The Iron Fey #3: The Iron Knight

Feel like saying thousand thank you(s) to netgalley. If I had never gotten the email alert all those months back that they were putting a galley of it there, then I would never have picked up the Iron Fey series from my 'to-be-read' pile so soon. Thank you netgalley and thank you to the publisher for putting it on there. May I present an early review of the upcoming book in The Iron Fey #4 The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa.

Here is the review of the book:

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.
As I stated above if not for netgalley I never would have picked up the Iron fey books from my tbr pile so soon......and to think would have missed out on so much. So lets get on with the review then. The Iron Knight picks up straight where the Iron Queen and upto some extent Summer's Crossing finishes.

After the defeat of the false king Meghan has taken over or well accepted her destiny as the sovereign ruler of the Iron Court and in order to save her beloved Ash, who had sworn to be her knight had banished to save him from being poisoned by the Iron. Why? Because Iron is a kryptonite for the oldworld fey and Ash belongs to the Unseelie Court. In doing so not only is she saving Ash but also sacrifice her love for him(or so she thinks).

But all is not over Ash has sworn that some way or another he would be with her in the end and would do anything in his power to get his happy ending with Meghan.

And this journey is what we find within the pages of The Iron Knight. Ash along with Puck, Grimalkin and a certain "hunter" take the most peculiar adventure through Nevernever. What do they search for? A way for Ash to be with Meghan without the iron interfering between them. A jorney for Ash to gain a soul. A journey that stands the test of time for many have tried but failed. So can Ash, Puck, Grimalkin and "the hunter"succeed what had never been achieved?

The very first page of the book quotes "Team Ash, This one is for you" and for all those Team Ash it is. While Meghan was sorely missed (although is in background here) but we understand The Iron Queen was the conclusion to her story but for Ash it was just beginning.

The Iron Knight offers us a glimpse of the complexity that is Ash. We get to see in Ash's mind, his struggles to attain his promise that he had made to Meghan, his dark past, the nature of his relationship to Puck and with his past lover Ariella. For an Unseelie prince it is weakness to show emotion and Ash knows it. Not only is he loyal but there are true horrors in his past that he definitely never shares with anyone. Never giving in to his inner darkness ever.

You all might even start questioning if Ash deserves redemption or not. His journey is a lot more that just finding his soul but becoming somebody else entirely. The harrowing steps of his journey break the Winter Ash bit by bit and out leaves an Ash who is free of the burdens of the past.

Not just Ash but Puck also comes entirely as a new person here. When Ariella died he lost not one but two of his dear friends and inspite of lashing out he has held the pain inside and as you say it 'taking it in turns'. Puck is as fun loving as he is loyal and Iron Knight shows us a rather very serious side of him. Grim is still the same as ever with his cat-ly annoying "know-it-all" attitude.

Julie Kagawa is the boss....for this definitely does not disappoint in the slightest. Twists and turns, coming to terms with your past, resolving centuries long enemity and seeing your promise till the end. This book definitely does not disappoint.

The Iron Fey #3: The Iron Knight

The Iron Fey #3.5: Summer's Crossing

Finally gaining some ground on Puck. I present before you all The Iron Fey #3.5 Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa.

Here is the summary of the novella:

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.

Summer's Crossing is a bridging gap between 'The Iron Queen' and 'The Iron Knight' and in Puck's point of view. Ash has too many debts needed to be paid off and one comes to collect her side of the contract. It is the duty of the fey to complete their sides of the contract and Ash must follow even if it means entering enemy realms to retrieve stolen items or being or anything as required. And for that he needs his once-friend-now-turned-enemy Puck's help. But true to his nature and little nudge from his master Puck has decided to lay trouble in Ash's way of going through his end of the deal. Both fell for the same girl and both want her....well this can't be good can it?

Aside from Ash and Meghan and the usual, the one character that I really like and respect is Robin Goodfellow a.k.a. Puck. He is the one character that balances out all the seriousness and the mushiness between Ash and Meghan and is everything a jester should be. This novella sheds some light upon the inner workings of the mind of Puck. He clearly still loves Meghan...well can't be blamed, she did return his feelings for sometime before deciding on Ash. And its a good change from all the emotional drama that surrounds the two lovely couple.

Thumbs up for Ms. Kagawa! So psyched about reading "The Iron Knight" now.

The Iron Fey #3.5: Summer's Crossing

The Iron Fey #3: The Iron Queen

Another fast record. OMG! I'm on a roll. Oh well.....so I present before you The Iron fey #3 The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa.

Here is the summary of the book:

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.

So Ash and Meghan have been sent to exile never to return to nevernever ever, well until announced otherwise at least by their sires. Their crime fall in love with one another. Its a rule or should I say law that a Summer Fey and a Winter Fey are not meant to be together. But danger still lurks around the corners. The false iron king has declared open war on the Seelie and the Unseelie Courts and as they myth goes these two 'oldworld' feary can't even turn a hair off from these abominations (iron fey), simple iron does not bode well for them. So naturally Ash, Meghan and Puck (who was later also exiled by the Erlking) are called back because well they are the only ones or better yet Meghan is the only one who can enter the Iron realm without being poisoned by its effect and as her knight and lover (Prince Ash) and her best friend (Puck) tag along as well on this new quest to put a stop to the false king's advent. With loads of help from yours truly Grimalkin.

