I am so happy tp be taking part in this blog tour for Kiki Hamilton's The Faerie Ring.
Today I am going to share my review of the book with you all.
My rating: 4/5 stars
At first I wasn't too sure about The Faerie Ring because I'm not usually a huge fan of historical fiction. It was one of those books I put to the back of my mind and thought I'll get round to reading it at some point. Then I was asked to take part in this blog tour for the book and decided that was just what I needed to go ahead and give the book a try. I am so glad that I did read this book sooner rather than later, I actually really enjoyed it.
The book is set in Victorian London and features a lot of places that I'm sure most of my followers will be familiar with, King Cross Station, Buckingham Palace, Charring Cross and Trafalgar Square. I loved seeing all these places throughout the book, to me it seemed to make the story more alive and I could really see the plot playing out for real.
We follow teenager Tiki who lives in an old abandoned clockmaker's workshop with her little family of orphans who she cares for and she picks pockets to make a living. One day however she steals a ring, not just any ring though it belongs to Queen Victoria herself! The ring is said to have a tie to the faerie world and when strange things start happening around Buckingham Palace a reward for the safe return of the ring is posted. Tiki must somehow return the ring with and claim the reward money without being caught, which will set her little orphan family up for life. Of course nothing in books is as easy as that, there are twists and turns along the way which make Tiki question herself, her little family and what she is going to do with the ring.
The writing in the book flows together lovely, it is easy and straightforward to read. There are a few laugh out loud moments well placed throughout the book as well, which I think helps to lighten the tone a bit. The description and imagery used throughout the entire book is amazing, Kiki Hamilton manages to make the story come to life and place the reader right into the heart of this magical Victorian London setting.
The reader also cannot help but fall for poor little Tiki and want the best for her. After you read about her heart wrenching past and how she became an orphan you will her on in your mind and hope for the best possible outcome for both her and the other children she cares for. Tiki is a great heroine and there is not one part of the book that made me think twice about her, she is selfless and lovable.
Overall I was really pleasantly surprised with this book, it seems to have changed my view on YA historical fiction and I'm looking forward to continuing on with the rest of this series now. I'm rather excited for the release of The Torn Wing next year which is book 2. I'm super excited to see what is in store next for Tiki and what she will find out about who she truly is.
I just want to say a massive thank you to Kiki Hamilton for letting me part of this blog tour, for sending me a signed copy of the book all the way from the US and for all the lovely book swag she sent me as well. Kiki, you rock!
Remember to stop by again tomorrow for day two of my blog posts where I will have an exciting guest post from Kiki Hamilton and a Faerie Ring giveaway for you all!
eeek I can't wait to pick this one up after xmas and see what all this fuss is about1! Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
Great review! I loved this book so much, and am happy to see that you loved it, too! :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas,
Alexandra~
A Christmas present: my YA Christmas novel, Clara Claus, is free now through Christmas: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95898
I quite the way the victorian era has a kind of genre about it - and even off shoots like steampunk! I haven't read a bad review of this yet and once my book buying ban finishes (Christmas Day) I will be looking to see what the fuss is all about! :-)
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