What: The Faerie Ring
Where: Tor Teen
When: September 27th
Why: Historical! Fey! Awesomeness!
How: For Review (BEA)
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…
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! Kiki blends faerie lore, historical intrigue, and good old fashioned street life into a great debut!
Tiki is an amazing heroine. Head-strong, a thief not by nature but by skill, and someone who cares deeply for everyone she loves! She is so fiercely loyal to her rag-tag group of orphans she calls family; especially since she barely has enough for herself. She's clever and gets herself wound up in so much trouble, it was addicting reading about her getting out of it!
The book takes place in 1871, and you guys know how much I adore historical! The setting is perfect for the novel and it really shows you the other side of the Victorian age you usually don't be in books -- the street orphans forced to fend for themselves. But don't think the tone of the book is sad; Tiki and the rest of the cast are determined, charming, and funny individuals that don't need any pity to get what needs to be done, done! The entire mythology behind the faerie mark, Larkin, and the ring was so fascinating and I can't wait to dive deeper into the Otherworld and everything that is going on there.
All the side-characters are so lovable. Fiona and Shamus were great friends to Tiki, and really stuck by each other when things got tough. Clara and Toots were adorable, and the whole back-story behind the entire family was endearing and made me love Tiki even more! Prince Leopold offers a more skeptical insight to the fey world and the workings it has with the royal court, which was definitely interesting to read. I liked how all three of the characters (being Leo, Tiki, and Rieker) stories were so wound up around each other and everything revealed in the end made perfect sense (and I really didn't see coming!) Speaking of Rieker, I adored him. He is protective without being overbearing (although Tiki might disagree), funny, and completely lovely. I loved him and Tiki's relationship and banter from the beginning!
The book does wonderfully as a standalone but I am SO GLAD it's a four-book series! Whew!
Happy Reading!
