Review: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

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…

I've been wanting to read this book for awhile.  I saw some positive reviews for it and the cover is so pretty!  I finally got my chance and well, here I am!  :)

First off, I love when a book captures you from the very beginning and makes you want more the whole way through.  That's how this book was for me.  I was anxious to keep reading and bummed when I couldn't.

I have a soft spot for settings in England.  It's the place of my people.  My grandparents were born, raised and married there before coming to America.  I wish they were still here to ask them if they ever heard Faerie stories.  I don't remember them telling me any.

This seemed to me to be a fresh take on a genre that is getting overloaded.  I enjoyed Tiki's character.  She has compassion and love for her "family".  Her loyalty to them is admirable.  And of course, I love Rieker.  A handsome protector with a haunted past.  Um hum, serve him up on a platter.

Overall, a very enjoyable read.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

There was quite a bit of mild swearing with the English amplifier "bloody" attached to it.  (bloodly hell)  You get the idea.  Which honestly made me a bit sad because this is a book my daughter would LOVE but I'm not setting it in her hands because of the language.  Sad, sad, sad.