A LIT & Speculative Blog: The Faerie Ring: Interview with Kiki Hamilton

The FAERIE RING
Book One in Trilogy
by Kiki Hamilton
Available Now!
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads

   Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the slums and 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…

IB TEENIE'S REVIEW For THE FAERIE RING

The Faerie Ring felt like a Charles Dicken's story wrapped in a fairytale. I often found myself fluctuating between loving Tiki, and wanting to strangle her. She has an awesome talent of making a bad situation worse! I'm saying that this girl has some serious trust issues, and mixing in a brave and stubborn streak a mile wide, makes her a fiercely independent character. If this was all there was to her character, this would be a pretty one dimensional story. But she's so much more than that. Disguised as a young boy, she is like a Robin Hood figure to her little band of orphan family. She's part mother, father, teacher, and best friend.

There's a stubborn wrinkle in Tiki's life by the name of Rieker, a rather legendary thief who seems to always be around to give Tiki grief. And he also happens to know Tiki's secret- that Tiki is really a girl. Rieker is a young man cloaked in secrets, a very dashing hero who is really worth his own story! Their courtship is an unconventional one filled with mistrust and constant battling, but the attraction is undeniable. Tiki and Rieker's paths are inextricably linked, there are rocks ahead, I hope they remember that they are stronger together than apart.

This is a compelling fantasy filled with charming and memorable characters, as well as treating us to a delectable love story. You will be transported to the gritty streets of Victorian London to pick pockets with Tiki and Rieker, as well as dance with Princes in it's glittering ballrooms. And you'll be chilled by the danger lurking around every corner. The Faerie Ring will keep you up all night.

IB TEENIE TALKS WITH KIKI HAMILTON:

IBT: Is it safe to say that book two, Torn Wing, will blow up the peace of Faerie Ring's ending?

KH: Now what’s a good story without a little (or a lot) of conflict? ;-) I can say that we see more of the Otherworld in book two and some questions are answered and others are asked.

IBT: Ignorance is bliss, was that the reason Tiki was so resistant to the fact that Faeries were not only real, but out to get her?

KH: Faeries weren’t out to get Tiki until she stole the Queen’s ring, so until that foggy night in December, she hadn’t been a target. After she learned of the truce, and the desire of some fey to possess the ring, then it just took a little convincing (and a few dead bodies) that the threat truly existed.

IBT: Can you explain to us a little how the Faerie world and Tiki's world affect each other?

KH: The Otherworld and our world co-exist. We share the same space but on a different frequency. There is overlap between the worlds – some people will catch glimpses of it out of the corner of their eyes – but when they blink, it’s gone. Turmoil in one world can often be reflected as turmoil in the other world, through changes in weather, abilities, or feeling that you’re having an ‘off’ day or conversely, a lucky day. It’s like an alternating current with energy moving back and forth.

IBT: I have a feeling that Rieker has yet to fully pull back the curtain and is still keeping some pretty significant secrets. Am I completely offbase?

KH: No spoilers! ;-)But I can assure you that *several* characters have much more to their history than has yet been revealed. Some new characters are introduced in book two as well, who create some interesting situations for Tiki, Rieker and the others.

IBT: How did you come across the story of Tam Lin?

KH: The story of Tam Lin is fairly well known, but I think it was my editor, Susan Chang’s, suggestion to include it or something like it.

IBT: Was it a story you were already familiar with, or one you came across in your research?

KH: I was familiar with the story of Tam Lin and it fit perfectly with the story line.

IBT: Is Tiki like Tam?

KH: Haha no spoilers.

IBT: What are your favorite characteristics to find in a villian?

KH: I like villains who are ambiguous – where you can’t be sure if they’re bad or good. The kind that keep you guessing all the way to the end.

IBT: What is your favorite type of hero?

KH: Someone who is honest, trustworthy and loyal. Someone you know will stand by you through the worst of it.

IBT: What characteristics do you desire from a Heroine?

KH: Same as a hero. No difference.

IBT: As a writer do you believe in happily ever after?

KH: As a person, I believe in happily ever after. I like happily ever after, but I know it doesn’t always work out that way. As a writer, I think the ending is dictated by the story you’re telling.

IBT: And finally, excluding Tiki and almost the entire cast of Faerie Ring, who are your favorite literary orphans?

KH: Hmmmm, Harry Potter, of course. I never read the book, Oliver Twist, but I did see the movie back in the 70’s and I liked Oliver, does that count? I can’t think of anymore – who do you like?

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