{Book Review} The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey #4
Genre: YA Fantasy
Paperback, 1st Edition, 394 pages
Published October 26th 2011 by Harlequin TEEN
Source: Library
Rating: 5/5 Stars

Buy: Amazon, Kindle, The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary:
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.

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My Opinion: (Warning: minor spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk)

The Iron Knight is a wonderful finale to The Iron Fey series. Three words to describe what I felt about the book: I LOVE IT! There are just so many reasons. I've really, really, really enjoyed Meghan and Ash's tough journeys and see their development. The Iron Queen is probably the best of the series since they are so many lovely moments between them. *wistful sigh* But they were separated in the end because Ash couldn't withstand being in the Iron realm without being hurt, so Meghan banished him. I was totally heartbroken! Fear not, The Iron Knight gave me hope of them being together again. It didn't disappoint me.

The Iron Knight is from our beloved Prince Ash's POV. We get to follow him on his dangerous journey to find a way to gain a soul and become human so that he can go back to Meghan and to fulfill his promise to her. Things will not be interesting if our witty Puck is not around. It's always amusing to read their scenes. Oh Puck, you are just so funny at times. I love your wit! So, the duo set off to find their guide to wherever they need to go for Ash to get his soul. As their journey continues, more friends joined them and together, they journey together to the End of the World. 

Great story, great characters, great friendship, great surprises and a wonderful love story of a Prince who gave up his everything just to be the only one he loves. I love reading from Ash's POV, to get into his thoughts and know more about him and his internal struggles when faced with the surprise. It's a wonderful ending for a wonderful series and I recommend this book (and series) to anyone who loves faeries and icy prince.

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Quotes:

• “My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl.” 
• There is nothing more terrible than a spurned faery queen, particularly if you defy her a second time. I escaped the Winter Court with my life intact, but just barely, and I won't be returning anytime soon. My loyalty - and my heart - belongs to another queen now.
• "Mercy is for the weak… let me show you how much of an Unseelie I still am

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My reviews for other books in the series:

#1 The Iron King

#1.5 Winter's Passage

#2 The Iron Daughter

#3 The Iron Queen

#3.5 Summer's Crossing

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(Review) Summer's Crossing (Iron Fey #3.5) by Julie Kagawa

Summer's Crossing (Iron Fey #3.5) by Julie Kagawa
Published June 1st 2011 by Harlequin Teen
ebook, 72 pages
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Overdrive
Rating: 5/5 stars


Buy: Amazon Kindle, Kobobooks

Goodreads Summary:
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 Opinion:
What a surprise! Something from Puck's POV! I gladly devoured the book within a few minutes. Dear Puck... It's so refreshing to read from his witty POV and read him try to tempt and annoy Ash. Well, in Summer's Crossing, you get to read the RARE chance of the two of them working together. But wait, will someone be betrayed and hurt?

I'm totally looking forward to reading The Iron Knight, told in Ash's POV. Go Team Ash! <3

Quotes:

• “A violin?” I echoed, making a face. “Really? You’re calling in a favor for that? What, you don’t want to wait until you’ve lost a pipe organ or something?”
• 
  
• “Worry not, ice-boy. I already have a plan.” I flashed him my best impish smile, rubbing my hands together. “One brilliant Goodfellow prank, coming right up.”

About the author: Julie Kagawa
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 are 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 hyper-active Papillon puppy.

Click here to read Julie's full profile on her website.

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(Review) The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3) by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3) by Julie Kagawa
Published January 25th 2011 by Harlequin Teen
Paperback 358 pages
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Overdrive ebook
Rating: 5/5 Stars!


Buy: Amazon, Book Depository


Goodreads Summary:
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 Opinion:
Julie Kagawa didn't disappoint me in book 3. In the last book, Meghan and Ash ended up exiled by their own courts for refusing to renounce their love for each other after a fierce battle to reclaim the sceptor of the season which was stolen from Winter's care by Iron Feys. This book is a continuation from where book 2 left off. So Meghan and Ash were on their own and were planning to return to human world but found a surprise attack just outside Meghan's house by Iron Feys. She was convinced that she would have to take on the Fake Iron King to stop all these attacks as well as the increasing iron pollution in Nevernever.

