Book:  Tikmia (Tikmia #1)
Author: F.H. Faizal
Release date:  May 10, 2011
Pages:  333
Source:  Author

Seventeen year old Alia’s life on the seemingly-perfect island is shrouded by lies. Everything she’s loved has been taken away from her – even her memory.

Who killed her parents? Who’s taking the orphans she’s spent the past two years with?
Why does the man she despise resemble her so much? Who is he?
Her only source of happiness is her two sisters – she will do anything to keep them safe.
Until she fails. Until she is forced to choose. One sister will live, the other will die.

Alia and her sister find out everything is not as it seems. No one is who they say they are. Soon, they find out that they are part of something greater – an experiment that results in the creation of a new race. They look like us, but they are faster, stronger, and they feed on the raw flesh of animals.

And worse, the red-eyed Tikmia are intelligent and they have the ability to change shape at whim.

A devastating fire, a mysterious, mesmerizing creature, the colors Alia now sees – everything leads back to the Tikmia.

Tikmia, the first book in a planned trilogy, does exactly what you would expect.  It sets the stage for the remaining two books.  Luckily that was the only thing that was expected. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Tikmia and I am very much looking forward to the next book.

Alia’s life is almost nothing. If she didn’t have her sisters, Joanna and Ella, she would have no reason to live.  Ever since the deaths of her parents and brother life has been bleak.  Each day on the island is just like the last; they get up, do their tasks, eat, and go back to bed.  All Alia wants is for something to change.  And then it does and all she wants is for things to go back to normal.  That can never happen now though because Alia knows the truth and she will stop at nothing to save not only her own life but the lives of every human on Earth.

Tikmia is a debut novel from a fellow blogger so of course I had to check it out.  That may have been what drew me to the story but that is not what kept me reading. From the very first chapter I was hooked and I read the whole book in a few hours!  The ending wasn’t too much of a cliffhanger but just enough to leave you wanting more.

The story was very unique. I’m not going to tell you what the Tikmia are but they aren’t what I expected. Like I said earlier, I didn’t really expect anything about this book.  The story, the characters, the writing, everything just tied together so perfectly.  There were hints of a romance but it didn’t overpower the actual story.  Alia, Ella, Joanna, Eben, Lana, Dr. Meld, every single character was awesome and unique.  My favorite character though would have to be Alia because she is so strong and independent.  She is the kind of heroine that I love.  I can’t wait to see more of her in the next book!

Overall, Tikmia is a fabulous debut with a little bit of everything.  F.H. Faizal is a wonderful blogger and an even better author. I am so excited to see what’s next!

Rating: B

Cover:  B