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Bibliophilic Monologues

The Faerie Ring

The Faerie Ring - The Faerie Ring marks Kiki Hamilton's foray into the world of YA novels and it is an impressive debut. Okay, before I continue I have to ask this question. What's the story behind the main character's name? (Which is Tiki in case you have somehow managed not to read the synopsis.) Is the name a derivative of the author's name? And if so, am I supposed to read more into it or should I just let it go? Okay, now that I have gotten that off my chest, let me move into the review proper. I found The Faerie Ring to be a quick, easy read that combined elements of supernatural with the grim reality of the times to present a story that is rich both in imagination and atmosphere. This is also another of those books that will work wonderfully as a movie. It is packed with action and has characters who are guaranteed to win the hearts of the audiences with their vulnerability and courage. There are plenty of things I liked about the novel and because I know you are dying to know, I'll list them for you. (Hur.)1. The characters. As I said before, the characters are all well hewn and engaging. There's a glimpse of a Mean Girl but I think she's being saved for the other books. The one potential Mean Girl turns out to be a gray character where even though her actions mark her a villain, you can't help but feel some sort of convoluted empathy for her. Tiki is an intriguing character and I think the author has created her as someone who can only grow and become more complex as the series continues. I'm not too sure about Rieker. I felt that while he did have some qualities that set him apart from the rest of the heroes in the genre, some of these qualities felt just a bit contrived. The secondary characters are convincing in their bid for individuality and I look forward to seeing their development as the series progresses.2. The plot. You can release your breaths, breathe at liberty, there is no cliffhanger. Yes, let's rejoice, one and all. Break out the mead. Or ale. Or whatever they drank in London in the olde days. Actually, never mind. I don't drink alcohol. Shall we toast with pineapple juice? Okay! So no cliffhanger and the book is a complete story that has a beginning and an end but at the same time, most importantly, it leaves intriguing threads to be picked up in the next book. It complicates the plot enough that the reader will end the book wondering and looking forward to the next installment. I am totally going to read the next book because I like the characters and I am curious about who exactly Tiki is and not because I'm dangling from a cliff. And this is a good thing. The pacing of the novel is awesome. I love how fast things move and how no pages are wasted on literary hand wringing. You know, the whole melodramatic section which is full of pathos and emotional breakdown? Yeah. 3. The writing. The book is extremely detailed (and this is not a bad thing) which shows that the author has a very clear idea of what she's writing about, as though she's seeing it etched out in bright colours in her head. Hm, how do I explain this. Okay, the writing feels like you know a favourite piece of clothing you put on because it is comfortable and makes you look good? Like that. Instead of a new top you got that itches in weird places and makes you look like you have three boobs. Ms. Hamilton writes comfortably. She is at ease wielding her pen and it shows in the structure of the sentences and the way whole chapters come to rest in your mind before exploding in a sensory manner of colours and places. I liked that.But there was one thing I felt could have been better. I don't know, you guys, maybe I'm just a cynical creature but I like it when the romantic plot moves slowly. I like it when the author takes time to develop the tension. In fact, I don't mind at all if the love, the romance and all that mushy gushy details remain implicit at the end. Especially in a series because it just means that I will have more to look forward to in the next book. Because once you bare all romantic cards in the first book, you risk losing romantic tension unless you intentionally complicate matters which ends up feeling forced and not at all pleasing. But as I said, this is entirely subjective and everyone else may be fine with it. Otherwise, I think you should totally check out this book. It delivers, you guys.