The Iron Queen *kicks-butt* literally. Its not only the level of details that gives it a positive leverage and staying true to the old saying but its only about the way the characters co-relate with one another. This book is definitely about Meghan, about how much she had grown in the span of time she spent in the feary. Witnessing so many things that normal humans are meant too(well she isn't normal, she is half-fey) and growing into a sensible and an unselfish Queen. Towards the end of this book Meghan finally comes to embrace her destiny, which is a rather huge task to accomplish. As well as uniting them all and accepting the good and the bad.

Not just Meghan but Ash and Puck play a huge role here as well. Now I'm always for Team Ash since it was blatantly obvious from the start and well he is rather gorgeous as well....well Puck could have gone there too but he waited too long to make his move and I have to say he sound rather like a best friend material to me. Both are on a constant change in the character scale. Ash out of the bondage of the Winter court has started to show another side of him or has finally decided to drop the indifferent mask he wears all the time. He is now well rather very sweet, he cares a lot for Meghan. He is more open now and rather very lovey-dovey too. That is definitely a 360 degrees change we get to see in few. The extent to which Ash and Meghan would go to be together is rather heart-wrenching(definitely not another Romeo and Juliet....thank God).

Puck on the other, as mischievous as ever (he is Oberon's jester after all) but also shows a certain level of maturity. He knows he has got no chance with Meghan now and has decided to go the way of 'her happiness is my happiness'. Pretty smart of him and very sacrificing. He could easily fight for her love with the elusive Ash but he knows that Meghan loves him(Ash) and would never be able to return his feeling.

Three of them - Meghan, Ash and Puck along with Grim journey to the Iron realm and stop the false king before the whole of the nevernever is destroyed and helping Meghan along the way as she struggles with both her summer and iron powers. Since I have already finished 'Summer's Crossing' as well, I'd say this one was the best yet. Julie Kagawa really has done it again because like a fairy this Iron Fey series manages to enchant you and you can never break free off it strong hold.

The Iron Fey #3: The Iron Queen

The Iron Fey #2: The Iron Daughter

Finished this in five hours. God a new record for me! I present before you all The Iron Fey #2 The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa.

Here is the summary of the book:

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.
This one starts starts of where Winter's Passage leaves off. As part of the contract between Meghan and Ash, she would willingly go to the Winter realm if Ash helps her to get back who was kidnapped by the Iron King and replaced by a violent changeling.

So Meghan is now in enemy territories a.k.a the winter court and she must tread with caution. Even if she puts one foot out the Unseelie Court, be it the Queen of the court or any of her subjects wouldn't think for a second before turning her into an icicle for the simple reason that she is the Erlking Oberon's daughter (half-daughter). Ash, the mysterious and gorgeous Ash is of no use because well he is loyal to his queen and would have to keep his pokerface on there even if it hurts to watch Meghan be mistreated there. Worst of all Meghan's Summer powers are locked away there in the winter realm.

But the worst is yet to come. During the handing over of the scepter of seasons to the winter court from the summer court the scepter is stolen by the Iron fey. And since no one believes Meghan and Ash about the existence of these new fey species no the blame is put on the summer court. War is upon the horizon for the two courts and the iron fey are on the rise again but this time acting under a false King. So only Meghan and Ash know that the Iron Fey have the scepter and that it must be brought back in order to avert the storm but first they must find out a way out of the Winter court undetected....Will they be able to get the scepter back in time?.......Worry not Puck and Grimalkin are there too.

So The Iron Daughter came as a total surprise. While the previous books of the series both Iron King and the novella Winter's Passage were awesome but this was even better and not to question that I finished it five hours. But Iron Daughter really changes our perceptive around to the corner.

All of our characters evolve her even more. We see new shades of Ash's character - his loyalty - even times when he is angst ridden - his time in the Winter Court with an indifferent mask over his face and even the passionate Ash when he is with Meghan. And his declarations of love for her enough to walk in exile leaving the life of the court behind for her. (Ideal boyfriend material don't you all think? Kinda hard to come by these days unfortunately)

Puck, as mischievous as ever. Definitely living up to his reputation rather thoroughly enough. But even Puck shows more in here. All of his disobeyed orders from Oberon regarding Meghan. Well he's in love with her too. He'd do anything for her but he knows he's late for Ash got there first and he is content to play the over protective best friend for now. Grimalkin as mysterious as ever with all of his "I am a Cat" talk and that tail held high and strutting along.

Don't forget Meghan, she definitely grew ten-folds as a character here. Nevernever is new to her so she is still clueless about the fey realms but she is more wiser now. She is rather the ideal heroine who has absolutely no clue about a thing called self-preservation and definitely has got a giant streak of stubborness in herself. Meghan is faced with some rather important decisions here and some pretty ginormous responsibilities not to mention making calculating moves when dealing with the fey. Its rather interesting to watch all this unfold not to mention her deciding between Puck and Ash (both rather strong contenders for her love).

