11 January, 2011

Advance Review: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Book: THE IRON QUEEN
Author: JULIE KAGAWA
Genre: YA FANTASY

Published: February 2011, HARLEQUIN TEEN


Series: THE IRON FEY #3 (Good Reads links)
THE IRON KING (#1)
THE IRON DAUGHTER (#2)


I received a print copy through Just Another Book Blog ARC tours, and also an e-ARC version from Harlequin Teen via NetGalley for free, in exchange for an honest review.


From Good Reads:
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.



My Review:
I make no secret that I really like THE IRON FEY series. Sure, there's action, and a love triangle, and a teen heroine that has to overcome massive obstacles, after learning that her heritage is so much more than any human could begin to imagine. But, at the heart of the series, there is really good characterization and world-building. In THE IRON KING and THE IRON DAUGHTER, I found myself focusing more on the fantastic world-building. However, because much of THE IRON QUEEN was war preparation and less epic quest, I needed to see how the journey of the characters had brought them to this moment.

Meghan is a character that I enjoyed immensely, this time around. She wasn't the same girl that she was in THE IRON KING, when she naively set out to save her brother from the "evil fey". That girl blundered in a bit. Her inhibitions and inexperience allowed the fey to take advantage of her. Though her intentions were good, she was clearly overwhelmed in this other world.

Now, she is stronger. Now, she has no illusions about the fey. Now, she takes the offensive, and stands tall against the encroachment of the iron fey. I wanted to see a Meghan that didn't just let Ash protect her. I wanted to see a Meghan that could navigate the topsy-turvy communication with Grimalkin. I wanted to see a Meghan that could truly make her own destiny happen, not just go along with the one that came about with the choosing of Ash or Puck. And, for the most part, I was not disappointed in the least.

I love this world of THE IRON FEY series. Kagawa's creation immersed me in a dangerous place, with dangerous beings; a place with faithful companions and dubious allies. It's a place that I will want to visit often, and will not soon forget.


4.5/5 for plot
4.5/5 for characters
3.5/5 for language

My Rating: 12.5/15 (4 stars)

Highly Recommend, if you liked:


The Mortal Instruments (series) by Cassandra Clare
Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater



Links for the author and books:
Julie Kagawa Website
Blog
Twitter
Good Reads

Iron Fey Facebook Page

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