If you have enjoyed book 1 and 2, you will love this book. This book is where all the emotions come into play and we get to read something more going on between Meghan and Ash (finally!). There's still lots of actions and danger in the book which I have enjoyed. I think I'm crazy but I find myself liking how this books ends with tragic emotions. Nope, no spoilers for you and I'm not going to say more. Oh! And we get to learn Ash's full name! (which I do not know how to pronounce... sad huh...)

I forgot to mention about Puck! Dear Puck! Still as amusing as ever and pleasing to read. Tension between Puck and Ash isn't as much as previous two books and I guess that's probably because of Meghan. When there's Puck, there's always funny scenes. Love funny scenes. Makes me giggle like crazy.

So, if you have already read The Iron King and The Iron Daughter, be sure to read The Iron Queen! You won't regret! Now I need to get my hands on The Iron Knight! Go Team Ash!

Quotes:

• “But ... but what if I hit you?”
  A snort. “You’re not going to hit me.”
  “How do you know?” I bristled at his amused tone. “I could hit you. Even master swordsmen make mistakes. I could get a lucky shot, or you might not see me coming. I don’t want to hurt you.”
  He favored me with another patient look. “And how much experience do you have with swords and weapons in general?”
  “Um.” I glanced down at the saber in my hand. “Thirty seconds?”
  He smiled, that calm, irritatingly confident smirk. “You’re not going to hit me.”
  
  
• “Looks like nobody’s home,” Puck said, turning in a slow circle. “Hellooooooooo? Anybody here?”
  “Be quiet, Goodfellow,” Ash growled, peering into the shadows with narrowed eyes. “We’re not alone.”
  “Yeah? How do you figure that, prince? I don’t see anyone.”
  “The cait sith has disappeared.”
  “ … Crap.”
  
  
• "... Let it be known--from this day forth, I vow to protect Meghan Chase, daughter of the Summer King, with my sword, my honor, and my life. Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. Should even the world stand against her, my blade will be at her side. And should it fail to protect her, let my own existence be forfeit. This I swear, on my honor, my True Name, and my life. From this day on..." His voice went even softer, but I still heard it as though he whispered it into my ear. "I am yours.”
  

Book Trailer:


About the author: Julie Kagawa
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 are 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 hyper-active Papillon puppy.

Click here to read Julie's full profile on her website.

Stalk her!
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Blog
Twitter
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Review: The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2) by Julie Kagawa

Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: August 1, 2010
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Rating: 5/5 Stars!
Buy: Amazon, Book Depository

Goodreads Summary:
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 Opinion
The second book is all about Meghan Chase and her stay in the Unseelie Court, a deal she made with Ash for helping her to save her brother Ethan. Meghan met the Winter Queen, together with the Princes and Ash turned out to be very cold to her, much to her shock and hurt. Many things happened and the elder prince wound up dead when several Iron Fey came to steal the Sceptor of Seasons, handed over to the Unseelie Court from the Seelie Court as it was the time for winter. Queen Mab blames Oberon for the theft and declared war against the Seelie Court. Ash helped Meghan escape and was considered a traitor for helping the enemy and harming one of his own... Will they be able to recover the Sceptor before everything was too late?

I was confused by Ash behavior towards Meghan. Weren't they supposed to be together? That was what I really thought and I can't help myself and fume on behalf of Meghan, not that she wasn't hurt by his actions. Imagine my relief when the reason was later revealed. Julie Kagawa did a really good job with the emotions and the scenes. Book 2 of Iron Fey series is action-packed and a total page turner. I really couldn't put down the book once I started it and it was the same for the first book as well. The total unpredictable nature of the story keeps me on the edge of my chair and propelled me to turn the pages to find out what would happen next. If you have enjoyed The Iron King, you will LOVE this book.

Quotes
- “I seem to remember a certain someone swearing that she couldn't dance at all. Obviously I must have been with her twin sister, because i was expecting you to step on my toes all night. Been taking lessons, Princess?"

