Mini-Review: Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

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Publisher: HarlequinTEEN (May 20, 2010)
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages (eBook): 49
Series: The Iron Fey (Book 1.5)
Read Next: The Iron Daughter (Book 2)
Source: Bought
ISBN-13: 9781426858321
Genre: Fantasy (Faeries)
Author: Website | Twitter | BlogSeries Reviews: Book 1 (4.5★) Book 2 (5★)Book 3 (5★) Book 3.5 Book 4 (4.5★)


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 novella from Julie Kagawa.

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Novella Mini Review:

Reading this novella after The Iron Knight, I see that it highlights the complexity of Prince Ash. It really conflicts with his love of Meghan and his loyalty to the court. Picking up exactly where The Iron King left off, we join Meghan on her journey to keep her deal with the Prince and return to The Unseelie Court. We are accompanied by our favorite feline but are hunted by a force older and wiser than faery it seems. The chase is just enough action that perfectly paces the book but it was rather abrupt and cut off, even for a novella. A great meanwhile read but not as charming as its counterpart, Summer's Crossing.

Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

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 Publisher: HarlequinTEEN (October 25, 2011)
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages (Paperback): 386
Series: The Iron Fey (Book 4)
Source: NetGalley
ISBN-13: 9780373210367
Genre: Fantasy (Faeries)
Author: Website | Twitter | Blog
Series Reviews: Book 1 (4.5★) Book 2 (5★) Book 3 (5★) Book 3.5

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…

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Overview:

I have spent the last 300+ pages indulging in my secret love affair with Prince Ash. What is entirely unique about this story from the other books in the series is that Ash is on an impossible mission to keep his vow to Meghan. From the beginning we know what the plot of this book is and it is just a matter of whether or not he succeeds or fails. It is an interesting journey that in the end is gripping and you won't want to put it down.

Review:

Julie Kagawa has perfected the fairy tale ending. The ending to The Iron Queen was devastating and left a void in our hearts where closure belonged for surely that could not be the end to Meghan and Ash. What Julie gave us in this book was magnificant; a journey of sheer impossibility but bold strength and devotion. Twists, turns and confrontations were the key to unraveling the mystery that Prince Ash was.

For the first part of this series, we were in our story from the eyes of Meghan, the human who's fate had become saving all of Nevernever. In Summer's Crossing, we have a brief glimpse into the chaotic yet striking personality of Puck. But here, in The Iron Knight, we grow intimately close with the monster, the pain, the anger, and pure love that Ash is as he begins to grow and sort through his mess of entangled emotions. The true depth of this character had been sealed off from Meghan, and the reader, and this book unleashes a flood of what  it means to be Unseelie. In seeing Ash's history as Winter Prince and knowing who he is now, we can see that this is a tale about overcoming, a strong ideal that all of us are our own person.

The other character favorites we love, Grimalkin and Puck, accompany Ash on this treacherous journey and we are introduced to some new faces that bring an interesting dynamic to the trio. This book, while about Ash, gives a little more insight into Puck; through his interactions with Ash, the prince and the readers begin to have a little bit more of an understanding about the pain that Puck really tries to hide. As an extra bonus, you don't even really have to miss Meghan; Julie has done a fantastic job of intertwining all of the favorite characters.

I loved the characters and I loved the journey that Ash was on to maintain his vow but there was still something missing from this book that I thought was pretty prevalent in the other books: mystery. It isn't anything detrimental and I still loved this book, but from beginning to end we know the journey that Ash has embarked upon and it is only a tale of whether or not he succeeds; can he succeed? It traded mystery for suspense and a long, timeless journey and while the action that occurred was riveting, I felt the journey was just mildly off-pace for such a phenomenal ending.

This book comes with an Epilogue that returns to Meghan's point of view and serves as a non-encompassing ending that still allows our imagination to bloom into the "what shall become of them" and fills that void that we had after The Iron Queen. Also included in the book is a small interview with the author and some wicked guests. The interview actually made me giggle out loud. It was witty and a great addition/end to a book. Also be sure to check out the letter that Ash wrote to Meghan before embarking on his journey. This was released at the Twitter launch party and is a great piece to the puzzle.

