Review: Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Title: Tyger Tyger (Goblin Wars #1)

Author: Kersten Hamilton

Release Date: November 15th, 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Read: July 10th, 2012

Pages: 308-Paperback-owned

Series:

1. Tyger, Tyger
2. In the Forests of the Night
3. When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears

Description:

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 I thought:

Teagan and her family are an interesting bunch. Her mother is a painter, who writes children’s books, and her art is all about goblins. Her father is a librarian who loves to tell stories and her brother can remember any song he’s heard and just loves to sing. Teagan loves to help others, especially the animals at the zoo where she works part-time.

Things start off by her cousin Finn moving into their place after he has a mishap and breaks his arm. He technically isn’t Teagan’s real cousin, since her mom was adopted, so he hits on her a tiny bit at first. She doesn’t give in, the strong girl!

Then she starts to see things. Little cat-like creatures following her (cat-sidhe) and causing mischief, and her brother seeing a shadow in the house that follows someone. Finn decides to leave after this incident, convinced they followed him there. He’s an Irish traveler, always roaming and hardly staying in one place for too long, possibly to keep the creatures away.

When their father goes missing, they need Finn’s help to get them back so it’s a good thing he finds them just in time. They would need to go into the Mag Mell though, which is kind of like a forest where all the evil goblins live, and which no one escapes if they’re caught. Getting there is easy but getting out is going to be the hard part, with all sorts of creatures that could get them and no real sense of direction inside. Especially when the ruler, Doirich is the one holding him captive.

One of the best things about this book, was the Irish myths and the Goblins and other creepy creatures. I loved the tales that were told, and will be going and looking at my own myth book later to brush up on it more. I loved the character’s names too, I think I’m a sucker for it since I’m part Irish myself (small part, but still). I loved how the goblins were described, but the cat-sidhe was extra creepy and it had me watching my back the day after I read it just in case.

Recommended for young adults who love fantasy!