REVIEW: The Iron King (Iron Fey #1) by Julie Kagawa

 

Author: Julie Kagawa

Pages: 363

Series: Iron Fey

Genre: YA - Fantasy

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

AMAZON: The Iron King (Harlequin Teen)

Synopsis (Goodreads)

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: 4 out of 5 stars

‘The Iron King’ is a book filled with excitement and adventure with just a touch of romance that really kept me riveted.

Meghan Chase has never really fit in, known as the ‘poor swamp hick’ to her peers she more or less tries to blend into the background; it is the same way for her at home, she is pretty much forgotten. The only person who has been a constant in her life is her best friend Robbie but on her 16^th birthday, she finds out things aren’t as they seem.

When her 4yo brother Ethan is kidnapped and replaced by a changeling, Meghan has to make the decision to enter the faerie realm (NeverNever) and accept the existence of the Fey, including Robbie who has actually been guarding her and is none other than Robin Goodfellow or Puck from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and her real father is actually Oberon – King of the Summer fey court.

There is action, danger, intrigue and mystery in her quest through NeverNever and nothing is what it seems, it is a world where deals are made and must be followed and the most powerful of the Fey want Meghan for powers she is yet to fully possess.

She is helped along in her journey by Grimalkin, a Cait Sith who I’m sure has ulterior motives of his own and also gorgeous Ash, a winter Fey prince who runs hot and cold they come across a number of creatures including piskies, ogres, trolls, dryads etc. but find out her brother is actually being held by the Iron King – the worst possible enemy to both the summer and winter fey.

Ms Kagawa has created a world that is vividly detailed and exciting; it took me on an adventure from the beginning through end and didn’t let up. The pacing was spot-on and the plot creative and well-written.

I enjoyed the action scenes, the battles fought and the resolution; there are still a few things mentioned that were left unanswered so I am hoping they are covered in upcoming installments – who kidnapped her brother if it wasn’t the Iron King, was there an answer to her fathers true whereabouts (although her memory of him has now been taken), what are her true powers??

I enjoyed all of the characters, Meghan had strength and determination, no whining or complaining even when faced with a number of obstacles - she kept on going, although at times recklessly. Ash was dark and mysterious and Puck was a loyal protector; I really hope as I read the next books it doesn’t turn into a love triangle. I definitely see Puck in the role of Best Friend and Guardian only; I enjoyed the beginnings of a relationship forming between Meghan & Ash and hope it progresses.

A great start to this series by Ms Kagawa and I look forward to starting ‘The Iron Daughter’.