Mini-Reviews of Julie Kagawa's The Iron Fey Series (Books 1-3)

Today, I not only do I have mini-reviews of books one to three in Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series but I also have a huge contest, which will be posted later today. So, without a further ado, let the fun begin...

The Iron King

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

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.

Review:

The Iron King is one of those books that while it has been in my TBR pile for ages and I've read nothing but fantastic reviews for, it's taken me nearly a year to get to it, which is sad because The Iron King is such a great start to the Iron Fey series!

Meaghan, the lead character, is one of those kind of lead female characters I love seeing in YA. She's brave, fearless, and she's not afraid to let her heart guide her way in life. I enjoyed seeing her determination in getting her beloved brother back, because it showed just how great of a person she is when it comes to saving the people she loves most. With that, I also adored the side characters of Puck and Ash. Puck, Meaghan's best friend, was such a refreshing addition to this mostly serious books. Constantly one to come up with the witty retorts, Puck will constantly have the reader laughing-out-loud. Ash, on the other hand, is dangerous, brooding, and handsome, and worst of all, he seems to have an ice of heart. And while I was somewhat always put off by the fact he tended to fit into the cliche love interest of paranormal YA, he does begin to shift out of it over time.

Anther aspect I enjoyed about this story, was the world of the faeries. I loved learning more about the Summer, Winter, and Iron fey- the conflicts between, how far they would go to up each other...it constantly caused some great tension and page-flipping fun! Though, I wasn't always found of how Julie dumped a lot of info on the reader at one time, because I was always somewhat confused of who everyone bedsides the ring-leaders of the story where. But other than that small fact, this story is nearly flawless.

Bottom Line: The Iron King is a refreshing start to a series that I'm sure will quickly become a favorite of mine over time.

Grade: B+

The Iron King is now out!

Source: Bought

The Iron Daughter

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

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.

Review:

Action packed, romantic, and funny, The Iron Daughter is even better than The Iron King.

In this addition, the reader sees major development in the characters of Meghan, Puck, and Ash, as well as in their relationships. Meghan is once again a very strong lead character, and I loved seeing how she never lets anyone get in the way of her getting what she wants, which leads me to Ash and her.

I love Ash. He's one of those male characters that you can't help but grow addicted to...smart, brave, somewhat funny, you just want your own Ash. And while I love Meghan and Ash and how well they mix together, I still adore Puck. Puck is in most ways the underdog in the whole situation, but that never stopped me from rooting for him. Why? Well, just because he's Puck- adorable, funny, witty, the one who always has the quick, cutting remarks, and most importantly, the kind of boy best friend any girl would be glad to have.

Furthermore, I really enjoyed the plot and world building in this. In the first addition of this series, I was always somewhat confused of who everyone was (their goals, wants, needs...) but in this I feel that everything was cleared up in the best way possible. Better yet, I loved how the reader gets to learn a lot more about the Iron fey and what it will take to stop them.
Bottom Line: The Iron Daughter is nothing short of fantastic. Julie Kagawa grows greatly as an author in this one, which leaves me to know one thing and one thing only: I can't wait to read more by her!

Grade: A

The Iron Daughter is now out!

Source: Chelsy at Big Honcho Media/HarlequinTeen

The Iron Queen 

Summary/Cover Image from Author's Website:

In less than twenty-four hours I'll be seventeen.

Although, technically, I won't actually be turning seventeen. I've been in the Nevernever too long. When you're in Faery, you don't age. So while a year has passed in the real world, agewise I'm probably only a few days older than when I went in.

In real life, I've changed so much I don't even recognize myself.

***

MY NAME IS MEGAN 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.

Review:

If you thought The Iron Daughter was fantastic, well just wait until you read The Iron Queen because it's even better. The romance, action, and drama are all kicked up a few notches, and the characters and plot have the best development so far in the series!

In this addition, the reader once again gets thrown into the world of Meaghan, Puck, and Ash. These are three characters who I have come to adore and love over time, and in this addition it was no different. I enjoyed seeing how they all put aside their differences to fight the Iron fey, as well as the fact there's more development in the love triangle between Meaghan, Puck, and Ash. In most love triangles, I usually on a specific side from the first book, but the Iron Fey series is one where this didn't occur, instead I was constantly switching sides, curious to know just who Meghan would pick: Ash or Puck? Puck or Ash? Both are such fantastic lead characters and people, and if I was Meghan I now I would never be able to pick

Just like the first book, The Iron Queen contains action, action, and more action. This is one book that you just have to read in one sitting, because of all the twists and turns that you leave to dying to know more, more, and more.

Lastly, Julie Kagawa develops even more as a writer in this one, because not only does she do a fantastic job with the characters, but the world she has developed in this series is just spectacular!

Bottom Line:  The Iron Daughter is yet another satisfying sequel in the Iron Fey series, and with the cliff-hanger ending this one has, I know I'll be the first in the line to buy The Iron Knight the day it's released.


Grade: A+

The Iron Queen will be released February 1, 2011!

Source: Chelsy at Big Honcho Media/HarlequinTeen

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Overall, do yourself a favor this winter, pick up The Iron Fey books one to three and give them a try. Witty, action paced, characters you can't help but love, swoon-worthy boys, this is one series that not only manages to have it all, but gets even better with every book. Julie Kagawa is quickly becoming one of the best YA authors out there, in my opinion.