Thus once again Julie Kagawa astounds us with her lovely writing and all the excitement she has infused in the pages of The Iron Daughter for her readers. I highly recommend to all read the Iron Fey and prepare to be sucked into the nevernever.

The Iron Fey #2: The Iron Daughter

The Iron Fey #1.5: Winter's Passage

Short and to the point. I present before you all, an interim scene between The Iron King and The Iron Daughter, Winter's Passage.

Here is the summary of the scene:

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.

Meghan by the end of 'The Iron King' has defeated King Machina and had got her brother back. But she must now honor the end of the deal she had made with the gorgeous winter Prince, Ash.

This scene serves as the account of their journey to the Unseelie Court. And its not a bed of roses. Meghan wants a slight detour from this final departure of sorts - she wants to visit Puck. But this detour does not get unnoticed by an ancient hunter. A hunter who neither belongs to the Seelie or the Unseelie Court. How would Meghan and Ash evade being deleted by his ferocious being?

Winter's Passage is the goods. Every page spews of the anticipation that something is about to happen. Every turn of event speaks of coming horrors. A short scene but Julie Kagawa has out done herself. You'll be surprised - Winter's Passage is really good.

The Iron Fey #1.5: Winter's Passage

The Iron Fey #1: The Iron King

This one has been pilling up for sometime and good enough that it delivers everything it says it would. Lets hear it for Julie Kagawa's The Iron Fey #1 The Iron King.

Here is the summary of the book:

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.

As the vampires and dystopia, the fae seem to be in vogue in the YA book scene. Although I love all things magical but the iron king would be the first book I have read that is of the YA genre. Literary I have come as far as the Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream' to the fae lore.

It starts of like this - its Meghan's 16th birthday and definitely nothing can go wrong in her mundane day-to-day life as she like every other highschooler hustles with school with her best friend - well protective best friend Robbie Goodfell to be exact. So its her birthday and like every other day of her life her birthday is nothing different. Even her best friend who is the only one who remembers the day can't repair the dullness of it all. But maybe something is going on and why is she seeing such strange things these days? Well when her younger brother Ethan is kidnapped and replaced by a changeling - a creed of faerie known to be violent - Meghan wants answers. Robbie Goodfell is the one to take charge and he explains the deal about the fae world and that he is King Oberon, the lord of the Seelie (Summer) Court and that Meghan is co-incidentally the only living off-spring of the King of the Summer court - well half-blood.

So with Puck leading the way Meghan enters the Nevernever to only get her brother back. But to her surprise Nevernever is definitely not as the fairytales proclaim them to be. Its tricky, its dangerous and definitely not a place to go joyriding. Aside from being cautious Meghan must be aware of what she says and what she does - for if not careful then by the time she finds her brother she'd be under heavy burden of debts - well nevernever does work on debts doesn't it? Enter Ash, the youngest prince of the Unseelie (Winter) Court. Gorgeous and handsome. Hails from a land frozen in show as the heart is. While his character is enough to give someone a whiplash but Meghan seems to be drawn in to him. And Grimalkin, the mysterious talking cat who is as sharp-witted and cat like as ever.

With the help of Puck, the winter prince and the cat Meghan must navigate the customs and traditions of this unknown land and find her brother before it is too late.

First of all i'd like to say The Iron King delivers the goods. Not only is the Fae lore present in its elements as the beliefs have it without changing the details at all. Second Grimalkin - well i'm not well versed with what the books say about him but he strongly reminded me of the Cheshire cat....yes a strong resemblance to Alice in Wonderland and not to forget Midsummer Night's Dream and Peter Pan too. The plot is intriguing enough. And a lot of twists and turns that will make you sit on the edge of your seats throughout and mystical enough to fill in the quota of like minded Fantasy lovers.

Well a tale this magical tale is never enough without a romantic ark. So yes we have the burgeoning relationship between Ash and Meghan is sweet and beautiful and heart warming. Add to it a jealous best friend Puck and you get a triangle. If you ask me well i'm Team Ash from the first instance. He is tall, he is dark, he is icy and with those silver eyes what is not to like? His feud with Puck was a nice twist in the story. Puck according to me is more of a loyal best friend instead of a love interest. 

As far as the characters go - Ms. Kagawa had nailed them to the spot. Each portrayed a different characteristic and a provided a level of complexity to the plot. Our heroine, Meghan Chase is also fun to follow. She is strong, tentative and emotional, genuine enough. Puck as I already stated a goofball and Ash a forlorn gorgeous prince. Ms. Kagawa has indeed captured every curve and aspect needed to maintain such a humble rhythm on the plot.

The Iron King is a great promising start, with great characters, intriguing plot lines and devious tendencies. Oh hopefully i'll get to start THE IRON DAUGHTER soon.

The Iron Fey #1: The Iron King