Review: The Iron Knight

Need To Know Info:

Title: The Iron Knight
Author: Julie Kagawa
Format: Paperback, 386 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: October 25th, 2011
Rating: 4 out of 5 HEARTS

ARC received from NetGalley for review

Short Synopsis from Goodreads
With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.


Carrie's Spoiler Free Review
Where do I begin??? I read all four books in the series back to back and I’m so glad I did. I LOVED this series so much. Julie Kagawa swept me up from the start and sucked me into this fantastic world. Her characters drew me in and made me care about them. I felt like a school girl again waiting for the first kiss and cried when the knight pledged his oath to his lady. Seriously, how can you not love these characters?

At first I have to say I was a bit hesitant to read a series about “fairies” but when a few fellow bloggers started reading the series as well I decided to take the plunge. It is always more fun to read a book with friends. Julie totally cured me of my misconception about what a faerie book would entail.

Julie created a wonderful world filled not only with faeries but all kinds of other fabulous creatures. Goblins, ogres and pixies…oh my! The main players include a sly and clever cait sith – Grimalkin (who reminded me of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland), a troublemaking faerie of legend - Puck, a handsome ice prince - Ash and a girl who becomes Queen - Meghan. Oh and Julie even threw in a classic storybook villain for good measure (don’t worry I won’t spoil it for you). Add into the mix, the rise of human technology that threatens to crumble the world of fantasy & imagination and you have yourself quite a predicament.

After the emotional ending of The Iron Queen I couldn’t wait to jump straight into The Iron Knight. It was a little different to open up the book and see it written from Ash’s perspective though. At first I felt it was a little slow but then it got back to its normal fast paced groove. Julie sure does know how to write an action sequence! It was also fun to have the boys back together. Their back and forth banter is always good for a chuckle. I have to admit that I wasn’t so sure when a previous character resurfaced though. Didn’t Ash have enough on his plate already? Julie knows best though and there of course was a good reason for this character’s reappearance (again not going to spoil anything for you). Ash takes us on a whirlwind journey to the end of the world and back and he does it all for love. Gee, make a girl swoon why don’t ya!

My only problem with The Iron Knight was I felt that Ash’s character changed a bit in this book. It seemed to me that it always took one of the other characters to remind Ash why he was there, to help him refocus and see the big picture. This just seemed a bit out of character to me. For everything that Ash has gone through and given up for Meghan, it drove me a bit crazy that now he seemed to doubt and question himself. Really, Ash? Snap out of it!

With all that being said, the ending was perfect and left me with a warm fuzzy. I admired Ash for his decisions and I could totally relate to his feelings at the end of the book. The Iron Queen is still my favorite book of the series. I thought for awhile I would have been fine if she ended it there but after reading The Iron Knight I’m glad I got to find out how the journey ended. I also think that Puck deserves his own book now.

Julie took me on a magical ride and I didn’t want to get off. This series has everything you could want. It is beautifully written, fast paced and action packed. It throws in epic duels, romance, friendship, self discovery, choices and consequences. If you haven’t read this series, what are you waiting for???