*ARC provided by Harlequin Teen via Netgalley


My rating: 3.5/5 stars
First line: “My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.”
Favourite quote: “I’m living on borrowed time and I want to make the most of it.”
Song of choice: She Wants Revenge by Up in Flames

The Lost Prince is the spin-off book written in the same universe as The Iron Fey. Ethan Chase, the brother of Meghan, has had the Sight ever since he was a little boy. That didn’t help him at all. The Fey have interfered with his life, forcing Ethan to move frequently from town to town. They have harassed him all his life so now, at seventeen, Ethan has the reputation of a bad boy. Apparently, he’s an arsonist, a delinquent and an ex-Juvie convict. Our story begins when Ethan moves to a new school and he becomes sort-of-friends with a Half Breed named Todd. Another person who takes interest in Ethan is Mackenzie St. James, the school’s nosy journalist that can’t stop asking Ethan questions. Things get really bad when Todd disappears and Ethan finds out that he’s not the only Half Breed missing.

When Netgalley approved my request for this book I was happy at first, but I confess, I was praying for this book to not be a disappointment. Now, I’m just in the middle. One the one hand, it was nice revisiting old characters and see that they are as awesome as ever but on the other hand, I wish things would’ve been different.

Ethan Chase is an emotional mess. He hates everything Fey and blames Meghan (and Ash) for his unhappy childhood. He distrusts Fey with a passion and he hates all they represent. For him, they are the ruin of his life. Because of Them, he has grown to be this resentful, sullen and bitter person. He doesn’t have any friends because he doesn’t allow himself to approach anyone emotionally wise. Until Kenzie happened. She pushed and pushed until his walls broke down and she found a place in his life. But before that happened, I had to have a massive headache from the way Ethan behaved. He went back and forth, one step ahead, two steps back all the bloody time. I can’t be near you, the Fey will hurt you but I want to protect you but I don’t have to care… You understand? Massive headache. All this emotional conflict made me think that Ethan’s internal monologue was just one big melodrama. As I’ve said before, brooding might be sexy but whining not so much.
I don’t know if I enjoyed his POV so much. He was just too spiteful and angry for me to relate with. Also, him talking trash about Meghan and Ash was not the way to my heart.

We had three new important characters introduced in the book. I’m talking about:
Kenzie, the Adventure Seeker
I liked the girl. I admit that I was annoyed by her at the beginning but then she started to grow on me. She was direct, a quick thinker and stubborn. To add more depth to her character, Kagawa wrote her an angsty background story and I was disappointed to read that (view spoiler)[she had cancer (hide spoiler)]. However, she tries to make the best of it and she has a bucket list. A walk to remember, everyone?

Keirran,the Reckless Fool
Keirran, Keirran, Keirran. How is it you came from Ash and Meghan? Are you sure you’re not adopted? I asked myself these questions everytime this guy showed up. He’s reckless, irresponsible and he never plans ahead. I found his character weak, I can’t believe he’s the son of Ash. He runs away from his mother’s court, he does irremediable stuff and he’s as naïve as a newborn. I never expected his character to disappoint me so, I was so happy when I first read about him in The Iron Knight. And he doesn’t care if he’s exiled just so he can be with his Butterfly Damsel *shakes head* I wanted more.

Annwyl, the Useless Damsel
I suppose every book must have its Damsel in Distress female character. Annwyl plays her role very well. She’s with the head in the clouds, all the time. She’s useless and annoying. Butterflies, rainbows, ponies and flowers are Annwyl’s world. Lovely, right? *sigh* I don’t see what Keirran sees in her. I guess he’s just a fool in love.

One thing that made the book better after its disappointing cast were the appearances of Meghan, Ash, Grimalkin and Puck. I never thought I’d be so happy to read Ash-Puck banter or Grimalkin’s pearls. Just read this:

“You are in the Nevernever, the home of the fey. Or, as you mortals insist upon calling them, faeries. Yes, faeries are real”, it added in its bored tone, as Kenzie took a breath to speak. “No, mortals cannot normally see them in the real world. Please save all the unnecessary questions until I am finished.”

Also Razor’s screeches of “Evil kitty”, “Die, bad kitty” made the book more fun. I’m sure I’ll read the second book of the series, Kagawa’s writing style is too good for me to miss. Although the title The Traitor Son is giving me an ominous feeling, I think I will try it just so I won’t miss Grim’s, Ash’s or Puck’s scenes. They are the living soul of the series.