Review of The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date:
Series: 
Buying Links:


Book Blurb:

*May contain spoilers for previous books*


Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.


Unless he can earn a soul.


To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought. 

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive. 

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side. 


To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale. 

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.


Teaser:


There is a reason the Winter Court freezes out their emotions, why feelings are considered a weakness and a folly among the Unseelie fey. Emotion corrupts the senses, makes them weak, makes them disloyal kith and court.



My Thoughts:


The Iron Fey series was originally planned as a trilogy but Kagawa's editor convinced her to write an HEA. Unfortunately, at times the story feels like an afterthought. While I enjoy a HEA, I think ending the series at book three would have made it stronger. The HEA is undoubtedly, a crowd pleaser, but I personally preferred the painful, heart wrenching ending in book three. One good thing about it is that unlike the first three books, it's told from Ash's perspective; Meghan doesn't make an appearance until the end of the story. It gives the story a different feel, and a deeper glimpse into how the fey, specifically Ash, think. There's one section towards the end where Ash has to confront and deal with all of the people, human and fey, that he's hurt in his long life and it's a strong scene that clearly illuminates the otherness of the Fey.

The story is one long, very long, hero's quest; Ash wants to trade his immortality for a human, mortal, soul. As with any hero's quest, he has a long, perilous journey. First, he needs to find the information that will tell him how to get to the end of the world, where he then hopes to become mortal. He and Puck begin by searching for Grimalkin in hopes that he can guide them there. Once they meet up with him, the actual journey begins. Along the way, they acquire companions, including The Big Bad Wolf, who was first introduced in the novella, "Winter's Passage". If you didn't read it, it's not necessary. They also acquire another companion along the way, one who shocks both Ash and Puck and is central to the story and Ash's quest.

The story felt overly long to me, as if Kagawa had a page count she was trying to fill. The journey could have been cut by a third to q quarter and been stronger for it. One thing I did really enjoy was Kagawa's sly reference to other European fairy tales, including Rapunzel and Baba Yaga. She doesn't ever use their names so if you aren't familiar with the stories, you may not catch the references. 

Overall, it's a decent book, full of adventure, romance, love, heart break and excellent world building.

I received both an eARC and a print book for review.

Review of Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Series: The Iron Fey #3.5
Buying Links:  Amazon     Barnes & Noble

Book Blurb:

A Midsummer's Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.

Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist. 

 An ebook exclusive novella from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.

My Thoughts:

Unlike the previous stories in this series, this one is told from Puck's perspective and I very much enjoyed his voice. He's a smart mouth as usual, but we also see beyond to the caring, intelligent fey who's deeply in love with Meghan. King Oberon makes an appearance and makes Puck an offer that's difficult to refuse, one that forces him to make an awful choice. Leanansidhe and Queen Titania also appear in the book.

We get a glimpse into how Puck's mind and, though Kagawa has moved on to a new series, I hope that someday she comes back and gives more stories about Puck, from his perspective. This story had bits of humor, after all it's Puck who is telling it, but it's also fast paced, shows us more of the Summer Court, and is entertaining from beginning to end. It captured me from the beginning and held me to the end. It moves the overall story a little but you can read the next, and final, book without having read this one. But I recommend reading it, it's gripping and enjoyable.

I own this ebook.

Review of The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: January 25, 2011
Series: Iron Fey #3
Buying Links: Amazon     The Book Depository

Book Blurb:

*May contain spoilers for previous stories*

My name is Meghan Chase.
 
I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.


This time, there will be no turning back.



Teaser:

I scowled at him. "You could stop reading my emotions every time I turn around," I said, feigning irritation, when in reality my heart was beating so hard I knew he had to feel it. "If it bothers you so much, you could find something else to focus on."

"Can't help it." He sounded annoyingly cavalier, completely self-assured and comfortable, lying there on his back. "The more we're connected to our chosen someone, the more we can pick up on what they're feeling. It's instinctive, like breathing."

"You can't hold your breath?"

'
My Thoughts:

*May contain spoilers for previous stories*

I liked this one very much, it's easily my favorite in the series so far. This was the first time where I really believed in Meghan and Ash's love. Though, I have to say, it creeps me out just a bit that this centuries old elf is lusting after a human teenager. Obviously, when a being is that old, there are going to be age discrepancies when humans and fey get involved. Still, the creepiness of it never quite left my brain while reading and has bothered me since the first book. If I set that aside, I really felt and believed in their love and devotion to each other in this book, whereas I didn't in the previous stories.


A lot happens in this book, and both the story and the action are fast-paced but Kagawa doesn't stint on the character development. There are twists and turns, and even when I guessed where the story was guessing, Kagawa did it in ways I didn't anticipate.We learn more about the Fey world and the Fey themselves and Kagawa brings back some characters from previous books, adding to the overall depth and texture of the world building.

