When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears

By Kersten Hamilton

Locked doors are opening, and magical creatures are tumbling through mysterious portals from Mag Mell, the world-between-worlds, into the streets of Chicago. Meanwhile, the romance between seventeen-year-old Teagan, who is part goblin, and the alluring bad boy Finn Mac Cumhaill is heating up….which is awkward, to say the least, considering he is bound by a family curse to fight goblins his entire life. Celtic mythology, adventure, and paranormal romance fuse in the electrifying finale of the Goblin Wars trilogy.

 

Sad day. I’ve been waiting for the end to this trilogy for a year now and after reading it, I was let down. I wanted to like it just as much as the first two, and I tried I really really tried, but I just don’t. It felt flat for me. It just seemed to randomly put new characters in and old characters acting out of character and people dying and just confusingness. There was enough to tie all the books together, but I got a little lost as to how certain aspects (which I will not spoil the book by relating) fit into the grand scheme of things. That and one of my favorite characters died and I really didn’t want that to happen…I swear the author could’ve saved them. It seemed a waste and I don’t know how it furthered the plot, but perhaps by that time I was already irritated enough to find it flawed. Oh well. Sad day.

 

I give it 3 out of 5-average. Sadly.

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!

Tyger Tyger

By Kersten Hamilton

Teagan Wylltson’s best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures—goblins, shapeshifters, 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. Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives, with his killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. Either he’s crazy or he’s been haunting Abby’s dreams, because he’s talking about goblins, too . . . and about being 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.


Sooo...goblins. I've only read one other series that even explored goblins in a light I enjoyed, and that was The Hollow Kingdom series by Clare Dunkle. This was really interesting and had a fun romance story and mystery in it. It's harder to review this book without giving way too many spoilers that would ruin it. Suffice it to say, this was an enjoyable read and I've already got my hands on book 2 and look forward to how Teagan deals with her newfound knowledge. Also it's a cool tribute to William Blake. :)

I give it a solid 3 1/2 out of 5  (Just because I was sincerely entertained)