Review: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

London, 1871

Orphaned and living in an abandoned clockmaker’s shop adjoining Charing Cross railway station, sixteen year old Tiki picks the pockets of passing travelers to survive. Her efforts support not only herself, but her ‘family’ of orphans, including fragile five year old Clara.

When Tiki steals the Queen’s ring, she thinks she’s solved their problems. That is, until Rieker, a tough from the north end, shows up in Charing Cross and informs her that the ring is really a reservoir that holds an age-old truce between the world of faerie and man. Unless guarded, faeries will search for the ring and destroy it, as well as anyone who has knowledge of the ring’s location...

Review:

I am so glad I had the chance to read The Faerie Ring. It was a mix of my favorite book topics: history, faeries, and romance. It was incredibly well written and the characters were all developed and likable.

Tiki, a pickpocket living with four fellow orphans by Charing Cross railway station, is a brave, innovative, and kind person. She works hard to keep her and her "family" alive and is determined to get them better living conditions. I loved all of her fellow pickpockets. Clara, Toots, Shamus, and Fiona. They all had great personalities and worked hard to help each other.

When Tiki accidentally enters Buckingham Palace and takes Queen Victoria's ring, she thinks all their problems are solved. All she has to do is figure out how to return the ring and claim the reward without getting arrested for stealing it in the first place. Tiki is a really creative girl, and her ideas and adventures are exciting and entertaining. Things take a turn for the worse when a fellow pickpocket, Rieker, informs Tiki that the ring is actually an ancient truce between faeries and humans. Since it is no longer being protected by the royal family, the evil faeries have crossed over and will stop at nothing to claim the ring and destroy anyone that gets in their way.

The plot was fast paced and exciting. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. The Faerie Ring was packed with historical details- both about the royal family and the lower class (like pickpockets). I loved being able to read about London back in the 1800s. What an experience! Kiki Hamilton transported me back in time from the first page and I really felt like I was living there with Tiki, experiencing everything with her.

The faerie aspect was so creative and original. I was terrified that something was going to happen to one of the characters (especially Tiki, Rieker, or Clara) or that the faeries would get the ring and a war would break out. Fans of historical fiction will love this novel, and the faerie angle adds so much to the story. Tiki and Rieker's involvement in it is especially interesting.

I loved watching Tiki and Rieker's relationship grow. They were perfect for each other and I loved how Rieker had more to him then met the eye... and still loved Tiki.

The Faerie Ring was an overall amazing, mysterious, and romantic debut that will have readers eager to read more by Kiki Hamilton.

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

September 27, 2011/Tor Teen/352 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Author