How to Escape a Tiger Cult by Briana Morgan
Independently Published (October 6, 2026)
Reviewed by Chandra Claypool
Remember all the rage of Tiger King during the pandemic? I certainly watched it and was fascinated by the entirety of this weird industry. Then I learned about Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, a figure from Tiger King who ended up with his own documentary because of his isolated, manipulative, cult-like tendencies at his wildlife park. Obviously, when given the opportunity to read How to Escape a Tiger Cult, it was an automatic YES. Plus, it is Briana Morgan, and I’ve loved her other work so win-win!
In this novel, we meet Sarah. She is destitute, living out of her car, and desperate for work and a sense of security. She gets a job at a wildlife park where she meets Vega, the owner and clear leader of the park. Finally, a place where she belongs. But things also seem a bit off. Vega has Sarah’s hair dyed blonde to fit in with the other Vixens, who are clearly not happy she is there. She finds out Vega sold her car and starts to panic a little. After all, it was her haven until she found the park and her only means of escape. However, his charisma already has her obsessed. She quickly falls in love with him, shares his bed, and is initiated into the Order of Perpetual Youth. How do they keep young? By drinking tiger blood. Here is where it all starts to fall apart for Sarah.
Soon, Sarah finds out who Vega really is and the terrible punishment for going against him. The Vixens have a special set of rules they must follow. Stay in his good graces; have a great life. Try to get away? Well, that is not an option. She must hatch a plan to get out and take the other Vixens with her. But how, when everyone seems to be under Vega’s thumb?
I love all things cult, so this was a lot of fun to read. There are some continuity issues, but it did not stop me from devouring this read. I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt, as I kept swiping on my Kindle to read more, but maybe I just wanted to see what happens after that final scene. Maybe some stories are just best without epilogues. Oh, the many times I wish an epilogue was NOT included.
I grew to genuinely despise Vega and his cruelty – especially to the animals. As an animal lover through and through, and to know that there are facilities out there that do not take care of the animals they take in…well, that’s a whole other article I could write. Morgan certainly gives us a character to hate, and I do love when I get so involved. I was rooting for the women…and, of course, the tigers.
Dive in if you love non-religious cults and exotic animal wildlife parks.
