Book Review: The Iron Knight - Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey #4)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: October 25th 2011

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN

Age Group: Young Adult

Source: Bought

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

My name - my True Name - is Ashallayn’ darkmyr Tallyn. I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her. My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

To cold 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 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. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Now this is how you end a series. The Iron Knight provided all the closure I could wish for - although the novella Iron's Prophecy ruins all of that, not that I'm complaning - and it just made me a very happy fan. The book kept all the unpredictability and constant thrill of the previous books, but for some reason it was just... better.

Even if it takes a hundred years, I will be with her in the end.

I'd known that it was written in Ash's POV but that didn't truly sink in until I had already started reading. In the first three books, Ash felt like an enigma, even when he had already opened up to Meghan, so to be able to enter his head was so much fun. His cool, indifferent facade as the Winter prince hid all his confusion and worry, but here he was finally an open book. And although I've always known him to be strong, the strength he showed in this book was just something different, something more substantial, because it was his inner strength.

Before reading this, I thought Ash wanted to become an Iron faery - don't know where I got that idea since that didn't turn out so well for his brother Rowan - so when I learned of what he was really planning... wow. I didn't even know it was possible, but of course love can make anything possible. If Ash was going to be with Meghan in the Iron realm, he had to earn something while giving up the identity he'd known his entire life, and for someone of his stature, that sure took a lot of guts and determination.

Being away from Meghan took its toll on Ash, but I have to admit that it was more than nice and enjoyable seeing him alone with Puck, Grim, another ally who I shall not name because I seriously did not expect him to enter the picture, and her. Jesus. As if Ash needed something more to add to his confusion. At one point I even got the notion that he was only going on his quest because of the oath he swore to Meghan that he'd find a way to be with her. One thing's for sure: Julie Kagawa sure knows how and when to pull her plot twists. And to torture her characters.

Packed with equal parts action and emotion, The Iron Knight is a worthy conclusion for this series. I don't imagine anyone would be disappointed because it's just that good. I have loads of love for the epilogue, but I'm not sure if I'll be reading the Call of the Forgotten series anytime soon because I hate waiting! >_<;

MY FAVORITE PART was Ash and Puck going fishing in the River of Dreams =))

RATING:

Book Review: The Iron Legends - Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Legends (The Iron Fey #1.5, #3.5, #4.5)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: August 28th 2012

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN

Age Group: Young Adult

Source: Gifted by my lovely sister <3

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Summer, Winter, Iron.
Together at last.

Dangerous faeries. Heartbreaking romance. Thrilling action and limitless adventure. The world of the fey has never been so powerful. This collection includes three novellas set in the world of The Iron Fey plus the expanded Guide to the Nevernever and exclusive information about Julie Kagawa's unforgettable world of Faery.

WINTER'S PASSAGE

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...

I reckon I should have read this before I read the second book, and I can't remember why I didn't. Anyway, this novella picks up shortly after The Iron King, when Ash and Meghan's relationship was still new, the restraints of their origins still strong, and that's why Ash's hot-one-second-then-cold-the-next attitude irritated me all over again. His struggle was easy to see, though, and it's not like I can hate the Winter prince for long.

It was inevitable that she keep her promise, but I still admired Meghan's determination in following through with the deal she made with Ash to save her little brother. She never once tried to escape - although it would have been futile - and I think that's really one of her strengths: her honor. 

For a novella, this one had a lot of suspense as the two tried to run from an unknown pursuer, and as always, Julie Kagawa knows how to surprise. Winter's Passage also offered a nice look into the faery world that deepened what I already knew about it. Overall, this is my least favorite of the three novellas in this series, but that doesn't mean it disappointed in any way.

MY FAVORITE PART was Meghan visiting Puck </3

RATING:

 

SUMMER'S CROSSING

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.

You have no idea how much I giggled when I realized this was written in Puck's POV. We finally get a glimpse into just what goes on inside our beloved prankster's head, and what's even more entertaining was the fact that he was alone with Ash. (I do love their banters.)

"One brilliant Goodfellow prank, coming right up."

With Ash enlisting Puck's help in fulfilling a deal he made, I expected the crazy, funny shenanigans that would ensue, but definitely not how crazy and funny it would be. I remember reading this in bed during the Easter weekend and laughing my head off at nine in the morning. This novella was a reminder how amusingly fierce Puck could be, and I sure wouldn't want him as an enemy.

