Book #10 - The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4)

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4), Julie Kagawa
361 pages
Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Started 1/26/12
Finished 1/27/12
4.5 STARS

All good things must come to an end, including really, REALLY good books. *sigh* But, it was fun while it lasted.

This book was a bit different from the first three in that it is told from Ash's point of view. All the other Iron Fey books were narrated by Meghan, so we saw the world as it unfolded in front of her eyes. It was refreshing to have a different perspective. It was really cool reading about Ash's thoughts, especially when it came to Meghan and how much he loved her. I didn't think it was possible for me to love this character any more than I did at the end of The Iron Queen - but I did.

I also appreciated the more serious glimpses of Puck that the reader got to see. Puck is King Oberon's court jester - a goofball who hides his feelings and frustrations behind jokes and being a very purposeful pain in the ass. But, there were times during The Iron Knight that Puck dropped all pretenses and showed his heart, which was pure and raw. It was... nice.

As one would expect, our hero and his lady end up together in the end, after he literally goes to the End of the World to be together with her. Talk about the ultimate act of chivalry. It doesn't get any better than this, ladies.

My only complaint - and it's a small one - is that we don't see much of Meghan in this book. I did say that the story being told from Ash's POV was a nice change of pace, and it was. But, I found myself wondering off and on what Meghan was doing/thinking/saying about her new role in the Nevernever. And, she and Ash's big reunion was waaaaaay too short for my liking. I wanted so much more from that scene.

Luckily, I hear that a spin-off series is on its way, taking place 10 or so odd years in the future and centering around Meghan's brother Ethan. Kagawa promises us that we'll see familiar faces. I hope she keeps that promise.

Book #9 - The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3)

The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3), Julie Kagawa
358 pages
Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Started 1/23/12
Finished 1/24/12
5 STARS

Julie Kagawa is a genius. I often think I'd love to write a book. But, when I think about what I'd like to write about, the story in my head always sounds very familiar - like I've read that somewhere before. How authors come up with these fantastic worlds and complex characters and I-didn't-see-that-one-coming plot twists is incredible. And, Kagawa has done it again. I bow to her awesomeness.

So, Meghan and Ash don't even have a half hour to relax with each other before they're thrust back in the middle of the war between the Iron Kingdom and the rest of the Nevernever. After being exiled for loving each other, Meghan and Ash are granted a reprieve in exchange for killing the new Iron King, stopping the war and saving the Nevernever - AGAIN. No pressure, right? The same rag tag team of friends get together yet again to fulfill their destiny and come out on top.

And, through it all, the more refreshing part about this book is that Ash is no longer hiding or fighting his feelings for Meghan. everyone knows he loves her and she loves him, so what's the point? They don't even hide it from Puck anymore (poor Puck). I just loved every scene with them together. His chivalrous devotion to Meghan is the stuff of dreams.

But, the end - OH, the end! Talk about ripping my heart out. I feel the need to apologize to the Cumberland County Library System for returning this book slightly tear stained. Meghan becomes the Iron Queen to save the Nevernever, and releases Ash from his vow to protect her in order to save his life. Now, SHE is the one giving up everything to save the man she loves. And, it appears that their love is doomed. But, Ash promises to find a way for them to be together, and the reader has learned that, when Ash promises something, come hell or high water (usually both), he will make it happen. Plus, there is the fact that there's one more book left in this series...

Book #8 - The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2)

The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2), Julie Kagawa
359 pages
Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Started 1/21/12
Finished 1/22/12
5 STARS

Sometimes it's hard to wrap my mind around a really great book. You know what I mean? Even now, nearly a week after finishing this book, I'm having a hard time getting this post started. Ok. Let me take a step back and start from here:

This was a damn good book.

It has all the elements that make a fantastic story - action, humor, a kick-ass chick and a gut-wrenching wonderful love story. In the beginning, Meghan fulfills her promise and allows Ash to take her to the Winter Queen. Ash agonizes over this because he knows Meghan's time there won't be pleasant and he won't be able to shield her from that. However, they manage to uncover a plot by the new Iron King to destroy the Nevernever and every being in it. And, so, Meghan and Ash set off to defeat yet another Iron King and save their world.

So, you know those Twilight books? Wait! Don't leave! Just hear me out for a second. Yes, I read them. Fairly recently, actually. And, I really wasn't a big fan of them. Edward was the only reason I stuck through all four of them. See, I'm a completely hopeless romantic. And, I go all mushy inside when I read a story about a boy who loves a girl so much that he's willing to sacrifice anything - everything - to keep her safe and in his life. I think deep down, it's what every girl dreams about. That was Edward for me - the ultimate hero. The eternal protector.

Well, Edward has been topped.

The end of The Iron Daughter was so amazing, I had to read it three times. Ash gave up everything he knew for Meghan, not even knowing for sure whether she would return the gesture (of course she did). THAT is the kind of love that I want to read about. He left his family, his home, his whole world because he fell in love with the wrong girl and wasn't willing to give her up. Oh yeah - Edward who??