The final book in Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey Series comes out today, Whoo Hoo! I’ve gone through the entire series and fallen in love with Meghan and Ash…and maybe Puck just a little too 😉
I’ve become addicted to the series, so whether this is your first time with the books or you’re eagerly awaiting The Iron Knight‘s debut, a little trip to the Nevernever is good for everyone!
Without further Ado…The Iron Knight
Ash is again banished. This time his Queen, the woman he’s pledged his eternal devotion to has cast him from her kingdom. This is not a lover’s quarrel…but a measure of safety for the Winter Prince.
You see, Meghan Chase is now the Iron Queen. She has given herself unto the land that is the Iron Kingdom and the Iron Kingdom has brought her back to life. The binding of the land and it’s Queen was always Meghan’s destiny. But to embrace the change meant forever seperating Meghan from her lover Ash.
To Ash the Iron of Meghan’s world is the ultimate kryptonite. Mere hours within the kingdom’s borders will kill Ash’s Winter fey body. What Ash needs is a soul. If Ash had a soul, he’d be human, he’d be able to enter the Iron Realm without the slightest discomfort.
But the quest for Ash’s soul will take him and his band of friends beyond the Nevernever, beyond the deep Wylde, beyond the edges of this world and beyond even life itself…into the shades of death.
Review
I Loved this book.
Did you catch that? Loved-with-a-capital-L
I cried, twice. This from the girl who made it through Titanic without shedding a tear. Yep, I watched Rose pry off Jack’s frozen hand simply held the tissues for my friends (one of whom was RachelKiwi by the way). So needless to say this book got me good.
This was by far my favorite of the series. I know that the first 3 books are Meghan’s journey, the legend of the Iron Queen. But I think with Meghan it was different. I connected with Meghan as a human. She was someone in a love triangle, someone who at times wanted to return to her human life. Her journey was longer, drawn out. It didn’t feel as seamless as I expect legends or myths to be.
Now don’t misunderstand me. The rest of the series was great. Loved it too. But it was complicated, complex, involved real-world sticky emotions. The first three books handle the story realisticially…well as realistically as you can get for a story involving a world of fey and a character I can’t help but think of as the Cheshire Cat (grim, sorry buddy). Anyway this last book is what I think of as a fairy tale, or legend, or myth. A story of a man who goes to the End of the World to be with the woman he loves.
At the end of the book when Ash says he went to the End of the World, beyond the Deep Wylde, endured the Gauntlet…ahh he means it! Seriously, it’s like watching Gone with the Wind and then reading it…you know Rhett leaves but when you read it you’re like *gasp* he leaves. This ending is just like that. Ash is recapping his trials and you’re like *gasp* *tear* he really did!
I’m explaining this all so horribly! I’m trying to be elequent about my love and it’s coming out sloppy, lol. What made this book special was Ash finally dealing with his emotions and his past. The Ariella/Puck history we’ve been watching for the last three books is finally dealt with. Ash has always been such a reserved character and it’s so cool to see this tale from only his point of view. And to see him navigate feelings that are very deep and complex is touching.
This is an old fashioned quest. A journey to the ends of the earth for love. There will be battles and villains and impossible tasks. Friends will remain steadfast and enemies will become allies. It’s a beautiful end to the series.
Rating: 5/5 Loved it. Simply, loved it.
Check back tomorrow for my spoiler report on the book! I enjoyed it far too much not to dish…
*Book received for review from Harlequin via NetGalley…Thanks!*