Review: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

  

Title: The Faerie Ring (The Faerie Ring #1)
Author: Kiki Hamilton
Pages: 352
Publisher: Tor Teen/ Macmillan
Genre: Historical Urban Fantasy
Release: September 27th, 2011
Source: Purchased
Buy the Book at: Book Depository / Chapters.Indigo /  Barnes & Noble / Amazon

CThe 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…

My Thoughts
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton was an enjoyable read. Although the first half of the book was a little bit slow for my taste, the second half surprised me with some shocking revelations that hooked me until the end of the book.

Some of the things I expected from The Faerie Ring reached my expectations. Others did not. I expected to see Victorian London in 3D and get a good dose of action but, sadly, I didn't get enough of this. Yet, I could still see Victorian London but not with all the details I would have liked. I am a person who loves detailed descriptions and this is why I felt a little bit short in this area. Regardless this, I still found myself enjoying all the different places Kiki Hamilton uses as settings during The Faerie Ring such as: The Buckingham Palace, St-James' Park, Charing Cross and the Otherworld among others. I really loved being in these places and the diversity Hamilton provides by transporting us to settings so different from each other. Also, there was not as much action as I expected but this didn't bothered me so much because by the end of the book, I still got a bit of it.

Tiki and Rieker were highlight of The Faerie Ring! However, I love them more as independent characters than a couple. I think, The Faerie Ring is not a love story but more of a self-discovery and identity related experience. Tiki is a very lovable character. She is young and naive. She worries about her orphan friends as if they were her family and she has good intention even as a thief. Rieker is this intriguing hot guy who keeps the suspense through the entire book. I certainly had no idea what to think of him. My doubts about Rieker kept always growing and his actions never stopped surprising me. Rieker is absolutely my favorite character! Moreover, we have Queen Victoria's son Prince Leo. He is a very charming character but we don't see too much of him in The Faerie Ring. I am certain he will make things interesting between Tiki and Rieker in the next installment . There are other characters too. We have Tiki's friends who are like her family and they always take care and support of each other. And we have Larkin, the beautiful and mean Fae who desperately wants The Faerie Ring...and Rieker.

From the Buckingham Palace to the street of London, and from Masquerade Balls to the Faerie World. The Faerie Ring will place you everywhere and I really liked the different places and situations we encountered in this book. Drama, suspense, danger and subtle romance are some of the aspects you will find in Tiki's story. Although it was slow for me and I have mix feelings toward this book,  there were other things that I really enjoyed and I do recommend you to keep reading if you get the same first reaction as me). Overall, The Faerie Ring was a nice and enchanting read... and Rieker has many secrets for you to discover! He's absolutely yummy!

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Visit the author's website at http://www.kikihamilton.com/