Meghan grew up tremendously in this book, even more so than in books one and two. While still a teen in some respects, she's forced to make some very mature decisions and really think about the consequences of her actions. Now that doesn't mean the book is all doom and gloom but it isn't a light hearted read either. There's depth to this story, but it can also be enjoyed as a romance and an adventure story.

If you have read the prior stories, you HAVE to read this one. It's too good to pass up.

I received an eARC from the publisher for review.

Review of The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Release Date: August 1, 2010
Series: Iron Fey #2
Buying Links: Amazon     The Book Depository

Book Blurb:

*contains spoilers for book one*
 

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.


Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.


Teaser:

No matter how much I wanted a normal life, there would be a part of me that longed for this world, for the magic and wonder of it. It had seeped into my soul and shown me things I'd never thought existed. I couldn't be normal and ignorant ever again, knowing what was out there. As long as I lived, I would always be watching for hidden doors and figures from the corner of my eyes. And for a certain dark prince who could never be mine.

My Thoughts:
 
This book picks up where book one left off. Meghan is on her way to the Winter Court. Ash has withdrawn and is distant, emotionally unavailable. Once they arrive, she hardly sees Ash but his brothers are all too happy to mess with her and make her life miserable. Meghan has trouble adjusting to both the Winter Court, and the Fey way of thinking, both of which cause her problems. Then Ash's brother Rowan sets in motion events that lead to a fight between the Winter and Summer Courts, and to Meghan's escape.

There's action; further development of various relationships, including with Ash and his family, a little romance, and more  about Meghan's abilities as a Fey as well as her slow acceptance of herself as a Fey. Additionally, her loyalty and commitment to see things through lead her into places and actions that she might have avoided otherwise. There are some surprises in the story, some twists and turns, Kagawa does an excellent job of portraying the ruthlessness of the Fey, Winter and Summer. Book two is a solid addition to the series and really moves the story forward.


I borrowed this from my local library.

Review of Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Series: Iron Fey #1.5
Buying Links: Amazon     Barnes & Noble    

Book Blurb:


Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.


Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

An eBook exclusive story from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.



My Thoughts:

I enjoy novellas, they are perfect for a quick read and offer authors a chance to experiment with style or to expand upon a character from a series. But due to their length, they can be a challenge. This one, for me, was a disappointment.


Set in between books one and two, it picks up where book one ended. Meghan is honoring her deal with Ash to accompany him to the Winter Court. Along the way, they visit Puck, who is unchanged since the events in the first book; get chased by the Original Big Bad Wolf, but it turns out to be a misunderstanding; disagree, again, on whether Ash can love Meghan and whether or not Meghan can trust Ash; and eventually end up at the Winter Court. Grimalkin pops in briefly, for no apparent reason and Meghan meets yet another odd, and violent, Winter fey, and that's the entire novella. Basically, nothing happens. Now, on goodreads the story has an average rating of just over four stars so clearly many readers disagree with me, but I felt as if nothing happened: there was no character development, no plot development, and the only forward motion on the story was Meghan's arrival at the Winter Court. Book two is set there and Meghan has adventures there but you can easily skip this story and not miss a thing.


I own this ebook.

Iron Fey Blog Tour Interview with Julie Kagawa

We'd like to thank Julie for stopping by to answer a few questions on her blog tour!

Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California.But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, when she was nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish and the odd eel.

When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.

To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.

Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks is at an all- time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyperactive Papillon.

You can find Julie at her blog,  website, twitter, or facebook, Plus more information about the Iron Fey series here.

What is your favorite part of being an author?

I don’t know if I have a favorite part; I just love it all so much.  This was what I always wanted to do, and now that I’m here, it’s a dream come true for me.  =)

If you could pick one of the characters from The Iron Fey series to have dinner with, who would it be and why?

I’m going to have to go with Ash, because I know he’d at least be polite.  Unlike a certain faery prankster, who might put something in my food or turn the waiter into a hedgehog.  Meghan would also be a good choice, we could catch a movie afterwards.  Grim…not so much; he’d order the most expensive thing on the menu and then turn up his nose at it. 

When you first started this series, with The Iron King, did you know then that there would be multiple books? And did you know you’d want to write them with a changing point of view?

When I first began The Iron King, I knew I wanted to write at least a trilogy, but I left an open ending on the first book in case the publisher didn’t want to buy the whole series.  Fortunately, they did, though I did intend the series just to be a trilogy.  I didn’t think I would write a fourth book from Ash’s POV, but it made the most sense to continue the series with him.

The Iron Knight is the fourth book in the Iron Fey series. Will there be more? What can we look forward to?

Meghan and Ash’s journey has come to a close, but it’s not the end of The Iron Fey series.  In 2012 there will be a new series starring Ethan Chase, Meghan’s little brother, when he is older.