Jonathan Shaller Shaller থেকে Yanuv, Israel
THE FAERYS VIEW The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton is one of my very favorite books of all time. I’ve read it a total of 4 times and I think the reason that The Faerie Ring stole my heart was that it literally transports me to another time and place. By this I mean the entire book is literally a Faerie Tale combined with a wonderful historical setting that is just so easy to get lost in-it's better than the bath salts that say "TAKE ME AWAY", for that it does! Enmeshing myself in The Faerie Ring is quite easy to do; I can picture myself in Tiki and Riekers world, it is escapism at its absolute finest. The Faerie Ring held me captivated by the enchanting world that Kiki created, the charismatic characters so vividly portrayed by Kiki, all of whom I soon came to care about and the Faery Folklore that is such a refreshing view using old time wisdom and insight. I fell in love with The Faerie Ring and it has taken me over a year to write a review because I felt there was no way I could do it justice! For this I am deeply ashamed because Kiki Hamilton and The Faerie Ring deserved much better from me. The story is set in 1871 Victorian London and it revolves around Tiki, a teenage orphan who along with 4 other children of various ages live in a gritty almost Dickenson like setting. The get by, barely, by picking pockets and stealing but together they are family in their little hideaway in Charing Cross. When Tiki happens across the Queens ring by accident she can’t believe her good fortune after only a moment’s hesitation she takes it-weighing the options-Newgate Prison or Security/Food/Shelter/Medication for her ragtag family. Tiki’s family’s needs win in the end but Tiki gets so much more than she bargained for; she gets caught in the middle of a truce between the Royal Family and the Fae to keep humanity safe and she becomes a pawn to the Fae that will do anything to get their hands on ‘The Faerie Ring’ for their own nefarious purposes. Tiki is considered one of the best pickpockets and is rivaled only by Rieker; Rieker is suddenly very interested in Tiki, and Tiki can’t help but to be both flattered and suspicious of his motives-flattered because he is one of the better looking ‘blokes’ and Tiki’s heart beats a little faster when he’s nearby and suspicious because he’s never really paid her much attention before. Tiki has a plan for the ring, a plan that will ensure comfort and security for her and her family but sometimes things don’t always work out the way you planned. When a mysteriously beautiful woman appears in both Tiki’s life and Rieker’s-Tiki has seen them together once-more trouble ensues! Rieker is a mystery, indeed! "Rieker's gaze was incredulous, searching, as if trying to see into her very thoughts. She couldn't help but notice how long his dark lashes were, framing his smokey eyes. A strange nervousness started to flutter in the pit of her stomach...pg. 17 He always seems to be there when Tiki is in trouble and she isn’t sure just what to make of him and neither did I most of the time but he is an enigma and a handsome one at that! Rieker talking to Tiki "And I have to say that you were certainly the most beautiful and interesting girl at [withheld spoiler]. Enough so to make Leo drop is glass of wine, which I can assure you has never happened before." pg.222 So many wonderful things happen in The Faerie Ring, one of my favorites is the Ball but you’ll need to read it to find out about this magical event but bad things happen in The Faerie Ring, too. Reading ‘The Faerie Ring’ is one sure way to soothe your questions and to introduce yourself to one of the best books The Book Faery has ever had the pleasure to read! Out of the mouth of one of my favorite secondary characters, Mamie, who was a Lady in Waiting for the Queen and great entertainment to the Princes came this bit of sparkling wisdom: Dear [withheld spoiler], I don't believe faeries are real. I know they are." pg. 198 Kiki writes The Faerie Ring as if she lived and breathed it; her imaginative writing skills making it a extraordinary get away for the reader. Kiki skillfully weaves a magical setting along with Dickensonian-like characters set in Victorian England in such a way that every page is not only a joy to read, it is pure enchantment. The historical setting, the nods to Dickens himself and the faerie lore is seamless and authentic, as only Kiki Hamilton can be. The Faerie Ring is the first book to get my unique One-Sit-Read which is the highest honor this reviewer can give. THE FAERY SAYS THE FAERIE RING BY KIKI HAMILTON ROCKED MY WINGS !!!
Words can't even begin to express my love for this book and the rest of the series. I won't bore anyone with my gushing on and on about Edward and Bella and SM, but, the romance is there, ridiculous amounts of chivalry, and of course the gloriousness of the fantasy world. My favorite series.