Review: Tyger Tyger
Tyger Tyger (Goblin Wars #1) by Kersten Hamilton
Synopsis:
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.
Review:
I’d read a number of glowing reviews for this book, most by some book bloggers whose opinions I really value, so I was really surprised to find that I was wholeheartedly disappointed. I mean, where was the story? Probably 90% of the book was dialogue exchanges between characters as way of explanation but it didn’t provide much else. Lacking was character development, world building, and, most importantly, the opportunity for readers to connect with the character’s emotions.
The author’s concept was great. How many books do you actually read about goblins? But the more that things were illustrated through dialogue, the more frustrated I became. I kept thinking, Don’t tell me, show me. So much more could have and should have been explored, especially since the story is written in third person.
Teagan is thrust into a whole new world, one in which goblins exists, but we never get any of her internal thoughts on how she processes this? I’m clueless as to how she copes with understanding these creatures. When her mother died suddenly, I thought I’d finally read about a stir in her emotions, but nope. There were so many opportunities for the author to put Teagan through some serious reflection, but she didn’t. The only thing Teagan half wondered about was Finn, and I’m still not sure why she even bothered.
Finn was completely moot. Forget the fact that he was born in America but speaks like a native Irishman, never did he say or do anything to make me care about him. If I could have read more about his internal struggles, be in his head, maybe I could have fallen for him, but to just be told by his grandmother that Teagan’s name was in his heart didn’t do anything to make me feel it. Sure he stepped in at that right times to play hero, but since I didn’t “know” him, I didn’t care.
Other scenes in the book that did try to offer some type of illustration were just confusing or unbelievable. I guess because the book is under the fantasy genre the ability to break standard boundaries in story telling widens, i.e. having characters talk the reader through everything.
I’m sure fans of Julie Kagawa’s The Iron Fey series might enjoy this book as the play on the Fae mythology was different, but then again, I’m a huge fan of Kagawa’s, yet Tyger Tyger wasn’t for me.
Posted at 6:00 am • Labels: 2 stars, 2010, Book Review, fantasy, goblins, Kindle Edition, NetGalley, YA
Oh, thank you for such a wonderful, honest review! Like you, I've also read several positive reviews for Tyger Tyger but the areas you mentioned that were weak are things that I have problems with too while reading sometimes. In a fantasy/paranormal novel, I like to see action occurring so it's a little disappointing to hear that there's a lot more of simply talking going on…
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awwww sorry you were disappointed with this one =/
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Aw, sorry you didn't enjoy it. I really did, but we all can't like the same things all the time. Still a good review.
Btw, have an award for you HERE.
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Yup! I was utterly confused in the beginning. I had to read some parts over and over just to understand. It took me a while to get into it. Nice review
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I saw you mentioned on Melissa's Books and Things site, well done on the award, and as I love visiting new blogs and meeting other bloggers thought I'd stop by to say hello. Nice to have met you, I've enjoyed my visit.
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Sorry this one wasn't for you Missie! I enjoyed it overall though I think you make some very valid points. I'm hoping since this was the first book in a series, we get some growth from Teagan and Finn in the next books. I did like her brother, I thought he was cute and hilarious, but I was underwhelmed by the ending, they seemed to thwart the villain so easily. Great review as always, I love reading your thoughts!
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Saw your comment on Tyger Tyger…I don't think you need to re-read sometimes I read books that everyone raves about and I feel like an a-hole because I didn't like them:) And to be honest, I think if I read Tyger Tyger again I might give it a lower rating now that I've read a lot more books and done quite a few more reviews. I think you made some great points!
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Darn…I actually saw a bunch of reviews that were quite like yours – disappointed in the lack of plot development. I want to read this one, but I'm not sure if I should just wait a while. I have a lot more interesting/promising reads on the chopping block right now. Thanks for the honest review, Missie!
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Really? I loved this one. Book love truly is in the eye of the beholder. Thanks for your honesty.
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I liked this one but felt it was definitely more MG. It was about 3 stars for me.
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I'm sorry you didn't like this one
I really hate when I don't like a book that everyone and their mom is loving… that actually seems to happen to me a lot lately (like Firelight).
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Thanks for your honest review. I still might give this one a try though.
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I'm so glad I read your review. I read up to about page 50 in Tyger Tyger before deciding to call it quits. I had read so many really great reviews for the book, but I just wasn't feeling it. My biggest complaint was exactly what you described: Too much dialogue and not enough description.
The story might really have been great, but I couldn't continue. I usually need to connect to a character to enjoy a book, and I just couldn't connect with the characters here at all. Everything was dialogue, so I had no clue what they were feeling or who they were inside.
I also couldn't immerse myself in the world because I couldn't picture what was going on around the characters. I felt like I was sitting in a room with the characters but my eyes were closed. That made me feel detached and sort of confused. I wasn't grounded in the story.
I really wanted to like this book and I'm pretty disappointed that I didn't. I'm glad to hear that at least I'm not alone in my reasons.
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