Retelling/easyazon_link]: 

In this fairytale reimagining, we follow a princess in the modern world – she has a cell phone! – and there’s magic, too! The story kicks off with the King announcing the betrothal that princess Aisling is unhappy about, but of course it is always the duty of the princess to marry off to whomever will be best for the kingdom. Except, at that ball where the announcement is made she meets her “Twin Flame” Fin, and instantly laments her fate. Or, at least he tells her they’re fated, while he’s stealing from the castle.

Our MMC is part of a rag tag thieving group and his power is visions. Right after he meets his fated mate and falls (insanely hard and fast) he gets cursed (no evil plans can be foiled by fate says the dark magic doers). Now he is stuck in the body of a beautiful white tiger during the day, and only moonlight can change him back, until the sun comes back up. If it sounds familiar, that’s the fairytale retelling portion of it. But with a different animal, and gender swapped! He falls hard instantly, and it’s slow burn for her as she spends her days hiding from her duties by hanging out with this really nice tiger who protects her in the woods, before learning who he is.

The POV switches back and forth so we get a little bit of Fin’s personality, but I wanted more there. All we hear is how absolutely obsessed he is with the princess, and how he will do anything to get out of his curse and save her from marrying someone else. I wanted a little more for his personality development. We spend most of the time in the Princess’s POV so we get to know her and her best friend/handmaid much better. They’re a goofy pair, really don’t act much like royal and royal servant, but maybe that’s the modern aspect of it. She’s 24 but acts much younger. Then again, when I look back at my Facebook statuses from the early ’00s, well, I also sounded like a little girl. So we’ll give her a pass. Except I don’t want to give her a pass for her naivete. Like girlfriend, you know something is not right, you felt it, why keep going. Trust your instincts babe!

The story is tropey and a dang good time. We have dark magic and manipulation running wild and stopping our characters at every attempt to set things right. And stakes kept getting raised with the curse and the forced marriage looming. We have spice that is spicing between our two when he’s in his human form. We have some other things to just suspend disbelief on (such as the castle for the opposing kingdom is a few hours walk away?). Also, the title of the book gives away the secret that is later found out by our MMC about his identity. But setting all that aside, the story is a fun ride.

I loved that their magic grew stronger as their bond grew stronger. Love heals all things and returns magic to the realms, of course! Most of all I loved the animal companions that helped our friends out. Even more than I liked Fin’s group of friends who are family. And I am a fan of scenes where animals help stop a wedding that shouldn’t happen. Thanks furry besties for your service!

I also love easter eggs, and having Aisling read a book that is another series this author writes just tickled me. I also liked how the story set up for another fairytale retelling, perhaps an interconnected standalone. I do wish there was more world building and character personality building. Because I really wanted to love all the characters (like I do with the author’s other series), but I didn’t get to know them well yet. The ending was sweet, and all the love-struck things Fin says to Aisling are super quotable and swoony.

This book is a quick and easy read. Just hold on for the ride and enjoy the vibes.

 

Thanks to the author for having me on her street team/ARC readers list!

  Download today!

Amazon US: https://bit.ly/4aj9P6t  

Apple Books: https://bit.ly/3MRWIQW 

Nook: https://bit.ly/4d6PTp8 

Kobo: https://bit.ly/4qZ3r9I 

Special Edition: https://bit.ly/47KwRBJ      

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4tkMLvQ

 

Meet Heather D. Grace

Heather D. Grace is a fast-paced, urban fantasy romance author, who loves to add a slow-burn romance. When she’s not busy writing about tough as nails female leads and their alluring protective mates, she and her husband spend time with their 4 children and 6 fur-babies – spending time exploring the beautiful mountains near their home and trying to keep up with everyone’s after school activities.

 

Connect with Heather D.

Website | www.authorheatherdgrace.com   

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