Review and Giveaway! The Iron Fey, Featuring The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

It's time to return to the Iron Realm, and Julie Kagawa has done it again.  If you haven't read The Iron Fey Series, it is definitely one you will want to check into.  I can't tell you how many times I've read reviews that say, "I don't normally like fantasy, but...."  or  "I'm not really into faery books, but....I absolutely LOVED the Iron Fey series!"  Where the Wicked Lovely series, and the Tithe series are dark, The Iron Fey series is light and often, with the help of one Robin Goodfellow (Puck), very funny.  It's also very original, and often times tense, not to mention romantic!  You can check out my reviews of The Iron King, and The Iron Daughter if you haven't yet!


Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (February 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210183
ISBN-13: 978-0373210183
Source:  Netgalley and Harlequin Teen
Author's Website:  http://www.juliekagawa.com/

My name is Meaghan Chase.

I thought it was over.  That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me.  But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming.  Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stay by my side.  Drag me into the core of a conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.


Once again, our favorite characters (except for poor Ironhorse) come calling in this fourth installment of The Iron Fey series.  Meghan and Ash have left the Nevernever, banned from ever returning because of their declaration of love for each other.  But, of course, they can't stay gone for long.  They are inevitably drawn back into the world of Faery to help fight against the growing threat of the false Iron King and his army of Iron Fey.  


I won't go into too much detail here, because pretty much anything will be a spoiler, but I really loved how Meghan stepped up into her roll in this book.  She is finally tired of playing the damsel in distress and is ready to take matters into her own hands and learn how to defend herself, whether with Faery magic, or with a sword.  I love reading about Meghan in this book.  Where the other two books, I felt, left me thinking about Ash (or Puck), this one really left me thinking about Meghan, and how strong and independent she has become.  My favorite scene was when Meghan learned how to fly.  I won't explain what that means, but I could just picture the whole thing in my head, and I thought it seemed exhilarating!  


The only bad thing about Meghan becoming such a strong, independent girl, was that I felt like Ash kind of stepped into the background too much.  He just seemed to be following Meghan around all the time, not really doing or saying too much.  Their relationship was still intense, and certainly kicked up a notch, but I missed Ash's normal strength.  And, yes, even though I want my females to be strong, I still want them to be rescued sometimes, too :)  So, I was SO VERY HAPPY to find out that Ash would be getting his own book!  The epilogue gave a glimpse into what that book might be like, and I absolutely LOVED it (the epilogue)!

I also really loved Puck in this book.  I thought that he seriously proved himself as a loyal friend to Meghan, and his lighthearted jokes and witty rhetoric were a perfect balance to the harshness of the war and the sacrificial choices that Meghan had to make!   Of course, Grim was the adorably persnickety  snark that seems to have captured the hearts of everyone who has read the books, but the most surprisingly lovable characters may just come as a shock to you.  You'll just have to wait and see!

I think that this book ended on the biggest cliffhanger yet in the series, so I can not wait for The Iron Knight!

Loved it!

If you haven't read The Iron Fey series, now's your chance.  I'm giving away my advanced reader's copy of The Iron Queen along with a copy of the first two books, The Iron King and The Iron Daughter.  To enter, you must be a follower, and just fill out the form!  Giveaway is International!

Good Luck