Guardians don't get a choice between dreams and duty. When something terrible stirs... duty calls.
With the help of her best friend Jackie and Uncle Irshad, her only remaining family, Ibby has rebuilt a normal life after the chaos of the year before when she discovered she was Inconquo––a metal-shaping, iron-slinging guardian.
But a normal life is too much to ask for someone wielding the power Ibby has.
When a secret society with sinister intentions returns to resurrect the original Inconquo, a bloodthirsty demi-god of mythic proportions...Ibby steps to the front lines. Stakes rise when she discovers treachery among her trusted peers and learns she’s not just fighting for herself and her family but everyone who has Inconquo blood running through their veins.
With so much on the line, Ibby looks for help wherever she can get it. When a hated enemy comes crashing back into her life, will Ibby make a deal with the devil in the hopes that she can stop the apocalyptic awakening?
A.L. Knorr is a USA Today Bestselling Author and award-winning Canadian conjurer of clean fantasy for teens and the young at heart. Her stories blend elemental magic, epic adventure, fierce female leads, and just enough romance to make your heart flutter (without needing to hide the book from your grandma).
Whether you’re chasing fire demons through Venice, swimming with mermaids off the coast of Poland, or unraveling supernatural conspiracies in ancient ruins, her immersive worlds pull you in—and don’t let go.
No explicit content. No f-bombs. Just page-turning plots, vivid magic, and characters you'll wish were real.
And if you like your fantasy with a little more grit, danger, and fallen angels? Check out Shadows of the Fallen—where secrets are deadly, powers come at a price, and trust is the rarest magic of all.
Join her VIP Reader List for secret book news, and first dibs on every new release: www(dot)alknorrbooks(dot)com Find her on IG @alknorrbooks
I adore A.L. Knorr’s books. They’re invariably fresh, imaginative and fun. That’s certainly true of Metal Guardian, her second Rings of the Inconquo urban fantasy adventure. I love the star of this book, Ibby, an “Inconquo”, which is a metal-shaping, iron-slinging guardian. She faces betrayals and lots of thrilling adventures here against pretty daunting odds but wow is it ever fun following along. This book was just one solid fun thrill ride, and I’m happy to highly recommend it.
So I absolutely loved book one and was so excited for book two and it was every bit as good! A great fast paced and exciting urban fantasy read filled with new twists on old myths, kickass women, and plenty of full-metal action, this had me on the edge of my seat! I totally recommend that you read book one first otherwise a lot of it will not make sense but questions are answered, some are not, there’s magic, a little romance and a few twists and turns and you will not be able to put this down!
The books in the Metal Guardian series have been great fun so far. We're not talking high art, Knorr isn't Iain Banks or Neil Gaiman, but they do offer high speed entertainment, some engaging people and some really good ideas in magic. The demons are introduced a little quickly, but hey, this is urban fantasy no time for that sort of thing. The descriptions of places and events are vivid and interesting too, and on the whole I'd say these a re well worth anyone's time.
You may be sensing a 'but' coming, and indeed, here it is: but the language is subtly wrong in quite a few places. Now, perspective is necessary, I am British, originally FROM London, have spent many years in and around London and know the British, Cockney and other London dialects rather well. Soooooo.... NO Londoner is going to crave a couple of tacos after a hard fight. It just isn't a common cuisine here, even in cosmopolitanism London. A couple of burgers would work, a couple of kebabs ( notice the 'kebabs', NOT 'kabobs' spelling, the latter is an American English perversion, sorry, peculiarity, sorry, idiom) even better. British women might wear a trouser-suit, but NOT a pantsuit, because that would have them wondering what on earth it was. And the most inappropriate of all, no-one brought up in London would wonder about removing 'hundreds of DOLLARS worth' of anything, from anywhere. Pounds. Pence.
