The Iron Knight

Title:  The Iron Knight

Author:  Julie Kagawa

Series:  The Iron Fey #4

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen

Date Published:  October 26, 2011

Genre:  Young Adult, Fantasy

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Ash is determined to be reunited with Meghan, and he will travel to the end of the world to do it. Puck and a few companions join him on his journey. 

-    I keep going back and forth on if I think this book is needed in the series. Yes, because the ending of The Iron Queen left me wondering if Ash and Meghan would ever be together again, and it was a tough loose end to swallow. No, because I don't think this story needed to be a whole novel by itself. I think it could have fit into the collection of novella stories, and I would have been happy. Either way, I'm glad I read this.

-    I loved the trials Ash had to face to find his soul. It made me wonder what really makes us human: frailty, emotions, limitations, etc. It was a cool thing to explore. 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Previous Books in the Series:

  

(covers are linked)

The Iron Queen

Title:  The Iron Queen

Author:  Julie Kagawa

Series:  The Iron Fey #3

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen

Date Published:  January 25, 2011

Genre:  Fantasy, Young Adult

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    This was my favorite book in the series!

-    Meghan and Ash are trying to figure out how to live in exile, but the war between the Iron Fey and the Nevernever isn't over. Whether they like it or not, Meghan and Ash are at the center of the war. Summer and Winter have made a temporary alliance, and they both agree that Meghan is the only one who can bring down the False Iron King. 

-    This was a perfect conclusion to the struggle with the Iron Fey. I didn't know/remember how Meghan saved everyone, but it was awesome to relive it again.

-    I really liked Meghan's character growth in this book. She became more confident, learned to fight, and grew into an amazing leader.

-    I think Ash is a little melodramatic at times, but he is fae, and he really grew on me during this book. I loved his loyalty and dedication to Meghan. He is a perfect knight. 

-    The ending is bitter sweet. I would have been okay with this being the last book, but I appreciate that there is one more book to help wrap up that one heartbreaking loose end.

My Thoughts in a GIF: 

Trigger Warnings:  Mild Violence, Sensuality, Grief

Previous Books in the Series:

(covers are linked)

The Iron Daughter

Title:  The Iron Daughter

Author:  Julie Kagawa

Series:  The Iron Fey #2

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen

Date Published:  July 20, 2010

Genre:  Fantasy, Young Adult

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Again, I am torn between 3 and 4 stars, so 3.5 stars for this one.

-    Meghan Chase is stuck in the winter kingdom surrounded by enemies, and the only friend she thought she had is rarely around or being a total jerk. Things between Summer and Winter are tense, but after the seasonal scepter thing is stolen, war is inevitable. While Summer and Winter are preparing for war, Meghan decides to go after the real culprit, the Iron Fey. Even though Meghan took care of the Iron King, another "ruler" has risen up to take his place. 

-    The characters grew on me during this book. I was more invested in what happened to them and their end goals. I also felt like there was more on the line if they failed. 

-    The beginning and the end are so good. The middle is a tad slow. I don't understand why they had to spend so much time at Leansidhe's house doing nothing.

-    Once again, Grimalkin was hilariously snarky, and probably the most important character in the book. 

-    I did not like the love triangle. I don't think the story needs one. I understand why she has feelings towards Puck, but come on! Ash is obviously the one she loves. Sorry if that is a spoiler. I don't think it is though. 

-    The book sort of suffers from 2nd book syndrome, but the ending is pretty darn fantastic. 

My Thoughts in a GIF: 

Trigger Warnings:  Mild Violence, Grief, Sensuality, Substance

Previous Book in the Series:

(cover is linked)

The Iron King

Title:  The Iron King

Author:  Julie Kagawa

Series:  The Iron Fey #1

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen

Date Published:  January 19, 2010

Genre:  Fantasy, Young Adult

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    I am torn between 3 and 4 stars on this one. It is probably a 3.5 star rating for me. 

-    Meghan Chase is just a regular teen trying to find her way through high school and life. Her reputation at school used to be her biggest worry until her little brother gets kidnapped by a faery king, like what happens to Jennifer Connelly in Labyrinth. She journeys into the Nevernever with her best friend, who turns out to be a faery named Puck. Yes, Puck from A Midsummer's Night Dream. Now she has to travel through a land where everything is trying to eat her and rescue her brother.

-    I first read this in 2014, so it has been a long time since I've journeyed through the Nevernever. I remember really loving these books, but I was worried that 34 year old me wouldn't like the stories as much as 26 year old me. Luckily, the stories have stood the test of time, and I had a lot fun. 

-    I liked Meghan, Puck, and Ash well enough, but there wasn't anything that endeared them to me. I'm hoping that I will warm up to them more as I get better reacquainted throughout the series.

-    The best character is Grimalkin. That cat is hilariously snarky, and I love that he only sticks around because he is amused. 

-    I loved the world of fae that Kagawa has created. I loved what she has taken from mythology, fairy tales, and other literary works. I want to live in the Nevernever. 

