In the Forests of the Night

By Kersten Hamilton

 

The battle agains goblinkind continues…but which side will Teagan be on? Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man’s forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends. Tea knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich. And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.



So the first book in this series (Tyger, Tyger) was good enough for me to pick this book up without hesitation when I found it in the library. This sequel was even better than the first book, and unlike many of the books that have similar paranormal/romantic themes, this book actually does a realistic take on relationships! I was so relived and happy! It wasn't this continuation of  "We just went through a fantastic journey together, and well I'm attracted to you, so I must be in love forever!" The way it was was perfect.
They both are very young (17-18) and they really do love each other in that degree of wanting to protect and be with each other, but they also get a reality check from Teagan's dad. (Loved him for it!) He basically has a talk with Finn and asks him questions about Teagan, which he can't answer- for instance, what her hopes and dreams for the future are. He can't answer them! Therefore, John Paul tells Finn to take it slow and get to know her and let her know him better. Only then could they find out if their beginnings of love were the stuff that life-long journeys are made of.  Thank you Ms. Hamilton!!!! You wrote a great preface to hopeful 'forever' sort of love story!  (Unlike another author I won't name...)
Aside from that lovely lovely aspect, this story is full of goblins, angels, and other fantastic creatures. It's a story about first love and finding and keeping true to yourself despite all obstacles. It's a great series, and I can say I really reccommend it to those of you who are fantasy and mythology fans. My one plea to Ms. Hamilton is: Help on the pronunciations! Galic is hard!

I'd give it a 4 1/4 out of 5 -- Just for the love story stuff. :) YAY!