1.24.2011

Julie Kagawa Week: The Iron King


 
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Date: February 2010
Series or Standalone: First in series
ISBN: 978-0373210084
Format: Paperback, 368 pages
Description:
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.

First line: Ten years ago, on my sixth birthday, my father disappeared.

I’m don’t read many books about the Fae. It’s not personal—and I’ve tried on numerous occasions—but I can’t do it. There are a couple that I’ve picked up a few times and still not succeeded. There was even one I read the entire first book and attempted the second but couldn’t. I don’t know why that is. I like faeries, I just haven’t had much luck reading the books about them. When I was bullied into reading The Iron King, I went into it open-minded, though I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Is anyone surprised that I was wrong?

I was hooked from the first line of this story. Meghan lost her dad and then spent the last ten years feeling invisible to her family. The only people who’ve ever noticed her are best friend Robbie, the prankster extraordinaire and best friend, and her four-year-old brother, Ethan. (And the dog, of course.) That’s why when things get weird at home and at school, her only option is to learn the truth about her heritage. That truth: she’s Oberon’s daughter. Yup, the Oberon. And now, with the help of Robbie—who’s also known as Puck—she enters the faery world to save someone she loves.

Her journey through the Nevernever (part of the faery world) is full of great imagery and description. I feel as if I’m there with her, seeing what she’s seeing and experiencing this magical world. It’s a unique story when the added mystery of the Iron Fey come into play. I like the ideas behind it and the way it all develops. Plus, the story is full of great characters. I’m not a huge fan of Meghan but since she’s the main character, I am forced to like her just a little—I just like her sidekicks a little more. Grimalkin is hilarious and I really liked that darn cat. I also liked Puck, as he provided great commentary. I laughed a lot during this book.

The best part of the book? Ash. I mean, he’s a prince so he automatically wins. He’s dark and has a snarky sense of humor. He’s smoldering and swoon-worthy. I’m in. I’m totally in. Even if this book sucked (which it did not) I would still read it just for him. That’s how much I grew to love him. Luckily, it was so fabulous that I got to enjoy the whole story and the characters and the plot twists.

Ash was the ice cream on the proverbial cake.

And my, my, my what good cake it was.

4 comments:

  1. Your review of this is so stellar, it's on the TBR list. Thank you!

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  2. i would just like to point out that this cover is AWESOME and beautiful and gives me an incredible urge to stick my hand into the computer and take this book. must. read. sooooooooooo beautiful.

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  3. Great review. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. I haven't had much luck with finding a good novel about fae--but this could be the one. I already like Ash from your review.

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