Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Iron King (Iron Fey, #1)

by Julie Kagawa

Enter a fantastical world of dangerous faeries, wicked princes and one half-human girl who discovers her entire life is a lie.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared when she was six. Ten years later, when her little brother also goes missing, Meghan learns the truth--she is the secret daughter of a mythical faery king and a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she loves, 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.

Books and novellas in the Iron Fey series:
The Iron King (special edition includes "Winter's Passage"* ebook novella)
The Iron Daughter (special edition includes the "Guide to the Iron Fey"*)
The Iron Queen (special edition includes "Summer's Crossing"* ebook novella)
The Iron Knight (special edition includes "Iron's Prophecy"* ebook novella)
The Lost Prince
The Iron Traitor
The Iron Warrior

*Also available in The Iron Legends anthology

Books in the Iron Fey: Evenfall series:
The Iron Raven

Reviewed by Amanda on

4 of 5 stars

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Original review: http://onabookbender.com/2011/09/02/review-the-iron-king-by-julie-kagawa/

Perhaps that I had been warned it might take time before I got into the book better prepared me than if I hadn’t known. It did take a bit before I settled into the story, but the aforementioned knowledge and a nasty case of cramps (TMI? sorry; reading keeps my mind off the pain) kept me pushing forward. Also, I was slightly weirded out by the names at the very beginning because Kyle has a sister-in-law named Meghann and a brother named Luke. And I’ve got a friend whose son — who is 4 — is named Ethan. Coincidences are fun, no? Maybe it is for this reason many fictional characters have such unique names. Anyway. The Iron King was the first book (I think) I’ve read set in the fae world and about them as well. Other books have features fae characters, either as enemies or very uneasy and untrustworthy allies, so this was an interesting change of pace.

Meghan struck me as naive and somewhat annoying at the beginning of The Iron King. A couple times I had to roll my eyes at what she got into. It was probably necessary for the story to move forward, but it still made me roll my eyes. Once Puck, Ash, Meghan and Grim all got together on their adventure, I started getting pulled into the story. I really enjoyed the four of these characters together, and the relationship (or lack thereof?) between Puck and Ash promise to make the next books in this series good ones.

I’m trying to decide whether the end would be considered a cliffhanger or not. To me, it’s a logical conclusion of the story while at the same time indicating that Meghan’s story isn’t over yet. And when you consider that The Iron King is the beginning of the series, it’s obvious Meghan’s story is far from being complete. And I will definitely pick up the next books, especially since they are supposed to get better from here. But I don’t feel forced to do this, like I did with other series that will remain nameless. *cough*feverseries*cough*

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 27 August, 2011: Finished reading
  • 27 August, 2011: Reviewed