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…
Goodreads Summary
The adjective used with this book is spellbinding and spellbinding it is. Many readers will not be able to put the book down, finishing it in under four hours. The plot is one of the best spins on faeries that most readers will have seen for a long time. The events are fast-paced and exciting, particularly in the middle and the characters are so fun to read about.
The historical setting enriches the whole faerie theme, making the story slightly different from other novels with a similar theme. The romance isn't the main focus, but it develops at all the right times and is believable. The love interest actually isn't that obvious until further on in the book, the reader will be content to guess and wait though-there is more than enough going on that this part isn't missed.
The author writes very smoothly, the transitions are not the least bit choppy and everything falls neatly into place. The reader will experience the same emotions that the main character feels over certain events in the story-a large range of them too...this is, of course, a mark of a good author if she can evoke emotions in the reader. The sadder events in the book-poverty, orphans, death, etc...-are written clearly and plainly. The author handles these qualities very well, she doesn't gloss over them.
Reiker is probably the most interesting character. The reader will not be quite sure what role he is to play until further into the novel. He is enigmatic, somewhat protective, and his intentions are never quite clear. Tiki, the main character, is impressive. She literally works with what she has...and she doesn't have all that much. She is very likable and will connect with the reader easily. This book is recommended to teens/young adults/adults who enjoy escaping into a meshed world of fantasy and realism.
5 Stars
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