Tithe (Modern Tale of Faerie Series #1)

A Spiderwick Fan

I love Holly Black for her "Spiderwick Chronicals." So when I picked up Tithe, I thought, "Cool! Holly Black, faries, teenager's level, it can't get any better!" But I had to put the book down and give it away within the first ten pages. I can understand that for some adult writters to write for teenagers today, but it feels like Holly Black is trying way to hard. It also felt like Black was trying to use every curse word in her memory banks within the first chapter. Does she think all teens are over sexed, bad mouthed hoolagins?

If your looking for 'edge', maybe you'll like this book. But if you want a good story, with substance, read "Graceling".

14 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

Fantastical

I love this book. This book is the best Faerie book I have ever read. It has great characters, plots, etc. Very edgy and dark. Excellently written. If you are not a person to enjoy a book with drug use, sex, graphic description, and or plain dark novels/series, then dont read it.
Other than that, its an awsome read. No doubt about it.

13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

I would give this less stars if I could

I was overwhelmed with the amount of high ratings given to this book. How in the world do so many people like tithe! I admit that it has been some time since I last read it, but a single fact still remains: this was a rather poorly written story. I was barely able to get through it, and only my stubbornness to always finish a book allowed me to finish. There were so many things I felt were wrong. Let's start with one of my biggest peeves: Corny Stone. Ignoring his name for fear of laughter, Corny is the main character's (Kaye) best friend's brother. To say it bluntly, he is the token gay in the story. Heavens know that I have no problem with this, I mean, I would be hard-pressed to have a problem. However, what the author does with said character is demeaning. Corny is used so cruely and without care. I was really upset by how Black used Corny being gay to do whatever the hell she wanted. And though highly amused by the shounen-ai and manga references, they were superflous and a faulty attempt of connecting to the audience. Next, let's examine the plot, or lack there of. I understand how Black wanted to tie in 'fantasy' with 'real life situations' but it does not, and cannot, work because neither exists. Her fantasy is vague and hastily written, without any real cause for it being there in most cases. (That merry-go-round horse, though a great idea, was silly to have been included. Why it was there in that warehouse still a mystery to me. Why it was needed for the plot, I dare not explore.) Then, her real life is ridiculously overworked and extreme. From neglected teens to raves (I am still feeling the horror of her description of what I treasure so) to misconduct of reckless, annoying teenagers. Such actions were together a complete and utter misrepresentation of what a teenager is. Sidetracked as this paragraph may seem, this is all that is left after the absent plot is removed. It was simply not rememberable. And breaching off from that: the sheer YA-ness of this book was what kept me from at least accepting this book as a novel. There was little original with this story, characters and descriptions. It was dry. Okay, the guy was really hot. Okay, okay. The girl can be pitied. And, yeah, we got the token gay. But there was nothing else. I was personally disgusted by how little Faye cared about her friend's end. Oh, she cried! But there was nothing at all beyond that. Then, there was no attention given to breaking past the expectations of a young adult story. The ending was so bland I was laughing at its lack of anything and everything. Ugh. I cannot stand to remember how dull it was. I understand that this is the Holly Black's first novel. But I know that there are plenty of first-timers that write beautiful stories that are actually worth your time. I only suggest this book to mindless, teenaged girls that are so silly as to ignore the actual content and only see the 'OMG! Roiben's soooooo h0t! LOL!!!' part of the story. I think the most interesting thing to happen to this book was Conry 'I actually really did like him' and perhaps that reference to Star Trek's infamous couple.

7 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

A wonderful story

It's amazing what you can find in the young adult section of your favorite book store. Normally I try to avoid this section. I find the books unsatisfying and the characters dripping with morals and ethics that are usually to adult based. For many young adult fiction writers, their characters seem to be wallowing in the 50's ideology and naivety. I know it's been a while since I was in high school, but I seriously doubt the Cleavers or the Brady's took over while I was gone. Hell yes teenagers smoke, drink, party, steal, skip or dropout of school, some are gay, some do drugs, and many even have sex. Why try to portray it differently, no matter what fantasy is playing out in a novel. Thus what I enjoyed most about Tithe was it's characters believable personalities.

Tithe is a beautifully crafted tale of 16 year old Kaye who has had a difficult life with nomad rocker mom Ellen. Kaye has always been a bit different, from the strange things that happen around her, to her ability to see and converse with faeries. Forced to move back into her hometown, Kaye reunites with her old friends both human and faerie, stumbles across Roiben, the handsome and mysterious Unseelie Knight, and discovers a secret that reveals her true nature. Now Kaye will need all the strength and clever wit she posses if she wishes to save her friends and herself.

I must say that Tithe is a beautifully dark, wondrous story that will captivate readers of any age. My only complaint being that the book is to short! I didn't want to leave the world of the faeries, and I am looking forward to reading Holly Black's next two books in the series. Tithe is a story to be put in the must read pile.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

A Good One to Read in Between Series

Okay I became interested in this series because someone told me that a few of the characters were in Cassandra Clare's books The Mortal Instruments (I absolutely loved them and cannot wait for more!!). As I began reading I was shocked at how morbid this book was. I know it's referred to as a modern day story but as a mother I wonder if it is a little too negative for my early teen daughter. Kaye is a high school drop out, smokes, hangs out with teens that are getting drunk in abandoned buildings and having sex (only implied). I know this is really common amongst youth today but I hope that there are several young women out there that are not giving in. Overall I liked the writing and the storyline. I hope I get to know more about the characters and their storylines continue!!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

I have a special place in my heart for this book. If I remember

I have a special place in my heart for this book. If I remember correctly, this book initiated my long-lasting love affair with urban fantasy. I almost certain that this was the first book I had ever read in the genre. I remember seeing and being interested in the cover (the original one, with the butterfly) in the young adult section of the bookstore before, but I didn’t end up buying it at the time. Shortly thereafter, I noticed one of my best friends reading the book, and she recommended I read it the very instant she was done. I’m glad I did.