Some of this might be excused by the fact that the protagonist-heroine is Sudanese, and could also be simply American writers trying to make things accessible for American readers. Even so, these tilt the experience to the slightly wrong, and , certainly for me, interfere with immersion in the book. If you've gone far enough to try and make the characters 'speak' British English, go the whole hog and do it properly! Oh, and when attempting even Mockney, after is modified to as a'er, not A'fer, both the f and the t disappear.
Nothing a little more research and tighter editing wouldn't put right though, and I have to say, I'm still going to buy the third one, because I like the rest of the writing and the characters! I've banged on about the language ( and I HAVE) because with a little more care it could be very much better and would REALLY enhance the books!
This is the second book in the Elemental series spin-off “Born of Metal”, which presents us a young woman with powers over… well… metal. I’ve been enchanted by all of A.L. Knorr’s books and her Elemental universe and this book does not disappoint: it caught my interest from the very beginning and I finished it as fast as I could because I simply HAD TO KNOW what happened next to poor Ibby, whose life is turned upside down again.
This is a fast-paced story which doesn’t leave you with much room to breathe, but at the same time the authors manage to develop the characters wonderfully. I love how Ibby tries her best to stick to her moral values even when confronted with situations where the easier thing to do would be the wrong thing to do.
Something else that I love is that we’re getting chronologically closer to the main series (The Elemental Origins). Ibby’s story happens before that series, and I first got to meet Ibby in “Born of Air”, which is the 5th book in the Elemental Origins. So, I know where she ends up. I just didn’t know HOW she ended up there and this story fills that gap perfectly. One more book to go and I’m so excited about it!
This is book two in this exciting series, and I HIGHLY suggest reading book one first. This is full stop adrenaline led by a fierce woman named Ibby who only recently learned of her power with metal through her bloodline. Not to mention this fight against an ancient evil. She fears she may be the last of her kind, and so with her fierce but human BFF Jackie, her elderly uncle, and a possible ex enemy turned compatriot they do their best to continue the fight. Old friends are possible traitors, another vanishes into thin air. Strange things and people are hitting them left and right. My money is on Ibby. She has a quick mind, huge heart, and is learning on her feet at an incredible rate. Evil is rising, but they've not encountered Ibby or her team yet. I can't wait for book three to see what happens. She may be down, but she's FAR from out....and more it seems there more hope that before.
Ok, not a duology then, as originally touted, but a trilogy. Must have been all the action and excitement that has taken on a mind of its own. After the prologue, the beginning of this story starts off with Ibby welcoming her Uncle Iry from Sudan into the UK. You may as well enjoy this fairly quiet beginning because it won’t stay that way for long. Ibby is challenged almost beyond her metal powers. Awesome descriptions about the struggles to overcome the bad guys as she works with the metal to bend and shape it to her will. Barely escaping with her life and the lives of her friends and uncle. What happens next is to be found in the next book in the series. I anxiously await it. I highly recommend this series to all who love high action and drama with a kick a** heroine and maybe a little bit of romance.
Ibby is finally going to be reunited with her last remaining family but her plans to live a somewhat normal life are shattered and she’s hit with a hard dose of reality, there is no going back. Dogging bullets, fighting evil and learning how to stay one step ahead of everyone else is her new life. She didn’t ask for it but in order to keep those she loves and all of humanity safe she’ll have to step up and become the guardian she was destined to be. I loved going on this journey with Ibby and her circle. It was a riveting and suspenseful adventure. I really loved seeing the story come together and kind of make connections/tie into The Elemental Origins series. I can’t wait to start the final segment of Ibby’s quest.
I am a huge fan of the entire elementals series and each individual girl in them. Ibby is one of my favorites because she is very relatable. I enjoy reading about her finding her powers and what she can do with them as well as her relationships with Jackie, her uncle and Marcus. This just makes me want book 3 on audio so much more! The narrator is amazing and i can't imagine anyone else's voice doing these books. Great all around.