Rating out of 5:

Mini-Review: Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

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**Free eBook

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN (June 1, 2011)
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages (eBook): 72
Series: The Iron Fey (Book 3.5)
Source: Bought
ISBN-13: 9781459206403
Genre: Fantasy (Faeries)
Author: Website | Twitter | Blog
Series Reviews: Book 1 (4.5★) Book 2 (5★) Book 3 (5★)

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.

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Novella Mini-Review: 

To be a short novella, this book is a great read. It has just the proper amount of action and even the slightest bit of heartache. It takes place between The Iron Queen and The Iron Knight and does not effect the story as it serves to be more of a side quest for Ash and Puck. Giving insight into the dynamics that exist between the two boys, this book also provides a more intimate view of the workings of the Seelie (Summer) Court. It illustrates that the cruelty isn't limited to the Queen of Unseelie Courts and that the feud between the two courts runs deep. 

This book is from the POV of Puck; while this gives great insight into the character that he is, it gave more of an arrogant tone to the carefree Puck we have come to know. There are twists, turns, and times we aren't even sure we know who he really is.

A great, action-packed way to hold us over from June to October!

Review: The Iron Queen

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

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Publisher: HarlequinTEEN (February 1, 2011)
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages (Paperback): 358
Series: The Iron Fey (Book 3)
Source: Library
ISBN-13: 9780373210183
Genre: Fantasy (Faeries)
Author: Website | Twitter | Blog
Series Reviews: Book 1 (4.5★) Book 2 (5★)


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.

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This review & overview may contain spoilers for previous books.

Overview:

Compiling the events and excitement from the previous books, this book book picks up at the exact point the other ends. It is compelling to watch the series of events unfold as we watch Meghan and Ash get pulled back into world of Faery and Iron. The introduction of interesting characters is a bonus and the level of mystery increases as the False King tries harder to crush the Nevernever. The book is riveting and full of intensity and romance that will make your heart ache.

Review:

Yet again, Julie Kagawa has produced a riveting fairy tale that has won my heart. In this third installment in The Iron Fey, we find ourselves back in the land of the Nevernever and war has gripped this magical land. Meghan and Ash have been ripped back into the world of the faeries and now have the belief of the courts on their side.

With the fate of Faery on her shoulders, we have been able to witness Meghan as she grows through each book. In The Iron Queen, she isn't as whiney and confused as she was in the previous books and it is in this book that she fully embraces who she is. Stuck in the throws of denial, Meghan must quickly learn to accept her destiny if she is too save anyone, including herself. In this book, the concept of sacrifice is lurking around every corner. When to fight, who to fight for, and when it is over are all important questions that Meghan and her allies find themselves asking.

In this book, Meghan isn't the only one taking the forefront. In a daring act of unconditional love and devotion, we get to know Ash in an intimate way. Deep and rich in the lore of truenames, Ash has been deeply developed as a strong protagonistic character. If he had been construed as a heartless ice prince, this book changes it all.

In a tragic, yet empowering, ending we come to understand the finality that lies behind the love that Meghan and Ash share. In a gripping turn of events, we come to the end of Meghan's story, only to be set up for the journey that Ash will continue to take in The Iron Knight; Julie Kagawa has yet to disappoint.

Rating out of 5:

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

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Publisher: HarlequinTEEN (January 25, 2011) 

Age Group: Young Adult 

Pages (Paperback): 363 

Series: The Iron Fey (Book 2) 
Read Next: The Iron Queen

Source: Library 

ISBN-13: 9780373210138

Genre: Fantasy (Faeries) 

Author: Website | Twitter | Blog

Series Reviews: Book 1 (4.5★)

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.
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Overview:

This book was better than the first. It was so full of deceit, betrayal and delicious evil. We are introduced into the reality that is the world of Faery and the hatred between Winter and Summer. The story is full of what it means to be faery and make the hard choices. There is a subtle change about Meghan that we learn throughout the course of the book that is finally revealed in an inspiring moment of power and loyalty. Battle in this book is more intense and more life-threateningly real for Meghan, Ash, and Puck which adds a whole new aspect to the world. It also has a solid, unrevealing, setup for The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3).