- Puck threw Ash a mocking smile. “You look like crap, Prince. Did you miss
me?”
Ash frowned, stabbing a faery that was clawing at his feet. “What are you
doing here, Goodfellow?” he asked coldly, which only caused Puck’s grin to widen.
“Rescuing the princess from the Winter Court, of course.” Puck looked down
as the wire-fey piled on the squealing boar, ripping and slicing. It exploded into a pile of leaves,
and they skittered back in confusion. “Though it appears I’m saving your sorry ass, as well.”
“I could’ve handled it.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” Puck brandished a pair of curved daggers, the blades clear as
glass. His grin turned predatory. “Well, then, shall we get on with it? Try to keep up, Your
Highness.”
“Just stay out of my way.”

- “Well, this should be easy, then.” Puck smirked. “We’ll just stroll in the front door, waltz up to Virus, grab the scepter, have some tea and save the world before breakfast. Silly me, thinking it would be hard.”

Review: Winter's Passage (Iron Fey #1.5) by Julie Kagawa

Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Format: ebook
Source: Overdrive
Rating: 4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:
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 Opinion
Four chapters showing a little of what happened after the defeat of The Iron King. Yes, Ash did show up to claim Meghan as per their contract. However, Meghan had one more request--to see Puck before they went to the Winter Count. And they realized they were being pursued...

As action packed as The Iron King plus there's more emotions going on between the two characters there. Lovely! Just what I need as I wait for the arrival of my copy of The Iron Daughter.

This is a series that I'll definitely fall in love with. I already have.

4/5 stars for Winter's Passage. If only it was longer...


Teasers:
- Ash glared at me in exasperation. "But you keep threatening to fall off the horse, and I can't keep reaching back to make sure you're still on." He motioned to the front of the saddle. "We're switching places. Move forward."

- Because the bridge was ice, it was perfectly clear; I felt I was walking out over nothing, seeing the dizzying fall right beneath my feet. My foot slipped...

- "Dammit, Meghan," he snarled, grabbing both my arms. "I am not going to lose you this close to home. Get up!"

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Review - The Iron King (Iron Fey #1) by Julie Kagawa

Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: February 1, 2010
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought! (I didn't regret buying it!)
Rating: 5/5 Stars <3

Goodreads Summary:
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 Opinion
A book that deserves to be praised!

If you think this is just another Fae story, you are so wrong. There's nothing normal about this book. This book is exceptional! I was totally captivated from the moment I started chapter 1 and I just couldn't stop reading it. Yes, I literally finished it in one sitting. It's an amazing book. Let me tell you why.

This book is totally action-packed--from Meghan facing the Changeling to going to Nevernever to save her half-brother Ethan with her good friend Robbie Goodfell (or later known as Robin Goodfellow or Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream). Then she met up with the Erlking, Oberon, who turned out to be her real father. And more action from there on. (no spoilers for you!)

The pace of the story is great, slowly advancing from one scene to another with great vivid details. I'm charmed by Puck's witty dialogue and Ash's icy surface. There seemed to be something deep going on between the two guys, who seemed to be going for each other's throat whenever they could. (Again, no spoilers for you!) Anyway, the main bulk of the story focuses on these three great characters. All I can say is that this is one great and brave journey for Meghan to save her own half-brother at the expense of whatever she has. Truly, this is a great book and there's never a dull moment in there.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Fantasy.

Full 5/5 Stars for The Iron King.

I'm looking forward to reading The Iron Daughter (book 2 of The Iron Fey series)


Teasers:
- As I straightened and started to turn around, something moved out of the corner of my eye. I caught a glimpse of a figure hiding behind Ethan's bedroom door, its pale eyes watching me through the crack. (Page 15)

- "Oh, we're playing nice now?" Puck remained seated, looking anything but compliant. "Shall we have tea first? Brew up a nice pot of kiss-my-ass?"

- "Interesting," he mused. "That thing stinks of iron and steel, and yet it does not burn you. I suppose being half-human has perks, after all."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Mmm. Toss it to Ash, would you?"
"No!" Ash stepped back, his hand going to his sword. Grimalkin smiled.
"You see? Even the mighty Winter prince cannot stand the touch of iron..."

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