Review: Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Tyger Tyger (A Goblin Wars Book)
by Kersten Hamilton
Release Date: October 18, 2010
2010 Clarion Books
ISBN: 978-0-547-33008-2
Hardcover Edition; 311 Pages
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

4 / 5 Stars

Summary
"Your life is totally in danger!" Teagan Wylltson thinks her best friend, Abby, is joking.  And Abby's dreamed that horifying creatures are hunting her friend.

But Teagan isn't worried.  Her life is perfect.  She's on track for a college scholarship.  She has a great job.  No boys, no heartache, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives.  Finn has survived on the streets since he was twelve, so he knows a thing or two about fighting.  Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right.  The goblins are coming.

My Thoughts
I really had no idea what this book was about when I received it in the mail to review, so I was pleasantly surprised as I began reading and entered a world of goblins, faeries, and sidhe.  Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated by myths and legends and this wonderful story is based on a plethora of Celtic prehistory and mythology.  I couldn't have been happier as I delved into a story that deftly incorporated many of these old mythological legends and stories into a beautiful and cohesive story.

As a main character, Teagan was someone with whom I could identify right from the beginning.  I found her courageous, sympathetic, empathetic, and endearing.  I love the way she took care of her brother and cared for him, even in the midst of tragedy.  And I have to say, there was one twist to this novel I was definitely not expecting at all and which totally caught me off guard.  It changed the whole tone of the novel and I really wasn't sure what to think for a long time, which is one of the reasons I gave it four instead of five stars.  It's not the incident that changed it for me, but I felt a real shift in tone in the novel and I found it difficult to get back into the novel for several chapters; I just couldn't feel the same connection I did before and it saddened me.  Luckily, I felt it again towards the end of the novel, but I couldn't help feeling somewhat disappointed there for a while.

I do have to say this though, where was a boy like Finn when I was in high school?  His kind of character is exactly the type of character I would have found sexy and attractive as a teenager.  Can you tell I just love, love, love Finn?  He was compassionate, tough, sexy, endearing, and a warrior who is supposed to save the world.  What else do you need?  And I love the fact that Teagan's younger brother had an important role to play in this novel as well, as younger siblings often get left out of the action in so many novels.  Neither Teager nor Finn would have survived without Aiden. 

Like I've already mentioned, I adored the mythological aspect to this novel.  However, without a certain background, I think the reader could have become lost in some of the legends and explanations as there was a certain assumption made that one was somewhat familiar with them, at least to me.  I knew what was going on because I am familiar with the legends, and I understood a lot of the connotations, but I am not sure everyone would have understood clearly. 

Verdict
I enjoyed this novel tremendously, despite the disappointment and letdown towards the middle.  I love the mix of traditional and ancient legends and mythology that are woven into this narrative and I can't wait to see how the sequel plays out in the continuing story of Teagan, Finn, Aiden, and Abby.  It should be very interesting!!