The world building and character development in this book is amazing. The plot is fast paced and keeps you reading. Ibby faces a lot and it would be easy to give in ,but she holds firm to her values through it all. It was not an easy road to stop those who are after her. I enjoyed the bit of romance developing. There is so much to love about this book, it differently got me excited to read the ending. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fantastic read that grabs you fof rom the first page to the last. This is the Second book in the series. Its a fast past read with epic scenes, the scenes are written so well that I can picture them in my minds eye. This is a real page turner with twists and turns that keeps you enthralled with this read. I definitely recommend this captivating read. Its a must read. Shauna Joesten
Love, love, love this series! The development of the characters since book one is fantastic. They didn't let the kidnapping and trauma they suffered make them victims. They did something about it and prepared themselves so they weren't helpless again. Seeing Ibby with her uncle was sweet. I can't wait for book 3!
This is book 2 of a spin-off from The Elementals series. Action packed and fast paced. And while I enjoy the series, I don't connect with the main character, Ibby, and her life circumstances like I do with the original characters. But nonetheless, it is a good series- so 5 stars.
I really enjoyed the heartwarming family stuff at the beginning of the book as well as the escalation with the new enemy coming to light with the shady underground organisation. It was really entertaining the whole way through and that kicker at the end that made me want to read the finale to this trilogy straight away!
Great Read! Ibby has become proficient with her powers and finally gotten her family together. But a safe, normal, life is not in the cards. Lots of action and intrigue where it is hard to tell friend from foe. I am looking forward to the final book in this entertaining series.
Ibby has been pushed around like so much flotsam and jetsam, trying to get a handle on her new powers, keep ahead of Winterthur, and battling evil. This was fast-paced, lots of action, and developed Ibby’s story further. A good read.
I have enjoyed the Rings of the Inconquo books, although they don't seem to capture me as well as the previous Elemental books did. The story was good, the plot moved a little slowly but was twisted to keep up the interest. Read it.
The second book in the series and it does not disappoint. I was on edge the entire time I read this book. I can't believe what is happening in Ibby's world. The discovery of new friends, new enemies, and the fine line between them all keeps you guessing as to what is going to happen next. I love how A.L. Knorr is able to blend her books together. Including people from other Elemental's books is awesome. You don't need to read the original Elemental's series, but it wouldn't hurt. In fact you will just enjoy this series even more. I definitely suggest you read this series.
Mobsters and magic. An excellent combination in this second book following Ibby and her friends. Mix in a frienemy and a new love interest, and this book ticks all the boxes!
Absolutely loved the continuation of Ibby’s story. It was packed fully of action and I could NOT put it down! Again solid characters and solid plot line. I am so ready to jump into book 3!
I think Ibby is one of my favorite elementals. This book was exciting, and I really cannot wait to read the next one! I received the audiobook from the author, but the opinions are my own.
I read it on Kindle Unlimited, but I will be buying a copy to keep and reread!
Old enemies who may not be enemies. Old friends who may not be friends. Set a year after Born of Metal, Ibby's life is changed in unexpected ways from where she might have guesed, but she should have known better than to think it was going to remain settled down. For the first time in this series, a hint of romance comes into it, but it is still occupying very little of the page count. The thriller aspect very much continues - and at the end, the first direct suggestion of a connection to the other tales.
Very engaging story and characters, as with the first book...
But now I have to wait until May for the series to finish!
I enjoyed this story. It is the second in the series. Ibby thinks that she can return to normal life after she discovered her powers the year before. But what she failed to remember is that her powers give her the responsibilities of being a guardian. She is now faced with saving humanity yet again. Just after finally helping her Uncle to move to live with her. One of her biggest challenges is going to be determining who she can trust moving forward. She also gets a bit of a love interest.
Family reunited, friends who may be betrayers, enemies who may be on your side after all, an evil society, impending apocalypse... this book is fast-paced and exciting. I'm stoked. Can't wait to read the last installment. Thank you Aaron and Abby
Honestly- l struggled with this book. As it is co-written it showed and wasn't her usual page turning, all consuming and addictive style. It is still a good book.