The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Publisher: Tor Teen / Macmillan
Release Date: 27 September 2011
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Series: The Faerie Ring, #1
Source: Author/Publisher

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… (Summary from Goodreads)

The Faerie Ring was one of the books I was desperate to get my hands on at BEA this year, but they ran out of copies right before I made it to the front of the line. (I was crushed.) Eventually, after I was back in Texas, the elusive book was in my hands and there was no way I was going to part with it.

I absolutely loved the time period and the setting. I was introduced to an entirely new side of London. It wasn't the rich, popular crowd, but the abandoned misfits who are struggling to get by. I felt an immediate connection to Tiki and her makeshift family and my heart went out to them. Although, I do wish I had been able to learn more about them individually. I think a little more background information would have given me a stronger connection to them and a better understanding of their choices.

Tiki doesn't sit back and wait on someone to do things for her. She's assertive, really good at picking pockets, and has a huge heart. She loves her family despite their different reasons for being there. Rieker is annoyingly persistent, but there is also something endearing about him and the attention he gives to Tiki. I loved the small exchanges between the two of them.

The mystery surrounding Tiki, Rieker, and the ring was interesting and kept me on my toes. I figured a few things out before the characters, but that didn't take away from the story. If anything, it made me more anxious for them to figure out what I already knew.

Intriguing Faerie lore, a subtle love story, an incredible depiction of the time period--all of this (and more) can be found within the pages of this book.