Author:Holly Black Binding: Paperback ISBN: 0689867042 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
"Disappointed"
"I had a little trouble getting into it, but..."
"It's an OK quick read"
"Great story, cannot wait to read the next book"
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Editorial Review:
Welcome to the realm of very scary faeries!
Sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. There, amid the industrial, blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms -- a struggle that could very well mean her death.
Sixteen-year-old Kaye Fierch is not human, but she doesn't know it. Sure, she knows she's interacted with faeries since she was little--but she never imagined she was one of them, her blond Asian human appearance only a magically crafted cover-up for her true, green-skinned pixie self. First-time author Holly Black explores Kaye's self-discovery and dual worlds in her riveting, suspenseful novel Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale. The book has its faults: it slips into shock-value mode; the descriptions are often overwritten (sunset on the water looks like the sun slit his wrists in a bathtub); the language is overly, unnecessarily explicit; and the writing often unpolished. Still, the story's pull is undeniable, and readers under its spell will be hard-pressed to put the book down.
The novel begins in a bar in Philly, where Kaye's alcoholic rock-singer mother's boyfriend tries to kill her. For their own safety, mother and daughter quickly move back to grandma's on the New Jersey shore where Kaye grew up. This ugly turn of events was all rigged by the Faerie world, as it turns out, a world Black describes in deliciously vivid, if rather overblown, detail. Kaye, a drinking, smoking, foul-mouthed high school dropout in the land of mortals, soon finds herself embroiled--as a human sacrifice, no less--in a battle between Faerieland's Seelie and more malevolent Unseelie courts. The beautiful, mysterious knight Roiben, torn between worlds himself, falls in love with Kaye--the brave, clever changeling--against his better judgment. Throughout the electrifying journey to the horrific underworld of this modern faerie fantasy, teen readers will relate to a hard-luck tough girl who feels alienated, discovers her best qualities in the worst of circumstances, and finally finds a place between worlds where she can feel at home. (Ages 13 and older) --Karin Snelson
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Disappointed I read this book in one afternoon. Doing research into the UnSeelie Court I thought it'd be interesting to see how they fare in the modern world. I was disappointed because there still is that lack of "faerie evolution" that results in the fey NOT being bothered by iron, church bells, etc. As to the story itself - interesting but not unforgettable. Would like to have seen a little more development between Corny and the UnSeelie Prince other than a seeming reference to sado-masochism. Oh well . .... more info
I had a little trouble getting into it, but... once I did, I couldn't put it down. I hate the idea that all faeries are angelic, pretty, little, women with wings. That's ridiculous. Faeries come in all shapes and sizes, and some are beautiful and some are terrifying. The characters are interesting. Kaye is the absolute opposite if me. And Roiben is such a hottie. Lutie Loo is a sweetheart. The plot is intriguing and original. It is dark faery fantasy at its best. Some people may complain of so called "filth" in this book. There is smoking,... more info
It's an OK quick read This is an enjoyable read if you do not feel like reading a deep thought provoking novel. Not too many brain cells are required to get through it. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was 15 not 26.
Great story, cannot wait to read the next book This story is meant for the young adult audience. With a couple scenes, it is obvious. Beyond that, I think anyone that likes the fantasy and paranormal genera will like this story. This is about sixteen year old Kaye. She follows here mother from different bars and suck on her mothers pursuit of a musical career. Kaye has not been in school since she was 14, instead has been working because they need the money. After the latest gig, her mothers fiance tries to kill Kaye. This prompts a sudden move... more info