-    I am proud to say my reviews have gotten a lot better over the years. If you'd like to see my old (and kind of embarrassing) review, here is a link. 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Trigger Warning:  Some Violence, Bullying

The Iron Knight

Goodreads Synopsis:    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.

My Thoughts:

-    Not my favorite of the series, but it was good. At least I'm not anguishing over the end of The Iron Queen anymore.

-    I wanted an epilogue or something. I want to know how Meghan and Ash are doing!

-    I don't know how I feel about the book being from Ash's perspective. I know this couldn't be from Meghan's POV, but it was weird reading from a new perspective. I loved that Ash was mysterious and quiet. I was always wondering what he was thinking. This book took all that mystery and wondering away. 

-    I like that Ash had to go through this incredible journey to be with Meghan again. He really is a knight in shining armor.

-    I don't know why we needed Puck in this story. I'm glad Ash and Puck were able to put differences aside, but Puck wasn't really needed. I don't understand why Puck would help Ash. He loves Meghan too. Why wasn't he trying to get a soul? I feel like Puck gave up too quickly.

-    I loved the trials. Those darn fey underestimate us humans!

-    The Big Bad Wolf is introduced in this book, and I really liked him. I liked the dynamic between him and Grimalken. 

-    I had a really big problem with the other character that joined our heroes on their journey, but my issues with her were resolved in the end, so I'm happy. 

-    This was a very fitting ending to the Iron Fey series! Well done!

Previous Iron Fey Books:

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  

The Iron Queen

Goodreads Synopsis:    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.

My Thoughts:

-    THIS WAS AWESOME! The ending is SO epic! This is definitely my favorite in the series. 

-    I had a total girly gushing moment when Ash became Meghan's knight. 

-    I really love that Meghan learned how to fight. Her whole character development has been awesome. She is so strong and confident now. She doesn't need to rely on Ash or Puck, and I think she grew more in this book than she did in the previous two. 

-    Ash was getting a bit too possessive and protective, and it was making me gag and roll my eyes, but the issue was addressed, which surprised me. I'm really impressed that Ash and Meghan hashed that out. They respect and love each other. Their relationship rocks!  

-    I think it is really unfair to keep bringing Ariella up. Okay, we get that it was a hard thing for Ash, now move on! Bringing up old girlfriends is never a good idea in a new relationship.

-    I had no idea how the battle between the Fey and the Iron kingdom would be solved. I was surprised at the end, and I love being surprised.

-    My heart aches for Ash! Dang it Meghan!!

-    I liked learning more about the Iron Kingdom, and I have a new found respect for it. Obviously it wasn't going to go away, but it isn't evil either. The gremlins were fun.

-    The false king's castle is totally Howl's castle. 

-    Puck kinda bugged me in this book. His jokes go a little too far, and he was a major third wheel. 

-    The battles were a thrill. It reminded me of some of the Lord of the Ring battles. I loved the chaos, and I think the author did a nice job of writing the action scenes. 

-    Oh the ending! I could feel my heart thumping in my chest, and I had to remind myself to breathe. AH! I'm dying! I need the next book NOW!

Previous Iron Fey Books:

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

 

The Iron Daughter

Goodreads Synopsis:    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.

My Thoughts:

-    The beginning of the book starts out a bit slow, but it picks up after a few chapters, and kept my attention the rest of the way. 

-    The development for some of the characters was great! I really liked Ironhorse and where his decisions and dedication led him.

-    I don't like the love triangle in the story. I wish Puck was just a friend. I felt like Meghan was just leading him on, and it wasn't fair.  

-    The action and fighting were really fun. I love how detailed the author gets with all the battles. 

-    Soooooo Meghan's "powers" start showing a bit, and the things she can do are crazy!

-    I really like the contrast between the summer and winter fey. The different styles and things are very interesting to me.

-    Obviously there are two more books and the story continues, but I really enjoyed the ending to this one, and I was satisfied. I'm sure the Fey are not done with Meghan.

Series Info:

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

The Iron King

Goodreads Synopsis:    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.

My Thoughts:

-    This was better than I expected. I was expecting a sort of fantasy, but instead I got a fun paranormal. 

-    The story is like a combination of Labyrinth, Paranomalcy, Eyes Like Stars, and Alice in Wonderland.

-    I guess it would help make the story more awesome if you are familiar with A Midsummer's Night Dream. I am not, but I still understood it and enjoyed it.

-    I liked the characters a lot. I think Meghan was a typical teenage girl. She was a bit whiny at times, but I liked her overall. Ash and Puck were fun characters. Neither stole my heart, but they were fun. My favorite was Grim. I love that cat!

-    I won't say who or how, but that was not a very believable death. Of course they weren't dead!

-    I really liked the Nevernever. I thought the author did awesome creating this paranormal world. It sounds beautiful.

-    I liked how everything resolved, but I'm eager for more!