by Kiki Hamilton(The Faerie Ring, #1)
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Tor Teen; 343 pages
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…
This book blew my mind. There is no other way to explain this. I'm going to try but I am seriously and utterly in love with this book. I am asking myself why I've owned this book for almost a year now & yet I hadn't read it until now? Why, Jessica, why? I really have no good answer to this...
I do believe I am in love with historical fiction but usually only if there is a paranormal twist to it. Obviously, this book is about faeries (what gave it away, right?) and it's taken place in the late 1800's AND it's in London. It's like three in a row, tic tac toe! I win! I really had no idea how much I was going to love this mainly because of how a friend described it to me. I blame her for putting it off for so long ;) She made it sound so historical and boring. Like the history of fae, which could be interesting but not how she described. Obviously, she needs to do a better job selling books to me which I'll work with her on that but oh my goodness! Tiki, our lovely and adorable heroine is absolutely phenomenal! Like, I absolutely adore her and just want to hug her and tell her how fantastic of a person she is. This girl deserves an award or something. She has such an enormous heart, such intelligence and just always willing to put those she cares most about first. She was orphaned, in a sense, on her own terms. Her parents both died when she was about 14 years old and was forced to live with her and Aunt and Uncle she hardly knew. Her Uncle was a drunk and would look at her in ways that made her uncomfortable and he would make advances toward her that made her hide when he got drunk. She ran away to find her mothers close friend to find out she had passed away and so, she became orphaned. She quickly found a new family with Fiona and Shamus with finding Toots and Clara shortly after that. What I love most about Tiki I think is her dedication and love for poor, sick four year old Clara. That girl is all sorts of adorable and Tiki feels responsible for her. Tiki's world revolves around making Clara better and giving her a life where picking pockets isn't necessary.
I love the history of fae that is tied in with this story and how it involves Tiki. The entire story she is dragged in to a world she never truly believe existed and she's trying to figure out how involved she truly is, especially what the appeal is about unique birthmark on her wrist. Her run in with the fae are putting herself and those she cares about at risk, especially little Clara when she goes missing. The suspence and the desire to keep her family together is intense and emotional.
Her relationship with Rieker is amazing. Rieker is an orphaned pocket picker, as well and he's had his eye on Tiki for quite some time. Especially since he found out she's actually a girl and not a boy she dresses up to be. There is such a great, steady build up on these two...and I'm not talking a romantic relationship but just even their friendship. In the beginning of the book they really aren't friends at all...just have run in to one another from time to time. But we see him more frequently as the book progresses and you and Tiki are trying to figure out how trustworthy this handsome orphan truly is.
Then there's the Royal family. I am utterly in love with the fact that they play such a huge role in this story, and hopefully that role continues in The Torn Wing! Especially Prince Leo! He's dreamy, as a Prince is meant to be (right?), and he's got his eye on Tiki! His relationship with his older brother, Arthur, is charming and gah - I just love them. They're so proper but yet...they're not. Royalty truly are some of the best actors out there...
Now that I mentioned the characters, the story is based around this ring that has been entrusted to the Royal family for safe keeping. Leo 'loses' it and basically London just isn't the same. This extraordinary ring isn't just a beautiful piece of jewelry, it's a faerie ring. It's a truce. As long as the flame inside the ring burns/glows, the two worlds will remain apart but there are those in the UnSeelie court dying to get their hands on it to end the truce and kill all mortals in London. Who knew so many problems would come out of a piece of jewelry?
If you love fantasy, you'll love this. If you love novels taken place in the nineteenth century, you'll love this. If you love London...well, you'll love this. Seriously. For any fae fan...this is one you don't want to miss! It's up there as a favorite behind Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.
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