This novel is a gritty, dark look into the world of faeries in a modern, urban setting. Kaye is not what you would call the traditional teen protagonist, but it is somewhat refreshing to show a heroine with a dark past. I also really liked the characters of Roiben (the conflicted love interest) and Corny (Kaye’s friend’s gay brother with whom she develops a special relationship). I enjoy Holly Black’s style and I think that she is a fantastic world-builder. There are a couple plot gaps and some lacking character development, but it didn’t detract from the book for me.

If you are someone that expects a cookie-cutter protagonist and happy endings, then no, I wouldn’t recommend this book to you. However, if you like urban fantasy (or think you might like it), like a good, dark tale, and want an easy, enjoyable read, then I definitely recommend you check it out.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

What on Earth!

Seriously, the language was horrible. What parent wants their teen to read such a book. I love the faries and all but the f-bomb I could live without.Allowing teens to read about drugs and such language is saying its ok to speak it!

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Not even worth the free chapter

This author left a good review on another series I was reading (Beautiful Creatures) and I though I'd see what she writes. Sadly, the free chapter was such a disappointment. I'm very glad I read that before bothering to purchase the book. The author went straight for shock factor by incorporating swearing and drugs within the first page. I tried to keep reading after that, but the story wasn't even worth bothering with.

Shock factor does not equal quality writing or a good story. All this book has is shock and not a thing else. If you want a good book try the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent or the Beautiful Creatures series. Both series' are actually worth the paper they are printed on.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Poorly Written and Rushed

I heard amazing things about Tithe so I decided to begin reading it. Throughout the whole novel I was confused and had to re-read some pages over just to know what was going on. There are no transitions, it'll just jump from one thing to another without giving any detail. It was rushed, and partly the only reason I kept reading it was because of Kaye and Roiben. Maybe it was just me, but I was honestly confused as to what was going on with the Unseelie and Seelie courts. The overall story is good, but the way it was written lacked detail and excitement.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Too much swearing for my taste

I liked the story, but feel that it could do without the swearing! Wish I would have read this before ordering the next two books in the series!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

no enchantment on this reader

I was excited to read this book, the summary seemed right up my alley of interests and it is written by Holly Black. So needless to say I was expecting greatness. What I got was disappointment, this book lacks magik. I read it with a friend, and if it hadn't been for that I would have layed the book down early on. So with that said let me tell ya - Tithe lacked the magik other books have that pull you into the world. I didn't feel any connection for any of the characters, and they in turn lacked empathy. A Little past the middle of the book the story-line picked up with action which helped move it along since it was a chore to pick it up and read at this point. Thankfully it went at a faster pace then and I was able to finish finally. Ms. Black did me a favor by ending this book wrapped up. I have no reason nor desire to read another in this series.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved it

Although i am not a teen I love to read fantasy that is less sexual.. as alot of our adult books are... I love the series read it all and loved it passed it to my sister and friends.. anyone who wants a good fairy tell it is here:)

I have listed some other series I have read...

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Darker World of Fairy

Sixteen-year-old Kaye has seen fairies all her life, what she doesn't know is that she is not actually human. Tough, a bit uncouth and not interested in following the rules, Kaye has never really been part of anything. But now she finds herself embroiled in the battle between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. Kaye is an interesting character, but very different from many "fairytale" heroines; she's no one's princess. The characters both fey and human are well developed and interesting. Black's world is gritty, dark and at times over developed, but it works for the story. This is no light-hearted fairytale; some hefty issues are discussed and dealt with in this novel. Recommended for readers who enjoy their fantasy with a dose of darkness.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

bad book

I really really didn¿t like this book it was too slow and too weird even for me and I like weird books. I do not recommend this book for anyone. If you like books that make no sense and have stupid love stories (I like love stories but this one was not realistic) then you will like this book.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I really liked this book. Yes, it has drugs and curses but all i

I really liked this book. Yes, it has drugs and curses but all in all the story line was good, if a bit confusing.

I loved the book. I am huge fan of Holly Black and have read all

I loved the book. I am huge fan of Holly Black and have read all her books. I read this book in two days. In the series this one was my favorite I agree there was no need for all the bad language however that did not deter me from the story and I don't read books more then once,but i would with this book that's how much I loved it.

What an amazing book!

When I first got this book, I was hesitant to read it. But fortunately I did choose to read it because it and the two books following it are simply breath taking. I couldn't put them down! From the first chapter I was hooked. Every moment I had to read the books, I did. And even though I own them in paperback, I'm more than happy to buy them again for my Nook. I read them when I was in junior high and loved them, and I'm 21 and still love them. You'd be a darn fool to pass Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside.

love em

read them all they are great!!!

Awesome

I loved this book and I can't wait to read the rest of them. This book is just enough strange for the most normal person and the most not so normal.

Amazing

I recomend this series for those 13 and over. There are a few parts i would not feel comfortable letting my younger sister read. Though the storyline was amazing, her veiw on the fey world was remarkable. I feel as though this is a must read novel and give it full stars. I read this series long ago when i was 13, now that i am 19 i still enjoy its captivating plot and beautiful characters inside and out.