The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

My Review:
I loved this one! Probably my favorite book of the series. I have been anticipating this book ever since I finished "Iron Daughter" and it did not disappoint. There is action, romance, suspense, ect. I seriously had problems putting this one down and would stay up past when I should have been going to sleep. I felt like I was part of the story and that I was looking through Meghan's eyes and feeling her emotions with her every step of the way. The pacing was great and I loved the way the story progressed. Meghan, Ash, and Puck faced new challenges as well as teamed up against old rivals to try and save the Nevernever from being consumed by the Iron Realm. I was very happy that there was so much Ash in this book and that we get more detail about what he was like in the past which has always been a big mystery. There were so many sweet and yet heart-wrenching moments between Ash and Meghan because they were finally together but with a war looming over them there was the possibility their time together was coming to a close. Meghan really grew up during the course of this series and it shows at the end just how much she learned about herself and her part in the fey world. I am honestly shocked by the way it ended since I assumed there would be another book in the series. But according to Julie Kagawa she is planning on writing a book from Ash's POV called "Iron Knight." Oh my goodness I can't wait to read that one! Loved it! Must Read!

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Synopsis:
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, iron-bound 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 alone 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 Review:

(Spoiler Alert!)

I loved this book! It struck a balance among all the elements I would look for in a good story: good pacing, intrigue, action, and romance. Along with that this story was jam packed with fight scenes and danger lurking around every corner for Meaghan Chase and her friends. I also think the characters really came to light in this book and the author made the story reveal more about the relationships among the characters. Everything is not always as it seems, which was the case with Iron Horse, who turned out to be a loyal friend in the end. Also Meaghan’s relationship with both Puck and Ash becomes more complicated as feelings are revealed and we uncover more about Puck and Ash’s past. I never shy away from a good love triangle because it presents the ultimate choice between two different worlds, two different lives, and the decision between which side of yourself is the true you. For Meaghan it is hard not to love both guys with Puck’s quick wit and charm and Ash’s loyalty to his family and doing the right thing. All at the same time they are fully devoted and totally in love with Meaghan who knows in her heart who she truly wants but does not know how to make that relationship work. I really liked Meaghan who is honest both with herself and others and very selfless at times making decisions not based on what she needs or wants but puts the fate of her family and friends first. She also wants to believe that people have the best intentions at heart but knowing the ways of the fey has become much smarter in her decisions about who to trust.

I can not wait for the third book “Iron Queen” to find out what will happen next to all the characters in the battle between the iron world and the Nevernever.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Synopsis:
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 Review:
This book had elements of Alice in Wonderland, Lament, and The Mortal Instruments Series all rolled into one. I enjoyed this book and thought it was entertaining and it provided an escape from reality. Was I completely engrossed putting off everything I should be doing until I finished? No, but I did look forward to picking it up and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next. I really liked the way the author connected the actions we take in our world and our obsession with technology and how that affects the world of the Fey. I thought it was wonderful imagery when one of the characters was explaining the effects of technology and how human imagination and belief in The Fey keeps them alive and how there are ramifications for how humans think and behave. I enjoyed the twist with modern elements mixed with old themes of nature verses technology. The author did a great job describing the iron world which sounded hauntingly like a landfill of machines and waste along with the summer fey world which I pictured being beautiful and full of life.
While I really enjoyed the book I felt like there were some things missing. I wish there was a little more character development because I don’t think the author gave much insight as to who these characters were. I would like to have a better idea about who Meghan is and I just wanted her to have something unique about her. There were moments when I thought Meghan was too calm for the dangerous situations she was in but she did have some witty internal thoughts and external comments which made her very likeable. I also did not quite buy into the romance and relationship of Meghan and Ash because it felt like they fell for each other way too fast for two people who are suppose to be enemies and do not even know each other. To me it would make more sense for her to have a stronger connection (not necessarily romantic) with Robbie Goodfellow because she knew him much longer. I wish Meghan and Robbie’s history had been fleshed out a bit more. I also struggled when action scenes would come and go in the blink of an eye and my mind is trying to catch up and then we are on to the next moment of danger without any reprieve. There was not quite a steady progression of events, just a jump from one scene to the next.
This is only my 3rd book about faeries I have ever read so I know the place I am coming from is one of little experience with the world of faeries. I will say I am looking forward to the next one and I will be interested to see what happens to Meghan and Ash as well as the rest of the faery creatures.