Book Review: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Title:  The Faerie Ring

Author:  Kiki Hamilton

Publisher:  Tor Teen/Macmillian

Publish Date:  9/27/11

Source:  Banned Book Tours

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

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…

My Thoughts:    It is 1871 and Tiki is trying to stay alive and help her "family" stay alive by picking pockets and stealing to get food.  One night, she ends up at the Queen's Estate by accident and while hiding under a desk, finds a beautiful red ring.  She takes the ring and that is when her world turns upside down.

Now she is being hunted by the authorities, the royals and the Fey.  Plus, there is another young man that is follower her around.  Tiki must decide if she trusts Reiker enough to let him help her with the ring or if she should take care of the matter on her own.

I really liked Tiki.  She was independent, strong and stubborn.  She was certainly not a wishy-washy character.  She didn't depend on anyone to help save her and she was very brave.  I really liked the love she had for the other orphans in her "family", especially Clara.  She would do anything for them and that is proven when she risks everything to help Clara get better. 

Reiker is also a fun character.  He is very mysterious and you can tell he wants to protect Tiki and the others.  However, there were several times when I wasn't sure if he was the bad guy or the good guy.  I felt this made him even more interesting because until the very end, it always kept me wondering about him. 

I loved that this book was set in historical London.  The author did a wonderful job in her descriptions and I could clearly see the places in London where Tiki went, her home, the palace and how each of the orphans looked.  I felt like I was there. 

I liked that this book kept you wondering until the very end.  I never knew what was going to happen or who was good and who was bad.  It was a fast read and kept me entertained until the last page!