I am solid in Team Ash, but Puck quietly pining for Meghan still made my heart ache. Even when the chance came up, I never once thought that he'd be tempted to betray Ash so he could have her for himself, because that's just not how Robin Goodfellow works. And as was to be expected, this is my favorite of the three novellas!

MY FAVORITE PART was, uh, "Sir Torin" flirting with Titania =))

RATING:

 

IRON'S PROPHECY

Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey - and her and Ash’s unborn child…

This novella made me believe that Julie Kagawa does not understand the meaning of "happily ever after". Just couldn't leave Ash and Meghan at peace, eh? Jesus. (Lol just kidding. Kind of ;D)

Here in Iron's Prophecy, we see Meghan living her new life as the Iron Queen. She has Ash by her side, and for the meantime the three other faery rulers - Oberon, Titania, and Mab - are leaving her alone... until the Oracle enters the scene with a dire warning that puts everyone to unrest.

The prophecy itself was a tad bit vague, so I'm really curious as to how Meghan and Ash's son could bring about the end of the courts and how Meghan's brother Ethan ties in with all of that, but I will try to put off reading the Call of the Forgotten books because I hate waiting. Let's see how long I can avoid them.

MY FAVORITE PART was the old gang teaming up for another, albeit short, adventure!

RATING:

Book Review: The Iron Queen - Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey #3)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: January 25th 2011

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN

Age Group: Young Adult

Source: Bought

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

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.

I didn't think it possible to love this series even more, but that was before I read The Iron Queen. HOLY CRABSTICKS. It took everything I enjoyed from the previous two books and multiplied them by ten, equating to action plus adventure to the hundredth degree

Meghan and Ash's exile to the human world is cut short when they realize that she can't go back to her family to continue her old life, not without endangering everyone around them, and their time away from Faerie is ultimately ended when the Seelie and Unseelie courts enlist Meghan's help to end the false Iron King who is threatening to take over their land.

Meghan has always left much to be desired when it comes to her actions. She's impulsive and, frankly, a teeny tiny bit stupid, but she's undergone a ton of character development in the first two books without losing her selflessness. Here in the third book, she finally learns something I've long been hoping she would: fighting. She's no longer satisfied with being guarded and kept safe; now, she's jumping right into the midst of danger.

So good thing she has Ash, Puck, and Grim beside her. The four of them together is entertaining and formidable as ever, and even when they have their squabbles, they always have each other's backs.

"For this conflict only, we will carry you and your officers into battle. Afterward, our contract is done, and you will release us."

"Oh, goodie," Puck said as I stepped forward. "I'm going to have a rash in the most uncomfortable places."

I was also glad to see Puck being his old self, not bitter and angry because Meghan chose Ash over him. He's taken the friendship she offers him in stride, but not without pestering the royal couple who, by the way, made my heart ache multiple times. If you're still unsure of their love by the end of the second book, then you should lose all of your questions when you read this one.

Twisty and unpredictable, The Iron Queen took me on an even better ride than the first two books. It's very hard to put down and very easy to devour. If I didn't know about the fourth book and the spin-off series, that ending would have made me cry even more ugly tears.

MY FAVORITE PART was the knighting scene ♥

RATING:

Book Review: The Iron Daughter - Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey #2)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: August 1st 2010

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN

Age Group: Young Adult

Source: Bought

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

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.

Hi there, The Iron Daughter. Please sit down and tell me what I can help you with. What, second book syndrome? Yes, I know what that is, and I can assure you that you don't have even a single one of its symptoms. None, nada, zilch.

At the end of this review, you'll see a rating of 4.5—why not a perfect 5, you ask? That's thanks to Meghan and the tsunamis of irritation she gave me. There were a lot of times when she reverted back to the clueless, helpless girl she'd been when the first book started, like she hadn't learned anything from the traumatizing events she'd gone through. Also, like in The Iron King, she simply went along for the ride, with decision-making being her biggest part in the mission because fighting and Meghan? Not a good combination (unless it's the climax, in which case her "strong fae powers" never fail to come out). And she even had the nerve to complain that she'd already sacrificed a lot, but, please, not her dear Winter prince, too! To her credit, though, she never lost sight of her goals and priorities.

