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...What an amazing story weaver Hamilton is! Although The Faerie Ring is Tiki's story, it bounces between her POV - a desperate street urchin trying to care for a band of orphans - to that of Prince Leo himself, who is frantically trying to reclaim the valuable ring. Given how this novel centers around secrets and deceptions, I loved how Leo's occasional chapters ensured that the reader always knew more than everybody involved.
And I can't forget Rieker. This thief likes to drive Tiki crazy, but he also has secrets, and Tiki must learn to trust him if she ever wants to resolve the ring conflict and protect her orphan family.
I'm not doing this book justice. It's a wonderfully mysterious and suspenseful faerie tale (with just a drop of classic fairy tale) about a strong girl trying to succeed through tough times and mystical forces conspiring against her.
The Final Word: I absolutely love Tiki and her story. If you like Tithe or Wicked Lovely, definitely pick up The Faerie Ring.
