In The Forests of the Night (Goblin Wars, Book 2) by Kersten Hamilton

Summary:
The battle against 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.
Summary taken from Goodreads.com

Isn't the cover for this book amazing? I think it's perfectly suited for the book that lies inside it. I love, love, LOVE this book! It was just as good if not better than the first book Tyger Tyger. To put it simply this book was phenomenal.

I really wish that the author Kersten Hamilton had started writing for an older audience sooner because in my opinion this book and the preceeding one in the series are by far 2 of my top 5 favourite books this year.

The way Kersten Hamilon is able to spin a tale like this one is mind blowing. To me her characters come alive and it's as if I'm watching the scenes play out in front of me. I think that that only happens when a writer is really talented and let me tell you this woman is most definetly talented!

This book picked up nicely from where book one left us and it had a little more angst than the first book which workrd for it because Teagan isn't one of those uppity girls who gets all angsty and self centered (another word for this can be Emo :D ). I felt like she matured significantly in this story even though she is already very mature. I also liked that she showed vulnerability and emotion throughout the story and wasn't one dimensional. The relationship between her and Finn is definitely progressing but it isn't getting all cutesy which is a GOOD thing.

I love how the story focused more on Teagan and Finn this time even though it was nice to see the rest of the colourful cast of characters in Teagan's life like Aidan (he's so adorable!) and Abby or as Finn calls her, Gabby.

I also found the tone of this novel was a little darker and a little more grown up than the one before and I think that that's important because off all the challenges that are being flung at Teagan, Finn and her family/friends.

I think what makes the story so good to me is that the author was able to use humour when it came to her characters and the way she weaves Irish mythology and random obscure animal facts is seamless. The whole story flowed perfectly.

The only problem I had was that I have to wait until who knows when to read the third book in the trilogy (Please make it a long book Kersten I don't want it to be over so soon!).  I would recommend this book to the people who have read the first book Tyger Tyger which the review can be found by Clicking here.

Don't forget to check out my giveaway for a chance to win a copy of Tyger Tyger! It ends Dec. 29th 2011 and is open to international entries. Click the button below:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tyger Tyger Goblin Wars Book One by Kersten Hamilton

Summary:
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.
Summary Taken from Goodreads.com

I LOVED THIS BOOK!  It had everything that I want in a book. It has goblins, the fair folk, a little bit of romance, suspense, comedy and a teenage heroine that is NOT a whiney, self-absorbed brat! I applaud the author Kersten Hamilton on her first YA novel which in my humble opinion is a great start to a promising career in this genre and I wish her the greatest success.

I adored the characters; I appreciate how she took time to make them seem “real”.  I also enjoyed the interaction between them all. The only character I didn’t like was the bad guy. My favourite character was Aiden, he’s such a sweetie. I wish he were a real person because I’d smother him in hugs.

I appreciated that Hamilton took her time building the characters, the plot and the settings because it was easy to follow along. She gave just the right amount of attention to detail without going overboard. Well, except in one instance where she went into graphic detail about Teagan (the heroine) drooling and having snot on the back of her love interests shirt. *SHUDDER* I can handle blood and gore but snot and drool count me out! 

Anyways, back to the story.  Teagan is an animal lover who wants to go to Cornell and won’t let anything get in the way of those plans.  Especially not a boy. That is until her cousin Finn comes to live with them. He isn’t her blood cousin (thank goodness) but he does make her teenage heart go pitter patter.  Finn is the son of Teagan’s mother Aileen’s “brother”.  Finn is an Irish Traveler who has been on his own since he was 12 years old. 

Not long after Finn comes to stay with Teagan’s family he helps defend a friend of the family, A boy named Lennie who is a 6 year old trapped in the body of an 18 year old.  That night Lennie’s mother come over to thank Finn and makes the family dinner, while this is happening Aileen is struck with inspiration for a book (she’s a writer and illustrator or children’s books). She grabs a pen and begins writing down her idea when Aiden spots a “shadow man” reach over and touch his mother. No one thinks too much of this except Finn, who decides to run away.

The next day Aileen feels ill and gets sent to the hospital, where she slips into a coma and dies three days later.  A few months go by and nothing happens. Until one day when her father fails to show up for a meeting with a social worker. She goes looking for him with Aiden and Finn shoes up out of the blue looking even more rugged than before.

They find their way into Mag Mell an alternate dimension. This is where the real action lays and since I don’t want to give too much more of the book away let me say that this is where the Cat Sidhe, Sprites, Goblins and the Fair Folk come into play.

So we follow the trio Aiden, Finn and Teagan as they fight to get her father back from the villain’s evil clutches. After a startling revelation Teagan learns about her mother’s past and her future. .. This book is filled with twists and turns. Its action packed and in my opinion one of the best books I have read all year and in my opinion one of the best books I have read all year. I cannot wait for my copy of the second book in the series to come in at the library. This is one author to look out for in the future which is why I gave this book 5 stars.

I highly recommend this book to anyone at all. I think it will be a favourite of those who like YA fantasy novels and Irish folklore. GO READ THIS BOOK!