I would kill him. If he hurt Ethan or Mom in any way, I would put a knife through his heart myself, even if I was sobbing my eyes out while I did it.

It seems like for every Iron Fey book, I'd feel the need to dedicate an entire paragraph or two to the romance, so here it goes. There's no doubt about Ash being swoon-worthy and all, especially with that mothereffing stud in his ear (it's just a thing I have with guys), but his relationship with Meghan still felt rushed. Considering all they'd been through together—particularly Ash's short douchebag stint—it just wasn't believable for them to be so head-over-heels in love with each other. But don't worry, because I assure you that this book's ending will have you waving flags for this ship.

Which leaves dear Puck as the poor third side of the triangle. Like I said, I now ship Meghan/Ash, arguable histories aside, but I'd still choose Puck over Ash. Any. Day. He was his usual hilarious self here in TID, but with that hint of sexy menace. 

"Robin Goodfellow is an expert at dancing around the truth."
"Oh, look who's talking. If you're not an expert at screwing people over, I'll eat my head."

My heart just broke when he realized that Meghan's heart was a lost cause; refer to Damon Salvatore pre-season three of The Vampire Diaries.

We also see so much more of the fae world here in the second book. The world that Julie Kagawa created was just teeming with possibilities, and she didn't let any of those go to waste. The Iron Daughter is more fast-paced than its predecessor, but still unreletentingly bloody, funny, and twisty, and I'm just itching to pick up the next book.

MY FAVORITE PART was

"If you are going to do that, would you mind not jostling the bed so much?" came a sarcastic voice near the headboard. "Perhaps you could roll around on the floor."

=))

RATING:

Book Review: The Iron King - Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron King (The Iron Fey #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: February 1st 2010

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN

Age Group: Young Adult

Source: Bought

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

With over seventy thousand ratings on Goodreads, it's safe to say that The Iron King is one of the superstars in the YA world, but what makes this book extra-special for me is the fact that it involves creatures also present in my first-ever attempt at writing a book: fairies/faeries/fey/fay/however-you-wanna-call-them. Having read this now, though, I'm glad that WIP hasn't seen the light of day for more than a year now.

At first, The Iron King had me worried because it did take a while for the plot to go full speed ahead, and Meghan didn't turn out to be as Hermione-smart as I'd expected her to be. Being smitten by the cliche douchebag jock? Ugh. But Julie Kagawa obviously knows how to do her job because even though I practically rolled my eyes at every page thanks to Meghan's initial incompetence, I still found myself unable to stop from turning the pages. And everything only got better when I reached part two.

One of the things I loved most about this book was its take on fairy lore. It was both original and not, being loosely based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream—a nice surprise, by the way, because it's one of my favorite plays—and kind of reminding me of the Harry Potter world with how different species of magical creatures co-existed. The fey was a fascinating mystery that slowly unraveled as Meghan got deeper in to her adventure into their world. 

Now, the romance. There's an obvious love triangle that Meghan's unaware of as Puck was yet to man up and declare his feelings, which only pushed Meghan into Ash's arms. I have to admit, I didn't like how quickly Meghan and Ash's relationship moved from glaring and threatening to hugging and holding hands and kissing. It was by no means insta-love, thank heavens, because even though she got tingles from his icy good looks, Meghan ran away like hell was after her when Ash said that he meant to kill her. Despite making me raise an eyebrow, though, I'd be lying if I say they didn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. There's just something about a forbidden romance that always gets to me.

The Iron King is no short book by any means, but the pages just flew by as I devoured this story with its colorful cast of characters, intricate world-building, and plot with many twists and turns. Meghan's adventure to rescue her baby brother was crazy, fast-paced, and led to a satisfying, realistic ending that has me eager to pick up the second book.

MY FAVORITE PART was Elysium ;3

RATING:

Book Review: The Eternity Cure - Julie Kagawa

Title: The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: April 30th 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Newly-turned vampire Allison Sekemoto must follow the call of blood, like breadcrumbs, to save her sire and mentor Kanin from Sarren, the psychotic vampire holding him captive. The trail leads Allie to her old home in New Covington and the Fringe, but there’s no time for nostalgia.

