publisher: Tor Teen
date of publication: September 27, 2011
format: hardcover
pages: 352
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N
From Goodreads:
Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.
The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.
Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.
Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…
What I Thought
If you are a regular reader of my blog, you'll already know that I'm a sucker for Victorian settings and faeries as a premise in books. Luckily for me, The Faerie Ring combines those two elements and takes off on a rousing adventure containing everything from pick-pocketing to romance. Part Oliver Twist, part A Fairy Story, The Faerie Ring will whisk you away into a fantastic, magical world where things aren't always what they seem and danger comes with a pretty face.
I was greatly enamored with the plot that makes up The Faerie Ring. It flows very, very well and the ways in which characters and settings are both described and incorporated into the story are superb. The premise of the book, a sort of mystical espionage centering around a magical ring whose importance to Tiki's world is paramount, is both fresh and imaginative. I was left feeling very satisfied with the story I had just been treated to and can not wait to see where things will go from here.
Our main character, Tiki, is a wonderful heroine to read about. She possesses so many traits that make her so very interesting. Not only is she loving, loyal, and ambitious, she is also mysterious, stubborn, and suspicious. When combined, these characteristics paint a picture of a girl who is likeable, though not perfect. She comes across in a very realistic fashion thanks to her imperfections and quirks. I really enjoyed that about her. As for Rieker, I was left very surprised as to his true identity and demeanor. He made for an excellent foil to our heroine and I very much enjoyed their interactions. Characterization is definitely another aspect of this book that did not disappoint.
The setting that Kiki Hamilton has described in this book is so very vivid that one isn't hard-pressed to imagine the scene within one's mind. From the streets of London to the ballroom of Buckingham Palace, each and every location visited within The Faerie Ring is well-described and well-rendered. The world-building that takes place in this book is definitely a crowd-pleaser and I can't express enough just how engrossed I became in these settings.
The Faerie Ring is a spectacular read that left me wanting for nothing. I simply couldn't get enough of this story and was left excited for the next installment. Though I don't know what will happen next, I do know this: at the hands of Kiki Hamilton, this series is going to be fantastic. For those who are fans of faeries, you will definitely want to pick this book up. I urge you to do so as soon as you possibly can. Trust me when I say that you won't want to miss out any longer.
No comments:
Post a Comment