The Faerie Ring by @KikiHamilton

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.

Review:

THE FAERIE RINGby Kiki Hamilton tells the story of Tiki, an orphan teen on the streets of London in 1871.  She survives by pick pocketing and swiping food when she can.  She also has a family of other orphans to help feed; Fiona, Toots, Shamus and little Clara.  It’s not until she is running from her latest victim that she ends up hitching a ride in a carriage hoping to get far enough away she won’t be get caught.  Tiki falls asleep and when she wakes she decides to explore the house they’ve stopped at.  She stubbles into the kitchen and sees food galore and works to stuff her pockets until she’s caught.Running through the mansion, she takes cover in the library room.  That is until she hears voice and has to hide, yet again.  The gentlemen who enter the room leave something behind, a ring.  Of course to a pick pocket it is many meals and heat throughout the winter, so Tiki takes it.  Once she escapes the house she turns back to see where she was and realizes she just came out of Buckingham Palace.

Oh yeah, Tiki totally stole the Queen’s ring!

Now the fun begins.  Seems this ring is extremely important to the Queen and her son’s are offering a reward.  Tiki wants this reward because the money would allow her to provide a real home for her family.  Seems simple, right? Not so, the Queen’s ring is an ancient peace agreement between humans and the Fey and once they learn the ring is no longer in the Queen’s possession, they seek the one that has it.

Rieker is a young man who is smitten with Tiki.  He’s been enchanted with her from early on and even acts like a street urchin to get her attention.  He’s also her protector.   Rieker knows that Tiki stole the ring and is determined to keep her safe from rogue faeries, Larkin & Marcus.

The relationship between Tiki and Rieker is spot on perfect!  The cast of characters that make up THE FAERIE RING are likable and the men will make you swoon.  I’m not a fan of period pieces but this story makes London in 1871 the place to be.  You won’t be disappointed.

THE FAERIE RING is a magnificently woven tale of love, trust and deceit with the perfect mix of fantasy and danger.  An absolute must read.  Hamilton definitely let her imagine fly when she penned this tale.