Release date: September 27th, 2011
Publisher: Tor Teen/McMillan
Source: Book Tour
Goodreads Summary: 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…
The Faerie Ring was an exciting debut novel about a sixteen-year old girl named Tiki, an orphan who picks pockets to survive the tough life in London Victorian Era. She lives with her family of orphans in an abandon clockmaker’s shop in Charing Cross while struggling to endure the harsh December cold. One winter night, Tiki stumbled into the palace and pockets a ring owned by the Queen Victoria herself. Tiki felt a surge of hope for the ring could help them escape from starvation and bring them to a decent home. Drawn by the Faeries, Prince Leopold, and the handsome Rieker, she will learn of the consequences brought upon the ring to her and the whole city.
In The Faerie Ring, readers will get the Victorian Era experience complete with the precise set-up. Real places were mentioned and it was like delving in the actual time. I love good historical fiction books that perfectly mingle facts to inform with fiction to entertain and give a whole new refreshing touch to the story. Kiki Hamilton did a good job in transporting readers to the late 1800’s.
I liked all of the characters. Tiki was like a mother to the other four orphans she lives with. In order to survive, she learned how to pick pockets and provide food and other necessities. She was a selfless girl who gave care to the other orphans like they’re her true family. I understand her stubbornness which was caused by living in poverty after her parents died.
Another favorite character was Rieker. He was a mysterious guy who told Tiki about faeries and what the disappearance of the ring could bring about the entire England. He was a great guy who protects the main character and puts up with her trust issues.
This was a quick yet a fun read especially for those who enjoy Faerie books. I admit it has flaws, like the lack of details about the Faerie world and magic and the slight predictability of the plot. But I’m counting on Kiki Hamilton to eradicate those in the next books of the series.
Overall, The Faerie Ring was a stunning first book in the series. It was an action-packed and suspenseful thriller that had me captivated all throughout the story.
