Review: The Iron Knight

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4)

by Julie Kagawa
Published October 26th 2011 by Harlequin TEEN

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing. 
 
Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless 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 solemn 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. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.
~goodreads blurb

Rating: 5++/5
Review- 
MIND-BLOWING. Oh, my goodness gracious. YOU GUYS, this book was absolutely freaking mind-blowingly fantsastic! Honestly, I have nothing negative to say about this novel. 

I started the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa last year and fell in love with it! In my mind, Kagawa can do no wrong. Once again, she has worked her literary magic on me; This fourth, concluding novel of the series was my first read of 2012 and boy, I can't think of a better novel to start off the new year. 

This book was from Ash's (*dreamy smile*) POV, which, admittedly, I was a little wary about; normally, I love reading books from a girl's perspective and I had grown to really love Megan's character and narration, so reading another book of the same series, in which she wasn't actually present very much, had me a little worried. But of course, all that worry was completely irrational because, believe me, Kagawa did not disappoint. I got to know the guarded winter prince on a much deeper level, and my literary crush on him grew immensely. 

There's so much to his past that, as a reader, I knew about, but never fully knew... does that make sense? In this book, I got to know more about his history/experiences rather extensively and I understood how he became the cold prince of Winter he was at the beginning of the book. At the same time, I also got to see him change from that emotionally guarded prince into...well, a human. 

And the cast! Oh, my gosh, I already loved every single one of  Kagawa's characters, and the new ones (namely one in particular) was no exception. I loved the people (loosely used term) Ash went on his quest with! Even the one that was BIG and BAD. Each character is just crafted so SO well that you can really connect and love every single one of them. 

The dynamic between Ash and Puck was one of my favorite parts. I adored reading more about their "friendship" and knowing just what Ash thought of the summer prankster. I especially loved how Kagawa resolved their age-old feud.

The plot is mainly about Ash and Co.'s journey... or rather, quest. I originally thought that a simple quest couldn't possibly fill up an entire book.... BUT IT DID! Holy guacamole, there was SO much action and plot twists and turns and developments that I was practically devouring the book, page by page. There was not a single boring moment!


After the tragic ending of The Iron Queen, I was so glad that Kagawa decided to write another book and give it a happy ending. Honestly, the way this book ended was a perfect conclusion to the series. Sigh ohmygoshIamsoinlovewiththisseries! 
Subliminal message: READ THIS BOOK. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO...


Quotes
“Geez, you guys. I know I'm popular and all, but seriously, you're a bit too co-dependent for me. I'm going to need you to step away from my personal bubble." A wispy vine-woman curled ivy tendrils around his arm, and he sliced through them with his dagger. "No! Bad Wraith! No touchie!” 

-Puck

“You realize you've been duped by a fish," I said, watching the catfish grin at me before slipping into the dark waters, lost from view. Puck shrugged.
"Hey, it was going to name one of its grandfish after me," he said, tossing the line into the water again. "That's one of my rules, you know. I refuse to eat anything that names its kid after me.”
-Ash and Puck

"I was in love. With a human.
I smiled bitterly at the thought. The old Ash, if faced with such a suggestion, would've either laughed scornfully or removed the offender's head from his neck.” 
 
“My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl.” 
-Ash

My Book Boyfriend: Ash

To find out more about this super fun event, created by the Unread Reader, click here. 


My literary crush this week is none other than..... *drumroll*... Prince Ash from the The Iron Fey series!
*Sigh* I just finished the fabulous 4th (and last) book, The Iron Knight, and I must say, Julie Kagawa had me totally swooning for him all over again! 

• True name: Ashallyn’darkmyr Tallyn
• Winter prince---third son of Mab
• black hair, silver eyes, all-around gorgeousness...
• great hunter and fighter
• kinda broody (in an attractive way of course!)
• friends/immortal enemies with Robin Goodfellow (also quite crushworthy....)
• a very loyal and devoted Knight   

 But let's let the quotes speak for themselves shall we?

"His forehead bumped softly against mine, his brilliant silver gaze searing into me. “I plan to keep you, from everyone, for as long as I’m alive. That includes Puck, the false king, and anyone else who would take you away.” One corner of his mouth quirked, as I struggled to catch my breath under his powerful scrutiny. “I guess I should’ve warned you that I have a slight possessive streak." 
-Ash to Megan 

"But ... but what if I hit you?”
A snort. “You’re not going to hit me.”
“How do you know?” I bristled at his amused tone. “I could hit you. Even master swordsmen make mistakes. I could get a lucky shot, or you might not see me coming. I don’t want to hurt you.”
He favored me with another patient look. “And how much experience do you have with swords and weapons in general?”
“Um.” I glanced down at the saber in my hand. “Thirty seconds?”
He smiled, that calm, irritatingly confident smirk. “You’re not going to hit me."
-Ash and Megan

“My name is Ashallyn’darkmyr Tallyn, third son of the Unseelie Court.” Though his voice was soft, it never wavered, and I felt breathless at hearing his full name. His True Name. “Let it be known—from this day forth, I vow to protect Meghan Chase, daughter of the Summer King, with my sword, my honor, and my life. Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. Should even the world stand against her, my blade will be at her side. And should it fail to protect her, let my own existence be forfeit. This I swear, on my honor, my True Name, and my life. From this day on…” His voice went even softer, but I still heard it as though he whispered it into my ear. “I am yours."

“My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl.”  
  

WANT NOW!!!

"The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality..."

 "Joy Delamere is suffocating...

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take her cruel words until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe…if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late."

blurb doesn't sound absolutely to-die-for, but I've been seeing such great reviews!

"When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear..." 

 "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..."


Oh. Mygoodness. I have LOVED every freaking minute of this series and now it's ENDING?! I need to get my hands on this book....

 "In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake."

I read the first book a while back and thought it was pretty good (3.5-4 stars) but I'm really itching to read THIS one because it's going to have Ky's POV too! *fangirl squeal!*








Dang, how I wish I had all the money in the world to buy books! Oh well, if wishes were fishes, then even beggars would eat.