Tyger, Tyger: A Goblin Wars Book by Kersten Hamilton, Clarion Books, 2010, 320 pp, ISBN: 0547330081
Recap:
Teagan is sure she's just a typical teenage girl; maybe a little more focused on her studies than most, but there's nothing wrong with that. Right? Teagan is especially close to her family: her music-minded little brother, her father who loves to tell the stories of their Irish heritage, and her artistic mother who makes a living painting illustrations of goblins.
Finn Mac Cumhaill is the first boy who has ever made Teagan question her no-relationship-rule. Of course, Finn is no ordinary boy. His introduction into Tea's life opens up a whole new world that she thought could exist only in fairy tales. It turns out, all of her father's stories are true, and the subjects of her mother's paintings all exist in real life.
Finn Mac Cumhaill is the first boy who has ever made Teagan question her no-relationship-rule. Of course, Finn is no ordinary boy. His introduction into Tea's life opens up a whole new world that she thought could exist only in fairy tales. It turns out, all of her father's stories are true, and the subjects of her mother's paintings all exist in real life.
Review:
I've wanted to read Kersten Hamilton's Tyger, Tyger ever since reading Amelia's review at Imagination in Focus. It even made her Top 3 of 2010! I've never been a huge fan of books with fairies and goblins, but after such rave reviews, I wanted to give it a shot.
Tyger, Tyger was unique in the fact that it was based largely on Celtic folklore. I liked the idea that so many stories of the past were being brought back to the present through YA literature. Can it be considered a less traditional type of fairy tale re-telling?
Perhaps it was because I had read Fat Cat so recently, but Teagan's work at the zoo reminded me of Cat and Matt's scientific pursuits. Ultimately, I wished that Teagan were a little more like Cat. Granted, Teagan's story was a fantasy and Cat's was realistic fiction, but looking at the two characters on their own, Cat just felt more well-rounded and real to me.
Romance was a huge part of this story. ***Mini-Spoiler*** Evidently, Tea and Finn were destined to be each other's true love. Well, ok. I actually do believe in destiny and love at first site. And I think this love story was supposed to be a part of the Irish folklore that all of the other fantastical characters sprang out of. But was I really convinced that this was a love for all eternity? Um, no... It just didn't seem to be based on anything but physical attraction and fact that it was "meant to be." But maybe the love story will grow on me in book #2?
I've wanted to read Kersten Hamilton's Tyger, Tyger ever since reading Amelia's review at Imagination in Focus. It even made her Top 3 of 2010! I've never been a huge fan of books with fairies and goblins, but after such rave reviews, I wanted to give it a shot.
Tyger, Tyger was unique in the fact that it was based largely on Celtic folklore. I liked the idea that so many stories of the past were being brought back to the present through YA literature. Can it be considered a less traditional type of fairy tale re-telling?
Perhaps it was because I had read Fat Cat so recently, but Teagan's work at the zoo reminded me of Cat and Matt's scientific pursuits. Ultimately, I wished that Teagan were a little more like Cat. Granted, Teagan's story was a fantasy and Cat's was realistic fiction, but looking at the two characters on their own, Cat just felt more well-rounded and real to me.
Romance was a huge part of this story. ***Mini-Spoiler*** Evidently, Tea and Finn were destined to be each other's true love. Well, ok. I actually do believe in destiny and love at first site. And I think this love story was supposed to be a part of the Irish folklore that all of the other fantastical characters sprang out of. But was I really convinced that this was a love for all eternity? Um, no... It just didn't seem to be based on anything but physical attraction and fact that it was "meant to be." But maybe the love story will grow on me in book #2?
Recommendation:
All things considered, I'm probably not the best Tyger, Tyger judge because this just isn't one of my favorite genres. If you're a reader who loves fairies and goblins and all of those other fantasy friends, you will probably love Tyger, Tyger. I would recommend it for middle school and up!
All things considered, I'm probably not the best Tyger, Tyger judge because this just isn't one of my favorite genres. If you're a reader who loves fairies and goblins and all of those other fantasy friends, you will probably love Tyger, Tyger. I would recommend it for middle school and up!
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Thanks for dropping by my blog. In answer to your question, "What is a nifty-Fifty cart?", I have a cart of books in my library that has 50 titles on it that are tried and true books that almost all students like. They aren't necessarily high literature, just good stories that have high interest and appeal to teenagers. If students are casting about not knowing what to pick to read next I usually direct them over to the cart.
ReplyDeleteAbout your review here of Tyger Tyger, do you think that high school students would like it? How old are the main characters?
I need a nifty-50 cart! What a great go-to idea for the library.
ReplyDeleteI do think HS readers could enjoy Tyger, Tyger. Maybe 9th and 10th graders in particular? The main characters are in high school themselves, and it has a good amount of romance and adventure.