A new strain of Red Lung—the insidious virus that decimated the human population decades ago—has emerged. This time, it’s fatal to vampires, too. A cure might be among Kanin’s many secrets—if Allie can reach him in time.

But when the brave, fearless human boy she left safely behind re-enters her life, Allie is torn between the remnants of her humanity and the bloodthirst that consumes her. How can two people so different feel so much for each other? One was born good. The other was reborn a monster. It’s a love as undeniable as it is impossible.

Right from page one, I knew The Eternity Cure has outdone The Immortal Rules. The story opened better, with immediate action that prevented me from putting the book down.

In this book, I got to see the side of Allie that I'd wanted to witness in the first one: an unapologetically ruthless vampire. That's not to say that she had lost the good in her, but only that, when called for, she utilized her vampiric capabilities without thinking "Oh I can't kill this person even though he's made my life completely miserable." She knew what and who she wanted, and she was determined to keep them, all consequences be damned.

The other characters are not to be overlooked, as well. There's Jackal, whose totally unforeseen team-up with Allie brought about a lot of bantering, which, thinking about it now, were the only reprieves in this grim book. Then there's Kanin, who proved to be not entirely formidable. And I may be overthinking or something, but I just feel like he'll be, or at least try to be, more than a mentor and a father figure to Allie in the third book—a ship waiting to float, yes. And then there were Prince Salazar, Sarren, and Stick, in my personal who-I'd-love-to-stab-in-the-eye order.

One of the surprises in here was Zeke coming back into Allie's life—or maybe because I started reading this without bothering to even glance at the blurb, haha. Anyway, their romance didn't become the reprieve I'd thought it would be because as if Allie didn't have enough on her hands already, what with rescuing Kanin and finding the cure, she also had to constantly worry about Zeke, whose being human inevitably made him weak against Allie's vampire acquaintances, both enemy or friend. Still, I liked that the romance got more time in the limelight than it had in the first book because it provided even more chances to see what Allie's really made of and for her character to develop.

And as if the fast pace wasn't enough, The Eternity Cure was also packed with a ton of unexpected twists. Up until the end, Julie Kagawa kept me on the edge of my seat, never giving her pitiful characters any break from her cruelty. I can go on and on about how amazing this sequel was, but I'll end this with I need The Forever Song ASAP!

MY FAVORITE PART was the ending. It was just so damn explosive and heart-breaking and ugh.

RATING:

Book Review: The Immortal Rules - Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: April 24th 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness….

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

As I've mentioned in this review, I didn't enjoy the prequel novella to this book, but thank heavens The Immortal Rules, although not as good as I'd hoped it would be, was still better.

The Immortal Rules was divided into four parts. The first dragged on with some clutter which I found hard to get past—like, I get it, Allie has a hard life, let's get a move on. Thankfully, the reprieve came in the second part, when Allie Turned. This triggered more action and suspense, and honestly, I had no idea where the story would go after this part, which was very good because I love unpredictability in my fiction.

Sadly, as all reprieves do, the thrill was cut short with the third part when Allie hid her true self to join a band of humans who were looking for Eden, a place said to be free from vampires. The plot went on aimlessly, lengthening the book unnecessarily (almost 500 pages). But as part four kicked in, the story picked up again, although I still had a hard time finishing it.

But what the pace lacked was made up for by the world-building. It was thorough but just enough to never feel like an info dump, and Julie Kagawa created a future Earth so violent and deadly that it could drive everyone, both vampire and human, to become the worst version of themselves. Add to that the vampire-zombies called "rabids", and this is certainly a world I would never want to be transported into.

Aside from that, I also loved Allie. She was fierce and determined, even before she became a vampire. When she Turned, she was on a constant struggle to keep the monster in her under control, and, save for a few slips, she succeeded. She chose to keep every little bit of humanity she had left, and I really admired her for that. She was also realistic and practical, never making me facepalm.

An inevitable romance was sprinkled in the last quarter or so of the book, but it was developed really well so I have no qualms about that. The last 20% of this book saved it for me, and I'm satisfied with how it ended. And even though I wasn't awed, I'm still looking forward to reading the sequel next week.

MY FAVORITE PART was the ending.

RATING:

(cover and blurb from Goodreads.com)