The Iron Knight

September 7, 2012 Uncategorized 0

The Iron Knight

Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: October 26, 2011
Pages: 394
Series: The Iron Fey, book four
Source: Egalley via netgalley, gifted finished copy, and purchased audiobook

About the Book: “My name–my True Name–is Ashallayn’ darkmyr Tallyn. I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her. My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…”To cold faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase–a half human, half fey slip of a girl–smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

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

*****This is the fourth book in a series. There may be spoilers for earlier books in this review*****

My Thoughts: I had been meaning and meaning to read this book but I just never seemed to get around to it. Then audible had a sale. I am such a sucker for audible sales! I snapped up the audiobook (for a steal I’m sure!) and finally got to Ash’s story! I am totally an Ash fan. I loved getting to know more about him and his past. 

One of things I liked best about the book (and really all of the Iron Fey books) was the relationships. I just love the different interactions that the characters have with one another. We really get to see Ash and Puck together for a prolonged period of time. There is so much tension there. Ash and Puck have so much history… from unlikely best friends to mortal enemies to…. something in between. It was so well done. I also loved the byplay between Grim and “The Big Bad Wolf” (new character in this book!)

Another aspect that kept me intrigued was the history. We get to learn a lot about the events that went in to making Ash who he is. I had been wanting to know more about Ariella and that curiosity was finally satisfied. Hearing about many of the adventures Ash and Puck had when they were younger kept the story moving. All that history also really highlights just how tortured Ash is. With all the demons he is fighting he is quite the tragoc figure!

As far as the audiobook goes… at first I loved the narration but then I kind of thought it dragged on. I can’t decided if it was the  the story or if it was the fact that the narrators voice was a bit too soothing but the pacing of the book seemed  bit off at times (especially at the end.) Kagawa’s wonderful descriptions really set the scene for the events of the story. I had very vivid mental images of the places the travelers visit. Overall the audiobook was well done.

The Iron Fey is one of my favorite series out there. Julie Kagawa does a wonderful job of putting a fresh and interesting spin on tales as old as time. I can’t wait to read more set in this world! May it never end!!!! 

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