Review:

This review may contains spoilers for previous books and/or very slightly, this book.

Picking up in a perfect continuance from The Iron King, this book starts in a land of unbridled cruelty and selfishness. As promised in The Iron King, Meghan is being held within the Unseelie Court by Queen Mab. Having spent most of the first book in the land of summer or iron, the beginning of this book rounds out the world, giving us a since of completion.

In the harsh coldness that is the land of Winter, Meghan finds herself confused, alone, and untrusted. Again, the saftey of the Nevernever is at stake and only she knows the full force of what is occuring. The interaction with our favorite scores of support characters lead Meghan on a confusing chase, always questioning who to trust while we unravel a new change the has come about in Meghan.

I was pleased at the mystery surrounding the re-introduction of Ironhorse and the depths to which this character has been created. I love Ash and Grimalken, maybe Puck too, but the addition of Ironhorse was so solid and pivotal to the story; it was extremely well written.

The plot for this book takes us across many lands while Meghan battles for her life and struggles, yet again, to save the people who do not believe her. The battle in this book was considerbly more well-written than in the first and had us on the edge of the seat, waiting to see who lived or died. Battles were never set up with a tone that hinted the outcome before it happened.

Julie Kagawa has again, crafted an incredible faery tale with a mythical level of magic and understanding. Through the span of two books, we have seen the characters grow and change in remarkable ways and we have been on the adventure of several lifetimes. I strongly encourage having The Iron Queen on stand-by in the hopes that you can continue Meghan's tale.

Rating out of 5:

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Goodreads | Amazon

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN (February 1, 2010)
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages (Paperback): 363
Series: The Iron Fey (Book 1)
Read Next: The Iron Daughter
Source: Library
ISBN-13: 9780373210084
Genre: Fantasy (Faeries)

Author: Website | Twitter | Blog

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.

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Overview:

This book was an excellent read. It had every aspect of a great fairy tale and the action was riveting. Meghan is a likeable character that is supported by a strong cast of well rounded and developed characters like Ash, Grimalkin, and Puck. The book was full of relevant and shocking action with a believable and thorough ending! It was a great read and a great setup for the second book in the series.

Review:

The Iron King is a brilliant debut from author Julie Kagawa; it is a mystifying start to a fantastic series. There is so much to be said about this book that I am not sure where to begin.

The hardest part about reading this book was the speed at which we were introduced into the world. It is always a unique experience to learn things about the world (i.e. The World of Fey in this case) as the character(s) learn about them. I understand that Meghan is a strong, dedicated heroine but it is hard to believe she is as successful as she, given the speed and haste at which everything about Nevernever is thrown at her. There were times, in the begining, it was hard for me to keep up and I wasn't fighting for my life.

But that doesn't erase the magnetism this book holds over me. The character introductions were smooth and transistioned with great detail.

"...tall and lean, garbed in silver and black. A dark cape fluttered from its shoulders. Through the rain, I caught the barest glimpse of a face: young, pale, strikingly handsome..."

Julie Kagawa has a way with words and in my heart and mind, has created a wonderful male support lead when she developed Prince Ash. Dark and brooding, the iciness of his heart melts away in his obvious desire for the lovely Meghan. But the fragile companionship that Meghan, Puck, and Ash all share is tried and tested in the action and adventure the small group encounters in their haste to save the Nevernever and her brother.

Magical and entrancing, The Iron King, has a well rounded cast of characters with a well-paced action, albeit a hasrh introduction to the world. Within this one book, Meghan risks it all and makes the sacrifices that win her a place in my heart as a wonderful heroine.

Rating out of 5: