Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa 
Published: February 1st, 2010
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Pages: 363
Challenge: 100+ Reading Challenge, 350 Page Books Challenge, YA Series Challenge
Other: First book in the Iron Fey series. The fourth book, The Iron Knight, will come out on October 4th, 2011.
Buy the book: Bookdepository


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.

People told me I had to read it. Some people even yelled at me for not having read even the first book in the Iron Fey series. And when I read it, I knew why. It's that good. Impossible to put down once you're fully absorbed into the Nevernever and utterly captivating until the very last page.

To be honest, I was always a bit weary of pixies and faeries. It never really struck me as something I would like to read. But thankfully, there's Julie Kagawa to prove me wrong. The world she has created is rich and lively in detail and I could fully imagine the Nevernever when we followed Meghan into a world that she never held possible.

The world and description of the faeries was incredibly detailed and I could actually imagine myself walking in her world (although I would probably be eaten before I'd make it to the pond, to be honest). And if I am fair, I have to admit that my review does not do The Iron King justice whatsoever. It's one of those books that you just have to read for yourself in order to see what all the fuss is about, because you can't possibly capture this in a review of a couple hundred words.

The creativity in this story is obvious at every page you turn. I loved the idea of technology influencing the magical lands of the faeries and thereby threatening their excistence. It's such a current theme: children are playing video games instead of play outside or read and besides that, we're always looking for better technology. The way this was woven into the story.. I can only take my imaginary hat off.

And of course, there was the whole Team Ash and Team Puck thing. To be honest, I wasn't swept of my feet by either of them, although I can see the appeal; Puck, who is familiar, with his goofy grin and his loyalty towards Meghan, and Ash, who is breathtakingly gorgeous, yet cool and most of all, forbidden. I think I will just sit back and enjoy the rest of Meghan's story, while the guys battle it out - it seems like they want to do that, anyway.

My overall rating:


Five golden stars for Meghan, Ash, Puck and of course, Ethan - and I am ready to be swept off my feet by The Iron Daughter.