ARC Review: In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton

In the Forests of the NightAuthor: Kersten HamiltonPublication: Clarion Books (November 22, 2011)
Description: 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.
My Thoughts: This was another excellent story by Kersten Hamilton. I like her focus on Irish Mythology and I really love the family relationships in this story - no matter how unconventional the family might be. Teagan, Aiden and Finn have made it back alive from Mag Mell with Mr. Wylltson and a few other characters too. Tea and Aiden's Aunt Roisin and the goblin Highborn Thomas has come too. 
We get to see her choosing to be the kind of person she wants to be. She is thrown, at first, when she discovers that she has goblin blood and fears that she will become a cruel and heartless goblin herself. Luckily, she has the love and support of Finn. 
She has to battle the evil Fear Doirich in order to keep her family and friends safe. The tension and the adventures that she has in the Mag Mell are the main focus of this book as she goes to find a way to defeat Fear Doirich.
There are a number of wonderful secondary characters in this story. I love Tea's little brother Aiden and her best friend Abby. Abby is a true friend and has a unique viewpoint that always adds to the story. Aiden is a sweet child who has unexpected and wonderful gifts. Finn's grandmother Mamieo and his guardian angel Raynor Schein add a bunch of depth to this story. And even the evil Ms. Skinner from Social Services adds some conflict and tension from the human side of the story.
The many unique goblin characters add a richness. I found the sluagh and the Maggot Cat to be particularly creepy. The pookhas that Tea and Finn encounter in Mag Mell were also examples of the creatures from Irish Myth that made their way into this story. 
I recommend this story both as a romance and as a wonderful fantasy using less common fantasy tropes. I loved the language, tension, and touches of humor that this story had. 
Favorite Quote:

"All creatures," Mamieo once said, "from the moment they exist, set about becoming through their own free will. Some are becoming more of what they were meant to be, and some are becoming less.

I received the ARC through the Amazon Vine Program. You can buy your copy here.