Mundie Moms

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Book Review - Tyger, Tyger


By: Kersten Hamilton
Published by Houghton Mifflin Hartcourt
Released November 15, 2010
Source: netgalley
3.5 stars- I liked this book

Synopsis (from Houghton Mifflin Hartcourt):
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.


What happens when old legends are true? Goblins are real? Cat-sidhes stalk you? And a handsome boy shows up to help you through it all? Those questions and oh, so much more are answered in Kersten Hamilton's Tyger, Tyger.

Kersten uses Irish mythology to wrap around a plot which follows Teagan, a girl who is working at a local zoo and trying to get into Cornell's Veternary Science Program. Teagan's plans get turned upside down when Finn, a "cousin", moves in with her close knit family. Finn seems to attract a very new type of trouble for Teagan. On one hand, she can't deny her attraction to him and on the other, she finds that she's having to protect herself and her family from the very strange creatures she previously thought were only in her mother's paintings and storybooks.

As Teagen, her brother and Finn journey to the very heart of Goblin Territory, they discover that the songs and tales their parents recited are all true. What makes Tyger, Tyger unique is Kersten's solid characterizations. You get to know her characters so well and so quickly that by the time the plot twists appear, you know exactly how they're going to react. I love the descriptions of the Goblins as well as the very scary Cat-Sidhes. Those characterizations are delightfully dark and fit the mythology perfectly.

Oh, and before I go, I have to admit that I enjoyed the romance between Teagan and Finn. Kersten plays out their initial attraction in such a lovely way that you don't see how it will end until you finish reading that very last word. It's surprising, melancholy and oh-so-right.

The story reminds me of everything that is good about fairy tales. You know how there's always more to them then first meets the eye? Well, you get that with Tyger, Tyger. If you're in the mood for a solid mythology and characters that are well formed, pick up Tyger, Tyger and discover what those Goblin Wars are all about. I'm looking forward to the second installment which I hope will follow soon.

6 comments:

  1. Awesome review! I've got this sitting in my cue on NetGalley. I'm excited to read it.

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  2. I keep hearing good things about this book, but haven't really looked into it. Now, thanks to your lovely review, I really, really want to read it!

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  3. I just finished reading this book and I loved the Irish mythology twist the author gave it. I recognized some of the myths from other books I've read.
    I think I'd give it a 4 :P

    Great review!

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  4. I LOVED Tyger Tyger! I wasn't expecting to, but I did! Great review!

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  5. Alex, Sharli and Marie -- Thank you and I'm glad we all agreed. The mythology, for me, was very interesting. I also liked how Kersten told the tales within the story.

    KatieB (Mundie Moms) and DJ - I think you'll enjoy the folktale aspect of it.

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