The Iron Fey series has been on my to-do list for a long time. After reading See Me I harbored a fascination for Fey (and this book satisfied that literary craving in spades). The series opener follows Meghan Chase, a rather unpopular girl often forgotten even by her family. Her best friend, Robbie, is the only one that seems to pay her much mind. A few chapters into the book, it is revealed that nothing is as it seems.
Page count: 272.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Price: $4.99(eBook on Amazon)/$8.61 (Paperback on Amazon).
Firstly, I have to give major props to Julie Kagawa for incorporating Shakespeare into a YA novel. On the rare occasion that a YA author chooses to mix classics into their work, it feels overly contrived. Kagawa does an excellent job of weaving in the ancient with the modern, and it fuses into a pretty little package that's entirely different from either. For starters, the secondary love interest in Robin Goodfellow, otherwise known as Puck. Other favorites from a Midsummer Night's dream take center stage with appearances from such superstars as Oberon and Titania.
Kagawa also stays true to original Fey lore, with the creation of the Seelie and Unseelie courts. She also displays many other traditional (but not as popular) Faery creatures such as Satyrs, Brownies, and Goblins. Oh my!
This book had me hooked from the start. The frumpy, low maintenance every-girl turns into a kick-ass heroine when the Fey steal her little brother, Ethan. When her brother is taken into Faery (the situation surrounding which isn't for the faint of literary hearts), Puck reveals Meghan's true nature, and takes her into Faery to find her brother.
At the beginning of their quest, they are chased by a mysterious hunter, and separated in the dangerous land of Faery. Meghan enlists the help of a talking cat, and quickly learns that nothing in Faery comes for free. Everything has a cost. There's truly no such thing as a free lunch.
With her companion's assistance she stumbles her way into the Seelie Court, and that's where the real adventure begins.
The mysterious aforementioned hunter was (Surprise!) prince of the Unseelie Court, Ash. Ash is an aloof, cold, and all around intimidating young man (at least for the first half of the novel). He vows to kill Meghan several times, and he can never seem to maintain anything but distant, vague "friendship" (kinda).
Meghan is in for a rude awakening when King Oberon refuses to allow her to leave in search of her brother. She runs away, determined to rescue him. While navigating (barely) the mysterious land she comes into contact with Ash. They both have missions to carry out. Meghan, to find her brother. Ash, to capture Meghan.
The two form a contract. Meghan will allow herself to be taken prisoner, if Ash helps her on her quest.
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This book is truly masterfully crafted and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Urban Fantasy, with a touch of romance. This novel breaks several YA stereotypes in the best of ways:
1. Kick ass female heroine (and not in a cliche way!)
2. Shakespeare!
3. Doesn't shy away from grit (I warn you that Kagawa bares no punches when it comes to violence. It's oddly refreshing).
My only complaint with the Iron King is that the the characters seem to fall in love too quickly, and I would love to see a little bit more development on Ash's past. Overall, this book is fantastic and I hope you acquire it shortly (I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner).
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