Book Review: Tyger Tyger (A Goblin Wars, Book #1) by Kersten Hamilton

Tyger Tyger (Goblin Wars, Book #1) by Kersten Hamilton

Reading level: Young Adult
Release Date: November 15, 2010
Publisher: Clarion Books
Pages: 320 pages
Source: Received from publicist for honest review
(The Teen Book Scene Book Tour)

Summary: Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems. Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

My Review: Kersten's Tyger Tyger, presented a world designed to stimulate the imagination. It was a pleasure reading about goblins instead of over-exploited supernatural creatures. The only flaw in this novel was failure to balance the level of excitement. Unfortunately, in the beginning I was bored and confounded. I always consider the first few chapters to be essential in either making or breaking a book. Despite that, it luckily picked up around the middle and engaged my curiosity. Teagan and her best friend Abby were incredibly entertaining. There constant dialogue cracked me up and reminded me of how I interact with my friends. The character spotlight would have to be on Finn though. As much as I liked Teagan's animal loving heart and Abby's sense of humor, Finn created the mysterious and gripping ride I was missing.

Abby's foreboding feelings and Finn's previous experience with goblins combined these three individuals for a fight. Teagan's fate of saving her family from these evil little critters was in her hands. It helped me connect with her emotions due to the fact that her little brother and parents were showcased in the start. Another element I took pleasure in was the adorable, blooming romance between Finn and Teagan. Overall, I look forward to seeing how the storyline and friendships escalate in the sequel. It was a successful implementation of creative ideas that fit perfectly in a book based on Celtic pre-history and mythology. If you're over vampires and werewolves, maybe goblins will fulfill your need of new material. Plus, Finn will spark your fire with his sexy accent and spontaneous gestures.

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My Rating:
Author's Info:

Kersten Hamilton is a prolific children's writer known for her fast-paced, dramatic storylines. She is the author of twenty-four books for children and works with the house church movement in her home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

For more info on Kersten, visit her site(s):
-Website
-Twitter

-Facebook

Coming Soon:
In the Forests of the Night (Goblin Wars, Book #2) - 2011